Meet the competition, the second set of semi-finalists!

Round two of Season 8’s semi-finals brought a new set of promising stars who are bound to give Latoya, Delando, Annette and VOH some major competition! When Tessanne, the resident judge said, "Just bring it, pretend that this performance is your last", and judge Bambino added “Rock the house, and pretend this audience is all of Jamaica" the contestants over-did their instructions! This week's group had the Courtleigh Auditorium audience on their feet for most of the night, cheering and screaming!

Promising to Ruff it Up for them, this week's guest judge, the young, talented and musically delicious, Chino, had the female audience members screaming in delight when he stepped out. The series' hottest new star, host Terri-Karelle Reid opened the show warmly with her winning smile and said a farewell to Stephanie Barnes and Jermaine Burford from last week’s batch.

On Sunday Jamaica was introduced to: Rocio Graham who prefers to go simply yet majestically by Rocio, Michael Allen who is going by his soulful alter ego Dominic Young, Courtney Morris or the 'blazing' Jah Flaamez, Tressan Barnett who will be going by her radiant alter ego Summer, the trio who have recently changed their names from VIRGYN to J’AR and Chantel Lamont as the overly impressive Tash.

Outstanding Performances

Belting out Celine Dion's To Love You More, Rocio, who is living up to the only-first-name-necessary divas who came before her, like Mariah, Barbara and Celine, had the audience on their feet applauding her powerful voice and graceful stage presence. Her convincing performance also got the judges on her side. While Chino said simply: “You look like a star, and you definitely sounded like a star!” Tessanne went further, saying:

“You are so regal... and what a range! There is so much more to come for you and from you, I can feel it!” However, Bambino thought it could have been a bit more refined when he said: “Some parts of it sounded a little like you were screaming... but to do a Celine Deion song and mi nuh waah cork mi ears, you did good.”

The unassuming Tash, will be major competition for all of the other Digicel Rising Stars’ hopefuls this year after her exceptional and genuine performance of Ikaya's Fly Away showed up her compelling voice, and her dynamic stage presence. Tash's performance rocked the crowd, and had them singing along, and jumping out of their chairs and cheering loudly in approval! A mini diva in the making, Tash has true star potential.

“Tash where have you been!?” was Tessanne's question to the young star, “Your voice is the type of voice that I want to hear on the radio... I believe every word you're singing!” she concluded, obviously impressed. Bambino was equally as impressed, saying: “You did exactly what I said you should do... you came out and rocked the house!” Chino added finally: “Keep it up, you're definitely a star!”

Fashion

Our spicy, trendsetting host Terri-Karelle, again wowed the audience in a muy caliente, one-strap, orange number. Her mini-cocktail dress along with a pair of gold and bronze strappy platforms set the stage a blaze.

Other fashion hits were Rocio's floor length, empired-waist, , baby-blue Uzuri gown and Jah Flaamez's black suit with red green and gold accents, an original by popular local designer, Carl Sway, and black alligator boots. The other contestants, though not as impressive, weren’t that off to be called misses.

Judges Comments

Though her bubbly personality makes her loveable, this wasn’t enough to spare the talented Summer from the effects of singing the wrong song, Mariah Carey's Love Takes Time, which the judges concluded did nothing for her voice:

“It was... normal. It was like a Saturday Night Live skit, it didn't grab me at all.” said Bambino nonchalantly. Chino agreed, saying “Nothing particularly stood out.” Tessanne gave her a bit more direction, first correcting her on her mic control, then saying: “It was an ambitious first try, but I think that was definitely the wrong song for you.”

Tune into TVJ this Saturday at 9pm to see which four contestants will stay and which two will go home from the second 6, and Sunday at 8pm when the competition heats up when your Top 8 finalists perform. And don't forget to vote!

Courtney John Lands Major AD Campaign For Axe Lynx

Starting today on television, cable, mobile and online in the UK, reggae singer and songwriter Courtney John’s hit single “Lucky Man” will be heard in Unilever’s Axe Lynx Summer Holiday campaign.

“Lucky Man” was pitched to advertising agency BBH by Courtney John’s publishers Calabash Productions in which they immediately fell in love with the song, but waited for the right project to place it in. "The song
fit perfectly with the campaign" quoted the ad agency (BBH).

Released in 2009 on the FiWi Music label “Lucky Man” has been a favourite amongst London’s Vibes FM Commander B and BBC radio DJ’s Mark Lamarr, Huey Morgan and Lauren Laverene, "It’s a good feeling that a reggae song is being used to lead this campaign and this just shows that good music will always prevail" says Courtney John.

Courtney John’s name is now added to the list reggae artists whose songs have been synced to national UK brand campaign such as Shaggy, Sean Paul, Jimmy Cliff, Dawn Penn, Millie Small and Desmond Decker.

Kurt Riley for Eclipse Negril Party

Having worked in the hotel industry for a number of years, Damion Arthur
knows a thing or two about getting people’s attention. It’s something he
has used to his advantage in his job as a party promoter. Arthur is the main man behind negrilentertainment.com, a web site that has showcased events throughout the resort town since 2008.

He is the promoter of Eclipse Negril, which takes place July 16 at the Risky Business venue. He is not only banking on attracting a big crowd, but a diverse one as well.

“What we are hoping to do is capture a soca audience in the parking lot and the dancehall fans inside,” Arthur said. Arthur is particularly eyeing the soca throng which is usually a more
mature, upscale demographic that is willing to shell out solid money for a good time.

“We are trying to get the soca thing going down in Negril. The people are
calling for it,” he said. At the height of its popularity in the 1990s, soca had a strong following in Negril thanks to bandleader Byron Lee who played the Risky Business on several occasions.

Damion Arthur recalls those days when Lee and his Dragonaires band packed the venue and is keen to follow suit.

Arthur says he was bitten by the promoter’s bug while working as a bartender and deejay at Alfred’s Ocean Palace in Negril. He remembers tourists approaching him regularly to find out about the town’s hottest
parties.

Three years ago, he launched negrilentertainment.com and also got involved in the leisure business as a promoter. Besides Eclipse Negril, he produces Lollipop in March and Santa’s Rum Revenge in December. Helping Arthur and his crew party this weekend will be DJ Kurt Riley the Party Animal, DJ P Drama out of New York, DJ Absolute and ZJ Ice.