Danger Zone moves ahead with plans for next year

Even though it didn’t attract the kind of crowd support that they had anticipated, Danger Zone Promotions, promoters of the first annual Schoolers Bus Ride, held on July 6 at Pier One, Montego Bay, promise that the event will be even bigger and better next year.

According to their spokesperson, “The promoters decided to have this event in Montego Bay, because they realise that a lot of events have been concentrated in Kingston and Ocho Rios. But their aim is to assist less fortunate children and that’s where most of their energies are being concentrated.”

At this year’s staging of the Schoolers Bus Ride, 13 year-old Leon Laws from Portmore won the DJ contest, and was rewarded with a scholarship to a school of his choice. Sheena Stewart from Montego Bay came out on top in the dub poet category, while Andre Ellis of Montego Bay won the singing contest.

There were numerous giveaways of back-to-school items at the event.

“This is going to be an annual event. Children, who are unable to access regular school items will be the main benefactors. The promoters also want to associate their event with entertainers that the children can emulate,” said the spokesperson.

Danger Zone Promotions is busy constructing a recording studio in the second city. Its resident sound system, Danger Zone, has been enjoying some sort of popularity in Montego Bay of late. The sound has been creating a name for itself on the nightlife scene.

Baby Cham rips Atlanta

Fresh from his recent devastating performance at Germany’s Splash festival, deejay Baby Cham headed to Atlanta last Friday night, where he delivered another of his explosive performances. According to Jeremy Huskey of the More Fire Reggae Show, which is aired on WRAS 88.5 FM in Atlanta, “Cham ripped the place. He was in total control and did a very good performance. People are still talking about it two days after that show”.

Cham had performed at the Aquarium Nightclub. Island Coast and Street Life Promotions staged the show. The one man sound system, Duplex Interactive, scored good grades with the crowd and represented well, while opening acts, Shooks and Two Equipped from the St Thomas Virgin Islands, were also in fine form, according to Huskey.

Alicia Keys triumphs at Billboard R&B/hip-hop awards

Alicia Keys emerged as the big winner last Friday night at the second annual Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, walking away with four trophies from the event staged at Miami’s Billboard live. In addition to top new R&B/hip-hop artistes, the J Records singer earned trophies for top R&B/hip-hop album and top R&B/hip-hop albums artist for her debut, Songs in A Minor, and top R&B/hip-hop artistes, female.

Arista recording artistes Usher won three awards: top R&B/hip-hop artistes; top R&B/hip-hop artistes, male; and top R&B/hip-hop singles artistes, thanks to the number one hits, U Got It Bad and U Remind Me. Ja Rule’s Pain Is Love, Def Jam, was named top rap album.

Presented in association with Heineken and American Urban Radio Networks, the awards show was hosted by WBLS New York personality Wendy Williams, with performances by Sean Paul, Lyric, Martin Luther, Seth Marcel featuring Jadakiss, Anthony Hamilton, Lathun, and Tank.

Awards presenters included the Unit, Mr Cheeks, producer Rockwilder, actor JD Williams (Oz), Iconz, producer Eddie F, Smilez & Southstar, radio personalities Skip Cheatham and John Monds, 8Ball & MJG, actress Taral Hicks (Belly), Exhale, and FUBU’s Carl Brown and Daymond John.

Nelly knocks himself from the number one spot

Rapper Nelly becomes the sixth artiste to remove himself from the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. This, as his collaboration, Dilemma, featuring Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland, has moved into the number one spot. The duet brought an end to the seven-week reign at number one by Nelly’s solo effort Hot In Herre.

To date, Nelly’s album, Nellyville, has sold more than three million units, since its release less than two months ago.

The other recording artistes who have replaced themselves at number one, are Boyz II Men, Puff Daddy, the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Ja Rule.

TV show puts winners in the spotlight

We have heard of numerous contests and competitions, but how many of them have actually helped the careers of the winners much less the runners-up? There is a television show in the UK called Pop Idol. That show has been a platform for the launching of careers of many artistes in recent times.

First, second and third place winners of the most recent competition have each moved on to release singles that have topped the UK charts.

Gareth Gates, who finished second in the televised competition, collected a gold single and spent three weeks at Number one with his second release, Anyone of Us (Stupid Mistake). Now Gates has been replaced at the top of the UK chart by the first single from the third-place contestant, Darius Danesh, who is billed as Darius on Colourblind (Mercury). One difference between Darius’ success and the hit singles by Gates and Pop Idol winner Will Young: Danesh is a co-writer on his number one song.

Jammy’s son releases new rhythm

Mexican is the name of the latest project from Trevor “Baby G” James, son of veteran music producer Lloyd “King Jammy” James.

Trevor made his production debut in 2000 with the Psycho rhythm, which featured the dancehall hit, You Don’t Wanna Start a War, by Elephant Man and Wayne Marshall. Last year, he followed up with the scarecrow rhythm, which had songs including Yapping by Bounty Killer; Da Pum by Ward 21; My Girl by Wayne Marshall; What by Wayne Wonder; and We Dat by Mr Lex.

Mexican features a strong cast of popular dancehall acts. The rhythm will be released on VP Records’ popular Riddim Driven series.

Among the songs on the Mexican beat are Come On by Sizzla; Bawling by Bounty Killer; Alright by Fahrenheit; Fool by Mad Cobra; Hypocrite and Parasite by Delly Ranks; Couldn’t Be Real by Mega Banton; Bug Out by Ward 21; Most High by Vybez Cartel; Admaria and Panamina by Wayne Wonder; Fassy Friend by Bling Dawg; and Income by Assassin.

Veteran deejay Ninja Man also contributes a track to the Mexican.

Celebs line-up for slumber yard party

When the Sashi Collection Fashion Show takes place on August 22 at the Sunset Lawn, San Souci Lido, the men’s line will make its debut.

After the tremendous response of the female collection the CEO of LOY Entertainment, Horatio Hamilton stated, “It was time to put men in the spotlight for this year’s show”.

The new male collection will have the urban denim look. It will be modelled by some of Jamaica’s hottest male celebrities accompanied by female models wearing Sashi swimwear.

Both the male and female clothing line will hit the stores in Jamaica and the Caribbean in early October.

In related news, the annual Sashi Slumber Yard Pajama Party will take place at the Bi Bi Bips Restaurant on August 21. Rappers Lil’ Kim and Trina will be hosting the night’s festivities.

Patrons can expect a laid-back atmosphere with torches, couches and even beds. Some of the island’s top sound systems will be spinning away the hits till daylight.