New Video from Mr Vegas Debuts Sunday September 8, Online!

The launch of the new Mr Vegas music video, “Love Yourself”, will be on Sunday, September 8th at 5pm exclusively on www.mrvegasmusic.com.

Directed by Krystle Karee and Mr. Vegas, the video was shot entirely in Kingston, Jamaica. Don't miss it!! "Love Yourself" is part of the dancehall reggae star's upcoming album, Bruk It Down 2.0, set to release September 24.

Welcome to the next generation of Reggae Dancehall as designed by one of Jamaica’s most versatile and innovative music makers, Mr. Vegas.

From “Heads High” (1998) to “Bruk It Down” (2012), Mr Vegas has assembled an unshakable string of International classic reggae and dancehall releases including Billboard hit singles during the two plus decades of his career. Named after his recent international cross over hit single, the Bruk It Down 2.0 album (MV Music) follows his innovative proven approach.



Set to release September 24, 2013, the 16-track ensemble is Vegas’ 9th studio release and the second from his own label imprint, MV Music. Grounded in Reggae Dancehall, Bruk It Down 2.0 demonstrates Mr. Vegas’ uncanny ability to tap into a seamless mix of House, Reggaeton, Soca, Pop and Dubstep. But it’s not simply Vegas going it alone. 

A who’s who of production talent from Clevie to Danny Browne, Studio 758 and Jah Snowcone, help Bruk It Down 2.0 connect the foundation of Reggae Dancehall with cutting edge musical movements. On the mic, Vegas is joined on the title track by Barbados’ very own, the Soca queen Alison Hinds while Reggae crooner Lukie D, foundation Dancehall favorite Flourgon and Reggaeton artist El Boy C are also on board, as well as St Lucian songstress Terri. Always forward thinking, Mr Vegas is also synonymous with the success of the new social media generation; amassing copious amounts of friends and followers across Twitter and Facebook who appreciate his commentary away from the microphone and with millions of views on YouTube for his high quality videos. 

Currently his collaboration “Fruit Juice” with Snoop for Snoop Lion’s ‘Reincarnation’ album and the remix of “Standing On The Sun” with Beyonce rumored to be the lead single off her upcoming album has him poised for his own album release ‘Bruk It Down 2.0’.

Alborosie Announces U.S. Release of "Sound The System"

Alborosie may not be Jamaican by birth, yet he promotes reggae music in its truest sense. With dreadlocks almost touching the floor, the Sicilian-born singer - one turned Jamaican national - is a proud Rastafarian armed with a rebel philosophy. On Monday, September 30, 2013, he continues his musical mission with his self-produced, landmark album and vinyl LP Sound The System on Greensleeves Records.

Alborosie also has a U.S tour planned for February 2014 in support of the North American release. Tour dates will be announced later this fall. Sound The System, which was released in Europe in July, boasts the perfect balance of live instrumentation and analogue recording techniques and is filled with Alborosie's signature thought-provoking lyrics, satisfying vocals and classic contemporary sound. The modern-day Renaissance man demonstrates a mastery of traditional reggae, while pointing the way forward for himself and the genre.

Alborosie describes Sound The System as "a new chapter" and "revolutionary in terms of the message." "You're going to hear some good music and learn to live good," he adds. The re-emergence of "live" reggae and timeless dancehall music owes much to the trail he blazed on earlier albums such as Escape To Babylon and 2 Times Revolution - the difference being that he has now raised the bar even higher. 

Alborosie not only lives and breathes the music, he's assimilated it to the point where he's now indistinguishable from the pioneers who created it - possessing the same spirit and sharing the same goals. For example, "Positiveness" and "Warrior" are the kind of songs that icons like Bob Marley or Toots Hibbert would write, since both are guaranteed to have audiences on their feet, singing along and feeling togetherness. It takes a special talent to pen songs that are catchy, all-inclusive and convey a righteous message. 

Alborosie clearly has that gift, which may explain why Bob Marley's son Ky-Mani steps up to the mic for a wonderful reworking of "Zion Train," or legendary Jamaican vocal group The Abyssinians put in a rare guest appearance on "Give Thanks" - a track they decorate with harmonies sang in Amharic, the sacred language of Ethiopia. He also collaborated with Italian singer Nina Zilli on "Goodbye," which brings vivacity to scintillating ska beats. 

No matter whether its roots or dancehall, he's equally adept as a singer, singjay or MC and can battle it out with all comers. He will drive a crowd into a frenzy with songs like "Who Run The Dance" in pitch-perfect raggamuffin talk, while "Shut U Mouth" is a burial tune in true sound-system tradition and "Rock The Dancehall" is a clarion call - one that's already an anthem in reggae circles. As a keen student of Jamaican music, he's fascinated by analogue recording techniques and plays many different instruments, (including guitar, bass and keyboards) on Sound The System. 

He's adept at using Pro-Tools and the rest. His Shengen Studio is better stocked than any museum and contains equipment once owned by the likes of King Tubby and Coxsone Dodd. It's there at his home in the foothills of Kingston where he immerses himself in reggae's past. He's traveled far from his origins in every sense, although his Sicilian heritage peeks through on "U Got To Be Mine," which has a Mediterranean feel. 

This blend of compelling yet seemingly disparate influences makes his palette much broader than most reggae artists. He takes it to another level on "Memories" featuring Kemar "Flava" McGregor, which is a musing on life and death set to a shuffling rhythm wrapped in harp strings. This daring nature and willingness to take risks is why his music is so unique and continues to evolve. Alborosie, real name Alberto D' Ascola, was born in the Sicilian town of Marsala. After relocating to Milan during his teens he played in a variety of bands before joining Reggae National Tickets, who regularly toured Europe during the mid-to-late nineties. 

One day the Tickets were invited to perform in Jamaica - an event that inspired Alborosie to quit the band and change his life around. Soon, he was living in Jamaica and working as an engineer at Gee Jam studios in Portland, where he worked with many leading foreign and Jamaican artists. Twelve years later and he's in the vanguard of an exciting new era for reggae, and with a quartet of critically-acclaimed albums to his name.

Hawaiian Songstress HIRIE Debuts Self-Titled Album

The young, talented and ambitious singer-songwriter HIRIE stirs up island-inspired roots, reggae and pop on her self-titled debut album (Roots Musician Records/VPAL). HIRIE is available this week and has already peaked at #4 on the iTunes Reggae chart.

In support of her new release, HIRIE will hit the road across the U.S. from October 11 to November 23 with Tribal Seeds and Fortunate Youth. HIRIE considers herself an island girl at heart.

The Philippines-native moved to Italy and then Hawaii where she spent most of her life. Her thirst for love and life and experiences in Oahu have truly inspired her sound. With sheer determination, she aims to deliver music that entertains both reggae and pop lovers alike. Produced by E.N. Young, HIRIE offers charm, passion and positivity on this 17-track set filled with memorable hooks and melodies.

"HIRIE is a lifestyle I want people to love and become accustomed to. The island-way of living is contagious; healing the mind, body and spirit. The same goes for its music. When people hear my songs, I want them to feel disconnected from their troubles. 

Music that brings you to a positive place, that's reggae. Music that lifts you to a higher place: that's HIRIE," the singer reveals. 

Click to HIRIE's performance/interview yesterday on FOX 5 in San Diego


Click to watch her debut music video for the album's first single "Sensi Boy"

Mighty Diamonds Releases Reggae Anthology

On August 27, 2013, 17 North Parade unlocked its vaults once again to unveil The Mighty Diamonds’ 2CD/DVD Reggae Anthology Pass The Knowledge. In support of the album, the band will tour Europe in October and then head to the United States. See European dates below and the U.S. portion of the tour will be announced shortly.

The remarkable 39-track selection from the legendary Jamaican harmony trio features their most essential hits (some of which are available on CD for the very first time) plus four previously unreleased dubplate exclusives.

 As an added bonus, the collection includes a 25-minute DVD of The Mighty Diamonds lighting up the crowd at the annual Reggae Sun splash concert in 1989.

Disc One begins with their early recordings like the Bunny Lee produced "Jah Jah Bless the Dreadlocks" and classic songs (“Shame and Pride,“ “Have Mercy,” “Africa,” “Right Time” and “I Need A Roof”) from their well-known 1976 debut album Right Time, produced by Joseph Hoo Kim and released on Virgin Records. 

Disc Two delves into more timeless selections during the height of their career, including “Bodyguard” from the 1979 iconic release Deeper Roots as well as the international smash "Pass the Kutchie" off their 1982 Gussie Clarke produced album Changes. As one of the major cornerstones of the roots reggae movement, The Mighty Diamonds have maintained a consistent message of love and unity. 

Comprised of lead vocalist Donald "Tabby" Shaw and harmony vocalists Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson, the trio is widely-known for their smooth harmonies and choreographed stage shows inspired by 1960s Motown vocal groups like The Temptations, The Stylistics, The Impressions and The Delfonics and as well as Jamaican rocksteady artists like John Holt and Ken Boothe. With over 40 albums under their belt, the long-time friends formed in 1969 in the Trenchtown area of Kingston and continue to record and tour together today.