HE likens himself to a time bomb waiting to explode, but up-and-coming singer Vanchi describes his music as ear candy with crossover appeal.

“I am a people-person with a great sense of humour which can be identified in most of my music. I’m a reggae artiste but I lean more towards dancehall music. I’m bringing an international appeal with a crossover flavour,” he said in a recent interview.

Vanchi is currently promoting the single, I’m Still Alive.

Originally from Clarendon, he made his recording debut seven years ago with the track, Have a Good Time, which was produced by Steven Chung and featured KM Blunt.

Said Vanchi: “I didn’t really take this artiste thing seriously because I was just doing it as a hobby. After I recorded a few more songs I decided I wanted to pursue music as a profession.”

After relocating to California, Vanchi did just that, recording a number of songs with various producers.

Born Christopher Russell, Vanchi recently recorded the song Beautiful Woman for New York producer Samacon Productions.

Flirtagious hunts the break with Braggin

She is described in some quarters as dancehall music’s Nicki Minaj. However, deejay Flirtagious has a lot more to offer than just a Barbie doll image.

Her latest recording, Braggin, has been making the radio rounds and its music video, which was directed by Janelle Dyer, has been getting steady rotation.

Flirtagious spoke about what she brings to the dancehall: “Dancehall swag, vibes and jus’ talk up de tings dem.”

Flirtagious released her debut song, Crying In The Rain, last year, but it is Braggin that has thrust her in the spotlight. Its video peaked at number two on HYPE TV’s VTV countdown three weeks ago.

“The success of the video is very encouraging and it only motivates me to continue,” she said.

Da’Ville and Max Element team up for Bad Man Style

Rising dancehall artiste Max Element has teamed with singer Da’Ville on the song, Bad Man Style. It was produced by GI/X Ray Productions and released on the Drop Off rhythm.

Element has another song on the Drop Off, How Yuh Wine It So. He explained the concept behind Bad Man Style.

“It’s a simple swag song and the idea came from the way I dress. Da’Ville heard the demo version and he decided to do the hook. That’s how it came about.”

Another Max Element track that is making the rounds is I Shall Return on the Rum Fire rhythm, produced by JA Productions.

Bad Man Style marks Da’Ville’s return to the music scene after a break. He also has a song on the Drop Off, titled Deh Pon Mi Mind.

Tidal makes the link with Master One

Rising singjay Tidal has joined the Master One camp. The artiste’s latest single is the provocative Ball Ground.

Born Navardo Graham in St Mary, Tidal says he was drawn to music from an early age. It was in 2003 that he made his recording debut with the single Ghetto Youths Cry for Tiger Records. Five years later, he released the song Smile which got ample airtime and followed up with Give It To Me.

CHART UPDATES

Katy Perry earned her seventh number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. Part of Me moved over 411,000 downloads to become the 20th song to debut in the number one spot in the 53-year history of the chart. Part of Me is the lead single from Perry’s Teenage Dream deluxe edition, The Complete Confection which is due for release on March 27.

Fans continue to show their love for the late Whitney Houston. Her signature ballad I Will Always Love You (a remake of a Dolly Parton song from the 1970s) moved to number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The song first charted in 1992 and spent 14 weeks at number one. In the past week, some 317,000 downloads were reported. Houston also rose on the Hot 100 with I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me); Greatest Love of All; and How Will I Know, all number ones in the 1980s.