Reggae & Dancehall #12

The month's goings on...

The Month’s Goings-On In Dancehall and Reggae…

NEWS
CECILE and CHRIS MARTIN have been one of reggae’s cutest couples for a minute now but they’ve mostly kept their love on the low. However at this year’s Reggae Sumfest, there was a very pregnant CECILE and this past August 28th they welcomed a healthy baby girl into the world. Congratulations to the proud parents. Can’t wait to see some pics of the next generation bad gyal!

BUJU fans keep hope alive. Although he was arrested back in 2009, the Banton is not giving up his fight for freedom. In late August it was announced that CHOKWE LUMUMBA—famous for defending the late TUPAC SHAKUR as well as members of the Black Panther Party—would be taking over the defence of Buju, aka Mark Myrie. Though he hasn’t made any comment on the specifics of Buju’s case, Lumumba told the Jamaica Observer that he decided to become an attorney “when I saw people like Martin Luther King being thrown into prison. I wanted to represent people who were wrongly persecuted.”

Meanwhile BUSY SIGNAL’s attorney is arguing that—due to extradition treaties between Jamaica and the U.S.—American authorities do not have jurisdiction to prosecute Busy on drug charges.

The Snoop Lion documentary, Reincarnated, produced by VICE Films, opened at the Toronto Film Festival earlier this month. Snoop was so moved by the film that he couldn’t watch it without getting choked up. Will this be enough to silence the skeptics who think his Rasta conversion and reggae rebirth is some kind of gimmick?

ALBUMS/EPs
OM-Gosh! BERES HAMMOND is about to drop a new album. To make this one extra special the album is going to be double sided with one side focusing on his lovers selections, and you already know the man has this part locked down! After all, who hasn’t grooved to ”What One Dance Can Do”? But don’t get it twisted: There’s more to Beres than Love songs—any true Beres fan can tell you that. The album is titled ‘One Love, One Life!’ so on the flip side Beres will be showing off some of his life experiences with some reality tracks.

“After one dance on the floor she came back wanting for more.”

In keeping with the love theme it seems like GYPTIAN is back on the scene. The guy who gave us the worldwide smash ‘Hold Yuh,’ will drop a new EP, SLR, October 16th. The six-track digital release will keep us occupied while he preps for his new full length studio album Sex Love and Reggae, due out in 2013. His cover version of Gregory Isaacs’ ‘Number One’ does justice to the Cool Ruler classic.

TRACKS
Seems to be all about the UK this month.
STYLO G and CHIP kept the scene poppin’ with the release of their new video for ‘Dash Out’. The track was done by Time Takers, the video is full of hot girls, and you know Stylo is always styling. Look for a whole heap more music from Stylo in the weeks to come.

GAPPY RANKS released a new video for ‘West Coast’ on the return from his California tour – and it looks like he had a fun trip. The UK dancehall act’s been busy getting ready for the release of his forthcoming album, Breakfast in Jamaica. Here’s what he had to say about his work progress

“Dem a say me too greedy, dem say me too weedy weedy… Alright who’s coming on a holiday… Me put me ganja over champagne”

Earlier this month (Sept 1st) CHRISTOPHER ELLIS performed a one-night special in celebration of the late great Alton Ellis’ birthday at the Jazz Café in Camden. If you missed it you sure did miss out. Chris wowed the crowed with Alton classics including ”I’m Still in Love With You,” and his revamped ”Willow Tree” and then brought the house down with his new track “Don’t Change Ur Number” featuring a special appearance from Bay-C of TOK. Although it’s not one of Chris’s usual one-drop numbers, it’s definitely catchy, and it sure has been a hit. (Hear how the track came about.)

And BAY–C sure has taken to the UK. He’s been busy working hard in the studios for the past few weeks during his visit. Expect some BIG stuff to drop soon!

Just got a fresh release today by a DJ named MR WILLIAMZ called “We Run England.” The name says it all so if you were in any doubt about who runs the country check this one. Madd thing.

“We big and we broad and we super charged!”

On the other side of the world JAH CURE released his single ‘All By Myself’ ft TUPAC – and you know this is a sick combo. Cure has always talked openly about his struggle and you really hear what he’s been through on this one, another classic Real Talk release. This powerful track is taken from his forthcoming album, World Cry. Cure has definitely kept the fans waiting for this album—but somehow I think the wait might be worth it! Here’s a reminder of what to expect (and how long we’ve been waiting!) http://www.reshmab.com/?p=711

RIDDIMS
One artist who’s on fire at the moment is TIFA – the princess of dancehall ain’t messing about. Last month she laced the Eva Ready Riddim with some real chat on her track ‘Hot Girl Sit’n’ – “You want to match up to me? Gyal that a suicide”. More recently Tifa is fully responsible for putting some serious sexiness on the Bubble Riddim with her track ‘Show me the Bubble’ – “memorise my body like the book you study” – Oh shoot! (that’s gonna be some video.)

Other hot riddims to check out include the ‘SWA Riddim’ including voicings from SPRAGGA BENZ, I-OCTANE & TARRUS RILEY. And the newly released ‘Double Overtime Riddim’ must have had TJ Productions working double vertime. It’s got voicings from Mavado, Beenie Man, Spragga Benz, Christopher Martin, Spice, Gyptian, Khago, Elephant Man, Fambo, and Black Ryno – just to name a FEW.

Di GENIUS just dropped his ‘Moving Riddim’ –a nice one-drop groove packed with everything from lovers tracks like Jah Cure’s ‘How Can I Forget’ and his own ‘You Need My Love” to herb tracks like Chino’s ‘Boom’. Other artists on the riddim include Anthony B, J Boog, Marcia Griffiths, Lutan Fire, and Chris Martin singing for the ladies “What can I do without a woman….a woman who brings my baby” (see above). Even the captain of the Big Ship does his thing as Freddie sings “Be Alright”. And a new member of the Ghetto Youths International crew, Black Am I, drops ‘Common Sense’ on the riddim. If you don’t know his name then it’s time to get familiar. Hailing from the same little village as Bob Marley, Black Am I is doing his thing and sending his musical message out—stay locked for an exclusive interview to drop soon.

UPCOMING GIGS
Giants of Lovers Rock hits the Indig02 on October the 27th with performances from the crème de la crème of the industry – so if you are looking for some bumping and grinding to some good lovers selection, you know what’s up – (for tickets check out HERE)

If you happen to be in New York City this week, you don’t want to miss the Dub Champions Festival 2012, hosted by Subatomic Sound System. This Thursday night September 20th dub master Scientist will be mixing the legendary Roots Radics band live with special guest Johnny Osborne on the mic. Is that heavy enough for you? Hit up www.dubchampions.com for more info.

AND TO WRAP UP
On the heels of shelling down the Notting Hill Carnival, comes news that Sean Paul is going to be doing some shows in India & The UAE this November. Interestingly enough the shows are during the festive season of Diwali – the festival of lights. Perfect time to “Gimme the light”.

@DuttyPaul has definitely repped for JA through the years of his career & he’s working harder than ever. However success can often attract some hate—but Sean aint scared to set the record straight – “If you’re with me, you’re with me—if not suck yuh mudda and g’way.” Boom! check out the exclusive interview here.

Words by Reshma B
http://www.reggaegirlabouttown.com

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