Reggae Sumfest JULY 15-21,2012 -Montego Bay Jamaica
May 8th, 2012
LENYA WILKS RISES
May 7th, 2012
In March 2012 Rising Stars’ Lenya Wilks topped the Reggae singles chart with her first #1 hit “ Baby Come To Me”
Wilks who was born and raised in Ewarton, St. Catharine. Attended Charlemont High school also in St.Cathrine where she expanded her musical talent. In her first year of high school she was given the task of leading the school’s senior choir which she did for five years. During this period Charlemont High School won more than twenty gold medals each year in multiple competitions across the Island of Jamaica, Lenya at the time also managed to start her own collection of twenty-one gold medals and three trophies.
In 2007 Lenya Wilks was introduced to the Jamaican public, at the age of seventeen when she entered the Digicel Rising Star’s competition and although a viewers’ favorite she ended the completion in 4th place.
On the night of her elimination from Digicel Rising Stars she was invited to join Harmony House Productions, the home of reggae icon Beres Hammond. In that year, 2007, Lenya Wilks started opening for Beres Hammond on his tours across the United States, Europe, Canada and the Caribbean. She covered 33 states on her last tour of the US.
Lenya Wilks Launching her solo career in 2011 with Zx5 Productions and is currently working on her debut album, releasing tracks on iTunes and Amazon, with videos on YouTube.
Lenya Wilks has also been featured in commercials and her hot track, “I Hate Love” was #2 on the Top Songs Chart in Indie for several weeks.
The video for her track “Baby Come To Me” was shot on Sunday May 6,2012 and as also since release her track “Yeh Man Jamaica”.
A NEW SUMMER ALBUM FOR ETANA
April 11th, 2012
Putting the finishing touches on her forthcoming album, Etana the singer’s third will be distributed by VP Records and is expected to be released this summer. It is the follow-up to her 2011 album, Free Expressions, which peaked at number 11 on Billboard’s Reggae album chart.
Etana is known for hits such as I Am Not Afraid, Wrong Address, Warrior Love and Jah Jah Blessing, she has been relatively quiet in the recent months.
The concept behind Etana’s upcoming album which will also be featuring all well produced tracks from the writing of the first lyrics to the last note. Bigger, fresher, newer sounds. Roots rub-a-dub, world music.”
Juke Boxx producer Shane Brown produced most of the album. There are also songs from Donovan Germain and Freemaind Music. Kevon Webster Keyboardist and C sharp members, bassist Aeion Hoilett and guitarist Lamont ‘Monty’ Savory worked on the set, which has collaborations with Spice and Busy Signal.
WORLD REGGAE DANCE CONTEST STARTS EASTER MONDAY
March 30th, 2012KINGSTON, March 30, 2012:
Auditions for the World Reggae Dance Championship 2012 start Easter Monday, April 9, in the Eastern Region.
The audition, all-day event, will be held at Colonel Cove, Morant Bay, St. Thomas. Dancers should attend ready to display their skills, if they want to be in this year’s competition.
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) says the event will take the form of a family fun day, that will include exciting rides such as Bounce-A -Bout, Merry Go Round, Ferris Wheel, Fire Trucks, Water Slides and Trampoline. The children can also participate in face painting and enjoy the clowns.
Entertainment will be provided by the dancers, as well as guest artistes including Specialist, Apache Chief and Sarge, Granny, Tuner-the Magician and Jamaica’s “Michael Jackson”. Gates open at 10 am.
Interested dance groups should submit their entries before the closing date, Friday June 1??. Entry forms can be collected at any JCDC parish office, and can also be submitted on the day of the audition.
The other auditions and family fun days will on: Sunday, May 6, Northern Region – Family Fun Day & World Reggae Dance Audition, PrioryBeach, St. Ann at 10 am; Saturday, May 26, Western Region, Family Fun Day & World Reggae Dance Audition, Jockey Factory, Lucea, Hanover at 10 am; and, Friday, June 1, in Kingston at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, an audition only event which will begin at 4 pm. Competitors may perform at any of the four Auditions of their choice.
The JCDC World Reggae Dance Championship is a major calendar event. The primary aim of the competition, which began in 2006, is to expose young adults skilled in the areas of reggae and dancehall dance expressions. The competition continues to be a success each year, pulling in vast audiences and attracts dancers of the highest calibre.
In 2009 the competition received its first entry from a Japanese Dance Group who placed second that year. It is open to groups of 3-6 persons, 16 years of age and over, residing in or out of Jamaica. Participants compete in the categories of Roots Reggae, Dancehall, Reggae Contemporary/Classic, Reggae Dancehall and Dance Narrative. The national finals will be held on Saturday August 4, 2012.
Balford Henry
TEN SONGS CHOSEN FOR JAMAICA FESTIVAL 2012
March 29th, 2012Kingston, March 29, 2012
Ten songs have been chosen to compete for Jamaica’s Festival Song finals 2012, which this year has the added dimension of celebrating the country’s 50th anniversary of independence.
The finalists were chosen from a field of 160 entrants, which was reduced to 35 in February and, eventually, to 10 earlier this month.
The 10 finalists are: Bess A Bess, by Demton Bedward; Dis A Mi Island, by Nester Chung; Down in Jamaica, by Rudolph Tomlinson; I Love JA, by Ryan Willis; Jamaica Beat Dem Bad, by Tashina McKenzie; Jamaica Jah Mek Ya, by Calvin Wisdom; Jamaica Mi Love Unu, by Sheldon Howell; One for All Jamrock, by Dorel Lecky, Reginald Mills and Gregory Allison; Real Born Jamaican, by Abbygaye Dallas; and, Still Going Strong, Oneil Scott.
The selection was made at the semi-final on Thursday, March 15, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston. The thirty-five (35) participants performed their entries. This followed the original screening on Tuesday, February 14, at the same venue.
Although it was expected that the Jamaica 50 theme would have encouraged well known names in local music, including reggae and dancehall, to enter the competition this year, the field was complete with unknown quantities.
A spokesman for the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), which stages the annual event, while admitting that the entrants are unknown, semi-professional artistes, said that they had been singing for a while and the competition will offer them an opportunity “to become known”.
In addition to workshops to improve their skills, the Commission plans to work on improving the quality of the songs, which it said are still in a “raw” state, and producing a CD and videos by the end of May.
Past winners of the competition included Toots and the Maytals, Eric Donaldson, Desmond Dekker and the Aces, Tinga Stewart, the Jamaicans, Roy Rayon, Freddie McKay and Stanley Beckford.
Reggae legends Bob Marley and the Wailer’s only entry, “Nice Time” (1967) failed to make the final ten in 1967 when the Jamaicans (Tommy Cowan, Norris Weir and Martin Williams) won with “Baba Boom”.
The Jamaica Festival Song Competition which started in 1966 is the longest running Song Competition in Jamaica.
By Balford Henry
Memoirs of a Jamaican Media-Man
March 9th, 2012TITLE: MEMOIRS OF A JAMAICAN MEDIA-MAN
AUTHOR: CAREY ROBINSON
PAGE COUNT: 344
PUBLICATION DATE: March 2012
Memoirs of a Jamaican Media-Man takes us on an epic journey through the life of Carey Robinson, one of Jamaica’s most accomplished media personalities. Robinson’s career in journalism started at the old Gleaner office on Harbour Street, where he was employed as a reporter and sub-editor. He was later recruited by Evon Blake who ran and operated Spotlight News Magazine. He left and went on to work at the only radio station in Jamaica at the time, Radio Jamaica Radio (RJR). He built an impressive career at RJR by writing scripts, announcing and hosting shows. After leaving RJR he joined the recently established Government Relations Office. During this time, the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) was being established. Robinson was then appointed to act as head of the Government Relations Office. The name was later changed to the Jamaica Information Service.
JBC TV was introduced to Jamaica in 1963 and Robinson set up the JIS TV section. Shortly after, the famous JBC strike took place. By this time, Robinson had been confirmed as head of the JIS. During his tenure at JIS, he produced a massive collection of plays and eventually, wrote and produced “Time of Fury”, the first film that was made in Jamaica by Jamaicans.
In 1970, he reluctantly accepted the post of General Manager of JBC at a time when the organization was almost at the point of collapse. In 1972, Hugh Shearer lost the elections and Michael Manley came to power. JBC was one of the spoils of victory, and Robinson left the organization shortly after.
Jamaica had become a politically divided country.
PRINCE HARRY LEARNS DANCE MOVES, BEATS BOLT
March 8th, 2012
Thursday, March 08, 2012:
Britain’s Prince Harry (His Royal Highness, Prince Henry of Wales) ended a four-day visit to Jamaica Thursday (March 08) during which he not only learnt dancehall moves but beat world champion sprinter, Usain Bolt, in friendly sprint rivalry on the campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Wednesday, the Prince visited the downtown Kingston offices of Rise Life Management Services, a local NGO which provides drug abuse and violence prevention, remedial education and health-related services to Jamaicans living in the inner-city communities. Rise also offers a violence-prevention community programme for youths from violence-prone communities like Allman Town, Fletchers Land, Southside, Tel Aviv, Tower Hill, Drewsland and Waterhouse
Prince Harry went on a short tour of the East Street facility, met with the Rise Kids’ Club members, viewed items exhibited by young entrepreneurs and was entertained by the famous Alpha Boys’ Band, nursery for many of Jamaica’s best known Ska musicians, met Rita Marley, widow of Bob Marley and learnt the latest dancehall moves from the Rise Dancers.
Decked in Jamaica’s national colours, black, green and gold, he beat Bolt in a joking 20-metre race Tuesday on the Usain Bolt Track at the UWI’s Mona campus.
Prince Harry, the younger son of Prince Charles and the late Lady Diana, is in Jamaica representing his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, as part of the international celebrations commemorating the 60th anniversary of her coronation. He also stopped in Falmouth, Trelawny and Montego Bay before departing.
By Balford Henry
PRINCE HARRY LEARNS DANCE MOVES, BEATS BOLT
March 8th, 2012Thursday, March 08, 2012:
Britain’s Prince Harry (His Royal Highness, Prince Henry of Wales) ended a four-day visit to Jamaica Thursday (March 08) during which he not only learnt dancehall moves but beat world champion sprinter, Usain Bolt, in friendly sprint rivalry on the campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Wednesday, the Prince visited the downtown Kingston offices of Rise Life Management Services, a local NGO which provides drug abuse and violence prevention, remedial education and health-related services to Jamaicans living in the inner-city communities. Rise also offers a violence-prevention community programme for youths from violence-prone communities like Allman Town, Fletchers Land, Southside, Tel Aviv, Tower Hill, Drewsland and Waterhouse
Prince Harry went on a short tour of the East Street facility, met with the Rise Kids’ Club members, viewed items exhibited by young entrepreneurs and was entertained by the famous Alpha Boys’ Band, nursery for many of Jamaica’s best known Ska musicians, met Rita Marley, widow of Bob Marley and learnt the latest dancehall moves from the Rise Dancers.
Decked in Jamaica’s national colours, black, green and gold, he beat Bolt in a joking 20-metre race Tuesday on the Usain Bolt Track at the UWI’s Mona campus.
Prince Harry, the younger son of Prince Charles and the late Lady Diana, is in Jamaica representing his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, as part of the international celebrations commemorating the 60th anniversary of her coronation. He also stopped in Falmouth, Trelawny and Montego Bay before departing.
NEW MARLEY DOCUMENTARY U.S. RELEASE APRIL 20
March 5th, 2012
By Balford Henry
KINGSTON, March 05, 2012:
“Marley”, the long awaited family-consented documentary on the life of Jamaica reggae star, Bob Marley, will be released in the United States on Friday, April 20.
The family has agreed to a red carpet premiere of the docu-film at Kingston’s Emancipation Park on Thursday, April 19, which will be free to the public, as their contribution to Ja50, the country’s celebration of fifty years of independence from Britain.
The Marleys and co-executive producer, Chris Blackwell, are expecting a record turn-out for the event, as the film marks the first time the family has authorised the use of images and film footage from their personal archives.
The cast includes Bob, his son, Ziggy, daughter, Cedella, and widow, Rita, as well as Bunny Wailer, Lee Perry, Jimmy Cliff, Cindy Breakspeare, Chris Blackwell and Dr. Carlton “Pee Wee” Fraser, all appearing as themselves. The film is credited with documenting Marley’s life, from cradle to grave
According to director Kevin MacDonald, he had just 13 months to produce the 2½ hours of film from numerous interviews with family members, friends, lovers and musicians, historical concert footage, rare recordings, as well as 50 of Marley’s own songs and 10 from other artistes.
Macdonald, a Scottish director, is best known for “One Day in September”, the 1999 documentary about the murder of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics, which featured a lengthy interview with lone surviving terrorists, Jamal Al-Gashey.
The film debuted February 13 at Berlin’s International Film Festival, and will be next shown at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, on March 11. It will be one of three very significant documentaries to be shown at that festival. The others are: “Uprising: Hip Hop and the L.A. Riots” and “Downloaded: The Digital Revolution”.
Rapper Snoop Dogg is both executive producer and narrator of “Uprising”, which is about the 1992 LA race riots, triggered by the beating of Rodney King, which resulted in 53 deaths and 12,000 arrests. “Downloaded” is the story of the advent of digital media, and the pioneering work of Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker.
It is understood that the incredibly talented director, Martin Scorsese, was originally working on “Marley”, for the Weinstein Company in 2008, but left after citing conflicts with his schedule. He was replaced by another fantastic director, Jonathan Demme, but the project came to a standstill in August 2009, with Demme’s departure over creative differences with producer Steve Bing. Kevin Macdonald was then brought in by Bing.
SANJAY AND BEENIE MAN WANT ‘A PIECE A DI WINE’
February 2nd, 2012
Piece A Di Wine is another in a slew of creditable collaborations by Sanjay…
Kingston Jamaica, February 1, 2012:- Noted lyricist Sanjay and ace deejay Beenie Man have teamed up to drop a hot track called Piece A Di Wine. The dancehall song will be released at the Youth View Awards after party this Saturday February four and will also feature on iTunes shortly after.
Piece A Di Wine is another notch in Sanjay’s cap as he continues to release infectious songs that have become anthems on the ground. Sanjay hit it big in 2007 with Man Of My Word and has since consistently followed up with both dancehall and reggae numbers which have made him a perennial staple on the local music scene.
Piece A Di Wine is another in a slew of creditable collaborations by Sanjay who in 2002 debuted with Strictly Physical featuring Tami Chynn, a song which preceded collabs with Vybz Kartel, Cecile and Aidonia to name a few. Based on his lyrical talents and niche appeal Sanjay is able to pick from the crème de la crème of Jamaican artistes with which to collaborate. Now he adds this track with Beenie Man to his repertoire.
Piece A Di Wine was produced by Conroy from Washroom Entertainment for Sanjay’s Portland Cottage Productions. The track features Sanjay in his supreme lyrical element belting out lines such as: “Me have di thuggin, huggin, luvin weh she a bawl fi, So, come link up…gimme a small pree, Me mek you see the light, like dis a diwali”. With lyrics like that it’s no wonder Sanjay is rated as one of the top lyricists in the game and one who always has fans on edge expecting his next twist of metaphors.
Beenie Man on the other hand comes with his signature swagg; laying down confident lines that have endeared him to the dancehall masses for over two decades. The dancehall king heralds his arrival on the track by confessing: “Gal you see that text deh, me meant it, just the way me sent it, Gal the way you wine, gal you gimme the eccentric, You want a private-I so you called it, no small fit, Obey you thirst mek me quench it”. Beenie Man and Sanjay are a balanced combination of real dancehall flavour with lyrical dept on a solid Washroom beat.
Piece A Di Wine empathises Sanjay’s lyrical prowess and dexterity and also shows that the artiste continues to release relevant material for today’s dancehall audience. Sanjay believes that this song will be a club banger that will have dancehall fans moving: “I went lyrical on the last single, Harder They Fall and now I’m going back to the ladies! This song has all the elements to make for a dancehall party anthem… a infectious chorus, good lyrics, Beenie Man’s swagg and star power and a hard hitting Washroom produced authentic dancehall riddim!! Ladies… just get ready FI WINE!”
Piece A Di Wine will premier in Jamaica on February four exclusively at the Youth View Awards after party to be staged at National Indoor Sports Arena.
