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*Rumors have been circulating here in Jamaica that dancehall star Beenie Man has been dropped from the Virgin Records roster. Beenie Man had signed a five album deal with Virgin in 1998 based on the strength of the inescapable song Who Am I (Zim Zimmer) which was a hit on several Billboard charts. To date only four albums from the deal have been released.
A source close to Beenie Man's former management team, Shocking Vibes Productions, told this writer that Beenie Man no longer had a contract with Virgin. 'Beenie Man was signed to Virgin through Shocking Vibes. Now that he is no longer with Shocking Vibes, the contract is no longer valid', said the source.
When contacted for a comment, Beenie Man said 'I left Virgin, they never dropped me. I have no contract with Virgin. Virgin has merged with Universal EMI so there is no more Virgin'. When asked about the last album on the deal with Virgin, Beenie Man said 'I am going to release my album on MAFIA House Productions.'
Beenie Man's last album for Virgin Records was 2006's Undisputed. The album debuted at number one on Billboard's Reggae album chart. Considered a commercial flop, the disc has to date sold 61,240 units according to Nielsen Soundscan. His most commercially viable release for Virgin was the album Art & Life which contained the Billboard charting single Girls Dem Sugar with R&B singer Mya. Art & Life which won a Grammy award for Best Reggae album, has to date sold 404,932 units. The album Back to Basics which was released in 2004, sold 165,311 to date, while the 2002 release Tropical Storm which featured the hit single Feel it Boy with Janet Jackson, has so far netted
282,976 copies.
.Ce'Cile is back with a new image
Ce'Cile is back with a hot new image. She calls it 'bad gyal meets Marilyn Monroe'. Additionally, Ce'Cile is working on a bundle of singles just ahead of the June release of her long-awaited debut album.
"The album is finally coming out. It will be released in June in Japan. I am pretty excited about it," Ce'Cile said in a recent interview with this column.
Ce'Cile is the sole Jamaican female artiste featured on the EMI Latino/Danga Zone compilation titled Matadore. Reggaeton acts including Jobar, Shadow Blow and Checka, as well as dancehall artistes including Buju Banton and Elephant Man, are also featured on the compilation.
Ce'Cile can also be heard on the new Danga Zone rhythm project Jamdown. She offers the singles Waiting and Jamdown. Another of her latest releases is No Soft Inna Bed, which can be previewed on my space page at www.myspace.com/cecile
She recently collaborated with UK Def Jam artiste Smujji on the single Take It Off. A remake of Mr Luxury with early 1990s singer Ronnie Thwaites and deejay Hit List, was recently completed.
Richie Spice's In The Streets To Africa album rides the Billboard Reggae Album chart
Richie Spice's latest album In The Streets To Africa released on Fifth Element/VP Records, is perched at number seven on the Billboard Reggae Album chart, after just three weeks on the chart. The album peaked at number six last week.
On local shores, lead off single Brown Skin, which was re-released upon the release of the accompanying music video, continues to make strides on the charts. It is number two on both RETV and Hype-TV charts. The song is sitting inside the Top 10 of the BBC1Xtra Dancehall chart in the UK.
Richie recently returned to the island after wrapping up a three-week promotional tour in the US and parts of the Caribbean for his new disc. The March 2007 issue of Playboy magazine gave the album a four-star rating. The publication said "Spice offers an exception to the slackness and hyperactivity of dancehall. One of the best roots releases in years".
The In The Streets To Africa Tour made stops in Washington DC, Long Beach, California, and in New York. Spice plans to make his first trek to Africa later this year. Last weekend he shot the video for his next single, Can't Stop Loving Jah. It was shot on location in Hollywood, Florida.
.Donsome Records teams up with Solar Entertainment
The Portmore-based Donsome Records has signed a non exclusive booking deal with the New York-based Solar Entertainment, headed by Delroy Carroll. The deal will see Solar Entertainment securing tour dates for three of the Donsome Records' main acts including Ras Handsome, JADP and Erasto.
"It is a blessing to know that Solar Entertainment recognises the talent and hard work of the artistes on Donsome Records", commented a jubilant Ras Handsome. "It will give our fans from all over the world a chance to see us at a venue near them soon", he added.
Donsome Records came into being in 2004. It was founded by Ras Handsome and Matthew McKinley. Donsome's management and its artistes had decided that the concept behind the record label is to create good, clean and uplifting music to give to the public.
Ras Handsome has struck a familiar chord with the single Life Is A Journey, a collaborative effort with Dr Marshall. JADO's Poverty and Galchesta have gotten rotation on FM radio, while Erasto's initial solo efforts Tek Away and Future Of Tomorrow have generated some interest.
.Chart Updates
The number one song here in Jamaica is Beyonce Wine by dancehall star Vybz Kartel. Over in Canada, Shaggy is number one on the reggae charts with Church Heathen. That track is also number one on the New York Reggae chart.
In Germany, the top song on the reggae chart is Fade Away 2006 by Million Stylez featuring Junior Byles. Over on the BBC 1Xtra Dancehall chart in the UK, The Traffic Jam by Steven Marley featuring Junior Gong and Buju Banton, is number one.
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