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News: Rudder and Bunji Collaborate
Unlikely as it may seem to purists on either side of the imaginary divide, triple-crown winner David Rudder has teamed up with three-time International Soca Monarch Bunji Garlin to produce the single Sheila from the soundtrack of the musical The Brand New Lucky Diamond Horseshoe Club, which is set to premiere at Queen's Hall next February 7.
Concerned that some of the more studied pieces in the 21-song musical might be trampled in the clutter historically associated with Carnival seasons as short as next year's, producers David Rudder and Tony Hall decided to release the curtain-raiser next weekend to DJs and radio stations as a taste of things yet to come.
Riding the Lucky Diamond Riddim, constructed by Hall's son, Kekere, Sheila is currently getting its final touches in Toronto, with additional keyboard sweeteners being added by Rudder's musical director, Jeremy Ledbetter. In addition to Garlin and Rudder, the latter's son, Khafra is also on the single.
[ Full Story ]
News: Peaceful Sting 2005 Planned
The self-proclaimed king of the dancehall, Beenie Man, will again be one of the headline acts at this year's staging of the Guinness Sting event.
The event will again be held at the Jamworld Entertainment Centre in Portmore, St Catherine on December 26. It will also feature Wayne Marshall, Gyptian, Luciano, Lady Saw, Aidonia, Prodigal, Macka Diamond, Half Pint, Little Hero, Ninjaman and Busy Signal as some of the other acts performing along with Beenie.
Like last year, this year's event will attempt to stay away from the the clashes for which the show has become known over the years. According to Supreme Promotions, the organisers of the event, they have assembled a line-up of artistes who they think will promote the message of peace, love and unity through their lyrics.
The event which was launched on Tuesday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston will have the artistes performing under various categories including star makers, peace makers and dancehall praise.
[ Full Story ]
News: Reggaeton: the worldwide rage
VARIOUS COUNTRIES have adapted to the cross-cultural rhythms of reggaeton, and Jamaica is no exception.
Mr. Vegas is currently working with reggaeton gurus Luney-Tunes and will feature on the album Luney-Tunes Volume 2 with the song Oh Johnny. Vegas recently finished the shoot for the video.
Mr. Vegas told The Sunday Gleaner that "the Latin market embraces Vegas, the Spanish market is my biggest market". He further stated that the reggaeton remixed version of his song Papito was recently released and is now playing on the major radio stations in Puerto Rico.
He added that some of his other songs, such as Heads High, Hot Gal Fi Dem (featuring Sean Paul) and Pull Up were all done over by reggaeton artistes. He has also done a collaboration with reggaeton artiste Don Omar, Remix Gasolina.
[ Full Story ]
Audio: Funkmaster Flex Interviews 50 Cent
Check out this interview Funkmaster Flex did on his show with 50 Cent. Its full of trash talking. They talk about NAS, Jay-Z, Game and more. They spend a good 20 minutes trash talking Benzino alone.
Nuff things get exposed in this interview. No holds barred.
[ 50 Cent Interview ]
--Knockz
Video: Sean Paul - Ever Blazing
This is Sean Pauls 2nd video off the new album Trinity care of Selectaz.com. Enjoy!
[ Sean Paul - Ever Blazing ]
--Knockz
News: UN-COVERED! Performers, public weigh 'do-overs'
A NUMBER of popular Jamaican entertainers have built their careers by covering other people's hits. Some see them as vocal geniuses, others as lazy followers. However, what is rarely considered is the legal backlash.
Carlton 'Ghost' Hylton, came to the forefront in 1989 when he covered Roberta Flack's Killing Me Softly. Since then, Ghost has done a plethora of covers. He says it is easier for a new artiste to make his mark by doing over a hit.
"I didn't have a choice about it then. As a young artiste who did want to buss, no one didn't want to hear your song. They would think it was a flop. So you had to sing songs that the producers wanted to hear and that was singing over people song, and that was how you would get on the riddim," he said.
[ Full Story ]
News: 'Dying To Be Dancing' - Great performances, abrupt ending
PATRONS WERE kept moving all night long at Mega Jamz's and B-Mobile's 'Dying To Be Dancing' show on Saturday night.
The event was held at the newly-renovated Countryside Club and it proved to be a perfect venue for the more than five hundred persons who came out to see some of their favourite acts.
It is sometimes difficult for an opening act to warm up a crowd, but for France Joli, the first act for the night, this wasn't a problem. She started her performance some minutes after 11:00 p.m and ended at 12:10 a.m. Among the songs she performed was Come To Me.
[ Full Story ]
News: Disappointing end to 'Dance All Rock'
 ALL THAT started well did not end well at Barrington Levy's 'Dance All Rock' 2K5, held in Nain, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica last Saturday night.
Angry patrons took out their disappointment by hurling bottles and other missiles unto the stage at around 5:30 a.m. when acts that were promised to them were not forthcoming.
Missing in action were the likes of Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Gentleman (who was reportedly sick and in hospital), Assassin, Turbulence and a few others, but it was quite clear whether or not it was Bounty or Beenie whom the people really wanted to see.
Earlier acts on stage, however, had managed to create quite a stir, as the likes of TOK, Fantan Mojah, Nanko, Pat Kelly, Coco Tea, Luciano, Kris Kelly, Ghost and others held the audience spellbound in the early stages of the live performances.
[ Full Story ]
News: FREDDIE MCGREGOR - Not without honour
Few artistes can make a one-hour wait worthwhile, but after our marathon endurance (not his fault as it turned out) Freddie McGregor emerges as the kind of artiste that one could willingly allocate half the day to - and one who is equally willing to share from his insights, experiences, joys and rants amassed over the course of more than four decades as a performing and recording artiste.
McGregor, who has been a touring musician since 1975, says he enjoys the haul of touring even more now than then, and adds that he favours the immediacy of standing and delivering before an audience to the relative perfectionism of the studio. "When you are on stage everything is 'here and now' you don't get an opportunity to leave it and come back when you feel more in the mood."
[ Full Story ]
News: Bottle-throwing incident mars Dance All Rock
Despite a good start, Dance All Rock 2005, promoted by veteran reggae artiste Barrington Levy, came to an abrupt end last Sunday morning, with daybreak only moments away, after angry patrons began hurling bottles at the stage when they failed to see some of the more popular dancehall and reggae artists advertised for the event appear, following a prolonged intermission.
The Alpart Sports Complex in Nain, St Elizabeth, which accommodates about 800 people, was emptied in seconds as patrons stormed the exits, trying to get to safety. Some more agile patrons even resorted to scaling the venue's approximately 13-foot high metal fences to get out.
[ Full Story ]
News: Londoners take reggae track to the top in Italy
Relocating from your native country to another country has its ups and its downs. As is the case with London-based duo Mattafix, they are still trying to adjust to the rigours of living in a fast-paced setting of London. Their experiences are documented in the single Big City Lights, which is spending its third week at number one on the national pop charts in Italy, ahead of songs from U2, Depeche Mode, Hilary Duff and the Pussy Cat Dolls.
Big City Life is a bouncy reggae track and it is the first release from Mattafix's debut album the 14-track Signs Of A Struggle.
"We documented the struggles of living in a big city as opposed to where we were originally living. For one, coming from a small island and now living in London, it can be a bit intimidating. There are a lot of struggles that people go through when you are trying to adjust," group member Marlon Roudette said.
[ Full Story ]
News: Spiritual War rhythm now available on compact disc and LP
Fern Productions' Spiritual War rhythm which features the number one single Serious Times by Gyptian has been released on CD and LP. The distribution is being handled by All Access Entertainment in Central Plaza. Songs include Serious Times by Gyptian, Poverty by QQ, Grow Yuh Natty by Mr Perfect, Thousand Times by Turbulence, Free Water Way by Chrisinti, Crisis by Chuck Fenda, Tears by Pliers, Mother Earth by Spanner Banner, Cry No More by Lutan Fyah, I Had A Dream by Anthony Cruz, Shotta Bwoy by Flourgon, Burn It Down by Derrick Parker, As I Rise by Ras Peter, Trod It by Joshua, Feel The Breeze by Jerry Fyah, and A Chapter A Day by Leroy Smart.
[ Full Story ]
News: Suspect Arrested In 'Get Rich' Movie Slaying, Canadian Official Wants 50 Barred
suspect has been arrested for the Nov. 9 slaying of a 30-year-old man in a Homestead, Pennsylvania, after a screening of 50 Cent’s flick “Get Rich or Die Trying.”
Larue Graves, 30, of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, was arrested at a hotel outside of Pittsburgh on Nov. 21, where he was registered under an alias.
Police also confiscated a handgun that was in Graves’ possession. Graves is accused of murdering of Shelton L. Flowers of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.
Graves was on parole from a manslaughter charge in a 1993 gang-related shooting in Pittsburgh.
The slaying reportedly stemmed from an altercation between the two men in the Loews Theater restroom.
[ Full Story ]
Audio: DJ Knockz - Crucial Vibes Vol 4
My latest Reggae CD is now available in the CD Store. Track listing and audio are available. Order your copy today for only $10 CDN.
--Knockz
Audio: World Clash 2K5
 Ok I finally have the audio for World Clash 2k5 that happened back in October. You can search the site for the review of the clash. I am posting CD's 3 and 4 and leaving out CD's 1 and 2 unless you guys really really want to hear it. CD's 3 and 4 to me are more exciting.
I feel this clash lacked a lot of the excitement that a lot of previous World Clashes had. I think its mainly because its practically the same sounds playing the same tunes. The only time I really got excited was when Sentinal came on. Then you heard something fresh and new. They are FULLLLLL of tunes and deserve it!
[ World Clash 2k5 CD 3 ]
[ World Clash 2k5 CD 4 ]
--Knockz
Video: Baby Cham - Ghetto Story
There is a hell of a lot of buzz around this whole riddim. This is probably the biggest song on the riddim. CHAM IS BACK!!!! He never really went anywhere but this song is just TUFF. And now that I've seen the video its growing even more on me. A wicked tune.
[ Baby Cham - Ghetto Story ]
--Knockz
News: Killer, Cham make amends
BOUNTY KILLER AND Baby Cham ended a long-running feud on Saturday night. The two performed together on stage at Hot Mondays Anniversary show at the Mas Camp after five years of division.
However, according to Bounty Killer, the reunion was unplanned.
"Nobody never expect me to attend, much less to appear on stage, so everything was like a surprise," Bounty said.
Bounty, in giving his account of what took place, said he was on stage performing when Baby Cham walked on.
"That's all weh happen. Mi deh pon stage a perform an Baby Cham come pon di stage. Normally mi woulda guh weh but di people dem welcome him an mi gi him di mic. Afta Cham do two tune, him gi mi back di mic an mi deejay two more tune an gi him back di mic. Then him neva even intro the song, (Another Level) him jus start it an hand mi di mic at my part an mi jus do it," Bounty said.
"It was nothing planned, it jus spontaneous an wi do it cause di people love it. Di Killa do wa him waan do, mi a one person. People think weh selfish, but it's not so. Mi share di stardom wid many people," Bounty said.
However, Bounty Killer pointed out that persons should not be misled, as "it wasn't a case of welcoming him (Baby Cham) back."
[ Full Story ]
News: Spirited Party Mix
TWISTED SPIRITZ, STAGED last Saturday at Curphey Place, Swallowfield Road, could easily be regarded as a contender for one of the 'hypest parties' staged this year.
The vibes in the venue were electrifying all night long and the patrons came out to party. They danced non-stop to music from Coppershot, Chromatic, Impulse, Renaissance and Bloodline.
Shortly before to midnight the crowd outside was as large as that on the inside and the Coppershot crew kept the vibe alive, dropping a few early favourites.
At midnight it was as if a force moved though the area as everyone bundled to get in. Once inside, the place was like a hive, buzzing with excitement.
The patrons got down with the music as well as the over 32 alcoholic mixes that were available from five bars placed strategically around the venue.
The middle segment of the Coppershot stint was dominated by several dance-oriented songs from Elephant Man's catalogue, which included songs like Blasé, Pon Di River and Shankle Dip earning their fair share of forwards.
[ Full Story ]
News: Soca Stars to Raise $1Million for Warriors
Soca artistes will come together on November 26 to raise TT$1 million for the Warriors.
The show, dubbed the biggest soca event ever, is being put on by Randy Glasgow Productions and Neil ³Iwer² George.
The show was organised after the T&T team created on November 16, when they qualified for the Fifa World Cup finals for the first time after a Dennis Lawrence header earned them the now famous 1-0 victory in Bahrain.
In an interview Glasgow said the show will feature five big bands, including Bunji and the Asylum, Traffik with Shurwayne Winchester, KMC and Red, Black and White and Invasion.
Also 20 soca stars like Denyse Belfon, Maximus Dan, Patrice Roberts, Destra and Blakie are also carded to perform.
The promoter said several sponsors, including Carib, Angostura and TSTT, had already come forward and more would be approached.
They aim to raise $1 million. He said after all expenses the proceeds will go to the Warriors.
News: Shocking Vibes eyeing Noddy
"IT IS BASICALLY a done deal," is how Shocking Vibes director, Clyde McKenzie, described talks between his company and this year's Rising Star competition runner-up, Noddy Virtue and fifth place group, Q.
"Basically we finishing up the paper work right now, but you can call it a done deal," McKenzie said.
However, as far as Noddy Virtue is concerned, he is not rushing into any arrangement. He said that for the time being he is still free and only a comfortable deal will get him to sign.
"We have dem (Shocking Vibes) in consideration, but is all about the best offer an who mi can work wid comfortably, cause yuh haffi be comfortable to make hit music," Noddy said.
"Mi still nuh sign to nutt'n yet," Noddy assured, while adding that "others are in the picture."
Despite ending up second in the competition, Noddy Virtue is still riding high in the public's eye, as in addition to offers for recording deals, he has had offers to appear at shows and CDs of his performances on 'Rising Stars' are being sold.
"Dem have it all bout di place a sell, dem tape it off a 'Rising Stars'. Mi nah eat nuh food off a it still, but it still a help fi highlight Noddy an promote mi."
[ Full Story ]
News: Torch trying to make a musical difference
 With a name like Torch, it shouldn't be surprising that Kevin Campbell is being hailed as one of 2006 brightest prospects.
The young, Trench Town-born singer got his name from veteran deejay Tony Rebel at Penthouse, who felt that he was actually "blazing like a torch."
He had been known as Honey Cone, but was told that he needed a more fitting name for his extremely realistic songs.
Since then he has recorded a number of singles at Penthouse but, recently, he joined the crew of Wayne Lonesome's Run Tings label and is featured on their new compilation CD, which also highlights Luciano, Louie Culture, Gregory Isaacs, Jah Mali, King Kong and Action Fire.
[ Full Story ]
News: Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley headlines 'Welcome To Jamrock' concert
Grammy winner Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley headlines the Appleton-sponsored December 2 Remember entertainment package set for Friday, December 16 and Saturday, December 17.
On the Friday there will be a party, 'Appleton City', at the newly renovated Temple Hall Estate in upper St Andrew while on the Saturday there will be a concert, Welcome 2 Jamrock at Cinema 2 in New Kingston.
At Appleton City, the top sound systems in the business will represent, and bring the party vibes to the event. Expect to see and hear from Renaissance, Coppershot, 3rd Degree and the party animal, Kurt Riley.
"We at Appleton will be adding a unique perspective to the event, so be prepared to be wowed when you enter the venue. What can you expect? Expect a special stage for the DJs, special platforms dancer, and lit dance floors. "For this event, we are concentrating on the music, the decoration and the bars," Andrew Pryce of Appleton told a gathering of journalists at the launch of the December 2 Remember weekend last Wednesday.
[ Full Story ]
News: Diddy Responds To The Lox
Sean "Diddy" Combs, the founder and CEO of Bad Boy Entertainment, got the opportunity to explain his side of the publishing squabble with The Lox Thursday after the two parties were embroiled in a heated argument on Wednesday, during an interview on New York City's Hot 97.
After much prodding by radio host Angie Martinez of Hot 97, Diddy revealed that he owns 20-percent of The Lox's publishing, not the 50-percent that members Styles P and Jadakiss claimed. Still, a representative of the group sent a document countering the Bad Boy mogul's assertion.
"It's tragic and it's embarrassing that they don't even know the 101's of the industry." Diddy told Martinez. " They don't even know what's going on in their own lives."
[ Full Story ]
News: Bunji Garlin Stops Singing Bad Man Songs
In Trinidad, a few days after a fifth bombing, a 13 year old boy was shot on the street.
During a black out in a Trinidad community 2 clowns decided to run down the streets with guns in hand firing random shots. Thirteen year old Kaleem was innocently walking with his mother at the time and was killed by one of the shots. By the time his mother realized what was happening Kaleem was already lying in the street.
A number of soca stars including Maximus, Kees, Shurwayne and Bunji Garlin attended the funeral of the young boy. This is when Bunji told the Trinidad Express that...
His quote from the Trinidad Express is this:
"We, as artistes, sometimes in our music have a tendency to use rude boy, bad man and gangster songs as an artistic expression but from today I am going to stop."
This article was taken from the November issue of the Xclusiv Report. Every month Xclusiv subscribers read and listen to the latest soca news, album releases and hit songs. To subscribe to the Xclusiv Report go here ->: http://www.socacds.com/xclusiv/
News: Trinidad going to Germany!!!!
Congrats to Trinidad and Tobago who will be making their first ever World Cup appearance next year in Germany.
Of course today is a holiday in Trinidad so enjoy!
--Knockz
News: Coldero Coming Hard for 2K6!
Seasoned and versatile performer Leon Coldero is setting up for Carnival 2006 with several new projects. Currently headlining at the Bob Marley Café at Universal Studio City Walk in Orlando, FL alongside the band Mystik Nrg, the incomparable performer never skips a beat- literally and figuratively!
With arrangement and production by Shawn "Da Ma$tamind" Noel, and lyrics by Clyde "Kool" Headley, the up-tempo "Saddle Up" will be featured on the upcoming Ma$tamind Project compilation album.
"It's not a groove, it's a wild song. You have to saddle up! Picture yourself like a jockey on a horse. And who ever wants to be the jockey it could work both ways," Coldero explained merrily.
[ Full Story ]
News: No Hard Feelings
SINGER JAH CURE says he has no hard feelings toward Irie FM for banning his songs from their play list.
In a STAR interview the singer, through his new management team, Suniah's Music Inc., says he believes the action which led to the station banning his song, is an attempt by someone to undermine him.
"Nobody inna my camp or deh around me would do a such ting. Not under my request, not under my regime. Mi cyan fight suh hard fi build up my house and mek nuh man come bruk it up," stated Jah Cure, in response to his songs being banned from playing on the radio station.
[ Full Story ]
News: Lima ready for London
Soca artist Lima Calbio has been successfully flying the Trinidad and Tobago flag Internationally.
The pint size artist latest song Mr Postman has been chosen by UK-based VP Records for its Soca Zone compilation.
Lima will also be sharing a stage with veteran soca artist Arrow at the Crystal Palm Awards later this week.
The talented artist is a former lead vocalist with the band Blue Ventures and can sometimes been seen at the fore-front of Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires or joining former Burning Flames vocalist Onyan on stage.
Lima is known for tunes like Do Anything, Ah Want It Now, Sugar Factory and De Garden.
News: The Hard Hitter Riddim
By now you must have heard about it. It has been featured on Trinidad and Tobago’s Synergy TV and in the Jamaican Observer, and continues to create quite a stir among soca and reggae artists alike. It’s soca meets dancehall meets UK grime, and it’s the latest fusion of music pre-released by Katana House Records (KHR), a new independent record label in London. It is The Hard Hitter Riddim.
Released in time for the build up to the Trinidad Carnival in 2006, the rhythm features two international female artists - Macka Diamond from the world of dancehall and soca’s Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon - with a hot number called What Girls Like. The rhythm is produced by JA Katana and co-produced by legendary producer, arranger and engineer, Kenny Phillips.
Hard Hitter also features artists such as Flava, UK grime star Wiley, D Double E, the UK’s hottest dancehall star Gappy Ranks, and many more of our most favourite stars. For more information on the Hard Hitter Riddim visit www.jamention.com.
News: Don Yute returns to studios from death's door
 Don Yute, the former Wolmer's schoolboy table tennis star who in 1993 at the age of 17, evolved into a music sensation, returns to the local dancehall scene after an eventful five-year absence. Overcoming an attempt on his life by a masked gunman during his stay in Atlanta, the deejay/rapper best known for his single, Dancehall Crazy, Don Yute has bounced back more focused and more determined than ever before.
[ Full Story ]
News: Love, Peace and Unity at Sting 2005
Sting, dubbed "the greatest one night reggae show on earth" will be promoting and rallying a call for love, peace and unity at its 2005 renewal.
"This year's show is a peace concert," Isaiah Laing, chief executive officer of Supreme Promotions (promoters of Sting) told the Observer. Explaining the concept behind the December 26 reggae/dancehall carnival, he added, "We'll be bringing back the artistes over the years who have been feuding against each other. I'm not going to call any names at this point in time; you'll have to wait until the press launch on November 22, at the Pegasus Hotel. This year's Sting is all about love, peace and unity."
The Observer understands that the popular show will have a new sponsor this year but Laing said he would not be commenting on sponsorship at this time. Sting for the last two years has been title-sponsored by Magnum Roots Wine distributed by Lascelles Wines, a member of the Lascelles Group of Companies.
Commenting on the theme for this year's Sting show, Laing who is a former policeman said: "We have chosen the theme of love, unity and peace to promote goodwill and also to send a very positive message not only to our stakeholders but also to the country especially with the levels of crime so high. That's why we have chosen a theme that will signal the intentions of the promoters and artistes in a strong and forceful manner.
[ Full Story ]
News: 50 Cent Movie Pulled From PA Theater After Fatal Shooting
A man was shot & killed Wed. (Nov. 9) at the Loews Waterfront movie theater near Pittsburgh, PA, after viewing 50 Cent's movie "Get Rich or Die Tryin'." The shooting prompted the theater to pull the movie. "This isn't the first time violence broke out at [that] theater," a local told AllHipHop.com. "It's right in the middle of three hoods."
[ Full Story ]
News: Soca Slapped with Racist Reality Check in the T-dot
The Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club, the most decorated Mas Band of the Caribana festival in Toronto held its 25th year appreciation fete on October 26th at the newly popularized venue for soca fetes – The Fox & Fiddle (Kennedy & Progress in Toronto).
This mature and peaceful crowd carried on as normal enjoying the sweet sounds of soca, unsuspecting of the racist and discriminating views of the venue security and the management.
Throughout the night the security was sighted verbally ruffing up individuals and making people feel uncomfortable. But the end of the night is where the venue’s staff displayed their disgusting behaviour.
Some of the key incidents to be noted are as follows:
1) The verbal and physical abuse against Louis Saldenah’s brother. After experiencing verbal abuse himself Saldenah’s brother told security that they did not need to speak to people in such a manner. Moments later, he was pushed to the ground by security where he continued to experience physical abuse at the hands of the security to the point of shedding blood.
[ Full Story ]
News: Entertainers rock Seafood Festival
 THE FIFTH staging of the Port Royal Seafood Festival took place at the Old Coal Wharf on Sunday.
"This is the ideal place in terms of crowd control and the venue has potential for growth," said Philip Paulwell, Member of Parliament for Port Royal, and chairman of the organising committee.
The festival, which was to be held on Heroes Day, was postponed several times due to the inclement weather. While the rescheduling affected the crowd support, the event proved to be fun nonetheless.
[ Full Story ]
News: Irie bans Jah Cure
 JAH CURE'S SONGS may truly become a matter of mere 'reflection' on Irie FM. The radio station has pulled all of the artiste's songs from its airplay roster.
The move was made by Irie's management in response to death threats the station received to play more of the artiste's songs.
"We are taking a stance against this kind of behaviour, and as of this week, we will be playing no songs from the artiste," stated Irie FM's Marketing Manager, Brian Schmidt.
Though they did not disclose the names of the recipients of the calls, the station affirms that staff members had received a series of calls over a week ago, demanding that they play more of the incarcerated artiste's music.
[ Full Story ]
News: Mucho Buzz from Saucy Wow and Macka
Denise Saucy Wow Belfon and Jamaica's Macka Diamond have teamed up for What Girls Like. And already the song is receiving mucho buzz.
Recorded on the Hard hitter rhythm, the song was produced by Katana House Records and Kenny Phillips.
According to Belfon, the opportunity for her to work with Macka came about after she was approached by JA Katana.
"He wanted to know if I was interested in working with an artiste outside of Trinidad and Tobago and I told him yes."
Macka had gone to JA Katana to listen to some beats and was told by Katana of the possibility of linking her with Belfon. Macka was elated and spoke highly of Belfon.
"And it is ironic that a year before this I also was telling JA that I liked her style and her vibe."
The song was written by Belfon, Junior Lewis, David Edwards and Junior Reid.
The Hard Hitter rhythm was produced by Katana House Records (KHR) an independent label based in the UK.
The hard hitter rhythm is described as a combination of soca, dancehall and UK Grime.
News: Bajan winer boy Timmy is serving up two songs for T&T Carnival 2006
Wet Me Down and Mash Up are the songs the elastic waist soca artiste released to radio on his visit to local shores last week.
The songs were written by Bajan singer John King. Timmy, best known for the song Bumper ketch a Fire, says he hopes to "mash up" Carnival 2k6.
News: Sanelle returns to Blue Ventures
Former Road March Queen Sanelle Dempster has returned to Soca band Blue Ventures, after two years as a solo artist.
Sanelle won the Road March title in 1999 with D River, becoming only the second woman to do so at the time, securing her place in the historybooks. Sanelle took the title in a year that was dominated by women as Calypsonian Singing Sandra emerged victorious as the Calypso Monarch.
Despite rejoining the band Sanelle will still do some solo gigs but will enjoy frontline band status with Knycky Cordner, for the upcoming 2006 Carnival and also for the band's foreign performances.
Sanelle, who is currently receiving heavy rotation with Mercy Please, will next month release Sucker, reminiscent of her previous hit Nothing For You.
Soca lovers can therefore expect to see a stronger Blue Ventures with Sanelle in the frontline.
News: Lil Bitts becomes Jus Bitts
Last Monday night young soca artist Lil Bitts (Shivonne Churche), celebrated her 21st birthday and the launch of her web site www.jusbitts.com, at Veni Mange Restaurant on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook.
The gala dinner guests included International Soca Monarch Bunji Garlin; past Road March champion Fay Ann Lyons; renowned local producer Carl Beaver Henderson and Kernel Roberts, the son of the late Lord Kitchener.
After dinner, came the highlight of the night when Bitts (who has drop the extension Lil, since she has turned 21) officially launched her web site and invited all her guests to view the home page.
All-male group H2O Phlo, was unable to perform the routine they designed to commemorate the occasion because they had to leave for another engagement. However, aspiring poet Sherrard Churche, Bitts’ younger brother, took the opportunity to read a few of his pieces to the appreciative audience. Sherrad's work will be on display for 2006 as he is the writer of one of Bitts' songs.
Bitts also gave a performance that was enthusiastically cheered on by the audience.
News: Petition circling to have Reggae Grammy Award presented during the live show
A petition has been circling via email and word of mouth in the reggae music industry, both here and abroad, calling for the Reggae Grammy to be presented to the world during the live show instead of just for those in the audience on Grammy night. The Reggae Grammy is presented during the show but not aired on television.
Reggae, and its counterpart dancehall, which is also grouped in the same category by the Academy, has grown to even higher levels of international success in recent years with the careers of artistes and Grammy winners Shaggy, Sean Paul and Fredrick 'Toots' Hibbert. Those behind the petition suggest that the level of international recognition now received by the artistes nominated warrant their receipt of the coveted award in front of the television audience.
Below is a copy of the petition:
[ Full Story ]
I mentioned this petition late last month. Here is a link to sign it.
http://www.reggaegrammyontv.org/
-- Knockz
Audio: Archived Radio Programs Updated
The latest episodes of Soca Therapy, Riddim Track and World Wide have been posted. Enjoy.
--Knockz
News: Clear the Road for Burton Toney!
Clear the Road for Burton Toney! Soca's energy powerhouse is looking forward to what he hopes will be a great 2006 carnival season! Fresh for the upcoming season, Toney has just finished production on two tunes, Now and Enter De Road, both of which shall be featured on Ma$tamind Productions upcoming Da Ma$tamind Project.
Now, as Toney describes the tune, is "Rags, flags," "strictly party" and very up-tempo. Although this song marks Toney's first foray into writing a tune with tempo it was not all that foreign to him.
"For me, to be honest, I normally do more groovy tracks but my performance on stage is very high energy. I said if I am doing all of these songs with this energy level maybe the songs I release for this carnival are going to have to be up-tempo."
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News: Two New Rhythm's for the Shops
TWO NEW RHYTHM in record shops this week are the 'Oh No' rhythm, which is produced by Leon Smillie Out of New York for Total Satisfaction Records, and the 'Handle' rhythm, which is produced by Free Willy for Free Willy Records.
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News: R Kelly continues Trapped in the Closet saga
By the time R Kelly is done with his Trapped in the Closet saga, it may have more chapters than Moby Dick.
Parts one through 12 of the dramatic, over-the-top cheating story were released on DVD this week. Kelly says he actually had 22 chapters completed - "and (it's) still going."
"Other characters are being introduced into the whole situation, and it's just this big whirlwind, a circle of just drama, of things that really do happen on the earth," he told The Associated Press. "It's gonna flip people out because some people are going to see themselves in these chapters, and that's what keeps the excitement going - I think that's what keeps people going, 'I've got the get the next one!"'
It's not Kelly's only project: He's working on Michael Jackson's all-star charity record to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina, which he called "unbelievable." He says his own hurricane relief album will be released in the next few months.
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News: Just Kes
The band Kes is doing good after facing much scepticism from fans for leaving successful band Imij & Co.
The quartet, who in a recent Guardian interview just sat back and made themselves comfortable in the interview room, took yet another opportunity to make it clear that the name of their band is simply Kes.
“We’re not Kes The Band, or Kes and the band, or Kes and Co, or even Kees, spelt like our brother’s name. It’s not named after him, and he doesn’t even like how similar it is but the rest of us thought that the fans are already familiar with the name, let’s stick with it,“ said one band member, 28-year-old Hans Dieffenthaller, Kees’ brother.
Some weeks ago, Kes was one of the headline acts at Black Out, a concert held at Pier 1 in Chaguaramas.
The band has emerged with a new style which they call Cari-pop or Crazy Caribbean and, thus far, have been lining up jobs. Other musicians spreading Cari-pop around the globe include the Soca Rebels and young Sarah Hansson, both out of Sweden but with Trini roots.
Now with a more diversified range of music in their performance set, Kes has had gigs as the opening act at American band Sugar Ray’s concert at Zen. They also performed at 95.1’s Kiss the World Concert earlier this yea | |
