After what seems like years of teasing, Jamaica’s dancehall king Beenie Man has finally given us an official release date for his highly anticipated album, Simma. The date is Thursday, August 31st, 2023.
Simma will feature nineteen tracks produced by Roel Powell, Seanizzle, Frankie Music, Richie D, Walshie Fire, Teddy Riley, Rohan Smith, Tony Kelly and several other noteworthy names in reggae-dancehall production.
Though we can all agree that the COVID-19 pandemic was a dark time, we should also acknowledge that it has given us with some great talents. One such gift is former medical practitioner turn singer, Auraiya. The Jamaica-based vocalist penned and published her first song, This Must Be Love, during the epidemic and hasn’t left the studio since.
One of her most recent records is Pendulum, a Caribbean-pop track – fused with dancehall – that will serve as the lead single for her forthcoming debut album. Pendulum, which literally means being swung between two extremes, was inspired by lessons learnt in life, love and relationships. It’s being described by some selectors as both different and refreshing.
When asked what she would like listeners to take away from the song Auraiya said the following: “I am not a feminist, however I wanted our women to feel empowered and to know their worth and to know when to walk away if they don’t feel valued. It also for real men out there, to know their value, and never be a ‘Pendulum’.”
Pendulum is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms, and it comes to us courtesy of Rocky Valley Records.
The 2002 Jamaica Independence Talent Competition finalist, Yahdeen Essence, is back with a new record called Teach Me. The song is one of four featured on the Passion Fruit Riddim, which is produced and published by Pandemic Records & Entertainment LLC.
Having been active in the music industry since the tender age of 15, the St. Ann’s artist has committed to what is essentially the road less traveled. As opposed to doing the kind of songs that attracts a lot of attention in a short period of time, Yahdeen has instead chosen to create substantive music. Her songs are generally considered to be inspirational, motivational and/or spiritual.
Teach Me is penned and performed as an open prayer to God, and is sung effortlessly by the highly experienced vocalist. Not only does it add balance to the Passion Fruit compilation, but it also gives it a bit of diversity, as Capleton, Ras Kronik and Sizzla all took a more aggressive approach with their tracks.
And although Yahdeen Essence has recorded and released quite a few songs over the years, it is believed by everyone who’s heard it that Teach Me is one of her stronger tunes.
‘Bad like 90s dancehall’ is a phrase often used by current dancehall acts when attempting to explain either their street status or their lyrical prowess. The term is utilized frequently because of its unquestionable accuracy. Dancehall songs from the 90s, all the way up to the early 2000s, were truly intoxicating, or as we say in Jamaica, ‘bad’! (which means really good).
Try as they do, today’s dancehall artists and producers have yet to create the kind of music we were getting in that era. However, all is not lost because some of the creators from that decade is still at it.
Dave Kelly, co-founder of Madhouse Records – the imprint that gave us some of the biggest dancehall rhythms to date: Pepperseed, Joyride, Showtime, Fiesta, and 85 – is back with a new juggling. Released on Friday, July 7th, Slow Motion Riddim, a steady sweet-sounding four-track compilation, which is being distributed by DubShot Records, has all the ingredients of the preceding EPs. That also includes the dancehall stars featured on the project: Baby Cham, Bounty Killer, Dexta Daps, Busy Signal, TOK, and Blakkman.
Songs on the Slow Motion Riddim were shared to all streaming platforms as individual singles, while also being available, collectively, on the compilation.
Public figure Scabbo General and veteran recording artist Little John are putting on a Summer Party at Hundred Man Sports Bar in Resource South, Manchester. The date is Saturday, August 12th, and the men have invited some of the biggest names in reggae-dancehall to party with them.
There will be performances by Beenie Man, Josey Wales, Peter Metro, Triston Palma, Professor Nuts, General B, Jah Mason, Terror Fabulous, Major Mackerel, Anthony Cruz, Singer J, VC, and many more.
The live acts will be supported by several selectors and sound-systems: Team Fully Active, Chucky Blazay, Original Diamond International Entertainment, and Sound Trooper. General admission is $1,000 JMD, and VIP is $2,000.
Things & Time Riddim is an eight-track dancehall compilation, produced and released by emerging music imprint Pandemic Records. Artists featured on it are: Chronic Law, Ikaya, Takeova, Jah Lama, Little Hero, Frass Khalifa, Xip Boss, and Pandemic‘s co-founder Sheldon Edwards.
To date they have shared three visuals from the project: Chronic Law‘s Things Inside, Ikaya‘s Self Defense, and Jah Lama‘s Fighter. All three clips have racked up thousands of views on the artists’ respective YouTube channels.
Furthermore, Chronic Law‘s tune made it all the way to the #1 spot on Jamaica’s Preedis Top Ten Chart and sat there for a while before being displaced. Equally newsworthy is the ongoing strong response to Ikaya‘s track, Self Defense. It has become a talking point on platforms focused on domestic abuse; while all the other songs continue to enjoy consistent rotation.
Wayne Wonder, the man most known for his 03 breakout hit – No Letting Go – is among the confirmed acts for Campari Dream Wknd. Billed as the Caribbean’s largest VIP party, the event will run from July 28th through August 1st, 2023, in Negril, Jamaica.
Wonder, a thirty plus year veteran, will join Valiant, Shenseea, Chronic Law, Stalk Ashley, Ding Dong, and Skeng. Dream Wknd will also feature several world class DJs.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 