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REGGAE UPDATES FROM JAMAICA: LIFEbeat’s 'Reggae Gold Live 2006 Summer Jump off'
Hearts & voices AIDS benefit concert series on july 18 at NYC's Webster Hall
*LIFEbeat’s “Hearts & Voices” Benefit Concert Series, the party with a purpose, has announced its first reggae HIV/AIDS awareness concert. On July 18, 2006, E.A.R.S. Entertainment Group and Power 105.1 FM will team up with LIFEbeat: The Music Industry Fights AIDS to present “Reggae Gold Live 2006 Summer Jump Off’ the sixth Hearts & Voices AIDS Benefit Concert Series, featuring performances from some of reggae’s hottest stars including Beenie Man, Wayne Wonder, TOK, Sasha and Kulcha Don, as well as a special performance by Foxy Brown.
The concert will take place at New York’s Webster Hall, located at 125 East 11th Street between 3re & 4th Avenues. Doors open at 9pm. The event is produced by Tonya Lewis and J.P. Taylor for E.A.R.S. Entertainment Group. Media sponsors include BET, Vibe magazine, Music Choice and Power 105.1 radio station. Tickets are $25 General Admission and $50 VIP and are available at the Webster Hall box office (212) 353-1600 or online www.websterhall.com or through TICKETWEB at www.ticketweb.com or by calling 866 768-7619. Tickets can also be purchased at the LIFEbeat offices at 212-459-2580 or the E.A.R.S. offices at 718-385-0077.
For the first time, reggae stars will join together to address the subject of HIV/AIDS and to help bring awareness into their communities. HIV/AIDS prevention education is a critical topic for the Caribbean community. Jamaica has the third-largest population living with HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean, after Haiti and the Dominican Republic. As of 2004, there were over 22,000 reported cases of HIV/AIDS in Jamaica, with the National HIV/STD Prevention and Control Programme citing a total of 578 new AIDS cases reported in Jamaica from January to June of that year.
“This is an event whose time has come,” cited LIFEbeat Executive Director, John Cannelli. “The growth of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean community warrants everyone coming together to do their part in helping to educate young people about how to protect themselves. Every life is precious, and we are grateful to all of the artists participating in ‘Reggae Gold.’ They are taking a stand and using their influence to help make a difference in this extremely important fight taking place right in their own neighborhoods.
Foxy Brown emphasized, “I feel that this is a very important issue, not only in the inner cities where I’m from, but across the entire world. I am just happy that I can be a part of something like this and bring awareness to my fans.”
Kulcha Don said, “I am honored to use my talents performing at the LIFEbeat event to raise awareness for the prevention of HIV/Aids in youth. This is a world-wide epidemic and anything that I could do to provide support and knowledge, I openly embrace. I have supported LIFEbeat over the past few years and will continue to support them for the rest of my life.”
Tonya Lewis of E.A.R.S. Entertainment and producer of the event said, “We are extremely excited and fortunate to be the producers of this event. We have an excellent opportunity to educate and create change in the Caribbean community about this dreadful disease. We are grateful to all the artists for choosing to take a stand and address this issue. This is going to be a monumental event in the fight against AIDS.”
· Elephant Man’s Ova Di Wall album to be distributed by Bad Boy
Elephant Man is in good spirits these days, as his long awaited album Ova Di Wall is due out in August on P Diddy's Bad Boy label.
This is the first in a three-album deal with the label. Specifics about the deal were not disclosed, however, it was revealed that around 20 tracks will be on the set.
Shaggy, Rihanna, P Diddy and Busta Rhymes are among the names said to be on the album.
'This album will be big', said Elephant Man who has been busy on the overseas map lately.
He recently completed a tour of Canada. In July he will head to Europe with several of his colleagues for a series of performances. On the local scene, Elephant Man will be performing at Reggae Sunsplash, Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest and Fully Loaded.
Elephant Man has been present on the charts in recent months with songs including Gangsta Rock, Bad Man Forward and Dutty Wine.
· Anthony Cruz rides high with Half Way Tree
Singer Anthony Cruz has hit pay-dirt with his latest hit Half Way Tree. The song which has been released on the Footsteps label (produced by Ainsworth Higgins), is holding firm inside the top 10 of the local charts. Outside of Jamaica, Half Way Tree hit the Top 5 on the New York and South Florida reggae charts.
Cruz whose real name is Rohan Smith, has been making major inroads ever since he parted ways with the Fifth Element label last year. However, the label was instrumental in his earlier breakthrough hits including Turn it Up and Mama Blessing. Place Too Bloody, a number one hit from last year, which Cruz teamed up with Buju Banton, won an award at the recently held Reggaesoca Music Awards in South Florida, for Best Combination Song.
· Mavado making moves with two hit singles
Newcomer Mavado continues to make his presence felt with a flood of releases. Two of his more familiar recordings, Weh Dem a Do and Real McCoy have been performing well on the charts. Weh Dem a Do is making moves on the local scene, while overseas Real McCoy has been doing the trick. Real McCoy which was released last year is on the Daseca label. Weh Dem a Do which is featured on the Red Bull and Guinness rhythm is on the Pure Music label.
· New Anthony B album on the way
Cultural roots artiste Anthony B says he will be releasing a new album in a few months time. Anthony who is among the Reggae Ambassadors for International Reggae Day (July 1), recently joined forces with producer Mario ‘C’ Campbell for the startup of a new label.
Since his debut ten years ago, Anthony B has released over 15 albums.
· Sizzla cracks the Top 10 with Haffie Get it
It’s been a while since we saw a major hit on the charts for Sizzla. I’m With the Girls on the Military rhythm and Run Out Pon Dem (Applause rhythm) were hits more than a year ago. Sizzla is back on active chart duty with Haffie Get it on producer DJ Karim’s Inspector rhythm (Stainless Records).
Sizzla who was born Miguel Collins, signed with Damon Dash’s label late last year. His debut for Dash’s label is expected before the end of the year.
· Chart Updates
Chuck Fenda’s Gash Dem and Light Dem moves up to number four on the New York Reggae chart, while Shaggy’s Clothes Drop moves 14 to 11. Supa Hype’s Uptown Story moves 19 to 17 and Daville’s Always on My Mind bullets from 29 to 26. This week’s debut is My Promise by Lukie D on the Liberty Music label. The song enters at number 27.
Over to the BBC 1Xtra Dancehall chart in England, Beenie Man’s Hmm Hmm is holding firm at number two, while Elephant Man’s Dutty Wine on the Stone Love label is at number three. Beres Hammond’s Try if You Want is at number seven and Alozade is at number nine with Dads of All Time on the Young Blood label.
* Macka Diamond heads for the States on promotional tour
It’s a busy summer for deejay Macka Diamond. The DJ with her lyrical style of championing women’s causes and not mincing words when it comes to ‘money o’ has found a comfortable niche for herself in the dancehall, especially where women folk are concerned.
Last week she left the island to promote her Greensleeves album Money O album in the United States. Dubbed ‘Summer Jam Tour 06’ her promotional stint will see her doing shows in several states. On July 5 Macka Diamond makes a stop in Atlanta then it’s on to New Haven, Connecticut for a show at Toad’s Place, July 7 Spring Valley, NY, July 8 Greensboro, NC, July 9 Washington, MD, July 12 Hagerstown, PA, July 13 Rochester, NY, July 14 Hartford, CT, July 15 Tampa, FL and July 16 Delaware, DE.
Macka Diamond will be touring alongside dancehall duo Tonto Metro and Devonte who are promoting their new VP album Musically Inclined. Upon conclusion of the tour Macka Diamond will head home on July 17 to prepare for her performance at Red Stripe Reggae Sumest’s Dancehall Night in Montego Bay.
