Flippa Mafia Soars On The Dutty Cartoon Riddim

Dancehall star Flippa Mafia has returned with a bang. His latest single Real to the People which is featured on the Dutty Cartoon riddim from Board House Records, has been blowing up all over FM radio.

In a release to the media, Flippa explained the story behind the song. “Every song I do has meaning behind it based on the things I am talking about. A me say star a star. Me a di real flossing King”, Flippa explained. This isn’t the first time that Flippa has worked with the Board House Records team. He describes the synergy with the budding dancehall label as a successful one.

“It has been very successful working with Board House Records. We have a good chemistry and this is evident in the songs that we put out”, said Flippa. The dancehall artiste has recorded quite a few songs for the label including his breakthrough number one hit Dem Ya, Say Dem a Lippa, Bout Dem a Floss and Ova Mi Money.

Flippa has been quite busy recording on some of the hottest dancehall projects currently permeating the scene. He is featured on ZJ Wah Wa’s newest project with the track Can’t Help Myself. Additionally he also recorded on new projects for TJ Records and producer Rambo.

The artiste says he is bringing a different flavour to the dancehall game. “Right now me a bring a different flavour to the game. We a try to uplift the youths so they can enjoy themselves. We’re trying to bring a jovial thing to the music”, he explained.

The artiste has also evolved into music production with the creation of his Flip Money Squad and label Flip Money Records. Flip Money Records debuted a while back with the Canary Diamond and Extra Fire rhythm projects which featured hits from Bounty Killer and Buju Banton.

The label’s upcoming project features a riddim created by Big Ship’s Stephen McGregor. The project is aimed at tapping into the hip hop market and according to Flippa, he already has two well known American rappers lined up to record songs on the riddim. Flip Money Squad is comprised of up and coming dancehall acts including Skilly Banks, Kanambo and Placka Moggela

Flippa Mafia is set to perform at the So Flo Awards event in Florida later this month. He will also be hosting a number of parties over the Memorial Weekend in the United States and a pool party. On May 12 he will share stage with the fireman Capleton at a stage show in Philadelphia, while on June 14 he is billed to perform in Chicago.

Sizzla’s Romantic Ballad ‘Love Connection’ Permeates The Airwaves

Reggae artiste Sizzla is known for his message laced conscious offerings. His latest single Love Connection raises the musical bar with its lyrical content and top notch production.

Love Connection is produced by Adrian ‘Donsome’ Hanson and released on the Donsome Records label. The romantic ballad has been blowing up FM radio its release to radio. In the song, Sizzla pleads for the affection of his woman. He longs for the comfort of her arms where he can find solace in her passion.

Love Connection showcases Sizzla’s musical artistry and his knack for creating deliciously appetizing brews when it comes to matters of the heart. This is another tasty treat from the producer who is best known for the Crime Stop rhythm project. Crime Stop featured Mama Bawl by Gyptian, Lost Our Way by I Octane and Famine and Drought by I Wayne.

I-Octane Heads to Canada, Europe and US‏

I-Octane has kicked of his six weeks promotion tour with a series of performances that will take him to see his many fans across the globe. After releasing a slew of new hits and his debut album 'Crying to the Nation', I-Octane is headed to Canada where he is scheduled to perform in Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton and Calgary. While in Canada I-Octane is also scheduled to visit various radio, television, and print media in order to continue to promote himself and his album.

Following his Canadian tour I-Octane will head to Europe where he headlines on three Festivals along with some of Jamaica's renowned artists; Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Queen Ifrica, Busy Signal, Anthony B, Richie Spice and Wayne Wonder, just to name a few. The first festival will be held on Wednesday, May 16th Paris, France; followed by the Amsterdam Reggae Festival on the 17th at the Heinken Music Hall. He will close off the Europe leg of his tour on May 19th in Toulousse, France at the second Reggae Splash Festival.

Upon returning from Europe I-Octane will make an appearance in Bermuda before heading to Bicentennial Park in Miami for Best of the Best, one of the biggest festivals on the East Coast and shortly after begin the West Coast leg of his tour.

"I've been working hard in the studios these past few months and my team and I have decided, its time to take the music back on the road. I look forward to performing for my fans and gaining new fans as I embark on some new places. Each show I promise to give 110% so mek sure you come out it a guh siiicckkk" says I-Octane.


The artiste's hard work has not been in vain as he continues to garner much recognition and respect from both colleagues in the industry and fans worldwide. He has been nominated in two categories by the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) to be held in July. The two categories are the 'Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year' and the 'Most Cultural/Educational Entertainer'.

"It is an honor to be nominated in two prestigious categories alongside some of the icons in the business. When creating music, I tend to sing for the love of it and the people, so when someone or an organization recognize me for my work, it is a great accomplishment" says I-Octane.

In the interim, I-Octane will continue to honor his commitments at various shows, produce new music and keep giving his fans exactly what they want...Spectacular music.

May 4, London, Canada --- Club LG

May 5, Mississauga, Canada---Sagan Convention Center

May 11, Hamilton, Canada --- Club 77

May 12, Montreal, Canada---Club Soda

May 16, Paris, France --- Zenith

May 17, Amsterdam, Netherlands---Heineken Music Hall

May 19, Toulousse, France ---Le Phare

May 23, Bermuda, ---- Baileys Bay Cricket Field Club

May 27, Miami, Florida ---Bicentenial Park

May 28, Brooklyn, NY---Boys and Girls Park (Soccer Match)

June 1, Cape Cod, Massachusetts--- Pufferbellies

June 2, Oakland, CA -- New Karribean City

June 3, Long Beach CA ---Cohiba

June 4, Santa Cruz, CA---Moe's Alley

June 15, Boston, MA---Wonderland Ballroom

June 16, Philadelphia, PA ---Club Nifiji

June 17, Hartford CT ---- West Indian Social Club

June 22, Kingston, Jamaica

June 28-30 St.Kitts Music Festival

Gradually Makes Reggae History Protoje

As far as contemporary Jamaican artists go, only Sean Paul, Shaggy and Gyptian have done it before. Now add to the list Protoje, who was the fourth Jamaican artist to perform in the United Arab Emirates this century. He reminisced about his recent performance on a roof top in Dubai with the world famous Burj Al Arab, the world's fourth tallest hotel, in plain view.

""While I was performing, I was able to look around and see these landmarks that I had only seen in books," marveled the Saint Elizabeth native. "It let me know that Reggae music is a powerful force and I am determined to do my part to keep spreading it."

On the trip with Protoje was ZJ Liquid, one of the first disc jockeys on a mainstream Jamaican radio station (ZIP 103 FM) to play his music. In Dubai, Liquid also broke new ground by playing music live on Radio 1 for more than an hour. Radio 1 is Dubai's leading urban radio station.

Protoje is becoming a well seasoned force on the international Reggae scene. His next move is the Rasta Love Tour, a ten date series of events on the west coast of the United States, primarily in California and Washington state from May 17 to 27.

Soon after that, Protoje and his band InDiggNation will make their debut on the African continent as one of the headliners for the MBay Megafest on June 2 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. This is a special assignment for Protoje as his wish is to travel the world with InDiggNation playing and creating music. The artist is also billed for Rototom Sunsplash in Spain this coming August.

Marcia Griffiths Teams Up With Rising Reggae Artist Kwabena Nip

Following on from Kwabena's Bloody River single, The Queen Of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths, has teamed up with the rising reggae artiste to record this new single, Governs Of Africans, after a friend had played her a couple of tracks from his album Ancestral Vessel, which she really liked and she replied "He's really good!"

So Kwabena flew out to Jamaica on one of his missions and had the privilege of recording Governs Of Africans with Marcia, and commented, “We both immediately understood the message in the lyrics and wholeheartedly supported them!”

“I found Marcia very easy going, warm, and humble to work with., and a kind of love and helpfulness came from her being, not to mention her professionalism which is without equal. It was a great boost to my spirit to work with such a legendary icon, and to finally sing with The Queen Of Reggae.

As for Marcia, she brought a calm flavour to the song, adding her own unique, smooth vocal style, which is instantly recognisable and also makes Governs Of Africans even more radio friendly and easy to listen to. “Working with her was like gold, but to top it with a diamond, I would love to record an album with Marcia, if she ever gets some time.”

Kwabena concludes “In Jamaica, we must always remember that these legendary artistes are a gift from The Most High to us all, and they still continue to spread the conscious message of True Reggae Music round the globe “

Collie Buddz Featured on VH1's Basketball Wives!

Reggae music has achieved another milestone, and this time it’s thanks to Reggae star Collie Buddz. On the May 7th airing of VH1’s popular reality show, Basketball Wives, Collie’s song “I Feel So Good” was played, making it a first for the worlds’ popular genre!

Produced by ZJ Sparks for Twelve 9 Records and Dan Grossman and Michael Gore for Dynasty Music, the upbeat track grooves listeners with its use of synthesized trumpets, and playful Xylophone while Collie sings the addictive punch line “I feel so good, I don’t know what’s come over me!”

Set at the show’s closing scene, personalities Susan and Keisha can be seen bouncing to the track while they play in the water with the Dolphins in Tahiti as the song plays in the background. “I literally felt good when I got the news of the songs placement on the show” said Collie when reached by phone in Bermuda. “It’s nice to see Reggae profiled in such a big way!”

In Jamaica, ZJ Sparks and the Twelve 9 Records team celebrated “this is the first time a Reggae song has been featured on Basketball Wives. This is a first and a huge accomplishment,” said Sparks.

Popular social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook came to life as fans got the pleasant surprise while watching their favourite show. On ZJ Sparks’ timeline, fans tweeted to the producer “OMG!! Who else is super excited about Collie Buddz being featured on Basketball Wives tonight?!,” while fans on Collie’s timeline added “Hearing @CollieBuddz on Basketball wives was the best highlight for me tonight!”

Collie Buddz song, “I Feel So Good” is a part of the Kush Morning Riddim line up which also features Serani, Ikaya and Jah Vinci. The riddim is available on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/kush-morning/id499341564).