Jamaica Born, Toronto Based Artist, Tha Vor, Uses His Beliefs In The Rasta Faith To Inject Positive Messages In Hip-hop (@THAVOR @MsKeonLove)

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

00- THA VOR Many people have said that the hip-hop genre has pretty much died out and that what we are listening to today is merely commercial rap. Agree or disagree, there are still a few underground artists who are creating authentic hip-hop and doing a very good job at it. One such person is Jamaica born Toronto based MC, Tha Vor. Being a strong believer in the Rasta faith and culture, Tha Vor makes it a point of duty to produce songs that are not just for ones enjoyment but also for enlightenment.

In his latest single and video, “now you’re gone,” he touches on the very popular topic of cheating, but addresses from the standpoint of a man being cheated on, as opposed to being the one committing the act of indiscretion. When asked what inspired such an unusual approach, Tha Vor said: “we go through break up at times, different scenarios in life and this is inspired by real life events.”

“Now You’re Gone” clearly shows that although it is not talked about very often, women, much like men, are sometimes unfaithful in their relationships. The track is produced by Marcus Kane and features R&B song bird Keon Love.

Watch the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0huMyb_qGM and DJs should send an email to mariajacksonent@gmail.com for a copy of the mp3.

The 12th Annual Irie Weekend takes place June 22 – 25 in Miami (@irieweekend)

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Get ready to kick off Summer ’16 in grand style at the 12th Annual Irie Weekend benefitting the Irie Foundation on June 22 – 25 in sunny South Florida!

Irie Weekend continues to get bigger and better year after year, but the true success story revolves around the accomplishments of the Irie Foundation in large part made possible by Irie Weekend. The Foundation continues to positively impact the lives of hundreds of kids from South Florida all the way to South Africa. They have overwhelmingly successful programs like Cultural Passport, #InspIRIE DJ Academy, Mentorship, Pen-Pals, Impact Scholarships & the Irie Foundation Allapattah Music and Literacy Center… all of which are helping at-risk youth meet and overcome the challenges they face every day. Everyone is encouraged to visit iriefoundation.org to learn more about the Irie Foundation and how your support of the 12th Annual Irie Weekend helps make it all possible.

The organizers are thrilled to have chosen the luxurious Shelborne Wyndham Grand South Beach as their host hotel this year. And as they are known to do, they’ll be transforming the place into the Irie Weekend Hotel, which will serve as the backdrop for two of their biggest events, as well as home to a sweet tech lovers lounge powered by Samsung Mobile. You can also get a “bee’s” eye view of the festivities by visiting the Jack Daniel’s Lounge on the mezzanine overlooking the main stage and pool. Enjoy signature Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey cocktails along with an array of mixed drinks from the Jack Daniel’s family. Being the epicenter of all things Irie Weekend, you never know who you might see strolling around, as their official airline partner JetBlue will be flying in their celebrity participants and VIP guests from all over the country. Upon arrival to South Florida, guests will get a taste of the #STDLife as they are greeted by and transported in brand new Toyota vehicles courtesy of their friends at South Dade Toyota. Here is the official 12th Annual Irie Weekend schedule of events.

Anita Antoinette, NBC’s The Voice Finalist, to release new song (@AnitAntoinette)

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

00-Anit Antoinette Midilord, Inc. is pleased to announce Anita Antoinette’s first single to be released since her appearance on NBC’s hit show, The Voice.

Anita Antoinette’s anticipated musical release titled “Care” will be released on June 15th 2016. “Care” was written and produced by Anita previous to her appearance on the Voice but was never released. After signing an agreement with Duane Summers for management, he heard “Care”, along with all the other recordings she had previously completed and decided that this should be her first release in the month of June, which happens to be Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Anita grew up dancing to the rhythm of her father’s music, Clinton Fearon, a member of The Gladiators, a Jamaican roots reggae band, most popular during the 1970s in Kingston, Jamaica. Self-taught singer and guitarist, Anita began writing her own music as a teenager, inspired both by her father and other legends, including Bob Marley, India Arie and Erykah Badu. She graduated from the prestigious Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in 2008, and was accepted to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Professional Music: Concentration in Music Business and Songwriting.

Anita Antoinette has performed on stages large and small throughout New England, the Northeast and the Pacific Northwest, including a 2008 appearance at the Library of Congress in Washington DC. She has appeared on the 3rd and 7th season of NBC’s hit show, “The Voice” which she placed in the TOP TEN. She easily became one of the most loved and talked about performers. Since then she has signed a management agreement with Duane “Midilord” Summers, former Production Manager for multi-platinum selling and Grammy award winning artist Sean Paul. Anita is currently working on her EP due to be released during the Summer of 2016.

Vanessa Briggs Delivers New Gospel Gem, “Why You Love Me” (@BriggsVanessa)

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

00-Vanessa Briggs Trinidadian Gospel songstress Vanessa Briggs delivers her new gem “Why You Love Me,” now available worldwide from all major digital retailers.

“Why You Love Me” showcases Briggs’ vocal talents and brings a calming melody backed by uplifting lyrics. It was written by Briggs and produced by Grammy-nominated producer Roger Ryan of Roger Ryan Music.

Briggs was born in St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. She began preforming early in her childhood with the Youth Pulse Edutainment Academy, a vocal training school. With the international release of her music, Briggs’ shining talent and inspirational music can now be enjoyed by Gospel and music fans, far and wide.

American Songwriters Wants Congress To Reform Music Laws

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Brian McKnight

On May 18^th, the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) presented a 575,000-signature petition in an effort to get reformed the federal laws from 1941 that regulate how songwriters license their works. The signatures come from artists including Monica, Brian McKnight, Omi (of “Cheerleader” fame), Nate Ruess of .Fun, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, as well as writers like MoZella (who co-wrote Miley Cyrus’ No.1 song “Wrecking Ball”) and Priscilla Renea (who’s written for Mariah Carey, Chris Brown, Rihanna and Demi Lovato).

In a statement, ASCAP President Paul Williams said, “We’re asking policymakers to stand with songwriters at a time when our future livelihoods and the future of American music are both in jeopardy. Streaming has vastly changed music listening habits but licensing laws haven’t kept up with the way people consume music today, so songwriters are struggling… We’re asking legislators to recognize that songwriters deserve laws which enable them to be paid fairly for the use of their music.”

R&B STALWART REGINA BELLE ADDED TO ‘GROOVIN IN THE PARK’ LINEUP (@IAmReginaBelle)

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

00-Regina Belle Grammy Award winning R&B legend Regina Belle has been added to the powerful lineup for the 2016 ‘Groovin In The Park’ concert which unfolds at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, NY on Sunday, June 26th. The news was recently announced on Groovin Radio, WVIP, 93.5 FM in New York City.

Born in New Jersey, Regina worked as an opening act for the Manhattans in her early career. She recorded a duet with the group titled, ‘Where Did We Go Wrong,’ that was produced by Bobby Womack in 1986. Her single ‘Please Be Mine’ peaked at number two on the R & B charts. She followed up with ‘So Many Tears,’ which also blazed up the R&B Top 20 chart.

She enjoyed her biggest success with ‘A Whole New World,’ a Grammy award winning duet with Peabo Bryson for Disney’s 1992 animated feature film Aladdin. She earned further acclaim with ‘Make It Like It Was,’ ‘After The Love Has Lost Its Shine,’ ‘All I Want Is Forever’, ‘If I Could’ and ‘Baby Come To Me.’

The four-time Grammy Award and Academy Award winning vocalist has previously performed in Jamaica and will grace the Groovin stage for the very first time this year.

Regina Belle will be joined on stage at ‘Groovin In The Park’ by Grammy Award winners Brian McKnight and Peabo Bryson, reggae luminaries Beres Hammond and Toots Hibbert, NBC’s Voice season 5 winner Tessanne Chin and popular reggae crooner Duane Stephenson.

PEABO BRYSON & BRIAN MCKNIGHT TO PERFORM AT GROOVIN IN THE PARK (@ItsBMcKnight @PeaboBryson2)

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Peabo Bryson

Reggae and R&B music lovers in the tri-state area are beaming with excitement after news broke that ‘Loversrock King’ Beres Hammond and reggae legend Toots Hibbert will join Grammy Award winning singers Peabo Bryson and Brian McKnight as headline acts at the 5th annual Groovin In The Park concert. The event unfolds at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens New York on Sunday, June 26th 2015.

Peabo Bryson, who has won two Grammy Awards in his celebrated career is one of the premier male vocalists in contemporary music. With over twenty albums to his credit, he has the distinction of being the first artist in music history to have separate songs topping four different charts simultaneously. Bryson launched his career with his self titled debut album. The project including a young Luther Vandross who sang background vocals. After releasing ‘Reaching for the Sky’ which went gold, he penetrated the hearts of fans with ‘Feel the Fire’ and ‘I’m So Into You’ which spent two weeks at #2 on the R&B chart. His 1989 album ‘All My Love’ peaked at #1 on the R&B chart. He hit #1 a second time with ‘Can You Stop The Rain.’ The single won him a 1991 Grammy nomination for best R&B vocal performance by a male. But it was his #1 pop songs ‘Beauty and the Beast’ with pop superstar Celine Dion from the Disney animated films and ‘A Whole New World’ with Regina Belle that earned him two Grammy Awards and an Oscar for ‘Best Song.’

Over the years, he has scored hits with his friends including ‘We’re the Best of Friends’ with Natalie Cole and ‘Live & More’ a year later with Roberta Flack. He achieved even bigger success with Flack on the album ‘Born to Love’ that featured his signature hit ‘Tonight I Celebrate My Love.’

Brian McKnight

Singer Brian McKnight who is also confirmed for Groovin In The Park is known for his sensual love songs. He has a hefty catalogue of hit songs dating back to his 1992 self-titled debut album which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and included ‘One Last Cry.’ Among his other popular albums and hit songs that will have the ladies yearning for more are ‘Remember the Magic;’ ‘Back At One’ which sold over 3 million copies; ‘Superhero’ which secured five Grammy nominations and ‘U Turn.’ New Yorkers have a special lover affair with McKnight who was a popular radio host on Urban 98.7 KISS FM in NYC and who appeared on the Celebrity Apprentice TV show with current presidential candidate Donald Trump who hosted the show.