Reggae/Dancehall News
08.12.08 :: Danish Rhythm Release
The Danish rhythm project One People Productions aka - the producer duo System Failure and Simien Sound - both active as selectors on the Danish Reggae scene - has just release their debut rhythm release on vinyl - distributed world-wide by Dubwise in England. The rhytm is called One People Riddim and features on vinyl Earl Sixteen and Ras Zacchari.
The new founded digital distribution company Yard Music is in charge of the digital distribution of the rhythm - and it will be out on major online retailer before Christmas. The digital releases features additional two tracks by Danish artists Wendy Wonder feat. Ilawy and the upcoming conscious singjay Ras Adam.
More infor on One People Productions can be found here.
05.12.08 :: Ele happy with Grammy nomination
When the 51st reggae Grammy nominations were announced on Wednesday, for dancehall's 'Energy God' Elephant Man, it was a night that acknowledged his many years of hard work in the business.
The deejay is the only dancehall artiste in the category and is receiving his first Grammy nod for the album Let's Get Physical. The other nominations include Burning Spear with Jah Is Real, American rapper-turned-reggae artiste Heavy D for Vibes, Lee 'Scratch' Perry for Repentance, Shaggy for Intoxication and Sly & Robbie for Amazing. With the exception of Heavy D, Elephant Man is the only other artiste in the category who hasn't already won a Grammy.
While the other Grammy nominees might find next year's ceremony another walk in the park, for Ele, winning a Grammy would be the crowning glory of his musical career.
Given that there is never a dull moment in his life, it was in the midst of a party that Ele learnt of his nomination.
He said, "I was at Cuddy'z wid my girlfriend and her friends. It was ma girl's birthday and we were all celebrating when a bredrin called me and told me I was nominated. I was excited, same time mi buy a bottle of champagne and make a toast to the Grammys. We just a party and enjoy wi self. It's good to know mi hard work pay off. It pay off to stay focus, do positive good music."
Ringing off the hook
Since hearing the announcement, the artiste's phone has been ringing off the hook with persons calling to congratulate him. Ele says even Diddy, who distributed the album through his Bad Boy label, called to give him his best wishes.
Let's Get Physical is Ele's first album to be released on the Bad Boy label owned by Diddy. While some naysayers might believe it was the push of Diddy's influence that propelled Let's Get Physical to 'Grammy-dom', Ele disagrees, explaining that in the past other artistes have had major labels behind them without being nominated.
Ele is optimistic that his album, which was his first album to ever debut at number one on the Billboard Reggae Top 10 charts, has a good shot at winning the Grammy. Even though the artiste has a number of achievements under his belt, for Ele, winning the Grammy would be on the top of the list.
Grammy unda my belt
He said, "It would mean a lot caw if you ask anyone mi always a bring the energy, a jump and entertain di people. It would be di biggest achievement. Music carry me overseas and let me see di world. To have a Grammy unda my belt would be the best. No one can seh mi don't deserve it. Caw even when mi tek weh miself or mi deh bout, mi always have good music."
Beneath the surface of his brightly coloured hair, outrageous clothes, bling and hilarious lyrics, Elephant Man has been one of the most consistent and positive deejays in the business. While some have taken the watered-down route to success internationally or the extensively violent one for street credibility locally, Elephant Man has maintained his playful side with songs for the ladies and signature dancing tunes that have hit in both markets.
Versatility of his music
According to Ele, his major contribution in the business has been the versatility of his music to move any type of crowd. "I record songs where kids and everyone can relate to. It's positive. I can perform for parents, I can perform at charity shows, I can perform anywhere and send a message," Ele told THE STAR.
Regardless of a win, Elephant Man plans to continue working hard. For the Christmas season, Ele is releasing a new dancing Christmas carol for TJ Records, titled Christmas Swagger. He is also voicing for Stephen McGregor, Firelinks and a slew of other popular producers.
Source: Jamaican Star
26.11.08 :: Yardflex' Jamaican Top 20
Hype TV Top 20 Singles Chart Week Ending November 28th , 2008
TW LW WC ARTISTE-TITLE-LABEL-PEAK POSITION
01 01 13 Mavado - Am So Special –TJ Records - 4wks@1
02 03 10 Tarrus Riley - Far Away –Don Corleon -Shot to Watch
03 04 10 Queen Ifrica - Keep It To Yourself – Don Corleon
04 02 16 George Nooks - Rest Your Love On Me – Total/Tads - Peak@#2
05 06 10 Buju Banton -Sleepless Night – Don Corleon
06 05 19 Konshens - Winner - Natural Bridge/Cash Flow -1wk@1
07 08 14 Stacious – Goodaz Clap – Ward 21
08 07 16 Morgan Heritage – Nothing To Smile About –No Doubt -3wks@1
09 10 05 Elephant Man - Sweep – Scatta Productions
10 09 17 Assassin - Dem Nuh Want Nuh Gal - Board House - Peak@#3
11 11 06 Ms. Triniti ft. Beenie Man – Burnin Burnin –Unseen Lab
12 13 03 Busy Signal –Tic Toc –S.S.M.G
13 12 23 Mr. Vegas - Daggering - KirkleDove/Irish & Chin -4wks@1
14 14 21 Mr. Vegas - Nuh Fight Over Man –Legend - Peak@#3
15 17 03 Prince Pankhi –My Jamaican Girl –Otis Riddim Records
16 15 23 Elephant Man - Nuh Linga -Board House -3wks@#1
17 20 02 D'Angel - Stronger – Son Of Spoon -Greatest Gainer up3
18 19 02 Tifa – Bottom Of The Barrel – Ward 21
19 NW 01 Terry Linen – A Better Man – Uplifting Music - New Entry
20 NW 01 Charley Blacks – Bubble – Fresh Ear - New Entry
Source: Yardflex
23.11.08 :: Jah Cure seeks stardom in reggae world
NEW YORK (Billboard) - An eight-year prison stint for rape, robbery and gun possession charges turned out to be a good career move for Jamaican reggae singer Jah Cure.
He managed to top the local charts with a series of singles he recorded while locked up, becoming an exponentially bigger star than he was before he went to prison.
Much like hip-hop, reggae has a tradition of controversial singers with criminal records. But Cure represents the highest-profile example of how controversy can help make an artist's career.
On January 7, Cure will deliver his first album of new music since his release last year. "The Universal Cure," which will come out as a joint venture between Miami-based indie SoBe Entertainment and Jamaica's Danger Zone Records, documents the journey of the one-time Siccature Alcock, who struggled for recognition as a teenage artist and found it a few years later behind bars, where he steadfastly maintained his innocence.
"A history of negatives has been done but I can't think it is all about me when I know what people face out there," says Cure. "So the songs talk about my life but also about universal cures, like being free and especially love."
Following his incarceration in 1999, Cure began releasing singles like "Love Is" and "Longing For," characterized by deeply emotional deliveries that stood in stark contrast to the callousness of his alleged crimes. As his renown grew, details emerged of reported irregularities in the legal proceedings that led to his conviction. Defending Cure's innocence became a cause celebre throughout the reggae world, but his alleged victim, as well as several Jamaican women's rights groups, expressed outrage at the artist's newfound celebrity and the sympathy his hits generated.
"The Universal Cure" includes "Reflections," Cure's seminal penitentiary recording. But it's also significant for roots reggae tracks like "Sufferation," "Freedom" and "U Believe in Me," the last of which expresses gratitude to his supporters.
Since his release, Cure's red-hot hit-making streak has noticeably cooled. But his team is hoping to rekindle the fire with "The Universal Cure," which is led by the single "Mr. Jailer." The track was previously a hit for its writer, Nigerian singer Asa.
"Jah Cure's vocals have a haunting soulful resonance that I haven't heard since the late Garnet Silk," says Wayne Jobson, host of the show "Reggae Smoke-In" on modern rock KDLD/KDLE (Indie 103.1) Los Angeles. "We need that kind of consciousness and haunting voice to lift up reggae. People are looking for this to be the definitive Jah Cure album, and I think he will do well in America."
So far, Cure has been unable to secure a visa for travel to the United States because of his criminal convictions. His management is seeking a waiver that would allow him entry for a maximum of 90 days. In the interim, SoBe/Danger Zone will concentrate on creating interest in the Caribbean, Europe and possibly Asia.
Source: Reuters/Billboard
20.11.08 :: Busy Signal accused of stealing
Deejay Busy Signal is denying claims made by an upcoming artiste that sections of the song Tic Toc were taken from one of his songs.
Smokie Benz, whose real name is Lambert Hamilton, has been saying in an interview that some of the content for the song were taken from the song Tick By clock that he previously recorded.
When we spoke to Busy Signal following the accusation, he denied taking material from anyone's song. The deejay denied any claims of piracy. "I don't know who or what that is (in reference to Smokie Benz). All of my songs are completely original,".
Tic Toc is featured on his sophomore album, Loaded, and the music video for the song, directed by Ras Kassa, has been gaining in popularity.
'Tic toc' repetition
However, Benz on Wednesday said that the concept, the signature 'tic toc' repetition and even lines or phrases from Busy's version are copies of his song.
Smokie Benz said he wrote the song in January, but due to problems with the production he didn't record it until the end of March.
After voicing the song he released it along with 23 other songs on a promotional CD that was distributed in dances and on the streets. He claims the song was getting rave reviews.
Benz told "Di song was out there. Mi burn like 50 CDs and it bad and ketching. People did love it. In September now mi a get call from all ova, from Europe and seh dem hear it and a ask how mi sell di song, so mi start check it up and realise seh is my song and everybody know dat."
Smokie Benz, who says he has been in music professionally for the last eight years, claims this is not the first time a song was stolen from him.
But Smokie Benz says he is not letting the copying of his Tick By Clock go without a fight. He explained that he has already spoken to his lawyers who will be pursuing the matter.
Source: Thestar
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