Nicki Minaj Returns Home to Trinidad

Nicki Minaj received an outpouring of love and support when she arrived back in Trinidad for a show on Saturday. The Young Money rapper left her home country when she was five, but still holds it close to her heart. “I want to eventually bring Trinidadian music and culture to the world,” she told press including Trinidad and Tobago’s Newsday. “If any of you have anything you want me to promote, get it to me.”
The Harajuku Barbie was swarmed by fans when she took her family shopping at a local mall. Her mother Carol Maraj, pictured above, admitted even she was taken aback by her daughter’s rise to stardom. “She has always been talented but this success still takes me by surprise,” she said.
Minaj, who has several aliases including Roman Zolanski, considered changing her stage name back to her legal name Maraj. “I was always called Nicki at home so I was known as Nicki Maraj, but my first producer did not like Maraj and thought Minaj sounded better,” she revealed. “I still hate the name and I was going to go back to Maraj on the album, but people told me no because my fans like it.”
Source: www.rap-up.com

JUDGE APPROVES COMPANY FOR BUJU'S SECURITY BUT...

UNITED STATES Magistrate Anthony Porcelli yesterday approved a security company that Jamaican Reggae star Buju Banton has expressed an interest in contracting to provide him with 24-hour security as part of his bail condition.
Porcelli has also approved the $350,000 Miami property put up by Stephen Marley, the son of Reggae legend Bob Marley, as collateral for Banton's bond.
But despite the development in the Sam M Gibbons federal court, Banton will have to remain in jail as the prosecution will be appealing Porcelli's decision to approve the security company the Jamaican artiste wants to hire to ensure he sticks to the previous conditions of his house arrest.
The prosecution has five days to file its appeal.
Banton's lead attorney, David Oscar Markus, was yesterday livid at what he said was the repeated attempts by Prosecutor James Preston to keep his client behind bars.
"The Government's dogged attempt to keep Buju behind bars is disheartening," Markus told the Observer.
Banton has been in jail since last December, following his arrest at his Tamarac South Florida home. He was granted $250,000 bail earlier this month after a panel of 12 jurors failed to reach a verdict in his drug and weapon trial in September.
As part of his bail condition, Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, will be placed under house arrest and will be required to wear a tracking device, pending the outcome of his retrial in December.
If released, Banton will have to remain at home other than when he wants to purchase medication, see his attorney or attend court.
Yesterday, attorney Marc Seitles, who handled the hearing on Banton's behalf, was delighted at the outcome.
"We achieved a bond today and we are happy that Judge Porcelli reaffirmed that Buju is entitled to be released on bond," said Seitles.
If Banton successfully beats back the appeal, he will have to seek another bond in the immigration court as his entertainment visa was revoked upon his arrest.
Banton is facing a charge of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilogrammes of cocaine and possession of a weapon during the furtherance of a crime. His two co-defendants, Ian Thomas and James Mack, have both pleaded guilty and will be sentenced next month.
Source: Jamaica observer

I-Octane off on three-city UK tour

Fast-rising cultural act, I-Octane leaves the island this week for a three-city tour of the United Kingdom, which will see the artiste in performance in Birmingham, London and Bristol.

While this is not the artiste’s maiden voyage to the UK, this is the first time since his widely acclaimed recognition as reggae’s newest standard bearer that I-Octane will entertain fans in that country. With a steadily building catalogue rich with conscious, thought-provoking songs, the singer is ready to thrill his European fans who have been playing songs such as my Life, Lose A Friend and Puff It.

“As always, it is an honour and a pleasure to represent Jamaica overseas and to hold up the flag high. Other great reggae artistes have paved the way for me and I accept the baton with humility,” I-Octane said.
“I feel sad to know that reggae icon Gregory Isaacs, who I have a lot of respect for passed away in England just this week and I send my condolences to his family and join with his fans worldwide in mourning the loss,” he concluded.

According to I-Octane, Gregory Isaacs will be uppermost in his thoughts as he prepares for these shows and he intends to dedicate a song to Gregory during his performances. I-Octane’s single Lose A Friend has, since Monday, been given numerous spins in tribute to Gregory Isaacs.

Meanwhile, the artiste has expressed pleasure at the impact his singles have been making around the globe. The song My Life is currently number one on the Shanty Vibes Radio Chart in the Virgin Islands, and Lose A Friend also peaked at pole position on the same chart. Both songs have also featured on all charts locally and also in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

I-Octane is scheduled to perform at Indulgence in Birmingham on October 29, at Sutherland House in London the following night and he closes his three-day performance on October 31 at Blue Mountain in Bristol.

IKAYA WORKING THE PROMOTIONAL TRAIL

As the year 2010 closes out, on-the-rise-entertainer, Ikaya, has been busy as the proverbial bee making the rounds locally and overseas in a bid to end the year on a high.

Recognizing that hard and consistent work is the main ingredient for success in the entertainment business, the singjay and her management team have strategized to place her among the top five female artistes for this year. To this end, the Outaroad artiste arrived in the United States mid-October to promote her recent hit single, Hard Way.

Hitting the radio station trail, Ikaya met with several on and off-air personalities and unleashed her island charm coupled with what is becoming her international hit, Hard Way. She handled herself admirably during interviews at Irie Jam and Hot 97 radio stations in New York and she herself commented jokingly that she felt like she was becoming “a pro” at doing interviews.
“It was a very hectic time, but I enjoyed every minute of it,” Ikaya said. “I learned a lot and met some very interesting people who have been doing their part behind the scenes in the development of my career. I truly am thankful for them and the work they have put in. I feel truly blessed,” she concluded.
Of course, no promotional experience would be worthwhile without a little night life thrown in the mix. So when she and her friends stepped into the club, they followed Lady Saw’s instructions and “partied till December”. The club experience gave Ikaya a chance to meet one-on-one with her fans in a relaxed setting.
The young entertainer stepped out of the club and onto the plane bound for Canada, which was her next stop on the promo trail. There she met with media personalities in Toronto and kept an appointment with renowned photographer, Merrick, for a blazing hot photo shoot with a popular magazine .
“This photo shoot was so different … Merrick is great at making people feel at ease. The pictures are fabulous and I am looking forward to seeing them in print,” she declared.
Her return to the island saw her giving a much appreciated performance at the successful Port Royal Seafood Festival on Heroes Weekend.

JAMAICAN REGGAE ARTISTE GREGORY ISAACS DEAD

Gregory Isaacs Photos
Jamaican reggae artiste Gregory Isaacs is dead.

Isaacs died early this morning at his home in London, England.

He was 59.

Isaacs' manager Copeland Forbes confirmed that the artiste died at his home in London following a long illness.

Known as the Cool Ruler, Isaacs entered the music business in the roots era.

He has produced numerous hits including, Night Nurse, Rumours and Tune in.

Isaacs was born on July 15, 1951 in Fletcher's Land, Kingston.

TRACKLISTING: RIHANNA – ‘LOUD’

Rihanna takes to Facebook to unveil the tracklisting for her fifth album in five years, Loud. Fans who purchase the album on November 16 will get 11 tracks including the hit single “Only Girl (In the World),” the Drake-assisted follow-up “What’s My Name?” and the sequel to her Eminem collaboration “Love the Way You Lie.” RiRi samples Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You” on The Runners-produced “Cheers (Drink to That),” enlists Nicki Minaj for “Raining Men,” and slows down the party on boyfriend Matt Kemp’s favorite ballad “California King Bed.” Peep the songs that made the cut below.

1. “S&M”
2. “What’s My Name?” feat. Drake
3. “Cheers (Drink to That)”
4. “Fading”
5. “Only Girl (In the World)”
6. “California King Bed”
7. “Man Down”
8. “Raining Men” feat. Nicki Minaj
9. “Complicated”
10. “Skin”
11. “Love the Way You Lie (Part II)” feat. Eminem

Source: www.rap-up.com

BUJU YET TO TAKE UP BAIL OFFER

BY PAUL HENRY

REGGAE star Buju Banton is yet to put in place the necessary requirements to take up his $250,000-bail bond that was offered a week ago in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in the US state of Florida.
The Observer has been informed that meeting the strict conditions set by Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli last week Thursday is the reason the fourtime Grammy nominee artiste has not completed the bail process.
Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, was offered bail after 10 months behind bars, following his arrest last December at his Tamarac home in Florida.
As part of Banton's strict bail conditions, he will have to wear an electronic monitoring device and will be subjected to house arrest and 24-hour security, which should be paid for by him.
Under the terms of the house arrest, Banton can only leave his house for meetings with his attorney, for doctor's appointments, to purchase medication and for court-appointed hearings. He will also be subjected to drug testing.
He will have to surrender all his travel documents.
The conditions are such as there is a concern that the artiste may be a flight risk.
But yesterday, David Oscar Markus, the lead attorney on Banton’s legal team, said the artiste will be out soon.
“Buju is hanging in there. He is very thankful for all of the support and friendship. Hopefully he will be out soon,” Markus told the Observer.
After clearing this hurdle of satisfying the bail conditions, Banton’s legal team will have to seek bond in the immigration court to prevent his deportation to Jamaica. Banton’s entertainment visa was revoked following his arrest.
Banton’s bond offer followed his trial which ended in September with a hung jury. The artiste is facing charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute five kilogrammes of cocaine and possession of a firearm during the furtherance of a crime. A retrial will be held in December but a date is yet to be set.

Source: Jamaica observer

NO BULL … FUTURE FAMBO IS NO 1 ON BBC

Red Bull surely has wings. Just ask dancehall artiste Future Fambo.
The deejay, who is currently enjoying a resurgence in his career, is having repeated drinks of rum and Red Bull, toasting the success of his single of the same name. The song is soaring its way to the pinnacle of charts locally and overseas, and for Fambo, life is just a dream.
A combination with the Doctor Beenie Man, Rum and Red Bull easily charmed its way into the psyche of the dancehall massive and quickly secured the number one slot in Jamaica. It has now taken on the proverbial wings, as it flies overseas to dominate new markets and make the year 2010 one of the most memorable so far in Future Fambo’s 16-year career.
The Seanizzle-produced single made its way to Toronto, Canada, where it had fans blaring it from their car radios, so it was no surprise when it topped the chart there. Currently Rum and Red Bull is exciting England, where, by all accounts, it has been an instant hit, muscling its way onto the BBC 1Xtra chart and settling comfortably at its favourite position, the peak.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard that the tune was number one on BBC 1 Xtra Reggae chart. All I could do was give thanks and more thanks,” Future Fambo declared in his usual swagaholic style.
Hosted by popular jock, Robbo Ranx, the programme Dancehall with Robbo Ranx is tagged as “the essential guide to everything dancehall”. The top five songs currently on the chart there are: Future Fambo and Beenie Man, Rum and Red Bul; Vybz Kartel and Russian, Jeans & Fitted Mavado, When You Feel Lonely; Khago, Nah Sell Out and Mavado, Stulla.

Beyoncé Pregnant with First Child

With Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz recently welcoming a bundle of joy, could Beyoncé and Jay-Z be next? The pop sensation is reportedly pregnant with the couple’s first child, according to Us Weekly.
The story, which appears on the cover of the magazine’s new issue, identifies a source close to the 29-year-old singer who claims that B is in her first trimester and was caught off guard by the unexpected pregnancy.
“B was shocked. She loves kids, but she wasn’t ready to be a mother just yet,” says the unidentified source. “She really wanted to get her album done and tour the world again.”
The Grammy-winning superstar previously announced that she would take a break in 2010 to focus on her personal life after years of relentlessly touring and recording, although she recently returned to the studio to start her next album.
“It’s definitely time to take a break, to recharge my batteries,” she told USA Today. “I’d like to take about six months and not go into the studio. I need to just live life, to be inspired by things again.”
Representatives for the couple have not addressed the reports.
SOURCE: www.rap-up.com

BUJU BANTON OFFERED $250,000 BAIL

Incarcerated reggae star Buju Banton was offered $250,000 bail in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in the United States today October 14th, 2010..

However, even this positive development carries unpleasant conditions as Buju will have a new fashion accessory - an electronic monitoring device, and he will be subjected to random drug testing. He will only be able leave his house for meetings with his attorney and for doctors’ appointments and to purchase medication.
Banton's lawyer David Oscar Markus will now have to seek bond in the immigration court to prevent his deportation to Jamaica. Banton’s
entertainment visa was revoked when he was arrested last December.

NO ‘BAREFOOT’ FOR I-OCTANE; ARTISTE CONFIRMED FOR JUNGLE

Despite reports and advertisements to the contrary, rising reggae artiste, I-Octane will not be going ‘Barefoot’ this Heroes Weekend.
The artiste and his management team have stated that I-Octane is confirmed for shows in Trelawny, Negril, Hanover and Montego Bay and are apologizing to the singer’s fans for all misleading advertising.

“We have heard ads and have seen posters where the artiste is being advertised for a show in Montego Bay called Barefoot, but we know nothing about it,” manager Ray Alexander of Khool Booking Agency stated. “We were not contacted by the promoter and we have not collected any deposit and moreover we have a different show for that date,” Alexander added.
According to Alexander, I-Octane will be performing at Heroes of Dancehall in Trelawny on Saturday; Dancehall Heroes at the Jungle Night Club in Negril on October 17 and in Lucea and Montego Bay on Heroes Day, October 18.

He noted that the time schedule for Nyammins and Jammins (in Mo Bay) and the Lucea show made it possible for the artiste to accept both engagements on the same night.

I-Octane said that although he will not be on Barefoot, his Mo Bay fans are in for a treat come next Monday at the second city’s Catherine Hall Complex.
“It will be lots of great vibes, special requests and your favourite songs,” he has promised his fans.

Meanwhile, the plug was pulled on I-Octane’s busy weekend when the rain put a damper on several events. The artiste had been scheduled to perform at the Kokomo Beach Bar in St Mary on Saturday and at the Junction Bike Fest in St. Elizabeth on Sunday.

However, both events had to be postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.

HYPE TV TOP 20 SINGLES CHART - OCT. 8TH, 2010

TOP 5 BUBBLERS

TW ARTISTE - TITLE - LABEL
01 Shawn Storm – Life – Adidjaheim/notnice

02 I-Octane – No More –Dj Frass

03 Beenie Man – I’m Ok – Seanizzle

04 Tarrus Riley – Protect The People – Don Corleon

05 Vybz Kartel & Gaza Slim – One Man - Adidjaheim/Notnice
______________________________________
TO GET HYPE TV CALL YOUR LOCAL CABLE PROVIDER OR LOG ON TO www.hypetvjam.com WATCH HYPE TV GLOBAL ON www.hypetvjam.com OR www.dancehallreggaeweseh.com

• Chart Compilation was done based on information received from the Sound Systems, Record Shops and Clubs Island wide.

IKAYA GRABS NO. 1 VIDEO SLOT WITH MY WAY

Female singjay Ikaya is a woman on a mission and although that mission is nowhere near complete, she is confident of reaping success.
The young artiste, who has been receiving quite a bit of commendation on the quality of her work, her lyrics and her performances, now has something else to smile about. The video for her single Hard Way, has made great strides and worked its way to the very pinnacle of the popular Video Alley chart.
“I am happy and excited about getting a number one video, but I am even more grateful about the impact that the song has been having … especially among young people,” Ikaya said.
“Hard Way is a very serious song – it’s reality and the message is powerful and as an artiste you have to do music that will make people look up to you and remember you in a positive light,” the Outtaroad artiste declared.
Ikaya has undoubtedly been making her presence felt in the music industry this year and the hard work being put in by her management team has resulted in promoters calling to enquire about the artiste’s availability for shows. October, she notes will be a busy month.
Ikaya, who was invited to participate in the Digicel Roadshow series, performed at her final show on October 2. She is confirmed for the Food Festival at the Lime Golf Academy on the 17th and JN Sports Club Comedy Night on the 29th.
Also on her itinerary for this month is the RE School Tour which kicks off on October 26 and will run throughout the parishes every Tuesday in November

ALICIA KEYS RINGS UP FAMOUS FRIENDS FOR ‘BUY LIFE’ CAMPAIGN

Alicia Keys is only a few weeks away from giving life to her first child, but first she’s giving birth to the “Buy Life” campaign. The pregnant songstress sports a T-shirt with a unique barcode in her ad to benefit the Keep a Child Alive foundation. Other celebrity supporters include Usher, Jay Sean, Kim Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest, and hubby Swizz Beatz.
Each ad has a scannable technology built-in allowing users to use their cell phone to donate money to help give life to millions of people affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India by providing medicine, food, and shelter.
“With the money raised [at the Black Ball], KCA can now help save even more lives affected by this horrible pandemic,” stated Keys. “With the launch of the BUY LIFE campaign, I’m confident less people will needlessly have to die because of lack of proper healthcare.”
Source: www.rap-up.com

DRAKE SHARES PRODUCERS ON SECOND ALBUM, STILL UNCERTAIN OF TITLE

By –Steven J. Horowitz

Back in June, Drake had considered naming his sophomore album Moments. But speaking with Rap-Up.com on Tuesday night at the launch of “So Kodak” in New York City, Drizzy explained that the title wasn’t written in stone.
Before he hit the stage at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square, the 23-year-old revealed that he no longer had a title for the follow-up to this year’s Thank Me Later. “I can’t tell you,” he said of the album’s new name—because he hasn’t settled on one just yet. “I don’t know yet, but we’re figuring it out.”
The Toronto native clarified that he was once again working with his go-to producers Noah “40” Shebib and Boi-1da, in addition to 9th Wonder (Destiny’s Child’s “Girl,” Jay-Z’s “Threat”).
“I started the album,” he said. “I’ve got some great stuff that I’m really excited about. 40’s in a really great place so he’s making great beats. I started working with 9th Wonder, so yeah, it’s good. It’s early though.”
In the meantime, Drake is prepping his R&B mixtape It’s Never Enough in time for the holidays and recently leaked its first track “I Get Lonely Too,” a cover of TLC’s “FanMail.” “I love the words in it and I love how 40 flipped the beat,” he shared. “So I just decided to put it out and give people an idea of the direction the mixtape was going.”
Source: www.rap-up.com

FAMBO WRAPS UP VIDEO SHOOT FOR MY LIFE

The ‘swagaholic” deejay, Future Fambo, who is tasting success for the third time in his career, says he has a special attachment to his song, My Life. An instant favourite in the dancehall, and as different as night and day from his Rum And Red Bull sensation (featuring Beenie Man), My Life touches a nerve
“This is the first song that I have ever done and when I listen back to it tears come to my eyes.” Future Fambo confessed, acknowledging that it does in fact take a very big man to cry.
My Life is a poignant reflection of his own past and of life in general and that’s perhaps one of the reasons why it was so easy for people to gravitate towards the single. According to Fambo the lyrics flowed easily and it was as if he was reliving various aspects of his past – the pain, the passion and the pleasure.
Fambo, whose talent has long been recognized, has attended the school of hard knocks, grasping success twice before, only to have it slip through his fingers without really capitalizing on it. Despite this, he says in the song, “I live my life without regret, I put the Lord in all my steps … so watch out for the wicked, evil bad mind people and the trap they set …”

Recognizing the song’s impact, Fambo and his team decided to shoot the music video and selected a team from among the best in the business.
“It was a no-brainer,” the deejay explained. “The song tek off, so we got Roadblock Films to do the video production and we are pleased with the outcome so far,” he stated.
The shoot for My Life, a Notice production, entered its final stage on Sunday and the video will have its premiere in the next few weeks.

Nicki Minaj Wins Big at BET Hip Hop Awards

A victorious Nicki Minaj couldn’t contain her excitement after winning three trophies at Saturday’s BET Hip Hop Awards , including Rookie of the Year, Made-You-Look Award, and People’s Champ Award. “One word for Hip Hop Awards. EPIC. Thank u BET. Love ya barbz/kenz!” tweeted the blonde bombshell after her big night.
Multiple winner Rick Ross opened the show at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center by performing “B.M.F.” and “MC Hammer” with Diddy, later bringing out Hammer himself for “Too Legit to Quit.” Gucci Mane and Swizz Beatz fired up the stage with “Gucci Time,” “Dilemma” collaborators Kelly Rowland and Nelly presented Nicki with an award, Waka Flocka Flame walked off the stage (and later got into a Twitter argument with BET executive Stephen Hill), and Dipset reunited.
An absent Jay-Z took home CD of the Year and Best Hip-Hop Video, Eminem scored Lyricist of the Year, and Drake scooped up MVP of the Year, while Salt-N-Pepa were honored for their contributions to hip-hop
Source: www.rap-up.com

HYPE TV TOP 20 SINGLES CHART

TOP 5 BUBBLERS

TW ARTISTE - TITLE - LABEL
01 Mavado – Messiah – Chimney Records

02 Zj Liquid – Wifey Walk Out –Seanizzle

03 Beenie Man – I’m Ok – Seanizzle

04 Tarrus Riley – Protect The People – Don Corleon

05 Vybz Kartel & Gaza Slim – One Man - Adidjaheim/Notnice
____________________________________
TO GET HYPE TV CALL YOUR LOCAL CABLE PROVIDER OR LOG ON TO www.hypetvjam.com WATCH HYPE TV GLOBAL ON www.hypetvjam.com OR www.dancehallreggaeweseh.com

• Chart Compilation was done based on information received from the Sound Systems, Record Shops and Clubs Island wide.