Up-and-coming artiste Max Element has hit local radio with his latest single Wash Cook and Clean. The song is the follow-up to his recent track Heartbreaker. In a recent interview, the deejay explained the story behind Wash Cook and Clean.

“The message I am conveying is really that a man should be a man and be able to do certain things in the home, even when there isn’t a female around. Being responsible is what the song is talking about,” he explained.

Produced by Icon, Wash Cook and Clean is said to be picking up some steam in the streets. Said Max Element, “People are familiar with the song and to be honest, the feedback has been really good. We are looking at shooting the video over the next few weeks.”

Ikaya a hit with Toronto fans

Reports out of Canada indicate that recording artiste Ikaya recently wowed patrons at the annual Taurus Bash. The event was promoted by noted Toronto promoter Picture Man Lloyd and was held at the Royal Banquet Hall in Canada.

Ikaya reportedly delivered a credible set which included slices of Hard Way, High with You, Fly Away and Good Up. Her rendition of Rihanna’s What’s My Name was reportedly well-received.

Prior to Ikaya’s performance, the event featured entertainment from the immortal Stone Love sound system, Assailant, dancehall selector Boom Boom and Future Fambo.

Ikaya’s most recent recordings include Aint Giving Up for producer DJ Wayne’s Monte Carlo rhythm project; and Can’t Get over You for Christopher Martin’s Cheeny Big Son Records. She has also recorded tracks for producers Seanizzle, DJ Frass and Flava McGregor among others.

Nadera named Canada’s top female deejay

In a short period of time Jamaican-born, Canadian-based deejay Nadera has made her presence felt on the reggae music scene. Nadera was recently honoured by the Canadian Reggae Music Achievement committee as the Top Female DJ for 2010.

Nadera, who is also a stage actress and model, commented that she was quite excited about her recent award. “Being in the music business has been a very fabulous experience for me. I am working hard and having a lot of fun doing something I really love and at the same time I have been having a lot of success doing it.”

Her recent single Cheater’s Loss featuring singer Tony Anthony topped the Canadian Reggae chart.

Her most recent singles include Tit 4 Tat which is registering chart action, and Kitty Kat on the Saudi Arabia rhythm project.

Shocking Murray releases sophomore album Troddin On

European-based reggae artiste Shocking Murray has released his sophomore album Troddin. The video for the first single Johnny, was released a few weeks ago.

The cultural artiste is confident that the music-loving public will offer him a listening ear. “Nowadays I am more confident but I am not going to be easily satisfied, because the sky is the limit,” he said.

He added, “The album was released a week ago, so I guess it needs a few more weeks to see what improvement it will bring (to my career).This is my second album; the first one was released in 2006, but the public can expect nothing but a positive vibe from it.”

Chart Updates

Lady GaGa’s Born this Way album remains at the number one spot on the Billboard 200 album chart for a second week. The week before, the album sold 1.1 million copies to take the top spot. However, within the past week, the album moved 174,000 copies. The album continues to reign at the top of the UK album chart.

Adele’s Rolling in the Deep fends off a fierce battle from Pit Bull’s Give Me Everything by spending a fifth week at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Pit Bull’s track remains at number two for a second week, although he gets some assistance from NeYo, Afrojack and Nayer. The track is number one in the UK.

In the midst of the controversy surrounding the video of her latest single Man Down, Rihanna continues to rise on the Billboard singles charts. Man Down jumps from 34 to 26 on the R&B Hip Hop tally, while over on the Hot 100 chart the song moves from 94 to 68.

And veteran rhythm and blues singer Joe, who stirred the charts in the 1990s with songs including Don’t Wanna be a Player, I Wanna Know, Love Scene and All The Things Your Man Won’t Do, moves to number 50 on the Billboard R&B singles chart with his latest hit Closer. The track is from his forthcoming ninth studio album The Good, the Bad, the Sexy. Joe is billed to perform this Sunday at Pulse’s CFW at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the theme song for the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls was a remake? The song Thank You for Being a Friend was sung for the sitcom by Cynthia Fee. However, the song was a chart hit for the writer and original singer, Andrew Gold. Gold recorded the song for his album All this and Heaven Too. The song peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978.

Sadly, Gold died last Friday in his sleep. He was 59 years old.