Jamaica’s music ambassador Richie Stephens continues to benefit internationally from the success of his latest project ‘Everybody Dance,’ which had its world premier on WorldStarHipHop.com earlier this month. The singer will headline the inaugural One Caribbean Festival, slated for Central Broward Regional Park, Lauderhill, Florida on December 13-14 alongside Puerto Rican Grammy Award-winning jazz player Nestor Torres, Haitian band T-Vice, Jamaican dancehall superstar Sean Paul, Ragga Soca King, Bunji Garlin, Fayann Lyons and Maxi Priest.

“I am very excited to be given the opportunity to represent Jamaica and reggae on this very impressive lineup of international stars” said and elated Stephens.

“The festival organizers are clearly confident in my ability to entertain fans and I plan to deliver and exciting, funfilled performance at the festival.”

The ‘Live Your Life’ singer is coming off a string of strong performances in Toronto, New York and England where he launched his album ‘Real Reggae Music’ to much hype and fanfare. The single/video for ‘Everybody Dance’ has done well, racking up more than 150,000 views on hip hop/reggae site http://www.wickedhype.com, http://www.WorldStarHipHop.com and http://www.reggaeville.com. The single was also featured by the New York Daily News, the # 1 publication among African American & Caribbean American readers in New York and the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States.

Earlier this month he proved his star power, delivering one of the best performances at the “Soul In The Sun” festival at the Aqueduct in Montego Bay, where he shared stage with R&B icons Regina Belle, Freddy Jackson, Howard Hewitt and Jeffery Osbourne. In fact Belle, who watched his performance from side stage and Osbourne, who closed the show, both raved about his great performance at the festival.

“We got a great reception to our performance in MoBay, especially for my first live performance of ‘Everybody Dance.’ I am thankful for the success I have been enjoying with the song so far and I am especially happy to hear that Jeffery Osbourne and Reggae Belle both bigged up my performance during their time on stage” the singer said.

The mission of ONE Caribbean Music Festival is to recognize and celebrate the diversity of Caribbean people and the ONENESS of the culture through food, arts, crafts, and music. The event is a unification of people and traditions of the Caribbean through unique expressions in music – food – arts and culture. Reggae, Soca, Reggaeton, Kompa, Calypso, Salsa, and Ska – mixed with an exotic atmosphere of scents, flavors and beautiful people. ONE Caribbean – Come Share The Vibes!

Etana “The Strong One” has returned with a phenomenal 4th studio album, “I Rise” (VP Records). The latest effort from the soulful Reggae songbird is without question her best and most mature album to date. Moreover, “I Rise” can easily be billed as the best Reggae album of 2014. To celebrate the long awaited release, Irish and Chin and VP Records have teamed up to host the official “I Rise” album release party at the legendary SOB’s (New York, New York) on Monday, November 17, 2014 (Doors Open 7:30 PM; Showtime 9:00 PM). Etana will take center stage in the famed venue to deliver a stellar performance of music from her new album. Reggae music fans will experience the ultimate live show.

During the official “I Rise” album release party, all in attendance will soak in the vibes of an up-close-and-personal set by Etana. Patrons will surely be mesmerized by Etana’s divine voice, as she covers the outstanding music featured on “I Rise.” According to co-host and event producers Irish and Chin, one of the best ways to reach the massive with Reggae music is through grassroots promotions. Notably, the “I Rise” release party will afford fans a first hand, live album experience. If they were not before, members of the audience will inevitably become believers after witnessing “The Strong One” sing live. Adding to the already highly anticipated show, Etana will incorporate a small horn section, which will spice up the vibes even more. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased at http://sobs.com/2014/4535/etana-rise-album-release-party.

“I Rise” boasts a rich montage of genuine Roots Reggae music, primarily due to top producer Clive Hunt lending his production expertise to the exceptional project. The refined, yet bubbly Etana says, “I am excited about Clive Hunt’s arrangements and the extremely talented musicians he collaborated with to make the huge sound on this album possible.”

For Etana, it’s not just the actual music that thrills her about “I Rise.” Also, the soulful singer says, “There is remarkable depth in the lyrics on ‘I Rise’….I honestly didn’t realize it until I listened to the album in its entirety….come to think about it, I am excited about everything on this album.”

Reggae music fans and critics alike have heralded the music from “I Rise” — citing many of the album’s selections as favorites. To date, the steamy singles “Trigger” and “Richest Girl” have been released from “I Rise.” Both songs have generated a huge buzz, causing fans to want more! Trust and believe, there is a lot more great music that awaits fans on “I Rise.” With 15 dynamic tracks to choose from, listeners will not be disappointed.

Etana, born to the world as Shauna McKenzie, burst on the musical scene in the early 2000’s. But it was the groundbreaking first single “Wrong Address,” which exposed Etana’s raw talent to the world! Followed by a string of successful singles and 4 studio albums to date, Etana has cemented a permanent position in the Reggae music industry. Through great music with meaning, Etana has reached the world with her powerful message.

WMC celebrates 30 years as the essential platform for the advancement of the dance music industry, March 24 – 28, 2015 in Miami Beach. WMC’s 2015 program will celebrate three decades of dance music & EDM’s most innovative artists and professionals converging on Miami Beach. “The excitement leading up to WMC this March is phenomenal. The buzz is about 30 years of club culture, which has now transcended generations; something this memorable becomes a celebration you just have to attend” says WMC Co-Founder Bill Kelly.

The WMC 2015 will be hosted at the iconic Deauville Beach Resort on Miami Beach and will feature a concentrated schedule of performance sets, conference workshops and panels addressing all aspects of the music industry with exhibits featuring the newest technology and sounds, industry receptions and more. This anniversary will be an all-time epic gathering of DJs, artists, music labels, producers, promoters, techies and club goers.

Currently the WMC Badge is being offered at the lowest rate of the year, $250 until November 19, 2014. Registration includes access to panels, seminars, featured Q & A’s, WMC official poolside events, South Beach Sessions, trade show & exhibits, workshops (with the exception of the Remixing and Editing Workshops), DJ Spin-Offs, VJ Challenge as well as complimentary or reduced admission to WMC official and sanctioned events.

Marketing opportunities are currently discounted by 40% through November 19, 2014. The WMC registration office and housing bureau is currently open at http://www.wintermusicconference.com/. WMC is also accepting applications, inquiries and requests for panels and workshops, DJ Spin-Off, VJ Challenge, showcasing and events.

Norris Man´s new album “REAL” is produced by Swedish based Hot This Year Band (with producers and musicians Partillo, Lance-a-Lot, André Roots & Björn Bonnevier) for Partillo Productions.

This album really shows Norris Man’s capability to build and write songs on a different level while collaborating with a band. Because the album has live as oppose to digital rhythms, many are saying that in itself sets it apart from a lot of Reggae releases nowadays.

The connection between Norris Man and Hot This Year band initially took place in 2011 when the group backed Norris Man on the “Uppsala Reggae Festival”. Their first studio session happened that same year and resulted in the 2012 release of the album “GHETTO LIFE” produced by Partillo, Lance-a-Lot, Kap10 and Rigo (Topaz/Infinite Mass).

The new album “REAL” contains high quality, timeless one drop and roots Reggae with a few exceptions like the track with PAPA DEE which is Dancehall. “REAL” also features a collaboration with the legendary U BROWN on the rub a dub tribute “REGGAE ROLL CALL”

Check out the first single and video REAL PEOPLE with Papa Dee 

Hip-hop and R&B legend Ms Lauryn Hill will be performing at the South Side Ballroom in Dallas Texas on December 10^th. The show which was originally scheduled for November 4^th was postponed to the new December date. The promoters however, will be honoring all original tickets.

South Side Ballroom is located at 1135 S Lamar St in Dallas Texas. Persons can get more info about this event by visiting the venues official website at http://www.southsideballroomdallas.com/

K-Lyrikal, the creative artist behind the single “Muss Buss” which has gotten heavy rotation on top international radio stations is now the C.E.O and chef at Jenny’s Universal Live Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant. The artist opened the restaurant in October and as the name suggest, he focuses on strictly vegetarian and vegan meals.

Located at 26 Eastwood Park Road, in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, Jenny’s Universal Live Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant opens at 7am sharp and closes at 5pm. K-Lyrikal and his team serves tasty breakfast and lunch menus to build the immune system and fight against diseases and viruses.

For more information on Jenny’s Universal Live Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant persons can call 876-853-7785 / 876-495-7529 or visit the company’s facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennys-Universal-Live-Vegan-Vegetarian-Restaurant/1483947581880919

Born in Nigeria, grew up in Togo, Ghana and now based in Germany; Messiah aka Commander Messiah is one of many promising voices coming out of Africa. The soul piercing nature of his pitching voice together with his sweet sense of melody and rhythm are the enlightenments of Messiah’s inspired songs of remedy.

From a basist to becoming the lead singer of the Vibration Kings band in Ghana, Commander Messiah has grown in stature of a great live performer. Backing vocalist and bass guitarist for Rita Marley, Messiah has numerous stage acts to his credit; opening shows for Mighty Diamonds and Steel Pulse, Ras Kimono, Majek Fashek, 2Face Idibea, Lucky Dube, Shaba Ranks, Shaggy, Wayne Wonder, Kevin Little, Buju Banton, Busy Signal, Jahcoustix et al.

In 2012 Messiah moved to Germany where he has since played on many stages in Berlin, surroundings and across the whole of Germany. As a member of the Berlin Reggae scene, Commander Messiah has been opening shows at the famous Berlin Reggae Club Yaam and at Dancehall events put together by his African brother Mighty Timeless. Commander Messiah is also known to have supported cultural events as “Karneval der Kulturen” and charity shows as “Barefood for Africa” and “Action no words” by Dr Volkanikman in Germany. In 2014 Commander Messiah joined Jahcoustix and the Yard Vibes Crew on their “Frequency” Europe Tour, holding over thirty (30) shows in Germany, Swiss, Austria, Portugal and Spain.

Commander Messiah’s debut International album, “cry of the sufferer” was recorded and released in 2008, under vision sounds in Georgetown, Gyana. The album is available for download on itunes » http://itunes.apple.com/de/album/cry-of-the-sufferer/id401208239

Currently Commander Messiah is taking bookings for his 2015 “cry of the sufferer” tour; you can book the soulful singer from Africa, through the Yard Vibes Crew Band. For bookings email: yardvibescrew@gmail.com

Connect with the Messiah on Facebook » https://facebook.com/commandermessiah?_rdr

ARTICLE BY: Adokwei Addo (@tsotsoobilove)