Auraiya’s Story (@Auraiyahope)

Posted on July 2, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

You frequently face a choice that will eventually affect your future over your lifetime. For Gayan Smith, the COVID 19 epidemic served as a turning point. She has always loved to write songs, but the pandemic was forcing her to record and publish This Must Be Love, the very first song she ever wrote. Hence began her musical journey as the recording artist, Auraiya.

“But if this isn’t love, then love isn’t true”. These words serve as a starting point for Auraiya‘s musical career. This Must Be Love is a heartfelt, soulful ballad that takes the listener through the thrills and uncertainties of finding love unexpectedly. There is a surreal peace and beauty that came with being able to capture a moment, a story or a mood in the melody of a song.

In December 2021, she entered a recording studio and sung these lyrics as they replayed in her brain. Each line sung was like the stroke of a brush on a canvas by the artist. It was as if she was a mother that had been pregnant with a love child that had entered the world and was determined to grow and resonate

“This is like a dream come true,” echoed Auraiya in a recent interview. “I have always considered myself to be a shadow writer but being able to deliver the message myself is like the icing on the cake. Never in my wildest dream, would I have planned this, now I look forward to honing my skills to reach my full potential”

Being a vocalist was not always Auraiya’s top priority. In her early years, she studied Chemistry, Biochemistry and then pursued her dream to become a medical doctor. She graduated from the faculty of medical sciences at the University of the West Indies in July 2014 and has since practiced in general medicine and anesthesia.

It was during an internship at Savanna-la-mar Hospital that she met veteran promoter and stage manager Worrell King. She recalled her very first experience in a recording studio session under King’s tutelage. However, unfortunately the musical experience was short-lived and eventually succumbed to the pressures that came with pursuing a medical degree. She would eventually face medical complications that would put an end to her future medical aspirations.

The songs she had penned in her early years started playing louder in her thoughts during her recovery period. The attraction of music became overwhelming. Despite spending her entire life studying the sciences, this side of her refused to be suppressed or silenced. There was a strong drive to create new melodies and a genuine passion for music.

With the help of well-known figures in the music industry, Auraiya has lately launched an incredible promotional campaign that will highlight her most recent recordings. When she is not recording in the studio, Auraiya intends to spend her downtime traveling, honing her stage presence, and expressing her love for music in her own distinctive way.

Causion’s Biography (@CausionMusic)

Posted on July 1, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Causion, born Gregory Colin Bailey to a family of established musicians in Antigua and Barbuda, is a renowned musician, songwriter, producer, and philanthropist, based in Florida. Known as Antigua’s Reggae Ambassador, Causion is a crowd-favorite artist who has represented the reggae genre at home and abroad for many decades. He has opened for Third World, the original ‘Reggae Ambassadors,’ and toured with other prominent reggae artists such as Rita Marley, Dennis Brown, Freddie McGregor, and Judy Mowatt.

Causion started his music career in the early 1990s, performing in local bars and clubs in Antigua and Barbuda. He quickly gained a following and started to perform at larger events and festivals across the Caribbean. In 1993, he released his first single, “Jah Is the Ruler,” featuring the German reggae artist Gentleman. The single was well-received and helped to establish Causion as a rising star in the reggae music scene.

Over the next few years, Causion continued to release singles and perform at events across the Caribbean and beyond. In 1996, he released his first album, “Time Will Tell,” which included tracks such as “Intimidation” and “Merciful Father (Feat. Sizzla).“ The album received critical acclaim and helped to further establish Causion‘s reputation as an up-and-coming reggae artist.

In the years that followed, Causion continued to tour and release music, collaborating with some of the biggest names in reggae, including Third World and Red Fox. In 2000, he released his second album, “One Life To Live,” which included tracks such as “Jah Is The Ruler (Feat. Gentleman)“ and “Born To Be Dread.” The album was another
critical success and helped to solidify Causion‘s place as one of the top reggae artists in the Caribbean.

Causion has headlined many shows and festivals, including the Moja Arts Festival, the Wadadli Music Festival, the Bob Marley Music Festival, and Reggae Cari-Fest. He has released three albums to date, including ‘Time Will Tell,’ ‘One Life to Live,’ and ‘Stella’s Kids,’ which contained hits such as ‘Little Secrets,’ and ‘Get To Know Jah.’

Donald Harrison Jr.’s Story

Posted on May 31, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

2022 NEA Jazz Master Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr. is a musician/composer dedicated to mastering every era of jazz, soul, and funk and composing orchestral classical music. He has been called a “One man music festival” because his performances cover the history of American music and show that is the basis for his innovations. According to geniuses Eddie Palmieri, Nicholas Payton, Carl Allen, and Mike Clark, he is a genius.

In 2021 Harrison received an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College. He appeared as an actor in nine episodes of “Treme,” where director David Simon created two characters to portray how Harrison innovated music. He was an actor and musician in director Johnathon Demme’s film “Rachel Getting Married and Marvel’s “Luke Cage.”He played himself in Spike Lee’s historic HBO documentary “When The Levees Broke,” and Netflix’s documentary “I Got A Story To Tell,” about The Notorious BIG.

Harrison is the recognized Big Chief of Congo Square in Afro-New Orleans culture, where he keeps alive one of the root contributors cultures to Traditional jazz. Harrison was made a Chief in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, and is the only major jazz artist who is Chief on two continents.

Harrison honed his craft by playing with Roy Haynes, Art Blakey, Eddie Palmieri, Dr. John, Lena Horne, Dr. Eddie Henderson, Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Chuck Loeb, The Headhunters, hip-hop greats Digable Planets, Guru’s Jazzmatazz, The Notorious BIG, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and over 200 jazz master innovators of every era and style.

He has also played with the master innovators of blues, funk, soul, hip-hop, classical, and New Orleans music. He has innovated three influential jazz styles. In 1979, at nineteen, Harrison brought a modern jazz twist to New Orlean’s second-line music. By the mid-80s, he created “Nouveau Swing,” a concept that blends classic jazz with hip-hop, funk, and soul music. In the ’90s, Harrison made smooth jazz hits and began exploring quantum music in 2000. He began composing and orchestrating classical music for symphonic orchestras in 2013. Harrison also mentored diverse artists Christian Scott, Johnathon Batiste, Esperanza Spaulding, Trombone Shorty, multiple Grammy-winning platinum hip-hop producer Deezle, and The Notorious Big. Jonathon Batiste say’s, “I consider Donald Harrison one of the greatest teachers of the last fifty years because he teaches all the music.”

Kēvens’ Biography (@kevens @bridgewayartist)

Posted on May 25, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

In an increasingly divisive world, where age, nationality, race and religion are creating an ever-widening gap between people, Kēvens is on a quintessential mission: utilize the power of his music to bring souls from all four corners of this world to dance together.

With skills and artistry this former DJ turned singer/songwriter, strives to take everyone to a higher level of consciousness while embracing and channeling his world-beat influences and personal growth. His music is promoting a theme of multiculturalism, spiritual enlightenment, artistic expression and positivism.

Kēvens started his journey spinning records in Miami but the innately poetic performer’s musical roots were more clearly witnessed when he joined the groundbreaking, progressive reggae group: Le Coup, with Richard and Anthony Booker. In fact, family matriarch Cedella Marley Booker told young Kēvens very early in his musical career: “Like a letter, you must write a song with purpose.” His live shows consist of a lush drum ‘n’ bass amalgam of vocal dexterity and musicianship, mixed with a progressive rock-reggae dub style and stunning dance as well as visual imagery.

Kēvens’ knack for the timely and profound has enabled him to tour all over the world and finds him along side an eclectic array of legends and prodigies including: Steven Tyler, Ice Cube, Tiestö, Daft Punk, Duran Duran, Carlos Santana, The Jacksons to name a few.

This global citizen coined the ultimate mantra: “Positivity is a Necessity”

Kelly Shane’s Biography (@Tadsrecord)

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

The Jamaican music industry has birthed yet another unique talent. Hailing from the parish of St. Mary, which has consistently produced top-tier artists throughout Jamaica’s very musical history, newcomer Kelly Shane brings with her the eclectic mix of musical influences ranging from reggae, folk, and bossa nova, to hip-hop, R&B, rock and metal.

New artist but old musical soul, this singer/songwriter is no stranger to the industry. As a professionally trained beauty and special effects makeup artist, she has worked extensively on music videos, adverts, fashion shows and photo shoots. She first toured as a child with her mother (Tanya Stephens) during school vacations, and later worked as her personal assistant.

From the continent of Africa through the sounds of Fela Kuti and Steve Monite, to the Caribbean’s Beres Hammond and Bunji Garlin, and the USA’s Joni Mitchell – who Kelly hails as her biggest influence – this unassuming student of evocative expression is ready to share all she has learnt with lovers of good music across the globe.

^SUBMITTED

Bryann Trejo’s Story (@Kingdomuzic)

Posted on February 26, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Bryann Trejo is the founder and president of Kingdom Muzic, one of the most authentic Christian hip-hop labels in the U.S. In addition to his role as chairperson, he is also an active MC (rapper) and pastor who is literally changing lives with both his music and ministry.

Born on July 4th, 1980, in Corpus Cristi, Texas, Bryann Trejo was one of 2 identical twin babies. He spent most of his teenage years in juvenile detention centers for armed robbery and trafficking in narcotics. By his early twenties he was constantly in and out of lock-up, and at the age of 23 he was facing thirty years in prison for two attempted murders. By the grace of God the charges were reduced to aggravated assault, and Bryann pleaded down to seven years, and ended up serving only four before getting out on probation.

Shortly after leaving prison, Bryann joined his twin brother in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Alas, in May, 2013, his brother was shot and killed in a retaliation shooting stemming from the murder of a juvenile one week earlier (something Bryann‘s brother had nothing to do with). At the time he could have exacted revenge on his brother’s killer, but he chose to love and forgive instead. That’s now his sermon.

Big Daddy Kane’s Story

Posted on February 2, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Big Daddy Kane is an American rapper and songwriter, who captured the love of millions of fans, in the Golden Era of Hip-Hop. The Brooklyn native is known for outstanding lyricism, showmanship, and fashion, opening the doors for the cultural context of other emcees like The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z.

A true legacy artist, he made history as the first rapper to ever hold two sold-out, all-female attended shows in the world-famous Apollo Theater, filling the show to its rafters.

In 1987, Kane started his musical career as an artist signing to Cold Chillin’ Records and becoming a member of its Juice Crew. After releasing his hit debut single “Raw,” he took the main stage in rap music becoming one of the most sought-after and respected emcees of his generation. The dexterity of his flow and his constant instance as an artist to push revolutionary boundaries in the genre have cemented him as a legend – for almost four decades.

As a member of the Juice Crew, Kane helped pen hit records for various members and shape the sound that would make them the most powerful rap collective of its time. Their hit song “The Symphony,” produced by Marley Marl and also included Craig G, Master Ace, and Kool G Rap, is the quintessential posse cut – defining a trend group emceeing.

Both of his first two albums, Long Live The Kane and It’s A Big Daddy Thing, were certified gold by RIAA, selling over 500,000 units in a time before CDs, streams, social media, and extremely limited radio play.

His debut offering gave fans the classic jams, “Ain’t No Half Steppin,” “Set It Off,” “Just Rhymin’ with Biz,” and the aforementioned “Raw.” His second full-length project, which debunked the proverbial sophomore curse, produced tracks such as “Smooth Operator,” “Warm It Up,” and the Teddy Riley-produced classic “I Get The Job Done.”

“Smooth Operator” hit Billboard’s Rap #1, a feat that would put him on the radar of pop music superstar Madonna (who featured the sex symbol in her “Sex” book).

Kane’s third album Taste Of Chocolate featured songs like “Hard Being The Kane” and “All Of Me,” a duet with the late great Barry White first demonstrated the rapper’s affection for soul music and was the precursor of his career for his melding of live instrumentation with his feverous rap style.

Additional albums were 1991’s Prince Of Darkness, 1993’s Like A Job For…, 1994’s Daddy’s Home, and 1998’s Veteran’z Day.

The chart-topper has been featured on the soundtracks of for films like Lean On Me (“Lean On Me”); Juice (“Nuff Respect”); Mo Money (“A Job Ain’t Nothin’ But Work”); and Colors (“Raw”).

A rappers’ rapper, Kane has been invited to collaborate with fellow prominent acts like Public Enemy and Ice Cube on the single “Burn, Hollywood Burn,” with Heavy D on the single “Don’t Curse”, with UGK on “Next Up”, and Busta Rhymes on the remix of “Don’t Touch Me.”

Musical icons like Patti LaBelle have tapped him to rap on her certified gold single “Feels Like Another One” and producer Quincy Jones plucked him to star on the multi-platinum masterpieces Tribute To Birdland and Back On The Block, where he was featured on the title track.

His distinctive baritone voice has been heard as the narrator of the critically acclaimed documentary film Notorious and TV One’s Being.

An abridged listing of Kane’s big screen credits includes the films Posse, Meteor Man, Dead Heist, Brown Sugar, Gunmen, Exposed co-starring Keanu Reeves, and Movie Madness co-starring Lorenzo Lamas.

The Bed-Stuy hometown hero currently has made appearances on Law & Order SVU, a short film entitled Stomach People, and a 2021 TV One release, Bad Dad Rehab 2.

His career has yielded him a GRAMMY Award, a VH1 Hip-Hop Honors Award, and countless Lifetime Achievement Awards and has been inducted into the Long Island Hall of Fame, the Brooklyn Walk of Fame, the Key to Brooklyn, and also inducted into the North Carolina Hall of Fame, after making the southern state his home.

One of the crown jewels in his artistry crown is his battle against his life-long friend, KRS-1 on the Verzuz stage. A battle of two lyrical miracles, after being considered two of the best emcees to ever grab a mic, their contest made history as the first of its kind to max out the Barclay Center, the arena smack in the middle of where it all started.