Tiana Scores Again, Secures Two IRAWMA Nominations‏

The growing international reputation of prominent Dancehall star, Tiana continues to be enhanced as the budding singjay has copped two more award nominations.

The Princess of Dancehall, who was recently nominated for two honours at the Carivibez Video Web Awards, has struck similar notice from the International Reggae And World Music Awards, who have named her in a pair of categories for this summer's event.

Recognized for her stellar year in 2011, Tiana earned a nod for Female Vocalist of the Year, where she goes against fellow Dancehall/Reggae divas, Ce'Cile, Etana, Queen Ifrica and veteran, Marcia Griffiths as well as Nkulee Dube, the daughter of late South African singer, Lucky Dube.


Additionally, Tiana was nominated for Best New Entertainer as she competes against artistes from varios genres such as the aforementioned Dube, J-Boog, Protoje and Laza Morgan.

These latest achievement further emphasizes the strength of her emergence as a top level artiste in this, her second year as a major mainstream act. Recently, Tiana released a captivating medley video for her fiery singles, Me Nuh Fear Yuh (D&H/Subkonshus) and Real Bad Gyal (Cashflow Records). Furthermore, the breakthrough sensation released her debut EP, Princess of the Dancehall via iTunes. The nine track EP, distributed by Johnny Wonder and 21st Hapilos, features hits such as Bruk Out and Whine as well as Can't Talk Bad Bout Mi.

Meanwhile, this year's IRAWMA ceremony features four nominations for Mavado including Best Male Disc Jockey and Best Crossover Song (Delilah). Other multiple nominees include Rihanna, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Jimmy Cliff, Freddy McGregor, Gentleman, Laza Morgan, Marcia Griffiths, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Tarrus Riley, Beenie Man, I-Octane, Nkulee Dube, The Green, Richie Spice, Kes the Band, Protoje, Alison Hinds, Machel Montano and Calypso Rose.

Among the other international nominees are Nicki Minaj, Kanye, Christ Brown, Jennifer Hudson, Lupe Fiasco, Shakira, Pit Bull, Enrique Iglesias, Collie Buddz, Popcaan, Lady Saw, Elephant Man, Maxi Priest, Yellow Man, Adventura, Matis Yahu, Third World etc...

The 31st annual International Reggae And World Music Awards will take place on July 5 in Chicago, Illinois.

Tarrus Riley To Release Acoustic Album On April 17

Singer Tarrus Riley will on April 17 release his most personal project to date. The 15 track acoustic album titled Mecoustic is being released in conjunction with the France-based Soulbeats Records.

The project which features collaborations with dub poet Cherry Natural, and Riley’s father veteran reggae crooner Jimmy, will be available in European markets. In a release to the media, Riley revealed that the project was very personal and attention was paid to detail to ensure the material was properly recorded.

“We have some new songs and some old songs and revisiting the old songs brought back memories. The whole experience of putting this project together was a learning experience again. These are songs that are very special and personal”, Riley revealed.

Mecoustic reveals yet a different side to Riley whose previous albums include Challenges, Parables and Contagious.

Riley worked with a top tier of talented producers and musicians on Mecoustic. “This is like good food. Real rich quality music. This is something you want to have in your music collection”, said Riley. Musician Dean Frazer (who is also Riley’s musical director) along with Riley’s Blak Soil band are among those who injected their talents in to the project.

“This is a pet project between me and Tarrus. We just wanted the people to get a better understanding of words and meanings of these songs. While we were on tour these ideas popped up”, Frazer explained.

He added “It took us a year to finish the album. The direction musically is the same as always good music. We want the fans that turn up their nose when hard core reggae reach them get a chance to play this album that carries the same message with a more relaxing musical accompaniment”.

Songs on Mecoustic include Black Mother Pray featuring Jimmy Riley; She’s Royal; Devil’s Appetite; If Its Jah Will; Marcus Garvey; Eyesight; Paradise; Pick up the Pieces; One Two Order; Africa Awaits; Other Half; Whispers; and System Set featuring Cherry Natural.

Mecoustic is Riley’s first major release since 2009’s Contagious. The acoustic set will be available worldwide on June 26.

Possessed Riddim - Various Artists

Necessary Mayhem producer, Curtis Lynch made the Possessed beat in Jamaica. He then went on to voice Tarrus Riley at the infamous Anchor Studios. Tarrus explains within his song that 'now is not the time to be heartbroken, expect the unexpected'. Not everything in life is as clear and clean cut as one would wish for, and this is the message littered with old school Jamaican sayings that Mr Riley delivers.

Blood Thirsty, the single by Jah Mali taken from the Future Cuts album, is getting a huge response internationally. In the words of David Rodigan MBE, when he previewed the track a few weeks ago on his Kiss FM show, “Jah Mali is an under-recorded artist but when he does record, you listen." Jah Mali’s theme is about protection from Jah against wickedness and 'blood thirsty' behaviour.

Million Stylez & Curtis Lynch have a long recording history, which is being solidly continued with Million's cut on the riddim, Cool Down. He brings his own personal and distinctive style toPossessed, pleading with the youth in his song to stop the violence and cool down.

As is customary, the instrumental from Curtis “Da Grynch” Lynch, has a rolling bass and an old school hip-hop drum pattern. This is one of the strongest riddim sections on the Necessary Mayhem label to date with a haunting sample of the 'Ites Green & Gold' riddim famed by Ken Booth in the 70’s.

Possessed is spread across two 7” singles and will be available....

Official Release Date: 7/4/2012

Formats:
7” Vinyl Album
Digital Download: 17/4/2012
iTunes/ www.necessarymayhemstore.com/ Juno