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Mr. Lexx Says He Was Accused Of Trying To Be A Foreign Artist: ‘I Was Way Ahead of My Time’

The content originally appeared on: Dance Hall Mag

Long before some new-gen acts were being accused of pandering to Americans by adjusting their sound and style, Mr. Lexx was facing that criticism. 

Keeping it Full Hundred, the entertainer, formerly known as Lexxus, said the backlash started following his big break in 1997. The song, Make Some Money, was one of several that bears his signature rap-deejay style, which he popularised in digital dancehall. 

“The jealous part of the industry used to cuss me seh mi gwaan like one foreign artist,” Mr Lexx said on Instagram Live on Thursday.

Deejay Mr. Lexx

It wasn’t merely how he made his records, but his plans for revolutionizing how Jamaican artists represented themselves on stage. Being a fan of music, and further exposed to the stagecraft of mainstream artists while living in the States, Mr. Lexx was inspired to bring grandiose visuals and props to his sets.

Observing peers Busta Rhymes and Diddy, he felt, “A deh so my music fi deh dawg. So, when me buss and had the opportunity to do that, that’s what I was doing. Go a Sumfest, blow up the stage, bagga thing. When mi a come a Sting, crane, the whole star thing.”

But he said music gatekeepers were displeased with his vision. 

“Pretty much, I was way ahead of my time… I wanted to expand our music,” he said. “I had the music in my (best) interest. Mi did waan deejay, yes, but it wasn’t really about me… I wanted to stand up and say, ‘Yes, we did this’…but you have some people, when time dem in control and when a particular thing is going one way for some people and they’re in control and they’re benefiting from the way it is going, if you come along now and want to change that thing, they’re gonna make you the villain and the majority a go mek you look like you wrong, all when yuh right.”

Mr. Lexx

Beyond his career, Mr. Lexx believes these big wigs – some artists – have contributed to the decrease of dancehall’s global competitiveness. 

“When we compare our music to the rest of the music, it doesn’t feel like it’s the biggest music on the planet because a lot of people who we have at the realm, at the top of the industry, don’t really have the dancehall industry in their best interest…” he argued.

“A lot of the artists that we push to the forefront of our industry, sadly, mi haffi say it…dem no have no vision fi dem music because one man vision fi dem music is 15 man behind him, three bottle of Hennessy pon the table, and fi him music a play di whole night. Next man, him nuh even have a vision, him just all over the place and just a do fi him owna thing and into him owna self… The moral of the story is, if you keep taking apples out of the basket, it ago done. Somebody haffi put apples back inna the basket.”

The deejay is currently in the US, hoping to score heavy collaborations. His latest releases include Hot Gyal, produced by Nanimus Music, and Brawlin, produced by AJP Music.  

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Jahshii Pickup Riddled With Bullets, Six Entourage Members Shot

The content originally appeared on: Dance Hall Mag

The St. Andrew Central police have confirmed that a pickup owned by Dancehall artist Jahshii was attacked by armed men on Friday morning. Six men, members of the 25/8 artist’s entourage, were shot and injured, but Jahshii emerged from the incident unscathed.

“At about 4:15 a.m, a pickup type vehicle with Jahshii and several of his friends and associates was exiting Marketplace on to Constant Spring road when men on bikes rode up and shot up the vehicle. Jahshii managed to elude his attackers and was not injured, but six persons were shot, none of the injuries are serious, and they were treated at hospital,” Head of the St Andrew Central Police Division, Senior Superintendent Marlon Nesbeth, told DancehallMag.

Eyewitness reports said that an off-duty police officer, well-known in entertainment circles, challenged the bike-riding men before they could do more damage. Jahshii was reportedly leaving his own birthday party, which was held at the Mecca nightclub in the Marketplace. He was in another car with the promoter, that’s why he was able to evade harm.

The shooting comes two days after Jahshii asserted his innocence in a new song Fire Alarm, released with visuals on Wednesday.

The song appears to address recent rumours about the singer’s alleged involvement in the murder of a man called “Romie” in the Grants Pen community in St. Andrew last month.

The song was released with emotional visuals that show the effect the rumor-mongering had on the artist’s family. Jahshii’s mother, Lorna Henry, makes an appearance in the introduction of the video to drive home the point.

“Why dem want hold down mi pickney? As mi say already, and mi ah go say it again, oonu go find Proverbs 12 and read 22 to 28,” Henry advised.

Jahshii maintains his innocence and advocates self-defence, saying he has no fear of any retaliation for his alleged role in the death of the businessman. He deejays: “Mi deh pan dah stage yah wid a weapon near mi weh nuh deh pan safety/Ah di whole place mi wi tek and shake it/Cah tek mi 3 points nuh Lebron James this/Dem affi go witness bless and greatness…”

The 25/8 artist is even more defiant on the chorus, advocating extreme measures of self-defence, where he warns: “A rather them than me cah kill mi suh easy/One up inna the mattic, mi nah itch fi squeeze i’/ ah rather them than me…ah rather them than me.”

He upbraided news media and social media bloggers on the single, declaring, “Mr. Newsman, get your facts right, and nuh bring your news wrong”.

He also shares his thoughts about his experiences and sings about being paranoid about the situation that the media speculation created.

In the second verse, Jahshii remains defiant, saying that, like David vs Goliath, he would be protecting himself at any cost going forward.

In June, the police had expressed an interest in speaking to the Born Fighter deejay as they believed that Jahshii could have information about the death of 45-year-old businessman Omar ‘Romie’ Wright.

Jahshii had surrendered himself to the police in the company of his attorneys, King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie and Richard Lynch. He was questioned and released by the cops about the June 7 murder.

His lawyer, Peter Champagnie, has consistently maintained his client’s innocence.

The police have yet to make an arrest in relation to Wright’s murder.

Reports are that Wright was killed on Shortwood Road about 10:40 p.m on June 7 by armed men. There are allegations that Jahshii’s mom, who operates a wholesale business in the area, had an altercation with Wright during which he threw water in her face.

It is rumored that Jashii, whose real name is Mluleki Tafari Clarke, then reportedly argued with Wright about the incident. Wright was gunned down hours later by persons unknown.

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Boom Dandimite To Be Buried Today

The content originally appeared on: Dance Hall Mag

Former Scare Dem crew member Boom Dandimite, known for songs like Many Many and Pure Gal, will be buried this morning after a thanksgiving service at the Penwood Road Seventh Day Adventist church.

The artist’s body will be interred at Meadowrest Memorial Gardens. 

“The body will leave from Brite Lite (funeral home) to Penwood Road church for the funeral at 11. After that buses will be available at Seaview to take people to Meadowrest, his final resting place,” Christine Grant, a member of the family, told DancehallMag.

Tommy Thompson, funeral director of Brite Lite Funeral Services, said that the Bounty Killer, Richie Stephens and Harry Toddler are all expected to perform during the Thanksgiving service.

“The casket, the decorations, everything is going to be top notch,” Thompson said.

Boom Dandimite died due to complications arising from serious injuries he had sustained in a tragic car accident in late April. 

The accident occurred on Half Way Tree road near a popular bakery. Another rising deejay, Wilful Skilful, was also injured in the accident. Dandimite was hospitalised while Wilful Skilful was discharged and sent home. Days later, Boom Dandimite, whose real name is Donovan Stewart, later recovered and was discharged from the Kingston Public Hospital.He died on May 21 after he had travelled to the United States to access treatment for his injuries.   

Boom Dandimite, along with his friends Nitty Kutchie, Harry Toddler and Elephant Man formed the Scare Dem Crew back in the 1990s. The crew was closely aligned to Bounty Killer, who would take them on tours to ensure they gained exposure.They scored hits with songs such as Pure Gal and Many Many.

He was also slated to perform on Reggae Sumfest on July 21 as a part of the Boombox 90’s Badness along with the likes of General B, Harry Toddler, Jigsy King, Mega Banton, Nitty Kutchie, Silver Cat, and Tony Curtis.

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Babsy Grange To Valiant: “You Have An Awesome Responsibility”

The content originally appeared on: Dance Hall Mag

As suggested by her boss, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and former Cabinet Member Karl Samuda, Entertainment Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange appears to have been using “gentle persuasion” and her “charm and skills” in an attempt to steer her “nephew” Valiant away from recording unwholesome songs.

Grange shared a video of her address at Valiant’s 4X14 Mix Tape launch a few days ago, where she expressed how proud she was of the Red Hills native and urged the Dunce Cheque singer to always remind himself that he has an “awesome responsibility.”

Grange, who is a former manager of Patra, Shabba Ranks and Bounty Killer, noted that she hailed from “West Kingston above Coronation Market, and so I have been exposed to the good, the bad, and the ugly.” The Minister, during her seven-minute presentation, told Valiant that in spite of some of his bellicose musical content, he had made her proud, particularly due to his most recent act of benevolence.

“I have always felt that you must stay at work with your people and help to change attitudes and help to make them better.  And so, I have seen many poor youths rise to the top to the point where they can turn around and help others.  But I am so proud of Valiant, because there was this student who could not pay the school fee and Valiant stood up and said he would do it,” Grange explained.

“And not many others would do that: so you make some money, you buy some nice car, buy some nice sneakers; yuh spend yuh money on all kinda things and you forget where you coming from,” she added.

What Grange said next resulted in an outburst of laughter from those in attendance.

“So tonight, I want to say that Valiant is a special human being.  Yes, his music is controversial; yes, some of it, I can’t handle.  Yes, some of it, my colleagues don’t like it,” she declared, alluding to Information Minister Robert Morgan’s decrying of Dunce Cheque last year.

“You know what’s interesting?  I have a five year old great-granddaughter, She’s now in England.  Her birthday was a week ago.  And you know the message I had from her?  She wants a big up from Valiant,” Grange, 77, said. 

The former Specs/Shang executive also made references to Valiant’s recent declaration that he had “gone corporate” and therefore had no need to do raunchy or risqué songs.

“So Valiant, you have an awesome responsibility.  You say you gone corporate, right?  So now that you gone corporate, I expect that your music will display the kind of awesome responsibility that you have.  There are a lot of things happening in the society that is not good for us. Your fans and your audience and everybody here tonight, also equally, have the responsibility that you have,” the Central St. Catherine MP said.

Turning to Valiant again, she said: “Valiant come here. Come to Auntie Babsy.   I am proud of you.  I think you have an awesome responsibility and I think you recognise that.   And as you grow, you grow to greatness.  And as you grow, and you become great.  Greatness must also involve goodness.   I know you know what I’m saying.  And I know you know what I’m talking about.   Everybody in here love you. And the world love you.  And you have a great future,” she stated.

Grange said that Jamaica, having given the world, Reggae, Dancehall, the world’s fastest men and women, best coffee, a new religion in Rastafari, its nationals ought to recognise that “we are not an ordinary likkle country”. 

“This society is a society weh kinda love badness and things weh kinda risqué but the more that we penetrate the world is the more we have to understand the responsibility that we have,” she emphasized. 

Valiant’s EP launch she said, was a must-attend for her, despite any criticisms which may arise of her presence at his event.   

“I had to be here tonight, and there may be some who may criticise the fact that I am here.  But I am here for everybody.   I love my people and I will never, ever forsake them.  But I will guide you,” she said.

“Where I am standing here tonight is not new to me.   It’s just a new generation.  And as music evolves and the music grows, it’s not gonna be the same,” she added.

In November last year, during her address at the launch of Sting 2022, Grange had cautioned upcoming Dancehall artists to refrain from singing about content such as scamming and violence and instead be “positive” and “respectful of women”.

“I don’t want to hear you continue to sing about scamming, those of you who are doing so.  And I don’t want you to sing about violence,” she had said.

“I want you to promote the positive things about Jamaica and about ‘livity’. Because if you don’t, you won’t last as long as the Bounty Killers, and the Shabba Ranks and the Beenie Man…  So you young artistes, you are talented but, I want you to respect the music and to carry on the positive vibes and the positive tradition of those who paved the way for you,” she had added.

In March this year, then Social Security Minister Karl Samuda, during a sitting of the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament, had charged Grange, to use her “charm and skills” to encourage Jamaican music newbies to step up their lyrical game, as uninspiring and mediocre content being recorded by many of them, was causing them to miss out on millions.

Samuda, while implying that there was monotony in the lyrical content that he had been hearing in recent times, had said that he knew the artistes are competent lyricists who should be encouraged to display their musical mettle.  He also asked Grange to encourage the youngsters to be “philosophical with their lyrics” as “the ones that are most successful are the ones with a philosophical base and a message”.

Early last year, Prime Minister Andrew Holness had told journalists that while he was aware of the many concerns being raised about the unsavory lyrics in much of the new music, his administration would maintain its hands-off approach, and not censor Dancehall artistes or their lyrical content, even if depraved or degenerate, but would instead, continue to utilize gentle persuasion.

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First Trailer For ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ Unveiled: Watch

The content originally appeared on: Dance Hall Mag

The first trailer for Paramount Pictures’ highly anticipated Bob Marley biopic, Bob Marley: One Love, has been released.

The film, which stars British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley and Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley, is expected to make its theatrical debut on Friday, January 12, 2024.

The trailer serves up an enchanting preview of the biopic, which has been, according to producer Ziggy Marley, “four or five years in the making”. It opens with an aerial shot of a massive crowd clamoring for the Reggae legend, before an instantaneous pan takes the viewer to a much calmer scene backstage with I-Threes member Rita and The Wailers.

“How yuh waan’ start it?” Bob is asked by a bandmate, to which Ben-Adir offers up a convincingly mellow, easy-going Marley-esque response: “From di beginning.” The trailer then cascades into waves of highlights from Bob Marley’s life, showcasing pivotal moments in his legendary career.

Director Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard) confirmed that the film will primarily cover the periods 1976 to 1978, which will include the infamous attempted assassination of Bob Marley and wife Rita, the making of his iconic Exodus album, and his eventual return to Jamaica for the historic One Love Peace Concert.

Marcus Green reasoned that: “You really need to understand that period of time to understand Bob the man, and what he was going through spiritually and emotionally as a father, as a husband, and as a musician.”

He continued: “From the very beginning, we were not interested in doing sort of a cradle-to-grave story. We didn’t feel like we needed to do that, to capture the essence of what Bob was going through at that time. This is a very rich period of Bob’s life in terms of his maturation process, of his becoming a man, of his leaving a legacy to the world. And I think it’s important to know that particular period of time.”

Ziggy, who is joined by his sister Cedella Marley and mother, Rita Marley, as producers on the film, shares that distinction with co-producers Brad Pitt, Robert Teitel, Jeremy Kleiner and Dede Gardner.

The film will be executive-produced Orly Marley, Richard Hewitt and Matt Solodky.

Kingsley Ben-Adir in character as the late Reggae legend Bob Marley, while filming the ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ biopic in London, England, earlier this year.

According to Ziggy, this latest attempt to capture the life and legend of his father has been a deliberate and long-running process.

He explained to Shadow and Act that, “… Since I was a little boy, I think many have been trying to make this movie.” 

He added that since the biopic’s inception, they have been working with Paramount Pictures to ensure the best representation possible. “We’ve been on it from the beginning of the discussion with Paramount [Pictures] to find great writers and stuff like that,” he explained.

While concerns about authenticity flooded the film’s production since it was announced that Ben-Adir would be playing the Jamaican icon, Ziggy moved to vouch for the British actor, telling the online publication that Ben-Adir “did a great job.”

“He was very adamant about being emotionally aware of what Bob was going through,” Ziggy explained of the One Night In Miami actor. “We know that we can never replace Bob, so don’t expect that.” 

He further added that Ben-Adir tapped deeply into the spirit and essence of his father. “There’s an emotional thing that Bob was going through that Kingsley wa able to capture and understand for himself even help us to go into the direction that he wanted to go. He was adamant about creating not just the superficial Bob Marley, but a deeper emotional Bob Marley for the people to experience in this film.”

It was also revealed by director Marcus Green that Ben-Adir lost weight for the role, learned to play the guitar, learned to sing, and learned the Jamaican dialect. “We were looking for the best actor for the role, and we found that in Kingsley Ben-Adir from his very first audition tape–and we went through several hundred. It was a lot. We scoured every island in the Caribbean that we could. And when I saw that tape, I know Ziggy and I, we looked at each other and were like, ‘The foundation is there.’ He just had he had the ability to tap into the essence.”

As for the show’s other central figure, Rita Marley, Lashana Lynch has apparently pulled out all the stops to deliver a most convincing portrayal, so much so that Ziggy has described her performance as “powerful”.

The movie was filmed in the UK and in Jamaica, and is reported to have a predominantly Jamaican cast working behind the scenes and on camera.

Watch the trailer above.

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Tuff Gong Shares Cover Art And Release Date For New Bob Marley Album

The content originally appeared on: Dance Hall Mag

Tuff Gong International has announced a new Bob Marley Reggae/Afrobeats fusion album titled Africa Unite, set for release on August 4, with several collaborations featuring popular Nigerian artists.

In a release, the Kingston-based label, which Bob Marley founded in 1965, described the 10-track production as “a majestic, posthumous album celebrating the vibrant fusion of Reggae and Afrobeats.”

Bob Marley and the Wailers – Africa Unite

The new Africa Unite production is named after the sixth track from Marley’s 1979 Survival album, which contained other tracks such as Ambush in The Night, Wake Up and Live, Zimbabwe, and Ride Natty Ride.

“Africa Unite is an extraordinary album that pays homage to the Reggae icon’s greatest hits, beautifully reimagined and infused with the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats,” a Tuff Gong release said.

The label also notes that each of these artists “bring their unique flair and artistry, paying tribute to Bob Marley’s enduring influence while adding their refreshing voices to his iconic compositions.”

“Bob Marley’s impact on Reggae and Afrobeats music culture is immeasurable. His ageless music transcends borders and generations. This project is no different; it invites listeners on an enchanting musical journey. From the heartwarming rendition of “Waiting In Vain” to the uplifting energy of “Stir It Up,” the album showcases the seamless fusion of two extraordinary musical worlds,” the release noted.

On Friday, Tuff Gong also announced the release of the lead single, Three Little Birds and an accompanying video, featuring Teni and Oxlade.  The track is a repurposed version of Marley’s Three Little Birds from the Gong’s 1977 album Exodus, and, according to Tuff Gong, “truly emulates the original with an afro-fusion kick.”

“With Africa Unite, Bob Marley’s influence continues to resonate, bridging the gap between the past and present. The album not only showcases the global reach of Bob Marley’s music but also celebrates the rich tapestry of African rhythms and melodies. By intertwining reggae’s soulful vibrations with the infectious energy of Afrobeats, Africa Unite embodies the unity and spirit of collaboration, mirroring the late artist’s vision of a harmonious world,” Tuff Gong noted.

Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella Marley, in reflecting on the significance of the album, is quoted as saying that Africa Unite showcases the importance of Bob Marley in modern-day Africa, as the singers who are featured “have reimagined Bob Marley’s classics in a way we know he would have loved and been proud of.”

“The release of Africa Unite will undoubtedly captivate Bob Marley’s loyal fanbase and attract new listeners seeking to experience the magic of his music in a fresh and vibrant way,” Tuff Gong said.

As for Tuff Gong itself, the studio, which is located on Marcus Garvey Drive, in Kingston, was at one point in time, the location of the popular Federal Records, but was acquired by the Marley estate after Bob’s death.

History surrounding the property is that at one stage of Bob’s career, he was refused entry one particular day following a confrontation, “even when Johnny Nash wanted him to record.”   Marley then and there had vowed that one day he would own the property.

The property was put up for sale in 1982 and was purchased by Bob’s widow Rita Marley who named it Tuff Gong.   Tuff Gong, at that time, specialised in vinyl manufacturing, and also comprised a record shop, a mastering room and a recording studio.

Today, Tuff Gong comprises a recording studio, mastering room, stamper room, pressing plant, cassette plant, wholesale record shop, booking agency, as well as offices for Rita Marley Music and Ghetto Youths International the record label founded by Bob’s son Stephen Marley and his younger brothers Julian and Damian.

Tuff Gong International is one of the Caribbean’s largest studios.  It features the second-largest live recording space in Jamaica.  Over the decades scores of artistes, musicians, producers and tourists traveling from far reaches of the earth to visit the facility.   Jamaican artistes such as Capleton, Sly and Robbie, Shaggy, Bounty Killer, Lady Saw, Jimmy Cliff and Beenie Man have recorded at Tuff Gong, as have foreigners such as Sinead O’Connor, Snoop Dogg and Lauryn Hill.

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Buju Banton Talks New Album ‘Born For Greatness’

The content originally appeared on: Dance Hall Mag

Reggae and Dancehall star Buju Banton is preparing to release his 12th studio album – Born For Greatness.

His last album came three years ago in the form of the intuitively named Upside Down 2020, which summed up Banton’s perception of the world at that tumultuous juncture. Born For Greatness seems to have followed that example, reflecting the star’s confidence and prevailing mindset in light of the times.

Describing the project as a musical documentation of his experiences, Banton told Reggaeville that taking a ‘personal approach’ to music has always been his not-so-secret ingredient to connect with his audiences.

“That is what music is. If you have no personal stories, it’s going to be fictitious and bubble gum music. I don’t make bubble gum music. All of my music is personal. Not An Easy Road, personal. Buried Alive, personal. I Rise, personal. Innocent, personal.”

He shared that the 17-track album was crafted over “various periods” because “music is something that flows.”

Among those featured on the album are Stephen Marley (on Feel A Way), Snoop Dogg (on High Life), DJ Khaled (on We Find A Way), and Victoria Monét on the album’s sixth track, Body Touching Body.

Banton said he was “moved” to have Monét on his album after the American singer approached him on Instagram for her Dancehall-infused R&B track Party Girls, released in May.

“Victoria Monét reached out to me via Instagram and I responded to her,” Banton said. “I didn’t know who she was or anything like that but I said to her ‘Send me your track.’ I took a listen and she was elated… we did a little fixing up here and there, and we sent it back to her and she was happy with what we did. And I said to her ‘Ok, well send me something from you for myself, for my record’, and she sent that and we did the same thing… It was total chemistry.”

He summarized that the collaboration was “something the universe wanted and when I’m moved to do something, I act. As simple as that.”

“I’m never that reachable,” he added, “but this [the collaboration with Monét] is something that the universe put together and I never question it.”

Victoria Monét, Buju Banton

Banton, who turns 50 on July 15, said he continues to find joy in music and knows, most importantly, when it’ll be time to walk away.

“I’m excited whenever I enter the studio and go around a microphone,” he said. “The very thought of making music has always been a thrill and when that spirit leaves me, then I know it’s time for me to step away from it.”

Much has changed for the Reggae icon, who first recorded music on August 18, 1986, at Robert French’s Penthouse Records on 56 Slipe Pen Road. He was only 16 years old then. Now on the cusp of 50, he took some time to reflect on that journey.

“It’s a turning point again musically or me because I’m here and I’m seeing the direction the music is going,” he shared. “I’m seeing what’s happening in the global community geopolitically, as well as how the music from various other enclaves has somehow put ours aside. Now, it’s not any fault of those music why ours is not on the forefront like it should be. It’s more so a fault of ours because our production somehow stepped back from what it ought to be.”

“So, this record you have and you listen to, that’s what I was trying to convey to bring back those Reggae music lovers and to attract new adherence to the culture because it’s necessary,” he added.

Banton’s Upside Down 2020 peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and later became his sixth album to be nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.

He has one win for Best Reggae Album with Before the Dawn in 2010.

His other nominations were for Rasta Got Soul in 2009; Too Bad in 2006; Friends for Life in 2003, and Inna Heights in 1998.

Banton’s first album ever was Stamina Daddy, which was released in 1992. This was followed by Mr. Mention, which was also released that same year. 

The highly-acclaimed Til Shiloh, which is regarded as Buju’s best album yet, has spent 104 weeks on the Billboard Reggae chart, where it peaked at No. 2 in 1995.

It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), on its 25th anniversary, on July 18, 2020.

His other studio albums were Voice of Jamaica in 1993; and Unchained Spirit in 2000.

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Dexta Daps Thanks Davido After They Shared The Stage In Washington DC

The content originally appeared on: Dance Hall Mag

Nigerian singer Davido launched his North American summer ‘Timeless Tour’ in Washington, DC on Saturday (July 1) and brought Dexta Daps on stage for a special guest appearance.

The Jamaican singer shared the stage with Davido, performing their single BOP in front of 21,000 concertgoers at the Capital One Arena. The Fall singer then exited the stage to give Dexta the spotlight as he performed his songs, Shabba Modda Pot and Call Me If.

An elated Daps took to social media on Monday to thank the Afrobeats superstar for including him in the concert and for repping Jamaica.  “ X A Force Not To Recon With …@Davido. Big respeks again brother for the energy u give Jamaica continuously… We appreciate n love you… King,” Dexta wrote.

The Leader singer also posted several photos of the two sharing a friendly exchange backstage.

In another Instagram post, Daps shared that he was so excited to join Davido on stage that he ran out on the wrong part of the song.

Back in May, Davido dished on his unlikely friendship with Dexta Daps, revealing to host Esi on KISS Fresh in the UK that Dancehall artist, that Popcaan had introduced them months before they would go on to make music together.

Currently, Dexta, whose real name is Louis Grandison, is on his ongoing ‘Trilogy Tour’, which will continue in several U.S. states this summer for July and August.

The 37-year-old singer will kick start his performances in Hartford, Connecticut, on July 16, before heading to Washington, DC (July 21), Richmond, VA (July 22), Brooklyn, NY (July 29), and Miami, FL (August 26). From there, Dexta will bring his tour home to Jamaica in December, with dates [to be announced] for Kingston, Ocho Rios, and Negril.

As for Davido, he will continue the celebration of his ‘Timeless Tour’ over the next two weeks. More stops will roll out in arenas in Houston (July 7), Chicago (July 8), and Boston (July 13) before concluding in Toronto (July 15).

In March, Davido released his 17-track album, Timeless, with special guest appearances from Dexta Daps, alongside Asake, Logos Olori, Skepta, Morravey, and more.

Daps earned his first entry on the Billboard US Afrobeats Song Chart at No. 22 for his collaboration with Davido on the single BOP. The project, the African singer’s 4th studio album, marked his highest charting album to date, peaking at No. 37 on the Billboard 200, and No. 10 on the U.K. Albums Chart.

“Timeless is a body of work that goes beyond fashion and trends,” he said about the album to Revolt. “It’s an authentic body of work that remains true to my core as an artist, which is using my music to bring joy to my fans across the world. The songs you hear today will be just as relevant tomorrow. That’s why it’s timeless,” he added.

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Shenseea Defends Portrayal Of Same-Sex Relationships In Her Music

The content originally appeared on: Dance Hall Mag

Shenseea has fired back at critics who disapprove of her representation of same-sex relationships in her music and music videos.

Speaking with Angela Yee on the Way Up With Angela Yee podcast, the Jamaican singer championed personal liberation and said that expressing herself, as she did in her song Curious, should not be a big deal.

“Are we still even speaking on this? And that’s why I don’t feel the need to even address anything because, like, hello? Just stop! Let it go,” she retorted. 

“It’s getting so annoying now. The weirdest thing is that it’s not even my first time doing this. I did it in Blessed. That’s when everybody was shocked. So, now it’s just like, come on—you know this ain’t nothing new and I do represent for women, period. I love women. I love men, I love women… I just like to represent for people who can be themselves and be free like be yourself. Do anything you wanna do. That’s what I represent,” the singer added.

Curious, released on April 13 and produced by London on Da Track, Fred Ball, and Jamaicans BEAM and Dunw3ll, hints at Shenseea’s desire to have sexual rendezvous with women.

The risqué music video has since attracted nearly 5 million views on YouTube.

The Rebel singer also responded to those criticizing her stated desire to be an “international Pop singer.”

Undeterred, Shenseea advised them to be more open-minded, especially since her upcoming sophomore album—nearly 90 percent complete—promises more of that sound.

“My dream is to be a singer. Like, yes I can write good, and I can rap and I can freestyle; but my dream is to sing. I think it’s really unfair because you can’t judge me if you haven’t heard what I’m about to do,” she said.

“Say for instance, I didn’t expect to do Dancehall this good, but I did it though. So, how are you gonna even think to doubt me without seeing what I can actually do. I did Dancehall great. Yeah, I love Dancehall, but, this is also something that I love over here. You can’t judge and you haven’t even heard it yet…you probably even love it more than anything I’ve ever done—more than my first album,” Shenseea added, revealing that Curious will be part of her second studio project. 

Her debut album Alpha, released in March 2022, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, with the highest first-week sales for Reggae/Dancehall albums since Popcaan’s FIXTAPE in 2020.

It was 2022’s second highest-selling album by a Jamaican artist, registering 63,000 units in combined sales and streams in the United States, according to data provided to DancehallMag from Billboard’s sales tracker Luminate.

During the sitdown with Yee, Shenseea said that she and her team have been adopting a more intentional and calculated approach to guide her career.

“We gotta be real strategic about where we wanna be and the image…how we want me to look when I’m on stage. My team and I, we weren’t doing no tour managers or nothing like that. We were just like really street. We weren’t working with a band, no screen behind us,” she said.

“Now, it’s really about strategy and less is more now. So, I would do even a one show for the month or two months when it counts and we’re not used to that but I can definitely see why we had to do that and just with my releases too. I was releasing songs every three months. Now? It took me two years and y’all just getting two solid singles from me. I’m definitely not used to that either and I think that plays a lot of my mental because I’ve been so used to chopping songs like this, and now I have to be slowing it down so it can reach a broader audience.”

When quizzed about how she, as well as long-time co-manager Romeich Major, have adjusted to the changes and her extended team, Shenseea they’re now more comfortable.

“Before, I was very impatient… we’re both adjusting to the new team. So, it’s like taking somebody off drugs. For now, I’m more comfortable with what they’re doing because I can see that it’s actually paying off. Now, I definitely trust them more on certain decisions.”

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Minister Marion Hall Hails “Respectful, Real And Loving” Lady G

The content originally appeared on: Dance Hall Mag

Minister Marion Hall has professed her sisterly love for her Dancehall compatriot Lady G, describing the Breeze Off artist as loving, respectful, and real.

A few days ago, Hall, formerly Lady Saw, shared a photo of herself and Lady G following her performance at Groovin in the Park in Queens, New York, and hailed her as a legend.

“My sister, the legendary Lady G, came to support me, at groovin in the park yesterday. When we hugged, we both had tears in our eyes. We didn’t need words to express what we were feeling. I love you my sister,” she captioned the post.

Hall had also heaped accolades onto Lady G during a post-performance interview with Onstage’s Winford Williams.

“I just saw Lady G a while ago and when we hugged each other, the tears just started falling from both of us eyes, without words.  We have this love and respect; mutual love and respect for each other because we know how to love,” she recounted to Williams.

“It is good to know that real people are still in music that understand love and respect for each other,” Hall added about the Spanish Town native.

This is not the first time Lady G has been venerated by her peers for being welcoming and all-embracing.

In September last year, Queen of the Pack Patra praised the Nuff Respect artist for treating her with “so much love and respect” when she was a teenage newcomer in the music industry.

Also, in January 2022, singjay Tanya Stephens, in confessing that she had joined forces with Lady Saw in 1999 to disparage Lady G lyrically, expressed remorse at her own actions while declaring that the Round Table Talk artist, given name Janice Fyffe, was the “sweetest and nicest” artist in the Dancehall space.

The confession had come after an online squabble where Spice also owned up to her role as a confederate of the Heels On singer to rival Tanya herself, and allegations made by Macka Diamond that Spice and Lady Saw had conspired to derail her career.

Stephens had said she had plotted with Lady Saw to form an alliance to tear down Lady G.

“When me jus a come inna the business the demon used to complain bout Lady G. Anyone who knows G knows she is the sweetest of all the artists. Nicer than any other artist I know including myself. After G the demon moved on to me. Then came a host of others…,” the Rebelution artist had written.

She had also made references to the Bruk Dem Up gun song that she had co-written and co-produced targeting Lady G, which she recorded as a duet with Lady Saw, this after the Heels On artist begged her to do so.

The song Bruk Dem Up, released on the Insomnia label in 1999, appears to have been a counteraction to Lady G’s song Rock Back, released on the Exterminator Label in 1994, which took aim at artists who were corrupting Dancehall with “dem slackness an dem bag a gun talk” as well as “preaching false doctrines”.

Buck Dem Up had lyrics promising “another wicked Jamaican murder”, since both Saw and Stephens were, among other things, shottas fully-armed with Glocks, Berettas and Mack pistols.

“Den Saw, Nuh di careless bum dat, shi nuh drap out already? Who tell har fi tun back?” Stephen said in one verse, while Lady Saw stated that “wi a guh gun dem out and den wi bun dem out”, as among other things her rival “look like yuh want a obit inna di Gleaner”.

Nevertheless, Lady G, who has had a knack for helping her musical sisters elevate, has had a good relationship with Lady Saw over the years. 

In 2004, she co-opted Lady Saw onto her Flava riddim, where she recorded the track Video Light on her G-String label.  The two later teamed up with Macka Diamond for a video medley that featured Lady G’s Enough, Macka’s Woman Wi Name and Saw’s Video Light, with Captain Barkey as the cheating love interest.

Lady G’s breakout hit was Nuff Respect, produced by Gussie Clarke in 1988.   Along with her Spanish Town compatriot Papa San, she also recorded two other Dancehall classics, Legal Rights and Round Table Talk.

She became a part of Danny Browne’s Main Street label in 1994, and later recorded the hit single Breeze Off on the legendary Filthy riddim, the same beat which resulted in Mr. Vegas’ international hit Heads High and General Degree’s Traffic Blocking.

Lady G’s other hits include PerformMoschino and Versace, The Gun, and Provide the Wine.

She won the Female DJ Of the Year award in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, and 1998.   In February 2020, she was also recognised by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) with an ‘Iconic Artiste in the Music Industry’ award.

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