VIDEO: Warrior King - Same Source

I-Octane reflects on ghetto life in new social commentary

Kingston, JAMAICA: - Following a blazing premiere by DJ Sunshine on Irie FM last Wednesday, the single The Ghetto (Ghetto Life), has definitely taken on a life of its own and is saturating radio, the dancehall and the clubs.

This new, must-listen, social commentary from consistent hit-maker, I-Octane, demonstrates yet again, the reason that this versatile singjay maintains his lead ahead of the pack. Octane is one of the select few entertainers who knows exactly where to find the big tunes and, added to that, he is also keenly aware of precisely when to drop them. Music critics predict that The Ghetto will have fans and detractors alike uniting is complete harmony as they sing the true-to-life words of this single on the De Saga riddim  

     

The Ghetto speaks to the roots of crime and violence, the effect on the ghetto youth and the role of the corrupt politician who facilitates the dons and at the same time shuns them. It is a thought-provoking single which seeks to open the eyes of the ghetto youth to the reality of the “system (which) tun you inna Don” and enables the “politician (to) control we”.

According to I-Octane, this song is more than just another commentary, it speaks to him on a personal level. The artiste, who was quoted in The Gleaner recently bemoaning the level of crime in his home parish, Clarendon, feels that the time has come for many in the society to wise up.

 “It’s time for ghetto youths to wise up, rise up and take a positive stand. A life of crime is not anything to aspire to. At the end of the day, it’s the youths who are losing their lives senselessly – whether they are killed or they end up behind bars. It’s time to send the politicians packing with their hand-outs, whatever they may be,” the Lose A Friend singer said.

The Ghetto, which is on the Jones Ave label, also has other big names making an impact on the riddim, including the likes of Vybz Kartel featuring Lil Miss, Mr. Vegas and others.

Meanwhile, the workaholic entertainer is putting the finishing touches to his third studio album, which takes its title from his trademark slang, Everthing Correck. Produced by Marcus Myrie, the son of iconic deejay, Buju Banton,Everthing Correck is a masterpiece production from the young Myrie. The first single, Don’t Stop the Vibes, has already been causing a stir since its release and the accompanying music video has already been packaged.  

Europe beckons Warrior King

Kingston, JAMAICA:- Feeling energized from his recent successful promotional tour of the US along with a gig in Mexico, the acknowledged ‘roots warrior’, Warrior King, is all packed and ready to hit the road again – this time to the continent of Europe.

The reggae artiste, whose newest singles, Aint Giving Up and Same Source from his soon-to-be-released album, Roots Warrior, are gaining traction both in Jamaica and on the international scene, is focused on building his brand and always upping the ante in terms of delivering conscious, thought-provoking songs and great performances. With his foundation-type reggae music finding its way straight into the hearts of music lovers globally, Warrior King is increasingly becoming a favourite in Europe and his tour, which kicks off on June 12, marks the second time the artiste will be performing there since 2015.

“I did a stint in Europe in February and it was everything I hoped for and more. The promoters did their job well and the venues were sold out. The fans showed so much love, it was really amazing. It’s really nice to feel appreciated, doing what you love to do and getting paid for it. Of course, touring is hard work; it’s not all about the glamour, but it’s music and we reggae artistes are passionate about our music. We are reggae ambassadors and pledge to bring the music to the four corners of the world, so the mission continues,” the Virtuous Woman singer stated.

Warrior King’s first show is Rast' Art Festival on June 12 in Normandy France. The following day, sees him performing at Studio Club in Cergy. On June 14, he travels to the Austrian capital, Vienna for a show at the Fania Live Club, while a mix of club and festival appearances in the UK will see him on the road until June 24.

Meanwhile, Warrior King is also putting the finishing touches to his upcoming album, Rootz Warrior, which is produced by Warrior King’s own Rootz Warrior Productions and Irie Sounds International. The singer recently packaged the video for the second single, Same Source and is eagerly anticipating its premiere.

Rootz Warrior is scheduled to be released in July 2015.

I-Octane performing @ Titchfield High School Tour

I-Octane thrills O2 Brixton Academy

Dancehall entertainer’s I-Octane and Macka Diamond attracted a full house at the 02 Brixton Academy in London, England on Sunday for a show dubbed 'More Life'.

Over 5,000 patrons crammed into the venue to be a part of 'More Life", the largest cultural experience for black music, with a heavyweight lineup that consisted of Mighty Crown, Stone Love, English ragga-pop star Ms Dynamite, Macka Diamond and I Octane.

I Octane was simply brilliant during his set opening up with "My Life No Easy like 1-2-3' for which he got a huge roar of approval from the audience. He clambered on top of the nearby speaker boxes on the stage, and the venue lifted as he declared "mi no wear bwoy clothes", and lighters dotted the venue. He told the crowd to buss a blank, leaping up on the speakers, and the crowd exploded.

He then changed gears neatly by serenading a sexy white girl in white leggings, white shirt and a black bikini bottom, by singing 'L-O-V-E'. Then he stopped to talk to the crowd for a few seconds, before he declared "ah the gal dem we love", and he performed 'Wine and Jiggle'. 

During this song, a buxom dark-skinned girl challenged the white girl, getting on all fours and wining up a storm, and the crowd loved it. Men beat Guinness bottles on nearby speaker boxes and the girls shrieked their delight.

Then Octane received a big forward when his white dancer got on her head, and he attempted to mount her in that position. The girls screamed out his name. 

He then settled down the crowd with 'No One Can Love You Like I Do' before upping the tempo again with a song for Chimney Records.

"If mi drop da song, and no man no move, then something wrong...TJ Records, Gal ting, it nu hard," he deejayed, and the forwards were defeaning inside the Brixton Academy. 

One of the high points of the night came when he instructed the technical personnel to lock off all the lights, so he could see the phone lights illuminating the venue. He then did 'Lose a Friend' with the crowd singing in unison, the phones making bright pinpoints of light like a million fireflies gathered in the gloom. It was a touching moment. 

Octane segued neatly into 'Study Yu Friend'. More forwards. 

"Mi can memba when mi did want to close a show at Brixton Academy and now it a happen," he said, before doing one of his biggest singles, Bun. He earned a forward, and then pulled up the song and did it again. 

"Him drink out mi fruit juice dem," he said laughing, and the crowd erupted into laughter. 

Then he segued into 'We Love the Vibes' pulling down the curtains on an excellent show. Earlier, Macka Diamond worked an excellent 25 minute set peppered with hits such as 'Bun Him', 'Done Already' and the monster hit, 'Dye Dye' and she interacted well with the crowd on one of the biggest shows that a female has performed on in the UK in several years. 

Dancehall insiders believe that 'More Life 2015' has put reggae back on the UK Map, especially against the background of no-shows because of visa challenges and poor organisations from promoters in recent years. 

The show was organised by  Another Level and Flames Radio promotions.

Warrior King plays Mexico to huge success

Kingston, JAMAICA:- Roots reggae singer, Warrior King, made another quantum leap in building his career and his fan base when he took a quick flight over to Mexico from his temporary base in the US, where he is now on an official one-month promotional tour.

The ‘Aint Giving Up’ singer was billed on the event alongside headliner, London-based reggae singer Macka B, and performed at the rocking Playa del Carmen beachside concert in front of a capacity audience of predominantly Mexican people, who have been showing increasing favour towards foundation reggae music. Although this was not Warrior King’s first trip to that Spanish-speaking country, it was undoubtedly his best experience so far. The artiste performed for an entire hour and the fans – some of whom were ‘discovering’ him and other who remembered his from a previous visit – were very receptive, surprising him by singing many of the songs word-for-word. In fact, so good was the response that the promoter has invited Warrior King to come back in August, when he will perform in a more official capacity in the capital, Mexico City.

Warrior King, who admits that he knows Spanish and has been practising the language quite a bit lately, feels that his ability to break into the Mexican market is due largely to the fact that although he is still relatively young, his voice has that “foundation reggae feel” and his music and lyrical content are conscious roots reggae.

“From what I can see, the Mexicans appear to have a preference for roots reggae and they listen to a lot of music from foundation artistes. Of course, Bob (Marley) is way up there and so too are artistes like Dennis Brown and Culture,” Warrior King explained. “I made the most of this opportunity by staying back at the event to sign autographs, take pictures with fans and encourage the fans to purchase my merchandise. I feel really good about this exposure and I know that the fans will spread the word,” added King, whose promo tour has been going exceptionally well.

In addition to providing quality entertainment for fans in Mexico last Sunday, the reggae singer has made stops in San Diego Beach, Tahoe City in California, Mills Valley, Cataluma, Laguna Beach, Nevada City and New Orleans, where he also quietly tapped into the college circuit. He noted that while not all the venues were capacity filled, one sure sign of success is that all the promoters have invited him back for subsequent shows.

He also did collaborations with artistes Jah Sun from Arcadia and Nico Marks from Los Angeles, both of whom did shoots for music videos for the songs. Warrior King also did a third video shoot, this time on his own for the newest single  Same Source from his upcoming album Rootz Warrior. He wraps up this leg of this “feel-good” promo tour with an appearance at the spectacular Best of the Best Festival at Bayfront Park, Miami Beach, Florida on May 24.

After inspiring school tour, it’s ‘More Life’ for I-Octane

I-Octane performing in the rain at Claude McKay High in Clarendon

Kingston, JAMAICA:- Fresh from a whirlwind school tour which saw reggae and dancehall ambassador, I-Octane, in full inspiration mode as he accomplished his two-fold mission of teaching values and preaching upliftment through his music, the accomplished entertainer is ready to hit the road with renewed vigour.

 I-Octane noted that although the main aim of the school blitz was to inspire the students, he admitted that he himself has been inspired by the students at Lennon, Claude McKay, Titchfield and Robert Lightbourne High Schools, and he is even more motivated to be the best role model that he can possibly be.

“If only we as artistes fully comprehend the great responsibility that we have to these young mind. These kids see us as little gods who can do no wrong, so whatever message we send out there through our lyrics and our behaviour, that is exactly what they are going to run with. When I spoke to the students about the importance of getting a good education, I could see them listening attentively and I hope that even one person will be motivated to start getting higher grades and aim for the stars,” I-Octane said passionately.

Badda Bing bring the right vibes at Titchfield High School in Portland

He added, “I was really moved by these kids. At one school it started to rain during my performance and nobody moved – not even the teachers. I want to say a big shout out to all the students and teachers of the schools we visited and thank them for their hospitality. And to the generous sponsors – Digicel, Busta Soft Drinks, Di Unit Sound System, Good Good Productions, Coke Lines Transportation Services and HEART Trust NTA – more love, because without them this tour wouldn’t have been possible.”

Now back to his full-time job, first up on I-Octane’s busy calendar is the More Life concert in London scheduled for the O2 Academy Brixton on May 24. This marks the first time in two years that the dynamic entertainer is performing in London and Octane is just as excited as his legions of fans, who have been expressing their anticipation. He returns to the island in time for the Star awards, in which he is nominated in three categories and is also among the night’s performers.

I-Octane(left) top student Cinton Predergast and Digicel Diaspora Manage Tari Lovell pose for a quick pic celebrating outstanding academic achievement (2)

The workaholic entertainer is also putting the finishing touches to his third studio album, which takes its title from his trademark slang, “Everthing Correck”. Produced by Marcus Myrie, the son of iconic deejay, Buju Banton, “Everthing Correck” is a masterpiece production from the young Myrie. The first single, Don’t Stop the Vibes, has already been causing a stir since its release and the accompanying music video has already been packaged.