*Tanya Stephens is to be featured on a remix of rock group Pepper’s upcoming single Like Your Style. The band which is originally from Hawaii is a favorite among the surf crowd.
Formed in 1999 and signed to Atlantic Records through Volcom Entertainment, Pepper is coming from the same management company, Silverback Management, which had signed Southern California band Sublime a while back. Sublime has sold more than 10 million records with their reggae influenced rock style.
Pepper’s latest album, No Shame, was released in October last year. It has to date sold over 150,000 copies. It is the band’s fourth album and among those who worked on the set is Tony Kanal, bassist for ska/punk/rock group No Doubt.
Like Your Style is the follow up to the band’s latest single No Control. No Control recently peaked at number 19 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The members of the band are eagerly anticipating Stephens’ vocals, and firmly believe that their fan base (who might be unfamiliar with the singer) will subscribe to the song.
Greg Nadel A&R at Atlantic Records commented "Tanya is the perfect choice for this remix, the band has listened to her music for years, this will be a great look for both parties."
VP Records staff member Chris Schlarb who originally approached Tanya with the idea to record the collaboration, said "Pepper is a band on the rise and they have been recording for years. The group is heavily influenced by reggae, there is no doubt in my mind that Tanya will benefit greatly from this collaboration. The surf crowd is one of the largest untapped fan bases in reggae. The band members are huge fans of reggae, but rarely get to work with artists from Jamaica, let alone to work with an artist as popular as Tanya. Most artists in dancehall today are interested in working with hip hop, but it takes an artist like Tanya to break the trend and work with an alternative rock band, and this could be a catalyst for a sea change in the music and could set a new trend in crossover potential."
A few years ago, another VP Records artiste, Lady Saw recorded the song Underneath it All with rock/punk/ska outfit No Doubt. The song topped Billboard’s Hot 100 Airplay chart and picked up a Grammy award. Bounty Killer also teamed with No Doubt on the single Hey Baby, a char topping single that also garnered a Grammy win.
Stephens is currently recording her portion of the song Like Your Style. Upon completion, the song should be ready to be serviced to US alternative and rock radio stations by early February.
* MARLEY AND DESMOND DEKKER AND THE ACES FOR GRAMMY HALL OF FAME
The Recording Academy recently announced the newest additions to its Grammy Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame serves as a celebration and reminder of the triumphs and achievements of the recording arts. Selections are drawn from all major categories of music, acknowledging the diversity of musical expression for which the Recording Academy has become renowned.
Among the inductees this year are Israelites by Desmond Dekker and the Aces and One Love by Bob Marley & the Wailers. Songs by Dolly Parton, Bill Withers, The Clash, the Turtles, Led Zeppelin, the Who, and the Miracles are also on the induction list.
* CHART UPDATES
In reggae chart updates this week, Mr. Vegas has the number one song on the New York Reggae chart with Hot Wuk which features Opal and Hottaball. In Canada, Driver by Buju Banton is the top song. The Traffic Jam by Steven Marley featuring Jr. Gong and Buju Banton is number one on the BBC 1Xtra Dancehall Chart in the UK. In Germany, Collie Buddz is on top with Come Around. In St. Lucia, Nobody Nuh Cry by Gyptian on the Vertex label is the new number one song.
Over to the Billboard Hot R&B Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart, Mavado’s Weh Dem a Do rebounds from 56 to 50, while Come Around by Collie Buddz burns from 73 to 62. Sean Paul and Rihanna fly from 77 to 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 with Break it Off. Meanwhile, thanks to left-field treatment from urban station Hot 97 in New York and a few hip hop stations stateside, Buju Banton’s Driver has begun to bubble under the Billboard Hot R&B Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart. If the song enters the main chart, then it will become Banton’s third song to reach the R&B chart.
* BITS AND PIECES
Da’Ville recently performed at Charlie’s Place in Nassau, Bahamas. Based on reports, the event was well attended and Da’Ville had the ladies screaming in delight to his performance.
Beenie Man and D’Angel shot the video for the single Beenie, last Wednesday at the Asylum nightclub. The clip was directed by Archie with assistance from Asha.
Producer Tony Kelly says he plans to unleash two monster rhythms this year, so music fans should be on the lookout. Incidentally, Kelly produced the hot new single Never Never from Brick and Lace which features Baby Cham.
Champagne Records created a first last week with the Riddim video shoot featuring various dancers and dance groups. The location was the Burger King parking lot in New Kingston.
Rootz Underground performed in North Carolina last weekend. The show also featured performances from Adam Pitts, Matt Thomas, Brent Jordan and Brad Benson. This weekend, Rootz Underground will be in action at the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Montego Bay.
And soca stars Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons have reportedly tied the knot.