West Islanders up for big reggae festival

Montreal’s most gifted reggae artists will take to the stage en masse next month in the Big Up, the island’s first winter reggae festival. On the local scene, “reggae bands don’t really get a lot of exposure,” mused organizer Buntin Neil of Dollard des Ormeaux, with whom the concept for the Big Up largely originated. “The idea behind the festival is to zoom in on the different bands from in and around the city,” he said, adding, “the three-day event will showcase 10 groups.”

Caribbean Flavour Series- Alison Hinds, a soca role model

The unofficial Queen of Soca, Alison Hinds has the distinction of being one of the most popular soca singers, topping the charts in countries where people do not widely listen to soca. With dance moves that could bring a grown man to his knees, and catchy lyrics, she has made a name for herself in the music industry, crossing beyond the boundaries of Barbados.

Baby Cham One of Jamaica’s Biggest Exports

The U.K. garage scene spawned “grime,” a hybridized form of hip hop that’s gotten a big stateside push and introduction from the likes of Missy Elliott. Acts like L’il Jon and the Eastside Boyz popularized “crunk,” dirty rap from America’s deep south. And Cuban-American artists like Pitbull have helped introduce “reggaeton” (Spanish reggae) to the masses.

Red hot Phase II the band to beat

Defending Panorama champions HCL Phase II Pan Groove emerged as the top band in the Large Band category of the semi-finals held on Sunday at the Queen’s Park Savannah and undoubtedly are favourites to regain the title at the finals to be held on February 17. Phase II literally shared licks to all and sundry as the band, led by Keith Serrette and playing in position number 14, performed Len “Boogsie” Sharpe’s arrangement of “Sharing Licks” to the delight of the fans.

The ‘Man from Mars’ returns to the US

He may not enjoy quite the recall of the 60s TV series stars, but for dancehall fans in the US, selector-turned-deejay Tony Matterhorn may well be their favourite martian. Matterhorn, who shook the dancehall last year with the sizeable hits Dutty Wine and Goodas Fi Dem, enjoys watching cartoons and playing his PST games. “I love the PST games. I have six of them since they came out”, he confided in an interview with this writer on Friday night.

Rooplal G retains Chutney crown

In a battle among the kings of chutney and calypso, Rooplal G emerged winner taking the top prize of $200,000 at the NLCB’s Chutney Soca Monarch on Saturday evening, leaving Reigning Calypso Monarch Luta (Morel Peters) in the dust. Luta who had thrilled the audience throughout the competition failed to make the grade. Rooplal’s powerful voice rang out sending the crowds in a frenzy when he appeared in eighth position at Skinner Park, San Fernando, before a huge crowd.

Stephen Marley Naturally in control

When the initial Smile Jamaica concert took place, Stephen Marley was just a small boy, so its little wonder he has no direct frame of reference for it. Now, inside a small townhouse, tucked away in the recesses of the iconic Hope Road property that his father established, first as Tuff Gong, Stephen Marley emerges – his own son in tow – from a room on the upper level.

Belfon’s ‘Bicycle Wine’

Known for her acrobatic dance routines and scintillating lyrics, Denise “Saucy Wow” Belfon is considered a diva in her own right and some have even proclaimed her the only Soca Dancehall diva in the music industry today. This year her antics have not changed and other Soca Monarch contestants will have to be strong enough to contend with her “Bicycle Wine” routine which she hopes will give her the judges nod to place in the top four.

Songs not a sign to parties

Over the years, it has become the norm for political parties to adopt the songs of dancehall and reggae artistes as part of their campaigns gimmicks. However, some artistes say no permission has been granted and warn that this will no longer be tolerated if it is done for the wrong reasons. T.O.K’s Flexx says, “a two a wi song dem use, Solid As A Rock and Chi Chi Man. We don’t give them permission, but when rally time come round dem jus use the hottest songs at the time to help in dem rally, ’cause when dem play it di crowd will respond in a positive way.”

Events, the new fighting ground

In recent times, stage shows have become the new fighting ground where artistes meet to settle the score fist to fist. Remember the hostile confrontation between members of Mavado and Aidonia’s entourages at Mavado’s Birthday Bash held at Horizon Inn, Port Henderson Road in Portmore in 2006? Not to mention the box that was meted out to Spice backstage GT Taylor’s Christmas Extravaganza in St. Elizabeth, also in 2006.