Busy Signal Caps Phenomenal 2008 with Multiple Nominations

With 2008 now behind him, dancehall artiste Busy Signal will be stepping out into 2009 in the same way he burst on the dancehall scene in 2003 – with a bang.  With a ‘loaded’ sophomore album, TV commercial, several chart riding and chart topping singles, Busy Signal’s phone is perhaps ringing off the hook, as he is indeed one of the hottest contemporary dancehall acts right now, and Busy is looking forward to 2009 being as great as 2008 was for him.

2008 achievements include:

1.       Chart topping hits: Tic Toc, Stammer, Wine Pon Di Edge and Run Dem with Morgan Heritage toped charts locally and internationally

2.       Energetic performances: Powerful performances at Rebel Salute, Reggae Sumfest, Curefest and others confirmed Busy Signal as a remarkable performer

3.       Accolades: Busy Signal was nominated in major categories by every major local award body and copping the awards for Young, Hot and Hype and Celebrity Role Model from the Youth View Awards among others.  He also scored a nomination for Best New Artiste from the UK based Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards

4.       Career Firsts: Busy Signal became the  first dancehall artiste on the cover of The Fader, launched his first single for a movie soundtrack (Loaded for Cop and a Badman) and launched his first full scale European band tour

5.       Album Releases: The highly anticipated sophomore album Loaded dropped in September on his own Network Records imprint with support from Juke Boxx Productions and distribution through VP Records.  The innovative Ras Kassa directed music video for the hit lead single Tic Toc shot to the top of the video charts and garnered international attention on MTVU.  The critically acclaimed album was featured on the US based Vibe and BET Ya Heard

6.       Charitable Endeavours: Busy Signal gives and gives big to the Star Charity Concert in aid of two St. Jago High School students in need of expensive medical attention

7.       Major Corporate Endorsements: Busy Signal inked an advertising deal with Red Label Wine, the resulting TV commercial and radio jingle have genuine music video and dancehall hit qualities

8.       ‘Street Cred’: The raw and unrelenting street CD, Hottt Ed Turf solidified Busy Signal’s status of the voice of the people

  “It’s a new year now, but a di same style we a gi dem. ‘Same Busy, different lyrics, with different messages’,” he laughed.  That might be a difficult task for the twenty-something father, seeing as though he flooded the dancehall arena with catchy tunes, and created a big bang on September 9 when his VP-Records backed album hit stores around the world.  The 15-track Loaded features singles like Unknown Number, Real Jamaican, Tic Toc, These Are the Days, Jail, and Pon Di Edge – all songs which have rocked dancehall fans world-wide.

His underground mix-tape has been creating as much hype as his mainstream album… so much so that one wonders why it’s called ‘underground’, and to this end, the mix tape will be available for digital download exclusively from VP Records.  That’s something he’s very excited about… in addition to his tour of Europe, which begins in the first quarter of 2009. There’s also his Hottt Ed Turf clothing line, which comes out in June and will feature T-Shirts, caps, and thongs (yes, THONGS).  “Yeah man! It’s our flavour we putting on the clothes you know.  It’s going to be very interesting, mi can tell you dat much,” Busy said.

 He’s also already started hitting the studios and putting finishing touches on some more tunes that he plans to unleash on the dancehall kaleidoscope in 2009… and they are filled with the same energy, and lethal lyrical talent that fans of Busy Signal have come to know and love. Busy will need all the energy he can garner, because 2009 is looking to be as ‘busy’ as it can get.  “There’s no stopping for 2009,” declared manager Shane C Brown of Juke