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Did dancehall artiste Sizzla assault reggae artiste Jah Cure?
*It was reported that dancehall reggae artiste Sizzla and reggae artiste Jah Cure had a minor misunderstanding back stage at Cocoa Tea's Dancehall Jam Jam stage show that was held on December 31st.
Since the alleged incident took place, Jamaican music fans have been trying to ascertain whether the allegations are true. This column tried to get in touch with both parties but was not successful in doing so. However, a press release from Jah Cure’s publicist was sent to the media hours after the alleged incident.
Jah Cure
Here is a copy of the statement below:
"2007 was a challenging year for me; however, throughout the year I was able to stay focused on the music while maintaining a positive attitude. I am here to uplift the people as I myself was once down. I want to use my music to comfort the hurt and bring joy to the sad.
"Many may have heard of a recent incident at Cocoa Tea's Dancehall Jam Jam, in light of this, I want to state that I am a positive person whose only aim is to uplift people and live in a positive way. I give thanks to those who have helped me throughout my career to reach the level that I am now. I want to thank Sizzla Kalongi as he was one of the first to believe in my music.
"Life is about challenges and hurdles but what makes a man a better person is the way he deals with these challenges and hurdles. I will try to make sure that my music remains positive and that my actions reflect my message." - Jah Cure
• Dancehall artistes Munga and Deva Brat fist fight at dancehall show
By now most persons within the Jamaican entertainment circles must be aware of the incident that took place at the Mas Camp last Saturday night, where dancehall acts Munga and Deva Brat had a physical confrontation on the stage. I will not rehash what took place but one thing I would say is that the incident should come as no surprise.
For months now, both acts have been retaliating at each other on wax, and the jabs haven’t been complimentary. There are a number of things that could have been put in place to prevent what happened at the Stone Love event, but that’s for another article. Its interesting to note that there has been no official condemnation of the incident from either the promoter of the event nor the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (this is Jamaica, what else is new?).
Respected veteran media practitioner, record label owner and publicist Dennis Howard told this column that the incident was an indication of what is happening in the society on a whole. Said Howard ‘The Jamaican music industry is like a full length reality television series. There is just too much drama and excitement. The industry is not organized and the players don’t seem to know where its going. Its just the same foolishness all the time. Nobody relies on talent anymore again, they depend too much on gimmicks’.
Gone are the days when entertainers only came onto a stage when they are fully prepared and packaged for an audience. I applaud the comments made recently by Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange to get the industry back to where it used to be, where international players will respect our music and what it has to offer.
The incident between Munga and Deva Brat is not needed. If only others will take a stand against incidents like these instead of highlighting the incident for sensationalism. That too is another sad state of affairs.
• Wayne Marshall plots new album for 2008
Dancehall artiste Wayne Marshall is plotting a major comeback to the dancehall fold in 2008. Marshall whose real name is Wayne Mitchell, says his forthcoming album will be produced mostly by Big Ship’s Stephen McGregor. ‘For the next album I am trying to think outside of the box, because I am putting all of my experiences on record’, Marshall told this column recently.
Marshall’s debut album Marshall Law was released in 2003 via VP Records. He has since parted ways with the New York based independent reggae outfit. ‘The album is coming out the second quarter of 2008 and it is being produced in conjunction with Big Ship. There will be other producers contributing to the album, but for the most part, Big Ship will take care of the production’, Marshall added.
Marshall currently has a slew of singles that are impacting at radio. These include Smoking on Some, Who and Dem, Keeping it Gangster with the Alliance, Pot Hole on the bad wire rhythm; and Me By Myself.
Marshall currently has the number three song on the charts in the British Virgin Islands with the Guardian Angel rhythm influenced Give Me Strength. He recently recorded All For One with the Alliance and Scare Dem Crew. That song was produced by Christopher Birch. ‘We are also working on the Alliance album so that is something that the fans can look forward to early next year’, said Marshall.
Higher Degree featuring Sean Paul, Wings of An Angel featuring Tessanne Chin, and a collaboration with Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley are among Marshall recently recorded singles.
• Sean Kingston thrilled Jamaican patrons
Sean Kingston recently performed in Jamaica on Christmas Day. The youngster who topped the Billboard pop chart last year with the catchy Beautiful Girls single, has followed up with a handful of numbers including the ode to his mother Dry Your Eyes, Me Love, Love Like This (with Natasha Beddingfield), and his latest Billboard charting single Take You There.
Take You There moves from 73 to 63 on the latest Billboard R&B Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Over on the Billboard Hot 100, the song rises from 21 to 18.
* Grannson Western Jamaica's Best Secret
Christopher Wallace also known as Gransonn may be one of Western Jamaica's best kept secrets. The Rastafarian chanter who hails from Savannah-La-Mar is no ordinary deejay. He believes in writing songs from the heart and creating music that will have a longer shelf life. He states "I am a man of integrity, determination, versatility and credibility. Therefore I must use this talent that Jah has given to me to do positive things".
Gransonn has been deejaying from as early as he can remember, but his first real taste of the music business came in 2002, when he made his recording debut with the song Caney for the Sound Bird record label in Negril. The track got a lot of attention from the local radio stations in Westmoreland and sound system deejays, thereby giving him the attention that he craved for in his hometown.
Since then Gransonn who is now under the management of Hedge Sounds Productions has recorded several singles for various producers. He has also performed on a number of stage shows throughout Western Jamaica including Unity Splash. Currently he is getting a fair amount of attention with several new singles including Its Not Working, Parental Guide, Bye Bye Love, More Love and Playing. The songs were produced by Paul Francis for the Highlight Jamaica label.
• Marleys take control of Billboard Reggae album year end chart
Bob Marley’s Forever Bob Marley, a collection of songs from his pre-Island Records era, is Billboard magazine’s top selling reggae album for 2007, according to the music bible’s year end charts.
Bob’s children Stephen and Damian occupy the second and third slots on the year end tally. Stephen who is up for a Grammy Award, sits at the number two spot with Mind Control which topped the Reggae Album chart earlier this year. The disc currently sits at number number five on the weekly chart after 39 weeks on the tally.
Damian’s Welcome to Jamrock album which was released in 2005 and which continued to sell throughout 2007, is at number three for the year. The clocked multiple weeks at the top of the weekly reggae album chart.
Ziggy Marley’s Love is My Religion album which picked up a Grammy Award earlier this year, is currently number fourteen on the weekly album chart. The set peaked at number six. His sibling Ky-Mani Marley is at number three with the album Radio. The album has been on the chart for the past twelve weeks and peaked at number one.
