DIGICEL UNVEILS NEW MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR REGGAE SUMFEST

Digicel, official telecommunications sponsor of the greatest reggae show on earth, has unveiled 'Inspired by Legends: the Music Lives On' as its marketing campaign for Reggae Sumfest 2011.

This year marks the 11th consecutive staging that the company has partnered with Reggae Sumfest - which is itself celebrating its 19th staging. As the anticipation heightens, Digicel has promised to deliver "legendary experiences and amazing offers" to its over two million customers and Sumfest patrons.

Grounded in the evolution of the Jamaican music from roots, rock, reggae and now dancehall, the campaign will the see the integral marriage of one of the world's greatest music legends - Bob Marley - with two of Jamaica's foremost entertainers - I-Octane and Tifa. The merger will bring a 'legendary' synergy between the past and the future - which defines the progression and celebration of Jamaica's rich musical legacy.

vibrant history

"The vibrant history of Reggae Sumfest lies in the fact that it has become an important staple in the Jamaican entertainment diet and it attracts thousands of patrons to our island to experience the stellar performances that the festival is famous for. Digicel is excited about our 11th year of partnership with what is truly the greatest reggae show on earth. This is a testament to Digicel's commitment to supporting our culture and the development of our nation's talent," commented senior sponsorships manager at Digicel, Shelly-Ann Curran.

Though mum about its overall activation for Reggae Sumfest - the company has promised that the Bigger, Better Network will deliver amazing value to customers and patrons on its social media networks. Said Curran, "We have over 315,000 fans on Facebook and over 12,000 followers on Twitter, and our fans will have several opportunities to win chances to partake in legendary experiences, with Digicel at Reggae Sumfest 2011."

Reggae Sumfest 2011 will take place from July 17 through 23 in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, and the organisers have already confirmed some of the most talented local and international artistes to be on its line-up.

Among the acts confirmed for this year's Reggae Sumfest are Nikki Minaj, Beres Hammond, Half Pint, Beenie Man, I-Octane, Assassin, Konshens, Tanya Stephens and Tifa.

NICKI MINAJ TAKES OVER VEGAS NIGHTCLUB

Nicki Minaj was pretty in pink while hosting another club gig in Las Vegas. Following her show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with Britney Spears, the Harajuku Barbie held court at Gallery Nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Sporting a blonde bob, cropped pink jacket, grey leggings, and stiletto boots, she strutted down the carpet holding a pink lollipop. Nicki once again joined Britney on stage for the “Femme Fatale” tour finale of “Till the World Ends.” She will appear at today’s BET Awards, where she is up for two trophies.

Source: rap-up.com

I-OCTANE TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - I-Octane's fans have gotten use to a certain sound from him and they will be in for quite a treat when his debut album “Crying To The Nation” is released this fall.

The 14-track album is already completed and will feature some great original tracks as well as some old favourites such as Lose A Friend, My Life and Study Yuh Friend.
Among the original tracks is a combination with Tarrus Riley produced by DJ Frass.

The tracks will see I-Octane showing his versatility as he diverts from his usual sound and records to world beats and one drop rhythms.

The Executive producer is Shaggy's former manager Robert Livingston. The album is expected to create some big musical waves after its release.
"It was a pleasure to work with Robert Livingston. His knowledge and insight is vast and I am sure will boost this product a great deal," said I-Octane about his upcoming project for the producer.

When it comes on to producing hit albums, Livingston's record has already spoken for itself as his Hot Shot project with Shaggy was a diamond seller. His impressive track record with Super Cat is also not to be taken lightly.

Now with his input on this upcoming album from I-Octane, coupled with the singjay's popularity can only bode well for the two.

“Crying to the Nation” was originally scheduled to be released in August of this year, but has now been pushed back to October.

"We were late in getting the ads inserted in the international magazines, and we wanted to the promotion to coincide with its release," said manager Ray Alexander.

Alexander also stated Negotiations with major labels were 90% completed, so everything is expected to be in place when the album hits the streets.

Adding their creative input to the upcoming project are top of the line producers Jeremy Harding, Dean Fraser, Christopher Birch and Don Corleon.

KONSHENS TO EXCITE NY’S AMAZURA IN JULY

Although Konshens officially made his name in the dancehall from 2008, his career path has not followed that of the typical dancehall act who makes New York and the Tri-State area their happy hunting ground.

Konshen’s NY debut was in three years when the song Winner was at the height of its popularity. His other show there was a cameo appearance in 2010, when he performed the combination single Good Girl Gone Bad alongside reggae singer, Tarrus Riley. And, while both performances were memorable, Konshens hasn’t really yet performed for the New York massives.

But that opportunity will present itself on July 15 when he will be one of the featured acts at club Amazura in Queens, and what a night that promises to be.

“I’m excited,” Konshens said simply. “I see this as my first real show in that city and it’s a show with great acts – Jadakiss and I-Octane are the headliners – so you know, the adrenaline is pumping. Turbo charged and ready,” he said laughing.

Konshens has made remarkable progress in his career since 2008 when all he delivered was the one song, Winner, and exited centrestage. The reality was that Winner was the only thing the crowd wanted to hear from the then rising artiste.

“Now I have what them call a ‘repertoire’. Bag a tune can reel off and sing and sing and still have more tune,” Konshens said humorously.

“Seriously,” he added, “ I have come a long way and a huge part of it has been the love shown to be by these same persons who will turn up at

Amazura. I intend to do a really great set as my way of showing appreciation to these fans who have listened to my music, bought mix tapes and who have decided to pay their hard-earned dollar to see me perform,” the artiste said soberly.

Konshens is currently riding the Hype TV Chart at number 4 with the single Represent, while another big song, Forward , is listed on the ‘Bubblers’. Other songs doing well for the artiste include This Means Money, Pretty Devil, Rasta Imposter, Realest Song, Simple Song, Gal Dem A Talk and of course, old favourites such as Winner andGood Girl Gone Bad (w/Tarrus Riley).

R KELLY ADDED TO SUMFEST LINE-UP

American R&B singer-songwriter and record producer R Kelly will also be performing at this year's staging of Reggae Sumfest.

According to a release sent, the singer is expected to hit the concert's stage on Friday, July 22. He joins Nicki Minaj, Mavado, Beenie Man, Tanya Stephens and I-Octane on the festival's line-up.

Johnny Gourzong, executive producer of the event, confirmed the Radio Message singer's appearance yesterday.

"The Reggae Sumfest team is excited to be presenting R Kelly on the Sumfest stage. We have been trying to contract him for the last five years and it is great to see that it is finally happening. We are expecting a spectacular performance from Mr Kelly," Gourzong stated in the release.

controversy

It will be R Kelly's second performance in Jamaica. His Jamaican debut in 1996 was surrounded by controversy at a concert at Jamworld, St Catherine. The singer, who at that time was one of the hottest artistes in R&B, had dropped his pants while performing. This was followed by a public backlash.

The singer, however, has never hid his love for Jamaican music. He experimented with reggae on his 2005 album, TP.3 Reloaded, which yielded the club jam, Slow Wine and Reggae Bump Bump which he recorded with Elephant Man.

R Kelly was born Robert Kelly in Chicago, and first came to the attention of fans in the United States as a member of the R&B group, Public Announcement. He went solo in the early 1990s and it was not long after that he climbed to the top of Billboard magazine charts with 12 Play.

He is also known for the inspirational hit I Believe I Can Fly and has been known for writing hit songs for other acts. Among those songs are Stroke You Up and Foolin' Around by Changing Faces and You Are Not Alone which was recorded by Michael Jackson. R Kelly's last album, Love Letter, was released in 2010.

R Kelly is the latest high- profile hip-hop/R&B act to be snared by Summerfest Productions. Big names like Boyz II Men, Destiny's Child, Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, Wyclef Jean, Toni Braxton and Usher have also appeared on the show. Reggae Sumfest will take place on July 17-23 in Montego Bay.

Source: the Star

Beyoncé Sizzles in W Magazine [Photos]

All hail Beyoncé. The “Run the World (Girls)” singer captivates with her beauty in a Gucci silk shrug, bra and briefs by Nina Ricci, and Louis Vuitton hat, mask, and boots in one of the stunning images from her cover shoot for W magazine’s Music & Style Issue. In the colorful photos taken by French photographer Patrick Demarchelier, the gorgeous goddess flaunts fashions by renowned designers including Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, and Dolce & Gabbana.

“I wanted this record to come from a raw place,” she told the magazine of her fourth album 4, due June 28. “Playing Etta James in the movie Cadillac Records really changed me. It was a darker character, and I realized that if anything is too comfortable, I want to run from it. It’s no fun being safe.”

Police looking for Mavado and Bounty Killer

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - POPULAR entertainers Rodney 'Bounty Killer' Price and David 'Mavado' Brooks have been named as persons of interest by the Half-Way-Tree Police following an incident outside the Quad Nightclub in New Kingston during the wee hours of this morning.

Price and Brooks are being asked to report to the Half-Way-Tree Police Station by midday today.

“We want to talk to him (Mavado) in terms of what happened at the location,” said Senior Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, head of the Half-Way-Tree Police Station.

Knight said that it was still too early at this stage of investigation to release further information.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the pair is being asked to contact the Half-Way-Tree Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) at 926-2551, police 119 emergency number or the nearest police station.

Elephant man accused of electricity theft

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - POPULAR dancehall deejay Elephant Man was yesterday hauled before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court for allegedly stealing electricity from the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS).

However, the artiste, whose real name is O'Neil Bryan, pleaded not guilty to abstracting electricity and his station bail was extended for him to return to court on August 30 for trial.

Elephant Man was arrested at his home on Hillcrest Avenue in Kingston on June 2 after it was allegedly discovered that he was using stolen electricity.

It is alleged that a team from the JPS, accompanied by the police, was carrying out an operation on Hillcrest Avenue when they visited a property housing several apartments. While inspecting the electric metering point, it was allegedly discovered that one of the meters had no socket.

On closer inspection the team allegedly observed that the meter contained an illegal connection, which went directly to an apartment they said was occupied by the entertainer.

He was reportedly escorted from the building and shown the connection and the wires that were used and was then taken back into the house where the team said they observed several appliances that were being powered by the stolen electricity.

Attorney Linda Wright is representing the entertainer.

Source: jamaica observer

NICKI MINAJ SET FOR REGGAE SUMFEST

Popular United States artiste Nicki Minaj will be performing in Jamaica for this year's Reggae Sumfest on July 21-23.

Minaj will be performing alongside a dynamic group of local and international acts including Beenie Man, Jah Cure, Tanya Stephens and I-Octane.

The event, dubbed the greatest show on earth, kicks off with a beach party on July 17 and promises a bigger, better experience for patrons. The line-up is a major pulling factor for the thousands who are expected to descend on to Catherine Hall for the festival.

Onika Maraj, aka Nicki Minaj, has been confirmed to perform at this year's Reggae Sumfest, and the rapper, singer-songwriter has promised to deliver her best set. Minaj, who is currently at the top of the rap game globally, will be one of the headline acts on International Night 2 and head honcho of Summerfest Productions, the organisers of the event, Johnny Gourzong, could not contain his excitement of having her on the bill.

"Last year we had a tremendous festival with great Jamaican and international acts. This time around patrons will again be treated to amazing performances with the likes of Mavado, I-Octane, Beenie Man, Jah Cure and so many other great artistes," he stated in a release.

He further said; "Nicki Minaj, one of the hottest acts in the world right now, will also be treating her multitude of fans to a scintillating performance."

Source: THE STAR.

KONSHENS ADDS MORE SPICE TO GRENADA

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - The Spice island was ready for Jamaican reggae act, Konshens, and, if his winning performance was anything to go by, then he too was ready to make an impressive Grenada debut.

The event, Digicel Reggae Fest, was held recently at the Grenada National Stadium and also included on the line-up were heavyweight reggae acts Sizzla, Coco Tea and Jah Cure, all of whom did very well.

Konshens was the first Jamaican act on stage and, for him this was a double responsibility. Not only did he have to ensure that he captivated his own fans by throwing down a great performance, he was also opening for artistes whom he considers icons in the music business and he couldn’t afford to be anything other than spectacular.

But he isn’t called Konshens for nothing and with calm and confidence, coated with a little swagger, he worked his set like a pro. He started with the ever popular Good Girl Gone Bad to get the place pumped up and after that, it was smooth sailing as Konshens delved into his repertoire for songs such as This Means Money, Prety Devil, Rasta Imposter, Realest Song and Simple Song.

He concluded this segment of his performance with Gal Dem A Talk. Clearly, that was the song the crowd was waiting for, and Konshens decided to tease the audience just a bit. Halfway through the song, he called upcoming act, Darrio to do a stint on stage.

Darrio, who is signed to Konshens’ Sunkonshus Records, showed that he was no stranger to a big stage, and held the interest of the crowd with his two girl tunes, Girly Girly and Virtual Gallis. With Dario’s seven minutes of fame over, Konshens was handed back the mic and closed the show by singing all the verses of Gal Dem A Talk, much to the delight of his fans.

Of his first performance in Grenada, Konshens noted that it was highly anticipated by him because his songs have been given a lot of love by the people of that Caribbean island. Therefore, it came as no surprise that he had more than a few fans inside the stadium.

Konshens’ next Caribbean stop is St Lucia.

DJ SUNSHINE IS THE HEART OF THE PARTY

DJ Sunshine is at it again, this time she is making big waves with her latest single and video Heart of the Party.
The video which was directed by Karl Durrant on the Stashment Records label has made big inroads since it was premiered on OnStage a few weeks ago.

The video made its debut on CVM’s Hitlist in the number two position, it is also enjoying rotation on major telvision local cable channels.

Commenting on the success of the video, DJ Sunshine says she is pleased that the song and video has been embraced by music lovers.

“Honestly, even I am surprised that it made its debut on the chart one spot away from the top spot. It just goes to show that when if you take the time to do something right, it will pay off,” she said giving credit to the creative team she worked with on the video.

In Heart of the Party is DJ Sunshine as you have never seen her. A fun, jazzy effort the video depicts Sunshine kicking back with her crew and indeed showing that she is the heart of the party. In the video Sunshine totally abandons her disc jock persona and ‘bruck out’.
Heart of the Party is all about flossing, having fun and throwing away all inhibitions! This is made clear in one scene where Sunshine put on some sensuous moves in a skimpy outfit.
“I wanted the sense of fun to come across in the video…after all that’s what the music should be about,” commented Sunshine on her latest effort.

“What can I say, the title says it all ‘heart of the party’ – and to be that there must be a lot of vibes and fun involved,” the Irie FM disc jock teased.

Heart of the Party has been receiving a lot of hits on YouTube and the promoter/producer/deejay/disc jock can’t wait to get busy on other projects.

“There definitely will be no holding back. I have a lot more to bring to the table…so watch out!” promised Sunshine.

RIHANNA GIVES FEMALE FAN A LAP DANCE AT TOUR KICKOFF [VIDEO]

We all knew Rihanna was a freak (“S&M” anyone?), but she showed just how freaky she can get during her “LOUD” tour kickoff at Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena on Saturday night (June 4). RiRi, dressed in the white bondage-inspired outfit from her Billboard Music Awards performance, invited a female fan onstage and straddled her on a revolving platform while her sexy Loud cut “Skin” played. We like it, like it.

Source: rap-up.com

I-OCTANE SEEKS INJUNCTION AGAINST FREE WILLY MUSIC OVER UNAUTHORIZED SINGLE

The Management team of I-Octane would like to make it clear that the song “Woman Mi Seh” on the Coach Riddim that has been released by Free Willy Music is in no way shape or form representative of the music of I-Octane.

On the request of Arthur 'Whale' of Free Willy music I-Octane had written and recorded the song as a demo to be recorded by fellow entertainer Bounty Killa. The artiste's last involvement with the song was when he personally handed it over to Bounty. Although there was no written agreement to cement the above deal, it was understood by both parties that the demo was simply a guideline Bounty Killer for his recording.

The management of I-Octane did not hear anything about the demo after over a period of three months, when the song was written. Unfortunately, this week the demo was released by Free Willy Music, which is contrary to the initial verbal agreement.

Although the recording uses I-Octane’s artistic vocals, he wishes to isolate himself from the content of the song since it doesn’t represent his beliefs, practices, or image. In addition, he has never performed the song and it is not a part of his musical repertoire.

This is not the first time that the artiste is is writing for other entertainers and as such he knows their style of music and the content they wish to express. Hence, while it is not in keeping with his musical values, he believes in the freedom of artistic expression and each artiste has a unique identity which can normally considered when writing songs. That was the premise under which that song was written for Bounty Killer.

As a result of the unscrupulous conduct of Free Willy Music and their direct attempt to take advantage of our artiste and tarnish his brand, we have contacted our lawyer to file an injunction against the producer and the company. We are also in dialogue to have the song REMOVE from youtube and other social and music networking sites.

The lesson to learnt from this is that the music industry needs to move towards a more structured format, where verbal agreements are not the only binding or conclusive element of a deal, hence contracts should be drafted and signed. This is something that the management will insist on going forward.

I-Octane would like to apologise to all his supporters for any confusion that this song may cause and we maintain that this is just another learning experience.