After a three-year hiatus, the anticipation for the upcoming Black Forest On Fire Festival is greater than ever. For three days (July 28th to 30th) patrons will be treated to music, food, fun, and overall good vibes at Pappelwaldsee in Berghaupten, Germany.
The biggest highlight of the weekend of course is the live show. There will be performances by Inner Circle, Fantan Mojah, Nattali Rize, Culture, Kenyatta Hill, and many more. Get additional info here.
After capturing the attention of music lovers with the release of his debut album Reggae Man, recording artist Tradition Man Wolo has opted to increase his responsibilities by adding producer and CEO to his title. To that end, the Ghanaian singer has co-founded Wonder 4 Music and is busy producing the label’s first project, Come Home To Africa.
The compilation’s lead single is Sweet Africa and it’s performed by Wonder 4 Music‘s youngest signee Donskii. Although based in Ghana, the 18-year-old’s musical style is equally influenced by the sounds of GH and that of his father’s country, Jamaica. This is evident on the aforementioned track, which received the following feedback from popular American radio personality Tracy Moore: “this one is sweet indeed…i’d love to hear more from this artist..thanks so much.”
The official video for Sweet Africa is just as captivating as the song itself. Shot by Director Tee, it highlights the beauty of the continent while simultaneously promoting unity among its nations. Sweet Africa is available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and all other streaming platforms.
Excitement is building in and around Long Beach, California as the 34th annual Long Beach Jazz Festival draws near. The three-day event will take place on August 11th, 12th and 13th, and will feature some of the best live performers in the business.
Confirmed are Maxi Priest, Erin Stevenson, Norman Brown, Kenny Lattimore, Mike Phillips, Kim Scott, Myron McKinley, Najee, Marcus Miller, Will Downing, and many more. It will be held at Rainbow Lagoon Park on East Shoreline Drive in Long Beach, California. Additional information is available on the event’s website.
Many years ago – on March 24, 2021 – the Canadian House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1st as the country’s Emancipation Day. It was on that day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 went into effect across the British Empire.
Likewise, for Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora, August 1 represents the abolition of the dehumanising system which had enslaved people of African descent in the British colony for over 150 years.
As such, Jamaicans living in Canada have always had a huge Emancipation Day party, and 2023 will be no different. This year’s celebration is being incorporated into the Jambana One World Festival, happening at Gage Park in Brampton, Ontario on Monday, August 7th.
The organizers have tapped 60s reggae/soca band, Fabulous Five, to headline the event. The 45-year-old ensemble remains one of the best live show bands in Jamaica to this day. They will be joined by several top-tier Canadian artists.
Antigua & Barbuda’s reggae ambassador Causion has shared the second single from his just released EP, The Mission Is In Progress. Titled Back to my Roots, the tune speaks to him going back to basics, to his source, which means reconnecting with the Most High in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Back to my Roots is a beautiful, rhythmic, one drop reggae record laced with both instrumental and vocal melodies. It joins six other equally strong songs on The Mission Is In Progress EP, which went live on all streaming platforms on June 24, 2023.
Reggae lovers in the Tri-State area are in for a special treat with a trio of shows scheduled for Connecticut, New Jersey and Long Island on the weekend of Friday, August 11th to Sunday, August 13th.
The series, dubbed Jammins Reggae Fest, kicks off on Friday with a return to College Street Music Hall in New Haven, Connecticut. It will be headlined by Beres Hammond, Louie Culture and Romain Virgo. The men will also perform at NJPAC in Newark, New Jersey the following day- Saturday, August 12th.
And the final show, on Sunday, will be at The Catholic Health outdoor Amphitheater in Farmingville, Long Island, New York. All the preceding artists are also confirmed for this venue, with the addition of Christopher Martin.
On her latest single, Jehovah Tell Me, recording artist Karamanti shines a bright light on Jamaica’s hypocrisy, as it relates to the nation’s ongoing gun crimes. Done as both a prayer to God and a criticism of man’s lack of integrity, the deejay calls out Jamaicans who openly bashes the government for the high murder rate, while simultaneously withholding information about known criminals.
The song is presented on the Harder They Come Riddim, produced and released by Kingston based label, Jungle Lava Productions. And although most of the other tracks on the compilation are secular, Karamanti – as she has always done – makes God the central theme in her music.
In addition to her tune, Karamanti, an active songwriter for other artists, also penned Jazz Black‘s song, Dibby Dibby. It’s the only other unworldly track on the EP.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 