Grooverider Jailed
Raymond Bingham, better known as Grooverider, is a UK DJ who pioneered drum and bass in the nineties. His BBC Radio 1 broadcast, called Drum n Bass with Fabio and Grooverider, has been running for years. The BBC has not paid a salary to Bingham since his arrest last November.
The radio DJ was invited to do a ‘nightclub gig’ in the United Arab Emirates. When he flew to Dubai drugs were discovered in his luggage. Officials found 2.16g of cannabis. Bingham explained that he had forgotten about the cannabis back at home. He claims to have put it in a pocket and then forgotten about it. He was charged with cannabis possession.
Grooverider has made his opinions very clear. The DJ has described his arrest as ‘ridiculous’. He also said that in the UK he would not have been prosecuted. This is due to the fact that it was a small amount for personal use and not for selling or smuggling. There have been sixty four Brits arrested for offences relating to drugs in the United Arab Emirates in the past year alone.
There exists a four year minimum sentence for the trafficking of drugs in Dubai and throughout the United Arab Emirates. Bingham’s mistake could cost him a great price. The BBC Radio 1 show has had to continue broadcasting without him. His exact words during an interview were ‘I must have forgotten the spliff’. This is not good enough for a region with strict regulations concerning drugs.
Spice Girls and Nelson Mandela
The original girl power band will perform at Mandela’s birthday concert A concert to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s birthday will take place in London. The veteran freedom fighter and past president will be turning ninety years old in June. The concert will be held in Hyde Park and proceeds will go to charity. All five Spice Girls are keen to perform.
They met Mandela in November 1997. They have said they are great friends of the famous man. He called the Spice Girls his ‘heroes’. Like all entertainers who have met him they were bowled over by his reception. Geri Halliwell called him ‘an example of strength and humility’. The girl band met Nelson Mandela at his official residence when he was still in office. Prince Charles was also present.
The group that highlighted girl power recently cut short their world tour. According to them the decision was made for personal reasons. The one that was cited the most was commitment to family and especially children. They said some of the children had to return to school, spoken like true mums. Due to this they had to cancel four shows. The girls also explained that the tour had gone over schedule time.
However, Ginger Spice made it known that the Spice Girls will never tour together again. This was said when she was interviewed by Billboard, an American magazine. Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice) will be publishing books for children in May of this year.
