Duane Stephenson Offered 3-Year Booking Deal With South American Company

Recently returned from a mega-successful mini-tour of Brazil, reggae singer Duane Stephenson is basking in the glowing aftermath of that trip. At the end of the tour, he knew three things for a fact: one – he had performed well; two – his audiences had been thrilled; and three – the promoters were all smiles.

But what Duane didn’t know, was the extent to which he had impacted Brazil, and in fact, the entire South American continent. But he soon found out, when he was approached by representatives of THT Events, one of the top three promoters in South America, to sign a three-year booking contract with the company.

Naturally, Duane was blown away. “It was totally unexpected, but I just kept cool and listened to what they had to say. And it definitely sounds interesting,” Duane disclosed.  

He is now ironing out the details of the contract with Luciano Alves and Sidney Gresser with a view to going back to South America during the summer. And, being Duane, he intends to seize this opportunity with both hands. 

On his to-do list are plans are to record a song in Portuguese, the official language spoken in Brazil and also to do another in Spanish, which is spoken in the majority of South American countries. “I have been exploring my options as far as learning Spanish is concerned and although I would prefer to be in a classroom with other students, that might not be possible, given my schedule. 

So I will probably have to get a personal tutor, but the important thing is that by the end of the year my Spanish must be good,” the reggae singer stated emphatically. Duane, who is also committed to making his home fans feel his presence, recently completed the video for the reality single, To The Lord, on Don Corleone’s soothing Scriptures riddim. 

Another single Kingston Town (Another Day In Paradise) is currently charted locally at number 15 and is moving up.

VP Records & Vans Join Forces On Dub Rockers

VP Records and Vans are proud to announce the release of Dub Rockers Volume 1, a groundbreaking compilation that combines Jamaica’s top artists with popular U.S. and Euro-based reggae acts. The 10-track collection, set to be released August 27 on VP Records’ newly founded imprint Dub Rockers, will feature collaborations between Slightly Stoopid and Capleton, Bad Brains and Angelo Moore of Fishbone, SOJA and Gentleman, Rebelution and I-Wayne and much more.

As the official sponsor, Vans will host a Dub Rockers’ album release party at their House of Vans skate park and music venue in Brooklyn, NY and release a limited edition mid-top black sneaker donning Rastafarian accents of red, gold and green. Professional skateboarder and DJ John Cardiel, who is sponsored by Vans, will contribute a Dub Rockers Volume 1 mixtape and also spin at various events around the album release.

Billboard premiered the compilation’s first video "Only Man In The World" featuring Hawaii’s Anuhea and Jamaica’s Tarrus Riley and gave the inside scoop about this exciting venture between the historic reggae record label and California based skate-shoe company. Check out the BILLBOARD exclusive  

Watch/Post video for Anuhea and Tarrus Riley’s “Only Man In The World”: 

Today, reggae music continues to thrive with a set of new acts who have brought the genre full circle. However, unlike in decades past, this evolution is not emanating exclusively from Jamaica. With our 21st century access to technology, reggae has become a global community, and new styles can emerge from all corners of the globe. In almost every sub-genre of reggae music, there is a foreign artist who is making a significant impact. 

Dub Rockers Volume 1 is a recognition of this reality, and has been a unification process for the community at large. This album is intended to break down barriers and cross borders. DUB ROCKERS VOLUME 1 

1. Slightly Stoopid, Inner Circle & Capleton “No Cocaine” - This collaboration is a remix between Slightly Stoopid and Capleton (feat Inner Circle) and was first recorded at the Circle Village Studios in Miami, where Slightly Stoopid recorded their “Not Slightly Stoned Enough For Breakfast” extended EP. Kyle, who sings lead on the track, had bonded with both Roger and Ian Lewis (of Inner Circle) when they had an opportunity to tour together in a joint collaboration between Silverback and DubShot Records. 

2. Alborosie, Natty & Busy Signal “Change”- Alborosie, an Italian-born reggae artist, made the bold move to Kingston to develop his sound and has become assimilated into the local community. On this track he collaborates with popular modern dancehall artist Busy Signal, and Natty, a singer-songwriter based in North London. 

3. Bad Brains & Fishbone “Ragga Dub”- This historic collaboration between Bad Brains and Angelo Moore of Fishbone represents an amazing meeting of the musical minds that probably should have happened two or three decades ago. These two American architects of reggae/ska’s merge with rock/punk remain relevant and continue to evolve in their own paths as musicians. HR and Angelo collaborate regularly on film and at events, however, this is the first official meeting of the two bands on record. The producer on this track is Miguel (aka Perro Bravo). He is an original producer and performer for Sublime, and continued their legacy through the establishment of Skunk Records and the band Long Beach Dub Allstars. 

4. John Brown’s Body & Peetah Morgan “The Gold”- John Brown’s Body, a collective whose members hail from Boston, MA and Ithaca, NY, has been touring the American jamband festival circuit in the United States for over a decade. Their signature horns and versatile musicality shine on this collaboration with Peetah Morgan, lead singer of Brooklyn/Jamaica’s Morgan Heritage. Subatomic sound system provided the dub remix exclusively for Dub Rockers. 

5. Anuhea & Tarrus Riley “Only Man In The World”- Hawaii meets Jamaica on this winning combination. Hawaiian superstar Anuhea teamed up with Jamaican-American kingpin, Tarrus Riley to create this easy breezy lovers track that will serve as the lead single and video for the project. 

6. The Aggrolites & Etana “Complicated Girl”- LA’s own The Aggrolites are a hard-hitting ska rock outfit known for their tremendously tight live musical performances. This remix, featuring Jamaican roots songstress Etana, is a classic “counter-action” where the female will flip the vocals on their male counterpart. Many times the song is done on its own independent track on the same riddim. However, in this case Brooklyn producer Prince Polo weaves the collaboration into a dub matrix. 

7. The Roast Beef Curtains & Prince Polo “Java”- This reincarnation of the original session featuring Augustus Pablo and Tommy McCook was produced by Clive Chin both in 1972 and 2012. This was his first production effort in years, and occurred in the wake of the tragic loss of his son, and Dub Rockers co-creator (along with Mannix from DubShot) Joel Chin. The session featured several musical artists paying tribute including The RBC, a dub rock outfit from Long Island New York. Additional musicians included Brooklyn’s Dub Select on horns and Junior Wedderburn (of Lion King fame) on percussion to create this unique take on the a classic riddim, often considered one of the earliest all-instrumental dub recordings. 

8. The Expendables & Eek-A-Mouse “Ganja Smugglin” - California’s own The Expendables are featured on this remix of an Eek-A-Mouse track featuring a new take on the song from Eek-A-Mouse himself. Originally released in 1982, “Ganja Smugglin” was the culmination of a collaboration that had developed between Mouse and Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes. This cover version was a live staple for the band from Santa Cruz, California, and was released on their self-titled release from 2007. 

9. Rebelution & I-Wayne “So High”- This feature track from Santa Barbara’s Rebelution was originally recorded as a live band studio track, and then remixed by Yeti Beats (other credits include: Ninjasonik, Kool Keith, Sizzla) and featured on the Remix EP. I Wayne recorded his verses in Jamaica, and Brooklyn’s Prince Polo created the dub version heard on this album. 

10. SOJA & Gentleman “I Tried”- SOJA (Soldiers Of Jah Army) are a Washington DC based band that have been together since 1997. They began performing along the eastern shores of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware during the summer months and eventually spread west, making them one of today’s most popular reggae acts in the United States. On this track they collaborate with German artist Gentleman, a mainstay on the international reggae scene for many years.

Big Shaw Debuts New Hit Single - Fete

Rising soca sensation Big Shaw debuts his new hit single and video, "Fete," now available worldwide via iTunes. Born and raised in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Shermal "Big Shaw" Smith has been making a name for himself as the lead vocalist for Jammerz HP, one of the hottest soca bands hailing from the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).

"Fete" is the sizzling lead single from Big Shaw and Jammerz HP's album, FETE, released on April 1, 2013, just in time for the St. Thomas Carnival, which took place during the month of April. The aptly-named "Fete" fittingly sent carnival-goers into a frenzy during the dance parties or fetes, and Big Shaw is now taking his sound beyond his USVI borders and to soca lovers across the globe.

Penned by Big Shaw and produced by USVI-based JHP Produtionz, "Fete" is a groovy party tune, and a perfect blend of classic Trinidadian-soca flavor backed by a wicked USVI-styled rhythm. Known to locals as a lyrical powerhouse with a voice that commands a crowd, Big Shaw brings nothing but energy and excitement whenever he hits the stage and has the prized ability to mash up any fete.  

"I wrote 'Fete' because I wanted to create that ultimate party track for our carnival celebrations," reveals Big Shaw. "Jammerz HP and DJ Avalanche pooled our talents together for this one and we were really pleased with the reception and response from our fans here in USVI. Now it is time to take our 'Fete' worldwide!" 

The official "Fete" video boasts the exotic island of St. Thomas as its beautiful backdrop and was directed by Dream Catchers. It spotlights local disc jockey DJ Avalanche, who is also a featured artist on the track. Inspired by the likes of Nick "Daddy" Friday, King Wadabli, Louis Ible Jr., as well as many other USVI calypsonian greats, Big Shaw earned his stripes as front man for USVI's big band and he is now making an even bigger splash in the music industry, with "Fete" as the first of many anthems to come.