Wi Fete – the ultimate soca party – will take place on Sunday, April 15, at Sabina Park (on South Camp Road) in Kingston, Jamaica. Although the full lineup has not yet been announced, we do know that the main headliner is soca king Machel Montano.
Early bird tickets are available on caribtix-dot-com.
On Sunday, March 26th, legends of roots reggae – Big Youth, The Abyssinians and Twinkle Bro – will perform live at Electric Brixton in London. This is the first time all three trailblazing performers, who were instrumental in the evolution of reggae music, will share the same stage in the UK.
Tickets for the 18 and older event, which is being presented by Irie Heights, start at £30, and can be purchased from the venue’s website.
Mi Gungu Walk is the latest single from veteran reggae singer-songwriter and producer, Annette Brissett. It’s a collaborative song done with her long time friend and colleague Marcia Griffiths. The bouncy reggae tune was released at the end of January (on the 27th), via Tad’s Record Inc.
Brissett‘s no-nonsense personality is on full display on the track as she lashes out at fake, deceptive people; especially those who exploit others for their own gain. Since it came out, the record has been getting consistent support on radio, and has even entered the South Florida Reggae Chart. This week it’s sitting at number sixteen.
If you have not done so as yet, stream and/or download Mi Gungu Walk on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, or any other digital music store.
The dates, location and lineup are set for the 2023 staging of J. Cole‘s Dreamville Festival. It will be held at the Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Saturday, April 1st and Sunday, April 2nd.
The two-day event will see a wide range of performers from various genres. On Saturday they will feature Lil Durk, Ari Lennox, City Girls, Sean Paul, Earthgang, Jessie Reyez, Key Glock, SiR, Lute, Omen and Marqus Clae; with Usher as the headlining act.
While on day two, J.Cole and Drake – the headliners – will be supported by Summer Walker, J.I.D, Glorilla, BAS, Waka Flocka Flame, Mario, Ayra Starr, Baby Tate, Cozz, Jordan Ward and Reuben Vincent.
Additionally, African star Burna Boy is the festival’s special guest artist. He will perform on Sunday. Get additional information here.
On Friday, April 14th, Global Events Production will present the second edition of the R&B Music Experience at the Wintrust Arena – 200 East Cermak Road – in Chicago, Illinois.
Patrons will be treated to performances by rhythm-and-blues legends Xscape, Brian McKnight, El Debarge, 112, Silk and H-Town; with confirmed host DJ Aone at the controls. Tickets are available on ticketmaster.
Block Aye’s Crimson Red returns this weekend, on Saturday, March 11th, starting at 8pm, on their lawn at the University of the West Indies (Kingston). They have tapped international recording artist I-Wayne to perform, and promises that it will be bigger and better than their other events.
Kadian Blair, more popularly known as Ikaya, has instigated a robust discussion about domestic abuse and what should be the appropriate response to an unfaithful partner. The talks began shortly after her new single – Self Defense – began making the rounds last month.
On the controversial track, Ikaya tells the tale of a woman who claimed Self Defense after killing her cheating companion, a man who – in addition to committing adultery – had abused her repeatedly throughout most of their relationship. Responses to the record – and its underlying message – have been mixed; with some people in support of Ikaya‘s position, and others opposing it.
In addition to being a very interesting and thought-provoking story, Self Defense is also a superb song. It was well written, and was performed immaculately by the Waterhouse native.
Featured on the Things & Time Riddim, which was produced by Pandemic Records, Self Defense was officially released in January, 2023. Other artists on the compilation are: Chronic Law, Takeova, Jah Lama, Little Hero, Frass Khalifa and Xip Boss.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 