Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Rock With Squeeze @ SOB's Returns with a Blast of I-Octane

By Nigel "Ninja" Reynolds




I-Octane

The popular event Rock With Squeeze at SOB's in Manhattan return on monday february 7th, with dancehall's hottest new artist I-Octane. It was the artist's first performance in New York and also the kick off of his one month US tour.

It was a jam packed house with fans and media alike waiting to see dancehall's latest sensation. The show started after 11pm but was kept rocking with early juggling by Chad Royal from Royal Radio 106.3fm and the LinkUp Media disc jockeys. DJ Fatta Diamond and DJ Kevin Crown played hits from the early 90s and the latest dancehall tunes.

The show opened with some new acts gracing the New York stage for the first time. Recruit opened the show introducing song like "Get That Weed" to the audience. he was followed by Progress with his song "Joy". They were well received by the crowd whose appetite was now craving for the main event. DJ Kevin Crown and Mr Master Of Ceromonies himself David "Squeeze" Annakie did the honors of introducing I-Octane to the stage and the crowd went wild. he did a 45 to 50 minute performance which was littered with hit song after hit songs.

During his stint on stage he was joined by Baby Chris, popularly known for his Passa Passa Wednesday anthem "Ring Ding Ding", wooing the crowd with some of his latest songs.

Look out for The entire show on Dancehall 360 Degrees popular online program "Dancehall Connections.
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Artiste J.O.E. Dies

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter


Lil' Joe
Another entertainer has passed. J.O.E., formerly Lil Joe, died yesterday morning and has left friends, family and well-wishers in a state of mourning.
His friend of many years, Gavin Blair, member of Equiknoxx Music, said J.O.E., whose real name is Alty George Nunes, died this morning after being rushed to the hospital. He said the 25-year-old artiste had a brain aneurysm, which is a cerebrovascular disorder in which weakness in the wall of a cerebral artery or vein causes a localised dilation or ballooning of the blood vessel.

"I really don't know what happened. They took him to the hospital this morning (Monday) and he didn't make it. It's really sad, I don't know what else to say. I've known him practically all my life. We went to the same high school. He's been one of my best friends," said Blair, his voice falling at intervals.

He is puzzled by the death, as J.O.E. performed at a show in Bull Bay the night before he died.
"He did a show last night (Sunday) in Bull Bay and he was in top form. He was perfect. He was fine so I don't understand how this," Blair told THE STAR.
He also explained that J.O.E. was doing well after being admitted in the University Hospital of the West Indies last year for three weeks because a blood vessel burst in his brain. His survival was described as a miracle, as persons with that condition would normally die or go into a vegetative state.

J.O.E. is the son of former NDTC dancer and choreographer Patricia Ricketts and brother of Digicel's sponsorships and events manager Tahnida Nunes. He had songs like Hey Yo, Crazy and Struggles. In 2005, he placed third in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's Popular Song competition.

The news of his death has also hit hard for his other close friends like Tifa. The usually bubbly entertainer was at a total loss for words and even apologised for not being able to say much.
"Mi still inna disbelief. Mi nuh have nutten fi seh 'cause mi still nuh believe, sorry," Tifa said in a sombre tone.

Ward 21's Suku was also surprised by the news of a friend he has known for about five years.
"Mi deh out pon di road but from mi hear the news mi just come in. It kinda mash up mi day. Mi feel a way bout it. Mi know seh him did sick some time ago but him did look healthy," he said.
As news of his death spread, people expressed their grief on social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter.
"R.I.P Lil Joe. Bredda fi life, condolences to da family, enoxx stay strong," Aidonia tweeted.

There were also tweets from other members of the entertainment fraternity like Wada Blood, Johnny Wonder, T'Nez, Crumbs from Liv Up Records, Bridgez, Wayne Marshall, Ishawna, Delly Ranx, Stampede, ZJ Wah Wa and Quizz.
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NY radio bans Kartel music - Radio jock refuses to play Vybz songs during Black History Month




There is a visible change in the Vybz Kartel's complexion over the years.


New York club dj and Irie Jam radio host/programme director, Dubb Master Chris, is standing by his decision not to play any songs by dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel during Black History Month.
The radio discjock had announced last week that he will not play any music from the artiste who has raised eyebrows for bleaching his skin.
Black History Month is a big deal and we as a people should take every opportunity to celebrate our heritage. I feel if I continue to play Vybz Kartel, an artiste who is now very much known for bleaching his skin, it simply sends the wrong message to my young impressionable listeners" Chris said in an exclusive interview with the Star.
"Please understand that I have a lot of love and respect for Kartel's music. I respect his enormous talent and his individuality.He is one of the great lyricists of our time, however, at times I am disappointed in the direction he decides to take his audience even though that is his prerogative" he noted.
Chris, who reiterated that he has been playing Vybz Kartel music on his radio show since the artiste first broke on the scene in the late 90s with Gal Clown, said he is against bleaching.
"I strongly believe bleaching is wrong, wrong, wrong! It's a disgrace. It's a slap in the face of our heritage, our ancestors andour God. This definitely sends the wrong message to children, I think it leads them to believe that somehow, if they are dark complexion something is wrong with that.It erodes the concept thatblack is beautiful," he said.

Dubb Master Chris

Chris, whose career on radio spans 16 years, said he made the decision to ban Kartel songs because of the power and influence the dj wheels, especially on the minds of young impressionable kids who love his music.
"Without a doubt kids are following his lead. Entertainers need to understand that the words they use are powerful. They influence their listeners, especially the younger ones. Artistes have the power to start trends good or bad ... remember that," he noted.
He called on other radio jocks who programme reggae songs to "take a good look at the values they are reinforcing by playing an artiste such as Kartel especially in these times." He noted that the temporary ban on Kartel music specifically applies to radio play. The ban he said was a personal decision but said that he had the full support of the Irie Jam Radio management and other jocks at the station.
Vybz Kartel, the award winning DJ who is known for songs like Romping Shop, Clarkes, Gun Like Mine, and Who Tell You Fi Run has said in several interviews that he doesn't mind being controversial and he bleaches to show up his many tattoos.
He is also comfortable with black people bleaching and it is tantamount to white people tanning.


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Monday, February 7, 2011


Bagga Brown

ACTIVITIES in the busy town of Linstead in St Catherine came to a standstill yesterday as hundreds turned out to bid farewell to Basil 'Bagga' Brown, a man hailed by many as their local hero.
Parliamentarians, entertainers, religious leaders, media practitioners, and even women professing their childhood crushes on Brown, joined grief-stricken relatives in the crammed Linstead Baptist Church to pay homage to one of television's most popular personalities.
Basil ‘Bagga’ Brown’s daughter, Tiffany, is comforted by his sister, Sharon Falloon (right), and other relatives after she broke down in tears during his funeral service yesterday.
Singer Judy Mowatt performs at Brown’s funeral in Linstead, St Catherine, yesterday. (Photos: Marlon Reid)


Basil ‘Bagga’ Brown’s daughter, Tiffany, is comforted by his sister, Sharon Falloon (right), and other relatives after she broke down in tears during his funeral service yesterday.
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Those who couldn't find seats inside the venue either made themselves comfortable under a tent equipped with television screens and speakers, or listened to the service from any spot they could find out on the roads close to the church.
Like the varied congregation, tributes offered to Brown reflected the many different lives he touched during his 60 years.
Family friend, Judith McKinley, spoke of a wonderful relationship between herself and Brown, emphasising his strong Christian courage even in his last days.
A similar reflection was offered by Rosemarie Cargill, another of Brown's friends, who sparked laughter as she described Brown walking through his hometown in "white tennis shorts, with his sexy legs".
The laughter was short-lived, however, as sombre renditions from singer Judy Mowatt, and saxophonist Dean Frazer, among others, left members of the congregation weeping.
Brown's former classmates from Calabar High School also offered a musical tribute. One of them explained how his name changed from the childhood taunt of 'Bag of Bones' to 'Bagga Brown', a character many Jamaicans grew to love.
Gary Allen, managing director at the RJR Communications Group, also offered tribute on behalf of the company. He spoke of the many rhymes Brown would make while greeting him on the compound.
"He would say 'remember to be healthy, it will help you even when you are wealthy,'" said Allen, smiling as he reflected on Brown's way of "making everyone feel they were special to him".
Perhaps the most touching tribute, however, was offered by Brown's son, Shakir, who, while grieving his father's passing, said he was happy he made the transition into glory.
"As it was difficult for me to watch the man who has nurtured and sought to protect my sisters and I from the strains and rigours of childhood and young adulthood, suffer the pain he did," he said.
"My father was a great father, he dedicated himself to preparing me and my siblings to become good citizens," continued Shakir. "My father was a philanthropist, and he demonstrated this through many children's homes and charities... I saw him as the man in charge," he said.
Brown's older sister, Marcia Constable, spoke of how proud her brother made her, and said she was happy he became a Christian before he died.
"One day that made a difference to him was when he met Jesus. His relationship with Jesus was his prized possession," she said. "Take your relationship with Jesus seriously, that is the best thing you could do for Bagga," she told mourners.
The salutations followed a chaotic rush by mourners to view and photograph Brown's remains, which lay in a cream casket which was trimmed with gold and had a transparent lid. Even in the chaos, sorrow was etched vividly on some faces.
Ripples of excitement ran through the crowd on the announcement that entertainers Tarrus Riley and Beenie Man were among those slated to deliver tributes to Brown, but this was quickly quelled when it became apparent that they would not show.
Brown -- who was known best for his popular vox pop feature 'Weh Yuh Seh?' which airs on TVJ — succumbed to bone cancer at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) shortly after 6:00 am on January 30.
He had been ailing for months and had been hospitalised on multiple occasions before his passing. His body was interred at the Dovecot Memorial Park.Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Bagga-Brown-Linstead-s-colourful-hero-laid-to-rest_8337783#ixzz1DFnidYfK
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