In the revolving world of music and entertainment where the interests of music-lovers seem to somewhat change with the times, fast-rising dancehall artiste Ikaya has sought out new avenues to promote her music. As part of her corporate and moral responsibility, Ikaya got involved with the RETV/Coke Zero School tour last season, to help spread the message of abstinence.

According to the Outaroad Records recording artiste the experience from the last season of the tour left lasting memories that she will always cherish. “Apart from interacting with my younger fans, it was a great experience for me to be able to utilise my talent to send a positive message to the youths. The interaction and reception was great and I loved the fact that the younger generation was embracing the message,” Ikaya said recently.

Ikaya will join fellow entertainers for the upcoming season of the school tour which kicks off within a few weeks.

Asked why she got involved in the tour, Ikaya said “We as artistes and entertainers have a very important role in nurturing the minds of the younger generation, so we definitely need to play our part in creating leaders of the future.”

Peter Lloyd’s Stories From I Father’s Country set for March release

Peter Lloyd is set to release his sophomore album in March. The 17-track set is titled Peter Lloyd’s Stories From I Father’s Country.

Lloyd,who has been making a name for himself as an accomplished actor, recently returned to television screens in the new season of CVM TV’s The Blackburns.

Peter Lloyd’s Stories From I Man’s Country features production work from the likes of Dean ‘Cannon’ Fraser, Sly & Robbie, Robbie Lynn and Rohan ‘Snowcone’ Fuller.

The album will be released on the Blacklight Records label. It is the follow-up to his concept debut project Transitions.

Tracks on the new album include Wake Dem Up, U Magnet, Gold Digga, I Heard Dem Say, Oh My Darling, Searching, Shanty Town, What a Woman Wants, and My Jamaican Girl.

Canadian reggae singer Nadera hops onto the Saudi Arabia rhythm

Phylani Music recording artiste Nadera joins the list of Canada-based reggae artistes trying to make a mark in reggae music.

Her latest single Kitty Kat on the popular Saudi Arabia rhythm reveals the lyrical and vocal skills of this artiste.

Nadera, who was born in Jamaica, was bitten by the entertainment bug from an early age. She honed her skills performing at school concerts and plays.

After migrating to Canada in 1997, she later studied acting at the Reel Fact Film & Television Studio in Toronto. Since then she has appeared in several commercials, short and independent films, and theatre productions.

In 2009 she was signed with the independent label Phylani Music, following an impressive performance at Canada’s musical Sound Clash. A year later, she released her first two singles Cheater’s Loss and Tit 4 Tat.

Cheater’s Loss is currently in rotation in Jamaica and the accompanying video has gotten airtime on local cable.

The singer has shared stage with several prominent reggae acts including Beres Hammond, Inner Circle, Chuck Fender, Johnny P, Horace Martin, Leroy Sibbles and Tony Anthony.

Half Pint to headline festivals in Mexico and California this weekend

Veteran reggae singer Half Pint is set to headline three reggae festivalsin California and Mexico this weekend .

Tonight, Half Pint will make his debut in Mexico in the town of Tijuana at the 7th annual One Love Peace Festival along with reggae veteran Horace Andy.

On Saturday night, he will be sharing stage with the likes of Bunny Wailer, Rebelution, Gyptian, Half Pint, Horace Andy, Leroy Sibbles featuring The Lions, Romain Virgo, and Etana at the 30th Annual Ragga Muffins Festival at the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California.

The following night Half Pint will perform at the 30th annual Tribute to the Legends Festival in San Diego.

Half Pint is currently working on a new album which will feature some of Jamaica’s top musicians. A worldwide tour is being planned to support the project.

CHART UPDATES

With first week sales of over 151,000 copies, the NOW 37 Various Artistes compilation takes over the penthouse on the Billboard 200 album chart this week. It’s the first time since late December that the number one album in America has moved more than 100,000 copies in a week.

Etana’s Free Expressions album enters Billboard’s Reggae Album chart at number eleven. That’s a notch better than her 2008 album The Strong One which stalled at number twelve.

Rapper Nicki Minaj is the queen of four of Billboard’s main charts this week. Her album Pink Friday is the number one rap Album. It continues its reign atop the R&B Hip Hop album tally. Her single Moment 4 Life which features rapper Drake, is number one on both the Rap Singles and the R&B Hip Hop Songs charts.