Following the murder of South African reggae singer Lucky Dube on Thursday, October 18, police announced the arrest of five suspects. Dube, 43, was the victim of an apparent carjacking that occurred while he was dropping his kids off at a relative’s. The death of the musician–who was sometimes called “Africa’s Bob Marley”–has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans.

Jah Cure’s planned tour of England has officially been cancelled. The United Kingdom’s High Commission for granting foreign visas denies access to persons who’ve been in prison for more than 12 months. Jah Cure’s Danger Zone Records confirmed that the shows have been postponed. In the meantime, promoter Castro Brown, of New Name Music, said the shows will be rescheduled in March 2008. “The show should have started tonight in London, but because of the confusion with [Cure’s] visa, we were not able to get it done,” Brown said. 

From the cover of Da’Ville’s most recent album, On My Mind.

Ultra-popular, honey-voiced singer Da’Ville has been on the move promoting his latest VP album, On My Mind. The vocalist recently recorded a video for the song “Give Thanks.” 

Dueling Passa Passa: Several reggae news portals now feature their own weekly gossip columns.

This week’s YardFlex Passa Passa features a bit on the thief who tried to snatch Mavado’s chain, stating “As expected di crook got a flogging. Few a Mavado soldier dem bruk a bokkle inna di thief face. Some bwoy figet a who seh gangsta fi life.”

Meanwhile, Jamaica Star News–Jamdown’s version of sensationalist newspaper New York Post–features its entertaining Portmore Suss. This week’s column commented on peace between Lutan Fyah and other Bobo singjays (“Ah just one Selassie, so why the rasta dem caan unite?”), and the high amount of child support requested by D’Angel from Beenie Man.

Finally, if you can’t get enough dancehall intrigue, click over to One876 Entertainment. It’s Saturday Latte column reports on the Shocking Vibes label’s search for new talent and Vybz Kartel’s new hot single.

Luciano appears on the first installment of the Reggae Scrapbook.

Speaking of Beenie Man’s former label home, Shocking Vibes, check its excellent website, which includes free videos from Nesbeth, Tanto Metro & Devonte, and others.

Check a video preview of Ras Roger Stephens and Peter Simons’ Reggae Scrapbook, which features interviews with the reggae legends he’s interviewed. Installment One features introductions to interviews with Luciano, Culture, and Peter Tosh, among others.

Ever wondered how a hit Jamaican song is written and produced? Go behind the scenes with songwriter Mikey Bennett, who struck gold (literally–a gold-certified single) with the Shabba Ranks single “House Call.” The track reached 37 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart and peaked at number four on the R&B/Hip Hop Singles Chart in 1991, paving the way for Shabba Ranks’ Grammy-winning album, As Raw As Ever (Epic).

Track down your favorite international reggae soundsystem at Top5Jamaica. The site lists website addresses for nearly 100 top soundsystems, including Black Chiney, Merritone, and Jah Tubby’s!