Chezidek Releases ‘Secret Enemy’ Video

Perennial roots reggae singer Chezidek hits the right notes with his latest single Secret Enemy. The song has been enjoying widespread attention on Jamaican and European radio stations.

Released on the Sensitive Promotion label, Secret Enemy is a poignant warning for persons to be careful of the type of friends that they associate with. An accompanying music video directed by Asha McHail was recently completed. The video effectively captures the message relayed in the song’s lyrical content.

With stirring images and effective camera angle, the clip showcases Chezidek in the role of a story teller, while various characters bring the storyline to life.

Chezidek, who has carved out a strong following on European shores where he is in consistent demand for appearances, topped the Jamaican music charts a few years ago with the mellow Leave the Trees single.Since the success of Leave the Trees, Chezidek has followed up with songs such as Call Pon Dem, Inna Di Road, Sun and Rain and Herb Campaign.

Chezidek recently acquired new management and is being represented by Sensitive Promotion which has offices in Switzerland and New York, USA. Chezidek is expected to release a new album later this year which will feature Secret Enemy and another poignant track Stand Still.

For more information on Chezidek please check out his brand new website at www.chezidekmusic.com

Digicel Rising Stars Audition To Begin May 21‏

The All New Digicel Rising Stars kicks off on Saturday May 21 with auditions to be held in 5 locations across the country. The auditions will run for three weekends ending on Saturday June 4.

As with last year, the Digicel Rising Stars auditions will only span three weekends with back to back auditions on the first two weekends. Auditions will begin at 7:30AM and end at 3PM at all locations. The show’s producers say members of the team will be ready to start registering contestants from as early as 6:30AM.

The first stop this year for the Digicel Rising Stars’ judges will be in May Pen with auditions at the Leiba’s Esso Gas Station on Saturday May 21. The team then head to Portmore the following day at the Portmore Town Centre. One week later the Digicel Rising Stars team will be searching for talent on the north coast with auditions at The Wexford Hotel in Montego Bay on Saturday May 28. On Sunday May 29 auditions are at Island Village in Ocho Rios. The Rising Stars team then hops over to Kingston for the final audition on June 4 at the Girl Guides’ Headquarters.

This year, to assure quality, the producers and Judges will be picking the 12 Finalists who will make it to the Live Stage. This means that the public will not begin voting until Live Shows begin on July 3rd.

Digicel Rising Stars’ producer Sharon Schroeter explains the change: “The mass public doesn’t usually start voting until the lives, when they can really get to see what the contestants have to offer, so we found that many who made it from auditions did because they had more friends and family voting for them than others.”

“We also found that it was not always fair that we had to choose a certain amount from each audition location as we may see more than five excellent contestants in one location but had to round it down to five. Now that we are just selecting the best 12 finalists from all five auditions, everyone has a fair advantage.”

Since the Final 12 will be chosen from all five auditions, the persons who make it through the preliminary round at any location will then move on to Star Registration where they will be video recorded. These videos will then be viewed by a panel which includes the two resident Judges, Bambino and Tessanne Chin along with the show’s producers.

Also new this year is the DRS Fast Pass which will be handed out by scouts. Scouts will visit karaoke’s and recording studios around the island in search of talent. The DRS Fast Pass will be given to persons who the scouts feel stand a good chance of being a finalist for the live shows. The DRS Fast Pass allows persons to by-pass the preliminary rounds at auditions and go straight into Star Registration.

Meanwhile new Digicel Rising Stars’ host, Terri-Karelle Reid, says she is excited about the auditions: “I am extremely excited to start the auditions. I expect a great turn out, fantastic talent and real star quality. I am pumped and really looking forward to it.”

Audition shows will begin airing on TVJ on Sunday June 19 and Sunday June 26 and Live shows begin on Sunday July 3. All shows will be aired at 8PM.

So if you want to showcase your talent to all of Jamaica, come to any of the five auditions Island wide. The auditions begin on Saturday May 21 at Leiba’s Gas Station in May Pen then move to the Portmore Town centre on Sunday May 22. Western Jamaica will get their chance on Saturday May 28 at The Wexford, Montego Bay and the 4th stop for the Digicel Rising Stars Auditions will be on Sunday May 29 at Island Village in Ocho Rios. The 5th and final audition will be held in Kingston at the Girl Guides’ Headquarters on Saturday June 4. All auditions begin at 7:30AM and end at 3PM.

Reggae Icon EVER-G Wins the Big 3!

Saturday May 15th saw the staging of the 4th annual Virginia Reggae Music Awards (at East Queens Way & King Street, downtown Hampton, Virginia), and was also the evening that saw the Reggae Icon, EVER-G win three of the prestigious awards.

Nominated for Album of the Year (‘Jah Love’), Single of the Year (“Our Special Place”), and Favourite Artist, EVER-G first wowed the crowd with acoustic renditions of his own recordings and a stirring rendition of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song." Not long after, the results were announced for Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Favourite artist with one name attached: EVER-G! With a surprise twist, EVER-G was presented with a 4th award (not previously announced) for garnering the most votes and winning in all the categories for which he was nominated in.

“I still can’t believe it,” said an excited EVER-G. “I know I won; I just can’t believe that I took all three awards. I am humbled and I wish my parents were here to share this joy with me. They’re here with me in spirit!” It has been a long time, since those early days at Rusea's High School, where most fans heard EVER-G sing for the first time. Fitting for an Icon, the audience stood to their feet in applause for EVER-G to which the Icon said: “the road is not always smooth, and still isn't, but you have to be consistent with your message, stay positive, be true to yourself and your beliefs and never ever take anyone or anything for granted. Calling on radio jocks, promoters and venue owners, give independent artists & bands a chance - listen to what we have to offer, you might be pleasantly surprised if and when you do so.”

To the fans, EVER-G acknowledged that without them, there is no industry and thanked them for their votes. He vowed that he will not let them down in the coming year and is confident that with their support, he can achieve greater heights.

On July 31st, 2011, EVER-G will be performing in Toronto at the famed Lula Lounge for an evening of Reggae Vibrations!

About EVER-G:

EVER-G, is a talented reggae artist who writes and sings positive, conscious and uplifting songs of peace, love and unity. His messages of Jah, Family, Peace and Love of Life come through powerfully in his musical stylings.

EVER-G’s crowd pleasing talent has led to being the opening act for a number of International Artists & Groups. Some of the acts were: Steel Pulse, Third World, The Mighty Sparrow, Shabba Ranks, Yellow Man, Sanchez, The Itals, Ky-Mani Marley and Gregory Isaacs. EVER-G has also had the pleasure of playing guitar on shows with Sanchez, Frankie Paul, Don Carlos & Ninja Man. When the Virginia Reggae Awards first began four years ago, EVER-G was named Reggae Ambassador for his years of performing and representing Reggae from Virginia on a global level.

As EVER-G’s popularity continues to grow, the demand for live performances increases. EVER-G performs at numerous clubs, Colleges & Universities along the EAST Coast.

Video: Chan Dizzy - Hello Badmind

Leba Hibbert Releases Debut Album, Intoxicated

Singer Leba Hibbert’s debut album Intoxicated is that rare exhibition of substance over style. While many of today’s hit makers rely on gimmicks and novelty arrangements to score grades with generation X,the talented singer and daughter of legendary reggae pioneer Toots Hibbert, showcases a vocal prowess and charm on her first outing.



The 15-track Intoxicated features production work from a handful of luminaries whose track records have maintained universal appeal. The album has been released on the Nyana Records imprint.



Most of the tracks were written and co-written by Hibbert. However she carefully caressed Gladys Knight’s Neither One of Us and Patti Labelle’s Oh People with enough potency to easily channel radio like a slave to her word.



Original efforts including the first single "All I Want" which recently wowed the audience at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival; Its Over, Rain, Ragga Souljah and Intoxicated are enough ammunition to substantiate that Hibbert’s music is here to stay.



Intoxicated is now available on ITunes. Physical copies of the album will soon be available in leading record stores.