Nikki Z leaves FAME

Nikki Z

By Curtis Campbell

February 28, 2017

Media personality Nicole Duhaney, better known as Nikki Z, will assume the duties of vice-president of client projects and content at Hapilos Entertainment Group, following the dismissal of veteran industry player/producer Johnny Wonder.

"Nikki Z is our choice because we wanted that person with broad industry knowledge and experience that would also give us the physical, grassroots presence on the ground necessary to provide the assistance and clarity our clients need to navigate the digital distribution process within the global market place," Kelly Dudley, the company's president, said.

According to Kelly, Nikki Z is best suited to help "bring more of our artistes and producers behind the music out on to the global stage."

"This is in line with our plans to offer promotional tours for the artistes we distribute and the labels we distribute for," he said.

BIG MUSIC DISTRIBUTORS

Hapilos Entertainment Group is one of dancehall/reggae's biggest music distributors. It is only rivaled by VP Records and Zojak Worldwide in the distribution of music coming directly out of Jamaica.

Nikki Z told THE STAR that her new job will see her focused on improving sales for Jamaican music.

"You can expect me to be very proactive with our clients in getting to know their expectations and also being very clear and transparent on what it is we can provide as a distribution service. From this point on, I want everyone to whom we cater to feel secure in knowing we are working tirelessly to reinvent and find new ways to market and push sales of our music," she said.

Dr Dennis Howard, general manager for radio in the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, has best wishes for Nikki Z. He also said FAME should not suffer as a result of her departure.

"There is always a difference when somebody who is on a show moves on, but we will survive. FAME is a strong brand," Howard said.

 Source: THE STAR

Broadcasting Commission Weighs In On Kartel Music-Ban

Kingston, Jamaica: The Broadcasting Commission has weighed in on the

controversy over the airing of music by convicted murderer Vybz Kartel on public radio.

According to the Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission, Cordel Green, the commission does not believe the airwaves should be used in a manner which celebrates a person convicted of murder.

However, Green says there is no provision in law barring the transmission of music, simply because it was created by a convicted person.

He says, however, if it is proven that the music was created in contravention of a law governing the Correctional Services and a broadcaster knowingly facilitates that contravention, there would grounds to determine that the broadcasting rules were breached.

There has been renewed public discussion since the Opposition Spokesperson on culture Lisa Hanna this week called for discussion on whether the music of convicted persons should be banned from public radio.

In July 2016, the Broadcasting Commission initiated a meeting with the Commissioner of Corrections and officials of the National Security Ministry to discuss our claims that Adidja Palmer had been making recordings from prison.

Green says the Commission was informed that the Correctional Services were investigating the allegations and that no determination had been made on the matter.

He said the Commission was also told that the prison rules were under review to deal specifically with that issue. 

Minor jump for Grammy nominees

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer writer

Five of the six albums nominated for Best Reggae Album at the recent Grammy Awards have enjoyed a minor sales spike. This is reflected in the latest Billboard Reggae Album chart.

Ziggy Marley

According to sales monitor Nielsen Music, Ziggy Marley’s self-titled set, which won the award, posted the biggest sales, jumping from 23 to number eight. It sold 167 copies, up from 25 the week prior to the Grammys.

To date Ziggy Marley has sold 13,269 copies.

Even though it fell two spots to number four, Rebelution’s Falling Into Place moved 483 copies compared to 267 the week before. It has sold 33,551 copies.

Raging Fyah’s Everlasting moved up from number 18 to number 20, selling 56 copies compared to 28 the previous week. Its total sales stand at 1,478.

Moving up from 41 to number 28 is Live In Virginia by SOJA. The set moved 28 copies, a slight bump from 12 one week ago.

Another nominee, Rose Petals by J Boog, is back in the chart at number 29 with 27 copies sold, compared to seven two weeks prior. To date it has sold 4,929 copies.

Back on the Reggae Album chart, Fortunate Youth debuts at number one with its self-titled album which opened with 1,714 copies. This is the group’s fourth ‘charter’ and its second number one, following 2015’s Don’t Think Twice.

Last week’s chart-topper, Lost In Paradise by Common Kings, is number two. It sold 517 copies, down from last week’s 3,100 copies.

Christopher Martin’s Big Deal opens at number three with 500 copies sold.

The various artistes compilation Get Soca 2017 debuts at number five with 338 copies, while Rebelution’s Live At Red Rocks is at number six with 198 copies sold to bring its total to 4,899.

Stick Figure’s Set in Stone is down to number seven, while J Boog’s Wash House Ting is at number nine.

Completing the top 10 is Stephen Marley’s Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life, which sold 138 copies, up from 71 last week. Marley’s album has to date sold 11,510 copies.

Source: Jamaica Observer

SPICE – FIFTY SHADEZ

Nicki Minaj, Spice Collab Coming?

By Shereita Grizzle

February 13, 2017

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: A collaboration between dancehall artiste Spice and rapper Nicki

Nicki Minaj

Minaj could be on the horizons, this after Minaj publicly endorsed Spice’s remix of her popular song, ‘Indicator’, dubbing the ‘Queen of the Stage’ as the female Vybz Kartel.
When contacted, Spice told The STAR that landing a collab with the internationally acclaimed rapper would be a dream come true, dubbing Minaj as one of her musical inspirations.
“I already posted how much I would love to collab with her, so I’m just waiting for that day to now become reality,” she said. “Doing a collaboration with Nicki Minaj would be a dream come true. She’s now following me on Instagram and Twitter, and I’m so elated to have someone I look up to, showing me so much love. It feels good to be a fan of someone who is a fan of me.”

New obsession

On the weekend, Minaj used her Instagram account to post an excerpt of the song with an adoring caption, labelling the Indicator remix, featuring Bunji Garlin, as her new obsession.
With over 73 million followers on Instagram, Minaj’s post sent heavy traffic to Spice’s Instagram account as well as her YouTube channel, as Minaj’s followers scurried to find out exactly who the woman was that caught

SPICE

her attention.
An excited Spice revealed that when she decided to do a soca remix of the song, she expected it would do well, but explains that with Minaj’s support, the song is surpassing her expectations.
“I didn’t see this one coming. My intention was to please my soca fans because they loved the original Indicator (song) so much. When ZJ Sparks came with the idea to do the remix, I chose Bunji Garlin because I’m a fan of his music, but I never expected Nicki Minaj to fall in love with the remix,” she said. “I guess it’s because soca is a part of her roots and being a fan of dancehall as she is, Nicki just couldn’t help falling in love with the remix that represents both genres.”
The deejay also revealed that she has gained more than 10,000 followers since Minaj’s endorsement.
“Since she posted the video on her page, it got more than two million views there and I got over 10,000 new followers, so she opened up my music to a whole new audience and I’m excited to now share some of her fans,” the deejay said.

Several comments

A quick check on the entertainer’s VEVO channel showed that the video had already received more than 67,000 views and it was only uploaded on February 9. Several comments from viewers read, ‘Nicki Minaj brought me here’, indicating that there were a flood of viewers that decided to check out the Indicator remix because of Nicki Minaj.
Spice, keeping her fingers crossed for her dream collab, extended gratitude to Minaj, Bunji Garlin as well as ZJ Sparks, the producer, for what she described as a “massive highlight.”

 Source: The Star

MUSIC VIDEO: Indicator Soca Remix Official Music Video – Spice Fl. Bunji Garlin

Spice to headline Floats Foam Party in MoBay

SPICE

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA: High-riding female dancehall artiste Grace Hamilton, better

known as Spice, is set to “spice” things up at the Floats Foam Party at Vista Ambassador on the Hip Strip (Gloucester Ave) in Montego Bay on February 19.

The event, which is being billed as the ‘Ultimate Day Rave’, also features Montego Bay-based fast-rising dancehall artiste Tee Jay.

Spice, known for her provocative and energetic stage routines, is expected to deliver no less for the much-anticipated event.

The self-proclaimed ‘Stage Show Boss’ has been enjoying a wave of success with songs such as A So Me Like It, Indicator and her latest single Sheet. She has also been touring extensively, especially in Europe, due mainly to the strength of her singles and stagecraft.

“We are creating a new party series that will focus on patron experience,” Ricardo Downer, event organiser, told the Jamaica Observer West.

“This is the first instalment of Floats and we are looking to do it even better for this coming summer. We will have attractions such as the pool floats, foam pit and a VIP area, which will have drink and food inclusive. We are creating an experience for patrons to leave with the best feeling. We want it to be on the lips of everyone,” said Downer.

Popular Montego Bay DJs Kentucky, Cray Neil, Jigga and Dexta Peppa have been charged with musical juggling for the event, and they are expected to deliver top-notch stints

Source: Observer West

Alkaline expected to turn himself in this morning

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Police investigators say they have been assured that popular

Alkaline

Jamaican entertainer Alkaline will turn himself today.

Head of the Police Area Four, Assistant Commissioner Devon Watkis says the entertainer gave the assurance through his legal representatives.

On Tuesday, the Criminal Investigation Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force released a statement saying detectives wanted to question Alkaline in connection with the killing of Rohan Morris in Marverly, St Andrew last month.

The entertainer, whose given name is Earlan Bartley, was also asked to turn himself in to the Police Area Four headquarters in Vineyard Town, St Andrew by 5 o’clock today.

Despite the missed deadline, Watkis said the police are satisfied that good sense has prevailed and that Alkaline has agreed to turn himself in.

He declined to comment on whether the entertainer was a witness or a suspect.

Spice fires shots at Alkaline

By Curtis Campbell

February 04, 2017

 

SPICE

Following the release of 'Prison Warder' in which insults are levelled at Spice and Vybz Kartel, the 'Stage Show Boss' has released a scathing diss track, Who Sing It, that is aimed at Alkaline and his Vendetta supporters.

Prison Warder racked up thousands of views online, however many listeners are uncertain about who recorded the song since its upload link carried no name tags except a note that the lyrical sentiments represented Alkaline's Vendetta supporters, and was aimed at Spice and Kartel.

Spice, who was close to Alkaline during his early musical years, held back no punches in her response. She also took the opportunity to reaffirm her loyalty to Vybz Kartel, and trash Alkaline for his sexual practices.

Alkaline

In an interview with THE STAR, Spice said she was unsure if Alkaline or his alleged affiliate Fabian dissed her in the Prison Warder record. However, she insists she is prepared to challenge any artiste representing Vendetta.

"I was left with no choice but to answer the song because everybody a call me from all parts of the world say Alkaline disrespect me inna song. When I listen the track I hear alkaline voice, but I hear some people saying it's not alkaline, it's Fabian," she said.

"I'm friends with Frass who works closely with Alkaline, and not even him link me and say it's not Alkaline. When I pree Fabian Instagram page, it clearly says Vendetta, so I just start pree say dem probably a work together that's why I do the song towards who sing the song cause none a dem nah come out and say a who sing it."

A confident Spice also noted that she will not be intimidated by male deejays.

"Not because I'm a woman means I must sit and make anyone walk over me or sit and take a diss like that. Mi nuh want dem feel like because mi a sing some nice wine up song dem forget say a me a the clash mumma weh use to kill people a Sting. A so mi mek mi name. Mi counteract the song weh name Prison Warder. So, whoever sing it, a dem mi a talk," she said.

Recording artiste Fabian Vendetta, who is rumoured to have recorded the song mimicking Alkaline's voice, did not confirm his role in the controversy. He, however, revealed that he was receiving threats from persons who took the lyrics in Prison Warder as an offence since it targeted Spice and Vybz Kartel.

Spice, on the other hand, is adamant that either Alkaline or Fabian should be brave and own the diss record.

"People love my song bad, and claiming mi deal wid it better than the man dem weh a war. I know my strength as a warrior so that's why I don't like when people call up mi name and try fi draw me out. Mi just prefer gwaan sing some nice happy song fi the gal dem. So, mi a call out Alkaline or Fabian to own up the song," she said.

SOURCE: JAMAICA STAR

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO LISTEN SPICE SONG

https://app.box.com/s/g2qgrylwic26i5eqn1trsem6c1303w9o

Smoodface blasts unprofessional conduct in music industry

By Curtis Campbell

February 01, 2017

Alkaline

Record producer Smoodface says the Jamaican music industry lacks professionalism and the requisite quality control that are necessary for practitioners to earn big bucks from the music.

“The local space has a crab inna barrel culture that is hampering the growth of the music internationally. This is why the foreigners are using our content and making millions from it while we fight against each other for peanuts. Two key factors separate our industry from our more successful American counterparts, one is professionalism and the other is quality control," Smoodface said.

Smoodface is known for his work on hits like Tom Cruise by Don Andre and Mek The Money by Alkaline. 

The producer said that when artistes choose money over quality it will ulultimately destroy Jamaica’s rich musical heritage and undermine the work of other acts who are trying to make a positive impact on the world.

In a recent interview with THE STAR, Smoodface highlighted recent attempts by some overseas media outlets to re-brand dancehall with new labels like Tropical House. He is of the view Jamaican musicians should be working overtime to hone their craft so as to reduce the level of exploitation from foreigners.

"As a body we need to stop this. As a group we need to be more consistent as it relates to ensuring that the music we release is always properly recorded, mixed and mastered. We need to ensure that quality is not a limiting factor and we also need to do the required paperwork to ensure that what is due to us we will receive,” he said.

Artistes like Drake, Rihanna, Tory Lanez, Magic, Adam Levine, Justin Bieber, Sia, Major Lazer among others have managed to climb atop the Hot 100 Billboard chart with reggae/dancehall hits. However, despite releasing millions of records per year, Jamaica-based dancehall/reggae artistes are rarely visible on that chart. Smoodface blames the quality of the Jamaican product.

“Many of these overseas based major labels simply copy our content and produce it at a higher quality. They then successfully market it to an undiscriminating dancehall-thirsty international market simply because we failed to do our homework and have our house in check,” he said.

 Source: THE STAR