Marley Brothers Signs Christopher Ellis To Ghetto Youths

STEPHEN MARLEY PRODUCES ELLIS’2011 DEBUT ALBUM AND RELEASES TWO SINGLES‘END OF TIME’ FEATURING CHRISTOPHER ELLIS, STEPHEN MARLEY & JAH CURE AND ‘WILLOW TREE’ AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE NOW ON ITUNES

NEW YORK, NY – November  28, 2010 Five-time Grammy Award winning producer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Stephen Marley along-side his brothers Damian Marley and Julian Marley are proud to announce the signing of reggae music singing sensation Christopher Ellis to the growing roster of musical talent featured on the Marley brothers record label imprint , Ghetto Youths International, Inc.

Christopher Lamour Ellis was born the youngest male progeny to “The Godfather of Jamaican Rocksteady”, the late Alton Ellis. Talented in his own right, the soulful 28 year-old roots reggae, r&b crooner has been astounding audiences with his incredibly natural, smooth vocal stylings since the age of 11.

In 2009, a mutual friend introduced Stephen Marley to Christopher Ellis in Jamaica. During that fateful meeting on Hope Road, Christopher sang A Capella for the iconic reggae producer. Coincidentally, the very same day that Stephen Marley met with Christopher Ellis, Marley was also contacted by producer Baby G, son of the legendary producer King Jammy, who had a remix track by Alton Ellis that he wanted Stephen to hear.

Stephen listened to the Alton Ellis remix and immediately invited Christopher Ellis to join him at King Jammy’s studio in Jamaica to sing on the track. The session resulted in Marley recording Christopher Ellis’ first single entitled, ‘End of Time’, produced by Baby G. ‘End of Time’ is a moving, soul-stirring track featuring beautiful vocal works by Christopher Ellis , Stephen Marley and Jah Cure, and is inspired by Alton Ellis’ rendition of ‘You Made Me So Happy’.

The magnificent opportunity of working with Stephen Marley and the Marley Family has continued in 2010 in Miami where Christopher Ellis has spent quality time working in the studio on material that is being helmed and produced by mega-producer.

“I feel so incredibly Blessed to be working on my debut album with Stephen Marley for the Ghetto Youths Records family.” comments Ellis.

To date, Stephen Marley has executive produced and recorded two singles for Ellis, including the aforementioned ‘End of Time’ and a rendition of Alton Ellis’ song entitled, ‘Willow Tree’, a sweetly seductive lover’s ballad that showcases Christopher Ellis’ versatile musicality. ‘End of Time’ has an anticipated release, while a ballad version and a reggae version of Ellis’ ‘Willow Tree’ is available now on iTunes. Later this year, a video launch accompanying Ellis’ ‘Willow Tree’ single will mark Christopher Ellis’ international debut, including in the territories of London, Jamaica and the United States.

Stephen Marley has been the driving creative force behind Ghetto Youths International, Inc. and the music created by his brothers for the family owned label. Stephen's production, performance and writing credits have earned him more Grammy Awards than any other Marley family member or reggae artist in history.Blazing his own trail in the music world, combining reggae, hip-hop, and r&b styles to create his sound as a performer, songwriter, and producer, the accomplished Stephen Marley is known to take on more of the behind-the-scenes roll.

Stephen Marley comments, "I don't want to be just another artist, I want to make a statement, and I want to continue this musical legacy with my family. Just like my brothers, I aspire to be a reckoning force, when you hear my name, when you hear the Ghetto Youths name, you know the quality that comes with that: good music, good message, and good vibe."

Ghetto Youths International was founded by Ziggy Marley and Stephen Marley in 1989. In 2002, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley and Julian Marley went on to incorporate the family owned record label.

Recent projects released by the premiere, reggae and hip-hop oriented imprint include the Grammy award winning and nominated albums by Damian Marley Welcome To Jamrock, Stephen Marley’s Mind Control and Julian Marley’s Awake. A catalogue of reggae and hip-hop influenced artists signed to the Ghetto Youths record label include: Stephen Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Julian Marley, Mr. Cheeks, Illestr8, Christopher Ellis, Jonathon Malcolm, Javaughn, Black Am I , Daniel Bambaata, and Jo Mersa.

Angele Smith Is Falling To Pieces

Rising musical star Angele Smith has teamed up with Washroom Entertainment to create one of his best songs yet. The song dubbed 'Falling to Pieces' was recently recorded on the Bad Suh Riddim for ace producer Conroy Forte and is currently garnering rave reviews.

Angele delivers Falling to Pieces with vocal perfection, moving out of his musical comfort zone trumpeting a cry which identifies with the common man, while at the same time revealing some of the struggles the Westmoreland native has had to face over the years.

Angele Smith is known for his smooth sexually charged lyrics but, the change in message shows that he is not a one track artiste and has numerous styles and flavours in his arsenal of lyrics. Angele says that writing the song came natural to him as the issues it address are struggles that he, and friends of his, have experienced. “I grew up very poor, a nuff time mi nuh have money fi tek bus go studio or even buy food. People si mi smiling all the time an doh realise di sorta tings I have to deal with, just like most Jamaicans. But, although things tough we cyaan mek dat keep wi down, yu si mi”.

Falling to Pieces hits several heart rending notes when Angele confesses that he too has had to hide from his landlord when he says: “Landlord’s calling I pretend I’m sleeping, cause the boss say mi nah get nuh pay this evening”. The singer also uses his unique vocal sound to ask “What am I supposed to do when the rent is due and I got no food?” These lyrics show that the song is one that will definitely appeal to many Jamaicans who are suffering through the recession and are struggling to make ends meet.

Producer Conroy Forte, who is known for producing hits such as Voicemail and Busy Signal’s 'Dance the Night Away' and Tami Chynn and Tifa’s 'Certified Divas' says he is impressed with Angele's talent and is very happy with how the song turned out: “I was blown away by Angele’s vocal range and lyrical content, he was great to record. I feel the song has a message that anybody can relate to and will stir emotions within Jamaica and many places over the world where people are suffering.”

Forte reveals that the Bad Suh Riddim on which Falling to Pieces was recorded also features instant favourites like Tami Chynn's sexually charged 'Nevah Know', Natel's 'Make You Sweat' and Voicemail with a ‘wifey’ anthem dubbed 'Buss ah Whine'. There are also appearances from perennial favourites like Busy Signal with 'Yuh Nuh Tired and Pop Dung', certified diva Tifa with 'Seh Mi Gud' and Nicky B with a party track called 'Tik Tok'.

With a growing catalogue of high quality and infectious tunes, Angele Smith is clearly a rising star. His tremendous vocal range is allowing him to clearly make his mark on the music business; a mark that will be visible for years to come.

Rising Stars Winner Changes Stage Name To Shuga

2009 Digicel Rising Stars winner Mitzy Campbell aka Brown Shuga has changed her stage moniker to “Shuga” and has undergone a few changes since her shot to stardom last year. The blond duchess from Montego Bay has been holding her own in the male dominated local music industry by creating waves with new material that she believes is destined to propel her career to the next level.

Campbell, who recently changed her stage name to “Shuga”, has been working feverishly in the studio and the effort has borne fruit with three new singles including Commander in Chief and Bloody Hands produced by Keely “B”. Her third single that has been out is Money Talk produced by Annex Records.

Shuga is proud of her work. “I have been out there doing my thing still recording and my latest work has been getting crazy reviews from fellow artiste and disc jockeys,” she says.
Shuga emphasized that the name change completely differentiates her from another personality that already uses a similar name.

Campbell is not perturbed by the recent scenario. “The name change for me is not a big issue, all I did was just to drop the brown from the Shuga, besides most of my friends and family call me Shuga anyway so nothing else has changed, I will still continue to put out the good quality music that my fans come to expect of me, and I believe it is a good move for my career.”

The 24 year singer has had her fair share of challenges since she won the Digicel Rising stars competition, as for the latter part of 2010 she has been without a manager. Shuga has nevertheless remained current in the business. “I have done a couple of gigs locally working on the Hitz 92 Road show as well as some private events, but the work is still coming in and I know when I release the videos for my new singles things will definitely get even better.”

As part of the prize for winning the Digicel Rising Stars completion, Shuga will soon begin work on a medley video for her two recent singles Commander in Chief and Bloody Hands. The video, to be funded by telecommunications company Digicel, will be directed by acclaimed music video director Kevin Lee.

Digicel Rising Stars producer Sharon Schroeter says the video, for the motivational song Commander in Chief, will showcase positivity and to encourage children to strive twards their life goals. Part of the video will be shot in studio utilizing green screen technology. The video will begin production sometime next week.

Dennis Brown Featured In The New York Times

(The New York Times) - Dennis Brown (1957-1999) was one of the greatest singers of the last half-century, his voice improvisationally resourceful, graceful, resonant, optimistic: maybe Jamaica's Sam Cooke. His reggae records - made with the best Jamaican producers and rhythm sections, full of Rasta rhetoric while covering the American soul and pop he had his ear to - maintained a high level through the '70s and '80s.

There's already a collection out there with a very similar title released by Trojan, in which you'll find many of his more famous tracks. This one goes deeper into his catalog, with songs produced by Phil Pratt, Joe Gibbs and Niney the Observer, among others; they include "What About the Half"; "So Long Rastafari Calling"; a cover of "Black Magic Woman"; and the super-lovely "Rocking Time."

A companion DVD contains a charismatic show from the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1979, on which Brown beams through some of the hits not included elsewhere in the set, like "Wolves and Leopards" and "Money in My Pocket." (17 North Parade/VP, two CDs, 1 DVD, $25.98) - BEN RATLIFF