Shaggy to launch new Reggae fusion label

Internationally acclaimed Dancehall megastar, Shaggy will be taking another major step in his already accomplished career as he prepares to launch his new label, Ranch Entertainment.

The prominent singjay, who’s known for classics such as Boombastic, It Wasn’t Me and Bad Man Don’t Cry, announced on Thursday that he will officially launch the fusion Reggae label at the Santos Party House in New York City on June 4. The launch will be hosted by popular HOT 97 radio personality, Jabba and will also commemorate the five year anniversary of the New York based DJ collective, Rice and Peas.

According to a press release, Ranch Entertainment aims to “develop and facilitate innovative approaches for up and coming artists to excel in the current market” in light of the growing obstacles that young artistes face within the music industry.
Ranch Entertainment was launched in early 2011 and features Shaggy alongside long-time collaborators, Rayvon and Red Fox as well as highly acclaimed team of producers and songwriters as well as a state-of-the-art recording studio.

Since the label’s launch, Shaggy released his tenth studio album, Summer in Kingston last July through his new outlet, which topped the U.S. Billboard Reggae chart and produced the smash hit, Sugarcane. Additionally, Ranch Entertainment released the Kingston 13 Riddim this past January, which featured prominent acts such as Alaine (Avalanche, Gyptian (Reggae Morning) and Just Another Girl by Shaggy and Tarrus Riley. The aforementioned Rayvon will be shooting visuals for his single on the Riddim entitled, Selecta; using the upcoming launch as his setting for the video.
Monday’s launch will be sponsored by Irie Jam Radio and Link Up Radio, both 93.5FM affiliates in New York City.

Voicemail’s Journey Continues With New Mixtape & Video ft Alaine

Dancehall duo Voicemail has released a new mix tape just ahead of the planned summer release of its fourth studio album.

The mix tape which is entitled the Journey Continues was mixed by popular radio jock and selector Kurt ‘the Party Animal’ Riley.

In a release to the media, group member Kevin Blair outlined that the mix tape is intended to keep its growing fan base entertained until the new album is released.

“We just released the mix tape and at the same time we are fine tuning tracks for the upcoming album which is coming out this summer. This is something that we want the fans to have to keep them entertained until the album drops”, said Blair.

Blair said the forthcoming album promises to be an entertaining and eclectic mix of material. Titled Next Level, it is the follow up to the group’s most recent album Jump Off which did reasonably well in Japan.

Voice Mail recently released the video for the track Wrong Number which features singer Alaine. The video was directed by Dejo Films in Germany and was completed over a two day period.

On the performance side, the duo recently completed performances in St. Kitts and Nevis as well as in the Bahamas.

The 16 track mix tape which according to Blair, is hosted by fans of Voicemail, is the latest in a series of mix tapes that the group plans to release over an extended period.

Bugle’s Journey Moves Into Full Gear

Anticipation is building for the staging of Bugle’s Journey. The event is set to unfold on April 8 at Lynch Park, Buff Bay in Portland.

The event has secured main sponsorship from telecommunications company Digicel and is being promoted in association with Major Links Entertainment, Daseca Productions and Shocking Vibes Productions.

Bugle’s Journey will celebrate Bugle and his remarkable work as an entertainer and recording artiste for the past ten years.

Joining the growing list of sponsors are Sud Up detergent soap and Pakia Limited.

Group Sales and Marketing Manager for Pakia, Shama Johnson said her company is pleased to be on board with Bugle for the staging of the event.

“Pakia Limited is pleased to sponsor Bugle’s Journey through its brands Bama’s full flavour and menthol cigarettes, Kush Cognac and Harlem Bluntz. This was a no brainer for us to come on board as Bugle represents a change in music with his signature vocals, as well as the longstanding relationship that our company has had with Bugle. We look forward to this event as well as other projects in the future”.

The inaugural concert aims to provide top class entertainment and as such will see high powered performances from Bugle, Tarrus Riley, Demarco, Christopher Martin, Romain Virgo, Alaine, Leftside, Louie Culture, and Junior X.

The supporting cast of performers will also include Major Links recording artiste Vybrant as well as Jahmiel, Proppa Fade, Quick Cook, Press Fire, Black Diamon, Versatile and Bencil among others.

In between performances, the musical temperature will be turned up with intense juggling from Renaissance Disco, Swatch International, DJ Naz, Gary Chucks, Richie Feelings, Razz & Biggy and Little Richie.

Part proceeds from the staging of the concert will benefit charity projects in and around the Buff Bay area.