One of Jamaica’s premier young video directors, Jay Will, has a new long-form music video out featuring new deejay Rally Bop. Directed with a narrative approach, the video is an ill-fated tale of three friends (all portrayed by Bop in different costumes) planning a robbery. With plot twists galore, this is not your average dancehall video. Will has previously directed videos for M.I.A’s “Boyz,” Shaggy’s “Church Heathen,” Beenie Man’s “Dreaming Of You,” Mr. Vegas’ “Hot Wuk,” and more.

Outaroad and several other dancehall news sites are reporting that an onstage skirmish between “Vocoder King” Munga Honorebel and Portmore star Deva Bratt broke out at Stone Love’s anniversary dance. The fight started when Brat refused to relinquish the stage to Munga; Security restored order just as Munga had drawn a knife and things threatened to deteriorate.

The 2007 Sting concert on December 26 will be missing a number of key dancehall acts. Various artists have been announcing their absence from the anticipated event, including Beenie Man, Sizzla, Macka Diamond, and Errup. Speaking of Ras Moses, the Dancehall Doctor, a.k.a. Beenie Man, you can grab a free MP3 Christmas track, courtesy of 357 Records producer Mario C and One876.com.

A Jamaican minister recently vowed to work with Canadian officials to take down alleged pirate audio website AudioMaxxx. The site trades in mix CDs and compilations and has been repeatedly asked by artists such as Morgan Heritage and Vybz Kartel to discontinue business.

Sound clash selector David Rodigan in an Elvis suit? Yep, you can see that and other dramatic photos from the World Clash New York: Game Over event at NowadayzDancehall.com. Speaking of Game Over, the official full audio recordings from the clash are available as high quality download files at promoters Irish & Chin’s website.

A full list of February 2008’s Reggae Academy Awards events has been announced. The ceremony will take place Sunday, February 24, at the National Indoor Sports Centre, and will be preceded by an artists’ road tour that stops in Montego Bay, St. Thomas, Ocho Rios, Savanna- La- Mar, Clarendon, and Kingston.

Several artists, including TOK, Macka Diamond, and Voicemail, will be working through the holidays without rest for Christmastime in Jamaica. Voicemail’s Kevin said, “Wi a guh Japan for three shows and will be in New York on Christmas Day, and then back in Jamaica for Boxing Day. But no family time, this is going to be the first Christmas away from family.” Meanwhile, vintage songbird Marcia Griffiths has joined young heartthrob Da’Ville to cover Luther Vandross’s classic Christmas tune, “Every Year, Every Christmas.”

Mr. Rock & Soul, the Rocksteady music master Alton Ellis, is still quite ill and being treated for cancer at a London hospital. As his family keeps vigil, the singer, known for his hits “I’m Just A Guy,” “Can I Change My Mind,” and “Cry Tough,” is said to be making progress.

New York’s Top Ten Reggae Singles
1. Beenie Man “Back It Up” (357)
2. T.O.K. “Guardian Angel” (Fresh Ear)
3.Screechy Dan “Panty Town” (Big Yard)
4. Cham “Conscience” (Don Corleon)
5. Sean Kingston “Beautiful Girl” (Beluga Heights/Epic)
6. Cecile “I’m Waiting” (Danger Zone)
7. Daville “Give Thanks For What You Got” (Fresh Ear)
8. Alaine “Rising Love” (Fresh Ear)
9. Shaggy/Rik Rok & Tony Gold “Bonafide Girl/Move Hype” (Big Yard)
10. Etana “Roots” (Freemind)