Queen Ifrica joins VP Records roster

Queen Ifrica, who has been making strong moves on the local and international circuit with her brand of reggae offerings, has reportedly signed with New York-based independent label, VP Records. Ifrica - who was on her way to Washington DC earlier this week when this column caught up with her - was in high spirits about the recent turn of events, as far as her career is concerned.

"We just seal off the deal with VP and the album will be released soon. It ago nice and you ago love the title," said an excited Queen Ifrica.

Tiffany Mea, publicist at VP Records' New York office confirmed the signing of Queen Ifrica to the label.
With a string of hits permeating the airwaves and the charts since mid last year, Queen Ifrica (real name Ventrice Morgan) says she handles her success by being remaining focused. "I just appreciate the fact that after being in the industry for so long, people are finally accepting you. I kinda feel humble about all of this," said Queen Ifrica.

Bubblers including Below the Waist, Daddy Don't Touch Me There, Mi Nah Rub, and Randy have had their field day on the charts within the past year. Her latest sizzler Keep It To Yourself for producer Don Corleon, is already waging an attack on the charts.

"Mi just give thanks for all that has been happening, because you know that the kind of music that I do, doesn't really get the overwhelming support right away. As a female it give a lot of people including other female artistes, some form of encouragement," she added.

Queen Ifrica's debut VP Records album is earmarked for release in the first quarter of next year.

So What becomes the first number one solo hit for Pink

US pop star Pink occupies an enviable position this week. She has the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, So What. But what is interesting about this feat, is the fact that after eight years of charting hits on the Billboard charts, So What has become Pink's first solo number
one hit.

In 2001, Pink teamed up with Mya, Lil Kim and Christina Aguilera for a remake of Labelle's Lady Marmalade, which became a number one single. Pink's solo hits have included There You Go, Who New, U and Ur Hand, You Make Me Sick, Most Girls and Get the Party Started.

So What was written by Pink with Max Martin, K.K. Stryker, and Sellback. Martin also produced the track. Pink and Martin are responsible for their hit songs from Pink's previous album, including the US top-10 hits Who Knew and U & Ur Hand.

So What is Pink's 9th Top 10 Hot 100 hit in the US. It is the first single from the singer's fifth album Funhouse which is due for release in October.

Mikey Spice's Walk A Mile drops on October 28

Singer Mikey Spice's latest album, produced by Lloyd Campbell for Joe Frasier Productions, is coming to a record store near you on October 28.

Walk a Mile is the first collaborative album between Mikey and Campbell since 2001.

Tracks include A Little Love (a remake of Jimmy London's 1970's Chestnut); I Cry, You Cry; Happy Hour; Two Spliff Tail; Pull It Up; and Hanging On To You.

Mikey Spice is best known for hits including Born Again, Grab You Lass and Come with Louie Culture and a remake of Practice What You Preach..

BITS AND PIECES

Christopher Martin, Lefside, Usain Bolt and Lexxus are to be featured in new television ads for Digicel.
The nominations for the UK's MOBO Awards are out and Estelle, who is of Grenadian parentage, leads the pack with five nods. Beenie Man, Etana, Busy Signal, Mavado and Tarrus Riley are nominated in the Reggae category.

Footloose old school party featuring hits of the 1980's to the present will unfold next Saturday September 27 at the Peppers Nightclub on Waterloo Road. ZJ Liquid and DJ Marvin will spin the hits. A Mixdown showcase featuring DJ Jubby from RJR 94 FM and DJ Speng from Hitz 92 FM, will be hosted by television personality Kiki.

Rock group Metallica logs its fifth number one album on the Billboard 200, as their latest effort Death Magnetic sold 490,000 copies in its first week of release. Kardinal Offishall debuts at number 40 with 12,000 copies of his album Not 4 Sale sold in its first week at retail.

Beres Hammond's A Moment in Time concert returns on December 28 at a new venue to be announced.
And the first awards show to kick off the silly season of awards shows in Jamaica is coming. Watch this space for more details.

Trousers in Denim

Cream of the 'Crop'

Cheeky's World