Rihanna’s Diamonds gets dancehall treatment
Jamaican producer Musical Masquerade has released a dancehall remix of Rihanna’s hit, Diamonds.
The original track, which topped the UK Singles chart, is currently number one on Billboard’s R&B Songs, R&B Hip Hop Songs, Hot 100 and Dance Music Club Play charts.
“I did a remix of Diamonds because I love the song and I wanted to represent for Caribbean people and Caribbean music,” Musical Masquerade explained.
This is not the first time a Rihanna song has been given a reggae or dancehall makeover. Rude Boy, a chart-topping single from her 2009 album Rated R, is straight dancehall. She went reggae with Man Down, from her 2010 album Loud. The Barbadian star has also worked with reggae/dancehall acts including Elephant Man and Sean Paul.
This is not the first time a Rihanna song has been given a reggae or dancehall makeover. Rude Boy, a chart-topping single from her 2009 album Rated R, is straight dancehall. She went reggae with Man Down, from her 2010 album Loud. The Barbadian star has also worked with reggae/dancehall acts including Elephant Man and Sean Paul.
Musical Masquerade has done several remixes, the most popular being Freaks, a mash-up with Vybz Kartel, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and other artistes.
“That remix was just to whet the appetites of the people. The first official single to be released will be a track called No Other Like You featuring Red Fox and Rayvon,” he said.
Pusha T goes reggae
American rapper Pusha T is set to release a mix tape titled Wrath of Caine. Blocka, a reggae track, is included and features dancehall artiste Popcaan and Travi$ Scott.
Signed to rapper Kanye West’s GOOD Music label, Pusha T is scheduled to drop his solo debut album, My Name is My Name, early next year.
He picked up two nominations for next year’s Grammy Awards.
Kurtisi gets busy
London-based singer Kurtisi is back in Jamaica for what he calls a working vacation.
Kurtisi says he will record for various producers on several projects.
“Before I go back to England I’m going to do a lot of work in the studios, gonna do some work for my label and some stuff for some of the big producers out here too,” he said. “I will be doing promotional work as well. So far I’ve been to some of the parties like Hot Mondays promoting my music, because the streets are very important to me.”