Mykal Rose & Treson - Life On The Rocks

Distributor Blamed For Dancehall's Death

Hapilos Entertainment Group has responded to a controversial press release which has set tongues wagging in the entertainment industry. The press release was sent to various media houses via SHUZZR PR from an anonymous writer and blames the poor standard of dancehall music being distributed worldwide solely on Hapilos Music Group, which is regarded as one of the top digital distributors in the Caribbean. According to the release, dancehall and reggae music are being misrepresented internationally. The release claims that music distributors like Johnny Wonder of Hapilos Entertainment have consistently distributed music from artistes and producers who have not been produced properly and suggests that the poorly produced tracks are suffocating the industry because they do not meet international standards. "Some say dancehall is dead! Some say reggae is dead! But is it really? Surf the Net or any social media platforms that promote dancehall and reggae. I guarantee that you will find quality singles and compilations from each genre, but only after a deep search," the release said. The release alleges that a search of the Internet will prove that the majority of the poorly produced music that has been promoted as that which Jamaica has to offer has been distributed by Haplios. "Now we should ask ourselves who is responsible for this travesty that is now our music industry. Do your research and you will end up with the name Johnny Wonder of 21st Hapilos nine out of 10 times," the release said. The release also said various artistes had signed the letter in support of its claims, however, no artiste was singled out. "The following article was sent to us with the signature(s) of several dancehall and reggae practitioners who have sought our services to help promote their stance or views. Thus, these views or stance taken may not reflect the views of SHUZZR PR," the release read. ARGUMENT BASELESS In an equally long release, Hapilos sought to add some clarity to the situation. They claim the argument from the controversial press release is baseless and is instead an attempt to attack Johnny Wonder's character. "The writer who proclaims herself to be an artiste who received bad "customer service" is a coward who did not reveal herself and shouldn't strive to be anything but anonymous. We stand 100 per cent behind our executive VP Johnny Wonder and we have every confidence in him," Hapilos' release read. According to Hapilos, it has distributed projects that are not up to first-class standards in an attempt to expose new producers and artistes to the music industry. The organisation went as far as naming producers who they claimed benefit from this kind of marketing. "The hate article began with the writer lamenting the 'excess of music that lacks creativity and quality' being put out into the market. These so-called 'lack of creativity' tracks come from young producers and upcoming artistes which 21st Hapilos Digital Distribution have chosen, as a business, not to ignore and to give a platform for their music. Seanizzle, Markus Myrie and Rvssian are just some of our clients who were once young producers who came to us to distribute their music. We gave them the platform to showcase their music and today they are some of our most successful producers," Hapilos' release read. The distribution company says the only thing it is guilty of, is being tardy and disclosed that a proper customer service system is being put in place so as to assist clients and the musical queries better. The Gleaner contacted Johnny Wonder to ascertain if the Hapilos response was authentic and he confirmed its legitimacy. "We have our suspicions but we do not know for sure who sent it as the sender opted to remain anonymous. Based on reactions so far, it has done more good than bad as a lot of our strengths were inadvertently highlighted in the hate mail," Johnny Wonder said.

HERBSMAN HUSTLING RIDDIM [FULL PROMO] – PHAREAL RECORDS – 2013 (OUT NOW)

Phareal Records Presents The “Herbsman Hustling Riddim” Produced By Kos Dillon And Orlando Sinclair Alongside Renowned Veteran “BlackBeard” Sinclair. This Is A Remake Of The Massive Single By Sugar Minnott Titled “Herbsman Hustling” From The Early 80‘s. This Massive Juggling Features A Stellar Lineup Of Herbalist Anthems From Veteran & Young Reggae Generals! The Riddim Possesses That Unique Heavy Reggae Bassline & Is A Must Buy For All Who Love Real Reggae Music! Herbsman Hustling Riddim Is Available For Digital Purchase On iTunes & Other Music Distribution Platforms! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/herbsman-hustling-riddim/id586624366

Riddim Release Notes via UNITED REGGAE: Jamaican label PhaReal Records have just released an updated version of the classic Sugar Minott song Herbsman Hustling, originally recorded in the early 80’s. The production on this new version is handled by Kos Dillon and Orlando Sinclair alongside renowned veteran “BlackBeard” Sinclair. This bass-fueled riddim is voiced by 13 artists and features veterans in the likes of Trinity, Clancy Eccles, Dillinger and Junior Tamlin as well as newer generation reggae crooners such as Thrilla U, Tréson and Tenor Star. LISTEN |Herbsman Hustling Riddim – Phareal Records:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVW_CM6C0l0&feature=share&list=UUpGlBJeGjGxQdLs4b-nZwVQ

DJ David Rodigan resigns from Kiss FM over 'marginalisation' of reggae music

One of Britain’s best-known specialist radio presenters, David Rodigan, has ended his 22-year relationship with the commercial station Kiss FM by resigning over the “marginalisation” of reggae music in the schedule. Rodigan is known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of Jamaican music and was given an MBE in the last New Year’s honours list. He is a multiple winner of Sony radio awards but was moved to a midnight slot on the Bauer Media-owned station, in order to accommodate a show hosted by the singer Craig David. The presenter, who recently won a Sony for a separate show that he makes for BBC Radio 2, has been synonymous with Kiss FM since it ended its pirate radio status and became a legal station in 1990. He has broadcast on the network ever since but has in recent years been pushed to the late night schedule, despite receiving growing levels of recognition from the radio industry. Between broadcasts he travels the world playing in “sound clashes” with international reggae sound systems and his relationship with artists from emerging British musical genres such as Dubstep has brought him a new young following in this country. “I've been with the station for 22 years, shared some wonderful times with many fantastic artists and members of staff and it’s with great sadness that I've come to this decision,” the presenter said today in a statement.” Due to their continued marginalisation of reggae music into the twilight zone of radio scheduling, it has left me no option but to make a stand for my passion and the music I love so dearly.” Rodigan, a trained actor who turned 60 this year, began his broadcasting career with London’s Capital Radio in 1979. He is unlikely to have disappeared from the airwaves for good. He said: “As Bob Marley famously said ‘the stone that the builder refused will be the head corner stone.’ Reggae was originally played on the streets, not on radio, and Kiss's refusal to schedule the only reggae show on their network to a socially accessible time has resulted in this decision. Reggae is worthy of more respect and so are the fans and lovers of this music.” Spokeswoman for Kiss FM said: “We are very sad and disappointed to confirm that David Rodigan has left Kiss after 22 years. We have the utmost love and respect for David both personally and professionally - he leaves with our sincere appreciation and gratitude for all that he has achieved with Kiss. Kiss remains passionate about broadcasting a brilliant cross section of music genres, including reggae, to our audiences across multiple platforms and devices.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPTTo4P-c4s&feature=g-upl

Phareal Records Present Herbsman Hustling

October 18,2012

Kingston, Jamaica.

  

Phareal Records is pleased to release their latest project ‘Herbsman Hustling’.

Herbsman Hustling is a various artiste compilation destined for a rich roots reggae experience. The 18 track album features veterans in the likes of Trinity, Clancy Eccles,Dillinger and Junior Tamlins as well as newer generation reggae crooners such as Trilla U,Tréson and Tenor Star. The compilation is reminiscent of the classic ‘Sleng Teng’ era with a fresh new age sound. This quality of production was achieved through the dynamic collaboration of producers Kos Dillon alongside renowned veteran BlackBeard.

Herbman hustling will be available on Itunes, Amazon, Spotify and all E-Tailers worldwide through Zojak Worldwide LLC. And will be released on October 30,2012.

Tanaka Tiki Roberts...

Reggae Goes Missing From The Dancehall

Jamaica is internationally recognised as the birthplace of reggae anddancehall music, the latter delivering the more flashy uptempo sound, while the former targets the spiritual and Afrocentric followers with slower, sometimes sultry beats.

However, with the competitive nature of Jamaica's music industry, the two genres seem to be fighting for existence in the dancehall. Reggae is losing.

The Sunday Gleaner spoke with reggae artiste Warrior King, and according to the Virtuous Woman singer, local disc jockeys are killingreggae music.

"Dem selector yah a kill the music where it come from. Reggae music is the foundation and it should be included in the juggling like any other genre. A lot of foreigners have been asking me 'why when they come to Jamaica they don't hear reggae music?' When I am abroad it is different because it is played in the dancehall in Trinidad, California and Europe," Warrior King said.

According to the artiste, Jamaicans do not appreciate reggae, and may only realise the effect of their disregard when reggae has left our shores.

"Dem seh 'di cow nuh know the use a him tale til it gone.' Dats why the youth a get suh crazy because dem naah get nuh roots. Reggae music keep people calm. Look how Bob Marley, Culture and Dennis Brown work hard to keep reggae alive ... all we need to do is spread the music across the board, 15 minutes of dancehall,15 minutes of reggae and 15 minutes of hip hop. Reggae is not dead because you have established people like Akon doing a reggae album," he said.

Veteran reggae producer Bobby Digital believes disc jockeys in the dancehall are busy trying to please themselves instead of helping to develop the music industry.

"I don't think reggae is getting a fair chance to prove itself in the dancehall. These guys playing the music are just trying to please themselves to get a forward; it's only for their own gain. How are we going to expose new talent if we don't hear the artiste?" Digital asked.

According to the producer, who has done work for artistes of massive stature - Sizzla Kalonji, Shabba Ranks, Morgan Heritage, Anthony B, Cocoa Tea, Super Cat and Garnett Silk, making up some of that number - reggae music production has not decreased. However, the songs are not getting a chance to develop locally.

"For the past six to seven years, I have been making music but they don't get much attention here because they are not willing to let something new through the gate, and if you don't listen to music, you cannot know what it is," he continued.

"We need to recognise what we have and learn to nurture it. Until we do that, then dog nyam wi supper. Teach the youth dem music from school so they can have an early exposure, because I have seen reggae artistes from overseas who are even better than some out here," he said.

Dancehall disc jockey and producer Supa Hype also conceded that the dancehall needed to place more emphasis on reggae.

According to him, upcoming DJs lack mature experience.

"We need more reggae. We need to put more into reggae. Recently, people like Christopher Martin and Busy Signal put out reggae albums - even Mr Vegas; we need more of that," he continued.

"Some DJs just wake up and seh dem a selector, dem nuh really have no experience. I am coming from vinyl days so I know real music. That is why I always play reggae songs from people like Sizzla in my juggling," Supa Hype said.

Supa Hype also said taking on the profession of music was like going to school.

"DJs, do your homework. Try different genres for different segments. You can't just do the same thing every week," he said.

The selector went on to say he would be releasing an exclusive reggae project - featuring Gyptian, Lutan Fyah, among others - as evidence that he was willing to lead the change. 

PhaReal Records

PhaReal Records 

Close - NinaSky Ft T.O.K - http://soundcloud.com/phareal-records/close-ninasky-ft-t-o-k

At This Moment -- Tréson

Tréson Covers ‘At This Moment’    

(Kingston,Jamaica)

Tréson has crafted his own rendition of Billy Vera’s 1981 classic, "At This Moment" Tréson’s cover postdates acclaimed musicians such as Tom Jones and most recently Michael Buble’s which was featured on his #1 album entitled Crazy Love (2009). Though transformed into a roots reggae lover’s rock tune, the single still manages to retain the impressive raw emotional appeal that Vera first sang it with.

An appreciative Billy Vera wrote, “Thanks for recording my song. Nice job! This is the second time one of my hits has been done by a reggae artiste,” (the first being Gregory Issac’s cover of Story Book Children). The song was recorded at 'Boot Camp Records' and the video will be officially release the end of January by PhaReal Entertainment . The Song is now available at Itunes and Amazon are clicks the link below.

To Watch the video click here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ynKZQmw1xI&feature=related

To download the track at Amazon click here: http://www.amazon.com/At-This-Moment/dp/B005GK4FFU

To download the track at Itunes click here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/treson/id207156033

Rapper "Heavy D" has died

Rapper Heavy D has died aged just 44.

The hip-hop star, who was most famous in Britain for his 1991 hit 'Now That We've Found Love', passed away at 1pm yesterday after being found unconscious at his LA home.

The Jamaican-born musician was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead shortly after arriving there.

Heavy D (real Name Dwight Arrington Myers) appeared on Michael Jackson's song 'Jam' and recently performed at the tribute concert for the late star in Wales.

Michael's sister La Toya tweeted: "My heart goes out to the family and [loved] ones of Heavy D."

Heavy D had often referred to himself as the "overweight lover of hip-hop".

Three of his albums - 'Big Tyme' (1989), 'Peaceful Journey' (1991) and 'Nuttin' but Love' (1994) - went platinum in the US.

In the early 1990s, he duetted with the likes of Notorious BIG and Janet Jackson.

According to Lt Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills police, the rapper experienced breathing difficulties while returning home from shopping.

After collapsing in an exterior hallway, he was transported to Cedars Sinai Medical Center where he later died.

Tréson & Khago - "Jah Seh"

Kingston, Jamaica. 3th August 2011

The hot new single “Jah seh” comes from two of Jamaica most promising young reggae acts. Singer, song-writer and instrumentalist Treson joined forces with breakout artiste Khago for a powerful message in their latest collaboration. This is the third time that the two have worked together, their previous tracks being “Mama Don’t Cry” and “Light It Up”. 
After experiencing international success in 2005 with his first single “Moments”, Treson has really been making strides in his career with airplay all over the international scene especially in Europe. Thereafter his followed up tracks like "Jen-ee-Rocka" and "Dust, Dirt and Sand" which were also well received. He’s performed along -side highly reputed reggae artistes in the likes of Morgan Heritage, Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffith, Sly and Robbie, Collie Buddz, Third World, Beenie Man, Ken Boothe and BabyCham to name a few.  
In the meantime singjay Khago has been rising to stardom since the release of his debut single ‘Caan Cool’. He went on to record ‘Nah Sell Out Me Friend Dem’ in 2010 which was a summer anthem for many. The response to this song was so auspicious he produced a part 2 which quickly attained favor among fans as well. Both songs have held the number one spot on charts all over in the dancehall circuit both locally and internationally. Since his arrival onto the scene, he has booked on some of the biggest shows of Dancehall/ Reggae such as Reggae Sumfest where he shared the stage with some of the industry’s heavy weight artistes. Khago was acclaimed the Best New Artiste for 2010 by Jamaica’s Youth View Award and the Jamaica Observer, an indicator of his promising future career. 
Individually, both artistes are known for the positive vibrations in their music, it’s with no doubt then that the two’s collaboration would bare such likeness. ‘Jah Seh’ is a roots song that inspires youths to keep progressing through “Jah” guidance despite nay sayers.  Between Khago’s culture flow and Treson’s strong vocals, their unique sounds combine to create a true reggae classic. It is a timeless and articulate song that can be appreciated by all.  
The track, which was produce by Kos Dillon of PhaReal Entertainment, will be released on the 5th August 2011 by Goldcup Records, an Italian based label that produces Jamaican roots reggae and dancehall music since 2006. It will be available on Itunes, Sounquake.com, Amazon, Juno download/ Juno records and Napster among several other places.

 

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Music: Shaggy and long time manager Robert Livingston par...

Music: Shaggy and long time manager Robert Livingston par...: " Scikron/Big Yard CEO Robert Livingston has confirmed that he and reggae/dancehall icon Shaggy are moving on after almost two decades dur..."

Shaggy and long time manager Robert Livingston part ways

  Scikron/Big Yard CEO Robert Livingston has confirmed that he and reggae/dancehall icon Shaggy are moving on after almost two decades during which they produced one of the best-selling albums of all time. On the split, Livingston said he was unaware of any specific reason why he and Shaggy have parted ways but revealed that it was a long time coming. "I don't know exactly," he said in response to queries about why he and Shaggy were no longer a team. "To give you a specific reason, I can't. I think we just grew apart and Shaggy just got tired of hearing my voice, whether positive or negative. I think Shaggy has decided that he wants to do something different. It has been happening for a long time. Most people didn't know, but we don't see eye to eye on many things."   He also suggested that the fact that Shaggy hadn't been with a major label for a while may have had something to do with what has come to pass. Shaggy was last signed to MCA Records in the early part of the last decade. Livingston told The Sunday Gleaner that the entertainer didn't call and tell him that their 18-year musical relationship was over. It was, he said, more about the way the entertainer went about things. "Shaggy was just vibsing. He would say things and do things ... . He started to do things that I wasn't aware of, including seeking new management," Livingston confided. "If there was no tension in the camp, he would have said it to me because we talk about everything." Not opposed to change The Big Yard CEO said he doesn't have a problem accepting that things change because, in the grand scheme of things, people do change but he wished Shaggy had handled the situation better. "Maybe he had his reasons. Maybe he is looking for better in his career or wants to move up the ladder, but I think the respect I should have got from him, his approach to everything, should have been much different." It is an unfortunate end to one of the most successful partnerships in reggae/dancehall.

Music: Buju gets 10 years

Music: Buju gets 10 years: "REGGAE artiste Buju Banton was today sentenced to 10 years by United States magistrate Jim Moody in the Sam M Gibbons US Court in Tampa Fl..."

Buju gets 10 years

REGGAE artiste Buju Banton was today sentenced to 10 years by United

States magistrate Jim Moody in the Sam M Gibbons US Court in Tampa Florida. He will be incarcerated at the FCI prison facility in Miami.

The artiste – real name Mark Myrie – was found guilty in February of conspiring to negotiate a drug deal in a police controlled warehouse in Florida.

BANTON… convicted in February  1/1

The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug offense was dropped however.

The artiste was slapped with the heavy sentence despite pleas for leniency by his attorney, his children, movie star Danny Glover and other character witnesses.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, seemed resigned to accept his fate and calmy accepted the verdict.

His attorney David Oscar Markus has signalled his intent to appeal Banton's guilty verdict and indicated that he would move with alacrity to secure the artiste's release.

The sentence was handed down in front of a packed courthouse which included members of the artiste's family, his close friend Wayne Wonder, his manager Traci McGregor and reporters.

Many persons, including artistes and Banton's close friends Gramps Morgan and Delly Ranks who came to hear the verdict were turned back after court officials indicated that the courtroom was packed and Moody had already been seated at minutes to 9:00 am.

The sentencing hearing lasted just over an hour and many of Myrie's supporters and family members cried openly.

The artiste will serve his time at the penal facility in the state of Florida.

Myrie underwent two trials after the first trial ended in a mistrial in 2010. He was however found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, using the wires to facilitate a drug offense and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offence.

Banton's two co-conspirators, Ian Thomas and James Mack both plead guilty after they were held in a sting operation attempting to purchase cocaine from federal agents in a police controlled warehouse in Tampa.

The US government built their case around wiretap and video evidence which caught Banton tasting cocaine and making several statements of the purchasee and sale of large amounts of contraband.

Is dancehall music killing people?

Is dancehall music killing people? Research suggests that Jamaica's popular music is constructed in a depressed pattern and, in effect, influences society negatively.

According to the research, Jamaican popular music could be influencing teenage violence and suicidal tendencies, especially among men.

In an article on Music Entertainment and Performance Health, Joy Fairclough explains how the melancholy air of a song is transferred to its listeners.

The instructor at Joy Music Ltd and performance-health training centre, uses information from a London research paper on Crossmodal Transferof Emotion by Music, which surmised that music influences emotion.

Fairclough then describes how the mood of a song may be interpreted by both performer and listener.

That mood, Fairclough explains, emits texture and feelings to the listener and performer.

That emission is represented by visual imprints on the individual's brain and leads to action. The entire process is described as the crossmodal transfer of emotion by music.

Examples of this may be found in the way a person dances or physically reacts to a song.

"Because we have not studied in Jamaica how music affects brain development, as a specialist area of training, we realise amongst the Performance Advocacy Team Members that people are doing whatever to follow the hype, without realising the correlation of music and human development," said Fairclough.

Jamaican slangs harsh

In the article, the educator went on to state that Jamaican slang has become increasingly more harsh and reflects the sadness and irritability of the population.

When asked if dancehall music reflects the state of mind of this generation, Dr Donna Hope Marquis, noted lecturer at The University of the West Indies, author and dancehall expert, agreed. "Melancholy is one aspect of these facets which is manifested in the music as well as in the fashion and costumes and even in the type of dance styles, but it is not the only facet in the music."

Hope Marquis went on to say that in dancehall music, there is joy and celebration and hype and excitement in the same space as melancholy and plaintive longing.

However, Dr Hope Marquis contends with the suggestion that dancehall influences suicide.

"Suicide? Not at all. If anything, dancehall music provides an outlet for many tensions and frustrations that our men currently face. It is a place where many of them can actually escape the melancholy state of affairs of their real lives and fantasise about being a 'heavy man', 'big man', dads," said Hope Marquis.

The article went on to compare earlier songs like Lang time gyal mi neva see you and Sammy Dead, to recent hits such as Straight Jeans and Fitted by Vybz Kartel and Rum and Red Bull by Beenie Man.

The earlier songs are said to be more hopeful and sometimes light-hearted, while dancehall, a relatively new genre of Jamaican music, is written along 'descending lines'.

The 'descending lines' Fairclough explains, speaks to where the artiste places stresses. Those stresses (the lengthening of pronunciation in one instance and the shortening in others) follows the rhythm the tracks are laid on, and, in fact, implicitly underscores the message of that rhythm.

According to the paper, the negative nature of the music, created by these 'descending lines' and depressing tone, can be directly impacting the actions of Jamaicans.

The article concludes that, "We must request serious input from our artistes and psychoanalysts and guidance counsellors to work together in order to stem the depression and melancholy now being displayed in the daily lives of our people."

Joy Fairclough is also a vocal and instrumental coach and performance-health advocate.

Jamaican popular music depressing?

 

 Writer  Olivea Hayles.

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