Kereen Gregory, Gets Radikal With New Single‏

When singer Kereen Gregory, aka KG, entered the JCDC Gospel Song Contest in 2008, she was defined as a great singer with lots of potential. Her lyrical path was the safe religious homilies that could light a spark and leave Christians with that good feeling.

However, four years later, Kereen Gregory is not merely setting off sparks, she is creating fires and firestorms of criticism as she explores her musical horizons in her quest to win souls for Christ. Her lyrical content has moved from safe to edgy -- some would perhaps say 'too edgy -- and KG has stepped out as a dancehall deejay, while keeping true to her God-centric focus.

In 2011, Kereen teamed up with controversial and successful gospel artiste, Prodigal Son and embraced the challenge to boldly step out into the world as a testimony to her faith. KG entered Prodigal's Radikal Yawd outfit and was re-baptised. She emerged from the studio sounding like a seasoned deejay, throwing down lyrics that were sure to make both Christendom and the world stop and listen.

One of her singles on the Radikal Yawd imprint is called Who Me You Mad and is chockful of sexual overtones, while driving home the point that God is her only man and is totally in charge of her existence. "You a di boss, You a di don", Kereen declares in one verse of the song, prior to going into the ear-popping chorus: Who me, you mad, fi one night of fun fi go cheat with the devil and give me God bun?

While some may feel that Kereen has compromised her Christianity with over-the-top lyrics such as these, Kereen herself is confident that the song is all part of that great divine plan and remains resolute in the face of growing criticism.

"Who Me You Mad is an out-of-the-box kind of song, but as Christians we know that we sometimes have to go where 'macca' can stick us and stick those around us so that they can wake up and see God's goodness," KG said. "And I didn't even know that I could deejay," the gospel singer added with a laugh.

According to Kereen, the song has received so much attention from both the dancehall and non-religious radio, that it has forced on-air gospel shows to start placing it on their programmes.

"It is great to sing a song in church and get a hearty 'Amen', but we as Christians must remember that we cannot always focus on preaching to the converted. If this song brings even one soul to Christ, I will feel that my mission has been accomplished," she said.

Kereen's other single on the Radikal Yawd label is called Lord Do Me Again and this too, has seen her stepping out of her usual comfort zone of traditional gospel songs.

Currently under the management of Butterfly Muzik Limited, KG is preparing for yet another milestone event in her gospel career – the launch of her debut album in the first half of 2012. For this offering, she has worked with producers Gifton Smith, Alex Blanken and Radikal Yawd.

Hefla Nya Set To Shoot Video For "Lose Control"

619 Entertainment Recording artist Tristan Duncan popularly known as Hefla Nya is getting ready to shoot the music video for his latest single titled Lose Control.

Roger Grant who is a member of his management team and one of the main players in 619 Entertainment has indicated that the video will be shot across locations in the US and Guyana, the homeland of Natrual Black who is featured on Loose control.

“Lose Control is a very good song, its already making a strong impact in several reggae markets worldwide due to increasing airplay in recent weeks. We plan to do the video in different locations in the States and Guyana where Natrual Black is from. We plan to shoot and have it ready for release before the end of March,” said Mr. Grant.

He cited the songs universal message and theme as one of the main reasons he has decided to shoot the video in the US and Guyana.

“We have decided to shoot the video in those locations because of its theme and message, it could be shot anywhere in the world because of its message, so we decided to shoot it in the territories where both artists live. We are currently in the process of selecting a director for the video, Nordia Rose has been shortlisted so far, she did Hefla’s first video and we love the results.”

Loose Control is available on Itunes and all other leading internet music download sites.Hefla Nya’s other single titled Take You There, is currently racing up the charts, its presently number 6 on the Jamaica Music Countdown Top 25 Reggae Singles Chart.

Mission Catwalk Takes on the Caribbean for Season 2‏

The Mission Catwalk reality series has expanded its reach and returns to television for a second season with contestants from several Caribbean countries. Fifteen designers from Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and home country Jamaica will compete for enviable prizes, among them the chance to show at London Fashion week.

Says host and executive producer Keneea Linton-George, “Our aim at Mission Catwalk is to grow the fashion industry, not just in Jamaica, but the entire Caribbean. We want to show that a great quality production can come from the region and to that end, I must give credit to our production crew especially Mykal Cushnie who returns as director/editor.”

The Kingston-based TV series, which was second only to the news in its time slot, is now one hour long. Fans can expect 30 additional minutes of excitement in each episode which comprises four segments: the challenge, the design production, the runway show and the elimination of the designer. Things get off to a dramatic start when the designers meet a swift and ferocious first round challenge in which 5 of them will be eliminated. The thirteen week series culminates with three designers at a live showdown in Kingston where the winner will be chosen.

Last year’s winner Shenna Carby is still reaping benefits from her victory, which included the chance to show at Miami Fashion Week. In addition to the opportunity to show in London, this year’s winner will receive JMD$500,000 courtesy of National Commercial Bank of Jamaica (NCB) to start their clothing line, industrial sewing equipment valued at JMD$200,000 courtesy of singer Jamaica, a contract to sell their designs at SOHO boutique, a six-page fashion editorial in Ocean Style Magazine and a scholarship to pursue fashion program at London College of Fashion.

Returning to join Linton-George in the judges seat are Jamaica Observer lifestyle editor Novia McDonald-Whyte and menswear designer Carlton Brown. The trio will be joined by special guest judges including creator of Guyana Fashion week, Sonia Noel, Trinidad designers, Meiling Esau and Claudia Pegus as well as Jamaican entertainer Lady Saw. This year the show puts focus on HIV/AIDS awareness and Dr. Sharlene Jarrett will represent the Ministry of Health on a special episode.

The contestants for Mission Catwalk Season 2 are Jamaicans Shellane McFarlane, Gregory Williams, Crystal Powell, Kimbally Smith, Janel Jolly, Keshon Hawthorne, Natalie Rochester and Maria King-Beadle. Kesia Estwick and Kerin Scott are from Barbados. Ryan Chen and Shannon Kwong represent Trinidad while Jeanelle Forde represents both Trinidad and Barbados. Ryan Bentley (Guyana) and Rebecca Stirm (Belize), round off the non-Jamaican contenders.

Mission Catwalk officially launched on Tuesday Jan. 31st at the Courtleigh Auditorium. The show, presented by NCB, Supreme Ventures and Digicel, airs every Tuesday at 8:30 PM on Television Jamaica starting March 20th. Viewers in Barbados, Belize, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago please check local listings.

ABOUT MISSION CATWALK

Mission Catwalk is a fashion reality series created by Jamaican fashion designer Kenea Linton-George aimed at discovering and developing new talent. The Kingston-based show tests the creativity and skill of each contestant through various challenges.

On each episode, a guest judge joins Linton-George (who also serves as host and executive producer), menswear designer Carlton Brown and Jamaica Observer Lifestyle Editor Novia MacDonald-Whyte to critique the designs and eliminate one designer. Mission Catwalk is directed and edited by Mykal Cushnie. Title sponsors are Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL), National Commercial Bank of Jamaica (NCB) and Digicel. The show airs Tuesdays at 8:30PM on Television Jamaica.