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Producers Christian and Frank Berman (The Berman Brothers) and partner Ron Oehl and Positive Vibrations have reimagined Parton’s vocals on “Two Doors Down, for this project to match the new upbeat, reggae instrumentals.

The track is already receiving early praise as Whiskey Riff glowed that the “song’s reggae country fusion edition is perfect for adding to your summer playlist.”

Listen to Dolly Parton’s “Two Doors Down”

Parton’s track is part of the new ‘Country Goes Reggae’ Positive Vibrations project, an 11-track album released today by The Berman Brothers and Oehl.

It also features the vocal talents of Jimmie Allen, Randy Houser, Alexandra Kay, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Landon Parker, Chase Rice, Uncle Kracker, Lainey Wilson, and Country Music Hall of Famer Alabama.

Proving their successful blend of genres and cultures, in 2006, the Berman Brothers created Rhythms Del Mundo – Cuba, which featured Coldplay, Sting, and U2, and was No. 1 on iTunes and Amazon charts in more than 20 countries with Platinum and Gold sales in countries like Germany, Italy, Mexico and more.

Then in 2013, they merged iconic American artists like Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Bill Withers with the unique Bossa Nova and Samba sounds of Brazil, which also went No. 1 on multiple iTunes and Amazon charts.

The idea for Country Goes Reggae came on trip to Negril, Jamaica in 2019, when the brothers were sitting at a sunset, beach bar listening to Reggae classics as a car passed by blasting U.S. Country songs. The blend of different styles and cultures, they knew the two worlds would blend perfectly together.

Assembled by producers The Berman Brothers, the Jamaican musicians – Positive Vibrations – include Ian “Beezy” Coleman (Ziggy and Damian Marley, Wyclef, Fugees), Devon Bradshaw (Burning Spear), Guillaume “Stepper Sax” Briard, Henry Matic Tune (UB40, Aswad, Dennis Brown), and the next-gen class of players.

The just-released project also reimagines Alabama’s “Pass It On Down,” Rascal Flatts’ “I Like The Sound of That,” Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup,” Uncle Kracker’s “Smile,” Randy Houser’s “Boots On,” Jimmie Allen’s “Make Me Want To” and more.

Embodying the musical elements of Reggae such as the thumping bass and drums blended with staccato horn arrangements, the album’s Rock and Soul upbeat aesthetic flows throughout the record, making it the perfect summertime jam.

Country Goes Reggae Track Listing

1. “Eyes on You (feat. Chase Rice)”

2. “Make Me Want To (feat. Jimmie Allen)”

3. “Red Solo Cup (feat. Toby Keith)”

4. “I Like the Sound of That (feat. Rascal Flatts)”

5. “Two Doors Down (feat. Dolly Parton)”

6. “Smile (feat. Uncle Kracker)”

7. “Things a Man Oughta Know (feat. Lainey Wilson)”

8. “Boots On (feat. Randy Houser)”

9. “Pass It On Down (feat. Alabama)”

10. “Ready to Run (feat. Alexandra Kay)”

11. “Save It For A Rainy Day (feat. Landon Parker)”

Listen to the album now HERE.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Tanya Stephens And Patra Drop New Single

July 21, 2022/0 Comments/in news /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. July 22, 2022: Internationally acclaimed Jamaican singer-songwriter Tanya Stephens celebrated her 49th birthday by gifting the world with a surprise new single, featuring another chart-topping female artist of Golden Era dancehall music, Patra.

“FIFTY,” the monstrous new collaboration off Stephens’ upcoming album Some Kinda Madness (out September 2nd via Tad’s Record and available now for pre-order), was produced by Tad A. Dawkins Jnr.

It finds the legendary artists offering fair warning to anyone who thinks that age might slow down the shenanigans of these two queens of the dancehall:

“And If yuh think mi bad now

wait till mi lick FIFTY, dem a go say a how dah big woman yah so frisky

Want a buddy weh knock it inna gypsy

Bad when mi sober, worse when mi tipsy

And if yuh think we bad now, wait till yuh see half ah century

When a dozen big woman a mek a entry

An we a sip di henny bottle till it empty

Keep up behavior weh upset di gentry.”

To further demonstrate that age ain’t nothing but a number, Tanya Stephens dropped the “FIFTY” official lyric video as well. It is directed by Romario Rodney and Rayon Smith and invites fans into a grown woman bashment party hosted by the “maturing” bad gyal herself. As the dancers drop from headtop to full split, they leave little doubt that there is no substitute for experience.

Of the unexpected, but welcomed combination, Tanya says, “Patra is an unquestionable bad ass! She influenced urban culture and inspired many of us women to embrace our sensuality even as we stood in our strength. Having her bless this track feels like my personal revolution now has a soundtrack and I’m excited to step into my 50’s with this kind of energy!”

Patra broke boundaries in the 1990’s — a time many consider to be the Golden Era of Dancehall music — with seminal albums like Queen Of The Pack, which topped the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, and rude gyal anthems like “Romantic Call,” a collaboration with Compton superstar emcee Yo-Yo. Patra’s unparalleled success during that time paved the way for future female Jamaican singers and deejays like Tanya Stephens, who also made a name for herself in the following years with dancehall staples like “Yuh Nuh Ready For This” and “Goggle,” before establishing herself as one of the island’s most gifted songwriters with unforgettable tunes like “It’s a Pity” and “These Streets.”

“FIFTY” stands as the second official single released from Stephens’ upcoming 20-track album, which also features support from reggae heavyweights like Cedella Marley, Diana King, Big Youth, and Nadine Sutherland, among other guests. Previously released tracks from the Some Kinda Madness project include the steel pan-driven “Zig Ziggler,” the heartfelt ballad “World Goes Round,” and the uplifting single “Diamonds In The Sun (featuring Cedella Marley and Diana King).”

NewsAmericasNow.com

Pretty Like ‘Toni-Ann Singh’ Gives Popcaan His First Afrobeats Chart Hit

July 20, 2022/0 Comments/in news /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

Popcaan scores his first entry onto the Afrobeats Chart thanks to “Toni-Ann Singh.”

Leave it to Popcaan to be the dancehall deejay to break into a new market. After all, he is known for his innovative and globally popular sound. He has become the first Jamaican artist to be featured on the US Afrobeats Songs chart.

A track he is featured on is called “Toni-Ann Singh,” which is sung by popular Afrobeats artiste Burna Boy and entered the chart at No. 12. The US Afrobeats Songs chart was launched four months ago. As its name suggests, the track was inspired by former Miss Jamaica and Miss World Toni-Ann Singh and is featured on Burna Boy’s fourth major label release Love, Damini.

Popcaan and Toni-Ann Singh are rumored to be dating. In the track, he professes his undying love for her, and he also posted pictures of the two together, causing a social media uproar. His female fans especially did not take kindly to his declaration of love.

The track, released by Atlantic Records, also made its debut at No. 2 on the US World Albums chart, No. 14 on the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart, as well as No. 2 on the UK Albums, and six in Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.

The latest Afrobeats chart takes leading audio and video music services, plus download sales from top music retailers into consideration for the ranking of tracks.

Over on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers remains on top for an impressive 132nd week. The compilation album is followed by Sean Paul’s Dutty Classics Collection, and Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy re-enters at No. 3.

Further down the chart, World on Fire and Set in Stone by Stick Figure are at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. UB40’s Labour of Love re-enters at No. 6, while Gifted by Koffee is still at seven, Bob Marley and the Wailers appear again at No. 8, and Burial Ground by Stick Figure is at No. 9, while Time Bomb by Iration rounds off the top 10.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Merciless Visit Studio Before Sudden Death, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer Tribute Artist

July 20, 2022/0 Comments/in news /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

Beenie Man and Bounty Killer are among a slew of dancehall legends paying tribute to Merciless.

There is still no confirmation about what caused the death of dancehall legend Merciless. His body was found at a guest house on Walker’s Avenue, off Beechwood Avenue, in Kingston yesterday, July 19.

So far, the only information that has been confirmed is that he checked in alone and that he was in the area doing gigs at the Corporate Area studios. Other eyewitness accounts state that he was last seen around midnight on July 18. His death has rocked the dancehall world as, for many, it was unexpected.

One of his close friends spoke with the Observer about the final moments he spent with the “Ole Gallis” deejay and shed some light on the deejay’s generous nature. The friend identified as Kevin Thomas was also Merciless driver.

“Ah Sunday night ah di last mi see him. Di man give mi $1,500 an’ seh, ‘Kevin, si yuh lunch money yah… Come link mi likkle more.’ Him seh when him finish do some work ah di studio [on Monday] him ah go come link mi,” he shared.

Thomas, obviously upset, also explained that he tried to call Merciless, whose real name is Leonard Bartley, on the morning of his death to ask him where he needed to get to for the day. He added that when his calls were not returned, he left his job at 4 pm to go look for him. He saw his car parked and was informed that it had not been moved since yesterday morning.

“Suh mi call Carlos an’ seh, ‘Yuh si di deejay?’ an’ him seh, ‘Yuh know ah two day mi nuh hear di man… Mi call di security an’ wi shub off di door an’ si the man pon di ground pon him face. Ah we see di man dead,” he revealed.

Jamaica’s minister of culture, gender, entertainment, and sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, also expressed her sadness and shock at the passing of one of the stand-out voices of 90s dancehall. She described him as a popular artiste in dancehall and also said that he had a number of hits to his credit.

Minister Grange also extended her sincere condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and associates and to the music fraternity as well. The Observer also spoke with the information arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit, which stated that they were informed that the police were called to a motel off Beechwood Avenue, where they found Merciless dead.

At this time, no foul play is suspected, and it is being treated as a sudden death investigation. The artist will no doubt leave an indelible mark on the dancehall fraternity, having made his debut back in 1994 when he captured the hearts of many with his witty lyrics and powerfully booming voice.

Probably the moments that he would be most remembered for will be his famous sound clashes, which in their heyday had fans flocking to arenas to see how new and upcoming artists would stand up to the veterans.

The “Len’ out Mi Mercy” deejay also gained notoriety for holding his own against the top clash artists, including Ninjaman, Bounty Killer, and Beenie Man at Sting 2000 at Jamworld Entertainment Complex in St Catherine.

Several of his fans flooded his last post on Instagram with comments of shock and also to offer condolences.

View this post on Instagram

Bounty Killer also took the time out on Instagram to wish farewell to a legend of dancehall.

View this post on Instagram

Beenie Man also shared a tribute for the late deejay.

View this post on Instagram

NewsAmericasNow.com

Popcaan Calls Out Reggae Sumfest For Using His Image To Promote Event

July 20, 2022/0 Comments/in news /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

Popcaan is calling out Reggae Sumfest for using his image in a post on Instagram with their branding stamped on it.

As Reggae Sumfest heats up ahead of the July 22-23 staging, the festival has been in full promotion mode as it unveils its extensive list of performers for Reggae and Dancehall night.

The festival is returning for the first time since the pandemic, which saw it being moved to a modest virtual staging in 2020 and again in 2021.

The first festival night, July 22nd, will see many of the hottest talents in the music arena gracing the stage. These include Aidonia, Shenseea, Spice, Ishawna, Masicka, Govana, Ding Dong, Chronic Law, Skeng, Jahshii, Intence, and Iwaata, headlining the first night along with a number of upcoming acts.

Night too has several big-name artists, including Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Cham, Wayne Wonder, Frisco Kid, Mr. Easy, and Spragga Benz, followed by several upcoming and trending artists like Yaksta, Nation Boss, and Wesroc, among others.

The festival organizers have teased that other artists are to be on the lineup as they promote the event dubbed the greatest reggae show on earth.

In a post on Monday night, Sumfest seemed to hint that they were going to get the Unruly King himself, Popcaan, at the event, but Popcaan was not for it, as he shut down the festival for falsely advertising that he would be at the event.

“Watch da styla ya nuh! Drop who you think it is in the comment section and mek wi know! Let’s see who gets it!” the post on Instagram read.

Screenshot IG

In the comments section, many fans were quick to guess it might be Popcaan or “Toni-Ann Singh man,” as some referred to him.

Popcaan, who got wind of the post, was quick as he responded in the comments section calling out the festival for using his image in their promotion.

“unu stop Bomboclaat ramp wid me cauee man nah perform a no sumfest!!!! @unrulyfest me know,” Popcaan said.

Reggae Sumfest has not responded to Popcaan, who is currently in England.

NewsAmericasNow.com

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