Artistes ‘group’ for common goals
Lust members from left are Lukie D, Thriller U, Singing Melody, and Tony Curtis at the release of the compilation album ‘Time for Love’, and the new single and video ‘Hardware’, held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 – Winston Sill / Freelance Photographer
Sizzla new album The Overstanding
Damon Dash Music Group proudly announces the release of a brand new album from dance hall legend Sizzla. “The Overstanding” is scheduled to be released on October 3rd, 2006. “The Overstanding” will be marketed and distributed by DDMG / Kalonji Records.
Sizzla emerged during the latter half of the ’90s, and quickly became one of the leaders of the modern dancehall movement. Along with Buju Banton and Capleton, he helped lead dancehall back to the musical and spiritual influence of roots reggae, favoring organic productions and heavily Rastafarian subject matter.
Not all reggae artists give thanks and praise to Jah, rally for a return to Africa, smoke cannabis and wear their hair in dreadlocks.
But because reggae so embraced the political and spiritual messages of Rastafarianism in the 1970s and ’80s, many casual listeners might assume that’s all there is to the music.
Despite the nine year hiatus, late start and seemingly disorganised production, the first night of the bMobile Reggae Sunsplash proved to be an entertaining mix of dancehall bravado, sexuality and engaging lyrical content.
The show, slated to begin at five ‘o’ clock, started approximately at 10:00 pm, with performances from several opening acts.
He may have left here to return to his native Jamaica more than a decade ago, but Leroy Sibbles still seems to be with us.
From the mid-1980s through the early ’90s, when the Bamboo Club ruled on Queen West and this city pulsed with the infectious thump of the righteous reggae and party-grade soca of the Sattalites and Parachute Club — when the music and sensibilities of an emerging Caribbean culture first diverted Toronto from its WASP-ish ways — Sibbles was the resident voice of authenticity, the embodiment of Jamaican music.
You’d think he’d be used to it by now but American Hasidic reggae star Matisyahu was taken aback by the reaction in Portugal recently.
Although afforded a nearmessianic reception by fans at his shows, a 170cm Jewish singer-rapper in traditional Hasidic garb of black suit, white shirt, long beard and black hat — the same uniform he wears onstage each night — is still something of a novelty in Lisbon.
Beenie Man on fatherhood, wedding plans and his new album
The opening lyrics of his core smash Chaka Dance – “Me nuh inna di argument wid dem†– pretty much sums up Beenie Man’s attitude towards all those who we might have assumed he’d fallen out with.
The capacity crowd roared with approval as reggae musician Ziggy Marley and his ten-piece band took the stage at the Amphi-Park in Ra’anana Thursday night. Beginning their set precisely as advertised, at 9:30 p.m., Marley and his band appeared after opening sets by several local reggae groups, who, along with the multiple vendors selling Rasta-inspired clothes and bric-abrac, gave the warm evening a welcome festival vibe.
Local radio station covers regional Reggae fest
Vibe 98.9 FM recently sent a delegation to Jamaica for Reggae Sumfest to join enthusiasts from around the globe in Montego Bay for the world’s premier reggae festival and concert event.
This year, the Vibe 98.9 team got a large helping of talent thanks to over 60 performances by stars such as Missy Elliot, Rhianna, 50 Cent and G Unit, Damien “Jr. Gong” Marley, Buju Banton and Beres Hammond to name a few.
The Energizer Bunny must stop at some point regardless of the fact that it is supposed to keep going and going. But, perhaps a few of Jamaica’s most long-serving entertainers would make a perfect pitch to advertise the ongoing tenure of the Bunny.
Some of these stars continue to be a beacon in the industry and there is no sign of letting up anytime soon. We are talking about decades of authentic Jamaican reggae music, which is just as lively as it was then. But what is it that makes the artistes so perpetual?