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Pittsburgh, PA - The late great Bob Marley once said " One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. ", those sentiment have always echoed in Afar Music Group and shared through their celebration of Reggae Fusion Fest , a Mind, Body and Soul experience through music. On February 6th, 2016, Afar Music Group invites you to celebrate Reggae and the life and music of iconic Bob Marley . The event which has become Pittsburgh premier Reggae Festival will take place at the Altar Bar and be headlined by reggae artist ORieL & The Revoluters and feature Ras Maisha, Neil Amos, Truth & Rites (featuring Jah Ques, Ayana, Zapollogy & Banga), African Dance and Drum ensemble and Cellist Joe Bischoff . Speaking on this annual event, Afar Music Group founder related "the idea is to make RFF into one of Pittsburgh's biggest out door festival at which time we would stage it in the summer time. Besides music we want to incorporate the concept of the Mind, which would include panel discussions on specific topics, authors reading from their books..The Body which would include yoga, exercise and culinary workshop from experts in these fields and the Soul which would be represented by the musical performers..but for now we wanted to start small like everything in the universe starting from a small point which gives us the ability to grow within the community and as promoters. Since its inception 2013 the festival has double in capacity ever year and on this the 4th staging we expect the same." Afar Music Group Presents Reggae Fusion Fest 2016 - Celebrating Reggae! Saturday Feb 6th, 2016 Doors: 8:00 PM Show: 9:00 PM 21 and over Tickets: TinyUrl.com/ReggaeFusionFest

As the New Year begins to make its way over the horizon, millions of people will take to social media making declarations of what they plan to improve in 2016. Health and fitness improvements may be at the top of many lists, but ladies I suggest we as women also aim to enhance our sexual experience. For years, women have struggled through less than pleasurable sex with little to no understanding of why making love isn’t as satisfying as they hoped. Approximately “53 million women in the United States have one or more sexual concerns,” according according to a sexual health study from the journal “Obstetrics & Gynecology, the average woman isn’t alone in her feelings of disappointment within the bedroom. The most commonly discussed topic in sexuality is the elusiveness of the almighty female orgasm— a sensation that is far less understood than many of us would like to admit. A common suggestion to heat things up in the bedroom is introducing sex toys during foreplay. Here are four must-have helpers to get the New Year started off right and help make sex more pleasurable for everyone involved. Hands Free The answer to women’s ability to orgasm with a partner lies within her foreplay experience, you know that time before intercourse when her body gets warmed up and her vagina is lubricated for penetration. Enter Fiera, a new hands-free, wearable bedroom assistant created by sexual wellness and intimate care company Nuelle. This wearable device utilizes a light suction to attach to the clitoral area and deliver pulsations intended for simultaneously arousing the mind and body. But it’s no replacement for a vibrator, according to Nuelle’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Leah Millheiser, an obstetrician/gynecologist. “A recent scientific study in postmenopausal women showed that Fiera’s gentle suction and stimulation work together to encourage blood flow to the vulva leading to an enhanced experience of genital arousal (warmth, tingling, engorgement),” Dr. Millheiser explains. “While vibrators typically use a stronger level of vibration to provoke orgasm, Fiera uses a more subtle vibration coupled with suction to accelerate arousal.” To find out more about the research behind the Fiera, visit www.fiera.com . Hidden Gem The vagina is a sacred place of creation and energy exchange, and throughout life’s experiences with sexual intercourse and birth, the yoni (sacred word for vagina) can collect energy and become stretched. Using Yoni Eggs to strengthen the muscles of the vagina help to prevent vaginal and uterine prolapse as well as prevent incontinence later in life. Yoni Eggs are created from gemstones that possess healing and cleansing properties, which is great for cleansing the yoni of energies that have been collected from previous partners or negative sexual experiences. Using a Yoni Egg regularly can help restore balance to the vagina, revitalize moisture and even help with soothing menstrual cramps when used prior to one’s period. Learn more about Yoni Egg variations and purchase your own at www.yonieggs.com . Magic Wand If you have nothing else in your arsenal of bedroom assistants, a massage wand is one essential tool you should not skip. Featuring a soft, cushioned flex head with several speed and function options, a massage wand is great for easing tension in tight muscles during full body massage and for clitoral stimulation when used on the vulva. Massage wands plug directly into a standard outlets to give the user the maximum amount of power and are easy to clean and store. It is also a non-threatening and unisex bedroom assistant that couples can enjoy together or partners can use solo. You can get 50 percent off any massage wand on www.adamandeve.com by using the code GLAM. Shower Sex In 2016, every couple (or single lady) should have a showerhead that also can be used for stimulation. For the woman that isn’t into vibes or dildos to reach an orgasmic release, the Klittrajet promises an orgasm on any mode setting. With a flickering center jet that flutters instead of “beats” like typical showerheads, any woman using this specially crafted showerhead will be pleased. It features an 8-foot-hose that allows the user to wrap and reach around with ease. The length of the hose also allows the tool to turn into a Jacuzzi jet using the Magic Lotus attachment under water for clitoral stimulation during a relaxing bath. The Klittrajet is set to launch in April 2016 but interested customers can join a mailing list for discounts and special offerings. Learn more about the Klittrajet on its official website www.klittrajet.com . Get Your Glide On Vaginal dryness can occur when foreplay is rushed through (or left out of the sexual experience completely), causing an uncomfortable experience for both partners. For the couple that may be taxed for time or perhaps isn’t the most knowledgeable about getting things flowing before-play, having a bottle of water-based lube is key for pleasure. There are several solutions on the market but my personal recommendation is Astroglide’s Natural formula. It’s free of parabens and glycerin and is formulated for all skin types. You can find Astroglide at your local drugstore or check out www.astroglide.com for more information on their various products. About the Author Glamazon Tyomi is a freelance writer, model and sex educator with a deeply rooted passion for spreading the message of sex positivity and encouraging the masses to embrace their sexuality. Her website, www.glamerotica101.com, reaches internationally as a source for advice and information for the sexually active/curious. Follow her on Twitter at @glamazontyomi. Via: EBONY

Braids have become particularly popular in the natural hair community due to claims that they can grow your hair. In reality, braids don’t make your hair grow, they assist with length retention. Each time you style, detangle or manipulate your hair in any way, there’s a risk of breakage. Keeping your hair in a confined style protects your locs from the daily breakage it would normally encounter. This increases the amount of length you will retain, but there are a couple of reasons why you should not get braids. Don't wear braids if you... Have Severely Dry Hair If your hair is really dry, keeping your hair trapped in braids for an extended period of time may not be such a good idea. With limited access to moisture, your hair could break significantly while you have the braids installed. Make sure your hair is healthy before moving forward with any kind of style that restricts the amount of moisture that can reach the strands. Have Thinning Edges or a Scalp Condition If you suffer from dandruff, psoriasis, alopecia or thinning/balding of any sort, braids will only add stress to the follicle and could create even more hair loss. You should avoid any styles that will add any additional tightness and tension to your strands. Marley braids, kinky twists, and box braids are all dope styles but not at the expense of your natural hair. My advice: never compromise the health of your strands for a temporary look. Via: Essence

It's a fallow month for movies, but there are still some gems. Most moviegoers will spend January doing one of two things – catching up with some of December's many award-courting releases, or watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens for the seventeenth time. But don't miss the handful of new films well worth your attention. From a Benghazi movie helmed by Michael Bay (!) to a martial-arts import co-starring Mike Tyson (!!), viewers will have a variety of choices from which to choose. With our handy guide, you're sure to find the non-Star Wars sequel you're looking for. The Hateful Eight (January 1 wide-release) Quentin Tarantino's sprawling, bloody three-hour Western charts the nasty business perpetrated by a group of strangers (including Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tim Roth and Michael Madsen) who all converge during a blizzard at a remote cabin. The Revenant (January 8 wide-release) Perhaps the most visually stunning film of 2015—now getting a nationwide release —this based-on-real-events survivalist saga by Birdman director Alejandro González Iñárritu stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a fur trader who, after barely living through a bear attack, seeks revenge against a traitorous comrade (Tom Hardy). The Forest (January 8) The forces of evil rise up against a young woman (Game of Thrones' Natalie Dormer) after she goes looking for her missing sister in Japan's Aokigahara Forest in this ominous horror effort. Anesthesia (January 8) Writer/director/co-star Tim Blake Nelson assembles a sterling cast—including Sam Waterson, Kristen Stewart, Glenn Close and Gretchen Mol—for this drama about the fallout from the violent mugging of a Columbia University professor. The Benefactor (January 15) Richard Gere's mysterious philanthropist nudges his way into the life of a newly married couple (Dakota Fanning and Theo James) in this thriller from writer/director Andrew Renzi. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (January 15) Sure to provoke considerable debate over its depiction of real-life events, this Michael Bay action film follows six American security operators as they try to repel terrorist invaders at the US. State Department's compound in Libya. Mojave (January 22) An artist (Garrett Hedlund) faces off against a dangerous drifter (Oscar Isaac) in this two-person-showdown indie from Oscar-winning screenwriter William Monahan (The Departed). IP Man 3 (January 22) The third entry in the popular Chinese martial-arts saga starring Donnie Yen should deliver more of its trademark ass-kicking action, especially given the presence of Mike Tyson as Yen's adversary. Jane Got a Gun (January 29) After a notoriously difficult production (which began back in 2012), this Western—about a woman (Natalie Portman) forced to fight back against a troublesome gang (led by Ewan McGregor)—finally sees the light of the day in late January. Whether it's a train wreck or a masterpiece or something in between, this'll be worth watching. Via: Esquire

Throughout his life, Bob Marley was a high-profile advocate of Rastafari beliefs. Seventy years after his birth in the melting pot of Jamaica—and almost 35 years since his death on May 11, 1981—Newsweek explores the music, ideology and life of this revered artist in a 70th Anniversary special edition. July 23, 1892, saw the birth of a prince in Ethiopia whose life and legacy would have implications no one could have then known. Standing just 5'4" when fully grown, Ras Tafari Makonnen was physically unimposing, yet by the time he ascended to the ancient throne that was his birthright as a descendant of the biblical King Solomon, it was said that even those closest to Ras Tafari were unable to look him in the eye. Meanwhile in the Christian melting pot of Jamaica, where Catholics, Methodists, the Church of England, Calvinists, Jehovah’s Witnesses and numerous other sects had found a home, biblical scholars were beginning to pay attention to Ras Tafari in the context of the biblical prophecy that stated a King of Kings, of Jesse’s line, would be crowned in the land of David. This King of Kings was said to be the second coming of Jesus, and the scholars who attached the Ethiopian prince to the savior with woolen hair and feet as black as burning brass were effectively the first Rastas. Odd and ominous stories began to pop up regarding Ras Tafari —in one, a priest who looked at his palms was said to have seen the wounds of stigmata, as well as a lifeline that bent back on itself into the symbol for infinity. By the time the emperor visited Jamaica in April 1966, the Rasta faith had grown to such proportions that 100,000 people crowded the tarmac near Kingston. Bob Marley’s life was unknowingly changed by Haile Selassie I’s visit to Jamaica. Bob’s new wife, Rita, put on her finest dress on April 21, 1966, and made her way to Palisadoes Airport with a group of friends. But along the way to the airport, they were impeded by a crowd welcoming Selassie’s motorcade. As the car passed, Rita made eye contact with the emperor and claimed to see stigmata wounds on his hands. The person closest to Bob was converted, and before long Bob himself was meeting with Rasta leader Mortimer Planno, who was of such high standing in the community that it was he who calmed the crowd at Palisadoes Airport when Haile Selassie I arrived. Planno took Bob along with him, after much theorizing and commiseration in Trenchtown, to Rasta encampments in the interior of Jamaica and introduced him to the Rasta way of life, from growing dreads to keeping rigid dietary restrictions to smoking “herb” to the elaborate ceremonies conducted on April 21 to commemorate Haile Selassie’s Jamaica visit. As Rasta spread from Jamaica across the world to the West African diaspora and the Western markets alike, it was the music of Bob Marley and the Wailers that, more than any other act, carried the movement’s ideals to new ears. As police in Jamaica continued to treat Rastas as second-class citizens, their creeds were accepted by the world with aplomb. By the time the band was named Rolling Stone’s band of the year in 1976, Haile Selassie I had passed, but Bob summed up the beliefs of every Rasta with the lyrics “Jah lives, Selassie I live, children.” This article is excerpted from a Newsweek Special Edition, Bob Marley—The Official 70th Anniversary Tribute, by Issue Editor Tim Baker.

Trinidad and Tobago-based production houses Simply Natural Family (SNF) and Bar16 Music conjure power soca vibes on the JuJu Riddim , available worldwide from all major digital retailers on January 15, 2016,with pre-order available now, from FOX FUSE . The high-energy, power soca compilation boasts four tracks and includes Skinny Banton featuring Mr. Killawith “We Pumping,” Remixah with “Ricochet” and Marlon D Manager with “ Jumbie, ” along with the“ Juju Riddim (Instrumental) .” SNF was established over five years ago and is fronted by producer Robert “SN” Baptiste , who has been crafting a special brand of soca music to satisfy carnival-lovers year round, and the JuJu Riddim keeps that mission alive. TRACK LIST 1. Skinny Banton Featuring Mr. Killa - We Pumping 2. Remixah - Ricochet 3. Marlon D Manager - Jumbie 4. Simply Natural Family and Bar16 Music - Juju Riddim (Instrumental)

AdvoKit Production ups the ante for the 2016 Trinidad Carnival season with its new hit compilation Road Trip Riddim , available worldwide from all major digital retailers on January 15, 2016, with pre-order available now, from FOX FUSE. AdvoKit Productions ended 2015 on a high note with its massively successful Kan Kan Riddim being one of the top releases in soca music, and looks forward to delivering these new anthems for the soca massive globally. The smooth and groovy Road Trip Riddim spawns four tracks and is helmed by soca star Machel Montano with his invitation to the masses to join him on a “ Road Trip ” to Carnival. Soca senstation Dale Ryan promises he is different with “ Find Meh (Different)” and AdvoKit sings an ode to the ladies with “ Pretty. ” Based in Diego Martin in Trinidad and Tobago, AdvoKit Productions is captained producer Kitwana Israel, who had been producing music for over 12 years as a hobby, before officially establishing his professional production house in 2012. He ups his game as an artist and “ Pretty ” is his debut release, under his fitting performer name AdvoKit. With fingers on the pulse of soca music, AdvoKit Productions is bound to have another success year, taking all of us along for this thrilling road trip. TRACK LIST 1. Machel Montano - Road Trip 2. Dale Ryan - Find Meh (Different) 3. AdvoKit - Pretty 4. AdvoKit Productions - Road Trip Riddim (Instrumental)

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has been fined $10,000 for the incident and his club, the Melbourne Renegades, for an " inappropriate conduct " after he asked a TV reporter for a date in a live interview. He was speaking to journalist Mel McLaughlin during a Big Bash League T20 match in Hobart on Monday. Gayle was answering questions from Network Ten's McLaughlin after a match when he made the remark, which was widely condemned as sexist. "To see your eyes for the first time is nice. Hopefully we can have a drink afterwards. Don't blush baby, " he said. Gayle has since apologized, but that the reaction was "out of proportion". The former West Indies Test captain told reporters on Tuesday: " There wasn't anything meant to be disrespectful or offensive to Mel. If she felt that way, I'm really sorry for that. "It was a simple joke. The game was going on. Entertainment, things get out of proportion but these things happen." McLaughlin has said his date request was "a little bit disappointing because I'm not used to seeing that" It’s not the first time Gayle has been involved in an inappropriate interview. In 2014, he responded to a female reporter’s question about pitch conditions by saying, “Well I haven’t touched yours yet, so I don’t know how it feels.” Do you think Gayle went too far with his comment?

Misleading headline alert: I do indeed deem Villa Being the most fabulous villa on the Caribbean island of Tobago. But in fact the uber-chic property actually feels not like one villa but many—a collection of marvelous mini-homes that seem to have miraculously sprouted in the hills of a lush tropical rainforest, obliterating the line between inside and out. Villa Being, Tobago The property is just 20 minutes from the airport, in the town of Arnos Vale , but you’d never know it; 180 feet above the Caribbean Sea, nestled amid the mangoes, coconuts and papayas of a five-acre organic-fruit estate, Villa Being is not so much otherworldly as no-worldly: Stay here and suddenly there is no world but this very lovely, very faraway one. The décor is essentially Caribbean chic—think bright tropical colors, vivid Carnival CCL -0.61% masks and Caribbean culture books scattered about—but postmodern-pastiche touches, like church-style spires and a bit of Spanish hacienda flair, are playfully perfect. Behold the best features of this best villa: THE BEING SCULPTURE It’s the first thing you lay eyes on upon entering the villa gate: a blue-tiled square in the midst of a grassy terrace, surrounded by four white pillars. What is it?A Yoga pavillian? A funky walk-in sculpture? The caretaker said something about Feng Shui and “cleansing energy” and morning meditation, but whatever it is, I love it. THE POOL It’s said to be an engineering marvel: the only pool in the Caribbean built entirely on stilts. And it feels like one, so precipitously perched over a seaside cliff that every time you swim in the salt water—no chlorine here!—you imagine you’re about to plunge directly into Caribbean waters. Infinity pool at Villa Being THE ROMANTIC ROOM Villa Being has three separate bedrooms, a glass-enclosed living room, a high-tech kitchen and several open dining areas, all connected by stone walkways and grassy lawns. But the “Romantic Room” is the crown jewel of them all. A four-poster bed is surrounded by a dozen doors opening to the sea; a charming loft overhead provides access to a private-pool terrace, and the spacious bathroom is in its own luxurious cove next door. THE SHOWERS Each bedroom features an outdoor shower. Not just any outdoor shower: Like the pool, all hang dramatically over the cliff, as if suspended in mid-air. I waved to passing yachts while washing my hair. THE SOUNDS Nature’s orchestra can be heard at all times, from anywhere in the villa. Cicadas in the bush, frogs in the mini-pond, wind whistling through banana trees, and, most prominent of all, the 220 native species of birds that make Tobago a birder’s paradise: it’s nothing short of a Villa Being symphony. Being-tobago.com (Forbes) ......................................................................................................... About the author, Baz Dreisinger I am: writer, globetrotter, professor, culture-hound. Born and raised in New York City, with one foot fixed in the Caribbean, I have written about travel, the arts and identity politics for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal and many more; I produce on-air segments about global music and culture for National Public Radio (NPR). I am ceaselessly curious, fearless in my journeys, relentlessly ravenous to see and learn more. My global routes marry luxury with local, which is the essence of this travel blog: Welcome to a place where wanderlust meets culture-lust, where otherworldly high-end meets rootsy down-home.

WIZ Records propels classic soca sounds on its latest compilation De Throwback Riddim , available worldwide from all major digital retailers on January 8, 2016, with pre-order available now, from FOX FUSE . Producer Shawn “Mr. Roots” Mitchell, who is at the helm of WIZ Records, has seen plenty of his recent releases become mainstays on soca charts and playlists, and have been taking center stage at the various carnival celebrations around the Caribbean. De Throwback Riddim features four groovy tunes and showcases soca stars Benjai with “20/20,” Ricardo Drue & Blaxx with “Day Ones (Good Company),” Cassi with “Two Dumplings” and P upa Leendi with “Rum.” The calypso-infused, groovy soca rhythm scores another set of hits for WIZ Records, and keeps the studio and the respective artists in steady play for the 2016 Carnival season. TRACK LIST 1. Benjai - 20/20 2. Ricardo Drue & Blaxx - Day Ones (Good Company) 3. Cassi - Two Dumplings 4. Pupa Leendi – Rum

Trinidadian pistol Edghill “MX Prime” Thomas fires off two new hits with “ City Of Love” and “ Hot Like Fiyah, ” both now available worldwide from all major digital retailers (released on December 18, 2015), from FOX FUSE. MX Prime , formerly known as Maximus Dan , is a well-known radio personality-turned soca entertainer and his ragga soca-meets-EDM fusion brings a unique flair to soca music. “ City Of Love ” and “Hot Like Fiyah” are both high-energy, up-tempo dance tracks fueled with rapid-fire lyrics from MX Prime , and are bound to get your hands and flags up whenever you hear them. The thrilling tracks are sure club bangers and shine a spotlight on dance and EDM music originating from the Caribbean. Both tracks are produced by MX Prime , as he evolves as a bonafide triple threat, from radio deejay to soca star and music producer, finding even more ways to reach the ears of his fans across the world.

A cricket star’s comments to a female reporter during an interview broadcast live on Australian television is drawing scorn. Chris Gayle, who plays for the Melbourne Renegades of the Big Bash League, while leading his team to a win Monday night, suggested to television reporter Mel McLaughlin that the pair go out for a drink. He added, “Don’t blush, baby,” during an awkward pause in the interview. The comments drew heavy criticism on social media and were described by Anthony Everard, head of the BBL, as “disrespectful and simply inappropriate.” Channel 10 head of sport David Barham was quoted by the Herald Sun newspaper as saying the network was deeply offended and was seeking an apology. The BBL, one of a growing number of domestic Twenty20 cricket tournaments, is a TV ratings winner in Australia and drew a crowd of 80,000 for a game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over the weekend. “I wanted to have an interview with you as well, that’s why I’m here,” Gayle said live on national television. “I get to see your eyes for the first time, it’s nice. Hopefully we can win and go for a drink after.” As part of the broadcasts, some players wear cameras on their caps or batting helmets and are involved in live interviews during the action. Barham told the Sun Herald that Gayle would no longer be fitted with a microphone for on-field comments. Renegades chief executive Stuart Coventry said he agreed that Gayle’s comments were out of line. “We’ll certainly be talking to him in association with Cricket Australia about it,” Coventry said. “The Melbourne Renegades is all about its appeal to kids, families and females. “There’s just no place for that sort of behavior.” With AP and News.com.au