Fresh from her recent performance at Reggae Sumfest’s International Night II, rising artiste Trudy aka Trudiva has followed up with the poignant single Hear Mi Now. The track was written by Conroy Forte of Washroom Entertainment.

Trudy’s maiden Reggae Sumfest performance highlighted the dancers who participated in her recently held Booty Dance Competition. Sweden’s Black Out Crew and Japan’s SML Girls were featured during Trudy’s set.

Commenting on the dancers who participated in the dance competition at Limelight in Half Way Tree, a week before the Reggae Sumfest stint, Trudy said, “Everyone put on a great show. There were so many great dance teams that couldn’t get to Kingston to audition for the contest, so we will have an online competition for anyone that submits a video interpretation of the song.

Dancehall artiste Elephant Man is featured on an appetizing remix of Party All Night (Booty).

White Witch of Rose Hall heading to the big screen

Television producer Mark Kenny of MJK Productions who has spearheaded reality shows including Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall, Wray and Nephew Contender and the early season of Digicel Rising Stars, has teamed up with film and music video director Storm Saulter for a contemporary horror film version of the White Witch of Rose Hall story.

Details about the production are a bit sketchy, however it is understood that Kenny will partner with a production company from the Dominican Republic for the project.

According to Kenny, “The script will be finalized by Christmas with shooting set to begin around next summer for a 2013 projected release date.”

The storyline is being kept under wraps for the time being.

Wife Material is the latest single from radio jock turned artiste ZJ Liquid

Popular radio jock and dancehall selector turned recording artiste ZJ Liquid who hit the top of the charts last year with Wifey Walk Out, is quite upbeat about his latest single Wife Material.

The Montego Bay native who was once known as DJ Lippo on the second city’s Radio West (which later evolved into Hot 102 FM), has been recording for a number of the island’s top producers since he hit pay dirt late last year.

Wife Material is featured on the Matrimony rhythm from Washroom Entertainment.

His other recent recordings include Feel Good produced by DJ Wayne; She Got a Walk produced by Tony Kelly; Hotta Than Dem produced by Sean Paul; Doing Well produced by Demarco; Baby produced by Seanizzle and Party Wi Sey featuring Pattex.

Shocking Murray releases video for Johny

Switzerland based reggae artiste Shocking Murray recently released the video for his latest single Johny. The video has been in rotation on most of the major music video outlets locally.

Originally from Portland, Shocking Murray reveals that he wanted the video to capture the full essence of what the song is all about. “When I did this video I did it with the youths in mind, because I want to show them that gangster living and criminal activities don’t pay. I am very pleased that it’s getting the desired support,” said Shocking Murray.

The music video was shot at various locations in Portland and St. Mary and depicts a very sad tale of a young man who turns to a life of crime from an early age, resulting in him being hunted by the police.

Shocking Murray is currently travelling across Europe promoting his latest album, Troddin which released in May by the German label MKWZO.

Chart Updates

Shaggy’s Summer in Kingston album has fallen from the number one spot on Billboard’s Reggae album chart. The new number one this week is the various artistes 16 track compilation Jamaica: Island in the Sun. The compilation features ska, rocksteady and reggae hits from the likes of Derrick Morgan, John Holt, Horace Andy, Gregory Isaacs, Lee Scratch Perry, Dennis Brown, Marcia Griffiths, Delroy Wilson, Pat Kelly, the Melodians and Slim Smith among others. The compilation was released by Universal Music Special Markets and Starbucks Entertainment.

California reggae rock artiste Dominic Balli debuts at number two on the Billboard Reggae album chart with his latest effort American Dream. The 12 track set hops onto the Billboard 200 albums chart at number 56.

Still on the Billboard 200, the number one album this week is country music singer Eric Church’s set Chief. The album moved some 145,000 copies to derail former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland from taking a pot shot at the number one spot. Rowland’s album Here I Am managed to move some 77,000 copies to debut at number two. However, Rowland finds better luck on the Billboard R&B Hip Hop album chart where she debuts at number one.

Over on the UK pop singles chart, boy group JLS scores its fifth number one UK single with She Makes Me Wanna featuring Devo. Amy Winehouse’s fans continue to gobble up her music in the wake of her untimely death. She takes control of the number one spot on the UK album chart with Back to Black. Her album Frank re-enters the chart at number five.

Winehouse’s posthumous success continues on the UK singles chart as the single Back to Black re-enters the chart at number eight. At number twenty seven is Tears Dry on their Own; Rehab enters at number 29, while Love is a Losing Game is at number 33. You Know I’m No Good enters at number 37.

Did You Know

Did you know that Carlene Davis placed 2nd in the Festival Song competition in the 1980’s? She entered with a song titled Love and Harmony. The winning song that year was Woman Fi Jam by the Astronauts.

Interestingly, Carlene’s husband popular show MC, producer and show promoter Tommy Cowan enjoyed some success in the Festival Song competition in the early days. He was a member of the group the Jamaicans which won in 1967 with Ba Ba Boom. The group placed second in 1968 with Sing Jamaica.

Cowan and three of the original members of the Jamaicans will perform at the Grand Gala at the National Stadium this Saturday August 6.