Biggie Irie Scores Hit with “Let’s Stay Together”

UK and Bajan native, Biggie Irie, scores another hit single with the song “Let’s Stay Together!”

Produced by Lockdown Records based in the UK, and penned by Biggie Irie, also known as the Big Papa of Groovy Soca and Lovers Rock, the riddim plays on the song made famous by Alton Ellis called “Breaking Up is Hard To Do.” In Biggie’s lyrics, the wording is changed to reflect a change of heart where he asks his love to ‘stay together.’

Upon release by L3 Music Distribution, the single was picked up by www.Reggae4Us.com, Kemet FM (both based in the UK), Reggae Radio Station in Italy, the Caribbean Only promotional compilation (which services music to BDS reporting radio station across the US as well as Central and South America), Ragga Kings radio based in Germany, and several radio stations in the Caribbean and Canada.

“The feedback to the song has been great,” said Biggie during his radio interview with Fete Net Radio (Fete Net) The Radio DJ’s and Sound System Selectors have been giving the single a lot of support.

I’ll be singing live for my fans soon!” When asked how it feels to be on the same Riddim as veteran artists such as Maxi Priest and JC Lodge, Biggie said “we’re a musical family, so it was like being at home!”

Biggie will be performing across the islands in December and January. The artist promises that the audience will get a balance of his catalog being Groovy Soca and Lovers Rock.

Etana Set To Release New Album And EP‏

ETANA RETURNS WITH NEW ALBUM,FREE EXPRESSIONS. Digital EP FREE Set for December Release.

(VP RECORDS, NEW YORK) - Reggae singer/songwriter sensation Etana returns with her highly anticipated sophomore album Free Expressions in February 2011 from VP Records. Before her new studio effort hits the shelves, VP Records is releasing a digital EP entitled Free, which features three of her current hits that are also included on the album. The digital EP drops on December 7, 2010, to satisfy fans during the wait for the full-length album.

Etana deems this second album Free Expressions because she adamantly refuses to be constrained by approach or lyrical content. "This album was produced a little differently from the first, most of the sessions were less planned so there is more of a free vibe," she reveals. "I just wanted to express myself freely, write just what I want without thinking too hard about what anyone's opinion would be - just doing music as I feel to do it."

Fans are so consistently enthralled by Etana's music that several tracks from Free Expressions have already topped the charts in Jamaica and reggae charts internationally, including "Free," "August Town" and "Mockingbird." The album's first official single "Free" was produced by Kemar "Flava" McGregor and offers a somber reflection of a prolonged period of struggle endured by the artist. Its second single "Heart Broken" is equally as heartfelt with London-based producers Curtis Lynch, Jr. and Gussie Clarke at the helm.

Etana's unabashed romanticism shines on the lovers' rock tunes "I Know You Love Me" and "Happy Heart," with both tracks produced by Flava. "Move On," also produced by Lynch, adapts a neo-soul reggae fusion that laments a break-up tale that embraces life's new possibilities, as does the upbeat reggae track "My Name Is," which was produced by Stephen Stanley. She also targets those erroneous character assessments and the cutthroat competitiveness that dwells throughout the music industry on the roots rocking "Mockingbird," produced by Flava, and the hip-hop tinged "Venting," produced by Lynch.

Etana highlights her soulful side on "I Got You," produced by Specialist and Alborosie, while "Day By Day," produced by Joel Chin, offers spiritual renewal. "People Talk," produced by Rohan Dwyer and Specialist, reflects her determination to succeed against all odds in the music business.

Free Expressions also furthers Etana's reputation as a skillful songwriter as she penned 12 of the album's 14 tracks. Her regal countenance, uncompromising messages of self-empowerment and the lyrical depth of her distinctive hit-filled catalogue offers a major challenge to the dominant perception of female artists' images and identities. With Free and Free Expressions, Etana offers revolutionary changes in popular Jamaican music, one captivating, genre-blurring song at a time.

FREE EXPRESSIONS (Album)

1. Free

2. Mocking Bird

3. People Talk

4. Heart Broken

5. I Know You Love Me

6. I Got You

7. Happy Heart

8. My Name Is

9. Move On

10.War

11.Retribution

12.August Town

13.Venting

14.Day By Day

FREE (Digital EP)

1. Happy Heart

2. Free

3. Mocking Bird