Osujah Records has just signed a 3 year distribution deal with 21^st Hapilos Digital Distribution. The first project that will be released from Osujah, via 21^st Hapilos, is the Bummin Ball Riddim which features Anaicon, Lady Donna, Ras Pree Dem, Buss Weh, Alpancho and Ikonji. Though the project does not present any major acts, it is getting respectable radio play on some of the biggest radio stations in Jamaica. This is due in part to the uniqueness of the rhythm as well as the content and style of each of the songs on it.

The Bummin Ball Riddim will be available on all digital music stores on October 23^rd, 2015. In early September copies of the album were sent to radio and club DJs worldwide. Selectors who have not yet received a promotional copy of the Bummin Ball Riddim, may request one by sending an email to MJE at mariajacksonent@gmail.com.

Stream all songs here: 

MV Music has joined forces with international music distributor Zojak World Wide to release Mr. Vegas’ upcoming Lovers Rock & Soul album. The album which is Mr. Vegas’ 7th official full-length project was originally scheduled to be released on the 9th of October 2015. However, Vegas and his management team decided to push back the release date to facilitate the distribution arrangement with Zojak World Wide.

The new release date for Lovers Rock & Soul is Friday October 30th , 2015.
Fans who already preordered Lovers Rock & Soul Album will receive Free Entry to any one of Mr. Vegas’ upcoming shows they wish to attend.

Mr. Vegas is currently in Jamaica doing the promotional rounds in support of the album.

Amid the historic Catch A Fire tour uniting Reggae’s legendary families Morgan Heritage, Marleys (Damian Marley, Stephen Marley), and Riley’s (Tarrus Riley), tragedy struck the royal siblings when Morgan Heritage’s 1st lady Una Morgan fell deathly ill.

Una Morgan, the accomplished daughter of veteran reggae crooner Denroy Morgan left the tour due to an emergency illness and was admitted in the hospital as her organs shut down and went into cardiac arrest. Although she had been suffering from a pre-existing thyroid disease. The silent killer caused congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation which is an abnormal heart rhythm. After a week in hospital, Una’s health deteriorated and the soulful singer had a cardiac arrest and flat-lined.

Speculations and concerns on Una’s health have prompted the soulful singer to release the following statement; “To my friends and fans around the world who have been asking where is Una, I want to say first praises be upon the most high in Zion for the second chance he has given me at life. Every day since my release from the hospital tears have filled my eyes and my heart thinking what life would have been like for my children, family and friends if it was really my time. To all please, please  do not take for granted or ignore what your spirit and body is trying to tell you. They will never lead you wrong. I want to say to those who knew of my condition thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers, and to those who are just now hearing, just know that I am blessed and healing everyday.“

Likkle Lightning and his management team have decided to postpone the release of his first studio album. The initial release date was set for September, 2015, but due to production challenges the album was further delayed to October. They are now announcing that it will not be ready until early 2016. One of the reasons for the change in date is Likkle Lightning’s now, hectic schedule.

As the end of year holiday season approaches, Likkle Lightning finds himself with a packed schedule which includes several shows across the United States; the first of which will take place in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on Friday, November 13^th. Media houses in the U.S. that would like to interview Likkle Lightning may contact MJE via email at mariajacksonent@gmail.com to make all the necessary arrangements.

Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill executive Omar Hawthorne (l) presenting ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’ to Reggae Ambassadors Third World co-founder Michael “Ibo” Cooper.

Several music stalwarts and contributors to the entertainment industry including Miss Pat Chin, founder of VP Records; Jazz Great Monty Alexander; Michael “Ibo” Cooper and Ian & Roger Lewis were recently honored by the Jamaica College Old Boys Association, NY (JCOBANY) at their Silver Anniversary Awards Gala in Queens, New York at the posh LaGuardia Plaza Hotel.

Ian and Roger Lewis, co-founders of Grammy Award winning Inner Circle, best known their crossover hit ‘Bad Boys,’ the theme song of the long running Fox TV reality series Cops were honored with the ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award.’ Bad Boys was a #1 Billboard hit song that has sold over 7 million copies worldwide.

Ibo Cooper, co-founder of Reggae Ambassadors Third World and Monty Alexander, who has built a career exploring and bridging the worlds of American Jazz, popular song and the music of Jamaica were also the recipients of ‘Distinguished Alumnus Awards.’

Miss Pat Chin, who helped to create a reggae empire at VP Records and contributed to the careers of countless Jamaican superstars including Shabba Ranks, Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, Gyptian, Beenieman, Lady Saw, Mavado, Lady Saw and others was presented with the ‘Community Leadership Award,’ while Stephen Hill, co-founder and CEO of Caribbean International Network (CIN TV), which offers a full slate of programs including news, sports, drama and music shows in the tri-state area was presented with the ‘Trailblazer Award.’

The crowd was entertained by Ibo Cooper, who along with cello musician Gjilberta Lucaj, did a special musical tribute to former Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica and JC Alumnus Seymour “Foggy” Mullings, who passed away in 2013. Foggy, as he was called in music circles, was not just an exemplary politician but was a pianist and a classical jazz musician who in the 1960’s, frequently performed with other jazz groups of the day including Wilton Gaynair All Stars which featured the legendary Don Drummond.

Among those attending the sold out event were Keynote speaker Hon. Lisa Hanna; Consulate General of Jamaica, New York Herman LaMont; Michael McDonald, President of the JCOBANY; Board Member Dr Dwight Williams and Randy & Chris Chin, executives of VP Records.

In his own words, Protoje explains why he decided to release a lyric video for his single ‘criminal.’

“Criminal is the fifth video from my third studio album Ancient Future, and it was important to me that it was presented as a lyric video. The lyrics are loaded with historical references and touches on some very serious issues in Jamaica’s political landscape.
In my opinion, it is one of the most important songs on Ancient Future!” 

Multi Genre Superstar Busy Signal was all smiles and shining with the success of the 2020 Gala held at the Grand Bahia Principe in Jamaica!

Raising money for the Busy 2020 Helping Hands Foundation, a foundation dedicated to reaching children and young people to tackle issues such as violence, poverty and lack of health care access, Busy Signal brought together entertainers as well as community stakeholders who collectively agreed that together, they can make a difference.

Performances by Christopher Martin, DMajor, Exco Levi, and Ikaya demonstrated the will of younger generation artists to make a difference in the lives of the youth. This project will not only benefit people from St. Ann’s Bay, but the entire Parish of St. Ann and neighboring Parishes (Trelawny and St. Mary) as citizens from neighboring Parishes visit the St. Ann’s Hospital as well.

Speaking to media, Busy said “it is important that the youth and the community know and understand that yes we are doing well in our careers, but we haven’t forgotten where we come from, and we are determined to give back to our community … to make it a better place for those coming up after us.” Echoing Busy’s sentiment is Ikaya who added “some of the kids from this community are going to be doctors in the future. A small gesture from us today will go a long way tomorrow!”

Launched in April, 2015, the Busy 2020 Helping Hands Foundation has worked with and donated much needed medical equipment to the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital in an effort to make medical access readily available for people in that area of Jamaica.

Donors outside of Jamaica who wish to make a contribution can do so via the website http://www.busy2020helpinghands.com/