Trendsetting Bajan International Pop-icon Rihanna, is in her own lane and loving it. The Forbes
Listed Billionaire certainly knows how to confound her detractors and media Haterz. As she throttles on, full speed ahead, despite their bellyaching and second-guessing her every move.
Imagine, people still questioning her Wardrobe choices, a young girl whose choices saw her rise from relative obscurity to that of being one of the world’s top Entertainers, with her own Clothing Line, to boot. You would imagine that by now they have figured it out by now and know that Riri, is not looking to them for career advise, but she certainly welcomes the attention their obsessive criticisms have provided her, catapulting her into Global Stardom, and a No-nonsense Entertainer and businesswoman, who will not accept or tolerate domestic abuse, out of fear of being alone or the societal pressure, that says a woman is incomplete without a man.
And as if they do not already have enough on their crowded plate to mull over as they seek to follow her, trendsetting glamorous life, The Girl just went and hot up their heads again, by doing what she does best, living her life on her own terms and above the fray and petty concerns of her media Detractors and haters, by just forking out a cool 21-Million Big ones to purchase the LA Penthouse, once owned by Actor Matthew Perry.
Already speculation is rife as the question being asked by many is this a family buy or just a lovenest for her and beau ASAP Rocky, and their growing brood, as the couple is expecting their second child in months.
Whether her new pad is a love nest or family home, is the construct of the media, Riri is on record as being happy, and that’s all we need to know.
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There were many who questioned the wisdom of appointing Marlon D. Simms, the Artistic Director, of the
National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) after the illness and death of the company’s second Artistic Director in the Company’s 50-odd-year-old history. Up until the appointment of Barry Moncrieffe, the Company had known only one Artistic Director, and That was Professor Rex Nettleford. And the appointment of Barry Moncrieffe was questioned no less than that of Marlon Simms. And little wonder as indeed, Rex Nettleford was not on an internationally acknowledged Scholar, Cultural Icon and Caribbean Nationalist, he practically was on a first name basis with every Caricom Leader; Knew every national business Leader of worth in Jamaica, and had extensive connections and rapport with the Global Academic community, which garnered him the respect and support needed to have sustained the NDTC, over the many years.
So, Professor Nettleford’s passing was a body blow to the NDTC, and whilst Barry Moncrieffe, was an amiable Director, Beloved and all. And affectionately called “Uncle Barry”, by the NDTC family and the extended families. No one actually expected of him the kind of ironfisted leadership, that was the Nettlefordian, model that molded and kept the Company and its disparate members together, and made it into an internationally recognized and acclaimed Company, for so many years, So, naturally, many approved the appointment of Barry Moncrieffe, in a similar fashion to the appointment of Marlon Simms, – With trepidation and skepticism. Not because of questions of their commitment and or capacity, but because of questions such as whether would they both be able to manage the internal politics, and the haggling necessary to mount annual shows, and especially the unorthodox Easter Sunday 6:00 am recital.
Well, the answer, has been a resounding yes! As Both Moncrieffe and Simms, managed to not only keep the Company true to its founding principles; they both managed to expand its reach and developed new avenues and outreaches to recruit new talent and maintain the Company’s core strength; while fostering new ties to the Corporate world, Indeed, it is safe to say, observing Marlon Simms’s evolution from Company Dancer, to Artistic Director, seems to have been a seamless transition, with Simms, seemingly in control, but more importantly being cognizant that indeed he stands on the shoulders of many, heralded and unheralded, who gave of their time, energy and resources, to Manifest the NDTC, a Dance Company that ranks culturally with any of the other globally known ensembles, that like the NDTC, weathered teething pains; the Cold War; the American Attempts at Universal Cultural hegemony; Sanctions and Importantly, was an agent of resistance to Oppressive regimes, across the globe. Last Sunday, the NDTC stage it’s 42nd hosting of the novel Easter Sunday Morning of Music and Movement, and As Accustomed, I stood in the back of the Theatre, with its commanding view of the Stage, its wings, VIP seating, and a general overview of the Ground floor of the Theatre, And this in itself was moving, as I stood in this vantage point for years, and would observe Professor Nettleford pacing, as he looked on as an anxious parent, willing his children on, to deliver what he knew they were all capable of -A World-class performance, worthy of the Ancestors, and it brought tears to my eyes, seeing Marlon Simms, doing the same thing. It made my heart swole, and I left the Little Theatre feeling proud, that he was indeed a capable Artistic Director, And the Company would indeed grow, under his baton…And I committed to do whatever I could, to help him attain his goals For the Company. Undeserving, tho this generation might be, Jamaica is worthy of such a legacy. And Rex Nettleford’s sacrifices, should not have been in vain.
CF-J.
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Then the Foreign Minister she, has a nerve! Imagine, chastising Jamaicans, fleeing to escape poverty, crime, and endemic corruption that robs them of hope and promise, by saying their actions spoil the stature of the Jamaican Passport and international travelers, when they seek to emigrate, albeit illegally, in search of a better life for themselves and their dependents.
The Nerve of this Woman!!
Has it occurred to her or has anyone told her that if the Government that she is a part of, were to address the issues causing Jamaicans to risk life, limbs, and even Sexual Imprisonment and Slavery, to flee this Country, where desperation is at its highest, evidenced by “Straight” men now flee, claiming to be Homosexuals, when they apply for Asylum, Further risking their very lives and wellbeing should their applications fail, would not do so, if they saw a future for themselves in this Country?
Has it even registered that the word on the streets is that the biggest Human smuggling operations in regards to those she was addressing, originate in the Prime Minister’s Constituency?
Madam Minister Please!!!
Are you even aware that “Livity”, the JLP’s Strongman from Tivoli Gardens, is one of the high-profile ‘refugees’, who fled to Mexico and braved the waters of the Rio Grande, in order to escape this “Shit-Hole Country” (Donald Trump)?
Madam Minister. Take the beam out of the Government’s eyes, before you seek to remove the speck from others!!
