Live, informative and on top of everything and anything as it pertains to Jamaican Music Culture
For the 30th anniversary of Bob Marley’s “Exodus,” Island Records produced 4,000 U.S.B. flash drives loaded with the album and additional material.
Tiny Bit of Hardware With Marley Software
By ANDREW ADAM NEWMAN
Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:01:06 GMT
A member of one of reggae’s reigning families is now one of the hottest producers in Jamaica.
For Him, Reggae Is the Family Business
By VIVIEN GOLDMAN
Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:01:06 GMT
The Hasidic reggae star named Matisyahu appears to be distancing himself from his sect.
For a Singer and a Sect: A Rift Amid the Riffs?
By ALEX MINDLIN
Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:01:06 GMT
The family of Bob Marley is challenging a deal announced on Tuesday between Verizon and the Universal Music Group to sell ring tones based on the catalog of Marley’s music.
Family Challenges Verizon Wireless Deal to Sell Bob Marley Ring Tones
By ANDREW ADAM NEWMAN
Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:01:06 GMT
Revelation, dancehall reggae artiste Little Hero's debut album, has opened at the #1 spot on the Billboard reggae charts, beating out reggae mainstays including UB40, a handful of Marleys, and Grammy
Little Hero's dancehall album takes top spot on Billboard reggae chart
Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:56:58 GMT
Mr. Ellis was the smooth Jamaican singer and songwriter known as the Godfather of Rock Steady.
Alton Ellis, Jamaican Singer, Dies at 70
By ROB KENNER
Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:01:06 GMT
Peter Lloyd born in Kingston, now resides in Montego Bay, but is on a steady rise … moving at his own pace, and according to his strategies… to claiming his spot among international reggae legends.
Peter Lloyd
Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT
Matisyahu: Hasidic Jew, reggae artist, local star
Examiner.com - 54 minutes ago
by Bonnie Lee, Brooklyn ExaminerThough his upcoming show in Gowanus sold out weeks ago, I still wanted to profile the innovative reggae-rap-hiphop artist ...
Matisyahu: Hasidic Jew, reggae artist, local star - Examiner.com
Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:12:05 GMT
Gangsta personas have short shelf lives. Snoop Dogg: the only set he's believably rolling with these days is the PTA. and who's still afraid of big, bad 50 Cent? Post–"In Da Club," he became more of a thug cartoon than the genuine article. But on his stellar second album, David "Mavado" Brooks -- the Kingston-born artist hyped as having more street cred than Biggie and Tupac combined -- has ...
Mavado, 'Mr. Brooks…A Better Tomorrow' (VP) (Spin)
Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:32:12 GMT
Screening at Rich Mix Cinema, London, February 6th 2009
The Upsetter: The Life And Music Of Lee Scratch Perry
Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:36:41 GMT
KINGSTON, Jamaica (OPM): Prime Minister Bruce Golding has called for a set of recommendations on the action and the direction to be taken to clean up the music that is broadcast or projected in public spaces. Education Minister Andrew Holness said that for too long we have allowed our culture to just evolve.
Jamaica to receive recommedations to clean up music industry
editor@caribbeannetnews.com
Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:00:00 GMT
THE Broadcasting Commission is on a drive to draft volunteers from around the country to make up a citizen-based monitoring programme which it hopes will extend its reach as a regulatory body for the broadcast media.
Broadcasting Commission seeks volunteers to monitor media (The Jamaica Observer)
Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:28:59 GMT
Calling All Reggae Stars! VP and Golden Krust Search For Next Idol
South Florida Caribbean News, FL - Feb 15, 2009
The premier record label has teamed up with the food franchise for Reggae’s Golden Krust Caribbean Star Search competition, giving musicians 18 years and ...
Calling All Reggae Stars! VP and Golden Krust Search For Next Idol - South Florida Caribbean News
Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:50:39 GMT
Matisyahu NEW 'Light' Album Features Sly & Robbie
Top40-Charts.com, NY - 12 hours ago
Several guest artists contribute to the record: son of legendary reggae artist Freddie McGregor and among Jamaica's youngest and most innovative producers ...
Matisyahu NEW 'Light' Album Features Sly & Robbie - Top40-Charts.com
Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:30:44 GMT
Jamaica: Explicit music banned
Global Voices Online, MA - 4 hours ago
Another trend in these discussions is the issue of other musical genres besides dancehall (ie soca and calypso, hip hop, rap etc. ...
Jamaica: Explicit music banned - Global Voices Online
Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:35:04 GMT
Dancehall needs self-examination
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - 7 hours ago
It was expected that once the Broadcasting Commission decided to ban from public radio dancehall music with sexually explicit lyrics, the charge of ...
Not a move against dancehall, creativity and freedom of speech The Jamaica Star Online
Language and lyrics - the rampin' debate Jamaica Gleaner
Jamaica: Explicit music banned Global Voices Online
The Nation Newspaper - Jamaica Observer
all 11 news articles
Dancehall needs self-examination - Jamaica Observer
Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:13:52 GMT
Language and lyrics - the rampin' debate
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - 15 minutes ago
Arguments that the lyrics in hip hop and soca are similar to those in dancehall and other songs by our local artistes miss an important point. ...
Language and lyrics - the rampin' debate - Jamaica Gleaner
Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:30:19 GMT
This is an excellent collection of known and new tunes by a talented artist
Busy Signal, Loaded
Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:58:42 GMT
...Bobo sing-jay Sizzla Kalonji is well overdue another retrospective.
Sizzla, Journey: Very Best Of
Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:51:40 GMT
Spear snares Grammy - Roots singing legend Burning Spear notched his second Grammy award for Best Reggae Album last Sunday.
Last week's winners (Jamaica Gleaner)
Mon, 16 Feb 2009 07:23:34 GMT
MONTEGO BAY, St James - Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says the US$45-million Montego Bay Convention Centre being built at Rose Hall, is already in high demand even as controversy rages over its suitability to host large conferences.
MoBay Convention Centre already in high demand, says Bartlett (The Jamaica Observer)
Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:29:22 GMT
Deejay Spice has blasted what she views as the targeting of dancehall music in the Broadcasting Commission's ban on X-rated songs on television, radio and cable.Spice has also got her share of blows in a torrent of criticism for the hit song Rampin'...
Spice hits back (Jamaica Gleaner)
Mon, 16 Feb 2009 07:24:14 GMT
New Reggae Industry Association Open to Talks to Benefit Industry
Government of Jamaica, Jamaica Information Service, Jamaica - 45 minutes ago
Interim Chairman of the newly formed Reggae Industry Association, Howard McIntosh, says the music industry has to work with all areas of the society to ...
New Reggae Industry Association Open to Talks to Benefit Industry - Government of Jamaica, Jamaica Information Service
Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:05:31 GMT
Belize Reggae Fest Kicks off with King Beenie
TropicalFete.com, NY - 18 hours ago
Nicknamed Beenie Man for his diminutive size, he has gone on to have one of the longest and most illustrious careers in Dancehall, successfully crossing ...
Belize Reggae Fest Kicks off with King Beenie - TropicalFete.com
Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:26:46 GMT
Not too young to soca
Trinidad News, Trinidad and Tobago - 13 hours ago
The night, billed as “Heavenly Drums”, had a heavy dancehall, reggae and hip-hop rhythm with Maxi Priest, during his performance with Shurwayne Winchester, ...
Machel: AC7 the hardest yet Trinidad & Tobago Express
all 2 news articles
Not too young to soca - Trinidad News
Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:21:30 GMT
A worthy tribute to the King and Crown Prince of Reggae
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - Feb 11, 2009
And for sure, a recorded version of her interpretation of that song would be something the Reggae King (Bob Marley) would be proud of. ...
‘Soul Rebel’: Exploring a Reggae Legend Jakarta Globe
'Jamaican Cookbook With The Reggae Diet Commemorates Black History ... PR Web (press release)
For sale: Bob Marley Independent
Reuters - BBC News
all 105 news articles
A worthy tribute to the King and Crown Prince of Reggae - Jamaica Observer
Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:47:02 GMT
This Day In Music
Billboard, NY - Feb 13, 2009
2002 - Two sons of the late reggae star Bob Marley are arrested in North Florida after officers find marijuana in their car. Julian and Stephen Marley, ...
This Day In Music - Billboard
Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:55:30 GMT
Reggae unites artists
Santa Monica Daily Press, CA - 14 hours ago
By Taylor Van Arsdale Westsider Matthew McConaughey knew he wanted to sign reggae recording artist, Mishka as his first official artist on his new record ...
Reggae unites artists - Santa Monica Daily Press
Sun, 15 Feb 2009 06:32:10 GMT
Reggae and International label hurting
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - 14 hours ago
By Stephen Jackson Reggae labels complain of erratic international markets whilst the 'Big Four' record companies (Universal, Sony, Warner and EMI) posted ...
Reggae and International label hurting - Jamaica Observer
Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:26:16 GMT
Dancehall Artist Bounty Killer Arrested On Traffic Violations
BallerStatus.com, CA - Feb 4, 2009
Jamaican born dancehall artist, Bounty Killer, is in trouble with the law in his hometown of Kingston, Jamaica. According to the Associated Press, ...
Bounty Killer For May Trial CARIBWORLDNEWS.COM
all 92 news articles
Dancehall Artist Bounty Killer Arrested On Traffic Violations - BallerStatus.com
Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:02:45 GMT
'Dancehall music can empower the young'
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - Feb 7, 2009
Internationally acclaimed Jamaican pianist Huntley Brown has strong views on the influence of dancehall music on young minds. ...
'Dancehall music can empower the young' - Jamaica Gleaner
Sun, 08 Feb 2009 07:21:35 GMT
Dancehall ban outrages Jamaicans
SKNVibes.com, St. Kitts and Nevis - Feb 11, 2009
In Jamaican dialect ‘daggering’ refers to acts of sexual violence and the term which originated in Jamaican dancehall has penetrated the local airwaves and ...
Dancehall under attack - Broadcasting Commission sticks to ban on ... Jamaica Gleaner
Call for soca ban Trinidad & Tobago Express
JAMAICA: Women Cheer Ban on Sexually Degrading Song Lyrics Inter Press Service
Jamaica Observer - San Francisco Chronicle
all 29 news articles
Dancehall ban outrages Jamaicans - SKNVibes.com
Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:37:28 GMT
Carnival not all lewd and crude, says organiser ... but parents ...
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - Feb 12, 2009
The Gleaner first broke news of the Broadcasting Commission's ban of free-to-air X-rated songs, including the dancehall phenomenon of daggerin', ...
Carnival not all lewd and crude, says organiser ... but parents ... - Jamaica Gleaner
Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:48:21 GMT
When is a dutty song not a dutty song?
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - Feb 12, 2009
The new buzz word is "genre" - especially dancehall. From that come appeals for "the sanctity of the space", all leading up to the rallying cry: "Leave the ...
When is a dutty song not a dutty song? - Jamaica Observer
Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:02:06 GMT
Too much rampin' law
The Jamaica Star Online, Jamaica - Feb 13, 2009
The disc jocks claim that the ban is an attempt to kill dancehall and stifle creativity. I laugh every time I hear those suggestions because some of the ...
Too much rampin' law - The Jamaica Star Online
Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:16:26 GMT
Romping with slackness
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - Feb 13, 2009
For many Jamaicans, there is a great deal of hypocrisy surrounding the issue of slackness as this relates to carnival (soca) and dancehall. ...
Romping with slackness - Jamaica Observer
Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:17:28 GMT
Bureau of Women's Affairs Says Ban on Lewd Songs Long Overdue
Government of Jamaica, Jamaica Information Service, Jamaica - 11 hours ago
Responding to those who say that 'Dancehall' music is being persecuted and the action of the Broadcasting Commission will stifle artistic expression, ...
Bureau of Women's Affairs Says Ban on Lewd Songs Long Overdue - Government of Jamaica, Jamaica Information Service
Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:48:03 GMT
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY made a special guest appearance on late night TV in America on Thursday (12Feb09) - to introduce the first music act signed to his record label. The ...
Matthew Mcconaughey - Mcconaughey Pays Tribute To Reggae Star Who Sparked Record Label Idea (ContactMusic)
Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:51:40 GMT
For years, the family of deceased reggae legend Bob Marley has watched bootleggers reap millions selling knocked-off merchandise bearing the singer's name and likeness. Well, they feel they've been smoked enough. They have recently begun...
IT'S MARLEY & US (New York Post)
Sun, 15 Feb 2009 11:18:45 GMT
Broadcasting Commission rejects claims of double standards
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - 8 hours ago
Tyson said that she shared the opinions of the dancehall community that to not address carnival is a double standard and pointed to the fact that she had ...
Broadcasting Commission rejects claims of double standards - Jamaica Gleaner
Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:11:18 GMT
Daggerin' and Kumina: Is there a link? Formal dancers disgruntled ...
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - 8 hours ago
Hall contends that daggerin' and dancehall are being judged by persons who are alien to the genre. "There's no way you can not attend dancehall then ...
Daggerin' and Kumina: Is there a link? Formal dancers disgruntled ... - Jamaica Gleaner
Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:11:16 GMT
St Vincent soca crooner Kevin Lyttle and Bermudan reggae act Colin "Collie Buddz" Harper have both come out in support of soca music, following recent controversy over statements made by Jamaican lecturer Dr Kwame Nantambu during an interview on a Jamaican radio station.
Jamaican prof 'sounds like he has a vendetta' (Trinidad Express)
Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:08:46 GMT
Rampin daggering
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - 8 hours ago
Dancehall dictionary. It's all the rage, on talk shows, radio and TV, newspapers, verandah talk, church talk, bar talk, street talk, so I have to give my ...
Literary arts - Hitching a ride on the daggerin' bus! Jamaica Gleaner
all 2 news articles
Rampin daggering - Jamaica Observer
Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:12:53 GMT
Is too much attention being paid to women's bottoms in Caribbean music? Have your say.
The bottom line
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/caribbean/
Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:24:25 GMT
Ban "Banana". That was the tongue in cheek response by Bunji Garlin (Ian Alvarez) yesterday to a Cipriani Labour College lecturer's definition of the popular soca hit as musical pornography during an interview on a Jamaican radio talk show on Wednesday.
BAN BANANA! (Trinidad Express)
Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:26:34 GMT
STUDENTS from a number of high schools across the island have added their voices to the weeks-old debate on lewd music, with some in full support of the ban imposed by the Broadcasting Commission over the weekend and others calling on the regulatory body to reassess its position.
Lewd music ban gets mixed reaction from students (The Jamaica Observer)
Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:58:20 GMT
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaicans, angered over the country's Broadcasting Commission banning reggae dancehall songs containing sexually explicit lyrics, have called on the Commission to also ban soca music from Trinidad and Tobago. Jamaicans have been calling in on talk shows on several radio stations.
Jamaicans want to ban lewd soca music from Trinidad
editor@caribbeannetnews.com
Thu, 12 Feb 2009 07:00:00 GMT
ONE OF Jamaica's leading music video directors, Gerald 'Ras Kassa' Hynes, believes the Broadcasting Commission's clampdown on explicit content should target the airing of other risqué productions such as carnival parades, not only dancehall...
Ban carnival too, says Ras Kassa (Jamaica Gleaner)
Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:57:57 GMT
Jamaican regulators are cracking down on indecency on the airwaves — banning all songs or music videos with explicit sexual references.
Jamaica regulators ban explicit music, videos (AP via Yahoo! News)
Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:06:22 GMT
The Broadcasting Commission yesterday included soca music in its ban on the airing of music with sexually explicit lyrics as debate on the regulatory agency's prohibition of lewd dancehall songs grew in intensity with accusations that the commission's action was one-sided and smacked of hypocrisy.
Crackdown on 'daggering' songs, soca (The Jamaica Observer)
Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:14:19 GMT
Albert Corcho, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-principals, yesterday welcomed the Broadcasting Commission's decision to ban songs with content deemed explicitly sexual and violent, even if concealed by bleeps. All dancehall songs...
Principals group happy for ban (Jamaica Gleaner)
Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:15:08 GMT
Prime Minister Bruce Golding has given directives to Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange, to organise a task force to discuss concerns raised over the explicitly sexual and violent content of some local songs, a release...
Prime Minister of Jamaica orders forum on X-rated songs (Jamaica Gleaner)
Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:15:22 GMT
THE BROADCASTING Commission has remained steadfast in its decision to place a ban on certain lyrics deemed inappropriate for airplay. At the same time, the broadcast watchdog has asked the Government to urgently amend the Television and Sound Broadcasting Regulations....
Dancehall under attack - Broadcasting Commission sticks to ban on vulgar lyrics (Jamaica Gleaner)
Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:16:03 GMT
A spokesperson for one of Jamaica's major carnival operations has challenged critics of the annual festival, saying characterisations of the event as wholly lewd were unfair. Samantha Franklyn, public relations manager for Bacchanal Jamaica, argued that the lyrics...
Carnival not all lewd and crude, says organiser ... but parents urged to take charge (Jamaica Gleaner)
Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:23:44 GMT
Jamaicans, angered over that country's Broadcasting Commission banning reggae-dancehall songs containing sexually explicit lyrics, have called on the commission to also ban soca music from Trinidad and Tobago.
Call for soca ban (Trinidad Express)
Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:54:05 GMT
Bob Marley 's family has signed a deal with private equity firm Hilco Consumer Capital to licence the late reggae great's likeness for a wide array of products.
Bob Marley Sells Out (ChartAttack.com)
Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:05:45 GMT
Bob Marley's family has entered a deal with Hilco Consumer Capital to develop a line of consumer products that capitalize on the reggae legend's name and image, the company has announced.
Bob Marley's family in marketing deal (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:49:28 GMT
Nirvana may be just around the corner for the Bob Marley fans among us – and apparently we are still many. We are promised a future when just about everything we wear, read, ride, eat and drink could be born of the loins of the late reggae lion of Jamaica. Do you fancy a mug of Marley Coffee? Meet you at the One Love Cafe.
For sale: Bob Marley (Independent)
Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:28:46 GMT
Nas' Untitled album may have lost to Tha Carter III at the 2009 Grammys, but he's already looking ahead. The Queens-bred MC is back in the studio cooking up a...
Nas Goes Reggae on New Album (About.com)
Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:38:52 GMT
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| JAMAICA OBSERVER NEWSPAPER NAMES BUJU BANTON THE COMEBACK ARTIST OF THE YEAR! -Veteran DJ Recording First Pure Dancehall Album in Over a Decade- New York, NY/Kingston, JA - February 3, 2006 Gargamel Music, Inc. is extremely pleased to announce that the award-winning Jamaica Observer newspaper has named dancehall-reggae luminary Buju Banton aka Gargamel the “Comeback Artist of the Year” for 2005. Indeed, the Banton rammed the land of wood and water with a blazing succession of dancehall hits, including “Haffi Get A Beating” featuring the late great Peter Tosh, “Too Bloody” with singer Anthony Cruz, “Ride This” on Steely & Cleevie’s Sleepy Dog riddim, “Too Bad” on the classic Throwback Giggy riddim and “Siren” (aka "Sireen") on the futuristic riddim of the same name. Observer writer Kevin Jackson, who gave out the honors based on chart action, radio play, popularity in the dancehall and some performances, duly notes: “Buju regained lost territory with ‘Ride This’ and ‘Too Bad,’" adding that the DJ “really came back good last year enjoying saturation at radio.” One of the few artists who can deftly move from dancehall to reggae, Banton also made his presence felt with the roots single “Magic City" an uplifting inspiring homage to his hometown of Kingston. While the song received considerable airplay at home and abroad, the accompanying music video, beautifully shot on location in Kingston and Ocho Rios, portrayed a more upful side of Jamrock, and was promptly added to key local channels as well as such prestigious international outlets as MTV Jams, MTV U, BET Digital, VH1 Soul, Music Choice, MTV Africa, Channel U UK and Trace TV France, to name a few.Banton recently announced that he is currently at work on his first strictly dancehall album in more than 10 years. The as- yet-untitled album will be released on his own Gargamel Music label, which has offices operating in both Kingston and New York... A NEW BUJU BANTON/GARGAMEL MUSIC EXCLUSIVE: "NOT LISTENING" AVAILABLE NOW ON iTUNES ONLY!!! Thank you, dear friends, for your continued support of Buju Banton and his musical movement. Gargamel rise up...
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| Sherilla Gordon, Deputy Quarterly Editor Tuesday, September 13, 2005 |
Last Tuesday, almost all regular September activities were disrupted. Jamaica Urban Transit Company buses were pulled of their routes, businesses were closed, schools suspended and regrettably, a police officer was shot and injured while another man was shot dead.
I agree with the Jamaica Labour Party that the cost of living in Jamaica is too high, but I disagree with the extremities of some of the demonstrations. It is full time that the government wakes up and not only listens to the cries of the people, but ease the enormous burdens that many of them have to carry. Aren't two of the roles of government to control price and incomes, and regulate business, whether public or private, if they are acting against the interest of the general public?
In my opinion, the Jamaican government is ineffectively performing these roles. I have to agree with popular dancehall entertainer, Vybz Kartel, when he says "everyting except dead people a raise" in his single Emergency. Prices are on the rise, with no current indication of ceasing. Bus fares, oil, chicken, electricity and soon to come, water and telephone services.
NEW YORK - Being an icon's son isn't easy. Yet Damian Marley is doing just fine. The son of Bob is leading reggae back to its roots with his enthralling summer anthem, "Welcome To Jamrock," and new album.
The articulate, socially conscious artist known as "Jr. Gong" spoke to The Associated Press about the return of traditional reggae, gang violence, working with Alicia Keys and continuing his father's legacy.
AP: Since the "Welcome To Jamrock" single is so big, what do you expect from the album?
Marley: It can expose people to what we're speaking about and what the music stands for in a moral and lyrical sense. It's about what's going on in the world, not just my life.
AP: There has been a real return to traditional grassroots reggae. How do you feel about that?
| Associated Press |
NEW YORK -- The ladies love dancing to Sean Paul's contagious dancehall grooves. Guys like him for making women move on the dance floor.
After three years without dropping an album, the dancehall don is back with The Trinity. In a recent interview, Paul talked about his message and his vibe.
AP: We Be Burnin' is a smash single, but behind the groove is a message. Do you think that message gets buried?
Sean Paul: Dancehall music is perceived as party music, which it is because of the rhythm, but there are messages that do come through or a purpose of an artist saying something to the world. People usually don't get the messages because of the partying.
Read on| World Clash Returns to Brooklyn, New York!! By Flair Lindsey, press release One Drop Promotions Posted: Sep 12, 2005 19:12 UTC |
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For anyone only casually acquainted with reggae music, the scene at the Hammerstein Ballroom might have come as quite a shock. It was last Friday night, and a crammed-in crowd was enjoying a typically crammed-together bill. Sean Paul cycled through computer-driven club hits. Sizzla delivered blistering song fragments, some lasting only a few seconds. And Elephant Man, dressed up as a Wild West gunman, invited Diddy (formerly P. Diddy and officially Sean Combs) onstage for some dirty dancing with two women from the crowd who both looked as if they could give a great deal better than they got.
Reggae has come a long way since Bob Marley.
And, in another sense, not so far at all. One of the headliners at the concert was Damian Marley, a k a Jr. Gong, the youngest son of reggae's most famous father. But Mr. Marley's appearance was not a case of nepotism run amok. He has a breakthrough hit with "Welcome to Jamrock," a thrilling protest anthem that adds his fiery monotone to simple, impossibly heavy bass and drums.
Read on
After announcing 24 US tour dates to support his new LP, Welcome to Jamrock, Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley has also revealed some big news. The son of the reggae legend will be donating $1 from each ticket sold, to the victims of the New Orleans natural disaster. The Hurricane Katrina relief efforts have also had a massive help from the likes of BET… who with help from stars raised $10 million for sufferers. Mary J. Blige , David Banner, Floetry, Patti LaBelle and Alicia Keys were among the performers who took the stage for aid.
Sean Paul stands on a small stage in a Soho cinema and performs the latest Jamaican dance routine, the Willie Bounce, which, suffice to say, involves a deft gyration of the hips and requires a loose-fitting pair of trousers. The many female followers in the invitation-only audience look on admiringly as he explains the lyrical thought process behind "Straight Up", his less-than-subtle ode to horizontal gymnastics. "He does have a point!" exclaims one well-spoken woman. If another man had been solewd, the same woman would, quite possibly, have doused him with chardonnay. How does Sean Paul do it?
| Basil Walters , Observer staff reporter Monday, September 05, 2005 |
"We hoped to have it (the film) finished so that it can be screened by the end of the year," director Lennie Little-White said.
The soundtrack which will feature a number of reggae artistes is arranged by noted saxophonist Dean Fraser who has produced reggae, soca and mento versions of the title song.
| Reggaeton But No Reggae At VMA Awards Hardbeatnews.com, NY - ... Aug. 29, 2005: Reggae took a back seat to the reggaeton movement at the MTV Video Music Awards in Miami last night despite plans by the network to introduce ... |
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Music Of The Sun
Rihanna (Def Jam)
It's not too late for a summer getaway after all. With her debut album Music Of The Sun, new artist Rihanna brings us the sultry dancehall and R&B sounds of the Caribbean islands.
The 17-year-old green-eyed cutie, born in the Barbados, made a splash onto the summer scene with her dancehall smash single Pon De Replay.
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