Thursday, May 1, 2008

RUEL "CLIVE" MONCRIEFFE MAKING MOVES IN REGGAE

Born Ruel Moncrieffe in the city of Montego Bay located on the North Western side of Jamaica, supporting reggae vocalist Clive is going places. Clive who has being in the business of music for over 8 years represents one half of reggae recording artiste Etana's back up performance singers. Clive who started out as a singer performing for tourist at all inclusive resorts like the Half Moon Hotel, The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Sandal's Super Clubs, Couples Ochi Rios and The Sunset Beach Resort increase his visibility in 2007 when he landed a gig alongside " " performing with Etana in Ghana on a Tour of Africa.
After that success Clive was offered the opportunity to continue his work with the rising young singer. Since then the he's been on stage at the 2007 christmas event I SCREAM, Rebel Salute 2008 and the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival to name a few.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

WOMEN'S DAY MEDIATHON COMING I APRIL

Photo of Minister Olivia "Babsy" Grange speaking at the official launch

"A woman is a blessing to the earth and should be treated as such" -






In commemorating International Women's Day realized around the world on March 8th each year the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture & Sports with responsibility for Women's Affairs and Gender Issues in collaboration with the Bureau of Women's Affairs invites all Jamaicans to support the April 13th staging of the Women's Day Mediathon set to unfold at CPTC 37 Arnold Road Kingston.

A project of the Sister To Sister Committee which was formed out of several meetings between ministry representatives and other interested parties in the entertainment industry the Mediathon will feature a fully dynamic and complete cultural showcase of both Music and Dance with special emphasis on female artists in Dancehall & Reggae.

Currently fine tuning the logistics of the program veteran event organizer Ronnie Burke and Production / Promotions experts Solid Agency have already confirmed a host of talented female vocalists to perform, these include Marcia Griffiths, Etana, Brick & Lace, Queen Ifrica, Judy Mowatt, Tesanne Chin, Carlene Davis, Nadine Sutherland, Cecile, Stacious, Gem Myers, Sophia Brown, D Angel, Carol Gonzalez, M'Lonie, Cherine Anderson, Cherry Natural, LaCadco Dancers and many more who have signaled an interest in participating.

Officially Launch at the Women's Center Foundation of Jamaica Kingston Office on March 6th the Fund Raiser Project has received the support of a number of private entities such as the RJR Communications Group, Cable & Wireless and Food For The Poor.

The Mediathon will feature a unique Live Radio & Television Broadcast that will commence at 1PM with over 50 volunteers and celebrity guests stationed on site accepting pledges via telephone.

Under the theme "Financing for Gender Equality" an official target of approximately $10 Million has been outlined with all proceeds in aid of the Women's Center Foundation of Jamaica. Located at 42 Trafalgar Road the center is celebrating over 30 years in existence. It has provided counseling, skills training and a continued education for over 35,000 pregnant teenagers over the years many of whom have gone on to become career professionals in society.

Lyrics: Wayne Marshall - Me By Myself


Chiney K Riddim - Stephen McGregor
Big Ship Studio's


Chorus
That's what I see...
Dem only bad inna company....
But a me by myself...
Me by myself....
Tell dem fi come...
Know sey mi deh yah an mi nah go run.....
All when a me by myself....
Me by myself....

Verse One

Mi say mi bad to the maximum....
Mi nuh need not a friend fi come buss mi ***
Anytime dem ready tell dem fi come....
All when a me one still nah go run....
How mi see it dem bwoy deh a mouth a massy.....
Only bad when dem trod inna clique or posse......
Terrible and mi mad wicked and wassy.....
Hand straight like chassis and mi nah miss fassy..... (yow)

Chorus
That's what I see...
Dem only bad inna company....
But a me by myself...
Me by myself....
Tell dem fi come...
Know sey mi deh yah an mi nah go run.....
All when a me by myself....
Me by myself....

Verse Two
Me One numero uno....
I have a bull dog name Bruno fi gi unnu....
All when di bwoy dem big like a sumo....
Wrestler the winchester blow dem vest sa....
Yes sa di tek sa ready fi address a
incesta much less child molesta.....
Mi *** hail him tell him come a westa....
Mi rifle a sing like destra yes sa.....

Chorus (x2)

NANKO GOES DANCEHALL ON "FLYING SAUCER"

It's been a while since the "Lucky You" singer / songwriter Nanko has dropped another smash hit but look out his soon to be released "Flying Saucer" single promises to be a pleasant surprise as it finds him deejaying.

The song which was recorded recently at Heavy Beat Studio's in Miami Florida is the first of a number of tracks geared towards reintroducing Nanko to Jamaica ahead of a upcoming album project due out later this year. Nanko whose last major hit was the majestic chart topper "Loco Amor" has been notably absent from the music scene but admits he never stopped recording.

Describing the latest single in his own words Nanko also detailed his goals for the rest of the year.
"Well firstly Flying Saucer is a single about the girl’s dem, a very upbeat and hype song Bigging up the sexy ladies. On the track mi change up the style and do a deejay ting which I believe the fans out there going to love, people not use to it but I’ve always been deejaying since I was a youth. As for 2000 and great I want to put in the work and be aggressive in getting some really good songs out, "Speechless" is another Nanko track that's hot and next year mi want to lock down some awards so I'm focused on my music right now".

Nanko who hails from the Winter's Pen community of Spanish Town currently has a hot video in rotation on a number of local cable stations for the collaboration single "Break Free" alongside upcoming DJ Atomic and the singjay G Whizz. Born Patrick Powell Nanko is now managed by Michael Williams who has been streamlining a number of promotional efforts for the singer.

Friday, February 29, 2008

SOPHIA BROWN MAKES IT ON RICHIE B TOP 20 CHARTS

After last weeks Apple I Tunes debut up and coming Female Vocalist Sophia Brown is on a roll as her song "Love You Pure" has made it's way on veteran Radio Personality Richard "Riche B" Burgess Top 20 Dancehall & Reggae Local Charts.

The single which was recorded and released last year October has been working its way back into radio rotation as the level of promotion has been boosted to support the release of her next single "I'm A Rose" produced by Syl Gordon of Cell Block and Music Mecka which is operated by Brown.

Sophia who will be performing at next weeks International Women's Day All Female Mediation told X News about her increased promotion.

"Well at the moment we are planning to do more Radio and TV promotions, we basically want to raise the level of public awareness, people need to know who Sophia Brown is and what she's bringing to the music so our promotion will be focused on that. I also have my new single coming out soon and the video will be complementing its release so that's what's up for Sophia Brown the sophisticated one".

Monday, February 18, 2008

ETANA TO BE FEATURE IN RIDDIM MAGAZINE

Reggae singer Etana will be making her presence felt this year with the release of her highly anticipated debut album "Etana The Strong One" due out some time during mid spring. The singer who will be commencing the promotional campaign of her new single "I'm Not Afraid" in a few weeks was however pleasantly surprise last week when she got word that well known Music Journalist Ellen Koehlings and Photographer Peter Lilly of Riddim Magazine were in the island and wanted to do a photo shoot to support a pre written article for their next issue.
Etana who was given the choice of location for the shoot decided that she would continue to stick to her Roots and brought the German's on a tour of the August Town community where she grew up as a child.
The photo shoot which got underway about 11 AM say the jazzy singer smiling and posing in-front her old residence with family and friends gathering around to witness the happenings.

After a quick wardrobe change Etana along with her team of Road Manager and Publicist led the visitors down a narrow dirt lane to the banks of a nearby river. Capturing her beauty as she sat on a sea bolder Photographer Peter Lilly gave the strong one more than enough attention, directing her every movement as Koehlings and others watched from a distance with amazement.
The shoot then ran to a third location which was further down the river bed to a beautiful dry cave on the other side of the river bank. Once again it was Etana in all her beauty that stole the spotlight twirling her ankle length yellow skirt.

At the end of the shoot the visitors were treated to a one on one discussion with the "Warrior Love" singer as she detailed the history of her community. Reminiscing on times of war and violence Etana had great hopes that the gang war would one day cease.
"It's silly to see the community fighting against one-another wether it's political violence or gang it don't make any sense, the youth are the ones suffering while the politician uptown living comfortable. I only hope that we as black people will start to see our real purpose and stop the bad-mind and envy".
Riddim Magazine is a German based publication that started in September 2001 with the Judgement Yard ruler Sizzla Kalonji gracing the very first cover. Over the years several top Dancehall & Reggae artists have been featured on the cover including Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, Gentleman, Tanya Stephens, Ja Cure and Peter Tosh. The Magazine has so far had 36 issues and is currently published six times a year with a circulation of over 45 000.

www.myspace.com/etanastrongone

SOPHIA BROWN MAKES HER DEBUT ON I TUNES

After releasing her smash single "Love You Pure" back in 2007 the beautiful and fabulously talented Sophia Brown will this year be making another debut.

Sophia who was recently featured in the Jan / Feb issue of Buzz Magazine was some weeks ago duly informed that online music retailer Apple I Tunes would be using her "Love You Pure" single as the promotional song for "Female Quarterly" a female only compilation CD produced and released by Syl Gordon of Cell Block Music Group.

Sophia who is presently working out of her own Label Music Mecka graced the compilation alongside several other well respected female artists including Queen Ifrica, Cherine Anderson, Pam Hall, Marcia Griffiths and Tanya Stephens. Come Tuesday February 19th there will be a special pre release of the CD on I Tunes with the official release taking place on March 4th.

With an increase in the purchase of music via Online Stores Sophia expressed joy in being awarded the promotional opportunity. "I'm extremely happy that I Tunes has decided to use my single "Love You Pure" to promote the Female Quarterly compilation especially seeing that alot of other great female artists are feature on the CD, so I'm grateful".

Currently working on the singles "Give it Up " with producer Syl Gordon and "You Got the Touch" with Steven Stanley Brown is benchmarking 2008 as the year she makes her presence felt.

www.myspace.com/sophiibrown

Thursday, February 7, 2008

NANKO SLEWS BAD-MIND IN NEW VIDEO ALONG SIDE ATOMIC & G WHIZZ

By: Icey Jace
Solid Agency Publicist

It's not often that we see Dancehall and Reggae artists collaborating on a project this perhaps because the two genres have conflicting natures or so we choose to believe. With the video for their single Break Free being officially premiered only a few weeks ago on local cable network HYPE TV it seems the Lucky You singer Nanko, rising DJ Atomic and versatile sing-jay G Whizz has found the winning formula of hit-making.

The three who all bring a dynamic style to the DJ Liquid co-produced track alongside Mo-Money Productions / Fams House Music have never worked together prior to Break Free but shows an undeniable unity throughout the Clint Smith directed music video which has a pretty straight forward concept about overcoming the Bad-mind and devious influences of life. In the video Nanko gets things started on a street side corner belting out his melodic set with a rather confident strut.

"Tell dem say a jah jah make me, so you can hate me, and If you hate me, Its not good for safety, I tell you bravely Jah wont forsake me, we gonna break free" as the scene progresses and comes upfront with a Bad-mind bully creating mischief by toppling over a stall which forces the owner to pull out a bible, the song shows just how humble and unfazed one can be. Never-mind the serious mood of the track the bouncy bebop percussion drums with symphony like flute orchestration does wonders for the synergy who all brought energy to the camera lens.

On the opening verse Atomic locks down and commands the flow from the get go with creative lyrics and metaphoric phrases. Dress like a true DJ he easily pulls the attention on the screen with his iced out jewelry and fitted caps slurring on the finish "dem nuh wah see wi live, wah see wi get hurt, but you nah see the day wi go inna di earth" before driving out a tan colored muscle car.

G Whizz who is said to be recording a track with Portmore Empire DJ Deva Brat added his usual two cents as his star qualities showed just how much prospect he has for the future with a good look dress code, good voice with a rather interesting range and strong lead presence making the video seem unscripted by shacking the camera in a couple shots and even towering a fence.

KEKE BONS EXPLORING DANCEHALL MUSIC

Let's answer the obvious questions first. Yes that's a real live snake and no she's not modeling it, Keke Bons actual has the reptile as a pet but that talk for another occasion.

With music in mind Keke Bons would probably say she's extremely passionate about the expressive art form despite currently pursuing a Masters Degree at the Nova South Eastern University located in Miami Florida. Born in Jamaica Keke hails from the cool tourist resort town of Ocho Rios and at 4-ft 11-inches is often times misjudged as a sweet soulful singer but truth be told she's quite the opposite. As a youngster Bons spent her childhood days chroming Irie FM Studios with radio personalities Pat Clarke and Darien Henry. Coincidentally studios always surrounded Bons who recall the Kariang Recording Studio which was next door her home. Kariang introduced Keke to real Reggae greats like Garnett Silk whom she would often interact with all the while learning about the culture and growth of Dancehall.

Its not often a music junkie like Bons take the time to out be actively involved in Global HIV / AIDS issues and trends or even is given a commendable post as Jamaica's Youth Ambassador for Positive Living but once again the now aggressive female DJ is full of surprises. Taking her Bachelors Degree at the University of the West Indies Keke did a professional course in music with a concentration in Dancehall/Reggae studies to compliment the raw experience she acquired growing up.


Bons considers Music her life and based on her current myspace hits which has exceed 100,000 she's somewhat getting major visibility with just under 10,000 plays of the tracks Wireless Man, Trying, Defend D Rent and the Dancehall Mixed Love Latino, one of her more potent singles out.

Co-Signed by Solid Agency Booking Agent Richard Roache the veteran PR believes she has the goods to go places.
"Her style is new, its edgy, her writing skills remind me of Tanya Stephens and she has a great voice which compliments her drive to become a great artist"

Look out for the DJ who's currently based in New York.

Friday, February 1, 2008

ETANA ROCKS JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL

Making her debut on the main stage of this years Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival singer / songwriter Etana has yet again proved why she's being hailed as one of the best young female vocalist in Reggae. Etana who last year dominated Radio and Television charts with her "Cant water down and dilute" single Roots and later followed it up with another mainstream hit Warrior Love was the marvel of the early friday evening performers. Backed by the dynamic C- Sharp Band Etana entered the stage at 6:20 PM just as the sun began to set around the beautifully decorated Aqueducts Rose Hall Venue.Elegantly dressed in a pearl white designer outfit the strong one was a portrait of beauty as she eased into her first song Wrong Address with passionate facial expressions and bodily movements. Giving a bit more than her usual set Etana embraced the audience in what soon became a full staged showcase complete with matching dance choreography for each track that followed.

Digging deep into her catalog of songs slated to be features on her upcoming album Etana used her 20 minute performance time-slot to reintroduce a few of her other compelling singles like Money and Dont Forget while the other crowd favorites Warrior Love and the spiritual anthem Roots earned her a warm applauds from the fairly responsive crowd.

After her performance it was meet and greet time for the soulful singer who made it a point of her duty to network with several of the main sponsor - from Cable & Wireless representatives Mark Bronwin and Robert Gerrity to the esteemed Mrs. Michele Rollins of Rose Hall Development Etana was in high spirits and it showed. Media interviews with Hype TV, CVM TV, Positive Tourism Negril, Linkup Radio (Jamrock Magazine) and Power WPWX 92.3 FM out of Chicago were also on the agenda of the budding songstress who along with her VP Records PR Agent and Solid Agency Management Team toured a number of booths in the venue signing autographs and giving out promotional items along the way.It was only last year that Etana made her debut at the Festival performing in a small tent at the back of the venue. A sure sign of progress this years showing was a commendable achievement that will no doubt bring her international success.

Monday, January 14, 2008

REGGAE NEWCOMER MYSTIC SOUL -"I AM THE ONE"


Fort Lauderdale, Florida, December 15, 2007--- At a crucial time in Reggae music history when the hype of dance hall music seems to be drowning out the positive roots lyrics, and interest groups are gathering momentum against artists; promoters and record stores that help advance homophobic lyrics and violence; along comes a new voice, a voice of reason - a voice that has the potential to speak to the grass roots with his uncanny style and hard-hitting lyrics.

Mystic Soul was born Winston Hall, in Kitson Town, St. Catherine, Jamaica. He relocated to Waterhouse when he was nine years old and was a runner-up in the Tastee Talent contest in 1985. His passion for music and singing resonates in every chord sung by this natural crooner. His clear, silky smooth voice invites listeners to his mysterious world of enchanting harmonies that do nothing but soothe the soul.

Known to his friends as Wheeler, this warbler wanted a mystical stage name that captured his essence, passion and delivery, hence the name Mystic Soul. Simply stated, his clean and vivacious delivery of chord and his distinct diction is enchanting and indeed mystical. Mystic Soul started singing when he was four years old and only when looking back, he is able to see the calming hands of his Grandmother molding his career. “I used to sing for my grandmother. I lived with her even though my mother lived nearby. My grandmother would drop me off at my mother’s house on Saturdays to go off to the market. I can remember granny making me sing for her and her friends on their sojourn…that is one of my most treasured memories.”

Mystic Soul remembers fleeing from Waterhouse, the community in which he grew up because of violence. He later took up residency in Bridgeport, Portmore prior to immigrating to the United States in 1998. Mystic Soul considers himself blessed to be where he is today because he did not succumb to the obstacles and violence young boys face growing up in Waterhouse and the inner cities.

Mystic Soul honed his skills singing with a band in Miami for about three years but yearned to give his voice new challenges. Mystic Soul's big opportunity came when his childhood friend and DJ, "Danny B" told Wayne Russell and Raphael Logan from LyricSurge Records that he had a friend that is the "wickedest singer ever to come out of Jamaica” this coming from his friend, the label was, at best, impassive. When Mystic Soul performed live, unrehearsed with a group of guys he had never met before, in a dreary basement in Brooklyn, the label was sold. So powerful was the vocal of this virtuoso that within a month of his signing the label aired his first two singles Pledge and Ride een.

LyricSurge was in search of a pure vocalist with a reverence to the craft of reggae music for their collection of songs and found the perfect match in Mystic Soul. His debut album "I am the One,” is scheduled to be released in March 2008. This album demonstrates the vocal dexterity of Mystic Soul, and simultaneously fulfills the label’s attempt to recapture the didactic elements of reggae music. Showcasing the pre-released tracks: “Pledge,” and “Ride een" the album captures the richness and sincerity of Mystic Soul's voice, with songs ranging from upheaval and pain of lost love, to a nostalgic rallying cry for Jamaicans living in the Diaspora to come home. The title track "I am the one" is a soulful love song that will resonate with females all over the world declaring that chivalry is still alive. This 14 track album with its 14 potential number one hit songs is guarantee to get lovers of the reggae art form listening, rocking and reflecting – like back in the days. Mystic Soul has arrived and he plans to let everyone know that he is indeed…" the one."

Friday, January 4, 2008

THE INAUGURAL REGGAE ACADEMY AWARDS SLATED FOR FEBRUARY


The first REGGAE ACADEMY AWARDS ceremony is set to unfold on Sunday February 24th at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston Jamaica. The REGGAE ACADEMY is a project of the Recording Industry Association of Jamaica/RIAJam which is made up of just over thirty music companies doing business inside Jamaica and internationally.

Earlier this year RIAJam officially launched its REGGAE ACADEMY which is a membership group made up of music producers, vocalists, songwriters, music video producers, media representatives, artist managers and agents. RIAJam chairman Clevie Browne explains that the staging of a first class international music awards event for Reggae and Dancehall was identified as a priority activity by his board of directors and the organization when it was established four years. He stated that the objective is to celebrate and recognize creative excellence in a format that will allow for judging and voting by persons directly involved in performing, making and promoting Reggae around the world. The members of the REGGAE ACADEMY will decide on the recordings and artists to be considered for nomination and will also vote to determine what projects and artists are the best for the year 2007. Interested industry persons are still able to sign up for membership to the REGGAE ACADEMY.

While work continues on building the membership of the REGGAE ACADEMY a professional production team has also been engaged by RIAJam to deal with the planning and staging of the awards show on February 24th 2008. According to chairman of the REGGAE ACADEMY Lloyd Stanbury, plans are at a very advanced stage for the event. The design and technical elements of the show are being worked out, and several top artists have already signed contracts to appear as performers and award presenters on the show. These include Shaggy, Sean Paul, Morgan Heritage, Elephant Man, Diana King, Ky-Mani Marley, Bounti Killa, Wayne Marshall, Queen Ifrica, Tarrus Riley, Buju Banton, Ce’Cile, Etana, Assassin, and Voice Mail. In addition to the artists already confirmed the organisers are also looking at a number of overseas based artists who have been involved in Reggae and Dancehall music such as Gentleman out of Germany, Sinead O’Conner, Sean Kingston and Collie Budz.

The REGGAE ACADEMY AWARDS will be the final event in a 4-day series of activities in Kingston which will include music business conferences and live performance showcases for emerging artists. The project has already received the endorsement of the Jamaica Tourist Board and Jamaica Trade and Invest/JAMPRO.

Promotion of the REGGAE ACADEMY and AWARDS has been ongoing for over a year and includes the establishment of websites at
www.reggaeacademy.com
www.myspace.com/reggaeacademy


PRESS ACCREDITATIONS ARE NOW BEING CONDUCTED.
To Register E Mail >> jamiceyjace@yahoo.com