Headline Reggae News
Upcoming Reggae Star Natasia Killed In Car Crash
Thirty-Two-Year-Old Danish-born reggae singer Natasja Scrul was killed and two others injured in a car accident along the Hellshire main road, St Catherine early Sunday morning. The singer and friends, left Saturday night's Portmore Awards where Natasja had performed after being called to the stage by Lady “G”. Reports from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) are that at about 5:45 am, a Toyota Corolla motor car, registered 6627 EM, was traveling along the Hellshire main road towards the beach. It is said that the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole. The injured three were rushed to the Spanish Town Hospital where the singer was pronounced dead. The other two passengers survived. The driver stated that it was a mechanical malfunction to make the car loose control. Last year she won the Red Stripe, Irie FM Big Break contest which gave her career a serious boost. Natasja had just completed an album and was scheduled for shooting a video with dancehall artist lexxus.
Gyptian is back with Live Right
Not much has been heard from Gyptian since he topped the charts a few months ago with My Father Say. However, he is back in hit mode with his latest single, Live Right, which is featured on the Graduation In Zion rhythm from the Lone Lions imprint. Also featured on this project are Shoot First Ask Questions After by Capleton, Blind Souls by Roberto Sanchez, Woman A Di Yard by Thriller U and Philip Frazer, Graduation In Zion by Kiddus I, and My Love Is Burning by Mark Wonder. The Reggae Box Project distribution at 58 Dumbarton Ave is responsible for distribution.
Former Beatle Paul McCartney has crossed over into dancehall with the release of a single on the heels of his new album, Memory Almost Full. The remix single, Nod Your Head, is produced by Sly and Robbie and features Sizzla, Lady Saw and Cherine Anderson. McCartney is often described as one of the most influential contributors to the history of rock music, but the rave reviews of Memory Almost Full suggest that Paul McCartney is far more significant than that. He has written over 50 top-ten hits, released well over 30 non-Beatles albums and was inducted eight years ago in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But perhaps what in time may prove to be his most notable achievement is not as his website implies, the marrying of a supermodel half his age, but his current flirtation or infatuation with dancehall music. Following in a long celebrated tradition of reggae/rock fusion for which Bob Marley is noted, influencing the likes of Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, and the Police to mention a few, McCartney reaching out to dancehall can be seen as an appropriate acknowledgment that this Jamaican music genre is the missing ingredient in his almost full memory.And what better way for
the former member of the Beatles (the group whose music was quite popular in Jamaica), to complete the cycle, than to meet with this dynamic dancehall's triumvirate in Sizzla, Lady Saw and Cherine Anderson along with the twin icons of the Taxi Gang whose musical magnetism is international.There is the hope that in the not-too-distant future, a world tour, or at least, repeat the rounds he made recently appearing in gigs at a Hollywood record shop, following shows in London and New York, attracting scores of fans performing classics like Long And Winding Road, Hey Jude and Get Back, except this time round include these pre-eminent dancehall performers. One sure way of having everyone nodding their heads.
Busy Signal
announced that he has severed all ties with his former representative, Julian Griffiths-Jones. Busy Signal has forged a management agreement with Shane C Brown of Juke Boxx Productions. All business related matters, the statement said, will now be addressed by Shane C Brown. Under the new management structure, all previous confirmed bookings will be honoured and notably include Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, at which he is scheduled to perform on Thursday night's dancehall Xplosion (July 21), the Red Stripe Temptation Island weekend August 3-4 and an unnamed gig in Spanish Town on August 17. The artiste, given name Reano Gordon, said he was grateful for the support and assistance given him by his former handlers. "I appreciate all that has been done for me in the past and I anticipate what the new change will bring." Busy Signal is known for the hits Step Out, The Gun and others.
One Third's Baby Boo is now available on single
Baby Boo, the romantic lovers rock ballad from 2006 Digicel Rising Stars winners One Third is finally on vinyl. The song is featured on the Bad Wolf label's Mikaela rhythm. Money by Junior X, You're the Sun by Mr Perfect and Cassanova, Love Is Not A Toy by Skatta, My Love You by Christopher Martin and Dreaming About You by Ice Man, are all featured on the Mikaela rhythm. Additionally, there is the Energize rhythm various artistes compilation disc which is available on the Amplex production label. Among the artistes featured are Buju Banton, Sizzla, Capleton, Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Mad Cobra, Turbulence, and others. The aforementioned have been released by All Access Entertainment.
Spice, her family members and friends got together
Among those in attendance were some of Spice's friends, 'di mumma', Lady Saw and her beau, John-John; artiste, Wickerman; artistes, the Twin of Twins and of course, the always humorous radio personality, Miss Kitty, who was also the host for the night. Though the event was scheduled to start at 8 p.m. it finally started at 10 p.m. when Spice and her boyfriend, also the father of her child, Nicholas Lall, strolled in as she wore a long baby blue gown and tiara. This caused a round of applause. It was an unconventional baby shower in some ways because of the many speeches that took place, but the audience didn't seem to mind because most were humorous. For instance, Lady Saw, who will be Nicholas Lall Jr.'s godmother spoke of her plans for him when he is born. "Him a go get some beating, that's what I know," she laughingly said. Artiste, Cham, who Spice often refers to as her 'big brother', was not in attendance because he is overseas, but it was made clear that he was also a godparent. Speeches weren't the only things that littered the night - there were also games. One of them included Spice showing the 'position' that gave her the baby and three contestants who had their backs turned were supposed to replicate it. For the most part, they didn't but theirpositions aroused some applause. Another game called for the audience members to guess the size of Spice's belly using toilet paper. Most cheated and tore off the extra pieces while they wrapped it around her stomach and were disqualified, but one of the legitimate winners was of course, Lady Saw. After the games and speeches, Spice thanked everyone for coming out to celebrate with her and said she was excited but nervous about the birth. "You know I'm used to sleeping on my back but I can't do that anymore ... and sometimes me just siddung a think bout the baby - wha him a go look like, if him a go have mi big eye dem or wha," she laughed. After a prayer for the couple and cutting of the cake, the night ended with some dancing.
Among those in attendance were some of Spice's friends, 'di mumma', Lady Saw and her beau, John-John; artiste, Wickerman; artistes, the Twin of Twins and of course, the always humorous radio personality, Miss Kitty, who was also the host for the night. Though the event was scheduled to start at 8 p.m. it finally started at 10 p.m. when Spice and her boyfriend, also the father of her child, Nicholas Lall, strolled in as she wore a long baby blue gown and tiara. This caused a round of applause. It was an unconventional baby shower in some ways because of the many speeches that took place, but the audience didn't seem to mind because most were humorous. For instance, Lady Saw, who will be Nicholas Lall Jr.'s godmother spoke of her plans for him when he is born. "Him a go get some beating, that's what I know," she laughingly said. Artiste, Cham, who Spice often refers to as her 'big brother', was not in attendance because he is overseas, but it was made clear that he was also a godparent. Speeches weren't the only things that littered the night - there were also games. One of them included Spice showing the 'position' that gave her the baby and three contestants who had their backs turned were supposed to replicate it. For the most part, they didn't but theirpositions aroused some applause. Another game called for the audience members to guess the size of Spice's belly using toilet paper. Most cheated and tore off the extra pieces while they wrapped it around her stomach and were disqualified, but one of the legitimate winners was of course, Lady Saw. After the games and speeches, Spice thanked everyone for coming out to celebrate with her and said she was excited but nervous about the birth. "You know I'm used to sleeping on my back but I can't do that anymore ... and sometimes me just siddung a think bout the baby - wha him a go look like, if him a go have mi big eye dem or wha," she laughed. After a prayer for the couple and cutting of the cake, the night ended with some dancing.
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