Deejay/rapper Dutty Lion takes on the ambitious role of promoter on March 19, when he stages Owa Fest March Madness on March 19. The event is scheduled to take place at Bowa Banks at 18 Windward Road in East Kingston.

The event is being promoted to give back to the community, and to encourage peace and harmony within the surrounding areas. The children from adjoining communities will not be left out of the mix, as during the day time, they will be feted with free rides and refreshment.

Among the artistes billed to perform are I Octane, Sizzla, Warrior King, Natty King, Macka Diamond, Lutan Fyah, Natural Black, Shane O, Tanto Blacks, Mr Banging, Food Kartel, CP Inc and many others.

Dutty Lion, one of the more promising up and coming acts on the music scene is based in the United States. He has been travelling back and forth to Jamaica, promoting his music.

Born Olu Codrington, he caught on to the grooves of his Jamaican father’s reggae and calypso record collection. Now 36, he is trying to make inroads in the local scene with Nicey Nicey, his latest song, but is also keen to make a difference in the lives of youth from Waterhouse, where he has family.

“The song is hip-hop and dancehall, because crossover is my thing,” Dutty Lion said in a recent interview. “But it’s really about good vibes and having a good time.” Nicey Nicey also features deejays Mr Banging and Shane O, two of the artistes Dutty Lion has been working with since 2005 when he began visiting the island on a regular basis.

Tony Anthony snags Juno Award nomination

Canada based reggae singer Tony Anthony was recently nominated in Canada’s Juno Awards in the Best Reggae Recording category. The Junos are considered Canada’s equivalent to the Grammy Awards.

Additionally, Tony Anthony is nominated for an EME Award in the category Breakthrough Artiste of the Year.

The singer released his debut album, Million Chance last April. It went on to top several reggae charts overseas as well as in Jamaica. It is currently riding the New York and South Florida Reggae album charts.

Torn, the first single released from the album becam his first number one hit in Jamaica where it topped the Jamaica Music Countdown. The song also topped reggae charts in Canada, New York and the British Virgin Islands

The follow up single Bad News has already topped the Canadian Reggae chart, and is currently scaling the Jamaica Music Countdown and New York Reggae charts. The song is also climbing the British Virgin Islands reggae chart.

Evin Lake updates Teddy Pendergrass’ Come and Go With Me

Port Antonio native Kevin Clarke ventured into the world of music from an early age. Influenced by the smooth rhythm and blues offerings from the likes of Teddy Pendergrass, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, as well as local lovers rock connoisseurs Dennis Brown and Sanchez, Lake knew where he wanted to be professionally.

Now known as Evin Lake, he launched his foray into music with a cover of R Kelly’s For You. He later on recorded for producer Barry O’Hare and released original efforts including He’s Alive, and I Don’t Want to Lose Your Love.

His latest effort is a cover of Teddy Pendergrass’ Come Go With Me which was produced by Othneil ‘Taddy P’ Campbell.

Since its release to radio a few weeks ago Come Go With Me. The song has been receiving steady airplay on FM radio.

Chart Updates

Lady Gaga’s Born This Way single maintains its lock at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for a second week running. Forget You by Cee Lo Green jumps from seven to number in its 28th week on the chart, no doubt fueled by his recent performance at the Grammys.

Elsewhere on the Hot 100 chart, I Need a Doctor by Dr Dre featuring Eminem and Skylar Grey zooms from 32 to number four. Never Say Never by Justin Beiber featuring Jaden Smith scores a new peak as it leaps from 25 to number 8, another obvious Grammys boost.

On Billboard’s Dance Music Club Play chart, Australian pop star Kylie Minogue scores her fifth number one title this week as Better Than Today is crowned the chart’s new champ.

Over on the UK Pop singles chart, Price Tag by Jessie J featuring rapper BoB is on top for a second week. British singer Adele is still the queen of the UK album chart as the set 21 hangs on for a second week in the penthouse.

Justin Beiber scores his second number one album in the US this week. Never Say Never (Remixes) sold 161,000 copies to take the number one position. It is predicted that British singer Adele could wrestle the number one spot out of Beiber’s hands next week. Adele’s album 21 is project to sell close to 300,000 copies.

Did You Know

Okay so Lady Gaga’s Born This Way single is the 1000th song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 since its inception in 1958. But did you know that the first song to reach number one on Billboard Hot 100 was Chubby Checker’s The Twist? The Twist was written and originally recorded by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters in 1959. That version peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960.

In 1960 Chubby Checker popularised the song taking it to number one in September that year. Two years later in 1962 Checker’s version would resurface and take hold of the number one spot for two weeks.