Let The Beat Drop: Dancehall Censorship In Jamaica (Council of Hemispheric Affairs)
Boasting its fiftieth year of independence, the Greater Antillean isle of Jamaica touts a large and progressive musical catalog that makes the industry one of the country’s most internationally known exports. Indigenous to Jamaica, reggae is a calming music that inspires tranquility and feelings of adoration. In contrast, dancehall music is more upbeat and often a more raunchy relative of reggae. Lyrically, reggae is closer to Standard English, making it more internationally accessible then patois, or Jamaican Creole, often used in dancehall. Dancehall is a popular music style amongst Caribbean youth, but rarely receives respect from other demographics due to its lyrical content. Since the early 1990s, dancehall has been lambasted for homophobic content that inherently advocates violence against homosexuals within Jamaica.
INTERVIEW: Real McKoy Speaks On His “Bigger Brother” Busy Signal (Boomshots.com)
We all appreciate good music. No doubt we’re familiar with the artists, but rarely do we get up close and personal with the individuals behind the scenes—the producers and engineers sweating to bring us the music we crave. I had an opportunity recently to catch up with a brilliant young producer and artist by the name of Gilmore Walters, more popularly known as Real McKoy. We spoke about his record label/studio Trainline Records, his latest productions, as well as his friendship with Busy Signal. Interview After The Jump.
Nicco ready for face-off (The Jamaica Observer)
DJ Nicco is in Chicago to represent Jamaica at the world finals of the Red Bull Thre3Style competition which was sheduled to start yesterday until September 29.
“I am excited to go out and represent my country. In Jamaica, our party culture is extremely diverse and incorporates a little of everything and I am excited to see how other top DJs get their crowds going,” Nicco says, as he eyes the title of ‘World’s Best Party Rocker’.
British Reggae Singer Lady Lex Sizzles On “Just To Be With You” (Urban Islandz)
British reggae singer Lady Lex highlights the story of a couple falling hopelessly in love and trying to maintain a long distance relationship, on her latest single Just to Be with You.
The engaging track with emotion and sugar coated vocal muscles, is featured on the Amore rhythm from Donsome Records.
“The song describes how the woman desperately wants to be with her man, even if it’s only for a couple of seconds,” Lady Lex explained in a release to the media.
Tiana hits MTV Africa’s Top 10 charts with ‘Dem a Bawl’ (The Examiner)
The ‘Princess of Dancehall,’ Tiana continues to accumulate success on her path towards international superstardom as she’s earned recognition in the Motherland for her musical exploits.
Having infiltrated the airwaves this past summer with a number of hits including, Watch Dem a Watch Me, One Stuck Whine and Don’t Stop, Tiana has copped a top 10 slot on MTV Base Africa Top 10 Dancehall chart with another smash, Dem a Bawl. This marks the first time that Tiana has earned a top 10 spot on any MTV music chart as Dem a Bawl place 10th on MTV Africa’s chart this week.
Busy Signal to be released from prison on November 22 (Joy Online)
Management of Jamaican dancehall artiste, Glendale Goshia Gordon popularly known as Busy Signal has disclosed that the artiste will be released from prison on November 21.
Busy Signal was arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport in Jamaica in May due to an extradition warrant from the US.
Busy Signal broke jail some ten years ago on charges of cocaine trafficking but was grabbed and detained in London earlier this year and subsequently repatriated to the United States for trial.