Who will be the left standing after Sting 2008 – Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Merciless or Ninja Man?
Clashes have been the hall mark of Sting for 25 years. Most have been very ugly, vulgar; and very violent, Maxi Priest -his first appearance- and Bunny Wailer were bottled and never returned, while other clashes have been memorable and legendary like Merciless Versus Ninja Man, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man in 2000, or the ‘bloody battle’ between Vybz Kartel and Ninja Man in 2003, or even Super Cat Vs Ninja Man, Pappa San Vs Stichie, Shabba Ranks Vs Ninja Man and Beenie Man VS Bounty Killer yet some how Isaiah Laing and his Supreme promotion team are still around after quarter century.The 25th anniversary of Sting at Jam-world which was dubbed “The Final Frontier, the Settlement of all Arguments” will have no clashes; instead there will be lyrical confrontations. Sting 2008 lyrical salvo will be unleashed, and according to published report the promoter is trying to keep the ‘greatest one-night show’ as peaceful as possible, so the new format “will be a lyrical confrontation, a tune-for-tune” what is often called counter action.
The Merciless (the War Head) recently returned to the music after years of absence is riding high his hit single ‘Amber Alert’, featuring Ikaya is presently getting rave reviews holding down the #4 spot on the CVM’s Hit list Video Countdown chart.Merciless says he has no interest in clashing with Ninja Man or Mad Cobra because they are no longer in his league, but is gunning for a clash with the Warlord, Bounty Killer who says he feels Jamaicans need to at be smiling more. Will the Killer take on the challenge Merciless’ challenge? “So far, it seems like di Killer a run from di clash because him a pay more attention pon his new career as Mavado’s back-up singing.
On Boxing Day, December 26th the settlement clash, which was broadcast live on the internet, on Sting fans minds was between dancehall artistes’ ace rivals Mavado/Vybz Kartel, Ninja Man, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Merciless and Mavado. Dr Donna Hope, Author/lecturer in the Reggae Studies Department at the UWI, Mona campus, notes a lot of people are looking forward to the resolution of the Mavado/Kartel argument which is long overdue.
However the ladies were not standing still as the return of Jamaica’s most successful international female entertainer the ‘Queen of The Pack’ Lady Patra, who told me in phone conversation this past summer that she ‘come fi take it .’ Lady G, who always seems to show the rest how a Lady does it, will represent middle of the road sexuality and culture, DJ Spice, who’s ‘racy and x-rated current hit W/Kartel ‘Romp Shop’ is sending threats to others. However, the one to watch is Pamputtae, the hottest female in the dancehall for 2008 with her hits tunes “Pat Yu P*ssy, and Call Yu Man Name” and ‘Hungry Belly and Back Shot Nuh Gree’ has let it be known she nuh come fi play, she come fi set it and, also Junie Platinum. Culture roots/lover rock female powerhouse ladies Queen Ifrica and Etana, will no doubt represent so did the Christian contingent of Goddy Goddy and DJ Nicholas will make sure the Lord Jesus Christ presence is forcefully accounted for.
At the launce of Sting 25 on Dr Hope admonish and begged patrons on behalf of the entire dancehall massive to keep it lyrical and avoid the physical. She urged responsible behavior at Sting this year and reminded them that “we must respect the dancehall… don’t mash it down.” Hope told the gathering that Dancehall lovers have a responsibility to protect the genre and, to do the things that make it better and avoid it from falling into disrepute.
Stone Love 36th Anniversary Awards at Mas Camp
Winners were: Deejay of the Year Male – Vybz Kartel, Deejay of the Year Female – D’Angel, Sing-jay of the Year- Mavado, Singer of the Year Male – Serani, Best New Artiste Male- Konshens, Singer of the Year Female; Etana, Best New Female Dancehall Artiste – Pamputtae and Selector of the Year – Stone Love. Despite strong singles like Courtney John’s Missing You, Terry Linen’s Better Man and Nuh Linga, Etana’s Don’t Forget, Tarrus Riley’s Far Away, Beres’ I Surrender and LUST, Just as I am there was no award for Song of the Year. There were impact runaway hits like last year’s, She’s Royal by Tarrus Riley.
Shaggy’s Make A Difference Foundation to raise US$2M for the Bustamante Children Hospital
Shaggy’s Make A Difference Foundation., will be stating Shaggy and Friends’ concert fund-raising event on January 3 2009 to raise US$2 million at to buy equipment needed for the Bustamante Children hospital to effectively treat its patients. He held a meeting with the private sector in Jamaica and corporate donations from rolled in from Cell phone giant Digicel who donated $500,000 to the hospital and pledged to buy another $500,000 worth of tickets to the event. The Bank of Nova Scotia donated $1 million, and Sagicor made a commitment to give the hospital $5M over a period of time. Wisynco gave $1M and Jamaica National promised to make a $500,000 contribution. He took his campaign abroad and went on Rosie O’Donnell, Conan O’Brian, and the ‘Today Show’ and talked about his fundraising event.
The January 3 2009 concert to be held on the lawn of Jamaica house will be co-host by model actor Tyson Beckford. The artists schedule to perform is Morgan Heritage, Buju Banton, Etana, Sean Paul, Elephant Man, Da’Ville, Tarrus Riley, Etana, Soca’s Allison Hinds, Tessane Chynn, Freddie McGregor, Elephant Man, Marcia Griffiths, Tony Rebel, Macy Gray, J Holiday, and Sean Kingston.
Shaggy’s association with the hospital began seven years ago when he began distributing, at Christmas when he provides 300 presents to children at the hospital. He’s recruited the help of other artistes, Sean Paul, Cham, Mavado and Bounty Killer to distribute the presents. Shaggy has donated the three mechanical ventilators to the hospital. As a father of three his personal experience moved to act. Shaggy “When somebody looks at you and tell you his kid died in his arms ’cause there wasn’t a machine, wha yuh do?” “The machine that was available was the only one that I bought and there was another kid on it, and the only way that your child could live was if that one die, and you can’t sit down wish pon di people pickney fi dead so that yours can live. To me that’s just wrong in every sense of the word. When yuh look at the likkle girl, Peach, wid di bullet in her head and how dedicated her father is – again, she hook up to another machine I bought. Wi haffi do something else.”
Bolt and Walker Named Male and Female Athlete of the Year
He’s the fastest man alive, Olympic champion and100,200& 4×100 world record holder Jamaican Usain Bolt and Melanie Walker Olympic 400 hurdles record (52.64 seconds) at the in Beijing Olympics have been named the Male and Female Athletes of the Year by the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association on Tuesday. Bolt won gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters and 4×100 relay at the Beijing Games in August, all in world record times. He was the first man to win the three Olympic events in single games since Carl Lewis in 1984.
Bolt said ‘It feels good to be recognized once again’ this award which comes after he s was also named world athlete of the year by Central American and Caribbean (CAC) and International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Athlete of the Year.
Bolt’s coach, Glen Mills, was named Coach of the Year. It was also announced at the function that Mills had also won the IAAF’s Coach of the Year award.
Bolt unveils Clothing Line Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt like so many other sporting figures has ventured into the fashion industry with his own clothing line. Joining forces with Sun Island Jamaica Limited Bolt’s apparel collection will focus on three target markets which will be covered by the Souvenir Line (will appeal to all age groups), the Urban Line (with trendy prints targeting people aged 16 to 30 years), and the classy and conservative Signature Line of polo shirts bearing the “To the World” pose popularized by the sprinter in Beijing. The Usain Bolt apparel collection will be which is targeting marketed to both male and female customers in Europe, Asia and the Pacific.
Additionally for the European market, Sun Island is also finalizing plans to introduce the Bolt apparel line with organic cotton fabrics and printing with environmentally friendly inks using state-of-the-art digital direct technology.
Fred Locks makes album in tribute to Dennis Brown
Fred Locks, who’s culturally- aware messages, garnered him two of the biggest reggae hits Black Star liner and True Rastaman 30 years later he continues to tour especially in Europe. While Fred insists his hit-making days are over his new CD is due out next year. The album, a tribute to the Crown Prince of Reggae Dennis Brown, covers some of the finest material recorded by Brown. The working title is Deliverance Will Come, featuring Fred locks and the Uprising Band. The Rastafarian singer born Stafford Elliot describes the project “di ole ting is like a spiritual concept behind it. As well as hard work, and the love fi di music, and Dennis Brown.” Locks, encountered challenges trying to convince “Big Time” producers to buy in to his project. “I went to some big-time producers and tell dem that I want to do a Dennis Brown project and dem mek all kind of excuses. Darren Hamilton of Tru Musik Productions an arm of Developing People and Business) Entertainment Company Limited, agreed to undertake the project. According to Hamilton “This is one of our major projects and a very, very deep, spiritual, inspirational one because it’s a tribute to D Brown, so it has to be perfect if not better.”
Tempo Hot Bahamas Concert
The third staging of Tempo in The Bahamas was an event ‘that could have been missed’, since despite some riveting performances, there was a ‘vibes shortage’ and an even smaller crowd. Just like the cold front facing the region lately, the temperature at this show was just as low, with only about 500 people in attendance. Ending at 6:30 am with Luciano singing to no more than 50 patrons, Tempo definitely slowed down considerably this year.
The little crowd did bubble though, as Tessane Chin and Ce’Cile worked the stage nicely in the early hours. Their interactive performances got the audience in the groove; and one fan got on stage to try to ‘bubble’ with Ce’Cile. As the Bahamians would put it – the man “held on pan de ass.”
Jaheim of Freeport, Bahamas had the audience singing along when he delivered his slamming tunes like, “Wickedest Time” and Ziggy Rankin from Trinidad & Tobago kept them rocking with his hit, “Tired of This Miserable Life.” The Tempo anthem, “Badness Out A Style,” was delivered by Mr. King.
Although giving her usual smashing all and her beautiful dancers who wooed the crowd, Allison Hinds just stayed on stage too long. Audience members could be heard mumbling a little, as the clock was ticking and they wanted to be able to see more of the hot acts. Most of the male audience members were quite at ease at the same time; as their eyes were fixated on the dancers, who held it down to the maximum degree.
Mr. Vegas and his team, consisting of Spragga ‘the Benz’, Timberlee and Mr. Lexx certainly gave the crowd what they came there for with excellent performances. Mr. Vegas was the undisputed highlight of the entire event, as he opened up with an impressive gospel segment, and then laced the area with his own hits on top of hits.
Spragga Benz was then called on stage and the entire place ‘tun ova’ with two powerhouses on stage. Like a rhythmic chain reaction Spragga introduced Timberlee, another link, who tore up the stage before bringing on Mr. Lexx; topping off a set that was smooth and well executed. This team gave Tempo the ‘flavor’ it needed, especially as Mr. Vegas’ dancers got saucy in their instructions of how to do the ‘Hot Wuk’. (Source Yard Flex)
Mischu Laikah heating up Europe
Many are including fans and industry persons are predicting that Mischu Laikah is definitely the next top female reggae artist to look out for. Although making her bones heating up the reggae scene in Europe thousands of miles away from her sunny Caribbean home Mischu Laikah has left European reggae fans in a frenzy..
She recently completed a European Tour with Jamaican Reggae artist perfect aka Giddimani on his “Born Dead with Life” tour. Mischu Laikah said touring was a great experience for her to spread her wings tour and promote her island at the same time.
Mischu Laikah She’s recorded a beautiful Reggae track titled “Rasta-lovin” w/ Perfect which is schedule for release early 2009.next year. Slated to be her first official single she is planning shoot the video in Jamaica.
Serani closing hot while Mavado, simply 08 hottest DJ.
Dancehall musical maestro Serani’s fast track hit single ‘No Games’ and Mavado’s “I’m So Special continues to make waves on US urban radio in the east coast urban market. Serani’s hot shot single, highest new entry this week, debuted, on the Billboard’s Hot R&B Hip Hop Singles and Tracks chart #55 and on Billboard’s Hot R&B Hip Hop Airplay chart, debut at # 53 while Mavado’s “I’m So Special” it has re-entered Billboard Hot 100 Hip Hop and R&B Airplay chart at # 53. ‘No Games’ and I am So Special are available for download on iTunes and No Games’ has appeared on the iTunes main page. Both tracks were produced by TJ Records on the Unfinished Business riddim and are among the top 10 reggae downloads on iTunes.
Strategically marketed to urban radio, regional to national, Serani’s pr jaunt alongside Akon as a special guest at Funkmaster Flex party in Manhattan and appearing live on HOT 97’s Angie Martinez’s show (the station that broke the tune) before Flex’s party coupled with him being slated to be feature in an upcoming issue of Billboard magazine this shows the management teams promotion skills. With these impressive download numbers both tunes have the potential to be Dancehall’s next big crossover hits, which the genre surely needs. Mavado will be featured on several pages in Vibe Magazine during the spring.
The ground work seems to be in place for the song to go national with promotion and mainstream radio stations rotation across the US. Manager Julian Jones-Griffith has been in New York speaking to several major labels and a deal seems imminent has formed a new partnership with Phase One Communications after his earlier deals for ‘No Games’ that is now paying off. The Reggae /Dancehall industry need to prove to the major and independent labels that genre can move units as well as just being popular in the clubs and on HOT 97.
Mavado’s sophomore CD on VP Records is set to drop February 2009. The video for So Special is schedule to premier in January 2009.According to Mavado he will be focusing outside of Jamaica and with the aim of crossing over into new markets. He will be working towards making that happen in 2009.
Grace Jones documentary
A DOCUMENTARY on the life of controversial singer/actress/model Grace Jones is currently in production, The Independent newspaper in Britain reported last week.
The untitled project is being produced by British filmmaker Sophie Fiennes, sister of actors Ralph and Joseph Fiennes. The documentary comes at a time when the 60-year-old Jones is enjoying a career revival. In November, she released Hurricane, her first album in 20 years, and there are plans for a British tour, starting in January. Jones also told The Independent that she has written a screenplay, based on her life, titled Jamaica Jones. She did not say when production on a possible film will begin.
Jones was born in Spanish Town but grew up in New York. In the 1970s, she was a successful model in Europe, followed by fruitful careers as a singer and actress. The reggae-tinged Warm Leatherette and Nightclubbing, produced by Sly and Robbie, are two of her best albums. (Source Jamaica Gleaner)
Diary of a Jamaican lesbian
STACEYANN Chin, another Jamaican woman who has known her share of controversy, will launch her memoirs early next year. The Other Side of Paradise is the name of the book.
The openly gay Chin wrote about the book on her website. She said her growth as a poet and artist was strongly influenced by her early years in Montego Bay where she was born. Chin, 35, is regarded as a cutting-edge advocate of gay rights in the United States. She has a strong following on the college circuit in that country, performing at major universities such as Harvard, Boston and Cornell. Chin has been featured on programmes such as 60 Minutes and is a regular on cable programmes Black Entertainment Television’s Def Poetry Jam. She has also appeared on Oprah, where she tearfully told host Oprah Winfrey about the hostility toward gays in Jamaica.
Despite strong anti-gay presence in her homeland, Stacey Ann Chin performed at the 2005 Calabash International Festival in St Elizabeth. (Source Jamaica Gleaner)
Strength of a Prezident
ONE of reggae’s best-kept secrets is roots DJ Prezident Brown. He was one of several acts who emerged during the Rasta renaissance of the early 1990s. Brown AKA Fitz Cotterell has made a name as a touring act, mainly in Europe and the United States West Coast. It is there that his latest jaunt – in support of his latest album, Showcase Volume 4: Health and Strength – takes him. It was scheduled to start at the Red Fox Inn in Eureka, California with two shows at the Caspar Inn in Caspar, also in California. (Source Jamaica Gleaner)
Ky-Mani Marley to Join Tribute Concert for Late Singer of Jamaican Heritage
Ky-Mani Marley and friends are set to pay tribute this Friday to a young singer of Jamaican heritage who passed away recently after a year in a coma. Marley and other artists are set to celebrate the life of Bianca Noons, a singer and actress who was born to a Jamaican mother in Kenya before moving to Houston and forming the group Neutral Sisters with her own sister, Kyra.
Noons died at age 30 on November 29, 2008 after almost one full year in a coma. She was recently laid to rest on Dec. 6th but Marley and friends, will pay a tribute to her on Friday evening, December 19 at Bar-Rio on Richmond in Houston. Three years after graduating from Bellaire High School in 1995, she and Kyra formed the Neutral Sisters. They began performing on the reggae and world music circuits in hope of turning music-making into a full-time gig.
The pair enlisted celebrated musicians such as drum and bass duo Sly & Robbie and guitarist Beeze to play on their debut album Live-N-Direct, which they completed in 2003. The album’s title track won first prize in the pop category of the Billboard Songwriters competition. (Source: CaribWorldNews)
Marley
The Marley brothers, Ziggy and Stephen, are two of the acts billed for the annual Rotura Raggamuffin Festival in New Zealand on February 7 2009. A statement from the promoters said the Marleys will share headline spot with Grammy-winning deejay Shaggy. Veteran band Inner Circle is also scheduled to perform, so too American Rhythm and Blues group Arrested Development. Organizers of the event said this year’s show drew over 30,000 fans.
Writer wins copyright case against Marley estate, Studio One
A landmark ruling in the Jamaican Supreme Court against Bob Marley and Studio One saw the transferring lyrics copyright of the song Hooligans from to Shirley Maynier Burke, is award -winning journalist and artist and the mother of two prominent Jamaicans People’s National Party (PNP) politician Paul Burke and his brother Michael Burke Jamaican Observer newspaper columnist and radio commentator.
The precedence setting ruling regarding the Ska song, written in the ’60s, sung by Marley and recorded by JamRec, a company affiliated with Studio One. While doesn’t come with much money due the six years period covered in Jamaica where respect for copyright is fleeting taking on powerful music giants like the Marleys and Coxsone is unheard of .
The “by consent” agreement between the parties Studio One, the Marley estate and Shirley Maynier Burke was a private matter done in Judge’s chambers and the ruling, was not contested. Burke who can now claim royalties from 2002 continuing for 50 years after her death isn’t sure if there are other revenue streams where she can claim royalties. The song is more popular in England, the US and Japan than Jamaica.
In 1960s during the rude boy phenomenon she wrote the lyrics for the song for Marley and the Wailers’ and took it to Steven Dodd. She heard Hooligan on the radio, but never followed up on it. In 1996 a family told her the song getting a lot of air-play in England. Burke sought legal action after she contacted the estates of Marley and Dodd but “got no reply.” Prior to this she said she was terribly busy raising a family of five children and writing for The Gleaner. Burke was credited with the original recording but subsequently other claims intervened,” Dianne Daley of Foga Daley & Co, which represented Burke.
Marleys, Nat King Cole: The Jamaican connection
Call it a royal affair. Sons of reggae king Bob Marley will be sharing ‘a joint’ with American jazz icon Nat King Cole in a project set for release early next year.
According to the website nowpublic.com, reggae Grammy winners Stephen and Damian Marley – with the aid of technology, of course – will be teaming up with the late baritone pianist on an album titled Re: Generation which is scheduled for a March 10 release.
Re: Generation, which has Cole’s daughter Carole as executive producer, is intended to reintroduce the hit-making crooner of the 1950s and 1960s to a new generation of listeners and incorporates spliced remixes of Cole’s extensive catalogue. Distributed by Capitol/EMI, the album will feature artistes from various genres.
In addition to the Marleys, who cover Calypso Blues, the line-up includes American neo-soul sensation, Amp Fiddler, rap superstar Nas, hip-hop singers Cee-Lo and Will.I.am of the Black Eyed Peas, as well as Latin jazz superstar Bebel Gilberto.
Another of Cole’s offspring, Sarah, was quoted in the article as saying that if her father were alive he would have endorsed the project. “We have no doubt that if Nat were here today, he would embrace all of the artistes,” she said. “He would encourage them to leave their own indelible mark.” Digital duets are not new to the Marleys.
Back in 1999, executive producer Stephen Marley embarked on a similar project to spread his father’s message with a modern flavor. Collaboration
That album – a remix of 12 Bob Marley and the Wailers songs titled Chant down Babylon – featured the reggae icon in collaboration with American Rhythm and Blues, hip-hop and heavy metal artistes. The Tuff Gong/Island offering included Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and Busta Rhymes and Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of hard rock band Aerosmith.
The most successful of these projects, however, is Natalie Cole’s 1991 album Unforgettable. It featured a remixed duet, Unforgettable, of her and her father. The album sold seven million copies in the United States and won seven Grammy awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.
Both Bob Marley and Nat King Cole succumbed to cancer at the height of their popularity. Marley died in May 11, 1981 of melanoma as a result of an injury to his right big toe, sustained while playing football. He was 36. Cole died of lung cancer on February 15, 1965 at age 45. It was rumored that he was a chain smoker who consumed up to three packs of cigarettes per day, as he believed it gave him his soothing sound. (Source: Gleaner)
ADIDAS PIRATES BUNNY WAILER
Adidas Illegal Use of Bunny Wailer’s Image and Likeness
Even Bunny Wailer (The Blackheart Man), foundation and still surviving member of the Bob Marley And The Wailers fame, supports Adidas by purchasing and wearing Adidas sportswear during all the years of his sporting experience and until this present time, especially in the sport of soccer, which is the most loved and favourite hobby of Reggae’s Living Legend, Bunny Wailer.
In the privacy of his home, situated in the mountainous regions of Portland, Jamaica, a photograph of Bunny Wailer playing soccer was taken and the photograph subsequently used by Solomonic Productions in 1980 on an album cover entitled “Bunny Wailer Sings The Wailers.” In later years, the full image of said photograph, in the image and likeness of Bunny Wailer, was seen on an unauthorized reproduction, imprinted on t-shirts with the logo, trademark and trade name of Adidas. This action by Adidas is illegal and a violation of Bunny Wailers’ rights and privileges incorporated in said photograph. Adidas was not granted the legal rights, by Bunny Wailer or his representatives, to utilize this photograph for the manufacture, marketing and sale of merchandise. We did not expect such behaviour from a well respected, prestigious and internationally established enterprise as Adidas.
An attempt was made in writing to Adidas in reference to the illegal act and the response was somewhat negative and disappointing. A solution was introduced to Adidas in an attempt to correct the violation in an appropriate manner however it was ignored and dismissed by Adidas, who continue to demonstrate their selfishness, disrespect and disregard for fair play and justice. This type of blatant disregard from Adidas cannot be tolerated.
Bunny Wailer is therefore faithfully depending and relying upon the unified power of support from the ever-loving Reggae music and Bunny Wailer fans, friends, family and populace to rally along with Reggae’s Living Legend in this legal claim and battle for justice from one of the world’s sporting giants, Adidas.( Source: West Indian Times)
Sherwayne & Y.O.U. to sing for ‘The Cause’
He’s pulling out the stops, engineering his way into the lives of Trinbagonians worldwide by demanding the attention through the songs he sings and most definitely, through the greatness of Y.O.U. It’s one man and his band once again.
With Christmas is in gear and Carnival 2K9 follows in Feb2009, Shurwayne Winchester and Y.O.U, the band that was launched to the world this past October, feverishly continues to work with the aim of impressing and providing true enjoyment to every class, color, gender and most definitely, every age.
On December 1, the Brian Lara Promenade came to life with the movement, motion and character of an artist and his band that remains focused on the mission that is music. This time Shurwayne is lending his image and brand to a social cause as he teams up with the Ministry of Social Development and they both work hand in hand bringing to light the concern of the disabled in one form or another.
Shurwayne and Y.O.U. performed for the public on the Promenade in Port-Of-Spain from midday as hundreds of eager Trinbagonians and those visiting from abroad, will come out in support of this very noble cause, after all, as he put it, there’ll be much to benefit from an afternoon of love, education and music blended to create a true platform of growth and change in the prelude to the holiday season. Source: toronto-lime.com
New Release from Kes the Band
The long awaited new release from Kes the Band is here. The track entitled This Feeling is the first song to be released from the bands upcoming album. The song was written by the four members of Kes, Kees Dieffenthaller, Riad Boochoon, Hans Dieffenthaller and Jon Dieffenthaller and produced by Junior Ibo Joseph in conjunction with Kes.
They selected this song to be the first release as it is special to all their hearts. It is their tribute to the old masters of Calypso who paved the way not only for them, but the generation of artistes coming out now. The song carries a retro 80’s vibe, with brass-licks reminiscent of the time when calypso was king. It also instills in us a strong sentiment of patriotism in a time when the future of our nation may seem somewhat uncertain. The band has several more songs in the works and the album will be released in January 2009. (Source: Toronto-lime.com)
R&B singer Keyshia Cole soon to be releases CD (Geffen Music), features new singles; Playa Cards/ rapper the late 2Pac Shakur (the video is already in rotation on BET)
Rihanna Helping Nicole Richie?
Grammy-winning Barbadian-born singer, Rihanna, is reportedly giving singing tips to Nicole Richie. The singer along with Kelly Osbourne is apparently helping the adopted daughter of Grammy award-winning singer, Lionel Richie, as she goes after a solo music career. A source tells the New York Daily News: `Rihanna and Kelly are coaching Nicole and giving her tips on how to perform. (Source: CaribWorldNews)
Da’Ville heads to Japan
Singer Da’Ville will be spending the Christmas holidays in Japan as part of his a pre-promotional launch for his new album Ichiban. While there Da’Ville will be doing several shows and a photo shoot with Japanese reggae group Fireball, which is managed by Mighty Crown. He will be wearing clothing by Mizchif Clothing; a New York based clothing line.
Sugar Roy and Conrad Crystal both of whom New Yorker haven’t heart from in a number of years are, according to published report holding down the top spots on the reggae charts in Italy. Roy and Crystal remake of Barrington Levy’s chart topping Here I Come is # 1 Levy is also song featured on the track. On other reggae charts Roy and Crystal are creating waves with their remake of Culture’s Jah Jah See Them a Come w/ Gyptian.
Pamputtae aka Eveana Henry is hardcore lovers of Dancehall hottest and best female artiste for 2008. She won the Best New Female Dancehall Artiste December 13 at Stone Love’s Anniversary Party held at Mass Camp. Her recent electrifying performance at the West Kingston Jamboree and much anticipated performance at Sting on December 26 put her in the running as the new mumma of dancehall.
Her x-rated songs “Pat Yuh P*ssy, “Good Gold,” “Goody Good,” “No Lovy Dovie” Call Yuh Man Name” ‘Hungry Belly and Back Shot Nuh Gree’ are suppose empower females to be confident. Goody Good says Pamputtae is a tribute to her ability remained focused on her goals by maintaining her self-esteem despite great adversity. “I voiced that song because every woman is good. Some men do not appreciate us women, but regardless of our faults, without us humans would become extinct.”
The 23-year-old school drop out, is single mother who lost her mother at age 10 and her older sister at age 11. Pamputtae whose tag line is ‘In this village some girls are very stupid! Hey Pamputae’ and her hot slang is “They are all up in the Kool Aid and dem nuh know di flavour!” The slang reflect on the inability of certain females women not able to harness and use their sensual prowess, lyrically that is, consistent with their male counterparts.
Her new hit single Daggering Academy on the FLUFFAZ riddim is produced by DJ Sparks of Twelve 9 Records. On it she complains about the men who will preach endlessly for a “likkle dagger”, but fails to execute the task when he finally gets the chance to explore her prestigious Daggering Academy.
Jamaican Bad boy Louie Rankin Arrested For Possession of an Illegal Firearm
Since the release of Foxy Brown’s new single Rikers Island feat. Jamaican actor Louie ‘Ox’ Rankin, everyone been asking if Louie will in fact end up at Rikers Island (prison). It’s so unfortunate that the Platinum Camp signed actor Louie Rankin from the movie Belly and Shottas got arrested on the same day after he had just finished the studio session with Foxy Brown for the single Rikers Island.
According to reports, NYPD detectives stopped Ox’s SUV and during the search of the vehicle, a firearm was found. In the intro Ox who also known to many as Teddy Bruk-Shut in the movie Shottas chanted, “Mr. Commissioner free Foxy Brown or less a gun shot through Brooklyn, a gunshot in a Bronx, a gunshot a Manhattan, a gunshot a New York and every weh, free har right now or else come I am the original Bumbocl**t Jamaican don dadda.”(Source: OutAroad.com)
BBC 1Xtra – Chart – dancehall
This is the latestdancehallchart from BBC 1Xtra
1. Mavado- So Special-TJ Records
2. Beres Hammond- I Feel Good-Penthouse
3. Mr. Vegas- Mus Come A Road
