Music Festival performers censored

Busy Signal

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SINCE the release of the artiste line-up for the 12th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival, questions have been raised regarding the selection of performers and the use of profanity, sexually explicit and lyrics promoting violence.

Jamaican Dancehall singer Reanno Gordon alias Busy Signal is known for his ‘gangsta’ lyrics which have been perceived in some circles to be glorifying the use of violence to resolve issues. In his 2005 breakout hit single, Step Out, Busy sings “Afta mi step out, inna mi black, Have glock, unda mi throwback. Shot holla pon spot, Badman nuh tek back chat”. The lyrics are a far cry from the performer’s beginnings singing hymns in his mother’s church.

The song’s chorus plays, “Wah mi do? Wuk gyal, Buss guns, Smoke weed, Have fun” while in the second verse Busy Signal says, “Bwoy disrespect, Mi get mi guns fi do a fine job”.

In the light of escalating gun related violence in the Federation, concerned persons question the Music Festival Committee’s choice in contracting the singer, asking if the quest for ‘the almighty dollar’ had superseded taking the high moral road. Considering that the artiste’s fan base consists of youth - males in particular, issues were raised as to the ‘message’ being conveyed by Busy Signal’s lyrics via the Music Festival stage.

Festival CEO Alistair Williams explained that popularity was one of the criteria considered when selecting the artistes as was the individual performer’s local and foreign audience appeal and that measures were in place to circumvent such issues.

“St. Kitts Music Festival offers a broad and exciting blend of musical expression. We know there are issues and we have done what we must. We have been responsible over the years in ensuring that any artiste we put on the stage understands what our position is with respect to any graphic lyrics and explicit language,” he said.

Williams stated that is it had always been a part of the Festival’s artiste contract that such language not be used onstage and all artistes were required to sign off on that aspect.

“I think the same sentiments were echoed with respect to Lady Saw last year and she performed excellently and persons walked away saying the night belonged to her. We expect good clean music this year,” he assured.

The Festival CEO also referenced Jamaica’s recent move toward ‘cleaning up’ their music following the Red Stripe fallout when the company cancelled their sponsorship of major events that featured artistes who sang anti-gay lyrics promoting violence against homosexuals and also lyrics lionizing violence in general.

Williams gave his assurance that “we will do what we have to do to make sure that we set the proper values and encourage the proper morals as far as the music is concerned”.

Alton Ellis still rocking despite illness

Alton Ellis with his wife Judith Ellis at the press conference for 'Get Ready To Rocksteady', held at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.

Despite his ongoing battle with myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cell which is an important part of the immune system that produces antibodies to help fight infection and disease, veteran singer Alton Ellis is still set on rocking as many stage shows as he can.

Ellis is currently in the island making preparations to perform at the 'Get Ready To Rock Steady' show tomorrow at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

Myeloma

Speaking at a press conference at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday, Ellis explained that he had myeloma, which is a tumour of plasma cells, arising in bone marrow, and often occurring at multiple sites, as in the vertebrae and flat skull bones. He, however, said he was now feeling much better than in recent months.

"I am not bad at all. Friday the doctor stopped chemo (therapy) 'cause the disease is low. They are just observing my condition," said Ellis who now resides in the United Kingdom.

Expensive

Ellis, also said he was, "badly in need of money," as he noted that the treatment for his cancer was expensive.

He said he did five shows in the United Kingdom last year when he was getting better, but got sick again. However, he says he will be doing his best when he performs at the concert tomorrow.

"I am a ready man but I just get tired easily. At one time I was like this so you see that my illness is not so bad anymore," Ellis told The Star.

The 'Get Ready to Rock Steady' concert will be filmed as part of a documentary of the same name. Other artistes set to perform on the show include, Leroy Sibbles, Dawn Penn, Ken Boothe, Judy Mowatt, Lloyd Parkes and We The People, Derrick Morgan and The Tamlins.

The documentary, which is being produced by Swiss and French companies in collaboration with the Jamaican Government, will show how rock steady has impacted on other genres of music in Jamaica.

Something extra

Looking good is an art and practitioners of it (from left) Christine Messado, Keena Brown and Margot Lakhan show it comes naturally to them at the Jamaicans For Justice gala dinner, Art and Collectibles Auction, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, last Friday night. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

There is a new beauty contest in town, it is Miss Earth Jamaica. Plus, we have exclusive highlights of AIC/NCB Chairman Michael Lee Chin's visit to check on the progress being made by fisherfolk in the Portland Bight area of Clarendon yesterday.

Miss Earth Jamaica 2008, Simone Burke, bares a winning smile at the pageant at Knutsford Court Hotel on Sunday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance photographer

International music sensation, Sean Paul, enjoys a moment with Muna Issa at the Jack Daniel's Cook-Off, at the America International School, St Andrew on Sunday. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer

AIC/NCB Chairman Michael Lee Chin sports the trendy 'man bag' on his visit to Rocky Point fishing village in Clarendon yesterday. - photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Ruby Ebanks is both a vendor of fish and a fisherwoman and she takes time to show Michael Lee Chin the bathing beach, located some distance from the fishing village at Rocky Point.

NCB Foundation Chair Thalia Lyn shows highlights of Thai Week to Samantha Chantrell at the start of yesterday's meeting in Rocky Point, Clarendon. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Veteran fisherman Ancil Peters (right) greets Michael Lee Chin and explains some of the difficulties faced by those who live off the sea during yesterday's tour. AIC and the NCB Foundation donated $10 million to fisherfolk, who had lost their livelihood after the passage of Hurricane Dean last year.

Fresh Challenges for Tarrus

Tarrus Riley

TARRUS RILEY was just another struggling singer looking for his big break five years ago when he entered the Tuff Gong recording studio to cut Challenges, his debut album. Still riding high on the success of Parables, his second set, Riley has teamed with VP Records to give Challenges a new lease on life.

VP will re-release Challenges on July 1, to capitalise on Riley's popularity, which peaked with the wildly popular Parables, which was released in 2006.

Riley, 28, told The Gleaner that he is pleased that Challenges is being given a second chance.

"It never got major distribution because it was independently produced, but now dat mi become more popular VP come forward and sey 'Yo, mek wi do it'," Riley said.

Challenges was released on the now defunct Ya Man label out of South Florida, which was owned by Dennis 'Blemmo' Crichton. It was produced by saxophonist Dean Fraser, who handled similar duties for Parables.

Favourable airplay

Challenges is not entirely unknown locally. It contains the songs Larger Than Life and Barber Chair, which got favourable airplay in the months leading up to Parables' release.

Riley said he was currently working on his third album. He is not concerned about being over-exposed with the release of three albums in as many years.

"The people waan hear the music so mi jus' gi it to dem," he said.

The son of veteran lovers rock singer Jimmy Riley, Tarrus Riley spent several years living in South Florida. Some of his early recordings were done for Heavy Beat Records, owned by producer Willie Lindo, a stalwart of the Sunshine State's reggae scene.

It was Parables, however, that did the trick for the Rastafarian vocalist. It produced a flow of hit songs, including the horn-hooked ballad She's Royal and I Will Stay With You, a song originally done by American neo-soul singer John Legend.

The album has opened new doors for Riley who recently returned from dates in Japan and France where he performed alongside Luciano and Jah Cure. He has shows scheduled for Great Britain and Germany in July.

Better the second time around

Africa Must Be Free By 1983 - Singer Hugh Mundell's 1978 masterpiece, produced by Augustus Pablo. Re-issued in 2003 by RAS Records.

Equal Rights and Legalize It - Peter Tosh's major label debut for Columbia Records in 1976 and 1977. These hard-hitting message albums were re-released in 1999 by Legacy Records.

Exodus - Bob Marley's 1977 set was a minor hit when released in the United States. Selected by Time Magazine as its Album of the Millennium, it was re-issued by the Universal Music Group to mark its 30th anniversary in 2007.

Slaughter Arts

Slaughter Arts is a record label in its infancy which is making a name for itself, however, many are still not familiar as to origins of this label Slaughter Arts. The name Nigel Nicholas is often associated with this record label because he is just one of the men behind this new era of music coming out of the Caribbean.

Nigel Nicholas was born and raised in the beautiful isle of St.Lucia.At an early age he was exposed to all the different genres of music that are truly Caribbean from Calypso all the way to dancehall. He has a deep passion for dancehall and rap but because Soca has been the main genre in St.Lucia, he soon began to experiment, and later found out how grateful this genre of music has been to him.

After completing his education at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, Nigel decided to pursue his love for music full time. In 1998, a great opportunity presented itself, when a local radio station (Radio 100) hosted a freestyle contest, Nigel grasped the opportunity and called in the show along with his friend, Kirby St.Clair and won the contest. Coincidentally two producers from Ice Cold productions were at the station during his call in. They recorded their first song "Fabulous Styles” as part of their prize, this track was a Pop/Caribbean Crossover which also featured Marvin Joseph also known as Crocodile, Jonathan Cherry and Kevin Joseph.

Nigel used this accomplishment as motivation to expand his musical talent, and it was then Phive Star Fleet comprising of Kirby St Clair, Marvin Joseph, Jonathan Cherry and Kevin Joseph came to life. The Carnival Season came around and focus had switched to Soca and they realized that only Soca was moving forward. In 1999 Phive Star Fleet came out with their first Soca track "Bordaline" which became a big hit not only in St.Lucia but all over the Caribbean reaching the London Charts and various compilations.
The following year, unfortunately they all went solo. But Nigel passion did not die just there he continued and in 2000 released the hit track "Stamina" and from the day of release was a huge hit. That year Phive Staar, (Nigel continued to use this name since it was already known) booked many performances for "de girls all wanted stamina!"

Later, producer Rawle Alcide suggested that he use his name, "NIGEL NICHOLAS" for the upcoming Carnival Season. It was mid carnival season and Nigel had not released any new songs due to the many distractions in his life at that time but then his producer Rawle Alcide dropped a beat and all the lyrics just came out and this is how we all began singing "WHINE LIKE YUH MAD,” which was recorded at TC Brown’s Studio, Changa. It was not long before people made this a hit with its frequent request. That year Nigel was up against big hits like Karate by Ninja Dan, yet managed to be the head liner for a local Radio Station (The Wave) first Soca Show.

The momentum continued the following year; Nigel decided to team up with Kakle, Cutty and Randy to form GOB and this new group made musical magic releasing tracks like "We Love It ", "Blaze It Up" and "Never Scared". However the sweet melodies of this group came to an end when everyone decided to all go solo.

In 2005, Nigel moved to Rhode Island to further his studies in Audio/Video Engineering Film and Broadcasting. It was in that same year he felt inspired to begin Slaughter Arts which works closely with Lynx Studios. His first track under this label was "Yeah" produced by St.Lucian born Leebo. And his vision expanded, as artiste like Kakle, Al Ambrose, Baby Girl Trish, Private 6, Skinny Banton former member of WCK and many more joined the Slaughter Arts Family. He sees his major and work as husband and wife each one making the other better in terms of quality.

Nigel works especially with the underdogs of the industry putting unique voices out there with their own personal style. Slaughter Arts was able to release one of the Biggest Soca Riddims of 2007 "Soca Bluetooth Riddim" which has taken the Caribbean by Storm hitting St.Lucia, Tortola, St.Mateen, St.Vincent, Barbados, Trinidad, Bermuda, Martinique and going international to France, Holland and London. The Riddim features names such as Shurwayne Winchester, Dawg E. Slaughter, Denise Belfon, Jalena, Private 6, Bud Ramesy, Gailaan, Skinny Fabulous and many more. This popular Riddim was composed by Nigel’s right hand man, the creative genius Patrice Regis who works with Gilbert Cooke and artistes such as Kayo and Illah Man. Patrice also produced the Rah Rah Riddim along with the Soca Survivor Riddim under Lynx Studios and Slaughter Arts.

This Year Nigel teamed up with Soca artist Jalena, who is also part of the Slaughter Arts Family, to release "Carnival Ah Come" which was a huge hit in Bermuda, and which continues to soar in islands such as Grenada, Turks & Caicos and Antigua. However the release in Bermuda caused controversy as to Nigel’s birth place which was argued extensively on the Caribbean website www.westindiantube.com .In summer of 2007, Nigel also released a track "P.I.M.P" (People in Mass Partying) on the Soca Bluetooth Riddim. Slaughter Arts are set to release the Soca Bluetooth Riddim Album in January 2008; the Riddim will also be available as ring tones.

To date, Nigel has managed to expand his dream internationally by signing on French artistes such as Sista, Gnee, Ddk, Tony C, Edalam, and Daddy Killa from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Maarteen and France to Slaughter Arts.
(www.myspace.com/slaughter

artsfrance). Recently Nigel has been featured on Danielle Davis track “Strut “remix. Notably, Nigel has not released any tracks in St.Lucia for the past two years but plans on returning to his roots come 2008. He is currently working on his solo album “Da Majority” which will feature likes of Redsquare Crew, Skinny Fabulous just to name a few. He is also working with Babygirl Trish on her first album under Lynx Studio and Slaughter Arts which will feature artistes such as Frankie Sly and General Degree from Jamaica.

Already in 2008, Nigel has a lot to be proud of having produced one of the top singles in Jamaica “Never like This” by Frankie Sly on the Chuck Back Riddim. He is also currently working closely with artistes from Dominica, who are now signed onto the Slaughter Arts Label, for the Dominica Carnival Season set to take momentum in February. Jalena who is one of the female artistes signed onto Slaughter Arts from Tortola is set to release her music video to her hit single “Roll” come February. Indeed, Nigel along with his Slaughter Arts Family is surely making 2008 their year. And as expected Slaughter Arts along with Lynx Studios will be hitting us again with another Riddim come June/July; can you say “Firewire Riddim!”

Nigel has a lot ahead of him, his main goal for the years to come is to open his own media facility, which would be covering both audio and video production and as he expresses the word "Arts" in the label (Slaughter Arts) signifies that music is not their limit!

Updates on Nigel’s tracks or Slaughter Arts can be accessed via the World Wide Web at http://www.myspcace.com/slaughterarts or slaughterartsrec@aim.com .

Sexy Tortolian Singer

Tortolian born, Jessica “Jalena” Mikoleiczik is making Slaughter Arts History with her expected video release of her hit single “Roll” on Tempo. “Roll” which was shot in St.Vincent in January last year is expected to have the entire region rolling to its beat.

Born and raised in the British Virgin Islands to German parents, Jalena was exposed to the different Caribbean music genres from Reggae to that of Soca Music. Her passion for Soca music stems from the pulsating beat, which makes you want to move and testifies there is nothing that can come close to Soca, zouk or kompa!

In 2004, she conquered her fear and decided to take music head on. She joined the band 3rd Dimension and as expected for her first performance, her nerves got the best of her. As her journey continues she understands how much that moment matured her as an artist. She teamed up with many bands after like Quito, The Edge and going as far as Antigua teaming up with Da Bhann. “Text Me” was one of the singles which had Tortolians paying attention to this band and especially their female vocalist Jalena! Unfounately, Jalena left Da Bhann after a few months to purse her solo career back home, in Tortola.

In 2005, she recorded “Roll” which was her first solo single and was well received from Tortolians as many caught the contagious Jalena fever .The following year she was able to maintain the momentum with “Wutless” , fans could not deny this feisty vocalist.

Jalena joined the Slaughter Arts label in April of 2007 and was eager to be working with the talented men under this label from Nigel Nicholas to Patrice Regis, and Gilbert Cooke. They did not waste time, she immediately got on the Soca Bluetooth Riddim, recording tracks like “Carnival ah Come “featuring Nigel Nicholas and “Do Wah you want”.

Recently she teamed up with “Party Animal”, Problem Child to release “Mr. Boring Flex”; with its endless humor who knows which island this track will be sending shockwaves through. Jalena still performs with two of her former band members as lead singer at hotels and restaurants in Tortola, which she can admit is continuing to shape her vocals and performance more and more.
She has undoubtedly faced many challenges and one she makes mention of is the stereotype of female soca artist as being of a darker complexion. She goes on to say that “automatically people write me off as a gimmick and don’t believe that my music is authentic,” and often she was not well received. However she has learned to break down this stereotype in her home isle and hopes she can continue to do so as she continues to get exposure globally

Jalena talent does not only span to her vocals but her writing skills. She writes most of her songs including the single “Roll” which was her first solo track. She hopes in time that she will be respected not only for her music but her writing as her passion is ever present in her lyrics.

She is currently in the studio gearing up for the intense 2008 British Virgin Islands Carnival Season (scheduled for July/ August) as lyrics to “Watch me Wuk “and “Aye Yai Ya” are well in their production stage. She is expected to be featured on many riddims in the works by Slaughter Arts/Lynx Studios set to release May/June.

Jalena is one of the few artists who is willing to come out of her comfort zone and hopes to make collaborations with artists such as Jah Cure, Claudette Peters, Onyan and bands such as Kes. Jalena makes mention that she does not want to be known as an artist that was “MADE”, she wants to be known as an artist that is “SELF MADE”! This video launch will undeniably gain Jalena a strong spot in the competitive soca arena as she sees it opening many doors and giving her many more opportunities to do what she loves: MUSIC!


Updates on Jalena music can be accessed via the World Wide Web at http://www.myspace.com/jalenamusi

c.

New Caribbean Music Sensation

"Forever Fire "has gradually become a radio anthem for radio listeners in St.Lucia and internationally especially in the French countries of Martinique Guadeloupe and France. Having been released only in November 2007, anticipation for the next single from this fiery vocalist Yanica under the Slaughter Arts/Lynx Studios Label is building.

Yanica Henville, St.Lucian born is true testament that with perseverance and passion living out your dreams is not far from reality. At a young age of eight she discovered her vocal talent and writing abilities .She engaged in many activities which would only improve these from vocal training to choir and steel pan.

It was not long before she took her music career to the next stage. At fourteen after meeting with former Phive Star Fleet member Nigel Nicholas it all began; and as the cliché goes "the rest is history", indeed Yanica’s story is history in the making.

Having observed other artists record, she learnt many tricks of the music industry. Under the guidance of Patrice Regis, Nigel Nicholas and Gilbert Cooke she has been able to record a few songs like "Make you mine", "Wild Out in the Club" and her hit single "Forever Fire" which was written by Nigel and produced by the Lynx studio geniuses Patrice Regis and Gilbert Cooke. Thus far, Yanica has been receiving good reviews from her colleagues, fans and the infamous music critics on www.islandmix.com. She remains modest as "the Yanica Hype" continues!

Yanica is currently completing her secondary education at Leon Hess Comprehensive School. Her attitude towards the music industry roots from her theme" I will keep trying until I get it Right" and to date has not failed her. She wants to encourage the youth and her peers to cherish their talents and is thankful for the encouragement she has received from the whole Slaughter Arts Family.

Recently, Yanica released her second single “Love Sweet Love” which was written and prodcued by Gilbert Cooke . Certainly she is keeping the momentum as she continues to record more tracks . Yanica Henville is ready for what lies ahead and with the continual support from her family, fans and Record Label Slaughter Arts she will surely prove that the best is yet to come!



Updates on Yanica music can be accessed via the World Wide Web at http://www.myspace.com/yanicamusic.