Duane Stephenson heads for Trinidad, Guyana

Kingston, Jamaica: - Quite upbeat from a recent Fort Lauderdale gig where he was accompanied by the very talented Black Soil band, and which also featured Tarrus Riley and Dean Frazer, reggae crooner, Duane Stephenson is looking forward to thrilling his Caribbean fans as the hectic Yuletide season begins to take shape.

The singer is booked for shows in the twin island republic of Trinidad & Tobago and also Guyana, two markets which have a solid, long-standing relationship with the man from August Town.  Duane is more than ready to take his soothing, conscious lyrics to Trinidad on November 30, where will perform at Culture Reggae Fest, scheduled for the popular Queen’s Park Savannah.

Billed as “the biggest culture concert to end the year in Trinidad and Tobago”, Culture Reggae Fest also showcases reggae heavyweights Luciano, Everton Blender and Bushman, alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s best, including Jamelody, Isasha, Prophet Benjamin and others. According to the organisers, there will be loads of positive vibes at the concert and Duane totally endorses this, noting that as Caribbean people, we need to focus on our similarities rather than our differences.

“It is always an honour to represent Jamaica overseas, but the Caribbean feels like home away from home, so going there is always special. Just the name of the show speaks volumes, and the line-up of artistes is an indication of the type of music and message that will be offered. I am already feeling the vibes and can’t wait to get on stage to truly connect with my fans in Trinidad & Tobago,” said Duane, who was Jamaica’s musical ambassador at the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) held recently in Suriname.

He will leave Trinidad and head straight to Guyana, where the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) will be kick off the Caribbean Inter-Club Football Series from November 29 and will use the opportunity to fuse music and sports. Jamaican team, Boys Town will be among the Caribbean teams participating in the series. Duane, who is an ardent football supporter, will be a guest performer at the event  on December  1. 

Duane to release Dangerously Roots

Kingston Jamaica - After much soul searching, reggae crooner, Duane Stephenson has finally decided on a title for his third studio album, set to be released early 2014. He disclosed that the name of the CD is ‘Dangerously Roots’.

“We wanted a name that depicts exactly what the message of this album is all about, while at the same time reflecting the edginess of the package,” Duane explained. He noted that Dangerously Roots might seem like a contradiction of terms, but in fact it is an affirmation of the importance of delving into and appreciating one’s roots.

Spearheaded by Kongstar Production, the project has been in the making for over a year, during which time Duane called up on the expertise of producers such as Donovan Germain of Penthouse Productions,  Dean Fraser, Christopher Birch and Winter James in getting the right songs to set the mood and tone for the album.

The artiste and his management team are currently in discussions with two overseas-based companies regarding distribution of the product. One of the companies is based in the US and has extensive reach in marketing reggae.

Two singles from Dangerously Roots have already been released – Rasta For I and Think Twice– and according to the singer, the response has been great, not just in Jamaica, but also the Caribbean and North America. However, in order to ensure that the album retains its full appeal, no more tracks will be released prior to the official release date of the product.

When asked if there is a song on the album which he thinks could be as big as his monster hit, August Town, he stated, “I’m optimistic that a lot of the songs will carry over to be as big as August Town.  Some of the tracks you might not connect with at the first listen, but my music is the type that grows on you and pulls you in the more you listen.

“Hit songs are not guaranteed, but we are always hopeful and ensure that we put in the best work we can,” Duane said.

Duane Stephenson proudly represents at CARIFESTA

Kingston, Jamaica: - The Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) festivities held last month in Suriname have been described as being “filled with passionate movements, rhythmic beats, stunning images, moving storytelling, and exquisite tastes”. Some Caricom 30 countries were present at the festival, among them Jamaica, whose musical ambassador, Duane Stephenson, flew the black, green and gold flag with immense pride.

The reggae singer had been invited by Caricom to represent Jamaica at CARIFESTA and for this artiste, who had chosen to stay at home this year rather than perform in Europe, it was indeed a “great honour” to find favour with the selection committee.  “CARIFESTA XI a wonderful experience and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it,” Duane declared.

“It was like a real homecoming with all my Caribbean brothers and sisters greeting each other and focusing on our similarities rather than our differences. CARIFESTA XI allowed me to see myself as a Caribbean man who is doing music for the world rather than a Jamaican reggae artiste,” the singer explained, adding that he had made many invaluable contacts on both personal and professional levels.

The man from August Town performed at the Youth Village, located in Paramaribo and he thrilled the multi-cultural crowd with great selections from his repertoire, including Ghetto Pain, August Town, Rastafari, Fire In Me and Nah Pay. His conscious, message music was the perfect fit for such an uplifting occasion and with Duane’s natural charisma, it was a glorious day for reggae music at CARIFESTA XI.

The business side was equally fruitful, as the massive Caribbean festival of arts celebrations had booking agents and scouts from the US, Europe and as far away as Australia, watching with interest and hastening to secure acts for upcoming events in those parts of the world.

“I exchanged numbers with several of them and one in particular, South By Southwest, one of the major talent scouts was keenly interested,” a very upbeat Duane stated.

Now back in Jamaica, after CARIFESTA and a subsequent six-day trip to French Guiana, which saw him and his Dread Heights Band performing for over 2000 persons at a village in the interior of the island, Duane is putting the finishing touches to his album, which should be ready for international release before yearend.

I-Octane, Duane Stephenson, Droop Lion perform for charity in Nevis

Fresh off the heels of his Reggae Sumfest performance, where dancehall/reggae star I-Octane closed the prestigious e

Duane - I-Octane - Droop Lion

vent’s Dancehall Night for the very first time, there was not much opportunity to bask in the success of his Sumfest outing, as I-Octane, along with Duane Stephenson and Droop Lion, made the trek to Nevis where they performed at a charity event.

On Friday, August 2, more than 2,800 people came out to see the performances.

The line-up for the event saw young artistes from Nevis and St. Kitts getting their shine in the opening segment, before Droop Lion, who has the number one song (Mama Soon Come) in the island, made his presence felt.

Next up was Duane Stephenson, who delivered a rather smooth performance, and had the females in the audience screaming like crazy, as he delivered favourites like, Cottage In Negril, Ghetto Pain, Think Twice, August Town and even got a great response for his new single, Rasta For I.

It was then I-Octane who once again had closing honours, and as expected, he had the place in total pandemonium, as patrons were singing his songs word for word, from Lose A Friend to Happy Time. Needless to say, he had three encores for his efforts.

Octane then ordered the security to free up backstage so that fans could have access to him, and of course his wish was granted and fans were elated.

The event, organized by Tender Care International, was put on to raise money to buy equipment for the Alexandra hospital in Nevis.

One person who attended the event was extremely grateful for the Jamaican contingent of artistes who decided to lend their talents for a charitable cause, saying, “the people in Nevis need so much, and trust me they have nothing really. If they want to test their blood for example, they have to send it to St. Kitts, something so simple they can't afford to do it. So for the artistes to support the cause by using their talent then we must big them up, and they are true Jamaican ambassadors.”

Duane Stephenson offered 3-year booking deal with South American company

KINGSTON JAMAICA - Recently returned from a mega-successful mini-tour of Brazil, reggae singer Duane Stephenson is basking in the glowing aftermath of that trip. At the end of the tour, he knew three things for a fact: one – he had performed well; two – his audiences had been thrilled; and three – the promoters were all smiles.

But what Duane didn’t know, was the extent to which he had impacted Brazil, and in fact, the entire South American continent. But he soon found out, when he was approached by representatives of THT Events, one of the top three promoters in South America, to sign a three-year booking contract with the company.  Naturally, Duane was blown away.

“It was totally unexpected, but I just kept cool and listened to what they had to say. And it definitely sounds interesting,” Duane disclosed.

He is now ironing out the details of the contract with Luciano Alves and Sidney Gresser with a view to going back to South America during the summer. And, being Duane, he intends to seize this opportunity with both hands. On his to-do list are plans are to record a song in Portuguese, the official language spoken in Brazil and also to do another in Spanish, which is spoken in the majority of  South American countries.

“I  have been exploring my options as far as learning Spanish is concerned and although I would prefer to be in a classroom with other students, that might not be possible, given my schedule. So I will probably have to get a personal tutor, but the important thing is that by the end of the year my Spanish must be good,” the reggae singer stated emphatically.

Duane, who is also committed to making his home fans feel his presence, recently completed the video for the reality single, To The Lord, on Don Corleone’s soothing Scriptures riddim.  Another single Kingston Town (Another Day In Paradise) is currently charted locally at number 15 and is moving up.

Duane Stephenson takes on Brazil with the Wailers

Duane Stephenson

The continent of South America is regarded as rich, fertile soil for the planting of reggae music, so it was with a “special joy” that singer, Duane Stephenson, packed his bags and journeyed with the Wailers to Brazil at the end of April.

An eight-city tour, which started in Curitibra and spanned through the capital Brasilia, Salvador, Porto Alegre, and on to Brazil’s famous Rio de Janiero, among other cities, was the perfect way for Duane to spend 12 musically exhilarating days. Duane had received his South American baptism on a previous sojourn to that continent, which had also included performances in parts of Central America, all of which helped to lay the foundation for his memorable return visit.

Despite putting in some hard work at building his career there, even Duane himself has confessed that he was surprised at the vibrant welcome he was given by his growing fan base in the Americas.

“At all of the shows, I did my own solo set which lasted for 35 minutes each, and I must say that the response was fantastic. Although the official language of Brazil is Portuguese, the fans knew my songs and were singing word-for-word. It’s a wonderful feeling to plant seeds and go back and reap the fruits,” a very appreciative Duane explained. 

  

He added that the album that is still doing amazingly well for him in that territory is his debut, August Town,  however, reggae music lovers in Brazil have started to rock to some of the singles from his sophomore offering,Black Gold.

According to Duane, his best memory of this trip was his performance at the Bahia Café Hall in Salvador to a sold-out audience that just could not get enough of his music.

“This is not just great for me, it feels good and looks even better for reggae music. Singers like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff are the real icons down there, but Ky-mani Marley also has a huge fan base and Tarrus’ music is becoming increasingly popular. So, it is shows that reggae definitely has a future and so too dancehall because artistes like Shaggy, Sean Paul and Busy Signal are being embraced by South American fans. It’s up to us to nurture this emerging market,  stamp our name on it musically and really help it to grow. In the long run, we will all benefit,” the reggae singer declared.

The journey continues for Duane Stephenson

Kingston Jamaica -The name Duane Stephenson conjures up images of a youngster singing with the seven-member group, To-Isis; a young adult embarking on a successful solo journey and more recently, a man on a musical mission traversing  Europe, Central America and South America.

Fully accepting his role as a journeyman, it wasn’t surprising that in 2011 Duane Stephenson teamed up with one of reggae’s most mystical groups, The Wailers, and enthusiastically accepted the call to travel with them as their opening act. With the door to musical elevation flung wide open, Duane stepped across the threshold and entered a new, exciting and totally rewarding phase in his professional career.

“I was aware of the fact that as a comparatively young singer in the reggae business, I needed to establish myself fully into the hearts of my home fans before moving on to a phase that would take me away from home for extended periods,” the August Town singer explained.

However, he also knew that an invitation to travel with a group of the caliber and experience of the Wailers was  an honour that outweighed everything else.  Very soon, the big and the small cities in Europe became his playing ground and his fan base swelled proportionately, even as he learned at the feet of the masters in the reggae music business. Between January 2011 and November 2012, Duane Stephenson spent huge chunks of time on the road as part of the Wailers crew and enjoyed every minute of it.

This journeyman also made the time to do extensive work in the United States in the more non-traditional markets for reggae music, doing music festivals. Duane and the Livewire Band undertook an extensive tour of the US, doing smaller venues in an attempt to break into those markets. Between January and the end of February 2012, travelling ‘old school style’ in a van from town to town, they performed five to six shows a week from Colorado to California and included stops in Oregon and New Mexico. The audiences responded well to the music and that success saw him being invited to the major reggae festivals in California including Reggae on the River, the Sea Breeze Festival and the Sierra Nevada Music Festival.

July 2012 also saw Duane making a return trip to the South American country of Brazil, where he had spent three weeks in December 2011, establishing new but fertile ground to enhance the growth of his music. Building on the foundation which he had built, Duane was able to tour other South American countries including  Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile and Peru. A return visit is being finalized for the summer of 2013.

While Duane is quite happy at what he has been able to achieve internationally, he admits that he has missed performing for his home crowd.  In order to fill the musical void locally and give his home crowd a something new, he released music videos for the songs Sufferer’s Heights and Fire In Me. The Sufferer’s Heights video, which was released in 2012 has made such an impact that radio is now showing the single some love.  Released in 2013, the video for Fire in Me, has also been doing well.

Duane has also recently released two new singles which have the potential to top the charts, To the Lord, produced by Don Corleone on the Scriptures Rhythm and Another Day Another Dollar, a collaboration with Exco Levi on the Penthouse label.

"The journey continues ... and right now, we are focused on home," Duane stated.