Jamaican singer Tami Chynn scores Billboard Dance chart hit with Frozen
*Singer Tami Chynn has logged her first entry on any Billboard singles chart. Frozen, her duet with hip hop star Akon has jumped from number 16 to number 11 on Billboard's Dance Music Club Play listing. The track is also burning up dance radio, as it hops to number 20 on Billboard's Dance Music Airplay tally.
"I am really excited about all that has been happening. The album is coming and the video with Akon is also coming. I know the fans have been waiting for both but you know how it goes sometimes when it comes to the record label," Chynn said in an interview at a cocktail reception hosted by Pepsi Jamaica at Carlos Café recently.
Chynn is featured along with international dancehall artiste Shaggy and hip hop star Akon in the new Pepsi commercial. Chynn is heard singing the Carl Douglas 1974 hit Kung Fu Fighting. Asked how she felt about the turn of events, Chynn said "I am very excited about this. Pepsi is a huge brand and I always thought that this would come later in my career. The fact that they have taken a chance on an unknown artiste and two Jamaicans at that; this is very big."
Signed to hip hop star Akon's Kon Live label which is distributed by Universal Music's Geffen imprint, Chynn said the Pepsi deal came about after her manager Jules Dougall met with Ellen Healy the Director of Sports and Entertainment at Pepsi-Co in the UK. "My manager met with Miss Healy through Akon and we kept in touch. The discussions went back and forth until they finally made a decision," Chynn explained.
Chynn, whose sophomore album Prima Dona is set for an early 2009 release, is going on tour with New Kids on the Block and UK pop star Natasha Bedingfield next month. "I am really excited about the tour and it's already sold out. I grew up on New Kids on the Block and their music. It's just amazing," Chynn said excitingly.
Prima Dona, according to Chynn, will feature the Frozen single as well as a collaboration with Voicemail titled Watch Me Wine. "The song with Voicemail is very vibesy and exciting. Voicemail really represented," she said.
Chynn, who currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia - says her favorite Pepsi television commercial was We Will Rock You which featured Beyonce, Pink and Britney Spears. "That commercial was really epic. Lots of girl power," said Chynn.
Queen Ifrica joins VP Records roster
Queen Ifrica who has been making strong moves on the local and international circuit with her brand of reggae offerings, has reportedly signed with New York based independent label, VP Records. Ifrica who was on her way to Washington DC earlier this week when this column caught up with her, was in high spirits about the recent turn of events, as far as her career is concerned.
‘We just seal off the deal with VP and the album will be released soon. It ago nice and you ago love the title’, said an excited Queen Ifrica.
Tiffany Mea, publicist at VP Records’ New York office confirmed the signing of Queen Ifrica to the label.
With a string of hits permeating the airwaves and the charts since mid last year, Queen Ifrica (real name Ventrice Morgan) says she handles her success by being remaining focused. ‘I just appreciate the fact that after being in the industry for so long, people are finally accepting you. I kinda feel humble about all of this’, said Queen Ifrica.
Bubblers including Below the Waist, Daddy Don’t Touch Me There, Mi Nah Rub, and Randy have had their field day on the charts within the past year. Her latest sizzler Keep it to Yourself for producer Don Corleon is already waging an attack on the charts.
‘Mi just give thanks for all that has been happening, because you that the kind of music that I do, doesn’t really get the overwhelming support right away. As a female it give a lot of people including other female artistes, some form of encouragement’, she added.
Queen Ifrica’s debut VP Records album is earmarked for release in the first quarter of next year.
Reggae crooner Mikey Spice to drop new album on October 28
Singer Mikey Spice’s latest album produced by Lloyd Campbell for Joe Frasier Productions, is coming to a record store near you on October 28.
Walk a Mile is the first collaborative album between Mikey and Campbell since 2001.
Tracks include A Little Love (a remake of Jimmy London’s 1970’s chestnut); I Cry , You Cry; Happy Hour; Two Spliff Tail; Pull it Up; and Hanging On to You.
Mikey Spice is best known for hits including Born Again, Grab You Lass and Come with Louie Culture and a remake of Practice What You Preach.
Lil Wayne a no show at major concert the Bahamas
A highly publicized concert for which many showgoers had paid hundreds and even thousands of dollars for entry ended with a hail of drinks being thrown onstage after the main act - multi-million selling rap artist Lil' Wayne was a no show.
According to internet reports, some angry ticket holders, who in some cases had travelled from outside of Nassau to see the act over the weekend, eventually had to be dispersed by police and complained they had been "duped" by promoters.
Sources in Bahamas stated that the non-appearance by the American artist was related to "money issues."
Promoters for the event, Red City Entertainment said that a full statement would be forthcoming on the matter, although up to press time none was received.