Ryno, Jah Vinci reunite

Garrison recording artiste Blak Ryno and former Portmore Empire labelmate Jah Vinci, after a challenging 2011, earlier this week reunited to record a brand-new collaboration, courtesy of fashion designer-turned-producer Romeich Major.

The song, a sequel to the very popular Feel A Way done by both artistes during their tenure on the Gaza, is expected to create a buzz within various entertainment sectors.

It's understood the single is a part of a compilation due for release very soon on the Romeich Records label.

According to Ryno in a release sent to THE WEEKEND STAR, "this is something that people have been waiting to see for some time now, and me and Jah have always had a musical chemistry from then. So the link was made and the rest is history."

Prior to the collaboration, the two also shared the stage at last year's Hot FM Lovefest in St Lucia and the much-publicised Sting 2011 at Jam World, Portmore. Last week Ryno, real name Romane Anderson, also teamed up with Marcus Myrie, son of incarcerated reggae superstar Buju Banton, to release his first official single for 2012 titled Diss Me And Fled on the Fifth Gear rhythm.

Meanwhile, his soca-influenced composition Whine Me is featured on the Hapilos International Certified Boomshot Volume 1. Both compilations are available on iTunes and other digital platforms.

Source: Jamaica Star

Broadcasting Commission bans Popcaan song from Jamaican airwaves

A recent single from emerging Dancehall superstar, Popcaan has drawn the eyre of Jamaica’s Broadcasting Commission; resulting in its removal from local airwaves.
Nuh Box Pon Jaw, a song recorded last October on the UIM Records produced Nymphomaniac Riddim will no longer play on Jamaican radio and television following the Commission’s decision that the track’s content promoted violence. The Broadcasting Commission advised Popcaan regarding his violation; announcing on Friday their reasoning for the ban.

Source: Dancehall USA

Top 10: Jamaican music industry’s sexiest female personalities

To leave an indelible mark within the Dancehall/Reggae industry, you not only have to showcase outright skill and determination but also have some amount of sex appeal.

The combination of a delightful personality, sharp intellect and attractive figure allows females who ply their trade within the local music industry to build strong fan bases while acclimating deserved accolades. From artistes to media personalities and even dancers, the Dancehall/Reggae industry has produced several females who’ve embodied said sentiments. Ten in particular currently personify those qualities; acquiring mass popularity in the process.

10. Mystic Davis: Dancers are wholeheartedly unappreciated within the Dancehall/Reggae framework as they’re considered as the background in many music videos. However, Mystic Davis possibly defies that logic. With unbelievable flexibility showcased throughout her craft and an hourglass shape to match, Davis hails as arguably the most popular dancer in Jamaica and possibly the Caribbean.
With videos such as Vybz Kartel’s Go Go Wine, Sean Kingston and Nicki Minaj’s Letting Go and several others on her resume, Davis stands out in ways which many other dancers would become side elements. Plus, if you’ve ever watched her perform live in short shorts, you’d see why.

9. D’Angel: Despite a turbulent six months that included her divorce from Beenie Man, model turned Dancehall artiste, D’Angel still continues to prove that she’s one of the genre’s sexiest divas. Songs such as Blaze, Come Over amongst others have showcased that fusion of made-for-runway looks as well as lyrical dexterity, making her one of Dancehall’s most respected acts.
Though she did lose some popularity amongst fans since the divorce, she still hasn’t lost the qualities which made her attractive since her debut in 2005: Independence, beauty and intellect, all of which make her an interesting catch.

8. Tiana – Perhaps the fastest rising female artiste in quite some time, Tiana not only made herself relevant within the Dancehall ranks, she asserted a strong presence in the industry. She made no stronger announcement as a potential superstar than with the release of Pum Pum Phat, a remake of Popcaan’s chart-topping smash, Ravin’. The risqué single showcased a hardcore, sexually appeasing side of the self-proclaimed “Princess of Dancehall” that fans never saw previously, making this curvaceous diva a household name.
Additionally, an unheard of 11 videos including Bruk Out and Whine and Gyal Mi Luv Yuh (featuring Konshens) as well her intellect; shown while making a defiant stance against what she described a ‘sexist’ music industry labeled her as a very reputable force. A deejay of the year candidate and upcoming superstar, her resume seemingly could include several more accolades going forward.

7. Pepita Little: Though currently out of a job after her recent release from the Television Jamaica (TVJ) show, Intense, it’s inconceivable to think thatPepita Little aka Chica Pepita won’t find her way back onto everyone’s television screen sooner rather than later.
For three years, her bubbly personality, easy-going approach to her hosting duties and a bust line that’s hard to ignore made her a popular figure within the industry. Additionally, she served as a backstage host on Digicel Rising Stars and copped a Youth View Awards nomination for Media Personality of the Year. Despite her recent setback, fans and industry players alike hope that this will only be the beginning of Pepita’s journey.

6. Timberlee: Sexy in two different personalities, posh and gangstress, Timberlee attracts several eyes and ears with her sultry vocals and class-personified physical attributes. Both personalities were on full display during her single on the female-dominated Bedroom Riddim with the single, Inna Mi Bedroom.
A shape to behold with confidence displayed in several singles such as Bubble Like Soup and Heels, Timberlee remains a sex symbol with her crafty word play and accompanying physical attributes.

5. Stacious: Similar to Timberlee, Stacious’ thought-provoking physique makes her easily identifiable figure within the local music industry. Often known for her pulsating singles and racy dressing in videos, Stacious earned comparisons to the “Queen of Dancehall,” Lady Saw, who rose to prominence for similar antics.
Additionally, Stacious’ lyrics back up said comparison as past singles such as Goodaz Clap and Make It Snappy as well as more recent singles like Come Into My Room (alongside Mavado) and Got It Like That.

4. Tifa: Perhaps the best at her musical craft amongst females, Tifa continues to dazzle fans, male and female, with her strong physical attributes while continuing to unleash smash hits. As her videos for Move Yuh Body and Get Flat proved last year, Tifa has a unique, classy fashion sense. Combine that with her no-holds barred lyrical display, and this prominent diva has stamped her authority on the Jamaican music framework.

3. Ce’Cile: It’s hard to believe that Ce’Cile has been in the mainstream spotlight for over ten years now as she seemingly hasn’t aged. An obviously attractive and sensual persona made the singjay one of Jamaica’s musical stalwarts.
Never afraid to show off her smooth skin, Ce’Cile embraced the sex symbol status with videos like Hot Like We, Hot Like That and several others. Permanent eye candy in her own right, she continues to stay relevant within an ever changing Jamaican music framework; recently releasing the highly acclaimed album, Jamaicanization.

2. Tami Chynn: Dancehall singjay, Wayne Marshall must feel like the luckiest man on Earth as he has the sensual songstress, Tami Chynn to proudly boast as his wife. Chynn never ceases to amaze onlookers with her natural beauty and heartwarming vocals.
Classic songs such as Over and Over, Hyperventilating and Certified Diva, featuring the aforementioned Tifa, had fans locked into her presence. An effervescent sense of style, class and wit made Chynn a very lovable figure. A musician, host or a part-time charity worker, Chynn’s place as an internationally-regarded superstar will forever remain. Plus, as she proved with Neva Know, she has some spice to her also.

1. Yanique Barrett: Jamaican music fans have only known her for a short time, but certainly there’s a long list of men who’ve surely kept this media personality on their watch.
Debuting as host of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall in March 2011, Yanique Barrett quickly won over fans of the highly regarded talent show with her curvaceous figure, outgoing personality and several sexy dance moves. Now earning strong acclaim for her strong work and intellect, Barrett continues to spread her wings as a host/presenter as she also co-hosts E-Blaze on FAME FM as well as RETV 5 to 7 Live.
The only sad part about this young starlet, for her male fans anyway, is that she’s already married. If you listen closely, the collective sighs from men can be heard worldwide.

Source: Dancehall USA

Protoje Leaps From '7 Year Itch' To '8 Year Affair'

After conquering his 7 Year Itch in 2011, budding deejay Protoje is now on to The 8 Year Affair.

It took seven years to complete his first album, but having honed his craft to his satisfaction, Protoje is completing his sophomore album, The 8 Year Affair, far more quickly.

The deejay entered the scene in 2009 with his hit Arguments which was followed by the likes of Dread, JA, No Lipstick and the runaway hit Rasta Love which featured Ky-Mani Marley. It was only January of last year at the Bob Marley Museum that he launched his praised debut album 7 Year Itch.

Over the weekend, Protoje released his first single from his second album titled Who Dem A Program. He told The Gleaner recently, "well, The 8 Year Affair is the sequel to the 7 Year Itch and you know, after the itch, comes the affair."

According to him, the album is in the early stages of development but he is looking forward to releasing it in the summer.

Reflection of growth

While the first album chronicled a seven-year musical journey, Protoje says the sophomore album will reflect his growth and development spiritually.

He said, "the sound is definitely different on this album. Don (Corleon) and I wanted to bring a fresh sound to it, as yuh can tell by the first single, it sounds like nothing on the 7 Year Itch."

The first single Who Dem A Program has a more aggressive sound to it than anything on his previous album.

In the chorus he deejays, "A who dem a program? who dem young girl have dem eye pon? A coulda who dem a program? A who Mr Babylon have dem eye pon? Who dem a program? Who informa siddown and a spy pon?"

He explained, "I always wanted my first single for my second album to make a statement. To reaffirm my presence in the industry. Lyrically, what this song speaks about was important to me."

In the upcoming months, the artiste is planning to do music videos for Who Dem A Program and Our Time Come.

While Don Corleon is doing the bulk of production work on The 8 Year Affair, there will also be a single from a French production label called Soul Vybz. He also says he isn't opposed to working with other producers.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Dream Weekend expands to 'Dream Week'

The popular Dream Weekend party series will be expanding its wings for 2012, as they extend their series of parties from four to six days in August.

Dream Weekend will now be taking place from Wednesday, August 1- Monday, August 6 in Negril. The party series is now in its fourth year and according to Dream Team member and promoter Kamal Bankay, expansion was always part of the vision. He said, "Assuming everything goes well we always wanted to keep growing and expanding more and more which is what we've done by extending the weekend to six days."

Last year, the party series hosted eight events in four days. While not disclosing how many events the extended weekend would have, Bankay says more events would be added to the package. He added, "We always hoped to move towards what we're doing now and we're fortunate that this year the holidays fell in a particular way. This year we're looking to add different kinds of events to fill out the total entertainment experience and also to revamp some of the events we currently have."

As to whether there will be a drastic increase in the price to accommodate the new events, Bankay said, "The price actually will be determined by the level of sponsorship. Our event is patron focused, so we will always keep our patrons in mind." He disclosed that the Dream Team will be in discussion with hoteliers in Negril to provide package deals for the event, to give incentives to patrons to stay for all six days.

Bankay also said the Dream Team were excited to see the Government taking a good stance when it comes to highlighting entertainment as a part of the tourism sector. He noted that last year the number of foreign visitors for Dream Weekend increased and hopes that the expansion of the event would draw more of that crowd. In 2011 the event was launched locally as well as in New York and Miami.

"It's important to note that Dream is going to embrace the 50th celebration, we plan to be part of the celebration of independence," he said.

The Dream Team will also be premiering the docu-reality series 'Dream Destination: Jamaica' on International cable stations in February or March. The series will show clips of last year's staging and more. It is being done by director Mykal Cushnie and Kibwe McGann.

Source: Jamaica Star

Popcaan Makes BBC "Hot 20" List

United Kingdom based BBC's Radio 1Xtra has chosen deejay Popcaan as one of its 'Hot 20 for 2012'. The deejay is the only Jamaican to appear on the list.

The list, which was revealed last week, is the station's collection of the 20 acts they think will make an impact in 2012.

The compilation also features the likes of American rapper A$AP Rocky, American singer Frank Ocean, the UK's Etta Bond, Delilah, Dot Rotten, Josh Kumra, Sneakbo, Daley and rapper Azealia Banks.

BBC Radio 1Xtra is a digital radio station in the United Kingdom from the BBC, specialising in new black music or urban music.

On the station's website, www.bbc.co.uk, all 20 acts are featured in a video interview. Popcaan's interview, which is two-minutes long, was done with the artiste in Jamaica. The description of the video on the websites states, "chosen as one of 1Xtra's Hot 20 for 2012, Popcaan gives us a little insight into who he is and what he's about."

In the interview the artiste talks about growing up in St Thomas and Portmore as he describes himself as being a "loving person" to his friends and family. He also gives credit to the collaboration Clarks with his mentor Vybz Kartel and Gaza Slim as being what brought attention to his career, to which he followed up with other popular songs.

Speaking about what inspires his lyrics, the artiste touches on the much debated topic of the relationship between dancehall music and crime. He says, "Nuff people feel sey dancehall music sparks violence and crime inna di community and dem ting deh. But is not really like that yuh zeeit. Di artiste dem sing wah dem see and weh dem hear. So big up to dancehall music again and reggae music."

The artiste will be shooting the video for his song Party Shot from TJ Records on Sunday. The video will be directed by Mykal Cushnie. He also released his first single for the year, Get Gyal Easy, produced by DreSkull Records.

Source: Jamaica Star

Alicia Keys in Jamaica

R&B superstar Alicia Keys is currently in Jamaica doing work at Geejam Studio in Portland.

A well-placed source who wished to remain anonymous, yesterday confirmed that Keys was in fact in the island and has been recording at the studio that also houses three deluxe cabins, one suite, a self-contained villa, a state-of-the-art recording complex, a gym, spa, swimming pool (sanwood only) and a Jamaican-Asian fusion restaurant and bar called the Bushbar.

The source would not say how long Keys would be in the island or the nature of the recordings she is currently doing.

"People come in from time to time to record on their new projects there. Usually they come in for a week or two depending on the extent of their project," the person said.

The source added that Geejam is chosen based on the privacy it offers. And based on this private nature, they were not able to divulge further.

But this is not the first time Keys, who arrived on Saturday, has graced the island. She performed at Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in 2004 on the final night and thrilled many fans with songs like Woman's Worth, You Don't Know My Name and Heartburn.

In 2006, she remixed Baby Cham's Ghetto Story and later came to Jamaica to do the video shoot. The song also got a lot of airplay on New York's urban station Hot 97. She has also done work with other local acts like Junior Reid and Mavado.

Source: Jamaica Star

Happy Earthstrong Vybz Kartel!

The "World Boss" turns 36 today. Although he is currently incarcerated for multiple charges, including murder, his music continues to dominate the dancehall charts.

Queen Ifrica expecting baby number three

Rastafari reggae artiste Queen Ifrica is is expected to give birth to her third child in April. This will be the third child for Ifrica, who told Splash that she is enjoying the second trimester of pregnancy.
The singer, christened Ventrice Morgan, hinted at the media launch of Rebel Salute that the newest addition to her family will be a female adding to her two sons.

The Lioness On The Rise singer emerged on the the music scene in the early 1990s and is the brainchild behind the studio albums Fyah Muma and Montego Bay. With her haunting melodies and militant voice Queen Ifrica is known for penning lyrics about personal and controversial matters some of which include Mi Naa Rub, Below The Waist, Daddy and Keep It to Yourself.
The reggae singer is currently in the United States and is expected to be back on the island for her performance at Rebel Salute to be held at Port Kaiser Sports Complex in St Elizabeth on January 14.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Shaggy concert on Pay-per-view

Telecommunications company LIME has joined forces with the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation to share tomorrow's concert with persons unable to attend.
LIME has also created opportunities for their customers and Jamaicans in the Diaspora to participate and contribute by providing a live broadcast of the concert on LIME Mobile TV and via Pay-per-view online from which we will donate proceeds.

According to Stephen Price, Head of Marketing for LIME, although the 'Shaggy' concert has become one of the most prestigious charity events on the social calendar, it is the reason for the concert that makes it easy for LIME to partner with the organisers.
"This event has raised millions of dollars for the Bustamante Children's Hospital and we at LIME are happy to have partnered with Shaggy on this amazing venture. We know how important this institution has been for so many children and families," Price said.
"We are particularly happy to be adding the special mega star-power of Lauryn Hill to the event. The anticipation we have been feeling makes us confident that her performance will be have a distinct place in the history books," Price further commented.


Source: Jamaica Observer

Tifa and Timberlee falling out?

It seems as if tension continues to exist between prominent Dancehall divas, Tifa and Timberlee, especially following an alleged incident that took place during New Year's weekend.

This news comes a month after comments that mutual friend and fellow deejay, Natalie Storm made during an interview on the LaurenOLauren (LOL) show on Flow TV. When asked by show host, Lauren Dunn about relations within the TNT (Tifa, Natalie Storm, Timberlee) camp, the Hotta deejay hinted that tension existed between Tifa and Timberlee.

"It's the two musketeers now…I try to keep out of it because I still talk to both girls…there’s no more TNT...we're all off doing our own individual things."

Additionally, Natalie Storm intimated that she continues to hang out and work with both parties and plans to work with them in 2012. However, the deejay insisted that she won't involve herself within the drama.

"I try to keep myself out of all of that drama...dem seh cockroach nuh business inna fowl fight and that’s how I look at it."

Tifa and Timberlee both burst onto the Dancehall scene in 2007 and have collaborated on several singles including Nuh Tinky Winky. Additionally, they and Natalie Storm worked on a collaborative album, TNT: Three the Hard Way in 2008 and appeared in several of each other's videos.

Source: Out A Road

Bounty Killer And Mavado Friends Again

Dancehall artistes Bounty Killer and Mavado have started the new year on a positive note by settling their differences.The artistes, who have avoided each other for the last few months in 2011, are alleged to have made amends at a recent Uptown Mondays party.

Bounty Killer and Mavado had been in a rift since late July, stemming from a single that Gullyside artiste Chase Cross released called Mash Up Everything, in which he fired lyrical shots at Bounty Killer.

Apparently, the song was not enough to 'mash up' anything, as Mavado and Bounty Killer were seen taking pictures and embracing each other at the popular dancehall event.

According to Alliance Next Generation manager Cross Cris, it is a good look for the New Year.

"We thank God that this has happened, because they are two artistes that have respected each other over the years. It's a good look for 2012 to see the two dancehall 'Gods' link back together, Gulliance lives on," he said.

According to Cross Cris, all pictures depicting Bounty Killer and Mavado together at the event are real.

"The link up was made at Hot Mondays and the pictures are real, even Mavado and Bounty Killer had the pictures on their BlackBerrys," he said.

Both Mavado and Bounty Killer were unavailable for comment on the recent unification.

However, Bounty Killer spoke via twitter.com saying that Gulliance lives on, despite forces motivating negativity.

"Who look stupid now? GrunGaad and GullyGaad link up at Uptown Mondays... That is why no AFL/ANG artiste couldn't go do any songs dissing Vado despite Waste Crosses (Chase Cross) violate the thing. There are bad apples among our bunches, sometimes your own will go against you, just leave it to God and time, simple. Gulliance lives on, big up," he tweeted.

Source: Mad A Road

Legendary Reggae DJ David Rodigan Receives Royal Honor

David “RamJam” Rodigan has been appointed to receive the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, or MBE, by the Queen of England,for his contributions to broadcasting. adding him to a slim list of royal resident DJs that includes Annie Nightingale and Norman Jay.
The MBE doesn’t, apparently, entitle him to use the honorific prefix “Sir,” but we still hope that deejays recording his tributes start calling him “Sir RamJam,” just because it sounds awesome.
Rodigan has represented all forms of reggae music on British airwaves and beyond for over 30 years—from programs on BBC Radio and on KISS FM to countless sound clashes all over the world

Source: Mad a Road