I-Octane Closes 2010 On A High Note

Recently named Best Cultural Artiste for 2010 at the respected Stone Love Awards, singer Byiome Muir, aka I-Octane, is full of gratitude for this honour, while vowing to continue the musical mission started by reggae’s greatest singers.

I-Octane easily admits that 2010 has been a turning point in his career and many are saying that it could aptly be described as ‘the year of I-Octane’. It has seen his songs having immense impact locally and internationally, even as his lyrics fall easily from the lips of fans of all ages and across all socio-economic backgrounds.

The year has also witnessed an undeniable rise in the I-Octane’s popularity, evidenced by the frenzied reactions of concert-goers to his performances and his increasing demands for live appearances. The decision by telecoms giant, Digicel, to sign I-Octane as one of the wholesome faces of their media campaign has also proved significant..

“In 2010 I have made strides in my career and it feels good. Of course, the fans have played an important role in all that has happened, because without fans it’s like your music isn’t reaching anywhere,” I-Octane declared.

With the traditional silly season in high gear, the artiste had already been off to a great start. I-Octane’s annual Christmas Treat and free stage-show in Portmore was a resounding success, he has been performed at the Digicel Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Sunshine Community, and also at the free Red Stripe Stand Out concert recently on Knutsford Blvd, New Kingston, all to much acclaim.

I-Octane is now eagerly looking forward to the upcoming shows for which he has been contracted. Among them are My Life Nuh Easy on Christmas Eve, Fip Jam Fest and GT TAYLOR Christmas Extravaganza, both on Christmas Day; and TeenSplash and Sting on Boxing Day.He commented: “This is a great way to close what has been a truly wonderful year.”

Stevie Face for Boxing Day Ball in Toronto Canada

Booth Camp recording artiste Stevie Face recently returned home after a very successful trip to England which saw him performing along side Bushman to a packed house at the Malcolm X Centre in Bristol. This week the ‘Tell It Like It Is’ singer will be leaving the island once again.

This time he is heading for Canada, where he will be the special guest performer on the annual Boxing Day Ball. This event will be held at the Jamaica Canadian Center in Toronto on the 26th of December and will also feature Canadian reggae singer Steele, Merritone Music and Soul 2 Soul Music.

This will be Stevie’s first appearance in Canada and he is very excited about.

“This is the first time I am going to perform in Canada and I am looking forward to it. The people in Canada have been supporting my music for a while now and they are going to see me live now for the first time and I promise it is going to be an experience to remember,” said the artiste.

Stevie Face will return home in time to perform at the Junction Guest House in St. Elizabeth on New Years Eve, the following day he will perform at Culture Fest at the Lyssons Pavilion in Morant Bay St. Thomas.

Protoje's FREE Music for the Holiday Season!‏

Ever since Dub-Rock Reggae sensation Protoje dropped his debut single titled Arguments last year it was evidently clear that he is no ordinary artiste. The talented lyricist who hails from St. Elizabeth is always thinking outside the box and this is very evident on his hit singles JA, Dread, Roll and Rasta Love. Protoje is very passionate about his craft and he also has a great appreciation for the people who support his music.

Protoje is currently preparing for the January release of his highly anticipated debut album, The Seven Year Itch (Produced by Don Corleon) and fans are understandably impatient and excited as they look forward to what is expected to be a landmark record. However before the album is released Protoje is giving his fans a special treat by releasing a free Seven Year Itch Sampler courtesy of Selector Rory Yaadcore.

The Seven Year Itch Sampler features five tracks from the upcoming album and gives fans unrestricted access to Protoje’s creative process, and a deeper look into how his work has developed. Part art exhibit, part exposé, part Dub session, the sampler is primarily being distributed by Protoje, where ever he goes and through Manifesto Jamaica, it also available at Base Kingston, Shimmer, Bookophilia, Spokes and online for Free.

The Seven Year Itch Sampler includes all previously released tracks from the upcoming album, including 'Arguments,' 'Dread,' 'JA,' 'Roll,' and 'Rasta Love' (featuring Ky-Mani Marley). Each track is accompanied by exclusive audio clips of Protoje explaining his creative process, as well as its own artwork designed by Taj Francis. Fans are also treated to a bonus live version of 'Dread,' recorded on the night of Protoje’s first performance at the renowned Jamnesia Sessions in Bull Bay, Jamaica.

According to Protoje “These songs were written over a 7 Year Period, hence the album title 7 Year Itch. I want this Sampler to give people who wouldn’t normally have access to my music, a chance to connect, and to understand why I choose to express myself in this way”.

Get a Copy Here!

KipRich's "Over Mi Shoulder" Moves Russian Dance Crew

(Kingston, Jamaica) December 23, 2010 - Despite weeks of controversy surrounding dancehall artiste, KipRich's new single, Cyaan Get Brown, his follow-up track Over Mi Shoulder has attracted a Russian following for different reasons.

Russian choreographer, Andrey Boyko, of the KumirTv Dance Studio in Moscow, Russia, recently released a youtube dance video of himself alongside his group members letting loose to the Over Mi Shoulder dancehall track.

KipRich says, "When I do the video for the track I might have people doing some of the moves he made up in his video and at the end give credit. It's just another way to keep the fans involved and choreography isn't an easy thing, muchless for people in a foreign country with a different language to grasp some of the things I said and try to make moves to match. So I have to bless them up for that."

KipRich whose correct name is Marlon Plunkett and is known for his previous hits, Jook Gal featuring Elephant Man, Twista and Sean P (Youngbloodz), Telephone Ting, Baby Mama Drama and more recently, Cyan Box Mi, Talk Dem A Talk, Cyan Trick Me also says prior to coming back with the Cyaan Get Brown single he was overseas working.

"I was always working, but I was overseas for some time working with a record label and getting ready to put a US album out, plus doing shows. But I had to put that on hold and I went to Africa for a while to promote myself, because the single I had released at the time, Baby Mama Drama was a major hit over in Kenya and other African countries. So KipRich neva gone nowhere so to speak, but music is bigger than Jamaica and I always have to keep that in mind."