Black Immigrant Daily News

Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor is suing VP Records once again, this time for what he alleges is the company’s “blatant and purposeful” copyright infringement on seven songs, including tracks voiced by American singers Musiq Soulchild and Syleena Johnson and Jamaican artists Beres Hammond, Gyptian, Jah Cure, Duane Stephenson, and Elephant Man.

The Florida-based Jamaican producer, 42, who is representing himself in the action, is demanding a bench trial and over US$10 million in damages, profits, costs, and interest, according to court records obtained by DancehallMag.

The lawsuit was filed in a U.S. District Court in Florida last month by McGregor, Stephan Warren, and Rogier Sjardijn.

Also named as Defendants are VP’s publishing subsidiaries STB Music Inc. and Greensleeves Publishing and its executives Chris Chin, Randy Chin, and Patricia Chin.  

On Tuesday (March 21), McGregor and a representative for VP both declined DancehallMag’s requests for comment on the matter. 

In the complaint, the producer alleged that STB Music Inc had “fraudulently registered” Musiq Soulchild and Syleena Johnson’s Feel The Fire on his behalf and then claimed 50% of the composition.  According to the producer, Feel The Fire is controlled and owned by himself, Stephan Warren, Pop Reggae Publishing/McWarren Music Publishing, and Rogier Sjardijn.  

The song was the lead single on Soulchild and Johnson’s joint Reggae-Soul album 9ine, which was produced by McGregor in 2013.  Soulchild is known for songs such as Love, Halfcrazy, and Dontchange, while Syleena, who has released eight studio albums, is best known for All Falls Down with Kanye West. 

McGregor has also alleged that STB and Greensleeves Publishing have been claiming rights to exploit the following songs: Beres Hammond’s I Surrender Acoustic, Duane Stephenson and Gyptian’s Herbs Man, Elephant Man’s Wine It For Me, Gyptian’s Beauty and Let’s Have Some Fun, and Jah Cure and Gyptian’s More Thanks For Life.

According to him, these six songs are also controlled by himself and the co-plaintiffs, who neither assigned nor granted VP any right to exploit the compositions. 

McGregor said he had informed VP of their alleged infringement and continued collection of royalties on the songs, but, according to him, the company “wilfully” ignored his complaints.

“Defendants’ conduct is causing, and unless immediately enjoined will continue to case, enormous and irreparable harm to Plaintiff.  Defendants may not continue to exploit Plaintiff’s musical compositions without authorisation in order to collect profits from the performance revenues of said compositions to the public.  Defendants’ conduct must be immediately stopped and Plaintiffs must be compensated for Defendants’ wilful acts of infringement,” McGregor wrote in the complaint.

“Because VP Records and STB have wilfully infringed, and committed fraud, against the Plaintiffs’ copyrights, and have cost the Plaintiffs both financial and business-opportunity losses, the Plaintiffs seek $10 million in damages,” he continued.

The lawsuit marks the third legal dispute between McGregor and VP Records.

According to McGregor’s filing last month, it follows two settlement agreements, in 2014 and 2018, in which the companies paid McGregor more than US$450,000.

He noted that Soulchild and Johnson’s Feel The Fire was not subject to the two settlement agreements. 

Contrary to popular belief, McGregor is not related to Reggae legend Freddie McGregor. 

He is, however, one of Jamaica’s most prolific producers, having worked with Freddie, Etana, Nesbeth, Queen Ifrica, Richie Spice Lutan Fyah, Gramps Morgan, Richie Stephens, Marcia Griffiths, Glen Washington, Cocoa Tea, I-Wayne, Capleton, Sizzla, and Beenie Man, among many others.

Some of his biggest songs include Etana’s I Am Not Afraid, Gramps Morgan’s One In A Million, Queen Ifrica’s Daddy, Gyptian’s Mama Don’t Cry, and Richie Spice’s Gideon Boot and Di Plane Land.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Harvel ‘Gadafi’ Hart eagerly awaits the day he returns to Jamaica to see the completed mausoleum for his friend, and business partner, Merciless, who was laid to rest in September last year.

According to Hart, Merciless’ family purchased a 16-acre property on which they built the mausoleum to house the deejay’s body.

“I am going to sit and have a drink with Leonard and have a drink with him. I am going to have it in the spirit,” he said.

Hart, who managed Merciless’s career for over two decades, revealed that the mausoleum cost over $3 million to design and construct. “Is pure marble inside it,” he added.

MERCILESS’ MAUSOLEUM

Hart said the family had invested over $6 million to buy the property in Four Paths, Clarendon.

“We plan to keep an annual memorial stage show for Merciless at this venue. The family is putting in concrete fencing around the venue to create a show ground where the annual memorial will be held,” he explained.

He said the pricey mausoleum is part of a larger legacy project to honour the memory of the Ole Gallis artist by creating an entertainment venue where the deejay’s loyal fanbase can visit his final resting place and regale his achievements and his successes.

Mourners carry the casket bearing the remains of Leonard ‘Merciless Bartley’ to its final resting place.

“The family has a plan to build bars and a stage area on the land, is 16 acres in all. Merciless had his savings with Mama Eckle. Merciless never got the energy from the industry, but in death, he was saving to make a statement, and his legacy will be there for other artists to see,” Hart said.

Merciless, whose real name was Leonard Bartley, was found unresponsive in a motel in Kingston on July 19 and later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Merciless, who hailed from Chapleton in Clarendon, exploded onto the Dancehall scene in 1994 with his hit song Len out Mi Mercy, which was initially voiced as a dubplate.

Stone Love boss Winston “Wee Pow” Powell, upon hearing Merciless deejay for the first time, immediately declared him a star, changed the Mavis artist’s moniker from Sugar Demus changed to Merciless.   At the time, Wee Pow and Bounty Killer were not on good terms, and so Merciless having a similar voice to Bounty, was seen as a plus for the Stone Love boss.

Len out Mi Mercy was a massive hit in Jamaica and it started Merciless’ prolific streak as songwriter and deejay.  The Clarendon native followed up with a string of other hits including Mavis, Ole Gallis, Whaddup, Mama Cookin, Gizzada, Let Dem Have It, and God Alone with Little Hero and Action Fire.

Merciless also collaborated with Lady Saw for Baby Mother and Long Till It Bend.

He recorded three albums, including Mr. Merciless in 1994 and Len’ Out Mi Mercy in 1995.

In the late 1990s and 2000s, he engaged in several high-profile lyrical battles with fellow deejays Beenie Man, Ninjaman and Bounty Killer.

His most legendary clash occurred at Sting 2000 when he emerged victorious against Ninjaman, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man, who tried to ambush him in a lyrical face-off at the Jamworld Entertainment Complex in Portmore, St. Catherine.

A controversial mural—depicting the Sting 2000 victory against the trio—was painted onto a wall at Merciless’ gravesite and was cited by Bounty Killer as one reason he did not attend the deejay’s funeral.

The family later removed the mural, which they said was the painter’s idea.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Jamaican singer Shenseea and American singer and actress Chloe Bailey are the first two “dynamic, badass women” featured in Ebony Magazine’s ‘Women Who Rule Break’ series, in celebration of Women’s History Month.

The 26-year-old single mom, from modest beginnings, shared how she carved out her own lane by breaking the rules and pursuing her passion.

“Being a barrier breaker means … going against all the odds, going against everybody who tries to put me in a box,” she told EBONY. “Just following my own spirit and my own voice and just listening to myself and doing what I want …as a rebel,” she continued.

The Blessed singer explained that for her, being a “rebel” means blocking out others’ expectations and living her true purpose in life.

“Sometimes (being a rebel) doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing, it’s just about living and going through with your purpose, and your life. You can’t follow other people’s lives and hopes of what they have for you, you have to follow yourself because it’s your life,” she said.  Adding, “At the end of the day you’re either gonna be happy or you’re gonna be miserable. I always choose happiness so I do whatever I want.”

While chasing her dreams of a career in music was easy, she admitted that navigating the industry wasn’t.  “I would advise those who are facing the same obstacles as me to follow your own voice. If you feel like something is right within you then do it and move towards that,” she said.

After breaking into the international market with massive hits like Blessed featuring American rapper Tyga, Rebel, Sidechick Song, Foreplay, and Loodi with Vybz Kartel, to later scoring collabs with rapper Kanye West last year, plus a list of other musical accolades, the Jamaican singer is more focused than ever and has set her sights on achieving greatness.

“A very important lesson I’m learning now is to be patient… I recognize that (to achieve) greatness, you have to take your time because you need time to learn, you need time to grow, you need time to make mistakes. It’s all about being patient. That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned,” she said.

The Rebel singer is fresh off the heels of her Rolling Loud performance in California earlier this month.

After a few upcoming engagements, including an appearance at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York on March 18, Shen will take the stage at this year’s Coachella Music and Art Festival on April 15 and 22.

Watch Shenseea’s Ebony sit down here: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/UcUYLWob

More episodes of the ‘Women Who Rule Break’ series will be released throughout March.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Fast-rising Dancehall star Valiant took a moment during a recent performance to reflect on the time Popcaan “disrespected” him on stage almost four years ago.

The entertainer, who was the headliner at D’After Mas held at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus on Saturday, recalled how the Unruly Boss scolded him on stage at Bounty Killer‘s Inaugural ‘Trelawny Explosion Stage Show & Beach Party,’ in front of a large crowd in September 2019.

Popcaan had called Valiant on stage to perform one song and then asked the crowd whether they approved of his performance. When some in the crowd expressed disapproval, he told Valiant that he needed more training.

“Suh if unuh [Valiant] nuh ready fi go pon stage, doe ask Popcaan fi call unuh pon stage. Unuh nuh ready! Suh unuh betta gah training camp,” Popcaan said at the time.

Since then, the Speed Off singer has risen with a string of hit songs, and he couldn’t help but to bring up the incident that was etched in his memory as hundreds of fans endorsed him at Saturday’s party.

“Mi love eh whole a unuh. A far mi a fawud from enuh. Unuh nuh see di likkle video when di man run mi offa di stage…Not even applaud. Mi love unuh. From unuh rate mi seh ‘rububububup’,” the North Carolina deejay reflected. 

During his set, he also allowed two newcomers to perform their own songs, claiming that he was desrespected the last time another artist brought him on stage.

“Yuh see every time me a perform, me always try bring a artist pon eh stage cah nobody neva bring me pon stage. The last time dem bring me pon stage dem style me,” Valiant said while introducing one of the artists.

Valiant remained an Unruly Camp member for more than two years after the incident, releasing songs under Popcaan’s label such as Couple Million, Steady, Miss Your Body, Man Wah Rich, Better Than That, and Enjoy Yuh Life.

The Mannings Hill native rose to prominence last summer with a new management team of friends and producers dubbed 1Diplomats.

In January 2023, the 24-year-old was the No. 1 most streamed artist in Jamaica on YouTube, with nine out of ten songs on YouTube’s Music Charts for the island during that month. Valiant was also No. 1 in Guyana, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Vincent in January.

As for his performances, Valiant admitted last month that he still had work to do to make his stagecraft even remotely good as that of Beres Hammond after observing the Lovers Rock Reggae icon’s recent show in Antigua.

Beres’ performance was “flawless,” he told CVM at Sunrise.

“So me as a younger artist, me teck een dat fi know seh me need more work; work di stage.  Me check mi performance, wha mi need fi improve pan.   Master mi a master mi craft; mi know mi sound.”

Valiant, whose real name is Raheem Bowes, added that being prolific with recordings, unfettered by criticisms, and not becoming complacent was the key to his recent success.

“What meck me successful now is consistency and not getting comfortable, because everybaddy know dah one song yah.  It nuh get to mi, because as dem seh ‘dem love you today and hate you tomorrow’.  So yuh haffi always stay consistent, pray and just work.  Never stop recording; just work, work, work.  It a guh pay off,” he said.

Some Twitter users have sung his praises following the performance.

“Just saw a video of a valiant performance and i’m mad impressed with his set.  nuff male entertainer jus a run up and dung pon stage,” @nellazhane tweeted.

“That valiant performance was one for the ages,” @_playboidante said.

@MANERUSH added, “Valiant deserve him place inna dancehall, the youth talent and stage performance unmatched.”

Prior to his appearance at the UWI Mona, a concerned student who identified herself only as “Sarah” wrote to the Editor at The Gleaner opposing a performance on the campus on the basis that his songs “promote scamming, violence and drugs.”

The show, however, went on even as the parish experienced inclement weather on Saturday. 

His set was just over 20 minutes long, but the attendees were thrilled to hear him perform hits like Glock 40, Speed Off, Guzu Bunx & Fada Rock, Narcissistic (with Stalk Ashley), C.A.L, Dunce Cheque, and Barbies.

Stalk Ashley and Razor B also performed at the event.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Dancehall star Popcaan has officially announced his ‘Great Is He’ European tour, set to get underway in Salle Pleyel, Paris, on Saturday, May 6.

The tour will see Popcaan performing his latest album (after which the tour is named) and will make stops in Dublin, Glasgow, Bristol, Tilburg, Brussels, Zurich, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Madrid.

Those stops mean his fans in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany and France will get a chance to see the Unruly Boss at his best.

Popcaan’s Great Is He, which followed his 2020 album Fixtape, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. The 17-track project, Popcaan’s fifth entry on Billboard’s weekly Reggae Albums chart, picked up 3,200 units in sales and streaming during its first week of release in the US.

The album featured few heavy hitters to include OVO label boss Drake on We Caa Done and Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy on Aboboyaa.

Regardless of the numbers, the multiple times MOBO Award winner has never been one to shortchange his fans, and he seems just as excited about delivering for them on tour.

Popcaan posted the schedule to his Instagram page on Tuesday, March 14, with the caption: “Great is he Tour kicking off!! Rd time #GiHE #live jah jah god”, garnering feedback from a portion of his over three million fans.

Sat May 06 2023 – PARIS, SALLE PLEYEL (France)Mon May 08 2023 – DUBLIN, 3Olympia TheatreTue May 09 2023 – GLASGOW, O2 Academy GlasgowWed May 10 2023 – BRISTOL, O2 Academy BristolFri May 12 2023 – TILBURG, 013 Poppodium (Netherlands)Sat May 13 2023 – BRUSSELS, La Madeleine (Belgium)Tue May 16 2023 – ZURICH, Komplex 457 (Switzerland)Thu May 18 2023 – STOCKHOLM, Berns (Sweden)Sat May 20 2023 – OSLO, Sentrum Scene (Norway)Sun May 21 2023 – COPENHAGEN, Vega (Denmark)Tue May 23 2023 – BERLIN, Columbiahalle (Germany)Wed May 24 2023 – FRANKFURT, Zoom (Germany)Thu May 25 2023 – MADRID, La Riviera (Spain)

Comments ranged from excitement, confusion as to why the singer hadn’t announced a London stop, to those offering congratulations to the 34-year-old artist on the career-affirming move.

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