Reggae Industry Insiders Encouraged To Join The Grammy

00-GrammyWe are reaching out to encourage artists and other music creators in the Reggae community to join The Recording Academy®, aka the GRAMMY®s, as members. For almost 59 years, the GRAMMY Awards have been the only peer-voted awards in music. Black Uhuru received the very first GRAMMY Award for Best Reggae Album in 1985.

Many of the most established Reggae musicians, producers, engineers and songwriters are already members. The Recording Academy wants to help ensure as many diverse artists in Reggae as possible can vote in the GRAMMY Awards Process. The deadline to join or renew and be eligible to submit music in the Online Entry Process for the 59th GRAMMY Awards is July 31, 2016. Eligibility Period for recordings released between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016.

Your voice is critical to ensuring the brightest stars in Jamaica are nominated!

Membership has many benefits:

Submit Music For Consideration and Vote (if qualified) in the annual GRAMMY Awards;
– Over 50% of all nominees and winners this year were artists on independent labels. The Online Entry Process (OEP) opens for record labels and members each July and closes at the end of August.

Connect online with a global GRAMMY community;
– Through http://www.GRAMMYPro.com, you’ll have access to content about “the business” of making music and a social networking platform for GRAMMY members only.

Advocacy on Behalf of Music Creators;
– Help support The Recording Academy’s important Advocacy work to fight for the rights of music creators around the globe.
Visit: www.grammy.org/recording-academy/advocacy

Your membership has an impact far beyond the GRAMMY stage! For requirements and the online application, visit: www.GRAMMYPro.com/join. Feel free to email The Recording Academy’s Senior Membership Manager, Yvonne Faison, with questions at: Yvonne.Faison@grammy.com.

New Hip-hop Video: KRS One – Take Em Out (@IAmKRSOne)

00-Krs OneOne of the most dominant hip-hop artists from the 80s, KRS ONE, is back in the forefront of the rap game. The legend just released a brand new music video that is loaded with battle lyrics, all aimed at MC Ren. Though we have tried to find out why KRS ONE & MC Ren are at odds we were unsuccessful. Whatever the reason for the ‘beef’ between both men, we are excited that KRS ONE is dropping bombs again. Watch, share and comment on the video.

JAMAICA TOPS BEST SMALL HOTELS IN THE CARIBBEAN LIST

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Negril’s Rock House Hotel

Coming on the heels of Jamaica being named third best island in the world on the Trip Advisor 2016 awards list, the island also dominates the category of Best Small Hotels in the Caribbean 2016. Jamaica not only tops the list but she also holds down the number 2, 4 and 6 slots on the best of 25. Amazingly, three of these four properties are located in Port Antonio. They are #1. Trident Hotel in Port Antonio, # 2. Resort At Wilks Bay, Port Antonio, #4. The Spa Retreat Boutique Hotel, Negril and #6. Geejam, Port Antonio.

Other beautiful and outstanding Jamaican hotels too have been included on other top 25 lists for the Caribbean. Among them, Rock House in Negril, voted as the # 5 on the Best Hotel in the Caribbean category, and Iberostar Grand in Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Plantation and Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios voted as top regional luxury resorts.

Jamaica scored very well too on the section of Best Bargains in the Caribbean with the inclusion of Seastar Inn, Negril, Blue Cave Castle, Negril, Travellers Beach Resort, Negril, Negril Yoga Centre and Chrisanns Beach Resort, Ocho Rios all listed among the best value for money bargains in the Caribbean.

Special mention must be made of The Spa Retreat Boutique Hotel in Negril. In addition to being the #4 Best Small Hotel, the property is also #2 on the list of hotels providing the best service in the Caribbean and #5 for the Most Romantic Hotel in the Caribbean!

The spectacular showing of Jamaica as the third best island in the world competing against 32 Caribbean destinations and thousands of exotic places globally is a declaration of the strength of Jamaica’s tourism product. Still, I was a little disenchanted that the island did not appear on the list of top restaurants, with gems like The Sugar Mill in Montego Bay and Push Cart in Negril building a loud in buzz.

If the beautiful island of Tobago does not appear on any of the rankings, the new rising star is Grenada, sitting pretty in the top half of several lists. Nevis is in the mix too, as is Antigua & Barbuda with the exciting Galley Bay Resort. Surprisingly, Puerto Rico is barely on the radar of excellence and Cuba is just beginning its journey up the all-inclusive charts with great promise for the Varadero region for next year.

By Dave Rodney, Travel Specialist

Brian Holt Bio

Brian 1Brian H. C. Holt is the son of legendary reggae recording artist, John Holt. Born in Kinston 13 and raised in the Meadowbrook Estate area in Jamaica, Brian grew up with his dad, grandparents and half siblings. As was expected, he developed a love for music at a very young age. He remembers sitting in his living room as a child playing several LP and EP vinyl records for hours.

Although he was surrounded by music from birth, his official journey towards a career as a singer did not commence until he was about seventeen years old. By this time he was living with his mother in Connecticut, as his dad was back and forth between Jamaica and the United Kingdom. After school, Brian and his friends would go to a particular schoolmate’s house and take turns performing over various rhythms.

When he turned nineteen years old a friend of the family who was also a producer, heard him and invited him to the studio to lay vocals. He recorded a track entitled “I don’t wanna be there,” which was released in both Connecticut and New York. Despite the fact that the song was well received, Brian found it difficult to maintain a consistent career in music as he was also involved in other things. That being said, in 2015 he recorded and released two new tracks: one dedicated to his father, entitled, “lost dad” and a cover version of “lost love.”

Though he has not recorded and released a lot of music over the years, Brian remained visible on the live scene, as he was always performing at various events. His most recent major performance was at the 2015 Jazz and Blues Festival in Jamaica and his dad’s memorial, held in the same year.

Anyone wanting to work with Brian Holt may do so by contacting Whatage Music via email address whatagemusic@gmail.com or phone +1(876) 347-1766

 

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Bio prepared by www.mjent.net

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

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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.’

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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.

Reggae Artist Chronixx to Debut in Japan (@ChronixxMusic)

00_Chronixx_004+1The fireworks for Mighty Crown’s 25th Anniversary have officially erupted, as the renowned International sound has tapped mega Reggae artist Chronixx to join the celebration with two epic concerts in Japan later this month! Slated for Osaka and Kawasaki, Chronixx and the Zinc Fence Redemption band will appear alongside Mighty Crown and Japanese Dancehall group Fire Ball. This is more than just a Mighty Crown milestone, as it marks the “Capture Land” singer’s spectacular Japan debut. From the looks of things, Mighty Crown and Chronixx’s impressive Japanese following couldn’t be more thrilled.

As one of the forerunners of Jamaica’s acclaimed “Reggae Revival,” Chronixx has been making extensive strides since his groundbreaking 2012 breakthrough. With a string of hits like “Smile Jamaica,” “They Don’t Know,” “Behind Curtain,” “Aint No Giving In” and many more blazing the trail, Chronixx is quickly solidifying his position as a bonafide Reggae star. Major appearances on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and a Central Park concert catapulted the singer’s “Dread & Terrible” EP to the top 10 of the Billboard Top Reggae Album Chart, where it remained for nearly 1 year.

Chronixx’s “Dread and Terrible” tour has landed him, along with the Zinc Fence Redemption band, in places across the Globe. And now, the singer can add the massive Reggae music market of Japan to his growing list of credentials. Making a debut in Japan for Mighty Crown’s 25th Anniversary is an awesome way to show the valuable connection between Reggae artists and sound systems.

Emerging Trini Artist, K Kay, Chooses Love Over Career

00- K KayWhen Trinidad and Tobago radio DJs and personalities make the utterance; “local artistes aren’t releasing music as frequently as they should,” it’s not completely true. While the urban airwaves are awash with dancehall choruses and hip hop verses, numerous Trinidad and Tobago entertainers are throwing their contributions into the foray, hopeful that their music will be given the time of day. One of those artistes is K Kay. Still on the grind, never for a second thinking a negative thought about his music career, the Tobago artiste has again delivered, and his latest single is a collaborative effort with T&T hip hop artiste, Tim Star.

The new track, “Questions,” was produced by Digital Reign of Hive Studio, and K Kay says he dedicates the song to his fiancée- something rarely done. He’s excited about his future with the young woman he calls his soul mate and wants the world to know. In a music world where being a single male entertainer makes more sense, K Kay may certainly be placing himself at a disadvantage, but he says he won’t allow his career to outshine or displace his relationship. His music has been at the forefront of his life journey for quite some time and throughout the ups and downs, the woman he calls his ride or die has been at his side. For that, he’s grateful and yearns to express his appreciation in any way that he can.

In Trinidad and Tobago K Kay points out that strong relationships seem few and far apart. “Our society lacks love nowadays and it seems like we fear that expression at times. I sometimes wonder if we even understand the meaning of love anymore,” he said, adding that his hope for the youths is that they see more love being expressed by their parents and other elders in society, so that in turn, they will grasp the true meaning of showing love to others.

The new single, out in May, hears background vocals by T&T’s Jason ‘Fridge’ Seecharan, and KKay especially salutes Phillip Carter for his work on keys. The single, like most of the Tobago artiste’s work, is attached to VPAL Music, an affiliate of VP Records. This time around KKay substituted local mastering for an international touch, calling on Texas based, Big Label Mastering to do the job. He’s also been working closely with former manager to soca heavyweight Bunji Garlin, Ian Pantin, on marketing methods for his music, something he says he’s confident will work favorably.

In 2009, VPAL Soca was launched. VPAL’S general manager, Donovan Williams, recently mentioned to the Jamaica Observer that K Kay along with other T&T acts like Machel Montano, Pternsky, Tony Prescott, Shurwayne Winchester and others from across the region, would see their music distributed through VP’s network of 600 online and mobile destinations in 100 territories. It’s certainly a good look for Soca music, and for K Kay, a less popular artiste on the circuit, it’s a breakthrough to the global music scene many would never have seen coming. “I know my time will come. For that reason, I’ve never given up. I never will,” he said.