Stephen Marley Kicks Off Tour with Slightly Stoopid

 The Grammy-Winning Artist Gears Up for Upcoming Album
Revelation Part II: The Fruit Of Life Featuring Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes,
Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Black Thought, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and more

After selling out prestigious venues on his headlining U.S. Spring 2014 tour, Stephen "Ragga" Marley will get back on the road this summer. The eight-time Grammy winner and son of Bob Marley will join Slightly Stoopid on the Summer Sessions 2014 Tour.

The 20-city amphitheater run - with NOFX, Cypress Hill and G. Love & Special Sauce on select dates - will begin July 9 in Eugene, OR and wrap August 16 in Boca Raton, FL.

Marley will also be hitting the festival circuit throughout the season. Before the Summer Sessions 2014 Tour, he heads to Michigan for Detroit's 4th Fridays In The Park on June 27 and Rothbury's Electric Forest Festival on June 28.

Then he will venture to Salt Lake City for Reggae Rise Up on July 13 and the Blackwater Music Festival on August 22 in Live Oak, FL.

His son Jo Mersa, who recently dropped his brand new debut EP Comfortable, will open for Marley on the entire stretch, which spans the eastern and western regions of the United States. While on the road, Stephen will be previewing songs from his eagerly-awaited effort Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life and playing beloved hits from his previous albums (all of which won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album). Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life will be released later this year on his label Ghetto Youths International (which is co-owned with his brothers Damian and Julian). 

Stephen "Ragga" Marley's forthcoming album is the second installment in a two part series, following his 2012 album Revelation Part I: The Root of Life. Whereas The Root of Life is a celebration and preservation of roots reggae - filled with powerful messages, enriching spirit and live instrumentation - The Fruit of Life will utilize a diversified sonic palette to express the far-reaching impact Jamaican music has had on various genres, especially hip hop. The new album features a variety of guest collaborations with Rick Ross, Dead Prez, Rakim, DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Black Thought (of The Roots), Bounty Killer, Sizzla, Capleton, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Ky-mani Marley, Jo Mersa and more.

SOJA Announces New Album

"Passionate and well-crafted songs… one can easily see, after spinning through the tracks on this superb and timely release, why these reggae road warriors—with more than a touch of hard-earned soul—have attracted a dedicated following”–RELIX

"Reggae, infused with strains of rock, folk and dub, provides a complementary framework for lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Jacob Hemphill's sinewy vocals and poignantly drawn lyrics of social resistance, environmental consciousness and personal reflection…" –BILLBOARD

Washington DC-natives SOJA have premiered “Your Song” featuring Damian Jr. Gong Marley on Complex. The song is off the band’s second album for ATO Records, Amid The Noise And Haste (out August 12th 2014). You can pre-order the record now via the band's website as well as iTunes and receive a free download of “Your Song” and "I Believe (feat. Michael Franti and Nahko).  

Amid The Noise And Haste was produced by multiple GRAMMY award winning Jamaican producer Supa Dups (Bruno Mars, Eminem, Rihanna, John Legend) and is the first full-length album he has chosen to take on in his career. The new album is the follow up to critically acclaimed Strength To Survive which debuted in the Billboard Top 40. The album cover art was designed by the British artist Steven Wilson and was carved by original wood pieces. SOJA's Soulshine summer tour launches this week in California and continues in amphitheaters across the country through August. See below for the full routing with Michael Franti & Spearhead, Brett Dennen and Trevor Hall. 

“I want to speak for people who don’t have microphones,” Jacob Hemphill says. “Our goal as a band is to stick up for the human race. We see the world and we try to make it better in the limited time we have here.” This is the philosophy behind SOJA’s music, a simple statement that has driven the D.C. area band, who blend reggae, go-go, D.C. hardcore, Latin, rock and hip-hop. Originally formed by a group of friends while still in middle school and has built a massive, dedicated fan base around the world since. 

In the years following, SOJA has sold more than 250,000 albums, headlined shows in over 20 countries around the world, generated over 3.3 million Facebook fans, and 183+ million YouTube views. The band has toured with Dave Matthews Band, Incubus, 311 and appeared at major festivals including Bonnaroo, Wakarusa and Hangout where they attract an almost Grateful Dead-like international fan base along the way, with caravans of diehards following them from city to city. Stream and post “Your Song” feat. Damian Jr. Gong Marley using the following link:
 https://soundcloud.com/sojamusic/your-song-feat-damian-jr-gong

 Stream and post “I Believe” feat. Michael Franti and Nahko using the following link: 
https://soundcloud.com/sojamusic/i-believe-feat-michael-franti-and-nahko

Konshens Heads to Europe For Two Month Tour

With a successful start to 2014 Konshens is set to tour during the next two months. Currently in France where the tour began, he will move on to the Indian Ocean island of Reunion Island, Mayotte and Mauritius before continuing on to Europe where he will perform in over 20 cities spanning from clubs to festivals which include SummerJam, Oland Roots Reggae Festival and MUSA Festival just to name a few.

This tour is one fans are definitely looking forward to as Konshens will be touring with his new found personal band 'Di Blueprint'. Konshens have been working immensely with Di Blueprint in an effort to enhance his performance and deliver an entertaining 'show'.

Di Blueprint, also a recording group have been working with Konshens personal engineer Mark 'Hize' Collinder on some tracks, and is also on the verge to become the latest addition to Konshens recording label's roster Subkonshus Music. The impact that the combination of Konshens, Di Blueprint, Mark 'Hize' Collinder and Subkonshus Music protege artist Javada will bring onstage will be a memorable moment for fans.  

The dancehall superstar mentioned that he is very excited about this and went on to mention that "Dancehall is what we do daily, and we see the impact and the road so many of the dancehall icons have paved for us, and I can only do my part and work on my craft to bring to the people, the best Konshens". As his career continues to make huge strides Konshens continues to exert professionalism and growth in his career and character, an attribute often stereotyped as missing from most dancehall artists. 

Recent endorsements with Pepsi Jamaica and Lime Jamaica is proof of his professionalism, as representatives from both companies have expressed their satisfaction with working with the artist and his management team, which consist of Miguel Noble and Aranthes Lewin. About his growth in character, "You can always be better and for my fans thats the least I can do" says Konshens. His sophomore solo album titled 'The Hotel Room' schedule to release this summer, will give fans and music lovers across the world the opportunity to hear his growth, his creativity and his passion for music and his fans. 

The release of the new 'Konshens App' is also set for this summer; he mentioned that fans will love this new app as the primary concept behind its design is 'ease of access', he stated that 'the best apps I use are the ones that are user friendly and easy to navigate through, this is why we focused on ease of access, this will make the app less complicated and fun for fans to use'.

Italian Reggae Star Releases 2CD Duet Album & Vinyl LP

On June 24th 2014, Greensleeves Records will release Specialist Presents Alborosie & Friends, a double disc of duets chronicling the ascent between the renowned Jamaican music executive Clifton 'Specialist' Dillon and his Sicilian-born reggae virtuoso Alborosie (Alberto D'Ascola). Specialist is the long-time manager of vocalist, songwriter, producer and dubmaster Alborosie and responsible for the success of other notable reggae acts including Shabba Ranks, Patra, Mad Cobra and Bounty Killer.

Together, they selected Alborosie's top reggae collaborations recorded over the last five years, many of which were featured on the international reggae star's last three studio albums (Sound The System, Two Times Revolution and Escape From Babylon). Greensleeves will issue a 10-track vinyl edition of the compilation also available June 24th. Built on his musical ability and production expertise, Alborosie's reggae is a unique blend of vintage sounds built with old and new technology and great songwriting. Most tracks feature him playing multiple instruments and were recorded at his own Shengen Clan Studio in Kingston, Jamaica.  

With songs like "Stepping Out" feat. David Hinds of Steel Pulse, "Money" feat. Horace Andy, "Guess Who's Coming" feat. Black Uhuru and "I Can't Stand it" feat Dennis Brown, Alborosie puts his modern day spin on these iconic hits while featuring the original artist. He also recreates Bob Marley classics including "Burnin and Lootin" and "Natural Mystic" alongside the reggae legend's son and recording artist Ky-Mani Marley. 

On his new original recordings, he delivers a diverse blend of deep roots cuts ("Meditation" feat. Sizzla, "One Sound" feat. Gramps Morgan, "Celebration" feat. Gentleman and "Life" feat. Jah Cure), hard-hitting tunes ("Murderer" feat. Busy Signal and "Streets" feat. Ky-Mani Marley) and love ballads ("Blessings" feat. Etana, "Is This Love" feat. Zoe, "I Surrender To Your Love" feat. I Eye and "Can't Let You Go" feat. Nikki Burt). With his ceaseless worldwide tour schedule, Alborosie will head to Europe throughout July and August for select dates.

Chantelle Ernandez and Lord Geo Recreate 70’s Funk With “No Limit!”

Jamaica’s Chantelle Ernandez and Super Producer Geoffrey 'Lord Geo' Martin of the Bootleggaz label in France recreate 70’s Funk with the joint collaboration “No Limit” which has saturated the appetite of an international ‘Funk’ appreciating community who deem this release to be one of the best in years!

Written and performed by Chantelle Ernandez, the song’s pop and bounce make party goers want to move their hips while singing along to conscious lyrics targeted at inspiring listeners to live their dreams outside of the socially set ‘box,’ hence the term “No Limit!”

Speaking to media while on tour as a backing vocalist for Ziggy Marley, Chantelle reasoned that “it is great to go out and party and have a good time and have fun, we all need that break; I just want people to know that regardless of age, we all have dreams and those dreams should be lived outside of the ‘box’ we were born in to.” Adding to that sentiment, Geoffrey said “just because we come from the Caribbean or other parts of the world, doesn’t mean we can’t perform in other genres, and this record proves that. We are versatile and will express that versatility however it comes out, and in this case, it’s Funk!”  

“No Limit” was influenced by the film sub genre Black-sploitation (Cleopatra Jones, Black Dynamite, Foxy Brown), and Geoffrey and K. Rlo acknowledge their personal style to be influenced by the sounds of Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk and Electro. They have made a commitment to include as many elements of Neo-Soul in their productions, and thus flood the market with this infectiously good music which is new to the ears of music listeners in France (their home country), but not to North America where it is clearly gaining traction. L3 Magazine’s Music Editor, Tre Carn says that this release is one of the best he’s heard in the genre, and says “Chantelle and Geoffrey would have made Curtis Mayfield very proud with this release.” 

Echoing that sentiment is DJ Keith Sly from Bang Radio 103.6 FM who debuted the track in May to very positive feedback from listeners. Hailed as a marriage between conscious tapping lyrics, deep bass riffs, and thunderous piano strokes, there is literally “No Limit” to where this record will go. As one fan said “I love the songs authenticity with the touch of Caribbean flair in the vocals!” Chatelle Ernandez is a multi genre vocalist who has worked with several notable industry heavyweights including Toots and the Maytals, Ziggy Marley, Shaggy and more. Her album, Gimme What’s Mine was released in 2013 on the Reggaeland label which has been followed by several singles with various producers.