My Barbados Blog

Barbados has named Rihanna as an honorary cultural and youth ambassador for the island.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister David Thompson Thursday night at a Bridgetown concert. The Prime Minister also gave Rihanna a "piece of the rock" which turns out is a prime piece of real estate in Apes Hill, St James Parish.

The young Bajan singer also received a Land Rover and a diamond bracelet from some of the event's sponsors, along with a birthday cake to celebrate her birthday which was Wednesday, February 20th.

And American R&B star Chris Brown, who has been romantically linked with Rihanna, traveled with her to the iskland, and was also in attendance at the concert.

Other honorary ambassadors for include Obadele Thompson, who won the bronze medal in the 100 meters at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Bajan artist Rihanna was nominated for six Grammy Awards this year, and took home the Award for Best Rap/Song Collaboration for the song "Umbrella" featuring Jay-Z.

She also performed live with the 80’s band The Time at the awards show this past Sunday.

I really don't understand why Barbados Tourism doesn't take full advantage of using her more in their marketing campaigns. Also most of the information about Rihanna is not from the local Barbados news, but other news outlets around the world.  

Whether you like her music or not, becoming an award winning world wide star is quite an accomplishment for this young Bajan. Many younger travelers have inquired about visiting Barbados only because they know that Rihanna is from the island, and they have expressed a desire to learn more, and possibly visit.  

Boyce Voice goes a lot farther with his posting on Bajans giving more support to one of their own.
 

I found these pictures through Google alerts for Rihanna. Haven't done a posting on her for awhile, so I thought I would post this for her fans - of course I'm a fan also.   

In fact over 4,000 visitors have come to My Barbados Blog in search of postings on the Bajan artist in the past few months.

So Rihanna fans enjoy!   

See all pictures of Rihanna at Digital Glamour Photography Blog

Barbados celebrates Independence Day on November 30th, and soul diva Patti LaBelle will be on the island for the holiday celebration.

The singer is assisting the Barbados Cancer Society's Hospital with a charity fundraising event to benefit the Barbados Cancer Society.

She is very involved with cancer programs and events because her sister died of the disease. Also the singer has diabetes, and is also involved with the National Diabetes Association.

Patti will be the guest of honor at "An Evening of Wine, Jazz and Hope" dinner, and a silent auction will also be held.

She will also introduce the Emmy nominated film "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy", in which she has a small part.

Then, it's on to The Gap Midnight Fun Mile, where she was invited to cut the ribbon to start a charity race. Proceeds from the race benefit the Barbados Cancer Society Hospital's outpatient services.

For those interested in attending any of these events, contact the Barbados Cancer Society at 436-8888 or visit the website: http://www.smbcf.org

   

Barbados own Rihanna won big time at the World Music Awards  - "Female Entertainer of the Year" honors and taking the prize for the "World's Best Selling Pop Female Artist."

World Music Awards 2007 list of winners

Legend Award for Outstanding Contribution to R&B - Patti LaBelle
Legend Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music - Celine Dion
World's Best-Selling New Artist - Mika
World's Best-Selling Pop/Rock Male Artist - Mika
World's Best-Selling Pop/Rock Female Artist - Avril Lavigne
World's Best-Selling Rap/Hip-Hop Artist - 50 Cent
World's Best-Selling Rock Group - Linkin Park
World's Best-Selling R+B Artist - Akon
World's Best-Selling Pop Female Artist - Rihanna
World's Best-Selling DJ - David Guetta
World's Best-Selling Latin Artist - Mana
Male Entertainer of the Year - Mika
Female Entertainer of the Year - Rihanna
World's Best-Selling Internet Artist - Akon

Best-Selling Artists from around the world:

Africa - Akon
America - Justin Timberlake
Australia - Silverchair
Britain - Mika
Canada - Avril Lavigne
China - Jay Chou
Netherlands - Within Temptation
France - Christophe Willem
Germany - Cascada
Ireland - U2
Italy - Laura Pausini
Middle East - Amr Diab
Russia - Silver
Spain - Miguel Bose
Scandinavia - Nightwish

Rihanna played the House of Blues in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and then headed back to Barbados for a family wedding.

While on the island she attended the "Ultimate Storm" concert featuring Beenie Man and Bounty Killa.

She will return to California where she has a show scheduled for October 30 in San Jose, and then the singer starts her European tour November 11.

On Monday No 10 Downing Street lifted a news blackout on Tony Blair’s summer holiday in Barbados - even though his vacation started around the first of August.

For security reasons the prime minster's press chief asked news organizations back in the summer not to report that he was indeed in Barbados.

But Blair accepts an invitation from the Barbados Legion to attend to a public World War Two commemoration on the island to commorate Barbadians who served in the war - and the so called vacation secret finally hit the print media.

When asked how the Barbados Legion knew Blair was on the island, the press chief stated that since Barbados is a small place, and it was obvious that some people would know he was there.

The media is still being asked not to report his exact location. So, Tony Blair is vacationing in his usual favorite island in the Caribbean, and exactly where he is staying is unknown - but you can be sure its somewhere on the west coast, perhaps at a private home.

So much for a slow news day . . .

 

Congratulations to Rihanna for winning the top MTV VMA award - Video of the Year  - for her hit single Umbrella, and she also won in a new category - Monster Single of the Year.   

Too bad MTV did not pick Rihanna and Chris Brown to open the show - their performance was the best of the evening.   

Just got back from traveling, and the rest of the office has been out sick with a virus.

Will try to get back to regular blogging soon - lots of e-mail and calls are waiting Linda

Bajan star Rihanna remains the queen of the U.S. pop charts after scoring a fourth successive week at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with her hit "Umbrella" - on the European charts the single is currently at #2.

Entertainment Weekly held a party in NYC last night to celebrate The EW 100 and Rihanna was the leading lady of the night as she took the stage and rocked the crowd. 

Since I've made no secret that I am a Rihanna fan, I've received a fair share of e-mail asking what I think about her new image, and the title of her new album - Good Girl Gone Bad.

Here's what Rihanna has to say . . .

She says "Bad is not sleazy. "Bad has its own term to every individual and in my case it just means I've gotten a little rebellious on the album, broken out of my shell and I'm taking risks... Michael Jackson 'bad' kind of way."

Good Girl Gone Bad was an expression of where I am at this point in my life, where I am in my career. It just represents my rebelliousness. I got really rebellious because I was being forced into a particular innocent image and I just had to break away from that.... I think every teenager just has a point in their life when they just get rebellious. They go into their own world, they shut everybody's opinion out, and they don't care. That's when they stick to what they want and that's what I'm doing right now. Read full article "Caribbean Queen" at Entertainment Weekly"

Rihanna, who graces the cover of Complex magazine says that she will never end up like Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan. "I’m just not the type to get sucked into bullshit. Everyone has control of what they do as an individual. I’m very sure about who I am as a person and what I’m here to do. I’m here in L.A., but I’m still not 'here in L.A.' I come from a very different place, and it gives me an advantage.”  Read full article at Hollyscoop - Rihanna Gets Complex

And for those romantic rumors linking her with rap mogul Jay-Z . . .
Rihanna says that all her dates have to go through Jay-Z before they can ask her out. "He's very protective," she continued, "He has my best interests in mind. If it's a good guy I know Jay won't shut him down. But if he's not, Jay will be like, 'No, no, no."

As for me I'm still very much a Rihanna fan.

Bajan singer Rihanna is featured on the Cover Girl website which is offering 3 FREE trips to the island of Barbados - courtesy of the Barbados Tourism Authority, Air Jamaica and Mango Bay Resorts.

The trip includes roundtrip airfare for 2, along with a 4 night stay at a deluxe property. And a few contestants might win Rihanna's newest CD, which is one of the second prize bundles.

Check out the site, and take the quiz to win.

And speaking of Rihanna . . . .

She will perform at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards with Jay-Z and Amy Winehouse.

Jessica Alba, Samuel L. Jackson, Shia LaBeouf, and John Travolta are scheduled to be presenters at the June 3, 2007 show.

Rihanna says she can't wait to perform - view the video: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?vid=147889

Some singers take two-year breaks between albums. Rihanna is working on her third disc, just two years after her first.

The hits are likely to keep coming and coming for the 19-year-old Barbados beauty, who has had success with "S.O.S.," "Unfaithful" and "Break It Off."

Her new single, "Umbrella," is out, the first song from her upcoming, not-yet-titled album, set for release June 5.

Read the rest of the article about Rihanna at AZ NightBuzz.com

A group of 41 former cricketers from Barbados, including some famous names, is clubbing together to help former team-mates who have fallen on hard times.

The organization, Cricket Legends of Barbados, will also promote the game on the island, and stars a glittering roll-call of members.

Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes, Wes Hall, Charlie Griffith, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Joel Garner will all lend their time.

Finish reading this article at BBC Sport

Been on vacation enjoying some Caribbean sun and fun in Turks & Caicos. Now its back to reality with catching up on lots of e-mail, and getting taxes done before the April 15th deadline. I'll be back to regular posting either before or by this weekend - meanwhile here's a little of what's happening in Barbados - Linda

Barbados Brothers Make Their Mark

Rico Walcott began riding when he was seven years old but got serious about becoming a jockey when he turned 15 in his native Barbados.

"There were horses in a pasture near where we lived and I learned how to ride initially on them," said Rico.

"I kept seeing how good Rickey (pictured here) was becoming as a jockey, though, and I got excited about maybe trying to follow him. I started as a jockey in Barbados two-and-a-half years ago and now I'm pretty focused on following in his footsteps."

Rickey is the leading rider at Stampede Park at the moment and the first to surpass the $100,000 earnings mark already this spring.

Read full article

Prince Harry Enjoying Barbados

Before Britain's Prince Harry heads off to Iraq for a six month tour, he and his girlfriend Chelsy Davis are having a great time in Barbados. The prince and his girlfriend are staying at a private villa at the Coral Reef Resort.

Reports from the British press say that Harry and Chelsy have been boozing it up with rum punch, lots of dancing and boat racing on the West coast. Over the weekend he and Chelsy flew to Antigua to watch England play Australia in the Cricket World Cup.

The young prince loves a good time, and the British press recently photographed him on a drunken night out at home. So the young prince is not doing anything more than he does at home, but I bet it's more fun in the Caribbean!

Air Jamaica's New Barbados Schedule is a Success!

Air Jamaica is reporting lots of business with its new schedule to Barbados, and the Eastern Caribbean.

Air Jamaica recently celebrated 10 years of service bringing visitors to the island of Barbados, and there are plans to add additional flights to Barbados.

Barbados All Decked Out
Indiatimes Cricket reports that Barbados is all decked out!

"Welcome to Barbados, the three Ws were born here." This was a hoarding put up right inside the Grantley Adams International Airport.

It was the best possible reminder to all tourists travelling for the first time to these parts. Of all the islands in the Caribbean, this is the richest in terms of cricketing tradition. More cricketing legends have come out of Barbados than from any of the other islands put together.

Read the full article

In other World Cup news . . .

Kensington Oval is the Best!

The directors of CWC has given Barbados Kensington Oval the highest score of the 12 Cricket World Cup venues for preparedness and readiness. Kensington Oval is the host the World Cup Final, which will be held on April 28, and also stage six Super Eight matches.

Slow Ticket Sales . . .
CWC organizers have priced tickets so high that cricket fans throughout the Caribbean and Barbados have not attended many matches. Along with high tickets prices, cricket fans complained bitterly about not being able to bring their traditional musical instruments (conch shells, shak shaks, horns, trumpets and drums) into the stadium unless they had advance permission.

But the organizers finally caved in to the reality that cricket fans in the Caribbean have their own lively cricket culture, and if you try to make that culture bend to your rules - it won't. So, the traditional musical instruments have been allowed, along with allowing fans to leave the grounds and re-enter.

Now to fill up the stand with locals, tickets are being offered at discount prices, and in some cases free tickets . . .

A plan which could include a drop in ticket prices for the Cricket World Cup matches in Barbados is being devised by officials to avoid the low turnout and other disappointments being reported in host countries so far. Read more at caribbeannetnews.com

And the Barbados Free Press comments on the "strategy" of selling the same tickets twice.
 

Olympic sprinters Marion Jones and Obadele Thompson were married in a small ceremony in the rural North Carolina town of Wilson's Mills.

"It was very homely, very quiet and simple," the Rev. Vibert Tyrrel, pastor of the Union Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilson's Mills, told Reuters News in a telephone interview from his home in New Bern, North Carolina.

Since many of my family, friends and clients  know that I am a Rihanna fan, I've had this video of "Rihanna Going Wild in Barbados" sent to me one too many times since the first week of this month.

The media put a mis-leading title on a video of her having a fun day at the beach with her friends - there's nothing "wild" in the video - but the title sounds enticing - and that was the point.   

Here's what the celebrity site TMX says:
Pop singer Rihanna, a Barbados native, sporting a delightfully clinging leopard print bikini, frolicked on the beach with two of her friends, in what seems like an impromptu Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition shoot.

She's laughing, trying to avoid the big waves, posing for pictures with her friends, and acting like all the typical young people I know. By the way, what's she supposed to wear at the beach?

Here's the video:

http://www.tmz.com/2007/01/05/rihanna-goes-wild-in-barbados/

Following intermission, they joined fellow American trumpeter Terrence Blanchard and his saxophonist to offer yet more originals designed, Blanchard maintained, “to fine their own voice even if it meant breaking the rules of traditional jazz.”

Local Barbadian award-winning R&B crooner Hal Linton and fellow Barbadian steel plan player David "Ziggy" Walcott offered well-orchestrated renditions at Heritage Park/ The Rum Factory in St. Philip during the festival’s second night on Tuesday which also attracted a full house.

On Wednesday, Macy Gray and Marissa Lindsay are slated to perform at the Garfield Sobers Auditorium, while Barbadians and visitors alike brace themselves for an extended weekend line-up which includes Karen "The Lady in Red" Briggs at The Crane Resort and Residences on Thursday; Anita Baker at the Garfield Sobers Auditorium on Friday; Arturo Sandoval, Arturo Tappin and Stanley Clarke at Farley Hill National Park on Saturday, and at the same venue on Sunday, Ruben Studdard, Will Downing and Goapele.

The festival's partnership with BET J, in association with the Barbados Tourism Authority, has taken the festival's public awareness to another level. Previews of the festival have recently aired on BET J's "Island Lime" format on Saturdays as well as on BET.

In addition, a heavy advertising rotation was carried on BET J, VH1 Soul and other channels, including mainstream radio stations in Atlanta and New York.

Actress Kim Fields travels to Barbados this week to produce a full one hour program on the festival and on Barbados' sites and attractions.

Source: Caribbean Net News

Here's the line up for 2007, along with dates, venue and ticket prices:

Jan 8 - 8:00pm Terrence Blanchard & Robert Glasper
Sunbury Plantation House, St. Philip $30.00

Jan 9 - 8:00pm Hal Linton
Heritage Park/The Rum Factory, St. Philip $25.00

Jan 10 - 8:00pm Macy Gray/Marissa Lindsay
Garfield Sobers Auditorium, Wildey, St. Michael $70.00

Jan 11 - 8:00pm Dinner Set: Featuring Karen "The Lady In Red" Briggs
The Crane Resort & Residences, St. Philip $100.00

Jan 12 - 8:00pm Anita Baker: In Concert
Garfield Sobers Auditorium, Wildey, St. Michael $100.00

Jan 13 - 12:00 noon Arturo Sandoval/Arturo Tappin/Stanley Clarke
Farley Hill National Park, St. Peter $30.00

Jan 14 - 1:00p Mary Mary/Will Downing/Goapele
Farley Hill National Park, St. Peter $30.00

Season Tickets - All Venues (not Including Dinner Set) $255.00

Bajan singing artist Rihanna will perform her number-one hit single "S.O.S." live on “Teen Choice 2006” Sunday, Aug. 20, on the FOX network.

Jessica Simpson and Dane Cook will co-host the eighth annual Teen Choice Surfboard awards show. 

At “Teen Choice 2006,” Rihanna could walk away with five Surfboards for Choice Female Artist, Choice R&B Artist, Choice Hottie, Choice Breakout and Choice Music Single for "S.O.S."

Good Luck Rihanna!

The island of Barbados has continually come up in new stories around the world this past week - and that's a lot of Free tourism marketing.

Why was in the island mentioned in just about every major newspaper?

Because the Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair, and his family are on the island vacationing, and Britain is facing the worst terror plot in its history. 

Veteran British rocker, Sir Cliff Richards is hosting the Prime Minister and his family at his west coast villa. Although Blair has taken heat on the cost of his previous holidays to the island, the British press (and some of the global press) are asking lots of questions.

Since Blair is still vacationing on the island, the question has now become two fold -(1) Why would Blair leave the country knowing about the upcoming terror plot, and (2) Why is he still continuing to enjoy sun and fun in Barbados? 

In answer, Blair says he didn't know the terror plot would take place so soon, and as for returning home, he says that would send a signal of "no confidence" in the ministers he has left in charge.

Of course the real reason Blair went, and continues to stay in Barbados is that he loves the island, and wants to stay, and I can relate to that.

Whenever I've been on the island, the last thing I want to think about is leaving - and if Sir Cliff Richards would put me up, he have a lot of trouble getting me to leave.

But then I'm not running a country in the midst of chaos, so that's a story that will continue in the global media, and many more questions will be asked.

Another big story on the island was the marriage of Barbados Prime Minister, Owen Arthur, and former assistant Julie Price.

Over 100 guests were invited to the private ceremony Saturday evening, at Ilaro Court, the Prime Minister's official residence.

According to the Jamaican press news, the Prime Minister's wedding placed him in the history books as the first Barbadian leader to wed while in office.

And this weekend, history of another sorts was made at the Garrison Savannah race track.

Zook, with jockey Juan Crawford, won the 63rd running of the United Insurance Barbados Derby, earning $168,880. 

Zook is the first horse to win the Barbados Triple Crown since a bonus of $100,000 was offered for winning all three jewels. Zouk's earnings of $168 880 is the most any horse has ever earned in a race, run at the Garrison Savannah.