Nola Reggae Fest 2023

Posted on October 15, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

The Nola Reggae Fest is where reggae meets the soulful spirit of New Orleans. This year – from October 27th to 29th – the event will present a harmonious blend of reggae rhythms, local flavors, and talented musicians, at Congo Square (901 N. Rampart) in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The three main headliners are Warrior King (Friday), Tanto Metro & Devonte (Saturday), and Sister Nancy (Sunday). Several other top-tier performers are also confirmed: Etana, Jemere Morgan, The Meditations, and others. Click here for additional information.

John P. Kee’s “The New Life Reunion Tour” Stops In NYC On Nov. 4th

Posted on October 14, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

The Thessalonia Worship Center in Bronx, New York, will be having their Pre-Choir Day Concert on Saturday, November 4th (from 6-10pm EDT) on the church grounds, which is located at 951 Rev James A Polite Avenue.

The event will also serve as the Bronx leg of John P. Kee‘s “The New Life Reunion Tour”, as he is the confirmed special guest. Attendees will also be treated to the Thessalonia very own Mass Choir, as well as music from Angela “Missy” Billups.

The Balaclava Food Festival Returns This Sunday!

Posted on October 14, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Good Over Evil Promotion, with Fada Venny and The Cotton Tree Enterprise Family, will facilitate The Return of Balaclava Food Festival & Gospel Concert. It all goes down this Sunday, October 15, at St. Gabriel’s in Balaclava, St. Elizabeth.

Kukudoo, George Banton, Rhoda Isabella, Rian Davis, Sister Pat, Sebastian Braham, and John Mark Wiggan are all confirmed to perform. MC’s are Markland Edwards and Ava-Gay Blair. The show will air live on Gospel JA Radio.

Rest In Power Ibo Cooper

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Jamaica’s music fraternity is in deep mourning after learning that one of their own, legendary musician Ibo Cooper, has died. Cooper transitioned this past Thursday after battling cancer for several years.

Ibo Cooper was a Jamaican reggae musician and musical educator. He was member of the pop-band Inner Circle, and founding member of the reggae band Third World.

Standout Tracks On Hassanah’s New Album “The Real Thing”

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

In early August, established reggae producer Danny Breakenridge – the man behind Upstairs Music – collaborated with vocalist Hassanah on her sophomore studio album, The Real Thing. Upon the LP’s release, they shared its lead single, which also doubles as the title track, and immediately received excellent reviews from everyone who heard it.

The compliments were eventually extended to other tracks on the album, once the full project was listened to, and digested by a wide audience. Most notable are: Brighter Days, Bills Bills Bills, and Front Door.

Brighter Days is an inspirational bouncy reggae song that encourages us not to give up, regardless what we’re confronted with. It was written by both Hassanah and Danny Breakenridge. Bills Bills Bills on the other hand, laments on the unfortunate reality of inflation, something we’re all grappling with right now. And Front Door is Hassanah‘s flawless remake of the 1980 Gregory Isaacs‘ classic .

The full album – The Real Thing – is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, and all other streaming platforms, courtesy of Upstairs Music.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “THE REAL THING”

Marlon Asher & Glen Washington Among Artists Confirmed For Reggae Super Fest

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Two highly respected Caribbean reggae acts will be featured on this year’s Reggae Super Fest, scheduled for Saturday, November 4th, at Thunder Studios – 20434 South Santa Fe Avenue – in Long Beach, California.

Marlon Asher – the veteran Trinidadian reggae singer who rose to prominence with his first hit, Ganja Farmer – and Glen Washington, the beloved Jamaican reggae legend, will both perform at the event. They will be joined by Big Mountain, Alika, Eli-Mac, and others.

Darius Rucker’s Story

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Darius Rucker first achieved multi-platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide. This includes their diamond-certified debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time.

Since releasing his first country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart, including RIAA platinum-certified Learn to Live and True Believers, plus 10 No. 1 singles at country radio and 11 gold, platinum or multi-platinum certified hits.

Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012 and in 2014 he won his third career GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Country Performance with his 9x platinum version of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling country songs of all time. He co-hosted the 54th annual CMA Awards in 2020 and topped the charts at country radio once again with “Beers And Sunshine” in 2021.

As a lifelong philanthropist, Rucker supports the MUSC Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina and has also raised millions of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament. Rucker has also advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and serves as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.