Toronto’s underground radio station, BDS Radio One will be featuring Jamaica’s Likkle Lightning on August 9^th at 8pm. In addition to playing songs from the artist, the program will also have a live interview with Likkle Lightning in which they will discuss his recent performances in America among other things.

Over the past few months Likkle Lightning has been doing quite a few interviews and appearances to promote his latest releases. The artist is also working on his first full length studio album which he hopes will be ready for the fall.

Likkle Lightning – Temptation (Official Video)

Likkle Lightning – Mama Africa (Official Video)

Having recently acquired a management deal with Superior Advertising and Marketing, Karamanti is slowly transforming her sound and style as she appears to be targeting a wider audience. In her latest single, “Big Woman Ting” she steps away from her usual message music and instead talks about a man she is attracted to. The song is released on her label, Blakkwuman22 Music and falls under the genre of hardcore dancehall. It can be downloaded from hulkshare: http://www.hulkshare.com/ys0gowvl1h4w

As main stream media continues to promote music filled with gun violence, degradation of women and other such morally decaying messages, MJMagazine continues to promote only positive Black music while telling the stories of the people behind it.

The Magazine would like to extend an invitation to all lovers of positive Black music (regardless of genre) who would like to become an official contributor to send an email to mj_magazine@yahoo.com

Two of Jamaica’s rising Reggae/Dancehall artists, Venomus and Karamanti will be featured on Trinidad’s Caribbean Mix TV Show on August 9^th. The episode will air on Gayelle TV (Trinidad & Tobago) as well as on Swag TV (Jamaica).

Caribbean Mix TV Show is produced by Ville Ventures Films.  It serves as a springboard for many upcoming artistes around the Caribbean although the program also features established artists.

Both Karamanti and Venomous have been putting in a lot of work over the last year and a half and as such the executive producer invited them to be a part of the show.

Check out recent releases from both Karamanti and Venomus below and remember to watch them on Caribbean Mix on August 9^th.

Venomus – Give thanks fi life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pQwguFBuTg

Karamanti – Letter 2 Ghana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-q4laVg0Mg

Jamaica is known for great Reggae music and musicians one of which is the talented Bryan Art. Bryan Art has done work with, and for some of the best and most respected names in the Jamaican music industry. He has been on the scene for several years working both behind the scenes (producing and writing for others) as well as in the forefront as an artist in his own right. MJMagazine got the opportunity to speak with him about his career, this is what he had to say.

MJMagazine: In early 2000’s you came on the scene and was visibly active up until maybe 2006 or somewhere there then you seem to have disappeared until 2012, what was going on with you during that time?

Bryan Art: I am not certain as to what I should attribute the seeming inactivity between 2006 to lately, but I have always been very consistent in terms of recording and trying to promote my work. One probable factor though is the slight name change from Brah Yhan which was just a customized spelling of “Bryan” to Bryan Art.

MJMagazine:  Beres Hammond is one of the artist that inspires you, just wondering have you ever done any work with or for him? And if so tell us about that

Bryan Art: You are indeed correct that Beres Hammond strongly inspires my work but it is still a mere dream of mine to do some work with him.

MJMagazine: Tell us about the album released in April 2013 (tracks, producers, distribution, features, inspirations etc.)

Bryan Art: The self titled album (Bryan Art) released in 2013 was a repackaging of my debut for which I had just secured an official distribution arrangement. The original was a brave step out via my own independent label (Junction Files) in 2010. The album had 13 tracks, five of which (including the opening acoustic track) was produced by myself. “Get It” produced by FIWI Music has been a household favorite, thus kicking off the rhythmic segment at number two followed by the 1st  of four collabs –  “New Day”,  “Reggae Ville riddim”, Oneness Records, feat. Warrior King. Other collaborations include “Murder Dem A Play” with the great Queen Ifrika on a rework of Studio One’s “Skylarking” riddim,  “Dem Fass” ( Junction Files) with the fire man Capleton and “Second Class” by RPR with one of my favorite DJs, Hawkeye. The work was sealed at number thirteen with an upbeat lovers rock (“Best Of My Love”) by Jamplified Records.

MJMagazine: why did you change management in 2013?

Bryan Art: The reason I had to do a management change in 2013 is because my former manager needed help but was unwilling to work with anyone.

MJMagazine: What are some of the key difficulties you are experiencing now as you are running your record label, your band and your solo career?

Bryan Art: One of the key difficulties with running my record label along with my band and solo career is the lack of adequate distribution, competing with “TV tracks” booking request and lack of consistent airplay respectively.

MJMagazine: There is a seemingly constant chatter about Reggae from Jamaica being in trouble, what say you to that statement?

Bryan Art: Of course there is! …and I tend to agree with the “consistent chatter” that reggae from Jamaica is in trouble”. Unlike back in the days of Dennis Brown, Garnet Silk etc. regardless of the presence of payola then, the cream somehow rose to the top, but nowadays if you want to hear the best reggae tunes you have to go to the studio. It is almost impossible to get a song played enough without a huge budget. For instance, my songs are always characterized by contagious hooks along with an easy melodic line and tight rhymes conveying positive messages, so by merit they would get played on the struggling radio stations or a DJ who is definitely looking out for me. Otherwise you only hear them until it feels like the public is catching on then the abrupt cut. This is also the story of many of my colleagues. Now how does an artiste get to even build a catalogue? How does he even dream of keeping up with our counterparts from much better economies?

MJMagazine: From the outside looking in it seems as though all your successes have been orchestrated by you, how would you advice emerging artists trying to achieve what you have?

Bryan Art: In order to drive your own success you have to equip yourself with a fair knowledge of the process. Not so much as to fool yourself into believing that you can do it alone but to be able to identify who is right for the job. Teamwork is optimal.

MJMagazine: If someone wanted to work with you, how would they go about contacting you?

Bryan Art: I can always be reached via email: bryanartmuzik@gmail.com; facebook: bryanartmuzik; Twitter: @bryanartmuzik Phone: (Ja) 876-283-9974 (US) 240-380-4706

MJMagazine: Is there anything specific you want to share with the public?

Bryan Art: There is always something to share with the public: KNOWLEDGE IS THE POWER fi control the tower and rival Elezabeth crown…

Check out the track on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwYrRzwyHhs

British Black Music Month (BBMM) continues this month with a number of music industry-focused programmes organised by BritishBlackMusic.com/Black Music Congress (BBM/BMC) and partners in Westminster, central London.

The ‘How The Recording Industry Will Cope & Prosper’ seminar takes place at the office of industry body BPI (British Phonographic Industry) on Monday July 7, 6.30pm. The free seminar aims to highlight strategies label owners and would-be label owners need to survive in these ever-changing times. The panel includes Ian Moss (BPI), Michael Fuller (AIM: Association Of Independent Music); Neil ‘Mad Professor’ Fraser (Ariwa Sounds), and Kwaku (BBM/BMC; chair).

‘Music Biz Empowerment Half-Day Courses’ take place at the offices of Voluntary Action Westminster (VAW) on Thursday July 17 and 24.  These accessible, affordable, short courses are led by seasoned music industry tutor Kwaku. Elements culled from BTWSC’s ONC level 2 accredited Music Industry Overview course cover Copyright & Contracts, Music Publishing, Record Label Management,  and Music Marketing. They cost £20 each; £25 each from July 11.  Making Sense Of Music Licensing masterclass with veteran music publisher Ivan Chandler is set for September 24  afternoon.

A ‘City Showcase Session’ offering a free songwriting clinic, which consists of  live performances and critiques by an experienced songwriter, takes place Tuesday July 22, 7pm at the Apple Store on Regents Street. Panellists to be announced. Even if you’re not performing, do come down and hear some fantastic advice and take up an opportunity to network.

Royalty collection organisation PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd) offers ‘An Introduction to PPL’ at its office on Thursday July 22, 6.30pm. The free event will explain what PPL does, royalty streams, how members are paid, how to join, and to maximize revenues.

For more details or to book: www.BBM.eventbrite.com