U2 leads Money Makers list with $108M earned
NEW YORK (AP) Bono’ group U2 360 Degrees latest tour earned more than $108 million in 2009. Bruce’ the Boss’ Springsteen is second with $57 million and Madonna follows with $47 million. AC/DC and Britney Spears round out the top 5 with $43 and $38 million, respectively. Warrior King to release new album, ‘Love is in the Air’ Rastafarian singer Warrior King is set to drop his third album, Love Is in the Ai on his Rootz Warrior label. It will be available on iTunes.
Warrior King Reggae artistes blacklisted
GERMANY: The German Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons has blacklisted 11 dancehall albums between 2008 and January 2010 this year because of their homophobic and violent content. Albums by Sizzla, Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Capleton, TOK and Baby Cham. The organization has compiled a list, or “index” of theses CD’s in German. The BPjM spokesperson Corinna Bochmann told the Jamaica Observer that it is illegal to advertise these albums or to sell them to minors in Germany, with additional restrictions placed on their sale and distribution. “Breach of … [the] indexing is punishable by a fine or imprisonment.” Europe’s largest economy Stakeholder’s counter that up to 35 dancehall albums or songs had been blacklisted since the BPjM’s conception including Legalize It by reggae icon Peter Tosh, which was later removed. Ten of the 11 albums contained violent lyrics … with lyrics that incite hatred and propagate to kill homosexuals were only considered “harmful to young people.”
LIVE FROM DARYL’S HOUSE 28th EDITION FEATURING LEGENDARY TOOTS of THE MAYTALS
Toots Hibbert legendary reggae singer Toots Hibbert of the Maytals along with his son Hopeton on bass and Suzanne Couch on backing vocals joined Daryl Hall of the Hall and Oates for a tight jam session that could have played music all night. The event was the 28th and edition of Live From Daryl’s House. Daryl’s groundbreaking web series went to sunny Jamaica this month. Live From Daryl’s House will air starting Feb. 15 at www.lfdh.com.
The video shoot took place at the home of famed reggae DJ “Native” Wayne Jobson in Ocho Rios, the hills of St. Ann. Daryl and Toots Hibbert teamed on an incredible eight-song set that featured Toots and the Maytals classics like “Time Tough,” “Reggae Got Soul,” “Funky Kingston,” “Sweet and Dandy,” “Dog War,” “Monkey Man” and “54-46 Was My Number,” a song Toots wrote after serving a prison sentence for marijuana possession in the mid-‘60s, along with a rock steady take on Hall and Oates’ “You Make My Dreams Come True,” recently popularized by its use in the film (500) Days of Summer. As on all episodes, there was a chef preparing food for everyone, in this case, Suzanne Couch, who joins Daryl and Toots for “Sweet and Dandy.” Said Toots about his experience: “It was a pleasure working with him and jamming along with the band. Source Caribbean Fever.com
Sizzla headline Zimbabwe President Mugabe’s birthday celebration
Sizzla & Stan Evan Smith MSG in NYC
Harare, Zimbabwe — REGGAE DJ Sizzla Kalonji a rapturous welcome by his multitude of Reggae fans who thronged him upon his arrival at the Harare International Airport in Zimbabwe on February 25th. Kalonji who on his maiden visit to Zimbabwe is there to performed at the 21st February Movement gala at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds in Bulawayo February 26th to celebrate Zimbabwe President Mugabe’s birthday.
Sizzla said he was honored to be in Zimbabwe to grace birthday celebrations of a great revolutionary leader and Pan-Africanist who is fighting to uplift the livelihoods marginalized Africans — President Mugabe. “I’m on a back to Africa mission by myself and it is an honor to be in Zimbabwe for myself (and), the government of Jamaica and I couldn’t refuse such an honor of being invited to perform at the President’s birthday,” he said. Welcoming the Jamaican, Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu said Sizzla, who already has a song called Zimbabwe, was walking the same road that the late Bob Marley walked in 1980.The legendary Marley performed at Zimbabwe’s Independence Day on April 18, 1980.
“You are coming to perform for a man who stands for all the down-trodden people around the world. A man who symbolizes the spirit of Pan-Africanism and like Bob Marley who made a record for our country, you have replayed his song,” Minister Shamu said.
Born Miguel Collins, Sizzla’s trip was made possible by the collaborative efforts of Shumba Instrumentation front man Nhamo Chitimbe, the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.Chitimbe said his company was on a mission to bring many reggae artists to Zimbabwe. Sizzla had to forego lucrative shows in Europe just to be with us.” On behalf of Shumba Instrumentation, I thank all the people who came to welcome our brethren and this is just the start. We won’t be stopping in our efforts to bring the best of Jamaica’s artistes,” said Mr Chitimbe.Sizzla will perform at the gala with a number of local artistes including Josphat Somanje, Zexie Manatsa, Mai naBaba Charamba, Tanga Wekwa Sando, Cde Chinx, Iyasa among others. Regional artistes who will grace the occasion include the Soul Brothers and Mzwake Mbuli (SA) and DRC groups Real Sounds and Beaux Gosses. Source Caribbean Fever.com
Tanya Mullings cop 3 nominations for Reggae Music Achievement Awards
With already 2 Reggae Music Achievement Awards under her belt Tanya Mullings is up for 3 nominations for the 2010 RMAA which will be held in Toronto on June 12th at the Jamaican Canadian Association, 995 Arrow Road. Nominated in the categories for Artist of the Year, Best Female Vocalist, and Best Reggae Single “Breaking Up” a single she recorded in tribute to the late great Alton Ellis Beenie Man pulls 15,000 in Nicaragua Beenie Man @ Stan Smith Circa 1996 At least 15,000 people came to the National Stadium in Bluefields, Nicaragua to watch Beenie perform. The Nicaraguans love Beenie Man because at east 3,000 people were waiting at the airport in Managua to see him, and people were running behind the car when we were leaving the airport,” Blue, Beenie’s manager told one876entertainment.com.
MR. VEGAS DENIED WORK PERMIT IN GRENADA
Jamaican dancehall DJ Mr. Vegas is the second Jamaican artiste to be banned from performing in Grenada by the 19-month old NDC administration, in less than a year. The popular entertainer was scheduled to perform in Grenada for the first time in just under two years at the popular Karma night club in St. Georges Grenada. The promoter sought to get an explanation from the Minister of Labor, Honorable Carl Hood no reason was given for the withholding of the work permit. If this Government is placing a ban on a particular number of Caribbean Artists, then that should be public knowledge and should be brought to the attention of the promoters when the application for the work permit is made, says Mr Duncan, one of Grenada’s most popular event promoters and owner of the Islands largest nightclub, Karma. Mr. Vegas is known for his international hits “Heads High, I Am Blessed and Must Come a Road. Blak Rhyno Leaves the Empire/ house in Waterford shot up/ Kartel Condemns Attack Blak Ryno Vybez Kartel Portmore Empire boss was dealt another a crippling blow, as the third, in eight weeks, and possibly the most success member, save Kartel, DJ Blak Rhyno, has chosen to exit the troubled crew. Ryno’s high-profile exit follows those of Gaza Kim, who opted out of her management contract after she was beaten on the Gaza, and Lisa Hyper, who was unceremoniously dismissed after her performance at Sting 2009, and weeks after photos had emerged on the Internet with her performing a sexual act on an unknown male.
Deejay Black Rhyno confirmed to the Jamaica Observer reports that he has severed ties with the Vybz Kartel-led Portmore Empire. “I just want to make it known that I am no longer a member of the Empire.”
The former Portmore Empire member home was shot up today by unknown assailants. The Waterford Police station confirmed that shots had indeed been fired at a house in Waterford but the station officer could not confirm whose house or whether anyone had been injured in the attack. Former member Mavado also had shots fire into his house during his feud with Vybez Kartel.
Kartel had this to say about the incident: I condemn today’s shooting in Waterford, and I condemn any attack made on Blak Ryno,” states Kartel firmly. “Regardless of what transpires between the Portmore Empire and Blak Ryno, whether or not he is a part of the Empire, I will not tolerate any acts of violence against him. ANYBODY who does ANYTHING to Ryno has to answer to me.”
Buju Banton Nominated for Three 2010 IRAWMA Award
Jamaican music icon, Buju Banton, has been nominated for a three 2010 International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA): Recording Artist Of The Year, Best Album for Rasta Got Soul and Best Crossover Song for “Can’ t Be My Lover,” his recent hit Collabo with R&B star, John Legend. The 29th Annual International Reggae & World Music Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 2nd at York College Performing Arts Center in Jamaica (Queens), New York.
Buju Banton new music single, “Time And A Place” (John John) on the Coming In From The Cold riddim has skyrocketed to #1 on both the New York Top 30 Reggae Chart and South Florida Top 25 Reggae Chart. The album Rasta Got Soul is currently #2 on both the New York Top 20 Albums Chart and the South Florida Top 15 Albums Chart. The new “Optimistic Soul” single (plus bonus instrumental) will be released digitally on March 23rd.
Gramps Morgan Grabs 5 IRAWMA Nominations
Gramps Morgan, & India Arie@ EME Awards in Jamaica
Gramps Morgan, (Morgan Heritage) copped 5 nominations for the 2010 International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWA) The nominations include: Best Song – ‘Jah shall Wash the Tears; Best Male Vocalist; Best Crossover Song – Therapy ft. India Arie; Best New Entertainer and Songwriter of the Year.
“Album of the Year Award” for his debut solo disc “2 Sides of My Heart Vol.1” a at this year’s Excellence in Music Awards (EME) in Jamaica, has now secured a whopping that will be staged on Sunday, May 2nd at the York College Performing Arts Center in Queens, New York.
Saxophonist Cedric ‘Im’ Brooks in coma
Renowned saxophonist Cedric ‘Im’ Brooks’, is reported to be in a coma at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital in New York. According to Brook’s associate, broadcaster Junior Blake, the sax player was admitted to hospital on Monday, after he was found at home unresponsive.” He has been in and out of a coma,” Blake told the Observer. Brooks, who has been in good health, should have been on a tour with the Skatalites, but there was a change of plans at the last minute.Cedric ‘Im’ Brooks is regarded as one of the most innovative saxophone players in all of reggae music. According to one writer, his “stunning fusion of jazz, Afro-beat, funk and Latin with reggae sets him apart as a true pioneer, radically altering the limits and expectations of what reggae music could sound like”. He is known for his solo recordings and as a member of The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, The Light of Saba, and The Skatalites.
WYCLEF TO PRESENT TO JIMMY CLIFF AT ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME
According to the Associated Press Haitian artiste/producer and philanthropist, Wyclef Jean, has been selected to honor Jamaican reggae star Jimmy Cliff at the Rock and Roll Hall induction ceremony which takes place March 15 in New York and will air live on Fuse TV. Cliff, who is one of this year’s music nominees to the prestigious Hall of Fame, (rock group Genesis, Swedish group ABBA, The Stooges and Media Mogul David Geffen) is listed that organization’s website of having an album that changed the face of music forever. Very few single albums can be said to have changed music forever. Jimmy Cliff’s The Harder They Come is one. The album — and the movie that spawned it introduced reggae to a world-wide audience and changed the image of the genre from cruise ship soundtrack to music of rebellion and inspiration.
Jimmy Cliff known for his international hits “Sitting in Limbo, The Harder They Come, You Can Get It If You Really Want, Vietnam and Many Rivers to Cross made the first international reggae superstar and created the model that Bob Marley would soon follow. A beautifully gifted singer and a uniquely influential songwriter, Jimmy Cliff has made a profound impact on rock and pop music all over the world for 40 years,” The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame is based in Cleveland. Third World honors Jamaica’s National heroes Reggae band Third World new CD Patriots pays homage to some of Jamaica’s National Heroes. Patriots highlight the work of Paul Bogle and Marcus Garvey, among others, is the group’s 22nd album since its formation in 1973.The group hosted a press conference at RIU Resort in Montego Bay to discuss the album. The album will be sold online and samples can be heard at www.thirdworld.com.
Patriots features a remix of ‘worlers’ mega hit, 96 Degrees (in the Shade), featuring the Marley brothers Damian and Stephen. Guitarist Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore of Third World this is a welcomed twist to a classic. Other guest musicians on Patriots are Tarrus Riley and Toots Hibbert.
Bolt Pens £2-m book deal
Jamaica’s triple Olympic and World Championships gold medallist Usain Bolt has inked a book deal with HarperSport, valued at a whopping £2 million. According to a report published by insidethegames, the two-book deal, which was announced yesterday, will include an autobiography.
Jonathan Taylor, the publishing director of Harper Nonfictions, bought world rights in a deal brokered with Bolt’s representatives by Chris Nathaniel of NVA Management. “Welcoming Usain into the Harper Sport fold is a huge thrill and a real privilege. He is the most iconic sports star on the planet and our global publishing plans for him are exciting and extensive,” Taylor said.
Jonathan Taylor, the publishing director of Harper Nonfiction, bought world rights in a deal brokered with Bolt’s representatives by Chris Nathaniel of NVA Management. The first book will be an illustrated title, due to be published in October 2010. The second book will be a full-length autobiography, which will be published in autumn 2012, shortly after London, where he is set to be the star of the Games.
Drama around Marley Son Memoir, ‘Dear Dad’
Grammy Award-nominated reggae/hip-hop artist, Ky-Mani Marley, is embroiled in a fiery controversy e with a Las Vegas-based publisher Farrah Gray Publishing over alleged unauthorized changes to the cover and title of his recently released memoir “Dear Dad: Where’s the family in our family, today?” : The Marley Son Who Persevered from the Streets to Prominence.” which threatens to taint the near-perfect image of reggae music royalty, the Marleys a, penned the issue between author and publisher lies mainly in the extra cover line: “The Story the Marley Family Apparently Doesn’t Want You to Know.’ Which was released this month by in celebration of Marley’s 65th birthday?
Ky-Mani told The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, that he was considering legal action against the Gray, saying he simply wanted to tell his story without causing any conflict. He told the newspaper the title was changed from “Dear Dad: The Marley Son Who Persevered from the Streets to Prominence.” But Dr. Farrah Gray, the publisher, stands by the book, I have the tapes. The tapes are worse and he doesn’t want those publicized. “Dear Dad’’’ It lays bare some long hidden family secrets. Ky-Mani writes that after his father’s untimely death in 1981, he grew up outside the realm of his father’s prestigious roots, and all the wealth, and comfort it had to offer.
Zumjay ‘Ready Fi Defend It’ in the Middle East
Dance Hall DJ Zumjay DJ Zumjay performed for a contingent of the US armed forces personnel in the Middle East recently during a break in his tour of duty. He performed during an Armed Forces concert in a four-day break. He did a couple of songs, the favorite was ‘Ready Fi Defend It.’. The non Jamaican war crowd, according to the DJ kept shouting ‘ready fi defend it’. He said Vybez Kartel is big over in the Middle East; they love his song ‘Ramping Shop’ and use it as ringtone Zumjay told one876entertainment.com
VP Records Signs Joan Andrea Hutchinson
With seven CDs and three books under her belt, Joan Andrea Hutchinson is now signed to entertainment distribution giants, VP Records. The signing took place recently at VP Record’s Miramar, Florida office, between Hutchinson and VP’s General Manager for Florida and the Caribbean, Howard Chung.
With the inking of this deal, VP records will now handle the distribution of Hutchinson’s work in North America, Europe and The Caribbean. According to Hutchinson, being signed to VP is an idea whose time had come, as the hunger for her material in these markets will now be satisfied. Her seven CDs include two of Jamaican proverbs, one each of Jamaican Love poetry and Anancy stories, plus the wonderfully hilarious Hutchinson style social commentary and comedy in her poems and dramatic monologues. Her latest release is Kin Teet Kibba heart Bun – a celebration of the creativity of Jamaican ‘poor’ people, released as a book and CD.
