I-Octane upbeat about studio, singles and UK concerts

Kingston, JAMAICA:- Reggae and dancehall ambassador, I-Octane, having hit the ground running since the start of the year, has accomplished much in the first quarter of 2016. New singles are burning up the airwaves, his very own recording studio has 

​​been completed and he is busy preparing for a number of shows, including an exciting concert series in the UK come May.

The artiste, who many times manages to dodge controversy by taking the high road, is using the same tactic, even as stones are being hurled at him over a controversial Good Good Production single, No Badda Dan Jah. For whatever reason, the line which says: 'Bwoy sell out him friend fi Mark-X' seems to have found a target that was never marked and has left some persons with a huge headache. An immensely popular tune on what is arguably the “baddest dancehall riddim around”, the Cure Pain, the song has become a staple for every session and as far as Octane is concerned, “everything correck”.

The music video, which is the entertainer’s first official one for the year, will have its Jamaica premiere this week and many are wondering if the singjay will use this occasion to dramatically ruffle some feathers.

“Actually that’s not my style. I try my best not to court controversy, but you know…there are persons who will always find something to complain about,” I-Octane said dismissively.

Emphasizing that he was singularly focused on his career, he added, “Right now, my team and I are focusing on the music and on doing some solid productions. My studio is finished and I am eager to get in there and start making music. As an artiste, I have a duty to give back and to record young artistes in the same way that producers recorded me when I was a no-name artiste. Also, it is time for me to start owning my masters. After 10 years of recording songs which I don’t own a percentage of, it is time for me to get really serious about that aspect of my career,” he explained.

In addition to No Badda Dan Jah, the singles No Shaky Link (Money Boss) and My Struggle, the second single from his upcoming DJ Frass-produced EP, are enjoying mega rotation and helping to chart his phenomenal path of success for this year.

Meanwhile, I-Octane is looking forward to a number of shows on his roster, including the Legends Of Reggae, which sees him rubbing shoulders with reggae legends Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths and Junior Reid. The concert series is set for May 27 -29 in the cities of Bradford, Birmingham and London in the United Kingdom.

Octane gets mature loving at Montpelier

I- Octane captured the heart of this woman at the annual Montpelier Agricultural show in St James on Monday

Dancehall hotshot artiste I-Octane captured the imagination of patrons who attended the annual Montpelier agricultural show in St James, Jamaica on Monday night and even won himself a new woman.

With his dreadlocks flowing, I-Octane, while going through his set, spotted an older woman in the crowd and called her on stage.

The woman obliged and treated I-Octane to some romantic dance moves, and the crowd loved it.

But there were some younger female fans who, seemingly, wanted to be close to the dancehall star.

The entertainment segment of the Montpelier agricultural show was kick-started by young and upcoming artistes from western Jamaica who were given a chance to showcase their talents.

A feature of the entertainment package was the farm queen competition, which was won by Safiya Clennon. First runner-up was Jamie Colquhoun and second runner-up was Zandraleisha Eccleston.

Source: Jamaica Star

Popccan Pleads guilty for using Hennessy bottle to hit police officer in the face

Dancehall star Andre 'Popcaan' Sutherland was yesterday fined for assaulting a police officer at the Norman Manley International Airport in 2013.

The artiste, who is also known as 'Poppi', was fined $25,000 or six months' imprisonment, after pleading guilty to the charge in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court. Popcaan was represented by Bert Samuels.

Samuels had asked the court for the charge not to be a part of his client's permanent record or it may affect his ability to travel.

"The court was told that we wish to go to mediation on the matter. The police officer was asked if he wished to mediate and he agreed," Samuels told THE WEEKEND STAR.

He noted that mediation was one of the ways to avoid a person getting a record against their name.

Allegations were that on November 24, 2013, Popcaan was preparing to leave the island when he was stopped by the police who requested a search of his luggage. The entertainer refused to be searched and became boisterous, using expletives to the officers.

During the dispute, the 'unruly' deejay was accused of using a Hennessy bottle to hit one of the policemen in the face, causing a wound. The deejay was later charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Source: THE WEEKEND STAR

Mojo Morgan says thanks for Grammy

 Gramps, Una, Mojo, Lukes and Peetah 

While Gramps, Peetah and Lukes travelled to the Grammys, and ultimately collected the award for Best Reggae Album, Mr Mojo was relaxing in Kenya, absorbing the good news that Morgan Heritage are Grammy winners.

Later this week, he joins his siblings for a tour of the USA, taking in New York, the Carolinas, Boston and other areas, after which the band returns to Africa for performances in Kenya, Zimbabwe (hopefully), Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Senegal and other countries.

Until then, Mojo says he is just relaxing and enjoying the announcement. "It's more glory to the Most High, His grace and mercy allow us to be here," he told THE STAR. "We are glad for the opportunity to do music and to uplift the culture and uplift Rastafari. We are proud Jamaicans and proud Rastafarians."

His list of thank you was overwhelming. "We thank our families for their love and support, it's their sacrifice that keeps us going; the fans who come to our concerts and buy our music; the people behind the music who make fans aware of our music, people like Contractor, Roach, Yasmin Peru, Ray Alexander, Malica from MPR Consultants, Naheesha from Urban Relations, general manager Wendy Morgan."

Mojo also said thanks to radio disc jockeys in Jamaica and abroad, fellow musicians, the media and others who may have impacted their career somehow.

"All of the reggae fraternity, locally and internationally, we give thanks. It's not a one-man show, it's all of us as musicians and we feel very proud at this time to be part of such a bunch of musicians promoting love, unity, equality and justice."

source: THE STAR

MUSIC VIDEO: I-OCTANE – ONE LIFE

Lady Saw returns promoters' money - Keeps promise made after becoming a Christian

Keeps promise made after becoming a Christian

Former dancehall artiste Lady Saw has begun reimbursing promoters who had contracted her to perform prior to her conversion to Christianity.

Following her decision to become a Christian, Saw, whose real name is Marion Hall, also announced that she would be ceasing her performances as a dancehall artiste.

"I have spoken, every promoter that I was supposed to work with in the future and started the process to repay them," explained Saw.

According to the artiste, dubbed the Queen of Dancehall, she has begun repaying several promoters since her conversion more than a week ago.

"I have been doing transfers daily to promoters, but I haven't been able to repay everyone yet because there is a limit to the sum that I can use daily," she added.

deposit paid

One promoter, Jermaine Blake, who had been contemplating legal action against Hall because she had not contacted him initially since her conversion, told THE STAR that he and the former dancehall had reached an agreement.

"We have spoken and she had agreed to repay both the deposit and promotional cost so we are good now," said Blake.

In a prior interview, the event promoter had said he paid over $300,000 for promotions in addition to the deposit paid to Saw for his St Thomas show, Rumbar Glow, but he had not been contacted by the deejay since her baptism.

The promoter of Yush, Phillip Palmer, which Saw was set to perform on tomorrow, told THE STAR that they are trusting the former deejay to keep her word that she will be repaying the deposit they had paid.

"She has promised to refund all deposits. We have not gotten the money back as yet, but we are holding on to her word in good faith."

The 43-year-old veteran dancehall icon said she will be able to complete the process of reimbursement in short order.

"I am just working on finishing this as soon as possible so I can focus fully on being a servant of the Lord, and the promoters have been very understanding so far," said Saw.

Source: Jamaica Star

I-Octane kicks off new brand ambassador role

Left - I-Octane and right - marketing manager for golden eagle Peter Plummer

Kingston, JAMAICA: - When you see reggae/dancehall star Byiome ‘I-Octane’ Muir these days, chances are he’ll be wearing a pair of spanking new, Italian-made, Golden Eagle shoes.  That’s because the in-demand, multi-award winning entertainer recently signed a deal as the official ambassador for the trendy footwear brand.

The signing which took place Wednesday, November 18 at Sunset Beach in Montego Bay, was a private affair attended by all the key players, including marketing agent Peter Plummer, along with I-Octane and his manager, Ray Alexander. Man of the moment, I-Octane was like a child in a candy store as he indulged himself by trying  on several different pairs of Golden Eagle shoes in an effort to decide which pair to wear for the signing.

“I feel really good about endorsing this shoe brand,” stated a beaming I-Octane, who is also the brand ambassador for Digicel and Busta.

The shoes, which I-Octane emphasized “are the ultimate in comfort, fashion and style” are available island-wide and although relatively new to Jamaica, the brand has stamped its name throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas as a brand to contend with in men’s fashion, since its inception in the mid-1980s

“Golden Eagle selected some of the best fashion designers out of France and some world renowned shoe designers  and shoe engineers out of Italy to create and design our foot wear to ensure style, safety, and durability,” marketing agent Peter Plummer explained.

Golden Eagle, which was introduced to Jamaica in 2009, has its main store and headquarters at Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay.  Over the years, the management has been approached by various agents of athletes and entertainer from the music fraternity negotiating endorsements deals. One was never negotiated until now.

Meanwhile, I-Octane who recently returned from a successful tour of Europe, is literally working hard in the studio. His latest dream project sees him building his own recording studio, Conquer The Globe, which, incidentally, is also the name of his personal backing band.

“Over the years, I have worked with various producers and at different studios, but the time eventually comes when you want your own. I am not saying that I won’t be working with other producers in the business, because that would be arrogant, but having my own studio will enhance my creativity and give me more flexibility. Team I-Octane is ready to conquer the globe,” he emphasised.