‘How Sweet The Sound’ Returns In 2023!

Posted on December 11, 2022 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

The American gospel music competition, How Sweet The Sound, will be back in full swing on June 3rd, 2023. It will take place at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, with host and performer Donald Lawrence. Audition videos are now being accepted in the following categories: large choirs, small choirs, soloists, dancers and spoken word. The deadline is Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 11:55 PM.

How Sweet The Sound was originally established in 2007 and sponsored by Verizon. During its initial six-year run, the competition awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to promising artists, making it a critical destination and a springboard for successful careers. Now under the new ownership of Gentle Giant Music Ministries, How Sweet The Sound will continue to welcome a diverse array of up-and-coming gospel performers competing for cash prizes and recognition.

Click here to get additional information about the competition and how to enter.

Hulvey & Torey D’Shaun Share Visuals For Their Single “Closer” (@reachrecords)

Posted on December 11, 2022 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

The official video for Hulvey and Torey D’Shaun‘s Closer is out now! It premiered this past Friday – December 9th – on Hulvey‘s YouTube channel.

Closer was first shared in October via Reach Records, the American independent music label specializing in Christian hip-hop. If you have not yet seen the clip, click here or on the image above to check it out, and remember to like, comment and share.

Ghanaian Reggae Artist Tradition Man Wolo Releases New Video “Come Home” (@man_wolo)

Posted on December 10, 2022 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Earlier in the year roots-reggae artist Tradition Man Wolo – who hails from the West African nation, Ghana – released his debut album, aptly titled Reggae Man. The record has a total of nine tracks, two of which are remakes of popular songs: Book Of Rules, sang by The Heptones in the 70s, and The Lady In Red, done by British-Irish singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh in 1986. It also has two remixes (of tracks one and two): Come Home and Back Again.

As the Kwanzaa season approaches Tradition Man Wolo and his team felt it prudent to create some visuals for the song Come Home. To that end, the official video – which was shot and edited in Ghana – was shared this past Monday (December 5th).

Tradition Man explains the importance of publishing the clip now in the following statement: “This video is being released in December to coincide with the homecoming season in Ghana when many Africans in the diaspora visit Africa. The song “Come Home” from my album “Reggae Man” is a call from Africa to all Africans in the diaspora to come back home and help rebuild mother Africa. It also implores Africans on the continent to welcome their brothers and sisters back home when they arrive.”

Scenes for Come Home were captured in the Eastern, Greater Accra and Central Regions of Ghana, and they highlight the difficult history of Africans – at home and in the diaspora – while simultaneously telling their miraculous story of survival and hope.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “COME HOME”

Worship With Petra Kaye This Sunday At “The Joy Of Christmas Concert”

Posted on December 10, 2022 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

The Redeemed Christian Church of God – Jesus House – is bringing back their in-person Joy Of Christmas Concert, this Sunday, December 11th. The event will be held on the church grounds – 3 McGregor Square (by Beechwood Avenue on Halfway Tree Road) in Kingston 10, Jamaica. Starting time is 5pm.

This year’s staging will feature: Petra Kaye, Kevin Smith, MC Markland, TrueVine Dancers and many more. Admission is free, and all are invited.

Omah Lay Shares Creative Visuals For “Soso” (@Omah_Lay)

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Nigerian Afro-fusion artist Omah Lay has released the official video for Soso – track #11 on his Boy Alone debut album, published earlier this year. The very creative clip, which was directed by Topshotta, perfectly reflects the song’s lyrical depth.

If you have not yet seen the visuals, click here or on the image above to check it out, and remember to like, comment and share.

Big Daddy Kane’s NYE Affair

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Join one of the most influential and skilled MCs in hip-hop, Big Daddy Kane, at his New Year’s Eve Affair on December 31st, at the Sonesta Hotel – 5700 Westpark Drive – in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Incognito and DJ Skillz will be on the ones and twos, and a strict all black dress code will be enforced

The night will begin at 9pm as a New Year’s Eve Affair, but will transition into V101.9 WBAV Radio Station’s New Year’s Party at midnight, before wrapping up at 2am. Click here for tickets.

Download Dean Fraser’s Yuletide Album “Nyabinghi Christmas”

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Mello, relaxing and refreshing are some of the words used to summarize what’s felt when listening to Dean Fraser’s 16-track album, Nyabingi Christmas. The pulsating sound of the African drums, coupled with the melodies played by the wind instruments – led by Jamaican saxophone guru Dean Fraser – is all anyone need this time of year.

The LP, which was produced by Fraser and Tad A. Dawkins Jnr., features some of our most treasured Christmas carols. Felice Navidad, Deck The Halls, Long Time Ago, Do You Hear What I Hear, The Little Drummer Boy, and I Wish You A Merry Christmas are some of the songs performed on this record.

Musicians that contributed to the project are: Kirk Bennett on drums; Congo Billy, Hector Lewis, Denver Smith and Kirk Bennett (nyabingi drums); Andrew ‘Stringy’ Marsh on piano; Mikey Fletcher (upright bass); Dario Morgan and Monty Lamont Savory on guitar; Zoe Brown (flute); Dwight Richards and Okeil McIntyre on trumpet; Everton Pessoa (trombone); and Dean Fraser on lead saxophone.