It's been a while since we've heard much from dancehall artiste Alozade, but that's about to change shortly. He has been flexing his muscles with a hot new single called My Intention. According to Alozade, whose real name is Michael Sterling, in a recent interview "this is a song that showcases me in a different light. When you are off the scene for a while, you have to come back with a different energy. You have to hit home with something that radio and the dancehall will gravitate to."

My Intention, which was produced by the South Block team (the rhythm was created by House of Stars), is your typical gangster loving scenario. The track sees Alozade singing using an alter ego. "The song is basically about a thug falling in love with a girl. My intentions are clear about getting involved with this girl," Alozade reiterated.

A video for the track was recently directed by brothers Kevin and Vaughn Lee. It was shot in sections of Havendale and at a garage in the New Kingston area. "We have some dancers in the video from Edna Manley College. The concept of the video is an interesting one. I am playing the role of a thug on the run who is pursued by a secret service agent. The thug is on the run and under surveillance. The agent eventually finds out that information that she has learned about me are totally false", Alozade explained.

Alozade exploded onto the dancehall radar in 1999 with the song Street Dreams which was recorded for the In the Streets label's Crash rhythm. The rhythm also contained Mr. Vegas' top ten hit She's a Ho. Alozade would later follow up with hits including More Woman (produced by CJ and featured on the Tixx rhythm); Jamaica (on the Martial Arts rhythm); and Under Mi Skunk.

He, however, hit pay dirt in 2000 when he teamed up with Chico and Kip Rich for the number one smash Bad Man Nuh Pet Gal which was produced by Louis 'Flabba' Malcolm which was featured on the Mo Music label's Hurricane rhythm.

In 2004, he stepped into the production side of the business and started his South Block label. The label scored big with the Chrome rhythm and reeled out hits including Jiggy by Elephant Man and In Har Heart by Capleton, both of which soared to the top of the charts.

South Block would later follow up with the one-drop rhythm project called Bingie Trod. It registered a hit on the BBC 1Xtra Dancehall chart with Jah Cure's Hi Hi which went to the top spot. All Day All Night by Richie Spice and Buju Banton's Closer To You were also featured on Bingie Trod.

Alozade's most recent hit was Bad Out Deh which rejuvenated Richard 'Shams' Browne's Baddis rhythm a few years ago.

Commenting on his absence from the dancehall scene in the last few years, Alozade said "I lost my father and I also became a father. My father was 82 years old, he died from old age. I also wanted to spend time with my son. Now I have a more mature view on life; and I have revamped myself and I have stepped back out with a different energy."

Alozade's most recent singles include Muscle Contract on the Enrapture Production label. He is also featured on the Video light rhythm with the song Reason Fi Hype.

Jessica Yap thrills in Beijing

Teenage violin sensation Jessica Yap recently performed at the Puma Jamaica's House closing ceremony and gala which was held in Beijing, China. Tessanne Chin also performed at the event.

Yap, who has been making a name for herself in musical circles thanks to her impeccable knack for drumming up delicious musical brews on the violin, reportedly delivered a good account of herself at the function.

Yap whom it is understood is expected to enter the recording studio later this year, delivered a set in Beijing which comprised interpretations of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds and One Love; as well as Etana's Wrong Address.

Millennium Countdown now a three-day music event

The annual Millennium Countdown stage show, promoted by Downsound Records, will be having its eighth staging in Nassau, Bahamas from October 31 to November 2.

Downsound Records has teamed up with Sigma Management to promote the event this year, which has moved from a one-day event, to a three-day event.

The Millennium Countdown series has grown into a major international event and tourist attraction for the Bahamas and has built a solid and reliable reputation among concert-goers around the world mainly because of its record of featuring the very best reggae artistes.

R&B, and gospel acts have been incorporated into this year's staging of the event. Josef Bogdanovich of Downsound Records, said the reason the annual event has always been a success in the Bahamas is because the promoters ensure that they place content above hype.

Last year's event was headlined by Jah Cure. The line-up for this year's event will be released shortly.

St Lucia reggae artiste Cherry L makes the right connections in New York

Saint Lucia award-winning reggae artiste Cherry L is reportedly creating waves on the music scene in New York. The self-proclaimed poet is currently on tour with the US based independent reggae band URI.

The artiste took a break from touring to open for rapper Rah Digga at Club Rebel in Manhattan, where he also took part in and won the 'Faces in the Crowd' showcase. As part of his prize for winning the showcase, Cherry L will get to meet with executives from Universal Records to discuss his future in the music industry. Cherry L's latest single is Candy which was produced by Sherwin Dupes Brice.

Slipknot beats rapper The Game in race for the number one spot

Rock group Slipknot's has beaten rapper The Game in the race for the number one spot on the Billboard 200 album chart. The group's album All Hope Is Gone, sold 239,516 copies in the United States, which is just 1,134 copies more than The Game's album LAX which sold 238,382 copies to debut at number two.

The Game's last two albums Doctor's Advocate and The Documentary both debuted at number one.

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