On Friday, April 21st, Grammy Award winning gospel artist Israel Houghton & New Breed will be live in concert at the Crossroads Church at 8901 South Shields Boulevard in Oklahoma City.
This promises to be a night of praise and worship, with early performers Set Free Sounds and Avery & Friends. Tickets – which start at $50 USD – are available now via eventbrite
94.5 The Beat – Central Texas’ #1 hip-hop and R&B radio station – will, in collaboration with Trill Love Clothing, present We Love R&B. The live concert will take place at the Masonic Grand Lodge Library & Museum of Texas – 715 Columbus Avenue – in Waco on Friday, April 21st.
Confirmed performers are Sunshine Anderson, Dru Hill and Kier Spates. They will be joined by DJ Adeezy and host Grossman. Tickets are available now on centexbeat-dot-com.
On Wednesday, March 29th, Lyricist Lounge will present Origin Stories, an intimate conversation and archival footage screening, at Fotografiska – 281 Park Avenue South (at 22nd Street) – in New York City.
The live conversation will be hosted by both co-founders Anthony Marshall and Danny Castro, who will engage the panelists, as well as special guest performers Roxanne Shanté, Rah Digga, and ShaaBiggaa & Hiii Siddity of Girll Codee.
Austin Reggae Festival, which is on April 21, 22 and 23, promises good music, good food and good vibes! This year’s lineup includes The Skatalites, Mighty Mystic, Kumar, Jesse Royal, Perfect Giddimani, Inner Circle, and that is just to name a few.
Location is the Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park – 900 W Riverside Drive – in Austin. In addition to the live performances they will also have a dub corner as well as a disco. Additional information is available on the event’s official website.
For six days and five nights the Love & Harmony Cruise will hit the high seas, making stops in Ft. Lauderdale (Florida), Nassau (Bahamas) and Ocho Rios (Jamaica).
There will be a range of entertainment such as music, sports, comedy etc. And confirmed musical performers include Beres Hammond, Popcaan, Sanchez, Third World, Rupee, Destra and others. Get additional information at loveandharmonycruise-dot-com.
As a part of the ongoing Coveside Concert Series, the world’s oldest operating sound system – Merritone Music – will present an event dubbed Merritone on the Beach, this Saturday, March 25th at Plantation Cove in Priory, St. Ann (Jamaica).
The stage-show, dinner and dance will feature live performances by Lloyd Parks, Gem Myers, Benjy Myaz, Silver Birds Steel Orchestra and Whole Note Mento Band. Showtime is 7pm and there is a $6,500 JMD entrance fee.
On Friday, March 10th, recording artist Ikaya shared the official video for Self Defense, her single on the Things & Time Riddim produced by Pandemic Records. Prior to the visuals being released, Self Defense was tagged as controversial, primarily because it’s centered around domestic abuse and the manner in which it’s resolved. Below, Ikaya explains – in her own words – the inspiration for both song and video.
“In most cases, as the video depicts, we see the outcome of being in a violent relationship. Either someone ends up in the hospital, morgue or in jail. Self Defense brings the awareness that there are still victims out there who are suffering in silence and believe there is no way out.
The video was shot in Atlanta, Georgia by top videographers Deusbeni Production. It is the continuation of my other single, DissLoyalty, which tells the story of being betrayed by the person you trust. So basically my other half slept with my best friend and got her pregnant, and after being confronted he became defensive and abusive. And just like that promise of protection turns to lie and deception.”
Domestic violence I don’t tolerate. I lost a friend through domestic violence. Where her boyfriend shot her then shot himself. So I say to any female once a man lay his hand on you put a stop to it immediately. Take a stand. Self Love is the greatest love of all. RESPECT yourself enough to walk away from anything that doesn’t give you peace. Protect your safe space. Keeping your peace of mind is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves.
If something takes away your energy or drains you mentally or emotionally, makes you doubt yourself, or serves no real purpose in your life, it may not only be not serving you but also harming you. You have to honor self-love and self-respect above all. Loving yourself and putting your own happiness first is not selfish.”
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 