Cutty Corn: "Music is my life"

Born August 20 1976, Cutty Corn A.K.A. Oneil Omar Samuels has been around the music for as long as he can remember. From the early days at Tivoli High and Denham Town Primary Cutty could be seen entertaining fellow classmates on the corridors and in classrooms. He spent his spare time after school performing to his friends and perfecting his talent along with the regular school and community concerts. Before going mainstream Cutty Corn was Lead Singer of the Midtown Band, which was an offshoot of the Alpha Boys band.

Cutty Corn has music in his blood, as he is the cousin of renowned dancehall artist Cutty Ranks. Although relatively new to the mainstream music scene, Cutty Corn has been on the big stage since the mid nineties. With shows such as Champions in Action, West Kingston Jamboree and Island Explosion just to name a few under his belt, Cutty Corn has been dubbed one of the emerging talents of 2007.

Cutty Corn has nurtured his vocal talent through years of performances and by following good examples from his favourite artistes who he names as Bob Marley, Sanchez and Wayne Wonder.
Cutty Corn Started recording in the year 2000 and has released several songs that have received credible reviews from the industry. In 2006 he recorded the song "She Gone" on the Errol Dunkley Ghetto Vibes Label and also "Hustling" Ft Vegas produced by Gary G, he later did "Penitentiary Cry" on the Beat Love Rhythm for the Chilla Label. "Penitentiary Cry" received good airplay but was bettered by "Lucky Day" on the Jamdown Rhythm for Danger Zone Records released in early 2007.

Despite working with some of the best producers in the business such as Jigsy King and Della and having received regular airplay along with being a staple in the dancehall, Cutty Corn has just recently made the transition from the underground scene to the mainstream and now believes he has lived a life of music.

"Music keeps me going, when you have the music you can't stop, when i see people love my lyrics i want to do more. Music is my life" – Cutty Corn

Source - ALYKHAT PR
Date - November 1, 2007

I WAYNE BOOK OF LIFE

Roots and culture artists have long been a constant in Jamaica, from the influence of legends like Bob Marley to conscious dancehall singers like Garnet Silk. However, in the summer of 2004 a new and powerfully distinct voice emerged on the reggae music scene. With a fresh timbre, substantive lyrics, and a passionate performance, this singer almost single handedly led a new wave of roots and culture reggae music that swept the island of Jamaica. I Wayne, born Cliffroy Taylor in the working class Kingston suburb of Portmore, Jamaica, officially hit the international scene with his #1 hit “Can’t Satisfy Her,” the first track by a cultural reggae artist to be added to Hot 97 in New York, a station noted for its hip hop preference. The tune then caught on in several markets and spent over 22 weeks on the Billboard Hip Hop/R&B Hot 100 chart. I Wayne followed up that firey description of a desperate Jamaican reality comprised of prostitution, poverty, and sexually transmitted diseases with “Living in Love” on the Stephen Gibbs and Errol Thompson-produced Hard Times riddim (VP2272). It may seem as if I Wayne suddenly burst onto the scene, but the 28 year old has been refining his craft since age 7. Coming from a musical family, it’s not surprising that I Wayne’s first performance venture with local group Vibes Machine took place when he was a student at Greater Portmore High School. The collective of singers and DJs performed at afterwork parties held at popular Kingston clubs like Cactus and Asylum, until one night, when his bandmates were late, and I Wayne was forced to take the stage alone. The response was tremendous, so he perfected his solo act, incorporating his keen appreciation for singers like Sade, Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Marcia Griffiths, Beres Hammond, and Sizzla Kalonji, into his developing style and honing his craft by chanting DJ style with local sound systems like Diamond Cruise and The Legend, as well as performing at Garveymeade, an annual Portmore event held on December 24th for the past 10 years. His distinctively fluid yet controlled vocals won him a record deal with VP Records in 2004, and his debut album, “Lava Ground,” hit stores in the summer of 2005. It yielded two hit singles, “Can’t Satisfy Her” and “Living in Love,” as well as the critically praised title track. Slipping and sliding through the higher notes of the scales with a jazz singer’s assurance and a reggae chanter’s rough-riding rhythmic sensibilities, I Wayne’s meteroic rise and his lyrical gift for piercing the veils that cloak Babylonian hypocrisies sparked a new wave of enthusiasm among the industry for this young generation of roots and culture singers and songwriters and eager anticipation for his second set, The Book of Life (releasing November 6). This time around, a set of spare, light-as-air roots instrumentals, produced by the finest of Jamaica’s young mixing board talents, provides an elegant showcase for I Wayne’s even more dazzling singing/chanting, richer melodies, and more penetrating lyrics. Says Neil Edwards, the project’s executive producer, “For the past year, a lot of artists have been glorifying death and destruction, so I Wayne flipped that and focused on life.” Where many are didactic and full of condemnation, this time around, I Wayne simply wants to remind listeners of an essential truth—that life is a gift for which we can be grateful. “I just praise life, just deal with it naturally,” says I Wayne. “There’s nothing wrong with praising the sun, moon and stars and the wind, and all that create balance. Life is love and love is life.” The philosophy may seem simple yet “Life’s” topical range—I Wayne’s detailing of where natural balance has been lost—is typically far-reaching and deep. He covers domestic violence in “Jealousy and Abuse” (featuring the great Lady G); male and female intimacy in “Need Her in I Arms”; and worldwide divisions and anarchy in “Politics and Religion.”

Mavado set to CONNECT JAMAICA

In his quest to "try and get a computer and Internet connection into every school in Jamaica," Mavado kept his promise to assist in ensuring all local schools are able to connect to the Internet by donating 2 computers each to Constant Spring All Age and Charlie Smith High School on Tuesday October 22.

"I give thanks to God that I am now in a position to help my country. I gave to Constant Spring Junior High and Charlie Smith first, because I attended those schools myself, but we will be going to schools around the island. Our aim is to cover every school." - Mavado

"We really appreciate this donation. I hope that other entertainers will follow and try and make a difference " - Marva Maylor, Business Basic Coordinator at Constant Spring All Age
"This donation was a surprise because David Brooks did not have a long stay at this institution and for him to remember us is a really good thing." - Mr. Dennis Kelly, Principal of Charlie Smith High School.

CONNECT JAMAICA aims to donate computers every month to schools around the island, raising funds via various events and donations. CONNECT JAMAICA is taking advantage of the telecommunications provider Flow Jamaica 's offer of free Internet connection to all schools over the next two years.

"This is not a short term thing we want to do once, we want to establish it as a cause anybody can contribute to." - Mavado

Mavado's annual Birthday Bash dubbed the Real Mckoy will take place on Saturday December 1st at the Temple Hall Estate in St Andrew and will be donating a significant portion of the proceeds towards purchasing computers for CONNECT JAMAICA.

"Investing in the future of our nation is not something you need to be inspired to do; it is everybody's duty. I have a powerful voice amongst the people so I intend to also use it positively and to help contribute to the future of our nation." - Mavado

Source - ALYKHAT PR
Date - October 25, 2007

Island Girlz

Fresh talent with hit potential and cross over appeal! Well get ready, Jamaica’s newest buzz is here. The vocal group is called Island Girlz!

Island Girls in the last 4 weeks have been heard across Jamaica on Jenny Jenny’s RJR radio program, Nationwide radio, Kool FM and KLAS. In addition they debuted on Smile Jamaica and did their first concert to a smiling crowd at the ever popular Ewarton Jerk Festival. Their sound is a fresh mix of reggae yard sounds and r and b. The melodies are unforgettable and their appeal will be from Kingston to New York to London.Island Girlz are Tiffany and Savanna.

Tiffany is exceptionally talented at 12 years old. Her voice has a hip new R and B feel with is mixed in to her Jamaican roots. Tiffany has the presence and energy of a performer who is bound to reach into audiences and make them smile.

Savanna at nine years shares a progressive level of talent and charisma that will come across in a big way. Savanna shares the vocals with Tiffany. Both singers sing lead and harmonies.
Savanna is active in her new found music career with piano and singing lessons underway. She also recently won the child actress role in the film Better Mus Come being currently filmed in Jamaica. The film is being produced by Firefly Films and is targeted for release in early 2008. Savanna is also the child actress in Sanjay’s new video Man of my words.

Tiffany and Savanna created the group less than 6 months ago. They started straight in the recording studio. The duo has recorded half dozen songs and is releasing two tracks immediately. The initial tracks are Promise us love-lover over and Save your Dollars.

Source - Headline Entertainment

Marley Still Giving

Tuff Gong International made a donation of much needed items to the Bustamante Hospital for Children at an intimate informal presentation on Wednesday, October 3. The donation was one of several contributions that Tuff Gong has made to health and education sectors recently.

Representing Tuff Gong International at the presentation was Donisha Prendergast, granddaughter of the late Rt. Hon. Robert Nesta Marley, founder of Tuff Gong International. Also on hand for the presentation was Sister Lorna Wainwright of Tuff Gong International. The donation to the Bustamante Children’s Hospital consisted of bedside chairs and a Mayo table for Ward Two Surgical. The donation has help to facilitate the re-opening of the newly renovated operating rooms at the hospital.

At the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, Tuff Gong International contributed two incubators for the premature nursery at the hospital. The incubators were desperately needed and much appreciated by the administration of the hospital, regarded as the leading hospital for pre-natal care and births.

Extending to education, the Marley Family has again generously assisted several families with their back to school expenses for the 2007 academic year. As a part of the contribution to the education sector, eight students from Stephney Primary and Junior High School were the recipients of the Bob Marley Trust Scholarships to attend Ferncourt, Brown’s Town, Yorke Castle, Abuthnott Gallimore, Marcus Garvey and Calabar High Schools as part of their continuing education.

Children of staff members of the Bob Marley Group of Companies, of which Tuff Gong International is a member, also received assistance with cash grants as well as school books issued through the company’s Book Club.

The Bob Marley Group of Companies consists of the Bob Marley Foundation, The Rita Marley Foundation, Tuff Gong International and URGE, all of which have charitable arms which endeavor to keep the legacy of Bob Marley alive.

Source - Headline Entertainment

Shaggy O.D

Music icon Shaggy received the Order Of Distinction in the rank of Commander for outstanding service to Jamaica on Monday October 15 at Kings House. The Order of Distinction is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour in Jamaica; Commanders take place and precedence immediately after Members and Honorary Members of the Order of Jamaica.

Shaggy, born Orville Richard Burrell, in Kingston, Jamaica, relocated to his mother's home in Brooklyn, New York at age 18. After leaving the US marines in the early nineties he launched his music career to great success. Oh Carolina, a cover of The Folkes Brothers(1960) hit became his first major success when it roared into the Number One spot in the U.K. and nine other countries, in 1993 the song also appeared on the Pure Pleasure album. Shaggy quickly followed in 1995 with the Boombastic album for which he won a won Grammy in 1996 for Best Reggae Album. In the last 12 years Shaggy has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Shaggy is not only an entertainer but also has a soft heart, over the years Shaggy has consistently demonstrated his philanthropy by giving significant funds to charities all over the world from Jamaica to Africa.

Shaggy has been a consistent staple on the music scene both internationally and locally. He has made and indelible mark on Jamaica and is a great example for all. "I feel honoured to receive this award and overwhelmed that the Jamaican government saw it fit to bestow upon me such recognition" said Shaggy.

Shaggy received his Order of Distinction at a public awards ceremony held on National Heroes Day, Monday October 15 th at The National Indoors Sports Centre.

Source - Headline Entertainment

Date - October 17, 2008

JAVAUGHN: Youngest Protégé signed to the Marley’s Camp

Javaughn is considered a child prodigy in Reggae music. Although in his early teens, Javaughn already masters three instruments (keyboards, drums and bass guitar), has years of stage experience (both locally and internationally), and is armed with the resounding vocals and sound confidence that have landed him a record deal with the Marley’s Tuff Gong/ Ghetto Youths Label.

With his father being a musician, music teacher, songwriter and singer, it seems Javaughn’s destiny was etched in stone before he was even born. His father recounts memories of playing his own instruments and singing to Javaughn’s pregnant mother, and recalls some healthy kicks from baby Javaughn in response to the music.

Born in Portland, Jamaica in 1992, at age two, Javaughn started playing around with the keyboard, and three years later started playing the drums and bass guitar. He describes the situation as; “It was never hard for me because talent runs in the family, it was just natural.”
By the time he was four, Javaughn’s exposure started from his singing with the Sensation Band from Port Antonio, where he rose rapidly as a child star. He moved around in musical circles and did regular Sunday night stints at the Dragon Bay Hotel in Port Antonio, as well as other hotels along the coast. These gigs only stepped up his reputation as a solid cultural singer, and soon, word spread about his talent and he was being booked for some of Jamaica’s major concerts. The list includes Sting in 1999, East Fest in 2003, Stars R Us, Welcome To Jamrock, and consecutive years at the Bob Marley Tribute Concert in St Ann. He has even traveled overseas to perform at UNIFEST in Miami in 2004, and at other shows in New York.

Expectedly, with the early talent comes exposure. Thanks to his association with Junie Star of Prime Time Entertainment, he and his father were introduced to the Marley family. The meeting instantly bore fruit, as the Marley’s spotted the talent and gave a listening ear. Before long, he started working with the Ghetto Youths production entity, developing more range in his vocals, and learning the rudiments of recording. The studio and stage work has been steady since joining the unit. He has completed a 10 track album entitled, SuperStar that is scheduled for a November 20 release under the Tuff Gong/ Ghetto Youths Banner.

Javaughn’s life expectedly gets hectic, but his father insists he does school work to complement his music. He attends Fair Prospect High (Grade 10) and has been playing these instruments in the school band since he entered the school, and seems set to do so up until he graduates. He enjoys playing football, building rhythms on his computer and watching television in his spare time. “I haven’t had any major challenges yet in the business, Javaughn explains. The best thing about my life so far is working on the album. Outside of everything though, I’m just a normal person.”

In five years, he sees himself walking to a podium, and collecting his own Grammy award, then entering production afterwards. He has used his own words as a guide in life: “You can make it as long as you have talent. You will have producers looking out for them, so just try.”

Source - Headline Entertainment