Sean Paul debuts atop Billboard Rap Album Charts

Article was published in the Jamaica Observer 9/3/09

Sean Paul might be in Switzerland, but that won't stop his fourth studio album, Imperial Blaze, from continuing to blaze fire on the Billboard charts in the US.
SEAN PAUL... to be able to top the Billboard Top Rap Album charts is something that I'm especially excited about. Not because it's the Billboard charts, but because it's a dancehall album.
The album, his first in four years, has debuted at #1 on the Billboard Rap Album charts, toppling the likes of Eminem, Fabolous and Twista to top the charts.

This is his first time atop the rap album charts, and his second time on the Billboard Rap Album charts overall as his third studio album, The Trinity, peaked at #3 on the rap charts in 2005. It is also the first time a Jamaican artiste is topping that chart.
Sean Paul is also sitting comfortably atop the Billboard Reggae Album Charts, ahead of a Bob Marley compilation, Ziggy Marley's Family Time, and VP Record's Reggae Gold.
Imperial Blaze is heading for international success, debuting at #1 when it was released in the dancehall-hungry Asian nation of Japan last week, selling upwards of 50,000 copies in its first week. He topped the Oricon Weekly International Album Sales chart, the first time he has done so, and is holding his own on the Billboard Canadian Albums, France Albums, and European Albums with positions #5, #8 and #20 respectively.

Aside from those charts, Imperial Blaze is also #3 on the R&B/Hip Hop Album Charts, #12 on the Billboard 200, and #9 on the Digital Downloads charts.
The platinum-selling dancehall superstar, hailed by Essence.com - the online outfit of the popular North American publication Essence Magazine - as the "dancehall king", is now celebrating his first time atop the competitive rap charts.
"Anytime a song or an album makes it on a chart, I get excited, and now to be able to top the Billboard Top Rap Album charts is something that I'm especially excited about. Not because it's the Billboard charts, but because it's a dancehall album. It's made in Jamaica by Jamaicans. So I didn't top the Billboard Rap Album Charts, Jamaica did," said Sean Paul from Switzerland.

Irie Jamboree mourns passing of musical genius

By Louie Grant, Executive Director, Irie Jamboree
Thursday, September 03, 2009

Long Island, USA - Shades away from the midday hour on September 1, 2009, I regrettably learned of the passing of the legendary Wycliffe 'Steely' Johnson of Studio 2000 and Steely & Clevie fame, at the Brookhaven Hospital, here in Long Island, New York.
Johnson had been a patient at the hospital since he arrived in New York earlier this summer for an event for a select group of industry taste-makers who were invited to a listening session for the Lava Connection band, a group which, coincidentally, will be performing at this year's Irie Jamboree on Sunday, September 6. His untimely departure has therefore hit closer to home for some of us here in the New York Tri-state area.

Throughout his accomplished and distinguished career, Steely was very instrumental in hit-making efforts for a slew of top recorders in the reggae/dancehall fraternity, including Shabba Ranks, Coco Tea, Maxi Priest, Gregory Isaacs, Foxy Brown, Tiger, Aswad, JC Lodge, Admiral Bailey, Dawn Penn, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Stitchie and a host of international stars, including British group No Doubt. Steely debuted as a keyboardist with Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion and first played with Clevie at Lee 'Scratch' Perry's Black Ark Studios during the late 1970s.

In 1986, the duo was the house band at the Waterhouse-based King Jammy's Studio, and a year later established the Steely & Clevie label, which has since been one of the foremost producers of the reggae/dancehall recordings coming out of Jamaica.
Steely's long and absolutely hard-fought battle with kidney failure and subsequent pneumonia is evidence of the resilient and unwavering spirit which characterised his approach to life and his musical works in general. This loss will no doubt leave a void in the hearts of reggae/dancehall industry insiders, well-wishers and stakeholders worldwide.

Always a jovial, cheerful, "centre of the party fellow," yet extremely businesslike, serious and a focused soul during his creative compositions, Steely was truly a unique character with a well-intended big heart, which always had the best interest of our beloved music at its core.
The genre has been ably advanced because of people like Steely & Clevie. Steely will be sadly missed, though his creations and teachings will no doubt live on forever. Personally, I will forever fondly remember his kind invitation to me, some years ago now, to listen in on his now classic Street Sweeper riddim, while still a work in progress. I later found out this was most unlike him to extend such an invitation. I recall just how animated and involved he was in this project. It was as if he could feel every string, wind, percussion instrument... all the components of the total package.

I also treasure the many interesting stories he told of his own formative years in the business. This Street Sweeper project virtually introduced and even relaunched several artistes' careers, boasting several chart toppers of the day, including the hit collaboration Hot Gal by a young Sean Paul and Mr Vegas, both of whom are scheduled to perform at this weekend's Irie Jamboree 2009. The two have not performed together on a New York stage for quite some time now. Who knows, maybe they will oblige us this one, in the name of 'Steely' Johnson - à la Beres and Buju, a few years ago.
To his musical partner, Clevie Brownie, the Johnson family, fiends and peers, we have lost a troubadour of the music. Long live Steely.you are sadly missed

Ruffiann releases debut album after 21 years

By Basil Walters, Observer staff reporter
Monday, August 31, 2009

After 21 years, a change of focus and her fair share of hits, Ruffiann comes with her maiden set Save the Juvenile. The female deejay/singjay, formerly known as Lady Shabba, in addition to having her own Sugar Pan Productions label, is also a part of Max Romeo's Charmax outfit under which the album is produced.
RUFFIANN...This is my first album and it's pure freshness on it
Given her association with the veteran singer/producer, Ruffiann, who is experiencing a musical makeover of sorts, promised her fans pure freshness. "The album ready ready, ready, and a lot of people waiting for it for they want to see the next side of Ruffiann," the obviously excited entertainer told the Observer.
"A long time mi out deh, yuh nuh, 21 years. This is my first album and it's pure freshness on it," the highly enthusiastic artiste born Sharon Peterkin added. Among the "freshness" about which she exudes are collaborations with Max Romeo on two of his hits, Let the Power Fall On I and War Inna Babylon.This is how she gives account of the new phase of her musical career. "Max Romeo inspired me tremendously, but there ae other artistes out there who also had an impact . Shaka Demus and of course Shabba Ranks. Right now I'm just doing some conscious music, positiveness for the people dem."
Also on the Save the Juvenile project (the title song of which is her most recent hit) is her self-produced No Wuk No Deh from her Sugar Pan Production label. And the video for the song has recently been released and has been getting some rotations. Other tracks include Reservation For Two, Ma Ma's Boy and Protection.
However, the one anticipated to raise some eyebrows is the song which features her along with DJ Smooth from New York on the Nat King Cole classic Unforgettable.
"People are going to be surprised that I come back different doing some positive music. Who know me back in the days even as Ruffiann would know that Ruffiann was a raw, hardcore artiste. But now, they are going be surprised to know that Ruffiann come conscious, positiveness and ting," she concluded