Latest news with #WayneWonder
Miami Herald
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Take a look at the scene at Best of the Best, Miami's celebration of Jamaican music
From the long lines for jerk chicken and other Caribbean fare to the waving flags during the islands' roll calls, Best of the Best music festival made its big return on Sunday after a two-year hiatus, taking over downtown Miami's Bayfront Park. One of the biggest showcases of dancehall, reggae and soca music, the Caribbean music festival finally returned this year with its 19th edition and a highly-anticipated performance by legendary showman Buju Banton, the final act. Before Buju Banton took the stage to remind the crowd why he remains one of dancehall's biggest stars (even despite his seven-year U.S. incarceration), the crowd was treated to performances by the queen and king of Lover's Rock, Marcia Griffiths and Beres Hammond, dancehall's Wayne Wonder and Romain Virgo, and soca artist Skinny Fabulous, among others. Representing 'the small islands,' Skinny showed that even among dancehall and reggae fans you can get a Carnival vibe as the crowd, estimated at 12,000 by the City of Miami police, jumped and wined, while proudly waving their country's flags from across the Caribbean. 'We represent,' said Palm Beach resident Michelle Francis, a native of Grenada who attended the concert with friend Janet McClure of Orlando. A fan of soca music, Francis said she came to see Buju Banton and 'he didn't disappoint.' McClure likes Buju Banton also, but her draw was Hammond, who at 69 cannot only still move on the stage but showed with his live band and five backup singers that longevity generates multi-generational appeal. The concert, McClure said, gave her an opportunity 'to connect with my culture.' And connect concert goers did. From welcoming Wayne Wonder's performance of his new song, 'Jah Lift Me Up,' to singing along with classics like 'Bashment Girl' and 'Saddest Day of My Life,' the crowd took it all in with approving screams. But it was Buju Banton, whose high-energy performance had attendees raising their fists and cellphones in the air as he belted out an array of songs including 'Untold Stories' and 'Hills and Valleys,' that showed Caribbean music has a devoted following — and Jamaican artists, no matter the age, longevity. Mid-way through his set that ended abruptly at 11 p.m., Buju Banton welcomed Wayne Wonder back onto the stage and joined him in singing Stone Love's dubplate, 'Forever Young,' and then the two sang, 'I Don't Know Why.' 'Best of the Best,' Buju Banton said, 'is an annual display of the best of the best of the culture, reggae music.' Then he brought out another guest, singer Nadine Sutherland. The two performed 'Anything For You' and 'Wicked Dickie.' 'The show was awesome, wonderful,' said Miami resident Charmaine Smith, was was out with friends celebrating her birthday weekend. Here are more of the scenes from Best of the Best:
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
RenderATL 2025 Returns to Atlanta: The Ultimate Convergence of Culture, Code, and Community
The premier tech conference to return with dynamic learning opportunities, networking, and immersive experiences ATLANTA, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RenderATL, the leading tech conference merging innovation, culture, and code, today announced the return of its annual experience, set to take place June 11–13, 2025, in Atlanta, GA. Designed to bring together the brightest minds in tech, RenderATL 2025 will once again merge unparalleled educational sessions and networking opportunities with immersive experiences. As one of Atlanta Tech Week's flagship events, RenderATL has grown into one of the technology industry's most anticipated gatherings, attracting thousands of engineers, designers, entrepreneurs, and executives from across the globe. This year's programming will include 80+ technical talks and workshops, in addition to conversations on today's emerging trends within artificial intelligence, product management, web technologies, and beyond. "RenderATL isn't just a conference, it's a carnival of innovation where tech professionals at every level come to connect, grow, and be inspired," said Justin E. Samuels, Founder and CEO of RenderATL. "At RenderATL, we're not just talking about the future of tech, we're actively shaping it. It's a space where big ideas meet real opportunity, and where community fuels progress." Taking place in the creativity hub of Atlanta, RenderATL 2025 will deliver a dynamic mixture of fireside chats, workshops, and cutting-edge product demonstrations. Beyond the stage, attendees can expect immersive experiences ranging from networking events to curated moments that celebrate innovation and community. The event will also feature its signature festival experience featuring live performances from Wayne Wonder, Elephant Man, Alison Hinds, Kevin Lyttle, and more. Highlights for RenderATL 2025's robust programming include: The Build Track: Software development best practices, architecture, DevOps, and engineering leadership. The Create Track: A space for designers and product thinkers at the intersection of creativity and technology. AI & Innovation Stage: Informative sessions on generative AI, quantum computing, and ethical design. Career & Culture Panels: Real talk on navigating tech, breaking into leadership, and building impactful careers. Tech Square All-Day Activation in Midtown, open to all attendees. AI Summit + Workshops at AmericasMart, featuring early VIP access and full-day sessions. Citizen Supply Takeover at Ponce City Market, offering a curated shopping and culture experience. RenderATL EV Mixer @ Rivian and Speaker Mixer @ The Candler Hotel for curated networking. RenderATL Roof @ Atlanta Tech Week, presented by Uber, bringing rooftop vibes and tech energy to close out the day. Featuring a powerhouse lineup of industry leaders, RenderATL will feature forward-thinking discussions that explore the latest breakthroughs in AI, machine learning, modern web frameworks, design systems, and more. This year's dynamic speaker roster includes innovators such as: Safia Abdalla, Principal Software Engineer at Microsoft Jana Sloane, Senior Privacy Program Manager at Microsoft and Licensed Attorney Ava Toro, Global Strategic Insights Researcher at Reddit Kevin Whinnery, Developer Experience at OpenAI Sean McQuaid, Lead Software Engineer at Chick-fil-A Zach Maybury, Chief Technology Officer at DraftKings LaDarius Owens, Senior Technical Program Manager at DraftKings Amitha Sampath Kumar, Senior Quality Engineer at Hopper Scott Stewart, Senior Software Engineer at Intuit Mailchimp Darren Alphonse, Lead Product Manager at Disney Piyush Gupta, Senior Engineering Manager at Expedia Chris Bautista, Senior Software Engineer at Netflix Imad Abusam, Lead Product Manager, Financial Products at Uber RenderATL 2025 will also feature a dedicated panel hosted by Zillow, the leader in pioneering remote-first work cultures. This session will explore what success looks like in a remote, hybrid, or in-office environment and provide attendees with valuable insights into which work model best fits their career goals. Zillow's leadership team will share candid insights and offer practical strategies for building connections, advancing professionally, and thriving in virtual-first settings. From dynamic workshops to immersive experiences, RenderATL 2025 will offer unmatched learning and networking opportunities. More speakers, sponsors, and programming updates for RenderATL 2025 will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about RenderATL and to view the full event schedule, download the app at and follow @RenderATL on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. About RenderATL: RenderATL is one of the largest technology conferences in the United States, blending deep technical education with cultural immersion. Founded in 2019 by engineer and entrepreneur Justin E. Samuels, RenderATL was created to spotlight dynamic voices, experiences, and leadership in software engineering and innovation. What began as the South's first React-focused conference has since evolved into a full-scale experience spanning 250,000+ sq. ft., attracting thousands of developers, designers, product leaders, and tech executives from across the globe. RenderATL's mission is simple but powerful: Empower the next generation of tech leaders through connection, culture, and code. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE RenderATL
The National
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Wayne Wonder talks peace, the Middle Eastern music scene and Sean Kingston's legal troubles
One of Jamaica's best-known reggae and dancehall artists sang at my desk recently, sharing his call for peace in the region. He sang over a Zoom video call, but Wayne Wonder put so much energy and passion into the impromptu performance of the song White Flag, he might as well have been there in person. The No Letting Go singer was in Dubai this month to perform at the Reggae Beachfest, which has been held since 2013. More than 4,000 people attended this year's event at Barasti Beach. 'I just want to spread love and unity. Peace and love to humanity. There is so much going on right now. Love is lovely, war is ugly,' he said. He has two new singles out and performed one of them, Sweet, at the festival. He is also working on new EP with famous producer Tony Kelly, known for his collaborations with Shaggy, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Shabba Ranks and others. Wonder has been singing for more than three decades. Last year, No Letting Go was certified platinum in the UK, as the slow burner still has a following 23 years after its release. Other artists at the festival included South African Khalil Harrison, who is riding high on the viral success of his song, Jealousy. London DJ Skyla Tylaa featured Harrison, alongside Tyler ICU, Diamond Platnumz and others, on her new song Bombshell that marks her debut as a producer. Wonder said the music scene in the Middle East is booming. 'Music is growing. A new generation and the classics are rotating. It's just like a melting pot of music,' he said. "I went to the club a few nights ago, and there were all different types of music." Reggae Beachfest has evolved over the years to incorporate other genres, one of the organisers, Saif Al Naji, said. 'We've always embraced the full spectrum of Caribbean sounds – reggae, dancehall, and soca. But in recent years, we've started incorporating Afrobeats and amapiano into the mix. With its global rise and energy, it blends perfectly with our vibe and adds another layer of excitement to the festival line-up,' Al Naji added. The organisers are already working on their next event and have big dreams to turn the event into a regional fixture. 'We've been cooking up something very special for the upcoming season,' said Al Naji. 'While we can't reveal too much just yet, let's just say there are some bold moves and big names in the works. Our long-term goal is to build the biggest reggae festival in the Middle East — one that stands proudly alongside global icons like Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica, Summerjam in Germany, and City Splash in the UK. 'We're aiming for a two-day Reggae Beachfest experience with over 20,000 fans in attendance. We truly believe we're on the right track, and we're already planning toward making that vision a reality.' Jethro Nyandoro, one of the DJs who has taken part in the festival over the years, said it has hosted some of the most in-demand artists and built a loyal fan base. As Wonder performed in Dubai, another Caribbean artist, Sean Kingston, was enduring legal trouble in the US. The singer is awaiting sentencing after his conviction, along with his mother, in a $1 million federal fraud case. Wonder said there were lessons in the case for everyone. 'It's just an unfortunate situation. You just have to walk a straight line. Each and every one of us, not just artists. Just try to do your best,' he said. 'It only takes one mistake to mess you up. I tell my son all the time. One mistake can mess up your whole life.' 'In this age of social media, you've just got to be careful. You have to be skeptical of your circle, because trust is very hard to find.'
