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That's the question British police are asking her and according to this storyfrom MTV, as of today she's being detained for the second time in as many weeks by authorities.
This time, it's over a video that's been circulating the blogosphere for several months that clearly shows Winehouse smoking crack.

If you want a link to the video, go here.

Now she's back in a police station as I type dealing with questions surrounding the video tape. With a good attorney (which she clearly has) she should beat this rap. Hell, she just beat an assault charge last week for slapping someone (although when a woman slaps a man in a public place, there's usually a good reason for it and any prosecutor that wants to take it to trial needs a life), but this video is definitely damaging. It's her. And she looks high enough to eat a comet. I'm sure more news on this will break as the day continues, but as for now, Amy Winehouse and her local police precinct are getting reacquainted.
--Jonathan Cunningham

We've just received official word from Dave Slifkin, Studio A's general manager. The long-term future of the club still remains unclear. But all currently booked shows will still take place there, with the exception of the all-ages May 22 Sophomore Attempt/Mercy Mercedes/Settings show.

Says Slifkin: "Studio A will 100% be operating and honor all shows that have been booked and advertised. Please, do not despair."

So yes, The Casualties gig slated for this coming Monday is still on, Uh Huh Her is still on, Yo Majesty is still on, Ladytron/Datarock is still on. The final confirmed booking is Joshua James, on June 25. You can check out the full remaining roster at www.studioamiami.com.

Fingers crossed as to what happens after that; sometimes miracles do come true. Stay tuned for updates. -- Arielle Castillo

Here come the four words many live-music junkies in Miami never wanted to hear: Studio A is closing. Rumors of its demise had plagued the venue practically since its opening in spring 2006, but staff has confirmed that after two years of live shows and alternative club nights, it's shutting its doors for good. When exactly that will happen or what will become of the shows it had booked through June, remains unclear.

As Miami’s only mid-size music venue (with a capacity of around 600), it single-handedly ushered in a new era in the city's flagging live scene. In recent years, Miami always lost to the better-equipped city of Fort Lauderdale and its surrounding suburbs. The venue presented on-the-verge acts like M.I.A., KRS-One, Brazilian Girls, Avenue D, Tokyo Police, Of Montreal, Justice, and Cat Power, as well as established bands wanting to play a more intimate setting, like Maroon 5. At one time it hosted the now-defunct weekly Revolver party, as well as other nights of clubland past such as Plastik Fantastik, Misfit, and SceneWolf.

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Not everybody hates Buju.

According to a story that came out in the Jamaica Star last week, Apple Inc has recently removed some songs deemed homophobic from their catalog. Buju Banton's "Boom Bye Bye" was one of those songs and according to this article, some Canadian gay rights organizations are happy the song was removed.
"This is an historic victory for the LGBT community here in Canada and in the Caribbean," Akim Larcher, founder of Stop Murder Music (Canada) was quoted in the article. "iTunes is exercising its corporate responsibility by pulling this murder music and raising the bar for other retailers and distributors to do the same."

In addition to "Boom Bye Bye", iTunes removed songs from T.O.K. and Elephant Man (but no other artists faced this censorship that I can tell) which makes it seem as if homophobia is strictly a dancehall problem.
The push behind this came from Stop Murder Music, a global non-profit gay rights organization that has lobbied for years to shut down reggae concerts (quite often successfully) for artists like Beenie Man, Capleton, and others.

There's a lot of debate that could and should come from this. Freedom of speech immediately comes to mind. And should other artists who use homophobic material in their music have their songs pulled...or will it just be dancehall artists only?

They've got some kinks to work out and if you've got something to say about this, please chime in.

--Jonathan Cunningham

I'd toast to that!

I knew there would be more to this story after Kelis first got arrested last year in Miami. Now it looks like both her and her legendary hip-hop husband, Nasir Jones, are going to be suing the City of Miami to the tune of $100 million. If the story located here is true, they'll be engaging in a lawsuit claiming that police racially profiled the couple in 2007 at the time of Kelis' arrest.
We'll keep you posted as more news develops from this but if you thought the hip-hop power couple were going to take this whole arrest (and possible jail sentence) lightly, guess again.

--Jonathan Cunningham

Springsteen fans who were heading to see The Boss in Sunrise tonight are going to be sorely disappointed as the show has been indefinitely postponed. Last night, news broke that Danny Federici, keyboard player and original member of the E Street Band, passed away at 58 in New York. Federici had been battling melanoma for three years. He left the tour last November and only managed to play one show with the band this year.

Federici hooked up with Springsteen on the Jersey Shore back in their late 60’s salad days. With a few changes in the lineup, their collaboration evolved to encompass the tight-knit E Street Band that has more or less remained stable since superstardom came in the mid-70’s.

As an E Streeter, Federici played organ, synth, piano, and accordion over the years. He didn’t share the spotlight like fellow band members Clarence Clemons, Steven Van Zandt (aka “Silvio Dante”), Max Weinberg (of Conan O’Brien renown), or even Patti Scialfa (aka “Mrs. Boss”). But Federici’s tasteful keyboards greatly complemented and shaped the vibe on many Springsteen tunes. His piano work on “Born in the USA,” really ramps up the song’s fist-in-the-air, anthem power. Then there’s his organ work on “Hungry Heart” which gives the tune its signature sound.

Springsteen’s website has this statement about Federici’s passing:

"Danny and I worked together for 40 years - he was the most wonderfully fluid keyboard player and a pure natural musician. I loved him very much...we grew up together."
—Bruce Springsteen

Tomorrow’s show in Orlando got cancelled along with the Sunrise show. Springsteen’s website says they’ll be rescheduled, but there’s no word yet on the dates.

--Bill Frogameni

You might think it's commonplace at this point in the election for Obama to continuously rack up support from musicians. It is. But the latest endorsement holds some significant weight. The boss of all music bosses, Bruce Springsteen, is throwing his political muscle behind Obama. That might not mean a lot, but teamsters, laborers, and blue collar workers across the country tend to respect Springsteen's opinion. With all this Obama love going on, it makes you wonder if he does gets elected, what his inaugural theme song will be.

At any rate, this is just another reminder to local musicians that if you're crafting a song in regard to the election please send it our way. We'd love to put it online regardless of who you're supporting. There tends to be a lot of support for a particular candidate from major musicians, but what about independent artists here in South Florida? Where are you?
Record a track, send it to us as an Mp3, and we'll put it online. Real talk.

-Jonathan Cunningham

For the last couple of days, there was a lot of buzz all over the Internet, and even locally on the radio (93 ROCK) that Mötley Crüe were to make some sort of special announcement live last night at 7 p.m. And, okay, no band would announce something SUPER-devastating or earth-shattering with so much hoopla -- but the results should make rawk-and-roll fans happy just the same.

First, the band --featuring all of the original members! -- will release an album of all-new material, Saints of Los Angeles, on June 17. Of course, guest stars abound: Josh Todd (Buckcherry), Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach), James Michael (SIXX:A.M.), and Chris Brown (Trapt), which leads us to the second part of the announcement:

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by ANDY VIHSTADT

Voice of the Beehive

Wolf Parade announced details on the yet-to-be-titled (rumored Kissing the Beehive) second LP last week. The album does't come out until June 16, but you can get a preview below courtesy of Stereogum.

Wolf Parade: "Call it a Ritual" MP3

Docudrama

For your viewing pleasure, the National will be releasing A Skin, a Night on May 20. Check out the trailer here. The DVD comes packaged with the Virginia EP. Grab the lead track below, courtesy of So Much Silence.

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If you want to go pay your respects to Mother Booker, the eclectic mother of reggae legend Bob Marley, all the info that you'll need is below in the press release.

--Jonathan Cunningham

Cedella Marley Booker Memorial Service for the South Florida Community Set for April 15 at Fairchild

Cedella Booker, mother of Reggae legend Bob Marley, passed on to Zion at her south Miami, Florida, home on Tues., April 8, 2008. She was 81 years old.

A special Memorial Service will be held Tues., April 15, from 7 PM to 10 PM, inside the Garden House at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables. Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road in south Miami-Dade.

Affectionately known as Mother Booker, the celebration of love and music will honor her life and achievements, and will provide the opportunity for her many South Florida friends, fans, and family members to bid her a fond farewell.

An artist in her own right, Cedella Marley Booker recorded solo and collaboration albums, performed in the U.S., Jamaica, Europe, Mexico, and Africa, and authored a book, Bob Marley, My Son.

“I can not put into words the extraordinary bond between mother and son, a bond that cannot be broken,” son Richard Booker relates. “My mother is a rare woman, loved by everyone she met. I know that she is in the hands of Jah and will never be forgotten here on earth.”

Grounded in faith and Rastafari, Cedella Booker showed the world a peacefulness and love that she openly shared with everyone who surrounded her. In the spirit of Bob Marley, Mother Booker founded Movement of Jah People, an organization that benefits the underprivileged in South Florida and the Caribbean.

Among Mother B’s achievements is the adoption of the Nine Mile Basic School in St. Ann, Jamaica, where she and Bob Marley were born and laid to rest, now called the Cedella Marley Booker Academy. She is also associated with Rhoden Hall Basic School and Eight Mile Basic School in St. Ann.

Cedella Marley Booker is survived by son Richard Booker, daughters-in-law Rita Marley and Sharien Fogle-Booker, daughter Claudette “Pearl” Livingston, nephew Jimmy Brown, 14 grandchildren, and 49 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Cedella Marley Booker Academy. Please make checks payable to the Nine Mile Charitable Foundation at 5800 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33156.

That sounds like an odd performance request, but according to this story, he's onboard to perform at the Mandela's 90th birthday party this summer. The article doesn't speak too highly of Eminem and you can almost hear the detractors and gay rights activists who will probably jump all over this in South Africa. Eminem is apparently retired (he went into exile shortly after long-time friend Proof was killed in 2006) and the concert this summer will be his first performance of the year.

-Jonathan Cunningham

Jenny Laura was thrust on stage to sing Gloria Estefan’s ‘Mi Tierra’ minutes after arriving at CocoWalk in Coconut Grove Wednesday night for a quick sound check. But her crystal clear chops did more than put a smile on the sound engineer’s face – they also helped the Columbian singer/songwriter fulfill a lifelong dream.

Laura’s fiery stage bravado and sensual interpretation was enough to walk away with first place in the El Rumbo al Exito 2008. "[It was] an incredible feeling," said Laura, 22, after holding off Danny Maldonado to win the singing contest and send a bevy of friends into a frenzy. Laura secured an opportunity to record a CD at Hoodiny Entertainment Group studios in Miami in addition to a photo shoot.

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Crossing the line isn't always a difficult task when you're a 'shock jock' personality hosting a morning radio show, who garnered a following by being crude, rude and all things beyond.

But two of the most successful at the craft agree there's tasteful and then there's tasteless, while defending what they do for a living.

"Man, we get pounded on a lot for our stuff but I can honestly say, we've never crossed that ‘line,’" said Univision Radio's Enrique Santos, who along with Joe Ferraro host a morning show on 98.3 FM in Miami, during the “Morning Radio in the Post-Imus Era” panel at the Billboard Latin Music Conference in Hollywood, FL.

"The perception is Joe and I make a living ridiculing people and tearing them to sheds, but all we do is say and express what thousands of people out there are thinking."

Santos and Ferraro defended their positioning even further by saying they're responsible for setting off a copy cat frenzy in the radio industry, especially in Miami.

"Everybody wants to bash Enrique and Joe, but just go around the radio [dial] and you'll see that everybody is trying to equal what Enrique and Joe are doing," adds Ferraro.

Whether it’s a prank call to Fidel Castro in Cuba or to Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, Santos and Ferraro argue that their work in done in 'good taste'.

"We never set out to hurt anybody in anyway," Santos says. "We're true radio professionals." -- Fernando Ruano Jr.

Just got this press release about an award show party that's jumping off tomorrow night at Spirits Nightclub. Puerto Rico's Black Guayaba will be on hand rocking as will a host of other performers. The Annual Billboard Latin Music Conference is being held at the Hard Rock Casino this year as more info about parties come this way, we'll let you know.

--Jonathan Cunningham

6TH ANNUAL BILLBOARD BASH TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9TH AT SPIRITS NIGHTCLUB AT THE SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO

WHEN: Wednesday, April 9th

A couple of months ago, we reported that Ali Campbell, long-time lead singer of British reggae band UB40 was leaving the group. They'd been together for nearly 30 years as a band and losing their lead singer was a major blow for UB40. One that could have sent them all to retirement. Shortly after Campbell split, keyboardist Mickey virtue left due to creative differences as well. But retirement for the band is on hold as news from across the pond is suggesting that the group may bring on fellow British rocker, Maxi Priest to replace Campbell. I can't totally see Maxi singing "Red Red Wine" for a living, but he and Campbell do have sound similar and this could give UB40 the kick in the pants that they need to be a major recording force once again.
It's not totally confirmed yet, but Maxi's Wikipedia page already reflects that he's a member of UB40 as does their Wiki page. For whatever that's worth.
For more on the story, check it out here.

--Jonathan Cunningham