Omari Wins Mega Jamz Song of the Year Award

April 14, 2011 - Kingston, Jamaica - Gospel-reggae artiste Omari is definitely on a roll. After launching his long awaited debut album, Heal Jamaica, Heal the World, on New Kingston’s Knutsford Boulevard to a packed audience two weeks ago, he continued his winning streak last Sunday when he nabbed the Song of the year award for ‘Jehovah Guide Me’ at the 4th annual Paramout Mega Gospel Music awards.

The awards showcase is the brainchild of MegaJamz 98FM presenter Kevin Lewis and is the only awards show in Jamaica which honors the work and contribution of gospel recording artists.The song, produced by designer/ record producer Romeich, is gaining steady rotation on local and regional radio stations while its video has been receiving similar success on various video charts. For Omari, winning the award was overwhelming.

“It's a real honour and pleasure because that song is coming from a real place. One morning I got up, and I felt as if someone wanted to physically harm me and I called my mother and asked her to pray for me,” he said. He states that the following morning, he received a call that fellow gospel artiste Moses had been found dead in a gully and this confirmed his reasons for having that fearful feeling.

His main focus is to promote the album and bring the gospel to the mainstream where it belongs. And with plans of a tour, talks of performing in Africa and armed with an album rich in cross-over hits like Help and Jehovah Guide Me, his efforts should prove successful.

In describing his album, the husband and father of one, states that, like its name, Heal Jamaica, Heal the World, is more of an evangelical album than simply gospel and it is one that everyone can enjoy. “It’s an album that touches on every issue that affects our society and our people. Anyone can listen and appreciate it - from the man on the street to the people in the Church. It's a practical album, very real and very relevant and at the same time its spiritual.”

Hype TV To Exclusively Premiere Delus' New Video

On Thursday, April 14, 2011, Hype TV will exclusively premiere Delus' new music video for his gritty street single "Sticky A Road." The video, which was produced by StoneAge Productions, was shot in Portmore with cameo appearances by brother, Konshens, Subkonshus Music recording artist, Darrio and gospel artistes Ryan Mark and Omari.

Edited by Robin Chin, the video depicts the suffage that many are faced with and Delus draws on the brambly streets of Kingtson to highlight those struggles. Delus, who directed the video remarks, "I am happy with the video because the concept really embodies the lyrics and for me that was important. This is real life not a fairytale. I hope that everyone really enjoys the video and appreciate the reality of it."

The video has already received glowing remarks from TeenAGE Observer. The article, which was published on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, states "it was a great video and definitely a must-look-for. . ." Sticky A Road will premiere on Hype TV's Up and Live at 8:00 pm (JA Time)/9:00 pm (EST). Those abroad can log on to www.hypetvjam.com and watch live.

Download:Sticky A Road

“Blowing Up My Phone”: USA Today’s Top 10 Playlist Single Of The Week

With summer just around the corner, international reggae/pop singer Da’Ville’s latest single “Blowing up My Phone” has garnered steady airplay at American urban and mainstream radio since its release more than a month ago.

In the April 5 issue of the respected North American publication USA Today, “Blowing up my Phone was highlighted as one of the Top Music Picks of the Week. Music reviewer Steve Jones had this to say about Blowing Up My Phone. ‘The reggae star delivers a lighthearted ditty about a groupie who is about to get him in trouble with his girl.’

In a release to the media, Da’ Ville opined that the track can best be described as a pop track with a sensuous, fun and charismatic feel. “Blowing up My Phone is just one of many releases I have in the works that I know my fans will embrace as well as me trying to broaden my fan base.’

The talented singer, producer and songwriter who stormed the charts with songs including Always on My Mind, Yesterday, Missing You Right Now, In Heaven and Wine U A Wine, is happy with the feedback from his latest joint.

‘The feedback has been really good. People from all over are feeling the track. Radio jocks from all across the Caribbean and the US have been giving the song a lot of support so far,’ he said.

Da’Ville is expected to release two albums in different markets later this year.

I-Octane Featured in April/May International Issue of Vibe Magazine

NEW YORK, NEW YORK April 14, 2011: While artist, 50 Cent, maybe the face on the cover of the current Vibe Magazine, Jamaica is definitely represented both on the cover, small photo of the Jamaican flag and Bob Marley and Usain Bolt's name listed, and in between the pages.

Jamaica's latest export, I-Octane has also been featured in the International April/May Issue. The music and entertainment magazine which predominantly features R&B and Hip-Hop artists, has featured top billing entertainers such as Mary J. Blige, the late Aaliyah, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Ciara, Eminem and a long list of others.

I-Octane remarks, "It feels good to know I am featured in a well known International magazine like Vibe. And I give thanks for Rob Kenner, who gave me the opportunity to introduce I-Octane to a wider editorial market."

The article, titled Gassed Up delves into what the artist thinks about his new found fame, reggae music, Grammy Award and beefs. Read the article in its entirety below.

As told to Rob Kenner:

In seven months, I-Octane broke through the dancehall and merged into the fast lane. Jamaica's most explosive act explains his sudden acceleration.

LOSE YOURSELF

The breakthrough for me was when I left Arrows. You have to weigh your pros and cons. I lose nuff things, but [when] I started to do my career on my own, I hired my own publicist and put all the things in place that was missing. I left in February 2010, and by August I was the number one artist in Jamaica.

SELL OUT. . . IN A GOOD WAY

You have to look beyond the box. Me wan go everywhere with reggae music. Me wan collect a Grammy Award and say, "Selassie I"

IN THE BUILDING

Bob Marley's brand is bigger than the music. Everything comes in one package. Your attitude haffe be right. You haffe have an image that's marketable. Not saying you sell out, but you haffe learn to adjust and adapt. And I don't sign to nobody. Me wan bring my brand to a level. Me nah look for this local thing and sign to a company and them just do me

like how them do the rest of the artists. No.

NO BEEF DIET

We've had a whole heap of distraction in the music over the years. We have Beenie Man and the Bounty Killer feud. And then we have the Mavado and the Vybz Kartel Gaza and Gully thing. Some artists even try to get involved in the feud just to get them name buzzing. But I was the only one that stands out. We have a tunnel vision towards my thing.

TRADE VALUE

You have some artists in Jamaica, and them making money but them nah invest back in themself. Them prefer have 10 girlfriend and pay 10 rent -but them wouldn't even make a good video. Everybody try to hustle the music, and the well run dry. Me never really give up, because me love music. If I wasn't doing music, maybe me woulda been a gunman or something. Music is something that save me. So me haffe try save back the music.

-End-

In addition to the Vibe Magazine feature, I-Octane resumed his "My Life" tour after shooting two music videos in Jamaica and releasing over seven new singles. I-Octane has two songs featured on VP Records compilation CD Ragga Ragga. The CD, which was released on March 29, 2011, features the singjay's hit singles "No Love Inna Dem" and "Nuh Ramp Wid We."

Added to the list of performances that the singjay has schedule through the end of June, I-Octane will perform on this year's Best of the Best Festival in Miami on May 29, 2011. He will share the same stage with Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Assassin, Alison Hinds, Trina, Chris Brown, Keri Hilson and more.

Kes the Band & Destra Causing Bacchanal In Jamaica

Bacchanal Jamaica has done it again! Soca lovers came out in their numbers on Friday to see the "Big Man in Soca" himself Iwer George take the stage for the penultimate night of Bacchanal Fridays.As the gates opened from 8pm DJ Smoke of Renaissance energized the crowd with his clever deejay skills feeding them hit after hit from Kees the Band, Destra Garcia and of course the boss Iwer George, preparing the crowd for his captivating performance.

As the clock struck midnight Iwer hit the Mas Camp stage giving the eager crowd a taste of the 2011 Soca Monarch Finals with his massive hit "Come to Meh." After sending the crowd into a frenzy Iwer took them back a few years and cooled them down literally by throwing water bottles into the crowd and engaging them it launching water into the air, with his classic "D people want water!”

Throughout the night there was no doubt that the night’s sponsors were Pure Country and Appleton. Those in VIP were treated to an all- inclusive bar with premium liquor showcasing how well the exquisite blend of juices mix with the spirit of carnival. The Pure Country and Appleton VIP experience treated patrons to delicious food such as curried goat, white rice and sweet potato fries complimented by lounge and bistro setting.

There is no doubt that the heat has turned up at Bacchanal Jamaica Fridays as we all prepare for Digicel’s roaring night of the Ming Dynasty on Friday April 15th. The bigger better network is sure to deliver a night packed with something for all patrons: Digicel giveaways, an electrical performance by Kees the Band and Nadia Baston, rumours of a surprise guest performance and more.

The original Beach J’ouvert will feature the Soca Queen, Destra Garcia, her band and eccentric back up dancers at the James Bond Beach on Saturday April 23rd. Supported by a dynamic line up of DJs: Kurt Riley, Sparkles Disco, Private Ryan (Trinidad) and Smoke from Renaissance with MC Bambino. Beach J’ouvert Tickets are on sale at various outlets: Ammar’s (King Street, Sovereign Center and Village Mall Plaza), Mega Mart (Waterloo Road, Portmore and Montego Bay), L.G. Service Center and General Foods (Ocho Rios). Beach J’ouvert is sponsored by Smirnoff and tickets are drinks inclusive. More FUN, more FETE and more BACCHANAL!

Source: Bacchanal Jamaica

Fancy D Looks For His Big Break With Sweet Caroline‏

Despite being in the music business for over a decade, reggae artiste Fancy D is yet to find that elusive ‘big break’.However, the California-based singer strongly believes that things will change for the better real soon, due to the recent surge in public attention his music has been getting.

The singer, who is currently promoting his latest single, a cover version of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline on his record label Zenith Zone, said he’s attracted to soulful music and fans must look for nothing different on his upcoming debut album (not yet named), set to be released later this year.

“I love smooth soulful music. It (music) should be a tool of expression and up-liftment. People like Neil Diamond and Bob Marley are unique with their music style, and I draw a lot of inspiration from their music because of the high standard of their song-writing and musical arrangements,” he added.Though his journey has been rocky at times, Fancy D believes in another five years time, he will be a household name in the reggae music industry.

“I want to use this (recent public attention) to my very best advantage. I’ve been in music long time now, and I am confident that the time has come for me to make a serious impact on the music scene,” stated the Westmoreland native.

The former soccer play turned singer has also assured fans that his newest single Don’t Drink & Drive will be a blast in the streets.

“I have a new song coming out and I expect that it will do very good because it has a very catchy hook and was done on very good beat,” said the singer, born Donovan Nelson.

Sweet Caroline is available online on Itunes and all other leading online music stores.