G-SHOCK RIDDIM MEDLEY- [Official Video]
February 27th, 2011 | By
Archive for February, 2011
RAVI B Incites crowd to violence at Chutney Soca Monarch Semis
February 26th, 2011 | By
Dethroned Chutney Soca Monarch, Ravi Bissambhar, has apologised to fans, patrons and Southex Ltd, promoters of the annual Chutney Soca Monarch competition, after inciting irresponsible behavior from the fans at the end of his guest performance at the show on Saturday night.
Following the announcement of five-time winner, Rikki Jai, as the 2011 monarch, the remaining 3000-plus audience at the Skinner Park, San Fernando venue had shouted a resounding “nooooo” and began chanting Ravi B’s name.
Overwhelmed by the controversial results and subsequent crowd response, Bissambhar and his band, Karma, later performed an emotional 40-minute set of popular cover songs and their original songs for the gathering during the after-competition fete. Before beginning his set, Ravi B asked the audience if they were happy with the results.
After performing a few songs, he instructed his sister Nisha B and other band members to leave the stage.
“Nisha B, Gregory, fellahs, I want allyuh to walk off the stage,” Ravi B said.
He continued, “All those who say the title was between Ravi B and KI?”
The crowd shouted their approval.
Ravi B then walked to the right corner of the stage and said all those who were unhappy with the results to pelt something.
Immediately, a shower of bottles and other projectiles, including footwear, cans and cups, rained down on the stage, forcing band members and stagehands to scamper to safety. The police then brought an abrupt end to the event. Thankfully, no one was hurt during the incident.
Obviously displeased and disappointed with Bissambhar’s actions, promoter George Singh then spoke privately with the young singer and his family in their dressing room for several minutes.
Afterward, Bissambhar apologized to the officers on duty, his family and band mates.
He later told the Express: “I’m very sorry for doing that. It was irresponsible of me and people could have been hurt because of the silly suggestion that I gave the people. I got caught up in the emotions of the night and didn’t think before I opened my mouth. I sincerely apologise to the fans, Mr Singh and his whole staff for my actions.”
However, Bissambhar said he felt he had delivered a great performance and believed the audience did not agree with the results.
“It was heartbreaking to have put out all that energy and to have worked so hard and still lose this way. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Rikki, as someone who has paved the way for Chutney music and for me to exist today and I must congratulate him on his victory. I hope he flies the chutney flag and by extension the flag of T&T very high this year.”
Yesterday, however, Riki Jai expressed his shock at Ravi B’s response to the loss, saying it was distasteful how Ravi B incited the crowd to violence.
He said: “That was the ranting of a sore loser. One minute he was in front trying to create an impression for the world to see and the next minute inciting violence with the crowd.”
Saying he had once been called a mentor by Ravi B, Rikki Jai added, “If that is how you treat your mentor, I don’t want to see how he would treat his enemy. It is a sad day for chutney. And as a former monarch that behavior was very immature.
“He even tried to bring KI into it, but KI came backstage soon after it happened and apologised to me for what had happened. He said ‘uncle Rikki I had no part in what happen.’”
The six-time monarch said last year when he finished second in the competition he did not have any grouse with the results. He said, however, that Ravi B’s comments yesterday morning were not going to distract him.
“I left the venue with the people”
Watch the Ravi B Incident HERE
Follow di Arrow this Saturday February 26
February 25th, 2011 | By
MAGNUM Follow Di Arrow, the first major dancehall stage show for the year is expected to be garner lots of support from fans this year.
Promoter Dexton Ennis of Decky Promotions believes this Saturday’s event at James Bond Beach in St. Mary may be its most important staging. “We would really like to see the artistes coming out and showing some positive vibes because we all know last year was not a good one,” Ennis said.
Ennis pointed out that deejays Mavado and Vybz Kartel are headliners for the show this year, “It’s going to be good for their fans to see both of them on the same stage.”
Bounty Killer, Sizzla, Gyptian, Louie Culture, Fantan Mojah, and Macka Diamond. Musical stalwarts Coco Tea, George Nooks and Captain Barkey and Wickerman will also showcase their talents.
One of the new artists on the line up for Follow di Arrow will be Master One recording artiste Denno who faced Jam World and gained their approval this past December on the Sting stage.
“I am always looking for a chance to prove myself and it makes me feel good to know that I will have to “come good” to hold my own among this impressive cast of performers,” he said
Big Year ahead for Starbwoy Mavado
February 25th, 2011 | By
Mavado is back in JA after coming off a 8 city tour of Europe. Chase Cross Stacious and Mavado performed 3 times in Germany – Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin, Switzerland, Scandinavia and at the Amsterdam Reggae Festival.
“Its my third tour of Europe and it just gets better,” said Mavado. “Its always a joy to see people from all nations in the crowd who’s first language is not English singing along to my songs. Its a great feeling and inspires me to continue making great music. Life on the road can be tough, you have to just condition your mind and get physically fit because its just travelling and shows day after day. Its a joy to see the people’s reaction out there 7,000 miles away from mi yard so its something I love doing.”
The tour then went on to break new ground for Mavado in Scandinavia, visiting snowbound countries with temperatures of -17 degrees.
“This tour we ventured into markets Mavado hasnt played before,” added manager Julian Jones-Griffith. “Promoters in Helsinki, Finland, said it was the biggest Dancehall show ever there. The Stockholm and Copenhagen shows were also very well attended and the crowds were full of energy. These shows were on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights so to see Dancehall music getting that support so far from its epicentre is encouraging.”
Wednesday saw the tour land in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and an emotionally-charged stop for the Gully Gad as it was in Zurich his Father lost his life. Mavado performed for nearly two hours until he was so horse he couldn’t sing any more.
The tour rounded out in Berlin, Germany, and another packed club before a long flight back to the island. Mavado currently has the hottest song in Jamaica with the Stephen McGregor-produced Pepper and is working on his next album set to drop this summer.
“We’re excited about a track called Delilah, which will be released on my own label,” said Mavado. “Its a song about the reality of relationships and I’ve performed it only once live in the UK in December and its had the internet buzzing since then. Its gona drop next month.”
In other Gully Gad news, Mavado’s Stulla Wednesdays will be reborn in the coming weeks at Starlight, a new venue in New Kingston.
Stulla Tonic Wine is being brewed to perfection and will be available in stores in the coming months and Mavado will be appearing alongside mentor Bounty Killer and others at Follow the Arrow this Saturday night.
In whats set to be another busy year for the Gully Gad as he is booked for appearances in the UK, Canada, Africa, Australia, Trinidad, Costa Rica, the filthy rich Saudi city of Dubai, and even more in the upcoming months.
Rhianna halftime show All Star Game
February 24th, 2011 | By
Just in case you missed the game Rhianna did the halftime show and brought out Drake and Kanye West….
Kartel complains Radio is not playing his conscious tunes
February 24th, 2011 | By
Speaking to the weekend star recently, Vybz Kartel complained that his more conscious tunes are not getting enough airplay. The deejay explained that he doesn’t understand why these songs are getting so little airplay in comparison to his more party centered, woman or controversially based tunes.
“Di media nah gimme nuh credit fi di reality, social conscious songs me do. Dem jus highlight the negative. Me do Mr Babylon addressing the squatter land issue in Trelawny, dem nah play it. Me do From Me Born Me Been Sufferin, dem nah play it. Me do Fallen Angel, dem nah play it. Me do Yeah Though I, dem na play it.”
“Me put the same lyrical effort inna dem jus as how me put it in Cakesoap and Benz, so me nuh know. Me even do the video Yeah Though I and dem nah even play it pon TV. I want to know why they aren’t getting played. Because I can’t fathom why.”
Why do you think that the artist is having trouble getting his conscious tunes sufficient airplay?
If you think about it his wide fan base is largely composed of young people, men and women who have been drawn to the artist’s hardcore lyrics, style and swag. They are likely not used to the softer side point blank. The artist is intelligent we done know but its the wit infused within the badman lyrics that have set Vybz Kartel aside from other deejays. And one might assume that radio airplay has to do with what the market wants to hear and are requesting. So in order to keep the listeners listening and advertisers money circulating they givin the people what they want. Right?
Many “”hardcore” artists have had similar complaints where by their fan base becomes un responsive to their new styles when displaying a softer side. For example Lady Saw a veteran in the game has made similar comments many times through the years in those instances that she reveals her “softer side” on different albums and singles. But she seems to have overcome such obstacles while still remaining true to herself by finding that balance between the two while maintaining her fan base and gaining more followers along the way.
DHU recently spoke to Lady Saw about her latest album “My Way” which showcases the Dancehall Queen raw and her upcoming album Marion Hall Order The Alter Ego which highlights her musical diversity with a bit of jazz, blues and gospel songs by the artist. (keep it locked to DHU for that interview coming soon).
Maybe Addi should look into this type of venture separating styles only because the Cake Soap, Benz and All Out (one of my favs right now) are likely to overshadow those tunes that do have a positive message to send to the people. Just a thought.
Watch Yea Though I here
Buju responds to the guilty verdict
February 23rd, 2011 | By
There was some nervousness in the courtroom this afternoon when the jury came out with a question regarding the gun charge. They wanted to know if aiding and abetting applied to the gun charge. However after submissions from the defense attorney and the prosecution Judge James Moody ruled that it does not. Moody said the aiding and abetting only applied to the wire count against Buju.
Buju Banton was found guilty on three charges by the 12-member panel of jurors at the United States Sam M Gibbons Federal Court here in Tampa
The artiste was found guilty of:
1.) Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine
2.) Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense
3.) Using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offense
However he was found not guilty of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
Buju hugged his lawyer David Markus when the verdict was read. Many of Buju’s supporters left the courtroom crying. He has been detained and his bail has been revoked. Buju attorney has since signaled that he intends to appeal the guilty verdict that was handed down today.
Markus said that Buju is taking a philosophical approach to the guilty verdict and taking the disappointing news in stride. “We are all extremely disappointed and emotional,” said Markus. He added that Buju told him in the lock-up that he was happy that he fought because he was innocent.
He read a brief statement from Buju:
“Our life and our destiny are sometimes pre-destined and no matter where this journey takes me, remember I fought the good fight, It was a great man that said my head is bloody but still unbowed I love you all thank you for your support”. Buju is now in detention awaiting sentencing.
