KONSHENS LIVES IN THE HEART OF THE STREETS

When asked to name the one thing he’s happy about career wise right now, deejay
Konshens, without any hesitation, said: “Being in Jamaica and performing for my
fans here at home.”
The artiste, who spent part of 2009 and most of 2010 on overseas tours –
promotional and otherwise – took the informed decision to come off the road in
2011 and “focus on yaad”. This, apparently was a wise move as it is working like
a charm. Konshens has been making himself available for local shows and the
response from his fans has been heartwarming, he confesses with an appreciative
smile that lights up his entire face.
Konshens, who has a full repertoire consisting of old and new material, recently
performed at the Irie FM roadshows in the parishes of Portland and St. Mary
and, at the end of the sessions, easily reclaimed his space in the dancehall.
In fact, some would say that it was as if he had never been on a short hiatus
from the local stage.
As Konshens reeled off hits like Winner, Rasta Imposter, This Means Money,
Good Girl Gone Bad, Gal Dem A Talk, Realest Friend, Represent and Forward, the
fans embraced him and sang the songs word-for-word. The deejay took command of
the stage, communicated with the audience and gave them “more pon more”. The
crowd loved it and readily showed their high-spirited appreciation.
“It was a good feeling, plus it made me realize that even though I have work to
do in Jamaica, it’s not as much as I had thought. The people still love the old
tunes and they have taken on to the new songs. Konshens lives in the heart of
the streets," he said. "This year we a ‘tun up di turbo’,” the deejay declared,
quoting from his latest single, Forward.
Meanwhile, Konshens is looking forward to upcoming local dates including Live on
the Waterfront at Mo Bay’s Pier One and Code Red Anniversary at Margaritaville
on Easter Sunday.

On Easter Monday, he leaves Jamaica for a show in Guyana.

I-OCTANE FEATURED IN THE APRIL/MAY INTERNATIONAL ISSUE OF VIBE MAGAZINE

NEW YORK, NEW YORK April 12, 2011: While artist, 50 Cent, maybe the face on the cover of the current Vibe Magazine, Jamaica is definitely represented both on the cover, small photo of the Jamaican flag and Bob Marley and Usain Bolt's name listed, and in between the pages.

Jamaica's latest export, I-Octane has also been featured in the International April/May Issue. The music and entertainment magazine which predominantly features R&B and Hip-Hop artists, has featured top billing entertainers such as Mary J. Blige, the late Aaliyah, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Ciara, Eminem and a long list of others. I-Octane remarks, "It feels good t

o know I am featured in a well known International magazine like Vibe. And I give thanks for Rob Kenner, who gave me the opportunity to introduce I-Octane to a wider editorial market."

The article, titled Gassed Up delves into what the artist thinks about his new found fame, reggae music, Grammy Award and beefs. Read the article in its entirety below.

As told to Rob Kenner:

In seven months, I-Octane broke through the dancehall and merged into the fast lane. Jamaica's most explosive act explains his sudden acceleration.

LOSE YOURSELF

The breakthrough for me was when I left Arrows. You have to weigh your pros and cons. I lose nuff things, but [when] I started to do my career on my own, I hired my own publicist and put all the things in place that was missing. I left in February 2010, and by August I was the number one artist in Jamaica.

SELL OUT. . . IN A GOOD WAY

You have to look beyond the box. Me wan go everywhere with reggae music. Me wan collect a Grammy Award and say, "Selassie I"

IN THE BUILDING

Bob Marley's brand is bigger than the music. Everything comes in one package. Your attitude haffe be right. You haffe have an image that's marketable. Not saying you sell out, but you haffe learn to adjust and adapt. And I don't sign to nobody. Me wan bring my brand to a level. Me nah look for this local thing and sign to a company and them just do me

like how them do the rest of the artists. No.

NO BEEF DIET

We've had a whole heap of distraction in the music over the years. We have Beenie Man and the Bounty Killer feud. And then we have the Mavado and the Vybz Kartel Gaza and Gully thing. Some artists even try to get involved in the feud just to get them name buzzing. But I was the only one that stands out. We have a tunnel vision towards my thing.

TRADE VALUE

You have some artists in Jamaica, and them making money but them nah invest back in themself. Them prefer have 10 girlfriend and pay 10 rent -but them wouldn't even make a good video. Everybody try to hustle the music, and the well run dry. Me never really give up, because me love music. If I wasn't doing music, maybe me woulda been a gunman or something. Music is something that save me. So me haffe try save back the music.

-End-

In addition to the Vibe Magazine feature, I-Octane resumed his "My Life" tour after shooting two music videos in Jamaica and releasing over seven new singles. I-Octane has two songs featured on VP Records compilation CD Ragga Ragga. The CD, which was released on March 29, 2011, features the singjay's hit singles "No Love Inna Dem" and "Nuh Ramp Wid We." Added to the list of performances that the singjay has schedule through the end of June, I-Octane will perform on this year's Best of the Best Festival in Miami on May 29, 2011. He will share the same stage with Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Assassin, Alison Hinds, Trina, Chris Brown, Keri Hilson and more.

Source: Triple 7 Entertainment

MASTER ONE PRODUCTION LAUNCHES OUT

Master One Production Company’s creative output has been speaking for itself in the entertainment arena. Label artiste Denno is quickly making a name for himself through their input and marketing.
Another brand from the company is their compilation CD entitled First Born, which features artistes such as Richie Spice, Elephant Man, Luciano, Sizzla, Bascom X, Chrisinti, Alozade, Hawkeye, Turbulance among others.
Now the company will be ‘officially’ introducing itself to the Jamaican public at their launch on Wednesday, April 20 at the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston at 7:30pm.
CEO of Master One Production Jyorken Kennedy is no stranger to the music business.
Starting from an interest that developed from learning to play the piano while a student at Edwin Allen Comprehensive High School, he continued this trend when he migrated to the States continuing his high school education at North Miami Beach High where he took part in various music classes.
Kennedy was a member of several bands including a jazz band, the marching band and the concert band as well two highly ranked choirs at his school.
Being the practical person he is, Kennedy also took a finance course this propelled him into various supervisory and management positions.
With a steady job secured, a wife and two kids, Kennedy was back to his first love – music- it was this love that saw him going into music production.
He appropriately name his first compilation rhythm First Born an up-tempo one drop reggae beat, produced right here in Jamaica.
That project was done in 2005 and saw Kennedy heading back to the States to focus on automobile finance business.
Kennedy was lured back to the music while on the set of Richie Spice’s trouble In The World video shoot where he met Carlington ‘Bouka’ Carter who introduced him to Derrick ‘Denno’ Pinnock.
It wasn’t long before Kennedy undertook the task of charting Denno’s career producing singles such as Make It, Mi Feel It, and Dem Nuh Real. Master One’s latest production with Denno Cah Stop Dah Yute Yah is now getting impressive airplay.
What are his future plans for his now thriving music company…all that and more will be unfolded at the launch with Big A and Ron from Irie FM acting as host for the evening.

VIDEO: Nicki Minaj Talks Beyoncé, Britney, & Barbie

Nicki Minaj caused a media frenzy when she hit the carpet in a colorful getup at Casio’s TRYX OUT: NYC 2011 launch party at New York City’s Best Buy Theater in Times Square. Making her way down the press line, the big-haired raptress tackled questions thrown her way.

When Rap-Up.com asked her if she had collaborated on Beyoncé’s upcoming album, she replied, “Unfortunately no,” crushing the dreams of their collective fan bases. She also addressed reports that she is in talks to open for Britney Spears’ summer tour. “We’re talking to Britney. I can’t confirm or deny the Britney rumors at this time, but you never know,” she said with a smirk.

And if you expect to see a Nicki Minaj Barbie doll in the near future, think again. That will not be happening right now, according to the head Barb.

Source: rap-up

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POPULAR NYC DJ MR. CEE ARRESTED FOR SEX ACT WITH MALE

Update (Monday 11 a.m.): The story that set the internet on fire last night has now been confirmed as DJ Mr. Cee’s arrest record is available online. Cee, real name Calvin Lebrun, was released later that day on his own recognizance after being arrested for lewd conduct.

Rumors of Mr. Cee engaging in homosexual activity have run rampant for years with Wendy Williams indirectly referring to him on her radio show.

Lebrun’s fellow HOT97 DJ, Funkmaster Flex, took to his blog last night to deny the story, however Lebrun’s arrest record is available online. Cee has yet to confirm the charges. Click here for more case detals

New York (Sunday 7 p.m.) — Hip-Hop website Hollywoodstreetking has posted a mugshot of HOT 97 DJ Mister Cee and an unidentified 20-year-old man claiming that Cee was reportedly arrested for lewd conduct.

Cee, real name Calvin Lebrun, was reportedly arrested this past Wednesday night after he was allegedly spotted receiving oral sex from a young man in a parked car.

The 44-year-old Hot 97 DJ was reportedly booked at Manhattan’s 1st Precinct, located at West Street and Watts Street.

Source: globalgrind.com

The Roots’ ?uestlove Calls Lil’ Kim-Nicki Minaj Feud a ‘Love Fest’

Following the leak of Nicki Minaj’s Lil’ Kim diss, ?uestlove has provided an interesting take on the rap divas’ battle. The Roots drummer believes their war of words is actually a way of showing love and if Nicki really hated Kim, she would have acted like she never existed instead of firing back. He encourages the “love fest” to continue as long as it remains on wax.

Read his commentary below and see if you agree.

its my personal belief that dissing/verbal (well & actual) pugilism is the most intense form of LOVE.

where your intent is to affect/infect em to the highest degree. i know that sounds contradictory (displaying harsh actions as a sign of affection) but if you see this in somewhat of a shakespearean (or maybe the hero/sidekick narrative of The Incredibles) one can only conclude that if Nik REALLY hated Kim…… she would do the most painful act of hate….which i pretty much know from experience (as loved and hated) the surefire slow burning-last-scene-in-kill-bill-way-to get under ones skin….is to act like they never existed.

(indifference is the opposite of love. not hate. which clearly this verse is not indifference)

long as this don’t end up the way kim’s last beef ended with Fox (member the hot97 shootout which pretty much landed kim where she is now) i say let em battle and continue this lovefest.

Source: www.rap-up.com

BEYONCÉ TURNS BACK TIME FOR NEW PHOTO SHOOT

The Beyoncé machine is ramping up again. After some down time, the pop powerhouse is staging her return to music. She was spotted on set of a photo shoot at a grungy motel in New Jersey on Thursday (March 31) with photographer Ellen von Unwerth, who shot Rihanna’s Rated R packaging.

It is unconfirmed exactly what the shoot was for, but the singer was dressed in ’70s-inspired garb, with a burgundy feathered coat, blue bell bottoms, and dramatic makeup.

What do you think of Bey’s retro look? Let us know!

Source: www.rap-up.com