The Orlando based imprint, Open Doors, will be celebrating their first anniversary on Saturday, June 17th. As such, they’re partnering with Mirror Ink Production to commemorate the occasion with a massive stage-show and dance.
Some very notable reggae and dancehall stars will be performing, namely: Everton Blender, Kiprich, Duane Stephenson and Future Fambo. Several emerging artists and selectors are also on the lineup.
Two weeks ago, legendary reggae artist Mikey General – in collaboration with Blakkwuman22 Music – got together to shoot the official video for his single, Up & At Them. The song is featured on the Survive Riddim, released on March 21st via the aforementioned imprint.
Clips for the video were captured at Exodus Recording Studio (off Red Hills Road), as well as in the Ackee Walk district, an area that was instrumental to Mikey General‘s career, in the early years. The music video, which was shot by Maria Jackson 27, is currently being edited, and will be officially published in a few days.
In addition to Mikey General, the Survive Riddim also features songs by veteran bass player and singer Wormbass, vocalist Earl Smith Jr. – who is the son of famed guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith – and lyricist, songwriter and producer Karamanti (the CEO and owner of Blakkwuman22 Music).
In early 2022 DJ Treasure, the mixtape emperor, released a six-track dancehall compilation called New Phase Riddim. The juggling features Furno, Trejja Don, Mr. Easy, Pamputtae, and the man of the moment, Rad Dixon. Earlier this week, Dixon‘s management team – TasJay Productions – joined forces with DJ Treasure to re-release Rad Dixon‘s tune.
The clever decision was taken in-part because of Dixon‘s current trend within the reggae-dancehall industry. For those not in the know, TasJay Productions kicked off 2023 by publishing Rad Dixon‘s debut album (Hard Times), which has subsequently catapulted the artist to whole new level. To that end, they wanted to re-share the afore-stated single, titled Missing You, since it was never adequately promoted the first time around.
The melodious bright track deals with the reality of losing love ones, an actuality we all have to address at some point in our lives. And it goes without saying that the sensitivity of such a subject matter requires an empathetic voice; this is exactly what Rad Dixon gives us.
Next month – on Sunday, June 18th – Jammins Events and Sound Brigade will present the highly anticipated Afrobeats Reggae Festival with a mix of Jamaican and African artists. Performing are: Yemi Alade, Kabaka Pyramid, Tony Rebel, Inner Circle, Gyptian, Ayo Jay, and Libianca.
Location is the Coney Island Amphitheater in Brooklyn, New York. Starting time is 8pm, and tickets are available via Live Nation.
The 3rd annual Truckee Reggae Festival is set for Saturday, June 24th at the Truckee Regional Park Amphitheater – 10500 Brockway Road – in Truckee, California. In addition to the live music, the event will also have a vending village with various sellers, local art, and lots of food and drink.
As for the show, there will be performances by Julian Marley & The Uprising, Mykal Rose (of Black Uhuru), Mighty Mystic, Lizano, El Dub, DJ Treez, Dubfyah and others.
Originally a native of the Denham Town district in West Kingston, Sister Carol – Jamaica’s Black Cinderella – is still using her music to teach, strengthen and inspire! Her most recent release is Nubian Wombman, a strong reggae song that was strategically shared in Women’s History Month, 2023. This was done because as the name implies, Nubian Wombman is a tribute to black women at home (Africa) and in the diaspora.
On the record, Sister Carol was intentional in highlighting the black woman’s beauty, acumen, exuberance, and relevance, as well as several other noteworthy attributes inherent in all melanated African women. She also used the biological version of woman in the title – wombman – which signifies her commitment to the Rastafarian faith and way of life.
“The Nubian Woman can never, ever be in danger as our brother Bob Marley said, ‘you running and you running away but you can’t run away from yourself’. The gift of Melanin is one of our greatest gifts from The Most High and we can never deny. To know thyself is an important part of the journey. Once you bolster that self-love, self-pride and self-esteem, then you can’t lose impact easily.” The preceding is Sister Carol‘s impassioned sentiment regarding the Nubian Wombman.
The song, produced by the Black Cinderella herself, was officially released on March 24th. It is available for sale on all digital platforms worldwide, courtesy of Tad’s Record Inc.
The Wolf Trap is closing out the spring with a massive two-day concert that stars reggae royalty Zigga Marley, the big easy’s best musicians, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, as well as blues legend Mavis Staples.
The dates are June 17th and 18th, at the Filene Center – 1551 Trap Road – in Vienna, Virginia. Tickets start at $49 USD. Get ticket and additional info here.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 