KONSHENS STRIKES BOOKING DEAL WITH KHOOL

As deejay Konshens continues his mission to place emphasis on the business side of the music business, he recently struck a deal with Khool International to exclusively handle all his bookings in Jamaica.

According to the artiste, he had meetings with a few booking agents and subsequently made the decision to sign with Khool, as he was impressed by the entity’s level of professionalism.

“In discussions, I felt that this was an agency that understands the economic climate we are now living in and takes the needs of the artiste and the promoters into consideration. I didn’t get the impression that they were just all about making a quick buck,” Konshens said of the Ray Alexander-led company.

Khool will also be doing bookings for the artiste in the Caribbean and the rest of the world on a non-exclusive basis, and will be focusing exclusively on all public relations activities concerning Konshens.

Over the past 15 years to the present, Alexander has built up an impressive list of clients. These include artistes such as Anthony B, Anthony Red Rose, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Ce’Cile, Coco Tea, Da’Ville, Denroy Morgan, Demarco, Elephant Man, Etana, Flippa Mafia, I-Octane, Lady Saw, Macka Diamond, Mad Cobra, Main Street Crew, Queen Ifrica, Shaggy, Spice, Stevie Face, Tanya Stephens, Tony Rebel and the group TOK.

Khool has represented companies including Big Yard, Call Me Sham, Main Street Records, Kings of Kings Records and the New York-based VP Records. Producers, too have taken advantage of the service proved by Alexander and his company, much to their satisfaction. Danny Browne, Richard Browne and Q 45 have all at one or another have been pleased to do business with him.

Alexander stated that he has always been impressed with not only the standard of Konshens’ work, but the artiste’s overall deportment and his dedication to his career.

“Khool is pleased to welcome Konshens into the company. With his combined talent and his discipline, he is an excellent role model and will easily fit into the camp,” Alexander stated.

FLIPPA DID HAVE LIST ON BOTTLE PARTY RHYTHM

Did Have List is no gimmicks, it’s an educating floss, says Flippa

Flossing King, Flippa Mafia, in his latest tune discusses what he labels the “did have list” and while it appears to be just another gimmicks song, the deejay says he couldn’t be any more serious.

“I watch the people in the dancehall and see how some of them move from nothing to something and back to zero and it’s really disturbing. You can never imagine the type of money some of these artistes earn and you would be equally surprised to learn how much a dem bruk right now,” the deejay who took flossing to a new level stated.

It is for this reason that Flippa says he is on a “educating floss”. He explains that he wants the youths to look, listen and learn so that they don’t make the same mistakes of some of their ‘idols’ and end up on the ‘did have list’

“Just take a look and see how many artistes did have this and did have that. Why they don’t have it now?” he quizzed.

“Because dem don’t floss with sense,” answered Flippa, whose flossing antics have seen him throwing money – including US dollars and pound sterling – into the crowd as he pops champagne on stage and sprinkles it around.

But, to be fair to Flippa, he has always maintained that he has set his house in order as a matter of priority and has often criticized those who own numerous pairs of Gucci shoes, for example, but don’t own a king-sized bed.

Concerning Did Have List, a very uptempo song on the Bottle Party riddim, Flippa said the idea came about purely by chance.

“We have a friend named Troy who everybody says is the meanest man around and we are always mustering him. But then Troy hit back and say him don’t mind making the ‘mean list’ as long as him don’t make the ‘did have list’. So that got me really thinking about the truth of that statement and I went into the studio and did the song for TJ Records,” the deejay explained.

He noted that so far the feedback has been positive and he swears that Did Have List is not about “throw wud” or anything negative.

“We not wishing bad for no man and we not into the throw wud. It is reality lyrics. Right now it’s all about the educating floss – not floss and show-off,” Flippa reiterated.

Robin Roberts Invites Chris Brown Back to ‘Good Morning America’

Chris Brown may have lost his cool after Robin Roberts pressed him on his domestic dispute with Rihanna, but his off-air outburst came as a surprise to her. According to the “Good Morning America” host, Breezy pre-approved questions regarding the incident and shocked Roberts when he tore up his dressing room following their televised interview.

During today’s “GMA” broadcast, Roberts explained that it is the show’s policy to discuss topics with an interviewee in advance. “Anytime we have a guest here on the program, we let them know ahead of time the subject matter, the topics that we’re going to discuss and even right before the interview, I said that to Chris and I was shocked like everybody else was,” she revealed.

She thought Brown was joking when he tried to redirect the interview to discuss his new album F.A.M.E. “You saw me laughing during the interview because when he was doing that, I thought he was joking about some things because of the easy relationship that we have,” she explained.

Despite the headline-making episode and barrage of angry comments from Breezy fans, she’s ready to have him back on the show. “I’m glad that we’ve extended an invitation. We’d love to have him back and he’s seriously considering that,” she added. “We wish him the absolute best and and again we’ve extended the invitation to him and I sure hope that he takes us up on it, because I’d love to have another chat with him.”

After deflecting her on-air questions on Tuesday’s program, Brown performed his hit “Yeah 3X” without any sign of irritation. Once the cameras stopped rolling, he allegedly flew into a rage and trashed his dressing room, removing his shirt and exiting the station in a fury.

The show’s hair and makeup staff said they called security after hearing loud noises coming from his dressing room. A cooler was reportedly thrown and a window was smashed.

Source: rap-up.com

WYCLEF JEAN SHOT IN HAND IN HAITI

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean was recovering Sunday after receiving a gunshot wound to the hand while campaigning for a fellow performer who is running for president.

The shooting happened in the Delmas section of the capital, Port-au-Prince, after 11 p.m. local time Saturday (11 p.m. EDT; 0300 Sunday GMT) said Joe Mignon, senior program director for Jean's Yele Foundation. Jean was treated at a hospital and later released, Mignon said.

Jean's brother, Samuel, confirmed the musician was shot. Neither he nor Mignon had additional details, and a spokesman for the Haitian National Police could not be reached immediately for comment.

Jean, a native of Haiti who rocketed to fame as a member of the hip-hop trio The Fugees, is in his home country to support fellow musician and friend Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly, one of two presidential candidates in a run-off vote taking place Sunday.

Last week, Jean participated in a Martelly concert in downtown Port-au-Prince that sought to win over voters.

"We are happy that Wyclef is okay but we continue to pray for him and for a peaceful and fair election today in Haiti," the Rev. Al Sharpton, who has worked with Jean on educational issues and bringing aid to Haiti after the devastating January 2010 earthquake, said in a statement.

The statement also quoted Jimmy Rosemond, who it said was accompanying Jean on his current trip to Haiti.

"It is clear that enemies of progressive change in Haiti are behind the shooting of Wyclef — those that don't want to accept that a monumental change is inevitable for the betterment of the Haitian people," Rosemond said. "This incident will not deter those of us that see the election as crucial to the country's future."

Source: The Associated Press.

DENNO SHOOTS VIDEO FOR CAAH STOP DA YUTE YAH

Master One recording artiste Denno last week shot the video for his fast rising single Caah Stop Dah Yute Yah.
Since its release the song has been enjoying good rotation on air and the young artiste couldn't be any happier bout the response he has been getting on his latest single.

Caah Stop Da Yute Yah was shot on location in downtown Kingston, South Side, with some scenes being done inside the green room of a studio.

Directed by Asha the plot basically brings to life the sentiments expressed in the song about trying and not giving up.

Can't Stop Da Yute Yah is all about struggles and the resolve to make it through trying circumstances.
"Life doesn't come without its struggles and obstacles, you will meet those who try to put you down, and those who encourage you," said Denno, adding that the message he wants listeners to get from the single is that they should just keep focussed on their goals and ignore "envious and grudgeful people."

I had a lot of fun doing the video. I am hoping that when it is released it will cement the message in the song. It's all about holding your head up in the face of obstacles and still trying no matter how hard it is,” commented Denno about his latest single.

The video is expected to be premiered soon.

Konshens finds another winner with ‘Forward’

In 2008 deejay Konshens announced that he was a Winner … and many will agree that he was definitely on point. Smoothly transitioning from upcoming artiste to established act, throughout the past three years the artiste has been making conscious moves musically and his recent single, Forward is a testament to this.

Replete with no-nonsense lyrics, this up-tempo song with the highly infectious beat is in-your-face in a respectful way, and clearly speaks to the artiste keeping his focus and making huge strides in his career. Konshens declares that he is ready to “drop every link whe no have no ambition” as he moves “forward, forward”. And he is also ready to kick off any door – “no more knocking/time fi kick off door” – that has prevented him from moving forward.

Of course, on another level, Forward a Cash Flow production on the Bus Stop riddim, is also a money tune. But Konshens acknowledges this in the line – If you tiad fi hear money song/ lock off a di money programme.

Having scored with songs such as Winner, Rasta Imposter, This Means Money and Good Girl Gone Bad (with Tarrus Riley), Konshens has demonstrated that his success is no flash in the pan. With Forward, the artiste is skillfully positioning himself in the dancehall for 2011 as he gives fans another song that they can easily relate to.

“The taste of success is the sweetest thing I have ever enjoyed. You don’t need a spoonful of sugar to make this go down. So it’s in my best interest to prolong this taste in my mouth. Forward is a statement, an intent, an action and a message,” the deejay who recently formed his very own SubKonshus Music outfit stated.

He pointed out that from all indications, Forward is poised to take him exactly where he wants to go.

“The title of this song was no accident,” he informed. “I believe in the power of words and now that we chip in the turbo, I know that Forward will take me right there – forward,” Konshens concluded with a very satisfied smile.

I OCTANE TOPS BBC CHARTS WITH ‘NUH LOVE INNA DEM”

• Number 1 song on four charts simultaneously

Reggae star I Octane topped the BBC 1xtra dancehall charts this week with his breakout hit, Nuh Love Inna Dem on the Cashflow Records label, ahead of top flight artistes Khago, Mavado and Vybz Kartel.

The song is simultaneously number one on the Toronto Radio Dubplate chart, HYPE TV’s Top 20 chart and the Jamaica Music Countdown charts, underlining the artiste’s rise as one of the most popular local reggae artistes.

I Octane has secured nominations in four categories in the International Reggae & World Music Award ("IRAWMA") awards’ 30th Anniversary celebrations which will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at the National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

He is nominated in the categories of Best Music Video, Best New Entertainer, Most Promising Entertainer and Most Cultural/Educational Entertainer.

The singjay has also received nominations in four categories in the Excellence in Music and Entertainment ("EME") Awards. Those categories are Song of the Year ("My Life"), Culture Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Singjay of the Year. The seventh annual staging of the Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) Awards is set to take place on Saturday, March 12, 2011 on the East Lawns of the historical Devon House in Kingston.

Octane has already won several awards this year, including the Jamaica Observer’s Entertainer of the Year, and the People’s Choice award from THE STAR for Reggae Artiste of the Year. At the recent Linkage awards, Octane pocketed all of three awards, including Song of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

"The outpouring and support of my music has been a surreal experience. This is such an amazing accomplishment. I am very happy, to say the least. This type of recognition is something that I could not have foreseen. Much thanks IRAWMA, EME and Linkage Awards," the artiste who is currently on tour in the US, said.

Now half way through the United States leg of his "My Life" tour, I-Octane's remaining performances include: March 11th Panache Ballroom, Springfield, MA; March 12th, Negril, Jamaica; March 13^th Tropical Beach, Montego Bay, Jamaica; March 26th Ocho Rios, Jamaica;
April 9th Brentwood, MD; April 15th Orlando, FL; April 16th Tampa Bay, FL; April 23rd Brampton, Canada; April 29th Poughkeepsie, NY; April 30th St. Elizabeth, Jamaica; May 6th Dorchester, MA; May 7th Los Angeles, CA and May 14th Kingston, Jamaica.