TOP PRODUCERS AND DIRECTORS TO WORK WITH MAGNUM WINNERS

Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall has set the television world alight. With only two weeks of live shows remaining, Weekenz Bistro and Bar has had to put in additional measures to accommodate the large crowds that converge on the venue every Saturday night to watch the young princes and princesses perform.

The crowning of the ultimate king and queen of dancehall will be on the 19th of April and all the contestants left are excited about winning the grand prize. The winners of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall will win half a million dollars in cash, a lucrative video with renowned video directors, and a music production deal with top producers who will produce their single release. These prizes will ensure that the winners of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall are able to start their music careers in fine style.

Several well known producers have come on board to give the future Magnum King and Queen of Dancehall the opportunity to 'buss' big on the dancehall stage. Cordell 'Scatta' Burrell has taken on the responsibility of being the main producer guiding the future King and Queen of dancehall on their journey to musical stardom. 'Scatta', credited with launching the careers of dancehall kingpins such as Ce'cile and Aidonia has an impressive resume. With simultaneous Billboard Hot 100 charting of four songs on his 'Coolie Dance Riddim' and a production repertoire that is envied by many of the top producers in dancehall, 'Scatta' is well placed to take on the role of main producer for the future winners of the competition.

The ultimate Magnum King and Queen of Dancehall will also have their debut video produced by Jay Will and Kimala 'Lala' Bennet. Jay Will is one of the most respected directors on the dancehall scene today; boasting quality production of an international standard including Kanye West's, Through The Wire, Shaggy's Church Heathen, Beenie Man's Dreaming Of You, Mr. Vegas' Hot Wuk, T.O.K's Footprints, Voicemail's Wacky Dip and numerous others.

Not to be outdone is ace director Kimala 'Lala' Bennet who, despite being relatively new to the business has done some impressive work so far. Gaining experience from working with the likes of internationally known directors Paul Hunter, Little X and Chris Robinson, Bennet has been credited with creating some of the most cutting edge videos in the reggae and dancehall genre and is one of the most sought after of film directors in Jamaica today. Many of Jamaica's top artistes have credited Kimala with delivering for them visually pleasing videos to compliment their music including Cezar, Allaine, Baby Cham, Chuck Fenda and Sanjay to name a few.

Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall is committed to equipping the winners of the competition with the tools to take the dancehall world by storm and has put in the necessary arrangements to ensure that this commitment if fulfilled. Remember to tune in on April 19th for the grand finals of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall on TVJ at 9pm.

Jah Cue & Junior Reid - Hot Long Time‏

Artiste: Jah Cure featuring Jr. Reid
Producer: Steve Morales (SOBE Entertainment)

Intro (Jr. Reid):
Hotta dan ten fire side
Jah Cure and Junior Reid the world could neva hide
Stana ding ding woeey
Hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot
Dem seh dem hot yah now
But wi hot long time
This is not a secret to keep inna u mind
Dem seh wi hot yah now
But wi hot long time
This is not a secret to keep inna u mind
Stana ding ding woeey
Stana ding ding woeey
Hot hot hot hot Hot hot hot hot Hot hot hot


Verse 1 (Jr. Reid):
Dem seh wi hot yah now
wi hot long time
This is not a secret to keep inna u mind
Dem seh wi hot yah now
But wi hot long time
Original soldier yes pon the front line
Wi gi dem one blood
Gi dem foreign mind
riginal soldier yes pon the front line
waan dem fi know seh man ahead a di time
I see tree bows an trow me sign


Verse 2 (Jah Cure):
wi sing trodding the valley
And we say devide an rule
no badda think we luke warm and tink we cool
we a real teacha an we no absent from school
hope u learn it well
when we teach the rule


Chorus (Jr. Reid):
Stana ding ding woeey
Stana ding ding woeey
seh dem hot yah now
wi hot long time
This is not a secret to keep inna u mind
Dem seh wi hot yah now
But wi hot long time
Original soldier yes pon the front line

Verse 3 (Jah Cure):
We were hot before an we hotter afta
Some seh wi hot again
But wi hot from when
Junior Reid say to make the chart
Jah know you got to be smart
Jah cure and Junior Reid
Da one ya come red through the chart and top one hundred


Chorus (Jr. Reid):
Seh dem hot yah now
But wi hot long time
This is not a secret to keep inna u mind
Dem seh wi hot yah now
But wi hot long time
This is not a secret to keep inna u mind

Dem seh dem hot yah now
But wi hot long time
This is not a secret to keep inna u mind
Dem seh wi hot yah now
But wi hot long time
This is not a secret to keep inna u mind
Hot hot hot hot Hot hot hot hot Hot hot hot


Dem seh wi hot yah now
Wi hot long time
This is not a secret to keep inna u mind
Dem seh wi hot yah now
But wi hot long time
Original soldier yes pon di front lien
Dem seh wi hot yah now
Wi hot long time
This is not a secret to keep inna u mind
Dem seh wi hot yah now
But wi hot long time
Original soldier yes pon di front line

COCOA TEA TAPPED TO SEND 'TEAM JAMAICA ON THE ROAD TO BEIJING'

Roots Legend Cocoa Tea has just been added to the line-up of Reggae entertainers that will send 'Team Jamaica on the Road to Beijing.' Presented by Team Jamaica Bickle in association with VP Records, the 'Team Jamaica on the Road to Beijing' Reggae Charity Concert is raising funds to support Jamaican track & field high school athletes competing in the annual Penn Relays competition at the University of Pennsylvania in April, and to support Jamaican athletes participating in the XXIX Olympic Games in Beijing, China this August.

Cocoa Tea, who is making international headlines with his song "Barack Obama," is set to excite scores of Reggae fans with this new hit and his catalogue of classics including "Tune In," and "Riker's Island." He will be joining an all-star cast of Reggae talents which includes Richie Stephens, Etana, Duane Stephenson, and Jah Melody at Brooklyn College's Walt Whitman Theater on Sunday April 20th.

Vowing to do "anything I can to support Jamaica," Cocoa Tea strongly urges Reggae fans to support the 'Team Jamaica on the Road to Beijing' concert.

"It's easy to get a ton of people to come out and spend money at any Reggae show, but because this one has a purpose and is going back to supporting Jamaicans , I expect to see two and three tons of people," playfully states Cocoa Tea, before seriously adding that "we should do anything and everything we can to support our athletes, like entertainers they make the whole world see the things that are great about Jamaica."

For the past 14 years, Team Jamaica Bickle has provided necessary financial support and services to Jamaican and Caribbean high school athletes participating in Penn Relays, including subsidized travel and accomodations, ground transporations, meals, security, and athletic scholarships. This year, in memorial to Jamaican Olympic Gold medalist Herb McKenley, TJB will also be providing financial support to athletes participating in the summer Olympics in China.

Sponsors of 'Team Jamaica on the Road to Beijing' include Caribbean Food Delights, Digicel, VMBS, Grace Foods, Western Union, the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations.

Jah Cure - Green Grass & Journey‏

Track Title: The Journey
Artiste: Jah Cure
Riddim: Journey
Producer: Della Danger

Intro:
Yeah,
Yes I
It nuh connect
A could a wah mek
Hey
Like dog to vomit
Moving so chronic
From morning me sew me seed and all now dem caan ketch
Caan ketch
Trying hard to make ends meet
Cant mesh

Chorus 1:
Journey
It's how you live it you learn it
You bridges behind don't burn it
Mi wish mi can live and learn it
The Journey
It's how you live it you learn it
Your bridges behind don't burn it
Respect you live and earn it
Yeah

Verse 1:
It's not a journey to get weak
Journey to give in
It's all about the journey
The journey within
The journey within
I'm coming from a far
Still have far to go
The journeys just begun
I'm like a shooting star
And that's where we can go
We've got a lot to overcome
And some battles to be won
Hey I

Chorus 2:
Journey
From you live it you learn it
Respect you live and earn it
Bridges behind don't burn it
The journey I
From you live it you learn it I
Bridges behind don't burn it
Respect you live and earn it

Verse 2:
Long time it puzzle dem mind
Wondering how we do it
If you blind you nah go see it
We coming from a far
Ah we and dem used to par
But dem never strong
Couldn't trod along
Yeah
In dis ya journey
In dis ya journey
Yeah

Chorus 3:
The journey I
From you live it you learn it
Bridges behind don't burn it
U respect you live and earn it
The Journey
The Journey

Bridge:
From morning me sew me seed and all now dem caan ketch
Caan ketch
Trying hard to make ends meet
Cant mesh
Hey
Journey
You live it you learn it
The bridges behind don't burn it
Your respect you live and earn it
The Journey
The Journey
It's not a journey to get weak
Journey to give in
It's all about the journey
The journey within
The journey within

Track Title: Green Grass
Artiste: Jah Cure
Riddim: The Mission
Producer: Baby G (Yard Vibes Entertainment)

Intro:
Ready now
Mi ready now
Mi ready now

Verse 1:
Too much white snow
Give them that hype flow
Mek the youths dem brain a trackle slow joe
Give dem that green grass
Never surpass
For my future my present and the past

Chorus
Give me a pound make me cut it up
Cut it up
Pass it around let me load me cup
Load me cup
Red gold and green full me Dutchie up
Dutchie up
While the army green full me Cutchie up
Cutchie up
Archie come in mek we take a sup
Down pon di scene we chant reggae in Europe
Wicked hear dem vibes yah dem get furious
The few them that love us
Some already curious

Verse 2:
Enthusiasm fills my cup
Makes me want to chant from dawn till dusk
Too much white snow
Give dem a hype flow
Mek dem youths a brain a trackle slow joe
Give dem that green grass
Never surpass
For my future my present and the past
Give dem that green grass
Give dem that green grass

Chorus

Verse 3:
If dem nuh stop cut down all the herb fields
We burning all the cane fields
Let they feel how the pain feels
Seasonal shipments of banana
Dem naw free up Jah marijuana
Need at least a pound pon every corner
Yeah
Mi hear dem a plan fi gang Jah
Hear dem dirty plans Jah
Lightening an thunder
Cause the wicket burns a sunder
Too much white snow
Rasta say no
Rasta say nooo

Too much white snow
Give them that hype flow
Mek the youths dem brain a trackle slow joe
Give dem that green grass
Never surpass
For my future my present and the past

Chorus

Verse 4:
Bring out the best in me
Smoke till mi old it never stress me
So move with you white snow and you ecstasy
Rasta no want dem ting beside a mi

Dem come a Curefest, dem bring the best for me
Give me the more, no less for me
A me name the Cure straight west for me
Orange Hill, Orange Hill
A deh so me chill

Too much white snow
Too much white snow

Chorus
Give me a pound make me cut it up
Cut it up
Pass it around let me load me cup
Load me cup
Red gold and green full me Dutchie up
Dutchie up
While the army green full me Cutchie up
Cutchie up

Too much white snow

Danger Zone Takes A Journey

Danger Zone's Journey's Riddim has now been officially released and like the pre-released version, which was premiered in the last quarter of 2007, the riddim has attracted support from a wide cross section of the music fraternity and been hailed as one of the best riddims presently on the airwaves. Danger Zone has added some tantalizing instrumentals to the pre-released version and the final product can only be described as immaculate. The Journey's Riddim was produced by Della Danger, Ce'Cile and Jigsy King of Danger Zone Records.

Danger Zone artistes have five songs on the production: Cutty Corn returns with Poochie Loo, Jigsy King and Tony Curtis team up again to present Show Off, Ce'Cile and Jigsy King Plant It, Jah Cure continues his musical Journey and Ce'Cile pledges to Ride or Die. All five tracks boast the high quality and superb production that Danger Zone has become known for.

With Journey, Jah Cure continues to impress with his amazing vocal capabilities. Jah Cure seeks to teach the importance on maintaining ones focus despite the difficulties. He advises not to burn bridges while explaining to his fans that "It's not a journey to get weak". Who better to present this message than the singer who has been through and risen through so many adversities?
Jigsy King and Tony Curtis also teach important lessons on surviving the journey on their track Show Off. Jigsy Kings and Tony Curtis make a good team with their vocals, complementing each other perfectly. Show Off is the first release by Jigsy for 2008 and is a good follow up to Pon di Corner which commanded the airwaves last year.

One of the other gems on the Journey's Riddim by Danger Zone is Ride or Die by Ce'Cile. Ride of Die presents Ce'Cile in a new flavour; the artiste who is known for her sometimes controversial dancehall tunes returns with a smooth and lyrically superior track.

"The Journey's project reminds me of the Jamdown project, I say this because of people's positive reactions to the production. I think my track Ride or Die and the video, which will drop next month, will continue to put me on another level with the fans especially the male ones" – Ce'Cile, Recording Artiste and co producer of Riddim.

Also featuring on the Journey's Riddim is Cutty Corn with his track Poochie Loo. Poochie Loo signals the maturity of the young Cutty Corn. The artiste who came on the scene in 2008 with Lucky Day on the Jamdown Riddim and then reaffirmed his position as a reggae and dancehall staple with No Boops on the remake of the Solidarity Riddim holds his own with Poochie Loo.

An added bonus on the Journey's Riddim is Ce'Cile and Jigsy King with what can be considered a masterpiece. Ce'Cile and Jigsy King decide to Plant It. Contrary to generic run of the mill weed songs, Plant it presents itself as a succinct ode to the herb and Ce'Cile and Jigsy King's are at one on the track with Ce'Cile's sexy tones and Jigsy's gritty choral blending to make an intoxicating collaboration.

"This project will surpass the Jamdown project which we got a Reggae Academy Award for; the songs on this riddim are all hit songs. The production is of the highest quality you'll find on a Reggae riddim today and I must lift my hat to all the artistes featured on the riddim as they all delivered and undoubtedly made the Journey's Riddim a success. I know this project will be accepted by all conscious reggae music lovers, and I see a couple number ones emerging on charts all over the world" – Della Danger CEO Danger Zone Record.

Also on the Journey's riddim is Lutan Fyah, Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel, Jr. Reid and Morgan Heritage among others. The project will be released by SOBE Records/Danger Zone Records, under their new alliance and distributed through Fontanna, part of the Universal Music Group.

Top nominees for 27th IRAWMA

The prestigious 27th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), produced by Martin’s International & Associates, LLC is dedicated to health awareness and returns to Harlem at the world famous Apollo Theater, located at 253 West 125th Street, NYC, on Sunday, May 4. A VIP reception begins at 6:00 pm and general admission is at 7:00 pm.

Leading with IRAWMA’s most nominations for 2007 is Tarrus Riley, with a mega seven (7) nods, including Best Male Vocalist and Best Song, for the female anthem She’s Royal. Gangster DJ Mavado has five (5) nods from IRAWMA for Best Male DJ, Best Album, Best Recording Artist(s), Songwriter of the Year, and Community Service. Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Steven Marley, Shaggy, and Sean Kingston all received four (4) nominations, while Kymani Marley, Junior Reid and Soca star Machel Montano each received three (3) nominations. Reid, competing against himself, is nominated twice in the same category -- Best Crossover -- for his hits with Alicia Keys and rapper MIMS.

The official New York Press Conference was held Thursday March 27, to a packed house at club Element in Manhattan. Hosted by veteran vocalist Sheila Hylton, Ephraim Martin of Martin’s International & Associates and Andrew Rowe of American Airlines announced the nominees, performers and sponsors. International performing artists, promoters and various media organizations were in attendance at the standing-room only event. An official announcement of the nominees was made previously this month, at the Hilton Hotel in New Kingston, Jamaica. Other IRAWMA representatives at the press conference were Directors Clifton Edwards and Austin McBean.

Ephraim Martin announced that the preliminary list of performers are Beenie Man, Kymani Marley, Doug E. Fresh, Sean Kingston, Tarrus Riley, Etana, Dean Fraser, Winsome Benjamin , D’Angel, Queen Ifrika, Mutabaruka, Cecile, Junior Reid and Dwight Pickney. Buju Banton will be among the presenters for the star studded event. More performers will be announced at a later date.

American Airlines, which has served the Caribbean region for more than 30 years, is again the official airline sponsor of the prestigious 27th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA). American Airlines first inaugurated service to the Caribbean in March 1971, flying between New York and five Caribbean destinations. Today, American and its regional affiliate, American Eagle, fly from more than 14 North American cities to more than 30 destinations in the Caribbean, as well as to the Bahamas and Bermuda in the Atlantic.

“IRAWMA executives and its media partners warmly welcome American Airlines and our other sponsors on board for the 27th IRAWMA,” said Ephraim Martin, founder of IRAWMA.

Other nominees include: Ziggy Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Rihanna, Jay Z, Kanye West, Wyclef Jean, King Sunny Ade, Sly and Robbie, Youssou N’Dour, Toots & the Maytals, Beres Hammond, Daddy Yankee, Marc Anthony, Shakira, Angela Kidjo, Femi Kuti, and Jah Cure.

Super Cat, BEST OF THE BEST for 2008

South Florida's premier music and lifestyle promotions company, Rocker's Island Entertainment, in association with Massive B Sound System, Inc., and title sponsor REBEL MIX, are extremely pleased to announce the addition of dancehall legend Super Cat to the line up of Best Of The Best 2008.

Miami's longest running Memorial Weekend reggae concert, Best Of The Best 2008 will jump off on Sunday May 25 at Bicentennial Park (1075 Biscayne Blvd.) in bustling downtown Miami. "We all grew up listening to Super Cat," says Rocker's Island CEO Joseph "Budafuco" Louis, "so this is a huge honor for us to bring him down to Florida for our annual event." The occasion will be Mr. Cat's first outdoor park show ever in North America.

Born and raised in the rough and tumble streets of Cockburn Pen in Kingston, Super Cat aka the Wild Apache bumrushed the dancehall fraternity of the mid-1980s with a spree of hits like: Boops, Mud Up, and Sweet For My Sweet. He was one of the first Jamaican deejays to bust in the US market and signed a major label deal with Columbia records in the early '90s, enjoying success with several smash hits including Dem No Worry We, Don Dada and Dolly My Baby.

Super Cat also helped pioneer the fusion of Hip-Hop and Reggae and R&B and Reggae, regularly collaborating with then-rising stars P. Diddy, Heavy D, Mary J. Blige and Notorious B.I.G. Over the years, his trademark vocal style and lyrical pattern have been adopted by many deejays to follow, most notably multi-platinum Pop artist Sean Paul, who can credit the Cat as a major influence.

The original don dada joins a stellar list of artists already confirmed for this year's event, including Buju Banton aka Gargamel, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Sizzla, Junior Reid, Barrington Levy, soca king Machel Montano, Tarrus Riley, Mavado, Etana, Dean Frasier, Assassin, Serani, Bling Dawg, Shifta, Demarco, Bugle, Screechy Dan, Rockefella and Dilly Chris.

LUAU 2KGREAT

The annual Easter festivities in Ocho Rios concluded at a pinnacle on Sunday, March 23 as the super inclusive Luau (the Hawaiian precursor to Absolute Temptation Isle) left patrons completely satisfied and full of anticipation for the event filled emancipation weekend this summer in Negril also hosted by Absolute Entertainment. Every year Absolute Entertainment surprises patrons with new and improved innovations to enhance their party experience. This year was no different as the 10th staging of Luau saw patrons enjoying eight hours of extraordinary culinary delicacies, musical juggling from the best sound systems locally and internationally at the exotic Reggae Beach, commencing at a new time; 4pm-midnight.

Even with scattered showers on the afternoon of the event there was a record breaking turnout of loyal luau-goers to enjoy the unique remixes of the Florida-Based Black Chiney, Excaliber from Trinidad and Tobago and the sound system that carries the heartbeat of Kingston, Renaissance. On entering the venue, the first thing that caught the patrons’ eyes was a bar stationed in the ocean with a ramp emerging from the shore to ensure safe and easy access to all beverages desired by those who dared to heighten their beverage intake on the waves of the calm ocean. A total of four well-staked bars strategically located throughout the venue had all getting their beverage request granted at a comfortable pace.

Patrons salivated as they formed fast moving lines to get a taste of the appetizing items presented for the taking. At various segments of the event different types of food were displayed. Local and regional favorites, jerk chicken and pork and roti, seafood specials and various pastas were consumed the fastest. Hotdogs and hamburgers were available for quick bite breaks with bun and cheese as compliments of the season. The seashore blazed as patrons and flames from the bonfire danced on the sand. Blow up beds were also placed on the seashore to facilitate a fun-filled atmosphere which the efficient security personnel ensured was safe from threatening disturbances.

At approximately 12:30am, patrons streamed out of the venue with smiling faces as the DJ announced the after party at Hard Rock Café. Absolute Entertainment has once again raised the bar they have set for the execution of another absolute adventure for Easter Weekend. Patrons can therefore be confident that the 2008 Absolute Temptation Isle from July 31st - August 4th will not fall short of being absolutely entertaining.

Assassin Sets Aim on new tracks

Assassin has been busy in the studio working on some new material to keep his insatiable fans satisfied. With the production expertise of Daseca Productions, Ward 21 and Don Corleon, his new releases are guaranteed to make you “bump-your-head-to-this-track”.

Same Ting Again is a production of Coby from the Daseca camp and sees Assassin flexing his muscles on a Reggae/Hip Hop fusion. He explores the routines of daily life – ghetto people struggles are never-ending and even though there’s no money, they’re still experiencing problems. Surveillance is another song that is done under Daseca Productions and speaks to those men who are ever keen to their women’s every move.

Badness Nah Wear shows off Assassin’s dexterity where he tackles a serious issue, courtesy of Ward 21. Assassin acknowledges that “Reggae and Dancehall music glorifies guns and violence and it is not the absolute reason for what we see happening in society”. However, he does admit that there is the legitimacy of the “gangsta” factor, where music touts it as fashionable and so with Badness Nah Wear, he completely dispels this idea.

His latest tune with Don Corleon Records, The 1 Way is one that Assassin failed to expound upon. Instead, he cheekily invites his fans to make their own interpretations of the song as he left it open to their imaginations.

His other recordings, Money Machine (featuring Sadiki) and Dem Nah Look Nuh Gal, have been gaining momentum in the streets and have become the theme song of many.

Assassin tries to do songs that are relatable. He uniquely and adequately transforms issues discussed around domino tables and adds his own artistic twist to it. The end-product is an undeniably catchy song that just makes you want to simply, “bump-your-head-to-this-track”.

Elephant Man and Demaro - Our World

Check out the new Video from Elephant Man featuring Demarco - Our World.

The track is also on Elephant Man's Album get Physical being released under the Bad Boy/ Vp Records imprint.

Check it out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpB2_wnAUbw