Jennifer Hudson confirmed to headline Reggae Sumfest Int. Night 2 (@IAMJHUD @reggaesumfest)

00-jennifer hudsonInternational superstar Jennifer Hudson is the confirmed headliner for the final night of Reggae Sumfest 2015, Saturday July 18th at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay. Johnny Gourzong Executive Director of Summerfest Productions, producers of the event, is elated to have such a quality performer on the roster for this year’s event.

“We are extremely happy to confirm Jennifer Hudson as the headline artiste on International Night 2. She is a powerhouse vocalist and a has huge catalogue of hits that Jamaicans and people from all across the world know and love,” Gourzong said.

American recording artist, actress and philanthropist Jennifer Hudson made her film debut as Effie White in the 2006 film “Dreamgirls,” garnering her several awards that year, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Hudson went to release her first Grammy-winning, RIAA Gold Certified album in 2008. The self-titled album entered Billboard’s Top 200 at No. 2 and marked the biggest first week sales for an R&B female entry since 2004 and has since sold over 1.1 million albums worldwide to date. Hudson’s sophomore album, “I Remember Me,” was introduced on March 22, 2011 to rave reviews. The album debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200 and R&B Albums charts and has since been certified RIAA Gold in the U.S. Most recently, Hudson released her third critically acclaimed album, “JHUD,” which opened in the Billboard Top 10 on September 23, 2014. The album, released by Sony/RCA, features hit tracks in collaboration with the likes of Pharrell Williams, R. Kelly, Iggy Azalea and OVO/1985.

Additional film credits include “Sex and the City,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” “Winnie Mandela,” “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete,” “Black Nativity” and others. Most recently, she was seen in the debut season of the hit-television series EMPIRE in which she also performed. Hudson will make her Broadway debut this fall in “The Color Purple.”

This will be the first time that Hudson will perform in Jamaica and she is looking forward to it.
“We understand that she is anticipating the trip to Jamaica and is already preparing for her performance,” he added.

The Reggae Sumfest stage has been the platform for many international and local acts to showcase their talent, artistes like Kanye West, Lionel Richie, Usher and Rihanna, have all delivered at the event. This year, Summerfest Productions promises an amazing production, superb entertainment and a truly Jamaican experience for all who attend.

Reggae Sumfest will be begin on Sunday July 12th with a beach party at the Aquasol Theme Park, All White party at Pier 1 on Tuesday July 14th and the main event, Thursday July 16th to Saturday July 18th at Catherine Hall.

“What better way to end the festival than with a mega-star like Jennifer Hudson.” Gourzong ended.

The event is set to be held at Catherine Hall Montego Bay on Sunday July 12th to Saturday July 18th in association with sponsors Digicel, Iberostar, Secrets, Pepsi, Jamaica Tourist Board, Red Stripe, Red Bull, and Gleaner.

FRYKTION MUZIK BLAZES WITH NEW SOCA HITS (@Fryktion)

00-fryktion

Producer Ramón “Fryktion” McDowall

Fryktion Muzik blazes with soca hits as it delivers new party anthems on its latest compilation The Fete Life Riddim, now available worldwide from all major digital retailers. This collection joins a slew of smash releases from the hit production house, which also sees its entire catalog exclusively distributed by Fox Fuse, under its recently-inked digital distribution deal.

Best known for soca blockbusters “Party Animal” by Problem Childand “A Little Wine” by Patrice Roberts, the Brooklyn, New York-based Fryktion Muzik is helmed by St. Vincent and the Grenadines-born producer Ramón “Fryktion” McDowall. The studio has been churning out soca hits since 2007 and in 2009, Fryktion added to his talents as an artist and has been pushing the Fryktion Muzik sounds globally as a double-threat. Now joining the FOX FUSE roster brings added ammunition to the buzzing imprint. “The worldwide release of my music is actually a dream come true,” states Fryktion.“Who would’ve thought the soca genre would be accepted in so many regions.”

00-fete lifeBoasting five thrilling tracks, The Fete Life Riddim features soca stars Patrice Roberts with “Money Done (Fete Out Money),” Problem Child with “For All Ah Dem,” King Bubba FM with“Whole Night,” and rising sensations Mr. Legz HT with“Hangover” and Shradah with “Inferno.” These electrifying songs are making the rounds on Caribbean radio and soca platforms internationally, and have already become fast fan favorites.

Chimney Records and Mr. Vegas Team Up For Natel’s “Only For You” (@NatelMusic @chimneyrecords @MrVegasMusic)

00-natel2015 has been a great year for Jamaica’s favorite singer, Natel. The success of his single “Big Tune” produced by Atlantic Records “DJ Chuckie” and infamous Traphall DJ’s, “Childsplay” made its way through the EDM charts, giving the song bird an international reach.

His single “Only For You” from Chimney Records recent “Country Bus Riddim” has been receiving tremendous feedback from DJ’s worldwide and has been one of the leading singles off the riddim. His lyrics remind us of the great Gregory Issacs, combining a great love song with a sexy appeal.
In order to build off the feedback the single has received, Mr.Vegas / MV Music has teamed up with Jordan McClure and David Hale of Chimney Records to help give the single an added push. Mr. Vegas has supported Natel over the years and sees this as his next breakthrough single.

Country Bus Riddim released in April kicking off the summer with a new edge yet classic reggae vibe. Chimney records stayed true to the fundamentals of reggae; a classic one drop beat with a hint of Ska and added new-age lead guitar strums that make reggae lovers rejoice. The riddim features a slew of reggae stars as well as established upcoming acts that are known and loved, creating a strong international reach for the riddim. You can find songs by Tarrus Riley, Morgan Heritage, J Boog, Alaine, Assassin, Konshens, Jah Vinci, I-Octane and Dean Fraser among the renowned international acts, with songs by upcoming songbird Natel, Jemere Morgan (From the Morgan Heritage Family),Wyre, Stein, and the labels own Zagga. 

.

DONNA BURNETT aka LADY DONNA biography (@LaDona6 @OsujahRecords)

Microsoft Word - DONNA BURNETT aka LADY DONNA biographyDonna Burnett is a dub poet, writer, record producer, registered nurse, CEO and founder of Osujah Records and Charity Outreach Program.

Born at the historical Jubilee hospital in Kingston, Donna is the only child for her mother Rosamund Sayles. She grew up in Jones Town, bordered by Trench Town, Admiral Town, and Hannah Town in Kingston 12. Donna lived in other areas in Kingston like Harbor View, Patrick City, Portmore in St Catherine, but she always returned to her roots in Jones Town where her great grandmother, Aunt B resided. Donna was captivated by music at a very early age and was inspired by the musical talents of Aunt B, who played the accordion or flutena as she called it, when she sang and danced. Donna shared aunt B’s passion for music as well as her compassion for those who suffered. Together they ministered to the needy, sick, and hungry in the community, which included people as well as animals. Aunt B adopted a sickly infant “AJ” born to a mentally ill and homeless woman. AJ was the closest Donna came to having a brother. Mrs. Ivy, Donna’s grandmother, played the piano and sang soprano in the church choir. Her uncle owned a sound system “Touch of Class.”  Surrounded by adults, in a strict environment, Donna was often lonely and listened to music, wrote lyrics, poetry, sang, DJ’d and read extensively. English was her best subject.

Donna Burnett attended Queen’s High School, in St Andrew, and worked at the Ministry of Education at National Heroes Circle upon graduation. An avid fan of Bob Marley, she was deeply saddened by his death in 1981, and attended his viewing at the National Arena in Jamaica, where she paid her last respects to the Jamaican Icon. Donna was impressed with the Rastafarian movement at the time but never wore dreads or considered Haile Selassie as God. Donna was a firm believer in the Christian religion; however, she was more of an opinionated radical. In 1985, shortly after the birth of her first child, Donna migrated to the United States. She served in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and Pharmacy Technician for 11 years. She obtained a BS degree in Nursing from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she also pursued classes in music, poetry and writing. Donna also works as a Registered Nurse.

Determined to finance her own Record Company, due to unequal opportunity for women in the Music Industry, Donna opened her first studio at her home in Beverly, St Ann, which she later moved to Main St. Priory, St Ann. She chose St. Ann because it was the birth place of her great grandmother, as well as that of the legendary leader, and National Hero, The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, another of Donna’s literary mentors. She also loves being close to the ocean.

The name Osujah was inspired through a prophetic vision with the divine revelation of her calling as a Levite, as can be noted in Joshua 21 of The Holy Bible. Joshua has been scrambled to create Osujah. Donna intends to be a driving force to be reckoned with in upcoming years, providing the medium through which voices can be heard and represented, where the lost can be lead, the hungry fed, the needy satisfied, and the broken mend.

Osujah Record’s latest project is a Reggae compilation entitled ‘Vybz In The Sun.’ It features two tracks from Lady Donna, namely; ‘Reject Failure’ and ‘Save A Life’ which features Alpancho. Persons wanting to work with Donna may do so by sending an email to osujah21@yahoo.com

Lt. Stitchie Will Be Featured On TVJ’s Entertainment Prime Tonight (@kingstitchie)

00-Stitchie 2015As he gets ready for his appearance at the annual ‘groovin in the park’ concert in New York, Lt. Stitchie is extremely busy doing promotion for both the event as well as his upcoming album. Tonight he will be featured on the popular TV show, Entertainment Prime which airs on Television Jamaica (TVJ) at 8:15 PM.

Though Stitchie has officially achieved legendary status within Jamaica’s Reggae/Dancehall industry, this will be his first time on the show.

Mad Cobra, Tessanne Chin & Josey Wales To Perform On July 4th Weekend In Chicago (@Tessanne)

00-Mad-Cobra

Mad Cobra

The 23rd Annual International Festival of Life (IFOL), July 4th weekend, will showcase a great diverse lineup of world music acts, including some of Chicago’s most outstanding performers.

Heading the lineup will be one of the most requested female vocalists in the country, Tessanne Chin, the season 5 winner of NBC TV’s “The Voice”; along with R&B Diva Chante Moore, R&B hit maker Al Hudson and Oneway, Reggae star Mad Cobra, top Dancehall DJ, Josey Wales, Blues great Duke Tumatoe, Belize/Soca star Lova Boy, Jazz legend Diane Ellis and the Jazzy Ladies, and a host of other Caribbean, African, Latin, Gospel, Rock, Pop, Spoken word and other entertainers on three stages. Visit www.festivaloflife.biz to see full lineup of performers for the Unity stage.

00-tessanne-chin

Tessanne Chin

The 3 day July 4th Independence celebration runs Friday, July 3rd, through Sunday July 5th in Union Park, 1501 West Randolph Street (Lake and Ashland) in downtown Chicago West Loop.

Jah9, Busy Signal, Ikaya & Others Featured On Reggae Gold 2015 (@Jah9 @IkayaOfficial @busysignal_turf @VPRecords)

00-jah9

Jah9

For over 20 years, the world’s #1 Caribbean music compilation Reggae Gold brings the genre’s top hits into one must-have collection for the masses. 2015’s installment, out July 17, 2015 on VP Records, is filled with the season’s freshest sounds in roots, dancehall, lover’s rock and pop-fused reggae from a diverse group of talent.

00-busysignal

Busy Signal

From the Canadian pop supergroup Magic’s #1 Billboard single “Rude”, to Reggae Legends Inner Circle’s 2015 Smash “News Carrying Dread” off the ‘Tenement Yard Riddim’ featuring Chronixx & Jacob “Killer” Miller, to comedian/actor/singer Eddie Murphy’s return to reggae on his latest single “Oh Jah Jah,” (following his 1993 Shabba Ranks collab “I Was A King”) – there is no shortage of crossover appeal on Reggae Gold 2015.

This year’s installation features a multitude female artists reigning in reggae today – from emerging stars like the Rastafarian singer Jah9 (“Avocado”), reggae pop princesses’ Toian (“Love It”) and Ikaya (“My Man”) to Jamaica’s leading ladies, like dancehall diva Spice (“Conjugal Visit” ft. Vybz Kartel), the soulful songstress Etana (“I Rise”) and roots reality lyricist Queen Ifrica (“I Can’t Breathe”). The latter song carries a strong message to stop police brutality and racial profiling worldwide.

The set also delves into exclusive new music from Jamaica’s top male artists. Jah Cure reveals his latest single “Made In California” off his upcoming album The Cure and the legendary crooner Beres Hammond delivers his stellar new anthem “Jamaican International Dance.” Singer-songwriter Christopher Martin turns heads with the island’s chart climber “I’m A Big Deal,” while overnight sensation Gully Bop proves ground with his popular tracks ” My God Dem Nuh Bad Like We” and “Body Specialist.” Dancehall star Busy Signal drops lyrical fire on the flirtatious fun track “Text Message,” and Gyptian unveils his latest steamy single “All On Me.” Every song counts on this collection. For more info visit facebook page below

https://www.facebook.com/#!/ReggaeGold

TRACK LISTING
Magic – Rude
Jah Cure – Made In California
Beres Hammond – Jamaican International Dance
Christopher Martin – I’m A Big Deal
Gully Bop – My God Dem Nuh Bad Like We
Gully Bop – Body Specialist
Busy Signal – Text Message
Ding Dong – Syvah
Gyptian – All One Me
Dexta Daps – Morning Love
Spice ft. Vybz Kartel – Conjugal Visit
Toian – Love It
Ikaya – My Man
Jah 9 – Avocado –
Romain Virgo – Stars Across The Sky
Yahsha – Karma
Etana – I Rise
Eddie Murphy – Oh Jah Jah
Queen Ifrica – I Can’t Breathe
Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller – Tenement Yard (News Carrying Dread)