Romain Virgo Top 30 In Alaskan Media

Reggae singer, Romain Virgo has continued to increase his fan base in countries as far away as Alaska.

The program, “Vibes of the Time” on Anchorage, Alaska’s KRUA 88.1 FM compiled a list of their Top 30 reggae tracks for 2010 and Romain’s, Murderer holds the number 17 position.

Also among the top 30 are Beres Hammond, Jah Cure, Queen Ifrica, Busy Signal and Tarrus Riley. The list however, is dominated by overseas reggae acts such as Sylvanus, Kalli Blaxx, Fire Star, Dub Matix feat. Kulcha Ites and others.

Romain says, “It was surprising to know how far up north my music is being accepted; somewhere like Alaska that many of us don’t even think about. It’s a great feeling though. Fi real, it is.”

Also hitting the international charts is his single, Dark Skin Girl, which sits at the number 8 spot on the Mediaguide Reggae Chart after jumping from the number 31 position last week.

The single was ranked after compiling the total plays for the week on radio stations including KABF 88.3 in Little Rock, Arkansas, KAZI 88.7 in Austin, Texas, KCS8 91.9 in Santa Barbara, California, KLSU 91.1 in Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, UJFM 95.4 in Johannesburg, South Africa, WQHT 97.1 in New York and others. Additional artistes also in the top ten on the Mediaguide chart are Jah Cure, Nas and Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley, Ricky Blaze, Serani and Gyptian, with Hold Yuh enjoying the number one spot.

Mediaguide uses proprietary digital fingerprinting and watermarking technology to monitor and measure music and advertisement airplay on more than 2500 commercial, non-commercial and college radio stations in over 150 US markets, real time, 24/7. Mediaguide information also provides business insight to performing rights organizations, record labels, broadcasters, market researchers and advertisers. The company was founded in October 2002 by the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers and ConneXus Corporation.

Fans can catch Romain on Pepsi Reggae Salute, to be staged in St. Elizabeth this Saturday night.

Chino Nominated For A Number Of Awards

KINGSTON, JAMAICA January 15,2010 — Singjay, Chino McGregor has again been nominated for a number of awards this year.

The singer, known for his tracks, From Mawning, Protected, Rough It Up,Tek Weh Gyal, Must Come Back and more has been nominated in the categories ‘Young Hot and Hype’ and ‘Best Dressed Male Artiste’ in this year’s Youth View Awards, (YVAs).

At last year’s event where he co-hosted alongside Fame FM’s Lady Renee and choreographer/International rapper,Teyana Taylor, he was nominated in the categories: ‘Male Artiste of the Year’, ‘Young Hot & Hype Male Artiste of the Year’ where he won the latter.

This year, he is also a nominee in the STAR’s People’s Choice Award in the categories: ‘Male Singjay of The Year’ and ‘Best Dressed Male Artiste of the Year’.

Chino released his sophomore Japan album, Never Change in August of last year where it debuted on the iTunes Reggae Chart at the number 7 position and jumped to the second spot within hours.There it remained for a number of weeks.

In addition, Chino’s From Mawning (Never Change) was and continues to be the number one purchased and downloaded track/ringtone on Japan’s most established ringtone site, Reggae Zion. From Mawning outranked all Japanese artistes’ tracks and went on to become the site’s best-seller of the year. Additionally, Chino’s From Mawning was ranked as the number 15 song on Toronto’s Radio Dubplate Top 30 Reggae and Dancehall singles for 2010. The show is aired on CHRY 105.5 FM in Canada.

“I’m most definitely putting in a lot of work. I’ve never been a believer in achieving something and then getting comfortable in the same spot. I’m always eager to learn and improve my craft and try new things. So apart from performing, I’m always writing or in the studio making new music that will be marketable in Jamaica and other regions. So fans can look out for some new tracks that I’m not necessarily known for coming up in a few weeks on the US album,” he said.

Chino’s US album will be released in March of this year and will be distributed by VP Records.