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::: HEADLINE NEWS :::
Beenie Man
Pledges To Help Haiti [14.01.10 ]
International
Grammy-winning reggae superstar Beenie Man has responded to the plea of
multi-platinum, Grammy-winning musician, and humanitarian Wyclef Jean whose
native country experienced its worst national disaster for over 200 years on
Tuesday of this week. Beenie Man has pledged to lend his artistic skills to help
raise funds directed towards any humanitarian and fund-raising efforts to help
the people of Haiti.
"My heart goes out to Wyclef and to the people of Haiti. I saw the devastation
of the island on the news and I was moved, the hundreds of dead bodies piling up
on the streets, the buildings destroyed by the earthquake, people working to
rescue friends and family trapped in the rubble...and I want to make myself
available to help in any way I can," Beenie Man said in a release.
"I hope that the Caribbean community will also organise quickly and help our
brothers and sisters in every way possible, or else we will have an even bigger
disaster on our hands. The schools are packed with dead people, the hospitals
full of sick and dying, all communications cut off...it's a catastrophe."
Beenie Man and Wyclef Jean collaborated on the radio hit, Love Me Now and
another song called Lie Detector several years ago.
"Wyclef Jean and I share a passion for improving communities throughout the
world and he has always been very hands-on when it comes to looking after his
home nation so I can't imagine what he is going through at this very difficult
time," Beenie Man, who has also spearheaded social and environmental programmes
in tough inner city areas such as Craig Town, Arnett Gardens and Waterhouse in
his native Jamaica, said. Beenie Man has already contributed money to the Yele
charity to aid humanitarian efforts.
Haiti is regarded as the most impoverished nation in the Western hemisphere and
is home to 9 million people, four million of whom live in the capital city,
Port-au-Prince and its environs. The quake's epicenter was only 10 miles from
Port-au-Prince. In 2008, Haiti was hit by four hurricanes. Wyclef, a Goodwill
Ambassador to Haiti, started the Yele Haiti Foundation to raise relief funds for
the area following Hurricane Gustav in 2008.
Buju
Banton Plea Not
Guilty over charges [08.01.10 ]
Jamaican reggae
singer Buju Banton will be held without bail on drug charges while his lawyer
fights to remove a detainer placed on his client by immigration officials.
That means Buju, whose given name is Mark Myrie, will miss the Grammy Awards in
Los Angeles later this month where his album "Rasta Got Soul" is nominated in
the Best Reggae Album category.
Tampa Bay Online reports that Buju, 36, pleaded not guilty on Thursday afternoon
to federal charges that he conspired to buy cocaine from an undercover law
enforcement officer in Sarasota last month.
U.S. Magistrate Anthony Porcelli ordered the singer held without bail after
defense attorney David Oscar Markus said he would not oppose the government's
request that Banton be detained.
Mr. Markus later explained that there was no sense in seeking bail when
immigration authorities have prevented him from leaving the country.
The singer is in the United States on an entertainer's visa. His attorney
pledged his client will fight the drug charges and will not enter into any plea
deal with prosecutors.
The criminal case is set for a status conference in February and tentatively set
for a March trial.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the artiste contacted a
confidential informant about a possible cocaine purchase.
The next day, Buju and other men met with the informant at Sarasota's La
Tropicana de Havana restaurant, where the DEA and local police had set up
surveillance.
An affidavit claims the group later went to a warehouse to make the cocaine
deal, where authorities had set up audio and video recording devices.
Chuck Fenda No.2 On U.S Chart [07.01.10 ]
[ 876 Radio ] Reggae
recording artiste the Living Fire formerly known as Chuck Fenda continues to
reap the rewards of his labour. Over the holiday season the conscious singer was
kept busy with a full roster performing at events such as GT Taylor Extravaganza
on Christmas Day, Crystal Springs Fun Day, Cocoa Tea’s Original Dancehall Jam
Jam before heading off to a concert in Miami, Florida.
However it was his electrifying and spiritually charged performance on Boxing
Day at the 2009 staging of Sting at Jamworld, Portmore that has left fans across
the world pouring in the accolades.
According to VP Records executives Fenda’s set made such a positive impact that
his Fulfillment album being distributed by the label has actually spiked in
sales and his now No.2 on the South Florida Chart since debuting 9 weeks ago.
The single ‘Bad Boy’ featuring Sammy Dread has also jumped two spots to No.8 on
the Top 25 Reggae Chart.
“I am just thankful for everything and happy to see that the world is embracing
the message of love and unity that I am trying to spread. In 2010 it's all about
more livity and good music also we are looking to drop a new video”. – Fenda
said
Next Saturday Fenda will depart the island for a two weeks tour to promote his
album in several states across the U.S. including California and Texas. The tour
will kick off on January 17th and culminate on the 28th. Fulfillment is Fenda’s
third full-length album and was produced by Shane Brown, Kemar McGregor and
Marvin.
Bounty Apologizes To Shaggy [03.01.10 ]
Sunday
afternoon a release was sent to the offices of 876radio.com by the management of
Bounty Killer.
Apparently the warlord's profane performance on Saturday night at the charity
event hosted by Shaggy and Friends on the lawns of Jamaica House left a few
raised eyebrows as patrons and several members of the upper echelons stood in
shock and dismay at Bounty's onstage tirade. Since then the dancehall veteran
has issued an apology and it read:
"After nearly 20 years at the top of the Jamaican music industry I have been
involved in many battles - sometimes with fellow artists, sometimes with outside
forces and sometimes with the state and its politicians. I've learnt to choose
my battles wisely and the grounds upon which to fight them.
I've also learnt when to admit I didn't choose my ground wisely and Saturday
night's Shaggy & Friends' show was one of those occasions.
With so many politicians and members of the upper echelons of corporate Jamaica
present, an audience I rarely get the ears of, I got caught up in the moment
while expressing myself. I now realise it was inappropriate and extend my
apologies to Shaggy, his sponsors, benefactors and all in attendance who were
offended by my performance.
Alliance made a pledge to donate $250,000 to the cause and we will follow
through on that promise and continue to support Shaggy and answer his call
whenever he reaches out."
Squingy from Bass Odyssey Dead [24.11.09 ]
Sound system
selector Squingy from Bass Odyssey passed away Tuesday morning at 5:30am after
succumbing to his illness.
The world-renowned entertainer who recently relocated to the United States said
the decision was not easy however, considering that he was suffering from a
terminal illness it was the best move for his well-being.
He added "For years, I've been traveling and entertaining the world. I've given
everything to my fans and neglected my own body. I have a terminal Illness and
it's time for me to focus on maintaining my health as best I can. Moving to the
US is going to allow me to receive adequate health care."
For over twenty (20) years Squingy, the charismatic and very energetic selector
has captivated audiences with his stage presence and clever toasting skills. His
undeniable talent has earned him the respect of his peers and growing fan base
across the world.
MontrealDancehall.com would like to extend our condolences to him and his family
in this their time of grief; as Jamaican entertainment has lost another great
icon.
Dramatic decline
in reggae album sales worldwide - But artistes remain optimistic [20.11.09 ]
[ Jamaica Star ] The Although reggae album sales are decreasing around the
world, local artistes are still optimistic about the sale of their records.
Queen of the dancehall, Lady Saw, said she was aware of the growing trend, but
this will not stop her from releasing her album, My Way, early next year.
"A lot of people been holding back dem album and fraid to put it out. I am not
watching the sales, sometimes you have to take chances," Lady Saw told THE STAR.
"I already take pictures, so I can't wait until everything change. I hope it
sells and the songs are good. My fans on Facebook and MySpace have been
complaining that it's taking too long," she said.
Sales tracker, SoundScan, reported that reggae album sales have decreased
dramatically in the first 10 months of the year. SoundScan is an electronic
network that collects sales data from over 17,000 record stores in the United
States. Collectively, it said reggae/dancehall music sold just 502,171 units for
the first 10 months of the year.
Sean Paul's Imperial Blaze leads the pack with 70,917 copies sold. However, this
is a very small number when compared with his previous efforts, The Trinity,
which sold over three million and his 2002 Dutty Rock release that sold five
million.
Julian Marley's Awake has sold almost 9,000 copies. His brother Ziggy Marley's
Family Time sold 36,152 copies. Tarrus Riley's Contagious and Mavado's Mr
Brooks: A Better Tomorrow had dismal returns at 4,736 and 14,000, respectively.
Queen Ifrica's Montego Bay, released in the summer by VP, has so far sold a mere
2,726 copies. One Moment In Time by Beres Hammond barely passed the 11,000 mark.
Jah Cure's promising Universal Cure flopped with sales of 5,319 copies. Rasta
Got Soul by Buju Banton was a bit better with over 8,000 sold.
Despite the depressing facts, Lady Saw is going ahead with her plans and will
release the album on her own. In addition, Lady Saw says there are also less
reggae shows being promoted around the world. And, when they are held, sometimes
she has to perform for less than she is accustomed to.
Hence, to increase her earnings and take care of her family, she said she has
been investing more.
"Yuh haffi try something, even if yuh only make a small profit. It's hard
darling. Nuh watch the noise in the market 'cause everybody a feel it," Lady Saw
told THE STAR.
"Now that I learn the business, I will take my time. I want to own my things."
She also plans to release a one-drop album that is geared towards the European
market next year. At next January's Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Montego
Bay, she will perform mostly songs from that new laid-back catalogue, under her
'Marion Hall' persona.
Fellow artiste Chuck Fenda also said he was not deterred by the drop in sales
either.
"I hear it all the time but it never really jerk me no way. Mi just hear seh
music nah sell. When the real thing come, people will just go out and support
it," he told THE STAR.
And, he says his album Fulfillment, which was launched last week, is the 'real
thing'.
"Things look great and it has only been released for a week. I am not really
worried, once yuh come with good stuff," Chuck Fenda said, while noting that his
album is already on charts in UK and USA.
"An album like this can uplift dem mind. It is relevant to what's happening.
Real stuff that people can gravitate to."
He also noted that the sale of hard copy CDs should not be the only measure of
album sales, as many persons are downloading songs from legal avenues like
iTunes.
There is also lots of optimism coming from Kevin, who is part of Voicemail. He
said the group's next album will be released in Europe early next year. He is
especially hopeful because he said people actually buy albums in that region.
"Yuh just haffi do weh yuh haffi do. People still a sell platinum. Yuh just
haffi do your thing properly and make sure you market it in the right places,"
Kevin told THE STAR.
Adding, "It's not how it used to be, so you have to be concerned. You just have
to put out your work and hope that people tek on to it."
Easing
Gaza-Gully tension in Jamaica prisons [16.11.09 ]
The Gaza-Gully discord has hit the nation's prisons, but a Jamaica-born British
official has already started to institute measures to defuse tension and slant
those involved into having a more positive mindset.
Thompson... maybe if our deejays knew about Gaza and what happens there, they
would not use that word
Mikey Thompson who is here on a 15-month secondment from Cricket for Change, a
British organisation that seeks to rehabilitate convicts through sport, mainly
cricket, believes that the Gaza-Gully dispute has deep implications that could
hurt Jamaica and he is not going to sit idly by and allow that to happen.
"The Gaza-Gully thing is in the prisons, but we have been having discussions
about it," said Thompson, who as part of his tour of duty has visited the St
Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre
and the Rio Cobre juvenile facility on his trips, so far.
"When I first heard about this thing, I was shocked. I proceeded to tell the
first 20 boys at Rio Cobre of my experience in the Gaza Strip, that it was not a
place to be glorified. When I think of the Gaza, I think of terrorism; you
hardly see anything move on that strip, not even a dog. It seems that they have
accepted the message," Thompson said of the dispute with the strong dancehall
foundation.
"I wonder if the persons who use the word Gaza know what they are about?"
Thompson asked during an interview with the Observer.
"Gaza is such a dangerous place and a dangerous word to use. Every two minutes
someone gets killed in the Gaza. I have visited Gaza and while playing cricket
there with colleagues, we were told that we had to leave immediately because of
the fighting. Every time you hear a plane you have to look up, because you never
know if a bomb will be released. I want to use cricket to take the youth away
from words such as Gaza. The word Gully is not bad, because it is a field
position in cricket, but gaza is a no-no," said Thompson, a certified cricket
coach.
Thompson, 46, originally from Vere in South East Clarendon, has been in Jamaica
since last month on a three-month stint which has been extended due largely to a
grant of 50,000 pounds from the British Government which is working through the
Courtney Walsh Foundation to help rehabilitate young offenders.
The Courtney Walsh Foundation, which will be launched in Kingston on November
20, has among a range of plans the rehabilitation of convicts.
For Thompson, artistes must be held accountable for polluting the atmosphere
with outlandish lyrics that could incite others to seek a violent route to
settle differences.
"Most of our deejays have to realise that they are role models, and kids tend to
hang on to the bad lyrics that they sometimes come out with.
"Maybe if our deejays knew about Gaza and what happens there, they would not use
that word.
"This Gaza-Gully thing will filter back into the UK soon, places like Hackney
and Brixton, if it is not addressed. We have to make a decision of asking the
deejays to clean up their acts.
"Right now, the only thing that can stop the Gaza-Gully thing from spreading is
cricket. If, for example, I go into schools like KC or Camperdown and there is a
dispute, if I use football, which is a contact sport, to break that down, that
may not be good. If I used cricket, there would be little physical contact and
we would have a good game.
"I would like to find some kind of entertainment to clash with the Gaza-Gully
thing and engage the minds of kids to move away from it," Thompson said.
Munga Honourable
arrested in Jamaica [12.11.09 ]
Dancehall deejay Munga Honourable known for hits such was 'Bad From Mi Born' and
'Earthquake' was on Wednesday morning arrested and charged by members of the
motorised Police division in NCB, Trafalgar Parking lot, New Kingston.
The Don Corleon recording artiste was stopped by the lawmen during a spot check,
it's alleged that they requested a search, following his refusal a heated
exchange ensued. It was later discovered that the motorcycle he was riding was
unlicensed.
The deejay was arrested and slapped with six (6) charges ranging from riding an
unlicensed motorcycle, riding without insurance, riding without a helmet, riding
without proper registration, possession of a dangerous weapon (knife), abusing
the police and the use of indecent language.
Munga is scheduled to appear before the Half-Way Tree Court on November 23 to
answer to the charges. The entertainer now on the comeback path recently shot
and released a medley video for his singles 'Shawta Nutten / Pay Di Bills'.
Jah Cure Releases Statement [
09.11.09 ]
SoBe Entertainment/Danger Zone Recording artiste Jah Cure has Just returned from
performing at the show dubbed ‘It’s Cure Again’ in Trinidad and Tobago. Jah
Cure’s trip to Trinidad and Tobago was not without incident however, as an
unscrupulous promoter made efforts to prevent him from performing.
On Saturday November 7 while staying at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of
Spain;Jah Cure was greeted by police officers along with the unscrupulous
promoter who claimed that Jah Cure owed him money. The promoter with whom Jah
Cure has worked with in the past was in negotiations with Jah Cure for another
performance but negotiations broke down.
In order to settle the matter Jah Cure and members of his management team
accompanied the promoter and the police to a nearby police station where the
promoter's deposit was returned. The artiste was not arrested as reported by
some media outlets and was able to fulfil his confirmed date at Guaracara Park
on the same night. Jah Cure performed to over ten thousand people.
Jah Cure wishes to thank all his Trinidad and Tobago fans who came out to
support him and guarantees them that despite this incident he will return to the
twin island republic. Jah Cure and his management team would also like to
commend members of the Trinidad and Tobago police force for their
professionalism in dealing with the matter. Jah Cure is now home in Jamaica
preparing for his upcoming dates in St Kitts, Barbados and Grenada.
Sean Paul Wins
Soul Train Award [
05.11.09 ]
Last night at the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards, Jamaican Grammy kid Sean Paul
took home the award for Best Reggae Artiste.
The awards show held at the World Congress Center in Georgia achieved another
milestone as it was the first time the Reggae category was being included.
Other nominees in the category included Alliance front runners Mavado, Serani,
and reggae crooner Tarrus Riley, and Ziggy Marley.
The lineup of performers included Trey Songz, Ryan Leslie, Chrisette Michele,
Ledisi, Brian McKnight, Melanie Fiona, Sean Paul and several others.
The audience was brought to its feet as Erykah Badu, Melle Mel, Ledisi,
Fantasia, and Angie Stone stormed the stage to pay homage to legendary artiste
Chaka Khan with such hits as "Through the Fire" and "Tell Me Something Good."
With fun-filled skits, dance sequences and hilarious throwbacks to the infamous
Soul Train scramble board and Soul Train line, the CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL
TRAIN AWARDS was certainly a memorable occasion.
This year the show honoured the careers and musical influences of Chaka Khan,
Charlie Wilson, L.A. Reid and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds.
MAVADO and
SERANI gets nominated [
27.10.09 ]
Alliance artists continue to break ground on the world stage, with Mavado and
Serani once again being given the nod at a prestigious international award show.
The 2009 Soul Train Music Awards has recognized both artists in the Best Reggae
Artist category. They are in great company with Ziggy Marley, Sean Paul and the
torch-bearer of Jamaican conscious music Taurus Riley rounding out the nominee
list.
After being on hiatus the past couple of years, this year's show will be taped
at the Georgia World Congress Center on Tues., Nov. 3 and then air on both BET
and Centric (the channel formerly known as BET J) on Sun. Nov. 29.
The lineup of performers includes Trey Songz, Ryan Leslie, Chrisette Michele,
Ledisi, Brian McKnight, Melanie Fiona and many, many others.
This year's show will honor the careers and musical influences of Chaka Khan,
Charlie Wilson, L.A. Reid and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds.
The news comes on the eve of the release of Serani's debut album "No Games," in
stores an available on iTunes and all online music stores as of October 27.
Buju breaks
under pressure? [
14.10.09 ]
[ Jamaica Observer ]
As Deejay Buju Banton yesterday met with four members of San Francisco's gay
community in what is being seen as a move to discuss the continued cancellations
of the gigs at various points on his Rasta Got Soul tour of the United States,
due to pressure from gay rights groups.
This was reportedly Buju's first meeting ever with gay advocates, to put an end
to the controversy that continues to plague him due to his song, Boom Bye Bye,
which
he recorded years ago while still a teen.
Present at the meeting were gay leaders' supervisor Bevan Dufty, who arranged
the meeting, Rebecca Rolfe, executive director of the San Francisco gay
community centre, Andrea Shorter of Equality California and advocate Michael
Petrelis. Also present was supervisor Eric Mar, a straight leader in the Asian
community, Buju, members of his PR team and president of his music company,
Gagamel Music, Tracii McGregor.
Advocate Michael Petrelis, who was part of the meeting, was quoted on his blog
as saying, "the meeting was very civil and productive, even though at times I
had to play the "bad cop" activist, especially when Buju was dominating the
discussion, and we made several suggestions for him to consider, in order to
start to undo some of the problems he has in the gay community because of his
past anti-gay lyrics."
Among the items on the list of demands the gay rights lobbyists put forward was
that Buju think about making statements in Jamaica calling for love toward gays;
donate to the JFLAG group; hold a town hall meeting in Kingston about the need
to respect gays and sing about loving gay people. All the suggestions were
rejected by Buju, which is said to have infuriated the lobbyists present.
Petrelis also stated that although the meeting was a beneficial first step, the
gay community will want more concrete steps taken, before our actions against
Buju's concerts will cease.
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