#DRS12 Top Two Review.

Digicel Rising Stars final performance show was the show down that I guess every one expected. Anna Mariah walked away with a not too shabby four hundred thousand dollars third place cheque and Marsha K and the "Teach" Jody Kay James were left to battle it out for the top spot. Shaggy was the nights guest judge and Ding Dong was the "Belleh" guest in the Huawei chill room. So each contestant had a chance to wow us three times and below I give you the play by play.

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Marsha started off with a Fantasia cover of "You are Always On My Mind" which was a nice acoustic set, stripped back and sweet. I keep telling people that she has the better vocal technique in the competition based on the riffs, runs and licks she can do and this song was proof of that. I feel like if she was on a Competition like #NBCTheVoice the judges and audience would have had a better appreciation for her performance . Marsha K's second song was supposed to be the song that gave her the most votes in the competition. "Encourage Yourself" the song she did during Gospel week was her choice.  I didn't think that was the song that gave her the most votes though. That title I'd give to "Grown Woman" by Beyonce. When she did that song is when I think Jamaicans realised she had the full package: the voice, the looks and dancing ability..........Back to the song she picked. There were some "struggly" moments. I felt her pushing through whatever vocal difficulty she was facing and the frustration she was feeling. The performance was ok but was amazing the first time around and the judges basically said the same thing. ‎For her final song Marsha K decided to go with he Billboard hit from Miss  #GraceJones "Pull Up To Mi Bumper". Personally I wasn't happy with that song choice.  But I'll put my personal views aside though to say that she performed the hell out of that song. She was sexy not raunchy; did just enough vocally and then wowed us by showing she can DJ just as well as she sings.

Now for Jody Kay. She's Not my favorite but she did well she held her own against the technique that Marsha has.‎

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Jody Kay' s first song was the Jenifer Hudson cover of I'm feeling good by Nina Simone. It was a great song choice. She did well with it I however began to feel her energy come through close to the end and that's when I got into her performance. Her  second song was "All I Could Do Was Cry" by Etta James. It was the song she wowed us all with during the first live show but  I don't know if that was the song that gave her the most votes.  Her performance again was good she excersised vocal control and all the judges agreed it was a good second performance. Jody's  final song was Whitney Houston's "I Get So Emotional" she failed to do what Marsha did for her final song. She didn't perform the hell out it. She tried but as Shaggy said she didn't look comfortable and it did show. There were great moments though and for that I give her props. All the judges agreed that they'd give the third round to Marsha but becuase Jody is a good singer I doubt voters will hold that performance against her.

The Round Up.
The judges said that Jody K is in the lead. But I am not so sure about that. I think it's evenly tied. It wasn't the knockout showdown that I expected to get from these two. I'll say again she isn't my favorite but I feel that Jody K will win #DRS12 because thousands of Teachers in Jamaica are voting for her and the students from STATHS too. At the end of the day the votes is what decides who wins. I see Marsha and Anna going further in the music industry than Jody however becuase they are all round performers. Anna is the creative Edna Manley student an Marsha is the girl with th technique. And both are more versatile than Jody is. I'd like to see Marsha enter the VOICE she has the vocal ability to go far in that competition. Let's see what happens next week when the winner is announced. ‎

Talk Up Yout Season 5 Episode 2 Review- Easy Money.

About The Show

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This was another great topic. I'll say again that I love the new format of the show but I feel this would probably be one of the times where the producers perhaps should have reverted to the original layout just so we all could get insight from some one who was in the business of getting "easy money". We can only assume why people make certain choices so having some who has "been there and done that" would have been great for this topic.  Not every one's story is the same and even a female who had a sugar daddy could better provide us with the reason she headed down that route, what made her give up having a sugar daddy and what she feels could prevent other youths from choosing that life. The panel did however do a good job  bringing some very good points to the fore. 

They all agreed that many want quick cash because they believe that a good education and hard work can not help them achieve their goals. Another point I also agreed with given by Erieka  is that many who cry for more government aid are the same ones who spend what little they have on material things like expensive clothes, bleaching cream and trending technological items. I also agree that Jamaican youths need to have more of an entrepreneurial spirit.  

There were some statements  I didn't agree with though. One of the panelist was of the view that Jamaican youths needed more training opportunities. I didn't agree with that statement because I see where the HEART NTA and the NYS are providing several programs aimed at helping youths who cannot afford traditional tertiary education. I also know too that the YMCA also has training opportunities for those who choose to take advantage. I also didn't agree that for young people who wanted to start a small business there is no avenue for them to get assistance. I have benefited from the JBDC business clinic where I was provided with free one on one business consultation with business strategist and bankers who wer able to suggest business financing options. I have taken advantage of any free networking seminar in order to learn more about starting a business and marketing. So the facilities are available some are just not willing to researh and take advantage of them.

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My Thoughts

We all want to live the fabulous lives of local and international "celebrities". It seems like every ones goal is to become rich socialite. Not many want to be doctors or lawyers anymore. Not many want to obtain a Masters Degree or PhD. Some of us are willing to work hard because we understand that even for those rich and famous people their big house, expensive cars and clothing didn't come about through over night success but through hard work and dedication to perfecting their craft. The rich and famous continue to work hard to maintain their lifestyle. I heard some where once that it's easy to get the money but very hard to keep it.‎ I feel that even if a young man or young lady has a man or woman taking care of his/her daily expenses he/she should still be ambitious enough to save a few dollars, use the help they are getting to further their education or to start a small business. (I'm not talking about under age youths).  Some are smart enough to do so, others however use the financial support they are recieving to buy clothes, go away on weekend trips, party every night and get their hair and nails done every weekend and that's  not smart at all. 

Solutions

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I honestly can't say how this issue can be solved. It's not an issue only affecting the poor youths. Even educated youths are falling into the trap of wanting easy money. It's how many are now being conditioned through the western celebrity culture being portrayed on socia media and reality tv. I believe youths just need to value hard work. Youths need to be inundated with more stories from programs like Profile and Talk Up Yout of those who came from poor back grounds but through education and remaining goal oriented they have made their lives better.

Those who are engaged in illegal activities for easy month need to understand that one day they will g caught and will end up spending time great portion of their lives behind bars or worst and that's a high price to pay.

Youths need more networking opportunities from as early as fifth form so they can build a relationship with prospective employees and prospective business partners. Youths also need to understand the importance of saving and  taking responsibility for their own future. Youths must understand that they have to invest in their their goals from early and not blame or depend on the government or any one else to provide aid after they have wasted time in school and have squandered money. 

Another great episode can't wait to "talk up" on next week's topic. 

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#TalkUpYout Season 5: Episode 1 Review.

"Talk Up Yout" season five episode one aired on Television Jamaica last night and the first topic tackled was the issue of Brain Drain in Jamaica. Before I get into my thoughts on the first episode, I must say as much as Emprezz is one of my favorite media personalities I'm ok with her not being in front of the camera for this season. I enjoyed the new layout of the show; the panel of young minds and the short debate.

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#AboutTheShow

Throughout the entire episode I was yelling at the panel through the TV. My first issue was that they didn't really stick to the definition of Brain Drain which could be defined as highly trained, educated and professional people with specialization in particular fields migrating to other economies for better pay or living conditions. If we are working with a definition similar to that then the panel some what missed the mark if they were even to educate some one who had no knowledge of what "Brain Drain" is and the impact it has on a country. For example, there was mention of students athletes opting to study abroad due to lack of resources in Jamaica. That in my opinion cannot be considered as a "Brain Drain" issue. I stated on twitter that individuals may decide to attend school abroad for a myriad reasons including wanting to be exposed to a different culture or a particular course of interest isn't being offered in the islands universities. I wanted to add that if a student athlete studies abroad but still competes for his/her country the "Brain Drain" wouldn't be happening in this instance.  

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I needed statistics and more proof that Jamaica has a brain drain problem especially as it relates to degree holders and highly trained professionals leaving the island. For instance what number of Jamaican scientists, doctors or engineers left the island over the past five years. Without those stats even during the debate portion of the show i was left not convinced that Jamaica really has a huge Brain Drain problem. Yes, I agree some of our educated people are leaving but is the country really feeling any impact.

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#MyThoughts‎

I feel that Jamaica loses more skilled workers than university graduates. HEART graduates who are trained in hospitality, food and beverage management and  electrical installation and even construction often opt to go to Canada or even to other Caribbean countries to gain employment especially because the Jamaican market is over saturated with those having the same skills set. Again in this regard I'm not sure if "brain draining" would be taking place because the country has hundreds of workers within the tourism industry and students leaving vocational training institutes quarterly that can replace those that are leaving. Many who are leaving are doing so on a temporary basis as they are not being offered permanent residence in these countries. Personally I have a family member who has been living and working in Grand Cayman as a chef for over ten years she was university trained but still Jamaica has no shortage of chefs.‎

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A friend in Jamaica's shipping industry told me recently that his company is losing several of its crane and strad operators monthly to Canada and Dubai and these operators are not University or community college graduates but they do have a specialized skill. His company is spending more money now on training new operators and being less productive daily due to not having experienced strad and crane operating staff and outsourcing workers that really don't put out the same level of productivity those who left use to. This strengthens my point that the Brain Drain may be taking place in Jamaica but skilled and technically trained workers are the ones that are actually leaving. I also see where Jamaica is losing English teachers to countries like China and Japan but we still have a surplus leaving teachers college so again I'm not sure if losing just a small handful of teachers is really a huge problem that falls under the brain drain banner. 

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#Conclusion 

As the program wrapped with the panelists giving their solutions I found my self agreeing with their points.  Adrian suggested that corporate Jamaica should launch a under study internship program that would assist university students regardless of their address to gain valuable work experience and possibly employment. Another panelist made reference to more graduate recruitment programs being needed on the island and less nepotism and cronyism which I believe is the main reason for college and university graduates not gaining even entry level positions in government agencies and companies. 

"Talk Up Yout" season five episode one was a good start to the new season. Congratulations to Stanley and Empress productions. I can't wait to see what next week's topic will be. 

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The Plight of Jamaica's Athlete.

Photo credit: Twitter @jasondadzmorgan 
The Current Situation. 
Some people believe that because some of Jamaica's top athletes get local and international endorsement deals that all of them are earning millions of dollars. Kayon Raynor's interview Thursday night during TVJ Sports News with discuss thrower Jason Morgan and shot putter Odayne Richards, 400 meter runner Dane Hyatt and 400 meter hurdler Leford Green brought to the forefront the lack of support the nation's athletes receive from the Government of Jamaica. The feature helped to answer the question of why those who decided to switch allegiance to other countries made that choice.  I felt Morgan's pain as he shed tears while speaking to Raynor about his rough journey as an athlete and how many times he felt like giving up. The interview put into perspective how much more work the Government and the JAAA needs to put in to ensure that Jamaica does not lose anymore athletes to countries that are willing and able to pay and provide them with necessary benefits so they can perform at their best and survive outside of competition season.

What's Really Happening 
We see our athletes at these meets and we don't  imagine them not being able to do their best because they have a nine to five and supervisor calling them days before a competition to find out when they will be coming back to work. We couldn't guess that for all the pride they bring us some are basically coaching them self because they can't afford a full time coach, paying their own way to different competitions, taking care of medical bills for injuries sustained at meets or during training and just like everyone else they are worried about  how their bills are going to be paid and how they are going to take care of their families. We need not imagine because the reality is the life described is being lived by some of our elite track and field stars.

 What We Think.
As Asafa Powell said in the interview with Kayon Raynor many Jamaicans believe that the nations track and field team is made up of just ten people. Let's keep it real; how many athletes of the forty Asafa says is on Jamaica's track and field  team to the 2015 World Championships to Beijing do many of us know? Fact is, if they aren't breaking records or getting medals many of don't care to know their names. We forget that those at the top were once at the bottom. We assume that because some have endorsement deals and drive flashy cars and live in big houses or own businesses all of them are living that dream life. Many of our high school stars are hurrying to become professional athletes hoping to join the likes of Usain and Shelly- Ann at the top. They don't understand that it will take them sometime to begin earning and I hope after watching the Kayon Raynor feature they are re organizing their goals and setting up a plan B.

 What Next?
 Brand Jamaica needs brand ambassadors and we have plenty talented ones; but brand ambassadors need to get paid. Maybe the money being using to fund large contingent of political representatives to attend these world games should be spent on helping to finance some of the nation's athletes throughout the year. Instead of spending millions to host a big celebration when the athletes return from competition why not put that cash in a trust fund aimed at providing financial aid for the athletes who need it not just those who are still working but those who are retired too. JAAA needs to not make anymore small mistakes that will cause an athlete an opportunity to compete and possibly earn. Corporate Jamaica needs to stop being wagonists and not only sign athlete after they begin winning. The Jamaican athletes at the top won't be at the top forever so private and public sector entities need to start showing that they believe in the future of Jamaican athletics by investing in or adopting an upcoming talent now or we will find in the years to come more of our athletes opting to compete for other countries.