Optimus Productions TT Releases Optimus Riddim

Trinidad-based Optimus Productions TT releases its electrifying soca compilation Optimus Riddim – Various Artists, available worldwide from all major digital retailers on March 18, 2014, with pre-order available on March 4, 2014, distributed by FOX FUSE.

Optimus Productions TT makes its international debut with this album by now having its music digitally distributed worldwide exclusively by FOX FUSE, and thus bringing its unique island flavors to music lovers everywhere.

Producer Jesse John is at the helm of Optimus Productions TT and is thrilled to have his music now available to the global market. “It's amazing to have my music for sale by FOX FUSE because of the wide audience tied with the company and the stores as well,” states John. “My label will finally be known worldwide so our productions will reach the international fan base.”  

Optimus Riddim is a zouk-style rhythm and John reveals the composition incorporates all Caribbean elements of soca. Soca star Benjai anchors the riddim with his breakout hit single “Dance," Sexy Trisha tantalizes with “Duh Stop Meh,” Collis Duranty thrills with “Pave The Road With Love” and Asten Isaac excites with “Lean.” Eugene Bass played guitars for all the tracks alongside Jesse John on bass, and their talents shine on the instrumental version, which rounds out the 5-track album. 

Optimus Productions TT was founded in 2013 and is based in Palmiste, San Fernando in Trinidad and Tobago. John had a love for music from birth and started producing music at age 16. He worked with Marlon Asher on his Unconditional Love album in 2008, on a track called “Marry Juana.” It was after his work with Junior IBO Joseph (from 2008 to 2009) that he was exposed to soca music. 

He has since worked with soca stars such as Benjai, Shurwayne Winchester, Denise Belfon, Skinny Fabulous, Peter Ram and Zan, just to name a few of the talents this hit-house has teamed up with to craft its hits. Optimus Productions TT creates all genres but the primary focus is electronic, house and world music, and those influences can certainly be heard on the outstanding Optimus Riddim.

The Wailers Invites British Dependency to Round Out U.S. Tour!‏

After sweeping through the East Coast into the Midwest for a month and returning home to Anguilla for two short weeks, British Dependency will return this week to continue touring with The Wailers.

The legendary band invited British Dependency to wrap up their US run on the West Coast. The Band embarked on a three week, 14 City tour with The Wailers in celebration of The Wailers 30th Anniversary on Friday, January 10, 2014.

Opening at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida, the band traveled to Clearwater and Jacksonville, Florida, Birmingham, AL, Atlanta, GA, Salem and Carrborro, NC, Myrtle Beach, SC, Columbus, OH, Chicago, IL, Milwaukee, WI and closed out on January 26th at First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN. Impressed by their performance, The Wailers invited the band to join them on the West Coast to round out their U.S. run.

British Dependency will open their West Coast leg in Arcata, California on the 21st with a performance at the Van Duzer Theatre at HSU with additional performances in Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and California.  

The Anguilla Tourist Board has once again signed on as sponsor of the tour in support of the Band. Candis Niles, Director of the Anguilla Tourist Board remarks, "The Anguilla Tourist Board is excited about this new opportunity that Anguilla's musical ambassadors have created and earned by virtue of their outstanding performances on the East Coast. It's truly amazing what they have been able to accomplish, and all of Anguilla is proud of them. We support them 100%, and we know that when they share Anguilla with fans throughout the West Coast, and beyond, by virtue of Social media, the story they tell is not just their own - it's Anguilla's story; one of Tranquility Wrapped in Blue. 

We have no doubt that British Dependency will also take the West Coast by storm." Lead singer and guitar player, Ruel Richardson adds, "This couldn't have come at a better time. During our last run, fans started asking when we would be coming to the West Coast. So to be invited by the Wailers to join them on the West Coast shortly after the tour wrapped was perfect. 

Now our West Coast fans will be able to see the Band perform and we are looking forward to interacting with them much in the same way we did with our fans on the East Coast. What is also great about this is that The Wailers thought enough of us to have us back on the road with them. That speaks volumes, we are honored and couldn't be happier."

Kabaka Pyramid: Breakthrough Artist of the Year

For Kabaka Pyramid, 2013 was a remarkable and ground breaking year. With the release of his second EP titled 'Lead the Way' and a successful US and European tour, Kabaka Pyramid is being recognized via numerous accolades in 2014.

On Saturday February 15th Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) awarded Kabaka Pyramid as the breakthrough artist of the year.

During the sixth annual JaRIA honor award ceremony, it was a night of Reggae musicians being honored for their contribution to the music.

When the announcement was made Kabaka Pyramid was so humbled by the recognition a later stated; " I proudly and humbly accept this award for breakthrough artist of the year (2013) and I give thanks to JaRIA and all those who voted and support our music" says Kabaka Pyramid.  

Another great achievement and recognition recently bestowed on Kabaka Pyramid is from Canada Music awards. Kabaka Pyramid has received a JUNO nomination along with reggae artist Exco Levi for Best Reggae Recording of the Year for their collaboration 'Strive" produced by Silly Walks. Juno Awards is one of Canada's most prestigious awards, which recognize some of the music industry most influential artists each year. 

Kabaka Pyramid is currently climbing the local and international charts as well with the huge success of 'Mi Alright' with reggae sensation Chronixx. 'Mi Alright' produced by Chimney Records is currently # 1 on several charts including RadioDubplate in Toronto, Canada. As Kabaka Pyramid and Bebble Rock continue to give the masses great music and music with a message he is also preparing to embark on his European tour starting in March 2014. His new single title 'Never Gonna Be a Slave' produced by DJ Frass on the Cane River riddim is also picking up steam for the strong lyrical content and message in the single.

Farmer Nappy Releases Big People Party'‏ Album

Soca star Darryl "Farmer Nappy" Henry brings the spirit of Trinidad Carnival to the global masses with his new album Big People Party, available worldwide from all major digital retailers, as well as physical CD in stores, on February 25, 2014, with pre-order available now, from FOX FUSE. Celebrating over 30 years in music, the accomplished and acclaimed Trinidadian singer and songwriter delivers the very best that soca music has to offer with this new collection of hits on his third full-length studio effort.

Big People Party is the only album that is released internationally by an artist during Trinidad’s Carnival 2014 season. Farmer also accomplished this major feat with his previous album, You Make Me…Surrender, released in February 2012 from FOX FUSE. That album received a coveted review and rating from MTV, garnering a tremendous 4 out of 5 stars. It was also featured in The New Yorker Magazine, along with numerous other international media, as well as in all the major news and entertainment outlets at home in Trinidad and Tobago.

“Following the success of my last album, I took the past two years to carefully create and craft this album, Big People Party, and concentrated greatly on the quality of the productions rather than the quantity of releases,” reveals Farmer Nappy. “It is titled Big People Party because that is my favorite song on it but I made this album for everyone – the young and old, big or small – it is truly for everyone, with lyrics and rhythms to match. We truly invested in the quality of the music and I’m very proud to be able to again represent and carry soca music outside of its carnival circles and bring it to the worldwide audience, with this internationally-released album.” 

Blazing across airwaves and on playlists at fetes and festivals with his new blockbuster smash single “Big People Party,” Farmer Nappy is a top contender in the 2014 International Groovy Soca Monarch Competition, already securing his place in the finals, which takes place on “Fantastic Friday,” February 28 at the national stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The lead single “Big People Party” is currently charting at #1 on several music charts in Trinidad, including topping the charts of Trinidad’s hit radio station, RED 96.7FM, and also top website, TriniJungleJuice.com. 

His other hit singles include “Family,” “Stranger” and “Minglin’,” and he collaborated with soca’s top hit-makers including De Red Boyz from Barbados, Precision Productions from Trinidad and Studio 758 (Penn & Ace) from St. Lucia, contributing to the album’s all-inclusive island vibes. Adding fuel to his fire, Monster Energy Drink has partnered with Farmer Nappy to be its brand ambassador from now through the Carnival 2015 season, further cementing his role as the prime representative for soca music, both at home and beyond. 

Having built a global fan base through his music and touring extensively for over two decades, Farmer Nappy is synonymous with bringing the sounds of mas to the masses worldwide. He is currently performing on more than 60 shows during this Carnival season in Trinidad, which began in January and culminates on March 4, known as Carnival Tuesday. Armed with his new hits to stay competitive at home and new album on sale globally, Farmer Nappy is a true Caribbean music icon and cultural ambassador, and Big People Party serves up an ultimate musical celebration for all, for years to come.

VP Records Relaunches UK Blood and Fire

Founded in Manchester, England - Blood and Fire has been reissuing roots reggae, dub and DJ albums with a jazz-influenced packaging aesthetic since the early 90s.

2014 marks the 20th anniversary of its first release (If Deejay Was Your Trade: The Dreads at King Tubby's 1974-1977) and VP Records has teamed up with the revered label for a strategic relaunch. They will re-release 10 to 12 Blood and Fire collections with additional content and updated packaging this year.

Also, the label plans to launch a merchandise line with the B&F logo and select album cover art, which will be bundled in collectable re-issue packages. VP enlisted esteemed reggae historian and A&R Steve Barrow, who is one of Blood and Fire's original founders, to oversee the album's compiling, mastering and packaging and ensure that the product remains synonymous to the brand. He will be handling original B&F catalogue reissues with additional titles new to Blood and Fire.  

"I look forward to working and continuing the fruitful relationship with VP Records, who have played a pivotal role in the production of reggae music since the early 1960s in Jamaica" states Barrow on the new collaboration. Upholding a similar standard in presentation to classic jazz labels like Blue Note, Blood and Fire evokes Jamaican culture with simplicity and truth, providing top-quality archival recordings with superior packaging and design. 

They were the first reissue label to form a traveling sound system and tour with artists featured on their releases. Blood and Fire was also an early adapter in serving the online reggae community, providing one of the genre's most active message boards to date. "Blood and Fire presented reggae with premium quality and care as well as revived the careers of many unsung producers and performers," says Chris Chin, CEO of VP Records.

"We respect and admire the Blood and Fire brand and are delighted to be working together," he adds. The first release, available on Record Store Day (April 19th, 2014), will be a limited edition 12" of Gregory Isaacs "Mr. Know It All" in a B&F sleeve with inner fascimile sleeve of the original Jamaican 12" single. This vinyl-only release will be followed by the first batch of titles from the B&F catalogue in various formats.

Dancehall Re-visits The Arsenio Hall Show‏

More than 10 years ago dancehall icon Shabba Ranks performed on the Arsenio Hall show, prior to this new syndication, with R&B super star Johnny Gill and it was a memorable one.

Dancehall icon Patra also performed on The Arsenio Hall show in 1994. During his interview with Arsenio, Sean Paul took the time out to thank Arsenio Hall for giving dancehall the platform to showcase the culture and commended him for having an icon like Shabba and now him and Konshens to be apart of history.

Sean Paul and Konshens performed 'Want Dem All' Many are saying it was good to see dancehall with good production and not just a DJ supporting the artist.

The performance had social media buzzing, many took to twitter, facebook and instagram posting videos recorded from their television, while some tweeted positive messages for both artists. It was definitely a unification of lovers of dancehall despite what country you reside in.


I'm just thankful and happy, big up to Sean Paul for giving me the opportunity to be seen and heard by millions!! Him coulda hide and go do di show and mek di DJ play my part when it come up like wah nuff man do. (lol) But his approach is ego free, he sees it as having the hottest and most promising dancehall artiste on his track. I see it as..somebody opening a door for me, which is not a regular occurrence!! 

A great production and everybody loved it, the band dancers DJ's and backing vocalists all brought it.... Was a good day for dancehall. Get that album, FULL FREQUENCY Im featured in the lead single but i heard so many LEAD SINGLES on it (lol) It baddd, says Konshens. 

Konshens is currently promoting two singles Big People Ting and Independent Girl, both of which are getting great response from international radio. Konshens kicks of his US tour on February 25 and will be making several stops at numerous colleges.