Today, April 2nd, is the 25th anniversary of singer-songwriter Maxwell‘s debut album “Urban Hang Suite.” The record was recorded in 1994 and 1995, then released on April 2nd in 1996 by Columbia Records.
The anniversary is being celebrated with the release of a remastered digital edition, which is now available on all music platforms. Click here to check out the enhanced version.
Afrobeat and dancehall artist Aurelia Dey is sharing her new single, “All These Neighbours.” Released on March 26th, the afro-dancehall song comes to us courtesy of Rudeboy Records and it’s the third single from her upcoming album, titled “Sunday Service.”
Through her dancing, music and acting, Aurelia Dey is constantly finding new ways of expressing herself. She mixes in her pro-black and gender equality messages into her entertainment, and talks openly about her mental health issues, which are linked to her Afro-phobic experiences as both Ghanaian and Swedish.
She wrote “All These Neighbours” in the summer of 2018 when she was in a creative space in her parents’ home country, Ghana. Aurelia sums up the inspiration behind the song as follows:
“I had just been to Ghana and was going to get an apartment there. I had been in a short-term relationship with a famous dancer in Ghana and the thoughts one can wrestle with as a 30+ year old when society tells you to have children and settle down stormed up. While you have “high demands” on a relationship and do not find “the one” you end up in a catch-22 situation full of irony and contradictory thoughts.”
The upcoming album, “Sunday Service,” is on schedule and should be out this Summer. The first single, “Powerbank,” came out last year and did very well in Europe. It was featured in magazines and on TV and radio; with notable broadcasts via SVT’s PSL, Göteborgs-Posten, P4 Göteborg and Hymn. She followed up with the second single, “Rising,” in February 2021. It is also doing well, particularly in Sweden, France, America and Ghana.
In mid February the American biographical drama film, Judas and the Black Messiah, which is directed and produced by Shaka King, was released. The movie was accompanied by a stunning soundtrack that features several top-tier hip-hop and R&B artists, namely: Rakim, Nas, H.E.R., Nipsey Hussle, Jay-Z, SiR and others.
Yesterday, April 1st, Nas shared the official video for his track “EPMD.” As he has always done, the legendary MC delivered an impeccable performance with producer Hit-Boy by his side. Click here or on the image above to watch the video and remember to like, comment and share.
On Saturday, April 3rd, dancehall artist I-Octane will hit the stage at the Grand Crystal Ballroom – 7027 Swift street – in Lithonia, Georgia. The Jamaican deejay will be supported by several local talents as well as Copper Ash, Proppa English and DJ Juggla.
Tickets, which are going for $30 USD, can be purchased via eventbrite.
The latest project from Ranch Entertainment, the production company owned by international recording artist Shaggy, is the Kitchen Table Riddim. This is an eight-track dancehall compilation which features Noah Powa, Tony Gold, Assailant, Spice, Bounty Killer and of course Shaggy.
After listening to snippets of the songs, it quickly became obvious that Bounty Killer‘s tune, “Stoplight,” is the stand out track on the project. Killer went hard! His flow, the delivery and lyrics, clearly shows why he remains one of the best artist in dancehall.
If you are into hardcore dancehall, click here to listen to “Stoplight“ and hear for yourself what inspired this article.
Throughout the pandemic, as live events were not permitted to go on, Digicel, one of Jamaica’s communications and entertainment provider, started a series called ‘Digicel Unplugged.’ It’s an online concert that was designed to keep us close while social distancing.
Past stagings have featured various established as well as emerging secular and gospel artists. As Jamaica is now entering into the second weekend of lockdown – due to the rapid spread of the virus – they have decided to present another gospel edition.
That being said, tomorrow, Friday, April 2nd, three of Jamaica’s trending gospel artists: Jermaine Edwards, Rondell Positive and Rhoda Isabella will join up and coming performer Sherlon Russell for another episode of Digicel Unplugged (Gospel Edition). The show will begin streaming at 6:00 PM (local time) on all of Digicel’s social media platforms.
On new music Friday, March 26th, Penthouse Records released a brand new reggae single from Canadian artist Exco Levi. The record, which is titled “By Any Means,” can be streamed and downloaded directly from the the label’s newly renovated website.
