THE aRT OF THE WRITTEN WORD... INTELLIGENCE...NOT JUST INFORMATION
j
JUST ADDED: Queen Ifrica, Playing for a Change, Lucky Dube Live!, Damian Marley & Nas, Jonathan Butler-No Woman No Cry, Bob Marley
For these & more Backstage@RR.com Videos... Go BACKSTAGE
Miami, FL - Two brothers by different mothers, Damian Marley and Nas have set the summer concert season on fire. The Distant Relatives tour, touted by its stars as a ‘family affair,’ is getting rave reviews while the dynamic duo’s CD by-the-same-name is charting worldwide. The Distant Relatives CD debuted in May 2010 at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling a reported 57,000
copies its first week. Reviews have labeled the lyrics “inspiring” and
its production “convincing.” The CD also shot onto to Billboard’s Rap,
Digital Album, R&B/Hip-Hop, and Reggae charts, where it sits at #1 today. Read more...
Busy Signal Breaks New Ground with "Suavemente" Busy Signal is a top versatile Dancehall artist, and one of the most sought after. Whether implementing the soulful importance of the Commodores' “Night Shift” on his song of the same name, or his lyrical versatility connecting with all fans on Marcia Griffiths' song “Automatic,” Busy Signal knows which buttons to push and where.
His third album, entitled D.O.B, sees the young star break new ground with a Latin audience by teaming with Elvis Crespo for "Suavemente," Busy’s second release following “Sum’n Ah Gwaan,” featuring Bounty Killer.
Based on Crespo’s 1998 hit record "Suavemente," Busy introduces authentic Dancehall to a new Latin audience by performing lyrics over the fast-paced backdrop of trumpets, piano, and a salsa drum beat, proving there is no genre of music the award winner can’t add ‘busy’ flavor to. Such a recording has not been done by a JA Dancehall DJ, especially with an artist of Crespo’s caliber - a Grammy winning, platinum-selling artist. If Crespo’s past success iwith "Suavemente" is any indication, Busy Signal can look forward to a possible Grammy nomination for ‘Best Latin Single.'
Busy Signal is currently on tour. “Anytime I can perform for my fans makes me happy,” said Busy. “The fans inspire me to do more musically and explore new grounds, such as what we did with 'Suavamente'.”
Experience Busy at the recent Uppsala Music Fest in Sweden here: youtube.com/Busy Signal Sizzles at Uppsala
Sean Kingston - Featured Artist on Justin Bieber's My World Tour
Also featuring Jessica Jarrell Photo by Irwandy on Flickr
Sean Kingston took time to talk with the Miami Herald’s Michael Hamersly about touring with the young pop superstar: Q: What can we expect [on tour]?
A: I have a 50-minute set, and it's one of those deep celebration sets with a lot of energy and a lot of feel-good music, hands in the air, like a rock star just partying. Q: You were born in Miami. What are some of your favorite hangouts? A: South Beach is always nice, and the Grove. I like to go to Boca -- Boca has a nice mall. I like to go to Muvico, the Hard Rock -- I don't gamble or nothing like that, but the clubs are pretty nice. Wherever they let me in is where I'm at. Q: How grateful are you for your success?
A: It's just a blessing. I'm very grateful, man. It's kind of like one of those things where I've been dreaming of this all my life, and it's finally opened up, that big break when I was 17. Now it's just about keeping it up and staying relevant and continuing to make great music,
Q: Were you surprised by how big ``Beautiful Girls'' got?
A: It wasn't really that much of a surprise due to the fact that I kind of knew how great the song was. I just didn't know it would pick up that fast.
Q: With ``Whatcha Say,'' did you guys know you had a big hit?
A: Yeah, with that, definitely, because of the sample and the production and the melody and where music was right now. I knew as soon as
people heard that, they'd fall in love with it. Q: How do you choose what songs to sample?
A: I'm really about doing stuff that's never been done before. Nobody ever used the Ben E. King beat and chopped it up. Nobody ever used Led Zeppelin or those types of things, creating it and making it your own.
Justin Bieber -Sean Kingston My World Tour dates:
Aug. 24 – Ottowa, ON, Canada
Aug. 25 – Albany, NY
Aug. 26 – Portland, ME
Aug. 27 – Providence, RI
Aug. 28 – Newark, NJ
Aug. 29 – Syracuse, NY
Aug. 31 – Madison Square Gardens, NYC
Check Sean’s behind-the-scenes tour video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovc30Im_kZQ
In Tribute to a Legend – Lucky Philip Dube - Aug. 3 1964 – Oct. 18 2007
This article first appeared in Reggae Report - V11#6 1993 - Gone but never forgotten
Lucky Dube… A Natural Man
By M. Peggy Quattro
Few individuals are naturally blessed with the predestined qualities of talent, wit, and a confident disposition. One such fortunate recipient is 29-year-old Lucky Dube, the remarkable South African singer/songwriter, who is presently dispensing his own musical blessings around the globe.
You are among the unlucky if you missed Lucky Dube and his mega band, Slaves, on their recent two month tour of the USA.
The incredible show, which highlights Lucky’s dynamic vocals, capable of soaring three octaves, Zulu dancing from Dube, the sonorous back-up singers and stinging brass section, and infectious authentic African-Reggae rhythms, was presented in 35 cities, with venues ranging from small nightclubs to major summer festivals.
Included was a free show held on a beautiful July day at Brooklyn’s Metro Tech Commons, sponsored by the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The moving response to the group’s performance was indicative of the overall reaction received wherever this talented troupe of performers set down.
At the end of August, the tour moves on to Europe where they will be opening act in a series of shows for international pop star Peter Gabriel.
A two-week break in their hometown of Johannesburg is followed by a concert in Capetown, then off to finish the year in Australia, New Caledonia, Japan, and France.
Considered a superstar in South Africa, Dube, who neither smokes nor drinks, modestly credits his fans for this stardom.
On stage, he acknowledges his audience with making him “feel like a natural man” and he segues into his own rendition of the Carol King classic.
“It is the people who make a song or a singer a hit,” he notes, “it is they who buy and support the music.”
He attributes much of his career success in Africa to his record label, Gallo.
“They are more than just a record company, they are my friends.
They know what I like and don’t like, what makes me happy and what doesn’t make me happy.”
In the past, the South African government would choose which Lucky Dube songs to play on the radio.
These days they play all his songs and air all his videos.
This is the result of Lucky’s albums selling in large volume, estimated at a quarter-million units of each album released.
It is not uncommon for a Lucky Dube concert to draw a spirited mix of 10,000 to 100,000 fans in South Africa, and throughout Africa, where he is considered the most popular artist of the day.Read more
Watch a great Lucky Dube LIve performance video NOW!
Gyptian Live! at Jamaica Live @Club Cabana
Words and photo by Jan Salzman
Hollywood, CA – July 29, 2010 - The line to get into Club Cabana was a block long.
I had never seen this before for a Jamaica Live performance from any artist.
Obviously, Gyptian’s hit single “Hold Yuh” was making its way onto the radio playlists and the public was responding.
Luckily, I ran into the Jamaica Live publicist, Russell Gerlach, and was escorted through the crowd into the stage room.
Give thanks!
I would never have gotten a good spot for photos otherwise.
Gyptian took to the stage around 1:00 a.m. to the screams of scantily clad girls who were jammed against the stage.
The girls had their sexiest moves on as they reached out to touch the young, popular star.
He was sporting a new hair style with his locks tightly braided in rows to the nape of his neck.
He still had a slightly shy nature as he appeared to blush as several girls jumped onto the stage to whine with him.
Gyptian took it with diplomacy and joined in.
His voice was in perfect shape as he blazed through his songs with energy.
The girls were thrilled with his romantic tunes.
His stage presence has really improved since the last time I saw him. Gyptian definitely connects with his audience!
He didn’t perform “Hold Yuh” until the very end of his set and the crowd went wild!
After his show, Gyptian indulged his female fans once again as he made himself available to pose for photos with them.
I had some photos to give him but couldn’t get through so I handed them to his tour manager for later viewing.
Gyptian is a performer not to be missed…so check him when he comes to your town!
Check all the links for more articles, reviews, pictures, videos, events, and more!
Hello fans! I want to thank each of you for your show of love over the years. Because of your unending support of the music and the message, we face the future with hope. The music has gone through many changes, and haven't we all, but the universal love for Reggae has not changed. In an effort to engage and entertain, I strive to earn your participation. I have stories to tell, and share, and more in the making. It's never a dull ride, frustrating at times, but never dull. So keep your eye to ReggaeReport.com and your ear to the music, and we will all enjoy this ride together!
Check out our ReggaeReport.com "Read the Music" T-shirt! Choose from 2 styles, all white, and currently on summer sale! Also, a very limited number of the popular Vintage "Wear the Music" and "From the Stage...to the Page" T-shirts are available. Own a piece of Reggae Report history...a piece of Reggae history!
And, a limited number of the exclusve LUCKY DUBE TRIBUTE POSTER by veteran photographer Lee Abe, is available! Each beautiful poster is signed by Ms. Abel and you can get it all here -
Irie T'ings store!
Note the links to the Reggae Report Fan Page on Facebook. A place for you to post your thoughts, comments, events...news you would like to share with a large group of Irie like-minded people. Find me at Twitter @mpeggyq Use that "Tell a Friend" link on the right to help spread the word about ReggaeReport.com.
If you are a writer and would like to contribute or add to our Editorial pages, let me know at mpq@reggaereport.com
Take a few minutes to explore our Photos and Video Gallery... also Features, Events Calendar, Yard Report, USA Reggae, World a'Reggae, Industry Spotlight, Hip-Hop, CD reviews, and more. Click GO BACKSTAGE above and have a look at the new videos. We will be adding more audio soon, as well as articles, interviews and photos from our 25-year history that will be available for download.
Be sure and check MPQ's Blog for personal stories and insights, including my background and all the fun, frustrations, and friendships since beginning my Reggae career May 11, 1981. We continue to
receive comments and suggestion from around the world - thank you for
keeping Reggae Report international! Keep visiting our site and tell
your friends! We need your input and continued participation to keep
going and growing.
... Veteran broadcaster Barrington 'Barry G' Gordon will be awarded Jamaica's Order of Distinction at (OD) for services in the field of broadcasting
... Gyptian, North America's #1 Dancehall artist, will tour with Nas and Damian Marley beginning the end of the August on their Distant Relatives tour.
... Shaggy will be performing at BB King's Blues Club, NYC, on August 11
...Junior Reid made some of his earliest songs at Sugar Minott's Youthman Promotions, including his first hit, Foreign Mind
... Andrew "Droop" Brown's video "Mama Soon Come" is based on a true story of his mother's murder in Kingston
...Toots Maytal, the youngest of 14 children, moved to Trench Town to become a barber, and worked with a barber named Mr. Barber
... A court in Russia's far east ordered a block of five sites for spreading extreme views, including YouTube
