We Chief Music collabs with TOK

We Chief Music, theBrooklyn-based raggatronic collective that burst on to the scene last year with the single, ‘Traits of a Chieftain’, featuring Anthony B, is gearing up to do more dancehall collaborations.

“We are continuing to work on a lot of new music and putting together our live show. Right now, we are finishing up tracks with TOK and Jahdan Blakkamore and we are still pushing Traits of a Chieftain in international markets,” producer Geoff Rand said.

The ragga-infused EDM banger is now getting airplay on BBC radio 1xTRA in the UK, FM101 Power in Malawi, as well as HITZ FM and Zip FM in Jamaica. The song premiered on the world’s largest reggae website, the European-basedreggaeville.com, in January 2015.

The track was produced by Rand and Nic Hard.WeChiefMusic grabs music from all over the world and combines it with EDM, plus a touch of dark comedy. There is a lot of dancehall, reggae and soca influences at work in their music.

Rand wants to work with other top dancehall acts. “Working with TOK and Anthony B has already been a dream come true. We have been influenced by, and have respect for,. so many West Indian artistes, but if I had to condense the list to five … Bunji Garlin, Sizzla, Sean Paul, DiGeniu and Chronixx. So, if you’re out there guys – we ready!”

Eventually, We Chief Music will be taking their show on the road. They are fine-tuning an intense live experience that will impress their growing legion of fans, especially in Europe.

View the original article here

We Chief Music collabs with TOK

We Chief Music collabs with TOK

We Chief Music, theBrooklyn-based raggatronic collective that burst on to the scene last year with the single, ‘Traits of a Chieftain’, featuring Anthony B, is gearing up to do more dancehall collaborations.

“We are continuing to work on a lot of new music and putting together our live show. Right now, we are finishing up tracks with TOK and Jahdan Blakkamore and we are still pushing Traits of a Chieftain in international markets,” producer Geoff Rand said.

The ragga-infused EDM banger is now getting airplay on BBC radio 1xTRA in the UK, FM101 Power in Malawi, as well as HITZ FM and Zip FM in Jamaica. The song premiered on the world’s largest reggae website, the European-basedreggaeville.com, in January 2015.

The track was produced by Rand and Nic Hard.WeChiefMusic grabs music from all over the world and combines it with EDM, plus a touch of dark comedy. There is a lot of dancehall, reggae and soca influences at work in their music.

Rand wants to work with other top dancehall acts. “Working with TOK and Anthony B has already been a dream come true. We have been influenced by, and have respect for,. so many West Indian artistes, but if I had to condense the list to five … Bunji Garlin, Sizzla, Sean Paul, DiGeniu and Chronixx. So, if you’re out there guys – we ready!”

Eventually, We Chief Music will be taking their show on the road. They are fine-tuning an intense live experience that will impress their growing legion of fans, especially in Europe.

View the original article here

We Chief Music collabs with TOK

Richie Stephens delivers at One Caribbean Music Festival

Contributed – Richie Stephens performing at the One Caribbean Festival in Florida recently.

The One Caribbean Music Festival which took place recently at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, hit a sizzling energy level when Jamaican music ambassador Richie Stephens delivered a blistering performance.

Stephens took fans on a musical stroll down memory lane, crooning hits Tougher Than Before, Trying To Get To You, Fight Back and True Believer.

He upped the ante with real reggae music before segued into Winner and Spanish Harlem, which earned thunderous applause. To show his musical dexterity, the Love Your Life singer delved into the inspirational A Change Is Gonna Come that was dedicated to ‘fallen soldiers’ Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and others in the USA, who have died at the hands of cops.

The emotionally charged song was perfectly executed and had the entire park singing along. The lively gospel medley that followed, warmed hearts and set the stage for the hot new Ska Teck single Everybody Dance that raised the bar ten-fold.

“Ska Tech is definitely not just hot in Jamaica but it is now an international phenomenon. I was total blown away by how well it was embraced by fans here today,” Stephens declared, moments after he left the stage.

The singer confessed that prior to arriving in Florida, he had no plan to perform the song with dancers.

“To be honest, I had no plan to perform Everybody Dance with dancers. When I realised just how popular the song is in Florida, I had to scramble to find a competent group in less than 24 hours, and what a spectacular job the ‘Lime Light Squad’ did here today,” he remarked.

Stephens’ next big performance will be at the 19th annual Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival set for January 29-31, 2015, at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium in Falmouth.

View the original article here

Richie Stephens delivers at One Caribbean Music Festival

Richie Stephens debuts music video via WorldStarHipHop website

Contributed

Richie Stephens in a scene from the ‘Everybody Dancing’ video.

Richie Stephens highly anticipated music video for the single Everybody Dance, will have its world premier on the popular WorldStarHipHop.com web site on Friday.

“I feel blessed to have the world premier of the video on an international platform like WorldStarHipHop,” an elated Stephens gushed. “This is a historic moment in my career and I am truly excited.”

Stephens chose to go in a new musical direction with Everybody Dance, which was recorded on the new Ska Teck Ova rhythm which fuses ska, which originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and electronic dance music which pop acts like Rihanna and Lady Gaga have incorporated in their songs.

The video features more than 40 dancers of all ethnicities and Stephens will make his international debut as a dancer.

“I have been practicing some exciting new dance moves that I will unleash for the first time in Everybody Dance,” he said.

For the music video he worked with director Anthony Slaney and Jamaica‘s most experienced cinematographer Chris Browne. Browne is best known as director of Third World Cop and has worked on such Jamaican feature films as Dancehall Queen, One Love, Ghett A Life, KLA$H and several international productions that were filmed in Jamaica.

On October 11, Stephens is set to join international acts Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, Dru Hill, Silk, Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, Freddie Jackson, Howard Hewitt and LUST at the inaugural Soul In The Sun concert which take place at the Aqueduct in Rose Hall, Montego Bay.

View the original article here

Richie Stephens debuts music video via WorldStarHipHop website

K"reema making strides in the music industry

Contributed – K’reema and King Yellowman backstage at BB King.

Dancehall/pop artiste K’reema is looking forward to a bright future in music.

The talented beauty is the second of six children for dancehall legend Winston Foster, who is known throughout the world as King Yellowman.

K’reema made her recording debut a month ago with the release of a hot party track called We Don’t Give A What. Since then, she has been working extremely hard to promote the single in the US where she is based, as well as overseas.

K’reema recently delivered an exciting performance at a special event which was held to raise awareness about sickle cell disease in the Black American and Latino communities in New York.

The event, which was one of a series of summer concerts organised by the city of Brooklyn, was held at the Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza.

Performing We Don’t Give A What and a rendition of pop star Sia’s Chandelier, K’reema delivered a short and spicy performance which went over well with the audience.

“My performance was very special for me, it was my first official performance. I’ve made a number of appearances with my dad, but this was the first time I was performing on my own. I am so happy the audience loved my performance,” said K’reema.

K’reema was also in fine form when she opened for King Yellowman at an event which was held at the prestigious BB King Blues Club in Manhattan.

She opened the show performing We Don’t Give A What, which went over well the audience. After her opening performance, the audience had the opportunity to hear her show off her impressive vocal range when she joined her dad onstage to perform his hit version of the Fats Domino classic, Blueberry Hill.

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K"reema making strides in the music industry

K"reema making strides in the music industry

Contributed – K’reema and King Yellowman backstage at BB King.

Dancehall/pop artiste K’reema is looking forward to a bright future in music.

The talented beauty is the second of six children for dancehall legend Winston Foster, who is known throughout the world as King Yellowman.

K’reema made her recording debut a month ago with the release of a hot party track called We Don’t Give A What. Since then, she has been working extremely hard to promote the single in the US where she is based, as well as overseas.

K’reema recently delivered an exciting performance at a special event which was held to raise awareness about sickle cell disease in the Black American and Latino communities in New York.

The event, which was one of a series of summer concerts organised by the city of Brooklyn, was held at the Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza.

Performing We Don’t Give A What and a rendition of pop star Sia’s Chandelier, K’reema delivered a short and spicy performance which went over well with the audience.

“My performance was very special for me, it was my first official performance. I’ve made a number of appearances with my dad, but this was the first time I was performing on my own. I am so happy the audience loved my performance,” said K’reema.

K’reema was also in fine form when she opened for King Yellowman at an event which was held at the prestigious BB King Blues Club in Manhattan.

She opened the show performing We Don’t Give A What, which went over well the audience. After her opening performance, the audience had the opportunity to hear her show off her impressive vocal range when she joined her dad onstage to perform his hit version of the Fats Domino classic, Blueberry Hill.

View the original article here

K"reema making strides in the music industry

Thorpido makes music industry debut

Thorpido – Contributed

Marvin Lloyd Thorpe is better known by his stage name Thorpido. Thorpido is a reggae recording artiste and songwriter.

He is best known for his hit single Teach Them The Way, which peaked at at No. 1 on CVM TV Hit List video Chart.

Thorpido was born in Kingston on July 23, 1986. In 1991, he moves to Pembroke Hall, St Mary. At the age of nine, while enrolled at the Jeffery Town All-Age School, he developed a passion for music while listening to the likes of Buju Banton, Capleton, and Bounty Killer. Thorpido would write songs consisting of four lines and sing them aloud with his brothers.

After leaving Tacky High School, which he represented in both football and cricket, he continued his musical journey, and in 2004, he started recording songs with his brothers and friends.

By 2007, Thorpido had written dozens of songs and performed on several stage shows. In 2010, he released his first single, Evil Deeds, on the Assault rhythm under the Kaos Production Label. He performed on TVJ Smile Jamaica and got radio play also.

Thorpido has now released new single Down In Jamaica on the bitter winds rhythm under Doobie Production, a label from Sweden. He is looking to do fairly well in the music industry.

View the original article here

Thorpido makes music industry debut

ConnectJA, Contractor"s Music Marketing host football match

US-based charity group ConnectJA will partner with Contractor’s Music Marketing in hosting a Masters’ League football match in Spanish Town, which is geared towards funding the purchasing of computers for two schools in the parish.

The match will take place on August 4 at the Spanish Town Prison Oval and will feature a mini-entertainment package for its expected patrons. This project will be one of numerous activities undertaken by the Cornel Levy-led charity organisation.

Later this year, the charity, based in Atlanta, plans to bring hip hop star Rick Ross for a major concert, aimed at raising funds for infrastructural development at several already-identified schools within rural and urban areas.

All of the company’s local activities will be marketed and promoted by Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards’ Contractor Music Marketing promotional company. ‘Contractor’ recently marketed ConnectJA throughout several European communities on his ongoing summer promotional tour, including England’s Vision newspaper.

Schools to benefit from this charity match will be St Catherine and Homestead primary. Guys Hill High School will also receive a barrel of clothes and two table tennis boards.

“We are very excited over this project. Sports and entertainment are a perfect mix when the aim is to create unity and provide a platform for help,” said Levy, via a press statement.

CaribLanta continues to be the only other company assisting the charity thus far.

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ConnectJA, Contractor"s Music Marketing host football match

Dominica World Creole Music Festival lineup to include Jah, Cure, Elvis Crespo

Jah Cure (Credit: sobeentertainment.com)

ROSEAU, Dominica, Monday July 4, 2014 - The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), producers of the annual World Creole Music Festival announced the line-up for this year’s festival at the ‘Official Launch’ on June 25th 2014 at the Krazy Koconuts under the theme ‘Creole Runs the Night’. The festival is scheduled for Friday 24th to Sunday 26th October at the Windsor Park Stadium, Roseau, Dominica.

Headline acts on the 18th edition of the Festival include, Jamaican dancehall artist Jah Cure; Afro-beat sensation Flavor of Nigeria, West Africa and Latin Grammy Award-winning Merengue singer Elvis Crespo of Puerto Rico. This formidable line-up of Creole musical acts will create the much anticipated festival excitement. Coupled with a stunning array of Zouk masters hailing from Guadeloupe and Martinique inclusive of the well-known ‘Franky Vincent’ and Harry Soundourayen, ‘plus Haiti’s masters of Compas – Tabou Combo with over 50 years in the business, Brothers Roberto and Reynaldo leading T-Vice and ‘newly formed but creating waves Klass with Pipo on the lead vocals; and from the Soca Arena –Bachanalist Kerwin Dubois, Wining Queen Denise Belfon, and Destra are sure to present that Trinidad blend of Creole.

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Our very own Dominican Artists will spice up the three nights of Pulsating Rhythms. The Triple Kay Global band as they are popularly known will display bouyon rhythms in their customary authentic style. The Xtasy Band hailing from the South of the island will make their debut on the World Creole music festival stage. The legendary Midnight Groovers will provide the unique Dominican ingredient of Cadence-lypso into the line-up recipe. The Midnight Groovers band who provide that Dominican essence will be the “Honored Creole Icon” for this year’s festival.

Patrons over the next few weeks can look forward to more artists being added to the line up and promotion on tickets for the World Creole Music Festival. The Dwivés will be on once again as part of the fringe events at the Krazy Koconuts and will feature a number of young upcoming Dominican talents.

The event is presented by the Government of Dominica alongside Headline Partner Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) and Gold Partner ‘Digicel’.

View the original article here

Dominica World Creole Music Festival lineup to include Jah, Cure, Elvis Crespo

Canadian dancehall-pop artiste to release music video

Kirk Diamond – Contributed

Kirk Diamond of award-winning Canadian group, Don Dem, is set to release an Armzhouse records-produced music video before heading to Jamaica for MIA Awards

The five-member group is widely known as a dancehall-pop group in Canada and has performed at several events in the country.

Kirk Diamond, similar to his four group members, has been producing solo projects in recent times.

However, Diamond said the group’s has no intention to separate permanently, and is still committed to producing and releasing material under the group label, Don Dem Entertainment.

Diamond’s last promotional stint in Jamaica was last summer and the recording artiste hopes his return, will give him the opportunity to reconnect with the Jamaican audience, as well as work with more Jamaican musicians.

Following Kirk Diamond’s appearance at the fourth of MIA Awards, on July 10, the group is set to embark on a tour of Europe. They will also perform at UK’s One Love Reggae Festival. Group member TG is also executing promotions for a single, Dem Nuh Real. A music video for that effort will also be released in July.

“This summer is definitely going to be busy with Don Dem Entertainment being a label now. We added TG to the roster, making the team stronger than ever, and we are working with various producers who are doing good work we love. Producers like Dreday, Digital Vibes and Armzhouse, as well as some of our own productions. My workload quadrupled but the summer should be great,” Diamond said.

View the original article here

Canadian dancehall-pop artiste to release music video

Canadian dancehall-pop artiste to release music video

Kirk Diamond – Contributed

Kirk Diamond of award-winning Canadian group, Don Dem, is set to release an Armzhouse records-produced music video before heading to Jamaica for MIA Awards

The five-member group is widely known as a dancehall-pop group in Canada and has performed at several events in the country.

Kirk Diamond, similar to his four group members, has been producing solo projects in recent times.

However, Diamond said the group’s has no intention to separate permanently, and is still committed to producing and releasing material under the group label, Don Dem Entertainment.

Diamond’s last promotional stint in Jamaica was last summer and the recording artiste hopes his return, will give him the opportunity to reconnect with the Jamaican audience, as well as work with more Jamaican musicians.

Following Kirk Diamond’s appearance at the fourth of MIA Awards, on July 10, the group is set to embark on a tour of Europe. They will also perform at UK’s One Love Reggae Festival. Group member TG is also executing promotions for a single, Dem Nuh Real. A music video for that effort will also be released in July.

“This summer is definitely going to be busy with Don Dem Entertainment being a label now. We added TG to the roster, making the team stronger than ever, and we are working with various producers who are doing good work we love. Producers like Dreday, Digital Vibes and Armzhouse, as well as some of our own productions. My workload quadrupled but the summer should be great,” Diamond said.

View the original article here

Canadian dancehall-pop artiste to release music video

Music Industry Achievers Awards for July 10

The organisers of this years’ Music Industry Achievers Awards have announced that the event will be held at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston on July 10, 2014.

The show begins at 7 p.m., with the walking of the red carpet an hour earlier. Tickets for the show are now on sale at Quick Fix Tectronics, Shop #50, Clock Tower Plaza.

The star-studded event celebrates four years of honouring Jamaican entertainers for their creative efforts and contribution to the music fraternity. This year’s event will be hosted by the effervescent Jade from ZIP 103 and Phoenix from Kool FM.

Attendees will be entertained by performances from Versatile, Seanizzle, Tnez, Iyara, Omari, Ikaya, and many more. There will also be a special feature from a known international act this year.

“This is the defining year for The Music Industry Achievers Awards. we are going full force. I am promising a flawless show from the walking of the red carpet until the closing of the show,” said Nackesha Doyley, CEO of the Music Industry Achievers Awards.

For the first time, there will be live streaming at the red carpet by Panta Son, so non-attendees can watch from the comfort of their homes. Fame and Hitz FMs will be doing an outside broadcast.

The prestigious award boasts 27 categories and six ambassadors. Elise Kelly, Ron Muschette, and Jenny Jennyhave been named as three special awardees.

View the original article here

Music Industry Achievers Awards for July 10

Music Industry Achievers Awards for July 10

The organisers of this years’ Music Industry Achievers Awards have announced that the event will be held at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston on July 10, 2014.

The show begins at 7 p.m., with the walking of the red carpet an hour earlier. Tickets for the show are now on sale at Quick Fix Tectronics, Shop #50, Clock Tower Plaza.

The star-studded event celebrates four years of honouring Jamaican entertainers for their creative efforts and contribution to the music fraternity. This year’s event will be hosted by the effervescent Jade from ZIP 103 and Phoenix from Kool FM.

Attendees will be entertained by performances from Versatile, Seanizzle, Tnez, Iyara, Omari, Ikaya, and many more. There will also be a special feature from a known international act this year.

“This is the defining year for The Music Industry Achievers Awards. we are going full force. I am promising a flawless show from the walking of the red carpet until the closing of the show,” said Nackesha Doyley, CEO of the Music Industry Achievers Awards.

For the first time, there will be live streaming at the red carpet by Panta Son, so non-attendees can watch from the comfort of their homes. Fame and Hitz FMs will be doing an outside broadcast.

The prestigious award boasts 27 categories and six ambassadors. Elise Kelly, Ron Muschette, and Jenny Jennyhave been named as three special awardees.

View the original article here

Music Industry Achievers Awards for July 10

"A-Game Everyday" music video released

A-Game

Recording artiste A-Game is set to launch his first music video for his single A-Game Everyday, produced by Vern Hill.

A-Game, who is more popularly known as the lead singer of the Blu Print Band, shared: “This song is very relatable, and it encourages everyone to keep up their A-game and stay focused.”

The video, shot by Aeonpro Studio, also features a special appearance from Jamaican sprint star Warren Weir. “He’s a good friend of mine, and was more than happy to make an appearance in the video as he respects the message in the song,” A-Game shared.

When asked about his affiliation with the Blu Print Band, he made it clear that he is still the lead singer, and adds that they are very supportive of his music.

The single, A-Game Everyday, is a fusion of old-school hip hop and dancehall. “I love music, and I feel as though it is very important to fuse different genres and just be more versatile,” A-game said. “I think people are tired of hearing the same things, so I hope to bring something new to the table.”

Additionally, he is set to host his birthday celebration and official video launch today at Social Lounge on Constant Spring Road at 8 p.m. The event will feature DJ Pelps and will have several special guest appearances. A-Game is also set to perform, adding that “there is no admission, and there will be complimentary shots all night”.

View the original article here

"A-Game Everyday" music video released

"A-Game Everyday" music video released

A-Game

Recording artiste A-Game is set to launch his first music video for his single A-Game Everyday, produced by Vern Hill.

A-Game, who is more popularly known as the lead singer of the Blu Print Band, shared: “This song is very relatable, and it encourages everyone to keep up their A-game and stay focused.”

The video, shot by Aeonpro Studio, also features a special appearance from Jamaican sprint star Warren Weir. “He’s a good friend of mine, and was more than happy to make an appearance in the video as he respects the message in the song,” A-Game shared.

When asked about his affiliation with the Blu Print Band, he made it clear that he is still the lead singer, and adds that they are very supportive of his music.

The single, A-Game Everyday, is a fusion of old-school hip hop and dancehall. “I love music, and I feel as though it is very important to fuse different genres and just be more versatile,” A-game said. “I think people are tired of hearing the same things, so I hope to bring something new to the table.”

Additionally, he is set to host his birthday celebration and official video launch today at Social Lounge on Constant Spring Road at 8 p.m. The event will feature DJ Pelps and will have several special guest appearances. A-Game is also set to perform, adding that “there is no admission, and there will be complimentary shots all night”.

View the original article here

"A-Game Everyday" music video released

Myrie music - Buju"s son signs act to his label

Entertainment

Saturday, August 31, 2013

SINGJAY Daniel ‘Bryka’ Rose is the latest artiste signed to producer Marcus Myrie’s Marcus Records.Eighteen year-old Myrie is the eldest son of Grammy winner Buju Banton.Byrka is Banton’s nephew.According to Byrka, being the relative of a famous artiste does not guarantee his career smooth sailing.“I know the road to stardom isn’t an easy one, however I will not give up. I have a progressive team pushing me and everyone is like family at Marcus Records,” he said.The 21 year-old hails from Golden Spring in St Andrew. To date, he has recorded songs like End of The Day, Survivor, Jah Jah We Praise and Bar Bounce.“In this industry, most of the social issues that need to be highlighted are already done by almost every entertainer, making it very competitive to get a message out sometimes. It’s not what you say, it is how it is said, so this is where I show my versatility,” Byrka explained.Bryka joins deejay D’East as the artistes signed to Marcus Records which has released a handful of hit songs since last year.“I decided to get him on board not only because he is family but because he possesses the correct attitude for music. He is an humble individual but takes a very aggressive approach as it relates to his career,” said Myrie.— Simone MorganMarcus Myrie (left) with his latest charge singjay Daniel ‘Bryka’ Rose. (PHOTO: NAPHTALI JUNIOR)

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Myrie music - Buju"s son signs act to his label

Music"s hit-makers descend on Brooklyn for Video Music Awards

NEW YORK (AP) — Even if the hotly rumoured `N Sync reunion doesn’t happen, the MTV Video Music Awards are already shaping up as Justin Timberlake’s night.

The lead nominee — with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis — is up for six awards. Timberlake also will be honoured with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and the anticipation over whether he and his old boy-band cronies will appear together will persist well after the show kicks off Sunday night from Brooklyn.MTV is officially mum, neither confirming nor denying the rumour, and Joey Fatone has even denied it officially. But `N Sync debuted a Twitter account Saturday, and the hubbub has overshadowed what will be an all-star line-up at the Barclays Center.Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Drake will perform hit singles for the first time, and Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus and — if the spurned Stephen Colbert is to be believed — Daft Punk square off in a song-of-the-summer competition. But `N Sync has managed to steal the thunder.“We’re just hoping we’re not doing anything after them because anything after `N Sync this year is going to be irrelevant,” One Direction’s Harry Styles said.One Direction didn’t give any clues about its role, and MTV has kept many details about the two-hour show under wraps. Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, A$AP Rocky, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jared Leto and last year’s host Kevin Hart (MTV has chosen to go without a host this year) are scheduled to participate, and former NBA player Jason Collins, who recently acknowledged he is gay, will introduce Macklemore and Lewis’ marriage equality anthem ‘Same Love’.The Seattle duo is the surprise of the year and is up for six awards, as Timberlake is. The Seattle rap crew has the top song from the first half of 2013, ‘Thrift Shop’ featuring Wanz, one of five songs up for the top honour: video of the year.Timberlake — who’s won seven moonman trophies — has the year’s best-selling album, ‘The 20/20 Experience’, and his follow-up ‘The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2’, is due out in September. His ‘Mirrors’ is up for video of the year. Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ featuring T.I. and Pharrell, Bruno Mars’ ‘Locked Out of Heaven’ and Swift’s ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ round out the category.Mars has the next-highest number of nominations, with four. Pink, Cyrus, Thicke and Thirty Seconds to Mars have three apiece.The show travels to Brooklyn and the brand new Barclays Center for the first time, which should change its vibe. It also will change the iconic moonman trophy. MTV commissioned Brooklyn artist KAWS to redesign the statuette for this year’s show.

View the original article here

Music"s hit-makers descend on Brooklyn for Video Music Awards

Music"s hit-makers descend on Brooklyn for Video Music Awards

NEW YORK (AP) — Even if the hotly rumoured `N Sync reunion doesn’t happen, the MTV Video Music Awards are already shaping up as Justin Timberlake’s night.

The lead nominee — with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis — is up for six awards. Timberlake also will be honoured with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and the anticipation over whether he and his old boy-band cronies will appear together will persist well after the show kicks off Sunday night from Brooklyn.MTV is officially mum, neither confirming nor denying the rumour, and Joey Fatone has even denied it officially. But `N Sync debuted a Twitter account Saturday, and the hubbub has overshadowed what will be an all-star line-up at the Barclays Center.Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Drake will perform hit singles for the first time, and Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus and — if the spurned Stephen Colbert is to be believed — Daft Punk square off in a song-of-the-summer competition. But `N Sync has managed to steal the thunder.“We’re just hoping we’re not doing anything after them because anything after `N Sync this year is going to be irrelevant,” One Direction’s Harry Styles said.One Direction didn’t give any clues about its role, and MTV has kept many details about the two-hour show under wraps. Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, A$AP Rocky, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jared Leto and last year’s host Kevin Hart (MTV has chosen to go without a host this year) are scheduled to participate, and former NBA player Jason Collins, who recently acknowledged he is gay, will introduce Macklemore and Lewis’ marriage equality anthem ‘Same Love’.The Seattle duo is the surprise of the year and is up for six awards, as Timberlake is. The Seattle rap crew has the top song from the first half of 2013, ‘Thrift Shop’ featuring Wanz, one of five songs up for the top honour: video of the year.Timberlake — who’s won seven moonman trophies — has the year’s best-selling album, ‘The 20/20 Experience’, and his follow-up ‘The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2’, is due out in September. His ‘Mirrors’ is up for video of the year. Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ featuring T.I. and Pharrell, Bruno Mars’ ‘Locked Out of Heaven’ and Swift’s ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ round out the category.Mars has the next-highest number of nominations, with four. Pink, Cyrus, Thicke and Thirty Seconds to Mars have three apiece.The show travels to Brooklyn and the brand new Barclays Center for the first time, which should change its vibe. It also will change the iconic moonman trophy. MTV commissioned Brooklyn artist KAWS to redesign the statuette for this year’s show.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Music"s hit-makers descend on Brooklyn for Video Music Awards

Making music for Mandela

NELSON Mandela was in his 18th year of imprisonment on South Africa’s Robben Island when Jimmy Cliff visited the country in May 1980.

Though international opposition to South Africa’s Apartheid system was fierce, Cliff defied the stigma of being blacklisted and became the first Jamaican reggae artiste to perform in the renegade country.He did three shows in Soweto, Durban and Cape Town, playing to enthusiastic audiences, especially in Soweto, the impoverished township which was a flashpoint for the anti-Apartheid struggle.Copeland Forbes, Cliff’s road manager on the two-week trip, recalls apprehension in the singer’s camp when he was approached by a group of black South African promoters to perform in their country.“It was exciting for us, since most of us had never been to Africa. But we also knew about Apartheid and that people (including musicians and sportsmen) who went to South Africa were banned,” Forbes recalled.Cliff had been a superstar since the early 1970s through his starring role in the movie The Harder They Come. He had visited Africa several times and performed in Nigeria.Forbes says Cliff was hugely popular in South Africa. His cover of Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry was an anthem there, while his I Am The Living album was also popular.The first show in Soweto was by far the largest, Forbes remembers. It attracted over 100,000 fans of all races who gave Cliff a rapturous welcome.“It was a moving sea of human beings… black, white, Indians. Everybody was shouting ‘Jimmy! Jimmy!” said Forbes. “There was also a lot of security with dogs.”Though they stayed in suitable accommodations, Cliff and his Oneness band experienced South Africa’s rigid colour barriers.“We went to the parks and stores and we saw signs marked ‘Whites only’ or ‘Blacks and Coloured,” said Forbes.During a break from shows, Cliff and his band went to Table Mountain, a scenic location in Cape Town overlooking Robben Island. They played bongo drums for most of the day in tribute to Mandela, a founding member of the African National Congress who had been imprisoned since 1962 for his fight against Apartheid.Forbes says Cliff was blacklisted briefly for his South African trip. There had been opposition to his visit by some militant blacks, but Forbes believes the general response among the native population was positive.“A Zulu warrior told me that it was Jimmy’s music that soothed him in tough times. To a lot of black people, we were like saviours,” he said.Nelson Mandela was freed from prison in 1990 after 27 years. Jimmy Cliff has not performed in South Africa since his historic sojourn 33 years ago.Jimmy Cliff (seated centre) and his band in South Africa in 1980. At right is Copeland Forbes, Cliff’s road manager for the two-week trip.

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Making music for Mandela