In May Tamela Mann went on social media to announce that she would be dropping the deluxe edition of Overcomer. In the post she promised six new songs including Superheroes Prayer – done with Yolanda Adams, and live versions of Help Me featuring Tim Rogers and The Fellas, He Did It For Me, Final Answer and Finished.
The singer, songwriter, producer and actress honored her word and delivered the project at the end of July. That said, Overcomer (Deluxe) is now available on all digital streaming platforms; and her fans will be able to experience the record live as she will be heading out on the road with David Mann.
The day-long celebration of hip-hop music, lifestyle and culture, Rock The Bells Festival, will go down this weekend – Saturday, August 6th – at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York. It will feature some of the most lyrical MCs in the rap game, each carefully selected because of their contribution to the genre.
In addition to the man behind the movement – LL Cool J – artists booked for Rock The Bells Fest 2022 includes Z-Trip, Ice Cube, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, Lil Kim, The Diplomats ft. Cam’ron, Jim Jones & Juelz Santana, Fat Joe & Remy Ma, Jadakiss, Scarface performing 20th anniversary of The Fix, Trina, Digable Planets and Queen’s native artists N.O.R.E, Onyx, Havoc of Mobb Deep & Large Professor.
The Hempolics gear up for their forthcoming album with the release of single ‘One Law Fi Dem’, a team-up with soundsystem veteran Macka B. The collaboration captures a tale of the time, indeed a tale of the ages, as Macka B spits “One law fi dem, One law fi you, Do as I say but no do as I do”.
The Hempolics have reworked and updated the riddim of their debut release ‘Serious’, much loved by Massive Attack, and combined it with Macka B’s lyrical greatness to create a monster for the masses. It’s not just the story of the UK right now – but the world over.
Later today – Monday, August 1st – Warrior King, Shane O, Bescenta and others, will perform at the Proud Jamaican Emancipation Day concert being presented by Island Vibz Seafood, Sportsbar and Grill.
The celebration will commence at 1pm; however, the live show will not start until 7pm at 195 Manor Centre Plaza, Constant Spring in Kingston, Jamaica. The Guinness winner, High Grade International Sound will be in the building along with internet sensation Swiss Lee.
General admission without food is $2,000 JMD; with food it is $8,000 JMD.
Hezron‘s highly anticipated album, Man On A Mission, will finally be available on all digital streaming platforms on Friday, August 19, courtesy of Tad’s Record Inc.
So far the singer and his team have shared three songs from the project: Tik Tok I’m Coming – a slow sensual ballad, Save The Children, and the title track Man On A Mission. All three have been well received and have gotten strong support from both the media and the public. It is worth noting that Tik Tok I’m Coming sat at #1 for four weeks on Clinton Lindsay’s South Florida Reggae Charts and Richie B’s Jamaica Top 25 Reggae Singles Chart.
As the official release date approaches, Hezron and the crew at Tad’s Record are now announcing the Album Release Party, scheduled for Saturday, August 27th at Sky Beach Negril (formerly Negril Escape). This is a celebration/concert that will see Hezron performing a full set. Doors will open at 7pm and there is an entrance fee of $20 USD or $2,500 JMD.
Internationally-acclaimed Jamaican singer-songwriter Tanya Stephens celebrated her 49th birthday by gifting the world with a surprise new single “Fifty,” featuring another chart-topping female artist of Golden Era dancehall music, Patra. Produced by Tad Jr. , the monstrous new collaboration off Stephens’ upcoming album Some Kinda Madness (out September 2ndvia Tad’s Recordand available now for pre-order), finds the legendary artists offering fair warning to anyone who thinks that age might slow down the shenanigans of these two queens of the dancehall:
And If yuh think mi bad now wait till mi lick FIFTY, dem a go say a how dah big woman yah so frisky Want a buddy weh knock it inna gypsy Bad when mi sober, worse when mi tipsy
And if yuh think we bad now, wait till yuh see half ah century When a dozen big woman a mek a entry An we a sip di henny bottle till it empty Keep up behavior weh upset di gentry
To further demonstrate that age ain’t nothing but a number, Tanya Stephens dropped the “Fifty” official lyric video. Directed by Romario Rodney and Rayon Smith, the brand new visuals invite us into a grown woman bashment party hosted by the “maturing” bad gyal herself. As the dancers drop from headtop to full split, they leave little doubt that there is no substitute for experience.
Of the unexpected, but welcomed combination, Tanya says, “Patra is an unquestionable bad ass! She influenced urban culture and inspired many of us women to embrace our sensuality even as we stood in our strength. Having her bless this track feels like my personal revolution now has a soundtrack and I’m excited to step into my 50’s with this kind of energy!“
Patra broke boundaries in the 1990’s — a time many consider to be the Golden Era of Dancehall music — with seminal albums like Queen Of The Pack, which topped the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, and rude gyal anthems like “Romantic Call,” a collaboration with Compton superstar emcee Yo-Yo. Patra‘s unparalleled success during that time paved the way for future female Jamaican singers and deejays like Tanya Stephens, who also made a name for herself in the following years with dancehall staples like “Yuh Nuh Ready For This” and “Goggle,” before establishing herself as one of the island’s most gifted songwriters with unforgettable tunes like “It’s a Pity” and “These Streets.”
“Fifty” stands as the second official single released from Stephens‘ upcoming 20-track album, which also features support from reggae heavyweights like Cedella Marley, Diana King, Big Youth and Nadine Sutherland, among other guests. Previously released tracks from the Some Kinda Madnessproject include the steel pan-driven “Zig Ziggler,” the heartfelt ballad “World Goes Round,” and the uplifting single “Diamonds In The Sun (featuring Cedella Marley and Diana King).”
In his latest release Old School New School, dancehall artist Busy Signal puts his spin on Buju Banton‘s 90s hit, Bogle. Signal, in collaboration with Gorilla Music Source, shared both the song and its accompanying visuals on July 29th.
The simple but entertaining official video features some local celebrities, namely: Sean Paul, Bling Dawg and several professional dancehall dancers. If you have not yet seen it, check it out and remember to like, comment and share.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 