One of Jamaica’s most entertaining Dancehall artist, Baby Cham has been added to the lineup for the 2015 Reggae on the River Festival. The event takes place annually (for the past 31 years) in Humboldt County, California and have thus far hosted some of the biggest names in Reggae music.

Reggae on the River is an exquisite celebration of the power music-loving people have to co-create a better world. It is an important fundraiser for the Mateel Community Center, the artistic hub for a particularly rural community in Humboldt County. The festival kicks off on July 30^th and goes until August 2^nd. For more information visit their website at http://www.reggaeontheriver.com/

On his new single “any and anyhow”, Dancehall gospel artist Markev goes hard with both his flow and his message.

Lyrically the artist seems to be upset with himself for praising God in a half hazard manner despite all the blessings he’s got. In the chorus he says “me a praise any and anyhow, and a praise any and anyhow, look how much things you done for me and me a praise you any and anyhow.” Throughout the track he switches between chastising himself and others who may be doing the same things he is.

The beat which is simply sweet (if you are into hardcore Dancehall rhythms) was produced by Rolando Blake. There are added vocals by a female singer (not sure of her name) that really compliments the sound of the overall track. Check out the song here: 

With Valentine’s Day being around the corner, Beenie Man and Yen Productions have collaborated yet again for a new single titled “My Love” released for pre-order just in time for the Month of Love. The single itself will be downloadable as of February 17th, 2015.

“My Love” is a pop, dancehall fusion adding elements of jazz to highlight the passionate lyrics that Beenie Man is expressing in this new single. This is a new sound for Beenie Man bringing charisma and a certain elegance to his usual style. The collaboration with Yen Productions is guaranteed to attract a larger following for the artist.

Yen Productions Inc has been making waves on the international scene for the last few years releasing several quality productions and dabbling in many different genres of music such as, but not limited to Pop, EDM, Reggaeton and Reggae. Owner, Yen, has been working #Fearless which is heard in his music and seen in his work. Yen continues to work hard while flying between L.A, Miami and Toronto keeping all networks up to date and creating music for the world to hear. There is a lot more to come from Yen Productions Inc this year, this is just the beginning of a positive 2015 for the label.

Listen a snippet of the track here: https://soundcloud.com/missreevascorner/my-love-beenie-man-preview-yen-productions-inc

Originally from St Thomas, Jamaica (but raised in Spanish Town), Jahnny Scorchy who now resides in Ontario, Canada is on a campaign to take his music to the highest level! Determined to be one of the best he spends a lot of time in the studio writing and recording track after track.

Jahnny Scorchy has clearly raised the bar for Canadian artists doing Reggae and/or Dancehall as far as lyrics are concerned. His flow is simply dynamic and the messages embedded in his songs are easily received by the listener because of his lyrical prowess.

Check out his latest video for the song “Catch a Fyah” a very powerful track indeed. 

If you are a lover of Jamaican music by now you would know that there is a lot of talk about how negative Dancehall has become and how there is a “re-emergence” of real Reggae. Most Jamaicans will tell you that Dancehall music is now at a place they never thought it would be and they would go even further to say that they do not support these new acts that are behind the negativity. Funny enough, you can catch these same persons sharing videos and news stories via the internet about the very “artists” they believe are destroying the music.

Images of Gage and Alkaline for example performing at events where women are seemingly doing oral sex to their music is shared over and over online by the very same people who say that these things are not good for the genre. One would think persons sharing music, pictures and videos online would know that right now that is arguably one of the best promotional avenues for artists and musicians. Whenever you share things on the internet you are in fact promoting the person or persons involved in whatever is being shared.

So who is really responsible for the negative music coming out of Jamaica? Is it fair to say that the answer is any and everyone that is online sharing (and promoting) the artists that make these music?