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