Nicola Lion Fish - Destination Unknown

Nicole did this one for the Haitian refugees who brave the sea, risk their lives all in the hope of seeking a better life and freedom...WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW.

Raggamuffin returns with reggae royalty

Another day, another festival announcement as the summer music season builds and builds.

This time it's reggae that is coming to our shores, with Ragamuffin 2010 bringing Wyclef Jean, Julian Marley, Shaggy and plenty more to Perth for a gig on January 25.

More than 60,000 fans have attended the festival over the past two years, with Australia's biggest reggae festival still going strong.

Headlining is Wyclef Jean, a Grammy Award-winning artist who has sold more than 30 million records and toured the world with hip hop act The Fugees and as a solo artist. He will be performing songs from his new album Music Theory.

Bob Marley's son Julian will be performing to celebrate the music and message of all the legendary family who have come before.

His soulful vocals, hypnotic beats and the roots-reggae sound combined with street energy hip-hop deliver a combination that is very much his own.

Shaggy returns, sure to bring his Oh Carolina hit, along with singalong sensations It Wasn’t Me and Angel from his album Hotshot.

Sean Kingston, Steel Pulse, Blue King Brown, Sly and Robbie, House of Shem and more round out the bill.

Tickets go on sale 9am Wednesday, October 28 through www.ticketmaster.com.au.

‘No Games’ - Anticipation builds for Serani’s

As anticipation builds for the October 27 release of Serani’s US debut album titled No Games after his crossover hit of the same name, the tracklist has now been released.

The 14-track set contains many new songs along with new versions of Mama Still Hungry, When it’s Cold and Romance Me, alongside the title track and current hit She Loves Me rounding out the album.

“We put a great emphasis on the quality of the production and sound on the album,” said Serani. “As a musician and producer myself, I’m very pleased with the sonic quality of the album and I am sure my fans will be just as pleased. You always hear people complaining that Jamaican artistes release albums that are basically compilations of songs that are already out there, so we wanted to do a lot of new material. Even the tracks that are known have been reworked and upgraded! Most of the album is for my ladies, but there is something on there for everyone.”

No Games will be available in stores and online Tuesday, October 27. The New York release party will be held the same night at SOBs Club in Manhattan, NY.

Buju Banton's Rasta Got Soul US Tour A Success / Reggae Bash 2009 Press Party

- Promoters Call It The Biggest Selling Reggae Tour Of The Year -


(New York, NY -- 12, October 2009) Gargamel Music, Inc. is pleased to report that over 15,000 fans have already witnessed the magic of Jamaican music icon, Buju Banton's Rasta Got Soul US Tour, which kicked off last month at the Trocadero Theater in Philadelphia. The buzz worthy Roots Reggae revue has since blazed through a string of successful shows in Maryland , Rhode Island , Connecticut , Maine , Massachusetts , New York , New Jersey , North Carolina , Virginia , Michigan and Ohio , and has been receiving rave reviews from day one:

"During the show, Banton's gruff, soulful voice captured the passion behind the hyperkinetic 'Murderer' and 'Willy (Don't Be Silly).' His band (including a drummer who sounded as though he had eight hands) was ridiculously tight, their arrangements elegant and dynamic without losing their frenetic feel. From the 'Wipeout'-based rhythm-backed rap of 'Me & Oonu' through to the soulful 'I Rise' to cribbing Michael Jackson's universal plea, 'Heal the World,' Banton proved he could make things right within his music." - Philadelphia Inquirer

This week, the Rasta Got Soul US Tour rolls into Colorado for two shows and then dips over to California, where the four-time Grammy-nominated artist, along with opening acts Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage , Nikki Burt and Angel Shalome , will play seven dates, before moving on to New Mexico, Texas, Georgia and Florida. Despite the ongoing smear campaign against Banton, promoters are already calling it the biggest selling Reggae tour of the year. Buju would like to thank the promoters, venues and especially the fans for their amazing show of support at this time. To the detractors, he offers the following statement:

"Throughout my travels as an artist, I have witnessed first hand the senseless atrocities being suffered by innocent people around the world and my heart goes out to them. I do not condone violence against anyone, including gays, and I have spent my career rallying against violence and injustice through music. At this point, I can only hope that my body of work speaks for itself and that anyone still offended by the lyrics of my youth will take the time to explore my catalog or come to one of my shows before reducing my character and entire musical repertoire to a single song."

The Buju Banton Rasta Got Soul US Tour is proudly sponsored by The Fader (www.thefader.com ), who is currently giving away pairs of tickets to upcoming gigs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Miami. Banton's critically acclaimed new album, Rasta Got Soul (Gargamel Music), is available in stores and online.

The Press Party for this year's Reggae Bash 2009 being held at the James L. Knight Center, 400 SE 2nd Avenue, Downtown Miami on Saturday October 31, 2009. Gates open at 6:00PM show time 7:00PM and features Veteran Ace Deejay Buju Banton and Crowned King of Dancehall and Grammy Award winner Beenie Man along with the extraordinary soulful Wayne Wonder and the sensational Reggae Artist Red Rat, will be held at the Ginger Bay Café, 1908 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33020 on Friday October 30, 2009 from 7:30PM - 9:30PM.

All media houses interested in attending the Reggae Bash 2009 must send an email requesting an accreditation form to monica@johnalessiprfirm.com . Press Passes will be handed out at the press release party.

Reggae Bash 09 will be hosted by Rich Davis "The Man Inside your Radio" along with Vanessa James from 103.5 the Beat with music by Supa Sound. Sponsors of this years' event includes: Tru-Juice, Golden Krust of Pembroke Pines, 103.5 The Beat, N.R.S International, Hype Radio John Alessi PR Firm, Eventsrusonline.com,Madaroad.com, Zone1Ent and many more.

Reggae Bash 09 tickets are available on line at www.ticketmaster.com Dade 305-358-5885 and in Broward 954-523-3309. Ticket locations are as follows Jamaican Grocery and Spice -SW Miami, Mama's Kitchen -Fort Lauderdale, Aunt I's Restaurant -Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Reggae and Things -Coral Springs, Junie's Restaurant -Miami, Golden Krust Restaurant- Pembroke Pines and Snapper Restaurant-Tamarac.
For more information on Reggae Bash 09 log on to www.globalvybzent.com to register or to win tickets. Call 305-416-5970 or 786-301-4630 for more info.

‘Reggae tourism’ hurts Jamaican identity, prof. says

Reggae has evolved from a gritty, rhythmic invocation against social and political injustice to a pleasant, sappy background music accompanying commercials, according to Carolyn Cooper, a professor at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. Cooper, who delivered a lecture in the Haldeman Center on Friday, said that despite reggae’s many changes in form and style, in pure form it remains the heart and soul of Jamaica and its people.

Reggae will also be forever marred by advertisements promoting heritage tourism in Jamaica that distort the true beat behind a music some have now labeled as belonging only in elevators, Cooper said.

Cooper acknowledged that heritage tourism, for all its flaws, is an indispensable part of the Jamaican economy — reggae has the power to fill Jamaica’s empty hotels and support its local businesses with capital from visitors from all over the world, Cooper said.

Cooper also emphasized the major pitfall of “reggae tourism”: The promotion of Jamaica as a tourist hotspot, the natives as exotic locals and reggae as mainstream pop only further connects the Jamaican population with an economic scheme that cannot serve as a permanent solution.

“Americans go on vacation to escape the mundane banalities of their lives,” she said. “Most Jamaicans can’t afford to do that. They envy your ability to escape your boredom and turn theirs into your pleasure.”

The issue, according to Cooper, isn’t that tourism is wrong, but that advertising agencies are promoting Jamaica in such a way that it is challenging the nation’s identity.

It sometimes seems as if it is more about the tourists than the people, Cooper said, as natives often cannot even obtain seats to popular reggae festivals.

Cooper illustrated the tension between the “real” Jamaica and the Jamaica featured on glossy brochures with the example of Damian “Junior Gong” Marley’s “Welcome to Jamrock.” The grim, ominous track, Cooper said, “militantly contests the Jamaica Tourist Board’s appropriation of [Bob Marley’s] disquieting ‘One Love’ as an unambiguous anthem of social harmony: ‘Come to Jamaica and feel alright.’”

Damian Marley is Bob Marley’s son.

Cooper said that the tourist board, in promoting Jamaica as a place of peace and harmony, naturally does not want the world to hear the gritty underbelly of reggae.

For example, Bob Marley’s original lyrics for “One Love” were quite dark.

“Is there a place for the hopeless sinner/Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own?” he wrote.

Bob Marley’s lyrics, Cooper said, represent an attempt to find true peace and harmony in Jamaica while acknowledging that the nation is marked by economic instability, high crime rates and other social blights.

Reggae in its raw, unaltered form unflinchingly deals with subjects ranging from religion to love, sexuality and poverty, according to Cooper.

“It is a rhythmic resistance against the system of exploitation of people,” Cooper said.

The challenge, Cooper pointed out, is to tap into Jamaica’s tourist income without dehumanizing the people and marginalizing the culture.

Cooper suggested, however, that not all is glum: For all the waves of tourism and commercialization, Cooper said, reggae remains intrinsically Jamaican and continues to serve not only as a source of a pride, but as an outlet for the local Jamaicans.

Cooper remarked that just as jazz and rock-and-roll, while still influential, are no longer regarded as the “popular” music of our era, reggae too will become “old people’s music” one day.

But for now, it remains the authentic manifestation of Jamaica’s culture, a resounding affirmation of the Jamaican people’s creativity and inspiration.

NEW VIDEO: Pay d Bills Cyaa Short a Nutten - Munga Honourable

The Rebel in Abajonai

Abajonai has always had an interest in music and rebel music is what he chants.

The artiste, whose real name is Hughgan Thompson, said he has been singing at concerts since he was attending school. During that time, he linked with the Germany-based Uplift Records. After leaving school, he recorded with Caveman Studio in St Catherine. In addition, he did some of his own recording on his own River Nile label.

He has songs like No Weak Heart, Hot Love, The Whole World Is Africa, Truth and Rights, Calling Out Your Name, Niley and Black I Am. He will soon release other songs like Changes and Genocide.

Abajonai said his songs, like his name, are heavenly and mystical.

"Is more like rebel music, making my people know more about their black selves, more of cultural vibration, more like a Nyabinghi chant," said the Bobo Shanti Rastafarian.

He said his music has been getting recognition in Portugal, Germany, France and the United States.

"People gravitate to me, is like magic," said Abajonai.

His biggest accomplishments to date are getting the opportunity to record for Tuff Gong Records in 2001, being billed to perform with Sizzla Kalonji, and Ernie Smith among other industry veterans, and performing at H.I.S. Majesty Earth Strong in 2008. He also had the opportunity of recording for Downsound Records, Solid Agency and Jump Out Label.

He is currently working on many new singles to be released late 2009. Abajonai intends to take his music to an international level and to always remain a positive role model for the youth, with good clean music. He also wants to establish his studio.

Websites:
http://mytings.ning.com/profile/abajonai
http://facebook.com/abajonai
http://twitter.com/abajonai
http://reverbnation.com/abajonai
http://myspace.com/abajonai

For Bookings:
1-876-569-2262
1-876-528-7389
abajonaimusic@yahoo.com