“Chicago will never ever see another event like this when Buju Banton touches the stage on the 4th of July,” promises Ephraim Martin, the Festival’s producer. “This show will be the kind of spiritually enriching family event that everyone can appreciate because we’re talking about independence through the eyes of Buju Banton. It is not just the talk of the town–it’s the talk of the country!”
Popularity: 4% [?]
Jamaican playwright/ director Trevor Rhone and actor/musician Jimmy Cliff have been nominated among the 100 Black Screen Icons in film and television spanning over the last 100 years. The two are the only Jamaicans who have been nominated. 100 Black Screen Icons is the first online poll of its kind that will serve as a learning resource for many. Among the nominees are: Oscar- winning actors Halle Berry and Denzel Washington. Oprah Winfrey, Angela Bassett, Bill Cosby, Djimon Hounsou, Spike Lee, Terrence Howard and Whoopi Goldberg are also among the nominees. 100 Black Screen Icons aims to highlight 100 of the most significant international black personalities in film and television. It features directors, actors, producers, writers, composers and others who have made a significant contribution to the development of the moving image. The list was compiled with the assistance of several expert film practitioners.
Trevor Rhone is known worldwide for the film, The Harder They Come, a story about a country boy (played by Jimmy Cliff) who tried to make it as a singer in Kingston. Other notable works include Smile Orange, which he directed, Top Rankin, Milk and Honey (1988), winner of the 1989 Genie Award for Best Original Screenplay and One Love (2003). For Rhone, the nomination is an absolute pleasure. After learning about it, he said the first thing he did was to reflect on his works to see how he had arrived at such greatness.
“My only regret is that my mother and aunt, who are the architects of my life, are not here for me to tell them,” he told Flair. He describes moving from a little boy growing up in Bellas Gate in rural St. Catherine to the man he has become as a “major accomplishment”. Still basking in recent nomination, Rhone has also been named a fellow of Rose Bruford College which he attended in Kent, England. Reggae artist par excellence, Dr. (Hon.) Jimmy Cliff, may stand out in the minds of many Jamaicans for his great hits such as Many rivers to cross, Rebel in me, and from his latest album Terror.
But internationally, many still remember his portrayal of the character ‘Ivan’ from the movie The Harder They Come. This is the movie that earned him the nomination. Speaking with Flair, Cliff said the nomination is a good thing for him but even better for Jamaica and the Caribbean. “I consider myself among good company and hope the nomination opens the doors for me to get some funding for the filming of The Harder They Come II,” he said. Cliff is now on a break before embarking on a European tour next month, but revealed that there are many interested parties in the project. “People are keen because of the vibe they get from the movie, so we will continue to pursue possibilities aggressively,” he said. He does not expect the nomination will change him, though he admits a win would be good. “I will continue to live humbly and respectfully.”
To vote for either Trevor or Jimmy, go to 100blackscreenicons.com and register to vote. Voting ends on June 29.
Popularity: 4% [?]
At one time Jamaican singers were heard and not seen. Now colourful, energetic, reality-driven, fantastically imaged Jamaican music videos of varying quality are adrift on the airwaves, as Jamaica has seen a boom in the number of videos being produced by local artistes. Once the only way to steal a glimpse of your favourite artiste was to be at a huge concert, such as Reggae Sumfest, Reggae Sunsplash and Sting, as well as a number of other stage shows. Now the artistes are in your face with sometimes beautiful and oftentimes nonsensical music videos. It is without a doubt that, visually, the Jamaican music industry has blossomed over the years, and now there are Hype TV, RE TV, FIWI TV and countless video countdown programmes there to assist its growth. More so, some believe that Jamaica has bloomed as a prime site for music video production. With an exceptionally beautiful landscape and a flourishing dance industry, it is no wonder that foreign artistes have gravitated towards Jamaica as a mecca to film music videos. Recently, videos by the likes of Alicia Keys and Willie Nelson, as well as the soon-to-be-released feature film License To Wed, starring Robin Williams, had extensive footage shot on the island.
According to Jason Willams, popularly known as Jay Will of the ‘Game Over’ signature, “I think Jamaica is becoming bigger and bigger in the music video scene as far as location is concerned. I think people come here because they can get a whole bunch of different feels. There are so many different looks - the tropical beach look, the desert look, a sweaty club feel. In other places there is only one look. People are also coming here for talent as well, energy, a lot of different things. It’s a good mixture down here.” In the past few years Will has produced well over 60 music videos for the likes of of Biggie Irie from Barbados, English star M.I.A. who recently shot a video for her song Boys in Port Royal, Shaggy and numerous other Jamaican artistes. He also does work with Excel, recording in England and many other companies. Will believes that Jamaica should, in fact, be packaged to offer the island’s services to the world. In a recent report on BBC News entitled ‘Music video booms in Jamaica’ (http://news.bbc.co.uk), it was noted that numerous international artistes have become drawn to the island to make music videos. The report asks rhetorically “Why is M.I.A. shooting her latest video on a faraway Caribbean island? ‘Hey, the Jamaican cats are the best dancers any day,’ says her assistant, a young girl in a frilly pink dress who sashays away to check out the young dancers gyrating under a scorching sun.”
Popularity: 3% [?]
The long running reggae music compilation by VP Records has gotten it’s 2007 update with the release of Reggae Gold 2007 on June 12th 2007. Check below for the track listings of this high quailty CD and check back soon for our review of this compilation album.
1. WATCH THEM ROLL - SEAN PAUL
2. THIS IS WHY I’M HOT(BLACKOUT REMIX) - MIMS FEAT.CHAM & JUNIO
3. TOP SHOTTA NAH MISS - MAVADO
4. BAD FROM MI BORN - MUNGA
5. LAST NIGHT - MAVADO
6. BRING IT - ELEPHANT MAN
7. BOBBY REDS - BUJU BANTON
8. BROOKLYN AND JAMAICA - MORGAN HERITAGE
9. STICKY - JAH CURE
10. MY FADAH SEH - GYPTIAN
11. HIDE AWAY - TESSANNE CHIN
12. LOVE AND AFFECTION - PRESSURE
13. I NEED HER IN MY ARMS - I-WAYNE
14. SACRIFICE - ALAINE
15. MORE WOMAN - SHAGGY
Popularity: 5% [?]
Evolution Street Blocker island tour were welcomed by massive audiences in both venues that the tour visited last weekend. Crowds flocked both the Lucea Car Park and Falmouth’s historic Water Square. Stage presence, delivery and charisma were key words that all 10 artistes could relate to, as they delivered both their warm-up and entry songs. Singer Ray Darwin, delivered his first performance for the competition in Hanover and was greeted with a loud uproar from the audience when he performed his warm-up song People’s Choice. In Falmouth, Chicago (third place in 2006) was greeted by a female member of the audience who screamed, “Come tek it mi bwoy!”, when he performed dancehall artiste Movado’s Gully Side and Akon’s Don’t Matter before performing Been There, his entry this year.
Another impressive performance came from Gunty (a Bounty Killer sound alike), who received a big ‘forward’ at both venues with his rendition of what he calls Three Di Hard Way, an imaginary ‘collaboration’ with reggae artistes Chakademus, Zebra and himself. Gunty, real name Neville Winter, delivered a convincing impression of the two artistes before continuing with his entry Woman A Di Beauty. An energetic Torch, also received ‘love’ when he performed an original song entitled Love and encouraged the persons present with Learn To Survive - his entry. All-male trio Xale again lived up to high expectations on both nights as they performed their original song, Taxi Man, in praise of Jamaican taxi operators.
Also performing well over the weekend was rastafarian Kavajah, an artiste produced by the Gumption Band, and Majah Bless with his commanding entry “Hey Jamaica”. David Slew, Akewa and Antonio West were warmly accepted especially by the female members of the audiences as they delivered Jamaican Woman, Be My Lover and Needing You More, their original entries respectively.
Source
Jamaica Cultural Development Commission
Jamaica Popular Song Contest 2006 Finalists
Popularity: 3% [?]
EXPECT FIREWORKS! That was Shaggy’s message to all his fans in the country, while speaking about his concert. And he also had a message to all his female fans. “Dress sexy and dress light. That’s what makes my concerts tick”. The Grammy-award winning reggae artist jetted into the country yesterday, ready for his performance tomorrow, at the Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah from 9 pm onwards. Speaking to the media at a Press conference in Virgin Megastore, Mall of the Emirates, Shaggy said he had been looking forward to his visit to Dubai. “I am really excited and fascinated by the extent of development in the city,” he said, adding that on his previous visit, there were vast areas, which were still underdeveloped. He also revealed that his new album called ‘Intoxication’ is due for release late August. When asked about the secret of his success, he replied, “Am like fine wine, you know. I get better as I age. As an artist you have to keep reinventing yourself if you want to survive in this industry and you should also be unpredictable.”
Shaggy insisted he’s “very single” quashing rumours that he had a wife. “Or are you trying to propose to me,” he quipped, jokingly. “Those are just nasty rumours and you shouldn’t believe them. Am very popular with my female fans because I strike a natural cord or chemistry with them through my music,” he claimed. His tour, which has been sponsored by Hummer and Sony Ericsson, is the second in a series of Life Music Festival events. The first concert took place last month and featured US superstar Rhythm and Blues group Boyz II Men. “The launch of the Life Music Festival was a resounding success and this shows that people in Dubai are constantly eager for new entertainment concepts,” said Yassin Matbouly, managing director of Vibe Middle East, the event management agency.
“We have managed to bring reggae superstar, Shaggy, for our second Life event and we are confident that he is going to put on an outstanding performance on stage. Shaggy is known to be a master of many styles, from reggae and dance to pop and Rhythm and Blues, so every kind of music fan in Dubai will definitely have a good time,” he added. “Shaggy’s previous concert in the city was extremely successful and fans accustomed to his well-known party vibe had a great time,” said Matbouly. “Ever since his last performance, we have received a lot of requests to bring the reggae superstar again, and this is exactly what we have done,” said Matbouly.
Source
More images of Shaggy in the Artist Gallery
[...]
Popularity: 6% [?]
An uninvited guest lurks on Stephen and Damian Marley’s luxury tour bus in the backstage parking lot of Coachman Park in Clearwater, Fla., on this mid-March evening. Relaxing with a couple of postshow spliffs and beers, the shy scions of Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley coolly acknowledge their awestruck visitor with a customary patois greeting: ”Nuff respect.” But this is no ordinary groupie. He’s Greg ”Shock G” Jacobs, frontman of the rap group Digital Underground (”Humpty Dance”). ”This is deep to me,” marvels Jacobs, as he takes in the scene
Popularity: 3% [?]
It is a sunny morning and a group of rakish young men are dancing to music on a boom box in the shadow of rusty containers and a moored ship at Kingston’s Port Royal. The dancers are rehearsing a curious mix of dancehall, hip hop and Bollywood under the watchful eyes of a young local music video-maker. Not far away, inside an air-conditioned trailer van, British-based singing star M.I.A is putting on make-up for the video of her latest song in which the dancing boys will feature. Why is M.I.A shooting her latest video on a faraway Caribbean island? “Hey, the Jamaican cats are the best dancers any day,” says her assistant, a young girl in a frilly pink dress who sashays away to check out the young dancers gyrating under a scorching sun.
M.I.A is just one in a long list of musicians who are flocking to Jamaica to shoot their latest music video these days. The island, home to reggae and dancehall, has become the music video destination for stars as diverse as Willie Nelson, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Shaggy, Sean Paul, and Damian and Ziggy Marley, children of Jamaica’s reggae superstar Bob Marley.
Thriving industry
Jamaica exploded as a music video hub three years ago as digital film technology drove down costs - the island, birthplace of reggae, already had the music and the jive. Some two dozen music videos are shot on the island every week, all produced for anything between $5000 and $15,000. It also helps that there is a clutch of popular local music video channels - Hype TV and Reggae Entertainment television are among the most popular- on the cable, which fuel a raging local demand.
So sought after are directors that Jay Will, who has shot a Shaggy video and is now shooting the latest M.I.A one, has shot some 60 music videos in the past two and a half years. Will says Jamaican music videos, which borrow heavily from hip hop videos and are imbued with a colourful local feel with great dancing, have reached a wider audience today thanks to play on youtube, myspace and popular dancehall and reggae music television channels in the US and UK. The flourishing industry also keeps a lot of trained film-making talent employed in a country where feature film-making is still in its infancy.
Employment
“Music videos sure keep a lot of people employed. Many of these people are talented people trained in international schools,” says Brian St Juste, president of the Jamaica Video and Motion Pictures Association. Carleene Samuels, Jamaica’s top music video producer, is one of them. She says that half the music videos made every year on the island are of top quality, while the rest need to do a lot of catching up. Video-makers like Will and Rasa Kassa are much in demand for bringing a particularly Jamaican verve and feel to their work.
Source
MIA on Myspace
MIA Official Site
[...]
Popularity: 3% [?]
On the cover of Fyah Mumma, Queen Ifrica looks anything but a fire-breathing dowager, coming across as a woman in peace with herself and her environment. However, a run through the double handful of songs on her debut solo album, which begins with the self-defining title track, reveals sufficient flames to singe the guilty. In these days offiery words on stage that sometimes seem like staged fire, Ifrica makes it clear that hers was literally sparked long before she took up a microphone. “I am a Rasta from a youth. Fire is burning Babylon, corruption in high and low places,” she said. “I come from Nyabinghi into reggae with my Nyabinghi fire that we literally light for 13 days or however long the Binghi last. This is not a commercial fire to bring attention. “We lead by example. We burn weself first,” she continued. “We don’t go round an’ burn people and round the corner you doing something worse.”
An at many points Ifrica rasps in a tone that sounds like flint striking to spark a flame, she just as easily croons a memorable melody. When she blends the two, as happens on Mr. Bojangles, Randy and Born Free, among other songs, the contrast is striking and powerful. The intertwining of her two musical sides did not happen overnight, and certainly did not start on the recent six-week tour of Europe she did with Turbulance and the C-Sharp Band. In fact Fyah Mumma was three years in the making, Beautiful Day and Lengthen My Days were among the new songs added to the established singles such as Hairdresser and Zinc Fence, her talents were being honed long before going on stage and into the studio.
They were forged in fire.
“Chanting. That is the first thing I was used to in the Niyahbinghi house I grew up in for a while. The singing come from that chanting,” Queen Ifrica said. “Singing become more of a harmonious, soul vibe. Garnet Silk register because that was singing for me.” It was Garnet Silk’s music that led her to the stage in the rise of Tony Rebel, Luciano and a Rastafarian Capleton in the early to mid 1990s there was “a set of young warrior who start to rise”. At Niyahbinghi banquets Ifrica would sing Garnet Silk songs. Silk died in 1995 and at an audition for young artistes on the following staging of Reggae Sumfest, at the urging of other persons she entered and sung a Garnet Sprime song.
Prime time
“(Johnny) Gourzong decide to give me a prime time. Me a no coward still (although she said “when dem call me name me freeze up”). That night me end up work 1:30 a.m.,” she said. Coming on after Buju Banton ended and there was a band change, Ifrica did an original song written for Garnet Silk when he died. Then some time after, at a tribute concert for Garnet Silk in John’s Hall, St. James, Queen Ifrica sang a slew of Garnet Silk songs. A member of the Tony Rebel’s Flames Productions took her to meet him as she left the stage and when he called out that he was bringing along someone, without seeing her Tony Rebel said “yu know who me waan meet? The girl who jus’ deh pon the stage”.
Ifrica is still with Flames Productions today.
She loves the business that she is in, one that she says “it is not a bed of rose”. “It helps to be very focused and think long-term.If I was not thinking long-term I would probably have given up,” Queen Ifrica said of a business “where people are so self-centred and selfish and not looking at what reggae represents. “Jamaica is the Mecca of reggae. It is an embarrassment when you travel and see how foreigners gravitate. The people take it way serious,” she said. “Don’t think about arriving on the latest TV station. Think about arriving in the minds of the people,” she advised aspiring artistes. “Don’t arrive and leave and they don’t even know that you leave.” As for her arrival in music, Ifrica says “yes, we want money from it, but to be popular in Jamaica it would give we more opportunity to have authority on the ideas of the young people… I would like to be more in the ears of the Jamaican people. I don’t want to say things when they are not listening”.
“I am invited into schools a lot,” Ifrica said, adding that the state of some young girls and boys “is ridiculous”. “They are not only singing some of these songs that have some of the so-called violence. They are acting it out,” she said. And as for how the music business is in Jamaica,Ifrica said “you have to work harder in Jamaica. Now it is about getting a forward and being the most popular at any cost. I choose to take the long road and I know one day I will get across to the ghetto youths to where they can get some community projects going and the togetherness, not this myth …”
True solo debut album
In an era when collaborations between performers are numerous, though actually working as a team is much rarer, Queen Ifrica has made Fyah Mumma a true solo debut album, with only her voice from beginning to end (along the way she refers to songs by Spragga Benz, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley). “A lot of people talk about collaboration with artiste, feeding off the fame of the artiste. Me would like a collaboration with a Beyonc
Popularity: 3% [?]
