JamaicansMusic.com

Veteran deejay Cobra and Busy Signal can expect much feedback from their recently released single, ‘Cry Out’, which deals with current topical issues.

Produced by Bay-C from T.O.K, Cry Out was released this week on radio, touching on issues such as the death of Voicemail’s Oneil Edwards, the shooting of Cobra, the violence situation in Jamaica - among other things.

Done in a response-and-answer format between the two deejays, Busy deejays, “One more dead, one more gone, one more madda bang her belly and bawl,” to which Cobra answers, “Two many lies, tyaad of di promise, jacket and tie now dem all embarrass.”

When THE STAR spoke to Cobra, he explained that he was approached by producer Shane Brown to do the track, saying, “based on the whole vibe going on they wanted to do a song like this. He approached me saying they needed an authentic deejay on it to collaborate wid. Busy recorded his part first and then I did my part so is like we’re conversing.”

Cobra touches on the shooting incident which took place in May when he was shot twice in Portmore. The deejay was admitted to the Spanish Town hospital after receiving gunshot wounds to his shoulders. As previously reported in THE STAR, a close friend of the Portmore-based deejay said that he was shot when he stopped his car to speak to someone in a section of the Braeton Phase One community.

According to Cobra, working with Busy was a pleasure as the two see eye-to-eye musically, describing the young deejay as a “mature artiste”. Cobra expects big things for the song and hopes that it will be on his upcoming album titled Other Side of the Coin, which should be released in August.

“This album will be more radio-friendly, everything is clean, nothing needs to be edited. It’s dealing with life, reality, love and will have a song on there talking about the shooting called Dem Cyaan Draw Me Out,” he said.

For Cobra, he is still giving thanks for having survived the shooting and pleads with youngsters that the gun is not the solution.

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Romain Virgo provided the perfect end to the launch of his self-titled album with an entertaining performance at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, on Tuesday night.

With all the formalities aside, former Rising Stars winner Cameal Davis sang a spirited intro for Virgo. As he started Who Feels It Knows It, there was an almost immediate ‘pull up’ because of the massive response to the song.

And when he did Caan Sleep, everyone sang along. Virgo made one woman’s night when he left the stage to serenade her with Love Doctor.

Soon after, Queen Ifrica joined him on-stage, changing sections of her song Lioness On The Rise to make it appropriate for him. Later, Davis sang I’m Doing Good with him.

As the night progressed, he did songs like I Wanna Go Home that he said was for the women, Dark Skin Girl and Be Careful. He also deejayed some of Busy Signal’s fast-paced lyrics on Shane Brown’s ‘Stagalag’ rhythm, impressing the audience.

high praise

Throughout the night, the artiste received high praises for his work.

Headline Entertainment’s Carlette DeLeon referred to him as an artiste for today and tomorrow. She added: “I can attest to the fact that he is humble. He is genuine and he is sweet.”

Cordel Green, executive director of the Broadcasting Commission, was also pleased with Virgo’s work. “The lyrics on this album are of a man wise beyond these 20 years. Your lyrics cut across class, creed and age,” he said.

Green also said he was impressed with his songs, which he referred to as classics. And while many of his peers placed emphasis on the ‘bling’, he said Virgo was more interested in singing about social issues.

Tony Rebel also applauded Virgo for being able to pull a good crowd to his event on a day when Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke had been captured, World Cup was in progress and when the police wanted the Reverend Al Miller to turn himself in.

Nonetheless, he said: “It is our duty to nourish and cherish talents like these so that our industry can last another 50 years.”

Virgo was also happy. “It’s an overwhelming feeling to be standing here launching my first album,” he said before going on to thank all the persons who had been part of the album-making process and those who have supported him throughout his career.

On hand for the launch were other artistes like Sophia Brown, D Major, Baby Tash, Christopher Martin, Nesbeth, Wasp, Wadda Blood and others.

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US-based reggae artiste Castafari, who recently celebrated his birthday with a big bash at his recording studio in Boston, is getting ready to drop his debut album.

The album which is titled It’s Just Life will be released before the end of the year. He is currently busy promoting the latest single from the album which is titled Million Bucks. This single was produced by Central Point Productions for Castafari’s label Eight Day Records and is currently enjoying strong rotation on reggae radio stations across the United States.

Castafari is also planning to release a supporting music video for Million bucks by the middle of next month. The music video, which was shot at various locations across Boston, is currently being edited.

Castafari says the release of the video will also see him kicking off the promotion of the single locally. “As soon as the video is ready I will start promoting Million Bucks in Jamaica. My management team and I will be releasing both the video and the single locally at the same time, because I want to make a serious impact on the local market,” said the artist who originally hails from Trelawny.

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Your are Me written and produced by Alaine Laughton is a song that speaks of living through terrible times in Jamaica.

According to Alaine, “The song was inspired by everything that has been happening. Just seeing the pictures and videos of stuff really bothered me and I just started sobbing uncontrollably until I sat in front of the piano and wrote it.”

“Many people look at west Kingston as a separate part from the rest of Jamaica but we are one country,” the singer said.

The song is the first the songstress has written in 10 years and that made it that much more special to her. Upon completion, she called Mikey Bennett and they began to record the track together. Directed by Ras Shacc, the video portrays Alaine interacting with her band members and her piano. “It’s always been me and my piano but Shacc came up with the performance concept and then he went out and found this brilliant location in Wickie Wackie, St Thomas.

Styled by Toni B, Alaine played her piano on the beachside while lamenting the plight of Jamaicans and calling out for equality and love.

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After their physical altercation following the funeral of dancehall artiste Oneil Edwards recently, LA Lewis has released a song hurling insults at Beenie Man.

The song, Rush Mi, surfaced on the Internet late last week. In it LA Lewis sings on the same rhythm as Drake’s Find Your Love. It also copies the melody of the R&B song, with Drake’s voice being heard at intervals.

In the song, LA Lewis says, “Dem seh dem a Moses but dem a Antichrist/ Dem too Bruce Goldious/ Dem too lie and wicked/ Di ole dog and him fren dem rush mi/ Dem neva know a Father God a protect mi/ See dem all bring dem gun fi shot mi.”

The song goes on to explain what LA Lewis claimed happened on the day of the incident.

When THE STAR contacted the self-proclaimed seven-star general, he said his decision to do a song about the incident was triggered by threats he received.

“Mi just do the song fi mek people know how the whole story guh. Yuh have some likkle people a call an’ a try intimidate mi but mi just a show dem seh mi nuh fraid of intimidation. Him (Beenie Man) either haffi ansa back but it is in the streets right ya now,” he said.

He said he also did the song to show that he actually does songs. “Mi nuh get no help fi write da song deh. It was so easy to write,” he told THE STAR.

This comes after the two artistes were involved in a squabble after Edwards’ funeral. Reports are that both deejays were leaving the funeral when the vehicle Lewis was driving hit the back of the Audi SUV, driven by Beenie Man. It is alleged that an argument developed between the two, during which Lewis was punched in the face.

Later, Beenie Man and selector Rolexx, who LA Lewis claimed was also involved in the incident, were both charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, after Lewis made a report to the Duhaney Park Police Station.

Beenie Man was still able to leave the island for a 22-show European tour, after being granted $100,000 station bail. However, he will break the tour to attend court.

Meanwhile, some of the more than 800 persons who listened to the song on YouTube were far from pleased with its quality and even questioned its relevance.

“Me jus a wonda how me siddung and waste mi 1:38 minutes. Da man yah a fool,” one viewer said.

Another said, “Jah know if mi did have one wish and mi affi choose either fi end world war or get back mi 2:41 minutes weh mi just waste a listen to da bredda ya, mi woulda wish back fi mi minutes dem.”

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Dancer Shelly Belly has entered the realms of acting with his role in a movie called Gangsters Nuh Play: Krawb Up Edition.

The movie, which is directed by Macca, also features his cousin Racoon. Some of it was shot in the United States and Bermuda earlier this year but it is not yet complete.

Shelly Belly said he was contacted by a friend to do the movie but he was reluctant to do it at first.

“Him tell mi seh him have a movie a shoot. Mi tell him seh mi neva do it yet but mi ago try ’cause yuh neva know wah ago happen,” he told THE STAR, noting that he plays ‘Bladdoff’ in the movie.

Although it is his first film, Shelly Belly believes it will do well.

“It ago sell off mi a tell yuh. Mi just deal wid it like seh a long time mi a do it. Mi feel proud a miself fi know seh dem love how mi gwaan,” he said, noting that the movie trailer is already getting many views on YouTube.

Racoon is also beaming with joy after his first movie role.

“Mi like how it set and everything. Mi full joy miself inna it and mi feel good. It highlight mi so people can know mi more,” he said.

However, Shelly Belly said he had to leave the United States because his visa expired. And although his character made a trip to Jamaica in the movie, he hopes that the director will do further filming in the island.

Shelly Belly said he did no form of dancing in the movie but he performed at several events while he was in the United States. Since he is not able to go to that country, he said he will be performing in other countries.

In the meantime, the dancer says he is promoting his recent dance moves like ‘Wheel Har In’, ‘Attack’ and ‘Step Up’. He said Racoon also has a dance move called ‘Oreo’. He also thanked his Bermuda Squad members (Teddy Love, Energy, Echo and Bone Crusher) for representing the group in his absence.

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“The body dem a climb and the corruption spread bigger than dem jacket and tie” - These aren’t the words of an irate, heartbroken resident of west Kingston, but the gripping lyrics from what could be considered an anthem for the times, Cherine Anderson’s Shine On Jamaica.

It is against the background of consistent violence and turmoil that Anderson’s honest tale about similar tragedies in Jamaica really touches home.

Many tears have been wept, many hearts broken and too many young ones traumatised by disturbing images of loved ones and friends circulating on the Internet. It would seem that the appropriate question at this point would be, how do we move on from here? Will the lives of people from west Kingston and, by extension Jamaica, ever be normal again?

While Shine On Jamaica does not promise to be the answer to Jamaica’s many problems, it reinforces that unity, solidarity and love among Jamaicans is not only what is needed right now, but also the way to create a better Jamaica for all.

The lyrically potent Shine on Jamaica attacks many political and social ills in present-day Jamaica and showcases Anderson’s clever songwriting skills.

And although Shine On Jamaica doesn’t hide from the social and economical drama in Jamaica, person may feel more empowered and uplifted as opposed to burdened after listening.

In a recent interview, a very hopeful Anderson said: “My generation will change this nation. I think

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Two West Kingston-based labels, Liv Up Records and Yardlife Records, will release the

‘Grind’ rhythm as a tribute to those who lost their lives during the unrest in the Corporate Area and St Catherine last month.

The rhythm was created earlier this year by both labels and is scheduled for release this week. However, it will not be available for downloads until next month.

Speaking with THE STAR yesterday, producer Oneil ‘Coco’ Coke from Liv Up Records, said, “it is a tribute to the people weh lose dem life during the unrest, not just people from Tivoli.”

He said it was only appropriate to use this song as a tribute to the deceased and those mourning.

“Some of the songs kinda speak to that. It a relate to this whole thing that has happened. The loss of one life is too much, so just imagine so many,” he told THE STAR.

“And being that our music originate from west Kingston and a desso wi come from, we see it fit to offer it as a tribute.”

He said the medley video for the rhythm will be ready by next week and will show clips of what took place during the unrest.

“It is not a high-budget video, but something to complement the nice songs from the rhythm,” Coke said.

Unlike previous rhythms, Coke said ‘Grind’ does not have many songs on it. There is Delus’ Unruly, Munga’s Gone So Soon, Angele Smith’s Come Over Now, Kiprich’s Maama Man and Fyakin’s In These Streets.

“We only did five songs ’cause we have ‘Money Tree’ rhythm wi have dis bag of songs, so wi did a pree a much smaller catalogue and wi did a pree some artistes weh wi nuh really work with,” he told THE STAR.

However, Coke said there is a possibility that about two more tracks will be put on the rhythm.

In the meantime, Coke said he is yet to return to the studio for work, as the vibe is different and people are still mourning.

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Incredible and awesome could be used to describe Nadine Sutherland’s recent Promo US Spring Tour 2010, featuring young, vibrant and sensational opening act Denyque Dontre.
“It was an amazing experience. I learnt a lot. The fans were very receptive; they knew the words of my songs. This was quite fulfilling being on stage and had the crowd singing along,” Denyque remarked.

Jade Lee of Jade Promotions who exclusively manages Denyque Dontre and Nadine Sutherland added her sentiments.

“Of course my girls nailed it. Nadine’s performance was as usual energetic and her catalog never disappoints, because she has real hit songs. Denyque’s debut was nothing less than outstanding. As a developing artiste, it was very interesting to see her performing to different markets and learning how to adjust to her audience.”

The tour saw the ladies in Ohio, Oregon, California, Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach and Indiana.

Although just returning from the three week tour, Denyque’s calendar is packed with activities for the summer, which includes a performance in Negril on July 25th, the release of her Summer Love video and hot new tracks for the summer from some of Jamaica’s finest producers, including Jeremy Harding, Conroy Forte and Cash Flow Productions

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On Sunday, Daseca’s first lady Raine Seville and Wasp shot the video for their lyrically conscious single entitled Nutten Nah Gwaan. The video was shot at four different locations across the Corporate Area: Park Lane off Red Hills Road; UWI, Mona; DASECA studio as well as a house in Upper St Andrew.

Raine played the uptown rich girl whose family was devastatingly hit by the recession; Wasp was the poor ghetto boy who struggled to get by daily. According to Seville, “I’m very happy about the video because I think it should bring out the point that we are trying to bring out in the song, which is that everybody reaches some point in their lives when Nutten nah gwaan fi dem. It shows both sides of the story, so everyone should be able to relate.”

Styled by Georgette Smith, the video was directed by Janelle Dyer, formerly of Scorpio 21. In the words of Dyer, “Quite a number of these uplifting songs are out now, and I didn’t want the typical video to be showing poverty. As a matter of fact, I didn’t want them to be seen together at all. I just wanted to show the hardships of poverty in both worlds. So, basically, it was a day in the life of each; a rich girl and a poor boy from the inner city.” She added that people can expect something different because, “although it is a collab, not a single scene was shot with both of them together.”

Cameos will also be made by Tami Chyn,Wayne Marshall, D’Angel and Zj Liquid.

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