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Canadian student Mina Georges is channeling Caribbean queens Rihanna and Nicki Minaj amongst other celebrities to parody their famous photos. Rihanna's provocative pose On his Instagram page ”Keeping Up With Mina”, the 20 year old Western University recreated various images parodying a celebrity photographs, such as Nicki Minaj's seductive pose naked in a bath of milk. Nicki Minaj's seductive naked pose in a bath of milk Nicki Minaj's sequined corset pose Gerges started the parody photos over a year ago uses material from his home and from the Dollar Store. Channeling Beyoncé’s fishtail dress look Recreating Katy Perry's pose Kim Kardashian BUTT pose Kim Kardashian and with Kanye West ecstatic expression pose To keep up with Mina, follow him @keepingupwithmina.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – January 6, 2015 – Reggae icon Maxi Priest, calypso legend David Rudder and world renowned Jazz vocalist Denise Jannah will be in Barbados for the recently renamed Naniki Music Festival taking place on January 15th, 17th and 18th, 2015. The festival formerly known as Caribbean Jazz Safari has rebranded as Naniki Music Festival to include a more diverse musical lineup. This year the Barbados festival will feature three shows spanning the genres of jazz, reggae and calypso. On Thursday, January 15th Dutch jazz singer and composer, Denise Jannah who has received numerous accolades worldwide for her show “Ella”, a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, will take the stage at The Frank Collymore Hall, along with local singer Debbie Reifer for a night of “Jazz in the City”. Reggae will echo through Holders on Saturday January 17th when super star Maxi Priest and Bajan reggae artist Albert Olton rock the stage for “Echoes of the Caribbean”. The weekend ends on Sunday, January 18th, with “Cooler Fusion In The Hills” at the Nainiki Amphitheatre featuring kaiso master David Rudder, Biggie Irie and the talented Nikita backed by the band C4. Executive Producer of the show, Tom Hinds, said he is proud of the move to evolve and include other musical genres. “Patrons can expect the same high quality series of shows with fantastic featured artistes and musicians, along with a showcase of emerging local talent,” he added. “As always you can look forward to a VIP experience and exotic venues”. About Naniki Music Festival The beauty of the free spirit is its ever changing nature. Naniki is Amerindian for “free spirit” and the Naniki Team has certainly exercised its freedom to change and evolve in 2015. Tom Hinds, Executive Producer of the festival, promises a re-imagined festival jam-packed with musical talent that is worth every penny. Naniki has rebranded itself as the Naniki Barbados Music Festival and expanded its musical genres to include reggae and calypso artistes in the Festival package. Tickets are available on Ticketpal.com or at any TicketPal locations.

D’shnay Matthew-York from St Maarten was crowned Miss Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant 2014 winner on Wednesday morning (Dec. 31) at the National Carnival Village in St Kitts. She became the first contestant from St. Maarten to win the coveted title. Matthew-York won the title over first runners up Miss St. Kitts Robertine Webbe by just one-tenth of a point. She also won the Best Talent and Interview segments, both focusing on Bullying. She performed a monologue portraying a teenager who was a victim of bullying. In the Interview segment, when questioned about the effects of bullying on teenagers, York gave a smart answer which ended with her making a plea to the audience to stand up against bullying. Robertine Webbe walked away with the Best Theatrical Appearance and the Best Evening Wear awards. While Miss USVI Dyese Turnbull was adjudged Second Runner-up and Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Lateefa Noel was third runner up. The hosts for evening’s event were Jason Davis and comedian Fatman George of Grenada. Also performing on the show were Nicha B, CFBC Dance Ensemble and KC5. This was the 35th edition of the Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant.

"German Town the Lost Story of Seaford Town Jamaica” is a documentary that explores the history of German heritage within Westmoreland Jamaica. Deep within the isolated undeveloped mountains of Westmoreland lies a village with a history and people unique to Jamaica. It is said that the inhabitants of this village are descendants of German indentured servants who were used to work the Jamaican plantations after the emancipation period to substitute the slave labour that drove the islands economy. Others think they came under different circumstances as runaway prisoners, former military battered after the Napoleonic wars seeking a better life to escape the poverty and hardships in their home lands. This documentary project explores the history and contemporary life of Jamaicans of German heritage. CEM did a Q & A with David Ritter, the producer of "German Town the Lost Story of Seaford Town Jamaica" Tell us about David Ritter David Ritter is a Pandora’s Box covered in a billion jigsaw puzzles and topped with a Rubik’s cube. He is a chameleon and an enigma, and flips more lids than a monkey in a soup kitchen. Is this your first time producing? I have directed and produced/created many other projects, but this is my most detailed and highest funded project I have ever done. I started making documentaries and video projects as part of a web series. I made a mini on Seaford Town, Jamaica and it became rather popular. I received a phone call from a producer named Clinton H. Wallace, who wanted me to collaborate with his company Photomundo to create a feature length documentary On Seaford Town Jamaica. So I did. What was the inspiration behind ‘German Town: The Lost Story of Seaford Town Jamaica’ There were many things that inspired me to make this program. Ignorance of the historic and cultural diversity that is within Jamaica, The lack of publicity and research on places like Seaford Town, I suppose if I was to sum up my inspiration I would quote Marcus Garvey, who said - " A people without knowledge of their past is history is like a tree without roots" Jamaican Nationalists and Black Nationalists within Jamaican society inspired me. Listening to Peter Tosh sing songs with lyrics like “Don’t care where you’re from as long as you’re a black man you’re an African. No mind your nationality you got the identity of an African". I was always inspired by the passion people like, Tosh, Marley, Sizzla have in their African roots and identity but I myself am of German/European stock so where does that leave me? When I hear people like Mutabaruka big up Africa and African people I know he is not singing to me. I wanted to celebrate the people of German heritage in Jamaica and the German history the same way people I grew up listening to big up and celebrate theirs. I was very surprised to learn about Germans living in Jamaica, why you think a lot of Jamaicans are unaware of this history. First off, the people in my documentary are not Germans living in Jamaica they are Jamaicans living in Jamaica. They are Jamaicans of German lineage, however some people from Seaford town still refer to themselves and fellow German descended villagers as Germans. Many Jamaicans in the Westmoreland region still refer to them as Germans as well. I think many Jamaicans do not know about this history because it was a very small migration of Germans that came to Jamaica. There has never been a mass migration of Germans in Jamaica when you compare them to all of Jamaica's other ethnic groups and nations who migrated to the island over the years. I think there is also a great deal of secrecy amongst the people of Seaford town that creates more mystery and lack of understanding. Historically the people of Seaford Town kept to themselves and rarely left their village and many have migrated abroad. It is a small piece of the Jamaican fabric. I also think Jamaica is much more embracing of its African heritage than its European heritage on a whole. Jamaica embraces Black Nationalist leaders and thinkers and being that most Jamaicans are primarily of African heritage people have a natural biased and interest in those roots while other Jamaicans take a more multicultural pan Jamaican look at their identity. Some Jamaicans wish to reject ethnic heritage and see themselves only as Jamaican with no hyphenated attached title like German or African just Jamaican. This creates a situation where ethnic heritage from small enclaves can be overlooked and forgotten or simply unknown. While doing the film did you discover anything that was surprising to you? I was surprised that many Jamaicans of German lineage did not know a great deal about their heritage and family history. I was surprised to see how so many people knew little of their cultural and ethnic roots. I also found the biased and bigotry I would face while making this documentary surprising. I was attacked in many ways by many people. I was surprised how angry the German Embassy in Kingston was when they found out I made this project. I was surprised how many Jamaican oligarchs have done all they can to hinder the documentary and its promotion. It was surprising and upsetting to see how dedicated many people in high up places were to censoring the documentary and hindering its publicity and how they do not want people seeing and hearing the information relayed within the project. How do you put together a plan to make a documentary like this? For me I just fly by the seat of my pants. I have an idea and then I put together as much money as I can for expenses and then go and do it. It’s just me with some microphones and my camera. My interviews are just conversations I have with people I meet on the way. I found an apartment to rent in a village just outside of Seaford Town and dedicated a month and a half to filming in the village and I set out to film anyone and anything that I thought was relevant to the subject matter. When it’s all said and done I just edit on my own. I have a friend with a recording studio and we compose music together and set it to the project. I then write an objective narration, go over it and get it recorded and mixed. I hate to sound like a tennis shoe cliché slogan but I just do it is how I go about it. What has been your biggest challenge? I think finding support economically and proper publicity has been a big challenge. Though there have been breakthroughs now that I am selling the documentary on DVD that helps fund the touring that promotes and exposes the project. Now more and more events are now coming fourth and more and more publicity with that but it has been far from easy. Did you get funding or was it self-funded? It was mostly funded out of my own pocket but I did have two small donations that equal around 350 dollars U.S., very small I know but I work on a very small budget. You have special screening various cities across US and Canada, any plans for the Caribbean? It has been screened across Canada, USA, and the UK and possibly Iceland as well in the near future. I have been trying to get this project screened in the Caribbean since 2011. It has been ignored by all institutions I have approached. The only ones that have responded told me I would have to pay them large sums of money and when I explained that I was happy to present the project free of charge to the public they still insisted I pay them. I know when I am being hustled so I move on from those kinds of places. I met with someone who runs a promotional company in Kingston Jamaica. They told me my project would never be seen in Jamaica because they said and I quote " The Jamaican people are not ready to hear about the things you talk about in your documentaries" I continue to look for venues in the Caribbean but still have found no support. What platform provides the best opportunities for up-and-coming documentarians to get their work screened and find their audience? Right now I would say the internet is the strongest tool and means. I simply put my work on you tube and let the word spread virally. After that I just tour and go from venue to venue screening and speaking. I screen in many universities, Colleges, Cultural centers, and independent cinemas/art house cinemas. Is there one piece of advice you could offer others looking to make their own documentary Make something that you are passionate about and make something that has never been done before and if it has been done before give it a unique angle and make it original. If you are truly passionate and care about your subject matter then there are thousands, millions maybe even billions of other people who are passionate as well. Keep pushing forward to connect with them. Be brave and be honest and do not let contrived Orthodoxies or political correctness or corporate interests hinder the truth. Approach your subject without biased and be fair and balanced and have compassion for the people you are documenting. Do not let people bully you because if your project is saying something poignant or challenging to society you will be attacked by people who refuse to hear you or the people in your project. Orwell said that the further a society drifts from the truth the more it will hate those who speak it. Nietzsche said people do not want to hear the truth because they do not want their illusions destroyed. Do not let people discourage you and hold you back. I met the actor and now film director Crispin Glover recently. He told me that anything that challenges corporate interest within media will most always face censorship and hindrance within the mainstream media. As I walked away, I heard him call out to me “David, do not give up keep pushing forward". That is the same advice I would give anyone else. Website:germantownjamaica.com Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/GermanTownJamaica

Nicki Minaj is the cover girl for the newest issue of “Rolling Stone”, on which she wears a plunging white tank top. In the issues the 32-year-old Trinidadian born rapper opened up breakups, business and more, when she sat down with contributing editor Jonah Weiner. The very private Rapper opened up to Rolling Stone about having an abortion as a teen, which she also mentioned on the The Pinkprint. Minaj was attending the prestigious Manhattan performing-arts high school LaGuardia when she got pregnant for an older guy from Queens "I thought I was going to die," she admits. "I was a teenager. It was the hardest thing I'd ever gone through." She ended up having an abortion, a decision she says has "haunted me all my life," though it was the right choice for her at the time. "It'd be contradictory if I said I wasn't pro-choice. I wasn't ready. I didn't have anything to offer a child." She also admits she drew from pain in her personal life as inspiration for her album, opting to scale back on her wild antics and over-the-top alter egos. "I had to learn to do something as simple as sleep alone," she says, hinting at her personal hardships post-split. "I struggled with 'Do I express these feelings?' And I decided there's no reason for me to hide. I'm a vulnerable woman, and I'm proud of that." Read more at RollingStone.com, and pick up the new issue at newsstand on January 2.

Eleven beauties from across the Caribbean will compete in the 35th Edition of the Miss Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant, which is scheduled for Tuesday December 30th at the National Carnival Village Basseterre St.Kitts. This pageant is known around the Caribbean as “the” pageant which allows our younger most talented ladies to express themselves at a very high standard. Newly appointed Chairperson Mrs Akilah Nisbett has revealed that there will be some noticeable changes to the Pageant for this year’s milestonic 35th Edition “This year there will be no Ambassadorial Appearance and the production number will open the pageant,” she said. “There will also be other changes that I will not reveal at this point, however, we will be as innovative and creative as we have always been,” she stated The contestants in this year’s competition are: Anguilla – Samelia Connor (17 yrs.) Antigua - Shannakisha Francis (17 yrs.) Barbados - Terian Reid (18 yrs.) Dominica - Niquelle Edwards (17 yrs.) Grenada - Leshae Cenac (17 yrs.) Guyana - Reesa Sooklall (15 yrs.) Montserrat - Sharese Edwards (18 yrs.) St. Maarten - D'Shnay Matthew-York (17 yrs.) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -Lateefa Noel (16 yrs.) USVI - Dyese Turnbull (16 yrs.) St. Kitts - Robertine Webbe (14 yrs.) The Pageant has grown exponentially over the years into the most prestigious pageant in the entire Caribbean, and continues to attract participants from close to 20 countries annually.

The first edition of Emerald Vibes Television produced by Goldenmedia went live online on Monday, December 15, 2014 on YouTube. EVTV is hosted by multi-talented artist Sharlene Lindsay who connects with local personalities and shares highlights of special events on Montserrat. The first episode called What's in a Word takes viewers to the Alliouagana Festival of the Word. Montserrat's annual literary event which featured authors from across the Caribbean and North America. Sharlene interviews Ibrahim Ahmad from Akashic Books, New York who talks about his company's search to find the next great Caribbean author. The 14-minute show includes interviews with Montserrat's literary giant Sir Howard Fergus and new author Jason Reynolds, who recently signed a 10-book deal with Simon & Schuster. "Emerald Vibes has been an idea the production team and I have been discussing for a while and we felt a look at Montserrat's hectic November to January festival season was a good time to kick off the show," explained Executive Producer and the show's director Nerissa Golden. "Montserrat is a visually stunning place and we wanted to capture it for our viewers and also as the island continues its reemergence we want to tell the stories of this journey." Viewers can watch the show on www.trulycaribbean.net or by visiting the Goldenmedia YouTube Channel.

Unsigned Only Music Competition revealed today its high-profile judging panel for the 2015 competition, which is now accepting entries. The renowned panel consists of iconic recording artists and journalists and will determine the winners in eleven categories representing a wide variety of commercial genres of music. Designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label, Unsigned Only's goal is to find an outstanding, talented performing artist: a band, singer, or solo artist. Unsigned Only gives away over $100,000 in cash and prizes, including $10,000 in cash and one-on-one mentoring by an elite group of record company executives to the overall Grand Prize winner. First and Second Place winners in each category will also be chosen. The deadline to enter is March 18, 2015. Original and cover songs are accepted in all categories except for Screen Shot which accepts original songs only. Artists may enter into any of the following categories: Adult Album Alternative (AAA) Adult Contemporary (AC); Americana; Christian; Country; Folk/Singer-Songwriter; R&B/Hip-Hop; Rock; Pop/Top 40; Screen Shot; Teen; and Vocal Performance. Screen Shot is a new category that has been added this year, and it is geared toward helping artists get their music in film, TV, video games, and advertising. Music execs who are looking to place music in various projects will be judging this category and will also provide advice on music licensing to the winner of the category. Included are: Michelle Bayer (Shelly Bay Music); Michelle Silverman (Modern Planet); Ani Johnson (Monomyth Media); Evan Stein (Experience Music Group); Velma Barkwell (East End Music Productions); Jen Taunton (Level Two Music); and more to be announced. "Last year Screen Shot was a special promotion that we ran for entrants," says Founders/Directors Candace Avery and Jim Morgan. "The response was huge and was a great success for many artists who were able to secure licensing deals for their music. This is just another way for Unsigned Only to help its entrants, and we are excited to be able to open these new doors for independent artists." Judges include: Aimee Mann; Alt-J; Dustin Lynch; Sinead O'Connor; The Killers; Rosanne Cash; David Crowder; Robert Smith (The Cure); Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Ray Wylie Hubbard; Aaron Shust; Lucero; Kelly Price; Colt Ford; Frank Foster; Jason Gray; Rapsody; Kool And The Gang; Anthony DeCurtis (Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone); Kyle Anderson (Senior Writer, Entertainment weekly); Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine); Chris Richards (Pop Music Critic, The Washington Post); Michael Hann (Music Editor, The Guardian); Shirley Halperin (Music Editor, Billboard and Hollywood Reporter); Lucy Jones (Deputy Editor, NME); Hardeep Phull (Music Critic, New York Post); and more to be announced. Unsigned Only is sponsored by: Sony Creative Software, Guitar Center, D'Addario, Disc Makers, Ultimate Ears, Lurssen Mastering, Master Tour by Eventric, and The Music Business Registry. For entry and general information, please go to http://www.unsignedonly.com

Multi-talented songstress Kim Kelly is headed to her beautiful island of Jamaica for the holidays! The rising star can't contain her excitement as she makes her preparation to leave the cold weather of Canada to head for the sun, vibes and spirit of the holidays in Jamaica. "I am so happy to be going to Jamaica for Christmas, it brings back memories of my childhood, from the food, church and just a euphoric feeling in all." stated Kim While her short stay in Jamaica, Kim is putting an emphasis on giving back and helping with various charities. She humbly noted "I'm blessed with so many things, so it's only normal too pass on the blessings." Kim and her management team will also partake in the musical events season by attending the numerous stage shows, and when asked if Kim will touch any stages, her manager Dee Damarco stated "Anything is possible" The songstress is enjoying a strong musical buzz as several of her singles are hitting the various worldwide airwaves. Her latest "Whine On Me" on the No Strings Attached riddim has hit social media to rave reviews. "No Strings Attached Riddim" also features Delly Ranks, Esco, Kappa and Skinny Rapture. Produced by Gods Son Production and distributed by 21st Hapilos Digital, "Whine On Me" on the "No Strings Attached Riddim" is slated for release in all major digital stores on January 6th, 2015

As the Yuletide season unfolds it continues to bear fruit for international recording artiste Demarco, currently one of the hottest and most sort after acts in the space. If being nominated for ‘Best Reggae Act’ at the recently concluded 2014 Urban Music Award wasn’t enough the deejay over the weekend received more goods news courtesy of the British media following the addition of his monster hit ‘Puppy Tail’ to the BBC 1Xtra playlist. However, not only was it added to the playlist but is included in the daytime rotation where it is expected to receive premium airtime alongside all the musical A-Listers across the globe. A seemingly jocund Demarco who was in New York City at the time of the announcement said he was very grateful for the addition and recognition while citing his continued success to the hard work and dedication of his team at True Gift Entertainment (TGE). “I am very happy and at the same time humbled by the announcement, this is another major stride for the Jamaican genres; not many of our records make it to daytime radio on the BBC, as we are all aware most of our music that is played on their radio is relegated to night time programming, so to be among the selected few who accomplish such feat is indeed something of note.” Strategically, Demarco also unveiled the official video for ‘Puppy Tail’ over the weekend via his VEVO channel (youtube.com/demarcolifevevo) which has already racked up an impressive 21,000+ views and continues to display an upward trend. The visuals were shot by True Gift Entertainment who’s also responsible for the now viral ‘Talk Yuh Mind’ online series. Set to return to the island later this week Demarco headlined a pair of concerts over the weekend in Brooklyn, New York and Edmonton, Canada to much fanfare. The singer is currently promoting his new 30-track mixtape entitled ‘Bun Up Road’. The compilation is available free of cost via his official Facebook page (facebook.com/demarcodadon). WATCH VIDEOS || DEMARCO’S ONSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH WINFORD WILLIAMS || DEMARCO TALK ABOUT RISE TO STARDOM

Rihanna has just been named the new creative director for Activewear brand Puma, where will oversee the company's women's line - including clothing and shoes. The singer will be one of Puma's global brand ambassadors along with Jamaican track star Usain Bolt and Argentine soccer player Sergio Agüero. She will also star in the brand's fall 2015 ad campaign. According to a press release, Rihanna will 'work with PUMA to design and customize classic Puma styles as well as create new styles to add to the product portfolio.' After meeting at Puma's headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany, yesterday for her first design meeting, she posted pictures from the trip to Instagram of her wearing white Puma sneakers.

The 24th annual Miss Caraibes Hibiscus competition took place on the French island of Saint Martin, where Miss Columbia Maria Alejandra Lopez a 20 student in Industrial Engineering, won the title. The competition, which began on Monday 1st and end on December 7th with the gala evening Miss Caraibes Hibiscus in 2014, saw representatives from South America, Central America and the Caribbean islands. Contestants include: Colombia (María Alejandra López Pérez), Suriname (Chandel Menckeberg), USA (Stephanie Miles), Jamaica (Regina Lee Harding), Guadeloupe (Juliette Alimanda), Bonaire (Michelle Gumbs), Haiti (Samair Wislène Popo), Martinique (Leslie Lalande) and Mexico (Peniche Karla Hernandez) Miss USA walked away with Miss Popularity, which was decided by the audience members, while Miss Colombia won the photogenic award The other titles, determined by the judges, were as follows: Miss Mexico won Best Culture wear with her carnival costume. Miss Jamaica, Regina Harding won both Best Eveningwear and Miss Amity and was selected second runner-up and Miss Mexico was first runner-up. Miss Jamaica(l) Miss Colombia(c) and Miss Mexico(r) Maria Alejandra, Miss Caraibes Hibiscus 2014 - 2015 became the second Colombian to win this contest, other was Olga Milena Florez Sierra, Miss Sucre in 1999 The judges for the event were Stuart Johnson, Raj, Hanisha Alwani, Richard Diallo and Janeesa Fernandes.