Konshens Gears Up for Florida to Promote "Mental Maintenance"

With his first single titled "Do Sumn" currently blazing the International charts and recent entry on Hot 97 Boston Charts at #5 for the 1st week, it is clear that Konshens is off to a great start.

Gearing up for the release of his worldwide debut album "Mental Maintenance" to be released on March 6th, Konshens the winner himself, is ready to take the promotion on the road.

Poised to take his music worldwide, Konshens will leave the island for Jacksonville and Tampa Florida on Thursday, February 2nd where his current single, Do Sumn is being played on 93.3 The Beat. There he will complete a host of interviews, promotional events and guest appearances on this 3 day media blitz.

"Its a great opportunity to take my music to the people and I am ready to put in the work to make this album a success. I want the people to know and understand "Mental Maintenance" and realize I put my heart into this album. So the work begins and mi ready"

The media promotions will continue on Wednesday, February 15th when Konshens leaves for Washington DC to continue the promotion of "Mental Maintenance". Stay tuned for the Mental Maintenance Tour dates soon to be announced.

Popcaan Lands Rotation on New York’s HOT 97‏

One of dancehall's newest megastars, Popcaan, is continuing to make his mark on the international scene. After recently appearing on the enviable Complex magazine's website, the artiste's hit, Only Man She Want, was this week added to New York's HOT 97 playlist.

The artiste whose correct name is Andrae Sutherland, and who hails from St. Thomas before relocating to Portmore, St. Catherine first came to the musical fore with the international hit single, Clarks, alongside mentor, Vybz Kartel. Since then he has created a string of hits including, Ravin' and more recently, Party Shot.

One of the main forces behind Only Man She Want's inclusion in HOT 97's playlist, Johnny Wonder, says he is extremely proud of the young deejay's snowballing success. Wonder, executive vice-president of the digital distribution company, 21st-Hapilos, has also had a hand in other reggae and dancehall tracks being added to the station's playlist under the 21st-Hapilos' watch. They include, Rum and Redbull by Beenie Man and Future Fambo, Khago's Nah Sell Out and more.

"First of all I have to thank Bobby Konders and Mister Cee of HOT 97 for their support; they are always behind us 100 percent and we are thankful. I am also happy with Popcaan's growing success, both locally and in the international market. The fact is that, the more artistes we can get showcased internationally, the better it will be for our music and the easier it will become for international record labels to invest in our music because they see that there is a market for it," says Wonder.

He continued, "But it all starts with the proper marketing of the songs and this is what we have been doing at 21st-Hapilos and will continue to do. Our aim is to help reggae and dancehall artistes achieve the visibility they need on the international airwaves in addition to helping producers and musicians gain some amount of profit from the sale of their music."

Among the recent singles and riddim marketed by 21st-Hapilos are I-Octane & Chan Dizzy's Till Kingdom Come produced by Russian of Head Concussion Records, the TJ Records-produced Party Shot (Ravin' Part 2) by Popcaan, Buju Banton's Set Up The Mic, produced by Young Blood / 21st-Hapilos, Boomshots Volume 1 by 21st-Hapilos. While some of their upcoming projects include the Vybz Kartel - Stronger we get - EP , produced by Zj Chrome and more.

Serani Blazes Musical Trail in Europe‏

Dancehall artiste, Serani, has been blazing a trail on his European tour and has no intention of slowing down.The singer, who is known for his popular hits including, Doh, No Games,She Loves Me, says the reception he has garnered thus far has been phenomenal.

"All the fans have been very receptive to me generally. They love to dance to Skip To Ma Luu a lot, and No Games which was also produced by me is among the favourites here. Another song they enjoy is Romance which was produced by Chimney Records. They scream and sing that song a lot," says Serani.

He continued, "That came as a big surprise because I'm performing to crossover crowds - these are not dancehall crowds and the song was never on MTV and never got much play on Hip Hop stations in the States, so the reception for the song was great and surprising."

Most of the singer's exciting performances will be in Germany, and thus far some of his favourite stops have been Bremen, Cologne and Bremerhafen. "These performances had the hypest and loudest crowds. Germany is huge and they love reggae music, so that's a bonus. It's a great country to push reggae music in."

Not to be outdone, Serani has also been maintaining a steady presence in the Caribbean market with his recent releases, including Naah Beg Friendon Fire Links' Off the Bench Riddim, a new single on ZJ Sparks' Kush Riddim and Make Me Stronger on Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor's latest riddim.

Jabez Continues To Make Big Strides‏

After making a significant mark in 2011 with his powerful New Jerusalem album, gospel minister Jabez is ready for even higher heights of ministry in 2012.
Only a few weeks into the new year and the singer is already booked for a number of upcoming events in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Africa and South America (Guyana and Panama) via Glory Music Bookings and Management company and his manager, Nathan Cowan.

One of his upcoming appearances, dubbed 'A Night With Jabez' will take place next month at the Bay View Eco Resort & Spa in Portland in recognition of Reggae & Black History Month. The resort which will host a 'Celebrity Thursday' each week, opted to kickstart the series with the inspirational Jabez.

Jabez whose correct name is Clive Provost and is widely known for his singles Drinking From My Saucer, Prayer We Pray, God A Mi Keeper, Great Jehovah and more says, "I have to thank God for all the results garnered last year, which continue to be reflected in this year's activities. My aim has always been to minister through music and I am extremely thankful that the message is being received not only locally, but also internationally. There is a lot more to be done, and I am in the process of putting together new singles with the legendary producer Tommy Cowan and the number one female Gospel minister, Dr. Carlene Davis O.D who is also of Glory Music."

In reference to last year's New Jerusalem album, Jabez says, "It continues to do well and I am thankful to everyone for that." The singer's album which was produced by Desmond Campbell of DWC Productions can be found in a number of stores across the island, including, Music Mart, LMH and stores in both national airports.
In addition, Jabez is preparing to release a slew of videos courtesy of his manager and noted director, Nathan Cowan of Caribbean Films. He says, "Those will be out soon and available to both the local and international audiences."

Soca Divettes "Fete Tonight"

The 'Soca Divettes' are the resident chorus background singers at the London Calypso Tent under the headship of the Association of British Calypsonians(ABC). Their shows and annual competitions put on by the ABC are held at the new Carnival Village base at the Tabernacle Arts Centre in West London and it is here that the Soca Divettes have been enhancing the material calypsonians deliver when they bring their renditions for entry to the Calypso and Groovy Soca Monarch competitions each July, August and October during Black History Month when the Junior Calypsonians compete.

For the last eight years or so the Soca Divettes have sung vast numbers of choruses and arranged many harmony lines for well over 20 competing artists, most offering two songs per season. As well as the regulars, The Soca Divettes work with the visiting special guest artists who are usually well known favourites from Trinidad and Tobago and recently Canada joining the Tent for the duration of the competition as well as The Notting Hill Carnival.

To name some of the acts/artists with whom the Soca Divettes have worked with either exclusively via the Tent or other follows: The late great Duke, Poser, General Grant, Explainer, Brown Boy, Black Stallin, Shadow, Sparrow, Calypso Rose, Denise Belfont, RPB, Beckett, Ajamo, Baron, Mr Dale, Mikey, Sanell Dempster, Berbice, Jamesy P and Kevin Lyttle.


In 2010, The Soca Divettes' impeccable ear for harmony and naturally
soulful flavour was picked up and a song written for them to allow
them the chance to shine as a new and separate entity in the Tent.

They performed their first song 'Soul Fire' during each of the Friday shows of that season and received great reviews each time. 'Soul Fire' was written by the talented and reigning British Calypso Monarch holder of 2010 & 2011 Alexander D'Great and handed over for the Divette treatment. Full of harmony and dynamic the song is fresh and
uplifting evoking a new style of sophisticated soul soca. 'Soul Fire' was recorded and produced by Martin York and Alexander D. Great for Lion Valley Records in 2011.

In the same year The Soca Divettes took it a step further and wrote a song themselves which they performed during the 2011 Tent season. New song 'Fete Tonight' has since been recorded and produced by Combination Studios and released January 2012 available on itunes.

The Soca Divettes will continue as a new and separate act that contributes to the art form offering their own brand of soulful sophisticated Calypso/Soca music.

The Soca Divettes are Carlene, Geraldine and Michelle the background is they are all accomplished singers individually and all have worked with well known pop, reggae and R & B artists during their time in the music industry which exceeds 20 years.