NOT many of the winners or runners-up from the Digicel Rising Stars talent competition have made any serious impact on the music scene. Names like Christopher Martin, Laden, Romain Virgo, Noddy Virtue, Jodian Pantry, Shuga (formerly Brown Suga) and Natel have managed to gain some traction.

Top five finisher in the 2007 edition of the competition, Lenya Wilks has remained relatively quiet until recently. Since parting ways with Beres Hammond’s Harmony House label, Wilks has set about putting out some material for the music-loving public.

The Ewarton, St Catherine-based singer is on top of the Jamaica Music Countdown Reggae singles chart with Baby Come to Me.

The song, which was written and produced by her manager Sam Berley, was released on the ZX5 label.

Commenting on the success of the single, Wilks said: “This is my first number-one song and I feel elated. This is what every young artiste dreams of and it really means a lot to me. I finally have a number-one song after four years of hard work. I am looking forward to even greater success as time goes by.”

The follow-up single Yeah Man Jamaica was produced by Dean Fraser. It was recorded in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence.

“I did this track to contribute to the celebration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence. It’s a song that highlights the diversity of this great nation and our achievements. I hope it will help to inspire our people to continue to build on those achievements,” Wilks said.

Ce’Cile and Assassin crack the German Black Singles chart

Ce’Cile has released the second single off her current album Jamaicanization. The track titled Hey features dancehall artiste Assassin aka Agent Sasco.

Hey has made its way onto the German Black Singles chart where it peaked at number 10 three weeks ago. It is currently at number 13 having fallen to number 16 the week before.

This is not the first time that Cecile has had a single charting on the German Black Singles chart. Talk Talk and Hot Like We are among the handful of singles that have charted for her.

We understand that the accompanying music video for Hey is scheduled to be released within the next week or two.

Magano drops new single Pray

Singer Magano is gaining traction with her new single Pray. The track was produced by Le-G-Nae Records and is the follow up to her most recent offering Never Be Your Child.

Magano has come a long way since she first hooked up with singer Coco Tea’s Roaring Lion label in the 1990s. Born Andrea Sawyers, she once worked the cabaret circuit honing her musical and performing skills.

A former student of the Vere Technical High School, she took her wealth of experience and pursued a solo career. Her first single I’m Leaving scaled a few local charts but it wasn’t until over the past year that her career began to move in a positive direction.

Tracks including Never Be Your Child, Mama’s Pain and Rasta Love have impacted reggae charts outside of Jamaica.

The single Pray is the preview to an upcoming album, which is expected later this year.

CHART UPDATES

Dancehall group TOK and Leftside are charting on the German Black Singles chart this week. After peaking at number 22, Yardie by TOK falls to number 38. In the meantime, I Like to Party by Leftside falls to number 35.

The ensemble Fun becomes the first rock act in 10 years to achieve a number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 with its first chart entry. The track We Are Young featuring Janelle Monae has removed Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger(What Doesn’t Kill You)from the top spot. Adele continues to shatter records as her album 21 spends a 23rd week at the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart selling over 247,000 copies. It will be a fierce battle next week for the top spot as Bruce Springsteen’s latest album Wrecking Ballis on track for a top 2 debut.

Over on Billboard’s Reggae album chart, Lee Scratch Perry and the Upsetters debut at number nine with High Plains Drifters. Big Band Reggae by the Resolvers is new at number 5.

And on the UK pop singles chart Gotye remains at number one with Somebody that I used to Know featuring Kimbra. Our Version of Events by Emeli Sande’ is the top selling album on the UK album chart.