Canadian-Jamaican singer Mavriq

Shaggy's thought-provoking single, Church Heathen sits on top of the New York Reggae Chart this week. It is his sixth title to occupy pole on this chart. His previous titles include Oh Carolina, Hey Sexy Lady, It Wasn't Me, Your Eyes and Boombastic.

Meet Mavriq, Jamaican-born Canada-based reggae singer

Lead singer for the Canada-based reggae group Not the Usual Members, Mavriq Brown is fiddling into solo side projects. The Jamaican-born young man has been writing songs and recording for the past ten years. Based in the Toronto area, he has opened on shows for the likes of Elephant Man and Tanto Metro and Devonte.

Mavriq's lyrics capture mostly societal and current issues. "I try to focus on our children and communities as well as trying to get the message through to the people that not just because you are poor now means that you have to remain that way," said Mavriq.

Mavriq's parents moved to Canada searching for a better life from the struggles that they were faced with growing up in Jamaica. Mavriq would often visit his remaining family members in Jamaica and this allowed him to notice the similarities and also the differences in the struggles in North America and in Jamaica. This also played a major role in his choice of song topics. His father, a one-time band member, once played with the likes of Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and Leroy Sibbles.

Apart from handling lead duties with Not the Usual Members, Mavriq also plays percussion. Other members of the group include Rosco (keyboard and trombone), Charmazelle (keyboard), Clevie aka One Drop (drums), Reggae Rich (guitar) and Bassie.

Mavriq is working out with the Portmore-based Donsome Records entity.

Lady Saw's Walk Out for April release

Lady Saw's ninth studio album Walk Out is due for release on VP Records in April. It will be her last for the New York-based independent label.

The first single, No Less Than A Woman, has been getting left-field treatment at radio. The inspirational song speaks about the media hype, stigmas attached and how she overcame her battles. The video clip for the track is set to be shot this weekend with direction by Ras Kassa.

Newcomer Ms Triniti making moves with Bounce Along

She opened for three of the shows on Sean Paul's recently concluded tour. She has also opened for rap outfit D-12. Now, singer Ms Triniti is looking to conquer local soil with her latest single, Bounce Along.

She has been confirmed to perform in Jamaica at the upcoming Kings of Kings show, Unite The People. "She has now been confirmed for the show, which will be held in March, and she is looking forward to promoting the Bounce Along single locally," Denise Smith, of Topline Booking Agency, told this writer recently.

Ms Triniti's debut album has reportedly sold over 100,000 copies. She has also released two compilation albums which went gold in Japan. Bounce Along is at #26 on the US R&B Singles Core Stores chart, positioned between Akon's Smack That and Snoop Dogg's That's That.

Additionally, Ms Triniti's songs have been featured on the soundtrack of movies such as Two For The Money, Zoom, and Like Mike II.

KC Jockey named Artiste of the Week by HitQuarters

Entertainment website HitQuarters has named New York-based dancehall artiste KC Jockey as Artiste of the Week.

KC has been featured on the Top 40 hit Beware Of The Boys which also features Jay-Z. His latest singles include Want A Wife and Need Love, in combination with reggae artiste Luciano, both of which are released on the Sweet Sadie's Productions label.

In 2004, KC Jockey made his first film debut in a commercial for Sprint that was aired on several major networks across the United States. Soon after, he landed a role in a short commercial skit called Sip And Chat for a fruit juice company that was released in January 2007.

In 2006, he played a small role in a film called Where My Ladies At? KC Jockey once again showcased his acting chops with a minor role he earned in a major motion picture, American Gangster featuring Denzel Washington, Richard Core, Russell Crowe, and he is featured on an upcoming episode of perennial children's favourite, Sesame Street.
A video for the single Shake featuring Santalina was recently shot.

BITS AND PIECES

Beenie Man's MAFIA House Productions is all set and ready to go. The first recording artiste signed to the entity is deejay Brilliant.

Collie Buddz saw the premiere of his video on BET 106 and Park show earlier this week. Incidentally, the track moves up to number 54 on the Billboard Hot R&B Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart.

The nominations for Canada's Juno Awards are now out. The nominees in the Best Reggae Recording category are Hard To See by Humble, Xrated by Korexion, Monte Le Son by Kulcha Connection, Survival by Kwesi Selassie and In The Streets by Trinity featuring Blessed. The Junos are Canada's equivalent to the US Grammy awards.

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