Entertainment News
January 2004

BEENIE MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN CRASH

Moses Davis, aka Beenie Man, was nearly killed in a single-vehicle crash at about 4 a.m. on January 15, 2004, near Kingston, JA.

The 30-year-old dancehall superstar was rushed to Spanish Town Hospital, then was transferred to a hospital in Kingston, where he underwent successful surgery to stop internal bleeding and treat a collapsed lung and broken ribs. He also suffered from a broken nose and wrist.

Beenie Man was driving alone in his Hummer H2 from his home in Kingston, JA, to a dancehall party in Mandeville, when he failed to negotiate a detour on a road under construction. The vehicle overturned, hit a concrete embankment and was demolished.

While the singer is expected to recover, he will remain under observation for a number of weeks. "We plan to hire three nurses to provide round-the-clock care for him at a private institution," stated Patrick Roberts, manager of Beenie Man and executive chairman of Shocking Vibes Productions Ltd.

Beenie Man had been working on his latest release for his U.S. label, Virgin Records, due later this year.

RAS RECORDS ANNOUNCES 2004 RELEASES

Real Authentic Sound, also known as RAS Records, has amassed a huge library of releases over the last 20 years with artists from the Aggrovators through Tappa Zukie. The "RAS Portraits and their "Pillars of Reggae" series are classic foundations on which to build a strong reggae collection.

RAS Records' first release for 2004 is "Mouse Gone Wild", Eek-A-Mouse's "wildest and most outrageous effort yet," according to a press release.

In Feb. 2004, the label will release "Sly & Robbie Meet the Mad Professor (Featuring Dean Fraser) - The Dub Revolutionaries" (06076-89917-2). The legendary rhythm twins meet the dub wizard producer Mad Professor on 16 brand-new tracks recorded at Ariwa Sound Studios. Mad Professor will kick off an East Coast tour in March, check the RAS website for details at at www.rasrecords.com, where you can also order online or learn more about the RAS Records label, the artists and tour dates.

WAYNE WONDER PERFORMS LEAD SINGLE FOR SOUNDTRACK

Wayne Wonder's song, "Hold Me Now" (a remake of the 80's Thompson Twins single) has been selected as the lead single from the soundtrack for the movie "50 First Dates."

The film, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, is scheduled for release Feb. 13, 2004, while the soundtrack will hit stores on Feb. 3, 2004. The soundtrack, on Maverick Records, features hits from the 1980s, performed by current artists. Other tracks include "YOUR LOVE (L.O.V.E. Reggae Mix), performed by Wyclef Jean and featuring Eve (originally recorded by The Outfield), "Drive," performed by Ziggy Marley (originally recorded by The Cars), "Every Breath You Take," performed by UB40 (originally recorded by The Police), "Lips Like Sugar" by Seal featuring Mikey Dread (originally recorded by Echo and the Bunnymen) and more. A video for the Wayne Wonder single, to be directed by Gil Green, will be filmed shortly in Miami. Visit www.50firstdates.com to see a movie trailer and www.maverick.com/50firstdates for soundtrack info.

SEAN PAUL, WAYNE WONDER SCORE IN BILLBOARD'S 2003 ROUNDUP

Billboard Magazine, the music industry's most informative newsweekly, has released "Billboard 2003: The Year in Music," which shows that dancehall has hit the mainstream.

Both Sean Paul and Wayne Wonder climbed the mainstream Billboard charts to success in 2003.

Sean Paul was the #3 Top Pop Artist, the #3 Top Pop Artist (Male) and the #24 Top Billboard 200 Artist. He made it to #3 in three different lists: the Hot 100 Artist, Hot 100 Artist (Male), and Hot Rap Artist. In the Hot Rhythmic Top 40 Artist, Sean Paul scored #2 for the year, and he was #4 in the Top R&B/Hip Hop Artist (Male), #5 in the Top R&B/Hip Hop Artist, and #9 in the Top R&B/Hip Hop Album Artist categories. His album, "Dutty Rock" reached #21 on the Top Billboard 200 Album list, and was the #6 Top R&B/Hip Hop Album. The single "Get Busy" scored #3 on both the Hot 100 Singles & Tracks and Hot 100 Airplay categories, was the #4 Hot Rap Track, and also reached Top 20 or better in Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks, Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles Sales, Hot R&B/Hip Hop Airplay, Hot Mainstream Top 40 tracks and Hot Rhythmic Top 40 Track.

Wayne Wonder was listed at the #10 Top New Pop Artist for 2003, and his single "No Letting Go" was the #21 Hot Rap Track for the year. It also made it to #33 on the Hot 100 Singles & Tracks list, #32 on the Hot 100 Airplay list, and #40 in both the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks and Hot R&B/Hip Hop Airplay categories.

Comments about Sean Paul's and Wayne Wonder's success are found throughout the Billboard 2003: The Year In Music.

"Sean Paul ranked No. 74 last year with his debut single, 'Gimme the Light.' This year, he has the No. 3 song with the chart topping 'Get Busy' (VP/Atlantic). That makes him the highest-ranking Jamaican on a Hot 100 annual recap. In 2001, Shaggy missed the top 10 even though he had two No. 1 hits, 'It Wasn't Me' and 'Angel.' In 1995, Ini Kamoze ended up at No. 24 with 'Here Comes the Hotstepper.' "

"Dancehall regae also received its due this year, thanks to the crossover led by Sean Paul's major label debut, 'Dutty Rock' (VP/Atlantic). Following the success of lead single 'Gimme the Light,' Paul's song 'Get Busy' turned more fans on to him and the sub-genre. It hit No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks and is the No. 4 title on the Hot Rap Tracks recap. Paul ended the year as the No. 2 act on the Hot Rap Tracks Artists chart. His success also opened the door for other dancehall acts like Wayne Wonder, Vybz Cartel and Elephant Man."

"Meanwhile, Southern hip hop and dancehall reggae, a 'close cousin' of hip hop, also came into prominence thanks to the work of Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, David Banner, Bonecrusher, Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder and Elephant Man."

"Beyoncé emerges as this year's No. 1 Top New R&B/Hip-Hop Artist Š on her 'Dangerously in Love' album, released through Music World/Columbia/Sony Urban Music. Powered by hypnotic lead single 'Crazy in Love,' the album has since spun off a second No. 1 R&B/hip-hop hit, 'Baby Boy,' featuring 2003's dancehall reggae phenomenon, Sean Paul."

You can view the online version of the magazine at www.billboard.com.

FEBRUARY CONFERENCE FOCUSSES ON CARIBBEAN WELFARE

Caribbean Days on Capitol Hill Conference will be held in Washington, DC, from Feb. 1-4, 2004. This conference is presented by the Caribbean People International Collective, Inc. (CPIC), a non-profit, volunteer organization from New York state, founded in 1995 to promote the quality of life of people of Caribbean descent. With the theme, "The Caribbean: Moving into Action," the conference aims to examine the various economic, immigration, health, and behavioral issues that effect the Caribbean and its ability to economically empower the region, control the spread of HIV and participate in the advocacy process. Seminars topics include social challenges and educational strategies and featured speakers include U.S. Congressional partners, State Department and IRS representatives and Caribbean heads of state and business leaders. E-mail CPICIncNY@aol.com or visit http://aidswalkcaribbean.com/ for more information.

FESTIVALS FOR 2004

After Tony Rebel's REBEL SALUTE held in Jamaica every January, the next big event is the BOB MARLEY DAY CELEBRATION in Long Beach, CA. The 23rd Annual festival is Feb. 14-15, 2004, and always features a stellar lineup. Sat. Feb. 14: Beenie Man (who may not perform due to his accident, see above), Beres Hammond, Wayne Wonder, Arrested Development, Julian Marley, T.O.K., Baby Cham, Warrior King, and Soul Majestic, more. Sun. Feb. 15: Sly & Robbie, Sizzla, Elephant Man, Luciano (solo acoustic), Midnite, Big Youth, Edi Fitzroy, Little John, Peter Metro, Carlton Livingston, Aaron Silk (Tribute to Unsung Hero: Garnet Silk), more (artist lineup subject to change). Check http://www.raggamuffins.org/ and http://www.bobmarleydayfestival.com for the latest information.

On the West Coast, the other stand-out festivals are the 11th Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, June 18-20, 2004 (in Central No. California), and of course, the 21st Annual Reggae On The River, Aug. 6-8, 2004 (in Humboldt, No. California).

There's a new reggae festival in Canada this year, the "Montreal International Reggae Festival" from June 4-6, 2004, at the Old Port of Montreal (Jacques-Cartier pier), Quebec. They expect more than 20,000 people to attend this event, which is one week prior to the famous Grand-Prix weekend at the same location. Some of the proceeds will benefit the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation. Artists wanting to perform, sponsors and volunteers can e-mail info@montrealreggaefestival.com or visit their website at www.montrealreggaefestival.com.

The 26th Annual Health & Harmony Festival takes place June 12-13, 2004 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in California. Check out their website for a complete list of events and entertainment.

CARNIVAL 2004

From New Orleans' Mardi Gras to Brazil's pageantry, or from Venice's masked balls to Trinidad's spectacular parades, you must experience Carnival! For 2004, the festivities fall on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 23 and 24, followed by Ash Wednesday. In Trinidad, the sheer numbers of people "playing mas" are astounding, and the creative costumes and themes of the different bands, or groups, are wonderful.

Here are some of the top bands and what they have in store for Carnival 2004, sent to us by "carnivalondenet":

Barbarossa (http://www.barbarossaintl.com), D'Krewe Mas Group (http://www.krewecarnival.com/), Poison (http://www.poison.co.tt), Legends (http://www.legendscarnival.com), Masquerade (http://www.masquerade.co.tt), Harts (http://www.hartscarnival.com), Trini Revellers (http://www.revellers.com), Trevor Wallace and Associates (http://www.trevorwallacett.com), Pleasures Carnival (http://www.pleasurescarnival.com), Rabs Immortal (http://www.rabs4carnival.co.tt), Rosalinda Gabriel (http://www.proudfoot.net/rosalindgabriel), Skandal-us (http://www.skandalmas.com), Spoilt Rotten Kids (http://www.carnival-children.com).

In the Commonwealth of Dominica, the celebration is smaller than Trinidad's, but the islanders participate with gusto in the Jouvay jump up all through the night Sunday, leading into the organized street parades on Monday and Tuesday, where the sound trucks come out in full volume. Check out the incredible sensay costumes, unlike any other in the Caribbean.

Due to winter weather conditions, San Francisco holds their Carnaval parade later in the year, but the 26th Annual Carnaval festivities begin earlier, with Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras & Crab Festival on 24 Feb. (at the Roccapulco Supper Club), the King and Queen Competition & Raffle on 10 April (at the Gift Center in San Francisco), the Street Festival in the Mission District on May 29 and 30, and the Carnaval Grand Parade on May 30, 2004. Visit www.carnavalsf.com for more information.

BAY AREA CLUB NEWS

DJ Spin Cycle always keeps us up to date with the latest dance sensations from around the world, and his latest tip is "Reggaeton" -- latino-reggae-rap -- a hit in Puerto Rico, the Latin Caribbean, and New York. You can hear it for yourself at EL SOTANO (the basement) every Tuesday night at Blake's on Telegraph in Berkeley, CA, hosted by Noisex and DJ Watdigz. Some Reggaeton artists include Tego Calderon, Don Omar and Vico-C.

Bay Area reggae fans can check out CLUB JUDAH every Friday night at Jelly's Pier 50 (next to PacBell Park in San Francisco). Sponsored by EIW Reggae, this club night features rotating DJs spinning dancehall, dub, lover's rock and roots. Jelly's is a great waterfront location with an outdoor patio. Email eiwreggae@yahoo.com for more info.

Golden Touch Entertainment in San Francisco continues to promote its successful parties with LaBelle (on the third Friday of the month) and Exotica (on Jan. 30, 2004). Golden Touch also announces a special Dancehall Fiesta on Feb. 21, 2004 at 2700-16th St. @ Harrison, SF. This event will feature DJ Toks, JahYzer and DJ Polo, featuring dancehall, reggae and roots. Watch www.goldentouchmusic.com for the latest news about concerts and events throughout the year, including a DJ sound clash coming in April.

REGGAE RADIO ON THE WEB

At the present time, I cannot get my computer to link up to my favorite community radio station broadcasting out of San Francisco, but you should check out KPOO.com. They feature reggae DJs throughout the week at various times as well as world music, Latin and hip-hop shows.

Tune to Collin George's ... reggae radio broadcast every Thursday night from 9 to 11 EST on KAIRI-FM in Dominica or on the internet at http://www.kairifm.dm/live.htm.

Send me the links to your favorite internet reggae radio shows and I'll include them in future columns.

JAHWORKS.ORG WINS WEBSITE AWARD

Big Up! The JahWorks.org site has received the first RAW Web Site Award.

Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide asked its members for submissions to this award program beginning in April 2003. RAW asked for submissions of positive and informative web sites related to Reggae music. In addition to www.JahWorks.org, www.DCreggae.com and www.ReggaeRunnins.com were also honored.

All winners receive the RAW Web Site Award Crest for their web site to show that their web site was recognized by RAW for "Forwarding The Reggae Vibe - Everytime!"

CONDOLENCES

Deepest sympathy is sent to H.A. and Jennifer Mayers and family. Their son Hamilton Mayers was killed on December 27, 2003. Promoter H.A. is the guiding force behind the Caribbean Summerfest Concerts, held every July in San Francisco.

Corinne Mah is a freelance writer and publishing specialist based in San Francisco and the Commonwealth of Dominica. A veteran of the music business, she has worked with diverse musical genres in various locations for more than 20 years.