Duane Stephenson Invited To Honour Hillary Clinton

Stephenson is currently touring the US promoting his sophomore album Black Gold which was released on September 28.

Duane Stephenson has been bestowed the honour of being invited by the World Food Program to The George McGovern Leadership Award ceremony for United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday October 5 in Washington D.C.

Stephenson is being invited to join the WFP’s Board of Directors, US Congressional Committee Members and Special Representative for Global Partnerships in the Office of the Secretary of State, Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley. At the prestigious event, US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, will be presented with The George McGovern Leadership Award for her work in addressing the issue of global hunger. This award is given to individuals who have done stellar work in tackling the issue and Mrs Clinton is the tenth awardee.

Asked how he feels about being in such powerful company, Stephenson says he is humbled and excited at the same time: It's so inspiring to be in the company of global politicians and dedicated corporate partners who share the same values and aspirations to eradicate hunger. Food is a common bond that unites every single life form on this planet, we all require it to live, yet a billion people each night go to bed hungry and 25,000 of them die.

The Wailers and I are partners with the World Food Program and our song A Step for Mankind has helped to spread the message of the need for more action in addressing the issue of world hunger”.

Stephenson says his work with the World Food Program will continue as he sees the issue of world hunger as one that is very important to him: “I am happy to be there to see Secretary Clinton get this award as she has helped over the years to bring the problem of world hunger to the fore. The issue is one that affects a billion of our brothers, sisters and children in 80 countries. This award will bring added attention and raise awareness of the issue”.

Duane Stephenson is currently touring the US promoting his sophomore album Black Gold which was released on September 28. Black Gold follows Stephenson’s debut album, From August Town which was release by VP Records in 2007 and was hailed as one of that year's best reggae albums.

This new 15-track studio album with 14 original songs sees Stephenson working with legendary reggae producer, Dean Fraser, the mastermind behind the majority of production on Black Gold.

Black Gold encompasses Stephenson's growth mentally, emotionally, and musically. From ballads to roots reggae, his musical skills and heartfelt sentiments on this album will resonate with reggae fans and be sure to gain him new ones. Such is the quality of Black Gold , Steve 'Flash' Juon of Rapreviews.com raves that “...so powerful is his vocal tone and the diaphragm which pushes it out over the microphone that almost every word will make perfect sense to even the most jaded listener who thinks they can't understand Caribbean music...”

Isat - A Logical Thinker; And A Vibrant Lyricist!

Upcoming reggae artiste Isat continues to impress as he works hard to emerge from the musical shadows of his father, reggae music legend, Big Youth.

The composed character of this lyrically-gifted singer, christened Isat Buchanan, goes beyond his years on earth. Through his craft, he plans to capture the hearts and minds of music lovers worldwide.

“I’m not satisfied with mediocrity. Anything you do in life you must aim for the best. When it’s right the first time you don’t have to do it over and that is the attitude I bring towards my music,” he said.

Its not the first time reggae music has produced such a father-son relationship and Isat said that the one he shares with Big Youth, who began his career back in the early 1970s, is the envy of many and it’s not just about music only.

“Can I tell you something? My musical father is also my daddy. So, Big Youth to di world. He’s there for me in everything and been more of a positive than negative. I’m not trying to fill his shoes I am just honored to be one of his sons,” he said.

With his new single Unbreakable, Isat is poised to push the boundaries of his craft. Utilizing reggae music as a means of empowerment, this confident God-fearing singer is ready to take on the challenges of the highly competitive music business.

Isat claims to have an insatiable appetite for success and has been labeled on numerous occasions as a ‘perfectionist’ by people around him. “Maintaining the authenticity of reggae music is one of my main priorities, that’s why I call my album ‘Reggaenomics’,” he said.

He promises that the 14-track album which is slated to be released in December will be a thriller and he is very confident that it will help to trigger a renaissance in Jamaican music. He also stated that he believes the music needs a thorough cleansing at this time.

“It (Jamaican music) needs bleach, soap and water and I’m not looking a clorax commercial either. We need to uplift the potential of this country and teach the youths of the next generation how to improve themselves through reggae music,” he added.

By profession Isat works as a real estate agent, personal trainer and a certified public speaker but as with most musicians, the love of music conquers all. He also revealed that he gets ample support from his family members especially from his father and mother, Joan Porteous.

“I was blessed by God with this love for music and my mother and father has really been there for me. They showed me how to achieve things in life and not wait for anyone to put something in my plate,” he said.

Isat hopes that in the years to come he will be recognized not just as the son of a reggae legend, but as someone who has helped to mold a generation through authentic reggae music.