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.