McGregor... my goal right now is to see the roots and culture artistes get Grammy Awards. I also want to see more roots and culture artistes being afforded prime time attention in North America

Producer Kemar 'Flava' McGregor's No Doubt Records has been spewing the hits one after the other. The former radio jock/sound system selector who made his production debut a few years ago with an album project for Turbulence, has helmed hits for the likes of Etana, Turbulence, Nesbeth and Richie Spice, just to name a few.

McGregor's hits as a producer include Richie Spice's The Plane Land and A Nuh Me Dat; Etana's I Am Not Afraid, Queen Ifrica's Daddy Don't Touch Me There; and Nesbeth's Board House. This column caught up with McGregor who is without a doubt one of the busiest and in-demand producers on the scene. During the interview he spoke about his beginnings, the hits that he has worked on and the power-packed projects that he has in the pipeline.

Kevin Jackson: How did your journey in music begin?
Flava: I used to play at Pier One nightclub in Montego Bay with DJ Wayne and Liquid back in the day. From there I began to play for GT Taylor and then I went to RJR to play for Richie B. So that's basically where it all started.

KJ: How did you eventually get into production?
Flava: My thing was, I always wanted to be a producer. Playing music and producing music just fell into place.
KJ: What was your first major project in terms of production?

Flava: It was a Turbulence album called Join Us. I produced his first hit song Name and Number. After that I worked on Anthony B's album Smoke Free which was number one in Germany, and then I did an album for Sizzla which was on the Billboard Reggae album chart.

KJ: What has been your biggest hit to date?
Flava: My biggest hit in terms of popularity so far has been Mama Don't Cry by Gyptian.

KJ: How do you spot the hit and what makes a No Doubt Records production unique?
Flava: When I hear a boom tune I can determine whether it's going to be a hit or not. I am like probably the youngest roots music producer in Jamaica right now. I am 27 years old and roots music is what make my thing different. That's what makes it stand out. Every release on the No Doubt label has been roots and culture.

KJ: How beneficial has production been for you?
Flava: It has generated a lot including meeting with overseas record labels, and making connections with artistes such as Jah Rule and Kanye West. We have some collaborations with them to come out.

KJ: Have the labels been gravitating towards your work?
Flava: They have been responding positively and they like the fact that my stuff is clean. They are willing to work with Jamaican producers.

KJ: How challenging can it be for you while in the studio?
Flava: Not many artistes are willing to listen to the producer and take creative advice and suggestions. As a producer you have to be able to make corrections to the artiste and they listen. I like working with artistes like Nesbeth, Etana, and Capleton and a few others. They listen to what the producer have to say.

KJ: What are some of the projects that you are currently working on?
Flava: I have a lot of stuff to come out. The Drop It rhythm is coming with songs from Beres Hammond, Etana, and Marcia Griffiths. I also have songs with Richie Spice and Lutan Fyah and other major artistes that are coming out soon.

KJ: What are your long-term objectives and goals?

Flava: My goal right now is to see the roots and culture artistes get Grammy Awards. I also want to see more roots and culture artistes being afforded prime time attention in North America.

Alliance member Badd Cash to release album on itunes

Morvin Pennant better known as Badd Cash is the newest member of the Alliance. The toaster who originally hails from Old Harbour in St Catherine, says his musical journey had been predetermined. "I think music chose me because even on my off days when I say I'm not going to write a song, I'm just going to rest somehow I keep getting ideas, and thoughts for new material so I don't think I'll ever stop doing music even when I get that big hit. I'm gonna keep going," Badd Cash said confidently.

He is set to release his debut album shortly on iTunes and other major nternet web stores including soundquake.com from Germany.

At the age of 27, Badd Cash can attest to the harsh natures of ghetto levity which is primarily fuelled by poverty. While attending the Old Harbour High School during the mid-1990s he began creating lyrics and punch-lines before, during, and after class. The son of a single mother, Cash recalled seeing his father on a few occasions but the bulk of inspiration was always found in the music.

An avid fan of dancehall culture he soon became acquainted with Bounty Killer who after learning of his Baby Cash stage name realigned a few letters and came up with Dirty Money. At first he accepted the name change but later did his own adjustments and after much thought decided on Badd Cash as he felt that the two were basically the same.

Badd Cash feels that in anything, an allegiance is important. He felt that the Alliance represents the opportunity for any up-and-coming artiste. He didn't the resist the opportunity once it was presented to him.

It was in 1998 when Badd Cash recorded his first single Can't Stop This. Although the song wasn't a hit, it did create an avenue for his talent to be heard. Now fast forward to 10 years later and a more mature and focused Badd Cash sees himself in a better position musically. Badd Cash is featured on the video Like Everybody Else, a collaborative effort with six other artistes.

Wayne Marshall to release mixed CD this month

Wayne Marshall is in the final stages of completing a mixed CD called True Story. According to Marshall, this will be a one-of-a-kind project which will not only feature new music but also a mix of many artistes doing dub plates and exclusive freestyles. Sean Paul, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Bling Dawg, Demarco, and Stephen Marley are all featured on it.

Chimney Records pulls a double

Bounty Killer has teamed up with up-and-coming dancehall artiste, Einstein, for the collaboration called Tell Dem. The song was produced by Jordan of Chimney Records and is featured on the Soul Seeker rhythm. Chimney Records also has another rhythm project in the pipeline, which is called the Heat Stroke. The Heat Stroke features songs from the likes of Vybz Kartel, Bramma, Wayne Marshall, Esco and Demarco, among others.

BITS AND PIECES

. Kirk Franklin is coming to Jamaica. The popular gospel artiste will be performing on May 31 at the Police Officers Club on a show called Exodus which will also feature Junior Tucker and gospel artiste Moses.

. Singer Hopeton Lindo's latest album, Turf, has been making moves on the Jamaica Music Countdown, thanks to the popularity of the lead single and video of the same name. Lindo has been in the island for the past week working on recordings with producers Sly and Robbie and Syl Gordon of Cell Block. Lindo, who scored a massive hit in 1987 with a song called Territory, topped the South Florida Reggae charts recently with the songs Silent Consent and Love Chat. Over the years, Lindo has co-written songs for Shabba Ranks and Marcia Grifiths among others.

. Trinidadian reggae artiste Jamelody has the number one song this week in the British Virgin Islands, as his latest single Love Crazy has removed Etana's Warrior Love from the top spot. Jamelody, whose real name is Michael Williams, has released his new album Be Prepared on VP Records.

. One of Reggaeton's rising stars, De La Ghetto, is busy working on his debut album for Universal/Motown and has flown to Jamaica to record a song with dancehall artiste Mavado. De La Ghetto is from Puerto Rico.

. Morgan Heritage debuted at number three on the Billboard Reggae Album release Mission in Progress..

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