Entertainment News

September 2005

MUSIC NEWS

Damian "Junior Gong" Marley's full-length CD drops on Tuesday, September 13 by Tuff Gong/Universal Records. Produced by Stephen Marley, the CD features guest artists Nas, Bobby Brown, Bounty Killer, Eek-A-Mouse, and Black Thought. In addition to the title-track anthem, "Welcome to Jamrock" depicts life through Marley's eyes, expressing his own thoughts from anti-abortion messages to the evils of crack cocaine. New York fans can see the youngest Marley perform at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square (corner of 14th and Broadway) at 11pm on Monday, September 12th. Damian Marley's performance will be followed by a midnight signing to celebrate the release of the CD. The first 175 attendees are guaranteed admission to the show, and the purchase of the album is required to attend the signing. For more info, click here.

Assassin's debut CD "Infiltration" is also scheduled for a September 13 release. The CD, which is on VP Records, features his smash hits "Idiot Thing" and "Hot in the Club."

International reggae superstar Sizzla signed with the Damon Dash Music Group (DDMG) in early August. Sizzla has over 30 full-length albums released on reggae labels VP Records, Greensleeves, and Jet Star. And now, his forthcoming DDMG release, set for an early-2006 release, will mark Sizzla's major-label debut. At first this may seem to be a strange musical marriage - Jamaica's Sizzla, a reclusive, devout Rastafarian and Harlem's Damon Dash, the brash, outspoken mogul and CEO of DDMG, although Dash doesn't see it that way. To tap into the reggae and Caribbean international marketplace is exciting said Dash. Sizzla joins an already eclectic DDMG roster that includes rapper Beanie Siegel, R&B singers Rell and Nicole Wray, and the legacy of the late Ol' Dirty Bastard.

Sean Paul, Damian Marley, Richie Spice, I-Wayne, and Daddy Yankee have all been nominated for the MOBO Award, the United Kingdom's Music of Black Origin Awards. These five will be competing for "Best Reggae Act." The MOBO 10th Anniversary Awards take place on Thursday, September 22 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. For more information, visit www.mobo.com.

Irish songstress, Sinead O'Connor, released her first reggae album entitled "Throw Down Your Arms" in August on her Chocolate and Vanilla label. The album's 12 tracks were recorded at Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica. She covers Burning Spear, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Peter Tosh, and Junior Byles, among others. The riddim twins, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, make a guest appearance on the CD.

VP/Atlantic have set a date for Sean Paul's upcoming album. "The Trinity," Sean Paul's third CD, is set for an October 4th release. The CD has been three years in the making and will feature productions by Jamaica's leading producers including Lenky Marsden, Don Corleone, Renaissance, Snowcone, and others. The CD was recorded entirely in Jamaica, and BET has already picked up the single "We Be Burning" for video rotation.

Wayne Marshall is re-evaluating his career and goals. He is expecting his first child in early September and with his new role, comes new career moves. The dancehall deejay took a break from recording up until a few months ago to read ("The Da Vinci Code was deep" he says), think, and assess where he wants to be. He states that his biggest fan base is in Europe and Japan, although his latest hit single, 'Marry Wana', and the companion video, is driving the single to success in local and international markets.

Farenheit linked up with Toyota. The singer is featured on Toyota's latest CD sampler for Scion, their brand of cars geared towards urban youth. The latest sampler, with a 500,000 run, showcases Farenheit's single "Empressario" and is being distributed throughout the U.S at retail stores, concerts, nightclubs, auto shows, and other hangouts.

Tanto Metro and Devonte have a video for their run away single called “I’ve Got News For You.” You can view it here.

Ce’Cile wrapped up shooting in a local movie filmed in Jamaica. The movie “Glory to Glorianna” is a rags to riches story, based on the struggles of hotel owner “Glorianna”--how she built up the Hotel Glorianna and eventually found true love. Based on the book “Glory to Glorianna," the film was directed by Lenny Little Whyte and is scheduled for release at the end of the year.

Soulful singer Chrisinti released his sophomore CD on Eight 76 Records on June 28, 2005. The CD, entitled "Again" features the hit "Oh Sheila" which has been doing well in the South Florida charts.

The people of Hawaii love their reggae, but now they are producing their own artists. Quiet Storm Records just released Humble Soul's self-titled CD that features the new track "Vibration Stimulation" alongside personally selected tracks from his out-of-print albums Good Lord, Thank You and Jah Love Supreme. For more info, click here.

Black Liberty Records has been working on some new riddims. To check out their latest creations, visit http://www.BLRreggae.com.

Jah Lion Youth, a young French artist, is making waves with his track "Can't Take My Faith." You can listen to the track here.

Chilean artist Red I is wowing crowds with his mix of Reggaeton, Reggae/Dancehall and Hip-Hop. You can listen to a few of his tracks here.

Dancehall singer Chico recorded the song “Hey Sexy Wow” with Universal France’s recording artist Lord Kossity. Lord Kossity, an artist whose style is a combination of Hip Hop and Dancehall, sought out Chico when recording his latest album “Booming System” released June 2005. “Hey Sexy Wow” is the first single off this album. For more information, visit Chico's site http://www.itschico.com.

MISC

Putumayo World Music, the independent world music label, is donating all of its proceeds from its albums New Orleans and Mississippi Blues to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in the area through the end of the year. The musical traditions captured on New Orleans and Mississippi Blues are a testament to the strong character of the people and their cultural legacy. The necessity for redevelopment of these regions is imperative to preserve the heritage that has influenced virtually every aspect of our culture and arts - from jazz to rhythm and blues to rock and beyond.

Riddim Driven, a division of VP Records, launched a reggae inspired lifestyle collection of contemporary sportswear. The collection includes washed/treated silk screened and embroidered cotton tees, wovens, polos, linen derbys, track jackets and knits. Damion Wongsang, Brand manager of Riddim Driven apparel commented, "we are pleased with the rollout of our new collection. This premium lifestyle collection will allow our customers who are emotionally attached to the Riddim Driven product to reinstate their love for our brand." For more information, visit www.riddimdrivenclothing.com.

Air Jamaica's September through November schedule recently came out. They now fly to 10 U.S. cities, 7 Caribbean countries, internationally to Toronto and London with approximately 240 flights weekly during low season and 270 flights weekly during peak season. Click here to see the schedule.

The Negril Yoga Centre is offering 25% discount during the months of September and October 2005. For more information, visit their website at www.negrilyoga.com

INTERNET

Homeview Jamaica is back after a 4-year hiatus! Covering all things Jamaican, the site has news, on demand audio, radio streams, chat, forums, and more. Log on.

Realdeal Radio is da real t'ing. Broadcasting 24/7 from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, they play reggae and soca. It's free to listen and chat.

Mr. Lexx (formerly known as Lexxus) recently revamped his website. The website has been relaunched and includes a forum, guestbook, mailing list, new AOL & MSN icons, banners (468x60), video & audio files. The site was designed by Patrice Concepts. Check it out at www.mrlexx.com.

Freddie McGregor's website is up and running. Hear new and classic tunes, see rare and exclusive concert footage, and browse the photo galleries from past shows. www.freddiemcgregor.com

Ijah Menelik, hailing from the island of Montserrat, has an electronic press kit with photos, audio, video, a bio, and more. Visit here.

Virgin Islands reggae has been on the rise with bands and artists like Midnite, Bambu Station, Dezarie, Batch, Ras Attitude and others. But what are they listening to in the VI? Check out http://www.reggae.vi/charts.html to find out.

Transdub Massiv has a really nice website in support of their new release "Negril to Kingston City," an experimental roots and dub album. For more info, visit www.transdubmassiv.com

New York-based Reggae24.com is back stronger than ever. Listen to radio stations online, worldwide, 24 hours a day. Check them out.