I-Octane hospitalized following asthma attack

Internationally acclaimed Dancehall/Reggae superstar, I-Octane is recuperating in aKingston-based hospital after falling ill last week.

A member of I-Octane’s team revealed on Monday that the prominent singjay suffered an asthma attack on Thursday night. According to reports, he was taken to hospital where he’s currently being treated by his physician.

Doctors expect I-Octane to make a full recovery from this attack but have advised him to rest until further reassessments are made.
Giver his current health situation, I-Octane will be unable to honor some of his upcoming commitments but hopes to recover as soon as possible so that he can perform for his fans once more.

I-Octane last performed on Dancehall Night at Reggae Sumfest 2012 in which he gave a typically rousing set. Additionally, he’s released efforts in July such as Bun It & Laugh, Get Weh Mi Want (Mad Panerama Riddim) and Woman Mi Love (Sounique Riddim).

“Expect Something Special At Sumfest,” Says I-Octane

Sumfest 2011 for I-Octane was a special one for both he and his fans as the artiste literally almost set the venue afire!

This year, he’s back and just what will happen … that’s left to be seen on Dancehall Night, Thursday, July 19 at the Catherine Hall Entertainment complex in Montego Bay.
The artiste has been blazing a trail leading up to the big night by his dominance on the local charts.

Last week at the Music Industry Awards the Digicel Brand Ambassador copped two awards – Singjay of the Year and Prince of Reggae.

At the 2012 staging of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) I-Octane beat out tough acts such as Tarrus Riley, Capleton, Luciano, Tony Rebel and Queen Ifrica to to cop the award for Most Cultural/Educational Entertainer.

“I have worked really really hard and the awards are like of acknowledgement of what I was doing,” the singjay said about the accolades.
Commenting on his upcoming Sumfest performance he said he can’t wait.“Trust me, I think I have matured a whole lot more over the past year and I am eager to show my fans that. They can expect something really special from me,” he said.

I-Octane gears up exciting Tour Finale – Looking forward to Sumfest

Singjay and Digicel Brand Ambassador I-Octane is eagerly anticipating the climax of his tour which saw him making stops in places such as Canada, parts of Europe and in the United States.

It has been a busy season for the artiste with some impressive achievements under his belt. Not the least of which being four number one songs since the start of the year – Burn Dem Bridge, LOVE YOU, Jiggle Fi Me and Love Di Vibe.

Topping the charts has not been the only accomplishment for the artiste he has also signed a two year contract with Guinness for the Caribbean; he has represented the Digicel brand so well that he also resigned on for the second year straight.
With slow sales of reggae albums generally I-Octane managed to penetrate the lazy market with his debut album Crying To The Nation earning rave reviews in the process from music industry magazines Vibe, MTV Iggy and The New York Times. It also premiered in the number 7 position on Billboard Reggae Chart.

When it comes on to finding hits the singjay seem to have the midas touch – his latest single Who A Fool Dem on the Hell and Powder House riddim is proof of that. It has not been released a month yet and already it is receiving massive airplay on the airwaves and in the dancehalls.
Come Friday, June 29 the busy artiste will bring the curtain down on his tour at the St Kitts Jazz and Blues Festival.

“I have something special planned for my fans. I’m always at my best … but it’s jazz and blues – so you know it’s gotta be something extra,” he teased.

His next major assignment will be Reggae Sumfest Dancehall Night on July 19 at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre.
His performance last year dominated the headlines – the ‘My Life’ artiste is promising another ‘wow’ moment for fans.

Popcaan Completes Successful European Tour

Deejay Popcaan blazed through a successful two week tour of Europe, with back-to-back performances that thrilled his existing fan base and garnered him a number of new fans.

His first tour of the continent as a headline act Popcaan, real name Andrae Sutherland, went above and beyond to please the packed crowds at each venue. Kicking off the tour in Lisbon Portugal, the deejay travelled to Norway then Sweden and ended his European trip in France.

He commented, “It was overwhelming to see the crowds at the venues, they sing along and really enjoy the music. The response is great for old and new hits and even very new songs like Fry Yiy and When Mi Party.”

For the deejay one of the most entertaining and memorable moments of the tour was the show in Paris. “It was a real mix of French fans and French Caribbean fans and the line after the show for photos was really long. Also in Paris I got a chance to see the Eiffel Tower and vibe at a street party,” he explained.

Now back in the island, the deejay is busy with more shows such as the St Kitts Music Festival on June 29th after which he jets off to Tobago on June 30th for another performance. Not wanting to disappoint his local fans, the deejay will be performing at Smudge in Kingston and the Portland Jerk Festival, both on July 1st.

The artiste will be hosting his first public birthday party on July 15th at Top Floor at the Quad dubbed ‘Party Shot: A Birthday Celebration.’ Music will be provied by Chromatic, Coppershot, ZJ Chrome and Dexta Pepp with a special performances from Sizzla Kalonji,I-Octane, among other special guest artistes. The excited deejay said, “This is my first event so I just want the fans to come party with me and make my birthday party a success. Everyone is invited so you know is an unruly party, bay badness along wid bay gyalness.”

On July 19th, which is Popcaan’s birthday, he will be performing at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay in what he dubs a “special performance” for dancehall night. “This is my first solo Sumfest performance so I’m going to do my best for my fans, the Gaza unruly fans yuh zimme,” said Popcaan. Before the end of July, the deejay will hit Trinidad, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Suriname. To kick off August it’s all about the Dream weekend in Negril, where he will perform at the first ever Dream weekend live concert on August 1, then it’s off to several shows in Canada. The artiste will be back in Europe in winter heading off to Germany, Holland and Italy.

On the music scene the artiste has been busy with the eagerly anticipated release of two music videos. The recently shot video for The System from producer Dreskull done by American based director Dayo, as well as a medley video of his songs: She A Gwaan Good (ZJ Chrome), Popcaan Says (TJ Records), Whine (Young Vibes) and Naughty Girls (UIM) directed by Jay Will.

Shabba Ranks set to return to Sumfest stage

After nearly two decades away from the Reggae Sumfest stage, legendary Dancehall superstar, Shabba Ranks will return to the event in this, its 20th edition.

Shabba Ranks will join the likes of Beenie Man, Damian Marley, Konshens, Popcaan, Tifa, I-Octane and several other local artistes who will represent the island at the 20th edition of Reggae Sumfest, set to take place from July 15-21 at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay. This marks the first appearance by Shabba Ranks since the event’s second staging in 1994.
Shabba Ranks will be headlining on International Night 1 along with internationally acclaimed R&B singer, Trey Songz, who was confirmed for Reggae Sumfest earlier this week.

Shabba Ranks remains a wholly respected figure in the music industry; renowned for several classics including Trailer Load, Twice My Age, Mr. Loverman, Bedroom Bully, Wicked Inna Bed and Ting a Ling. The highly regarded deejay won two Best Reggae Album Grammy Awards for As Raw As Ever in 1992 and X-Tra Naked the following year; making him one of six Jamaican artistes to earn such a distinction.

After disappearing from the mainstream scene in recent years, Shabba Ranks returned to prominence last year with the Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor produced None A Dem on the Peppa Riddim. He also recorded a sultry collaborative effort with popular Dancehall diva, Danielle aka D.I. entitled Big Man.

Additionally, Shabba Ranks performed at last year’s edition of Best of the Best in Miami, Florida and currently owns his own label dubbed Emperor Ranks Entertainment.

Rick Ross to headline Heineken best of summer

American rapper and head of the Maybach Music Group (MMG), Rick Ross, will be the headline act for the Heineken Best of Summer concert to be held at the UDC car park on Friday June 22. The rapper known for a plethora of hits including ‘Stay scheming’, ‘Hustling’ and ‘Aston Martin Music’ and his many collaborations with artistes like Nicki Minaj, Kelly Rowland, Lil Wayne, Usher, Jay Z and Drake, will be making his debut performance at the Heineken event.

Wale, Meek Mill, Stalley and Magazeen from his Maybach Music Group (MMG) will also accompany the rap star to the island and could possibly make their appearance on stage at the Heineken Best of Summer concert.

Jamaican born Magazeen, the newest addition to the group is the only dancehall act signed to the Miami based label “I’m happy to be coming home to Jamaica,” reveals Magazeen. “I love my people and it’s great to be back to experience the vibes as I’m working on taking our music to the international level and to all corners of the globe.”

While in Jamaica Rick Ross and Magazeen will be shooting not one but three music videos, “I’m here to show Jamaica the new Maybach Music star Magazeen and what he can do,” states Ross. “And we’re going to take advantage of being here to get the real Jamaican flavour for our videos.”

Ross promises a great show and says he will be bringing pure excitement and thrill. It has been over two years since Rick Ross’s last solo album‘Teflon Don’ hit stores. Since then, his stature in the game has grown exponentially. In February of this year Rick Ross was named 2012 MTV hottest MC in the game, beating rivals such as Drake, Nicky Minaj, Jay Zand Kanye West.

Heineken’s Brand Manager Nasha Douglas is also optimistic, she believes it will be a tremendous success, attracting supporters from all over.

“This is going to be a Heineken experience and we all know that Heineken is only known for extraordinary so consumers can prepare for a mega show. Heineken will be bringing this international superstar here to Jamaica for the first time to add to the premium brand’s list of many firsts. Its an opportunity not to be missed,” Douglas said.
The concert will kick off on Friday at 10pm, gates will be opened at 8pm. The Rap sensation will be sharing the stage with some of Jamaica’s top artistes namely Tifa, Aidonia, I-Octane, Masicka and Potential Kidd while ZJ Liquid and ZJ Chrome will be juggling the turntables. Kubanz Entertainment, the promoters of the event and the group responsible for parties such as Summer in Paradise, Heatwave and Midnight Eclipse, is confident that the event will be major hit.

I-Octane Conquered The Local Charts

Singjay I-Octane seems to be having the time of his life where his career is concerned. He is presently sitting pretty atop several charts with the single L.O.V.E Y.O.U.

So far the video has spent three weeks in the number one position on the reggae video chart on CVM’s Hitlist, and that’s not all, it is currently in the top spot for the second straight week on Hype TV VTX Top 10 Video countdown.

The single’s success is no doubt fuelled by the popularity of the video as it’s now in the number one spot on the Entertainment Report music chart. L.O.V.E Y.O.U is also enjoying the top spot on Hype TV singles chart as well as Stampede Reggae Street Chart. The single also enjoyed eight weeks in a dominant position on FiWi Choice’s top 20 singles chart. But that doesn’t mean the waning of the artiste’s popularity as for the past three weeks his single Jiggle Fi Mi has been enjoying the number one spot on that same chart … is there any stopping him?

The Digicel Brand Ambassador’s mass appeal is not restricted to his music as on Labour Day, May 23 he came, saw and conquered the Bermudan fans.

So explosive was his performance that his fans there refused to let him leave the stage! In the end the decision was taken over by the police who called a halt to the concert!

I-Octane will continue his blistering trail when the tour resume this weekend in California where he is expected to make stops at Oakland, Long Beach and Santa Cruz. After that the artiste will continue the tour on June 15 in Boston, Philadelphia on June 16 and Connecticut, June 17.

Saturday, June 22 he heads home for a major performance in New Kingston which will see him sharing stage with American hip hop sensationvRick Ross, before rounding out his hectic schedule at the St Kitts Music Festival on June 29.

I-Octane – Love Di Vibesn/ Jiggle Fi Mi [ Official Music Video ]

 

Troyton Music Brings The “Nite Life” Alive!

No matter where you are around the world Music and Night Life go hand in hand, Troyton Music latest “Nite Life” riddim evokes the feeling of bright lights, dance floors, friends and good times. Who knows better about the Night Life then today’s biggest names in Dancehall/Reggae music I-Octane, Konshens, Mavado, Demarco, Beenie Man, Wayne Wonder, Lutan Fyah, Future Fambo, Seannizle & Cubanis, Bencil & Ishawna, Chase Cross and Dreama who have all put their mark on the riddim which is now available on iTunes distributed by 21st Hapilos Digital.

Having hit the international scene with Dancehall/R&B infused single “I Know You Want Me” (remix) featuring Mavado and Ne-Yo, Troyton Musichas since hit the airwaves from New York’s Hot 97FM to Miami’s 99 Jams and UK’s BBC Radio1Extra with such hits as Konshens “We The Best” to Mavado’s “Love Me Girl” on the Danger Luv riddim.

Nite Life Riddim

Bring It Come – Bencil & Ishawna
Can’t Bully Me Down – Lutan Fyah
Mama Don’t Worry – Seanizzle & Cubanis Me Frenz Dem Bad – I Octane
Me Nuh Scared – Mavado
Nuh Di Worst Inna Life – Demarco
Run Money – Future Fambo
Streets On Fire – Chase Cross
We Dem Want – Konshens
You Alone – Dreama
You Hold You Man – Beenie Man You’re My Baby Girl – Wayne Wonder

Rock & Come Enn’ Injects The Soul With Feel-Good Reggae Hits

Sophia Squire sings the title track, Rock and Come Eeen, a solid gem of a song which is carved in reggae oak. A long time journeywoman in the world of reggae, Squire has blossomed in the past two years to emerge as one of the fiercest female voices in reggae today. She proves this in no uncertain terms by delivering arguably the best song on the Rock and Come Een project, which was produced by broadcaster Dalton Leith for his Dalton Leith Music label.

Sophia Squire was mountainous and extremely pregnant when she voiced this single, only four days before she gave birth. This hit song is a testament to the power of the female spirit as she voices a song full of sexual connotations and references to foreplay and the art of lovemaking that will make the average male blush in sheer delight. In her trademark husky, sexually charged voice, Sophia Squire croons: ‘You have the right touch/to make me giggle and such /stop, rewind, mek we take it from the top’. Oh mama!

Busy Signal warns the youths to ‘Stop Show Off’ quoting popular lines in the bible as he sends a stern warning to the youths who walk the path of violence and end up as statistics in the gangland wars that dominate Jamaica’s ghetto areas. It is a warning for all youths with dying on the brain that: “if you exalt yourself you will be abased/best if yu humble yourself and not be erased”. The best line Busy deejays is the one that reminds the young shottas that ‘ah no yu one weh know people weh know people”.Just stop show off.

Richie Stephens upbraids the atheists, agnostics and other fence-sitters who don’t believe in a higher power with the song, Only the Fool, which reaffirms his belief in the Almighty.

Newcomer Torch is excellent on ‘Word, Sound and Power’, a powerful song where he defends the reggae genre and its ability to unite diverse people and heal the soul while the ultra-talented Timeka shows declaring that she would rather be on her own than be a one-night lover. It is the ultimate symbol of female empowerment, the refusal to be second best, and an ‘Undercover Lady’. For his part, R.C puts in his order for a‘Customized Lady’. Who is that, you ask? A real fire woman who is genuine, who will be a true queen to her king, R.C explains.

Stevie Face shows up to defend the ladies with a declares that “heaven must be missing an angel’ while D Major offers a few survival tips even while on the hustle to take care of his family on the track, Gasolene.DIgicel Rising Stars Winner 2010 Shuga enters the fray in full Martin Luther King mode with ‘I Dream of a Solution’ where she outlines her modern-day utopian vision, a world without segregation, corruption, and other social ills. It is a well-written song that shows that Shuga has great depth and conviction in her beliefs as she declares: “help me make a resolution, to live as one, let’s live as one, unite!”.

Exco Levi, one of the brightest new talents to have emerged in reggae in the past year, drops the unapologetic ‘Leave the Herbs’ where he asksBabylon to stop persecuting the ganja plant. He deejays: “It must be greed/why dem nuh waan mi brain fi feed/I no waan no cigarette fi mek my insides bleed”. Levi also outlines instances of persecution such as police spot checks on the road but declares defiantly that “I nah hide mi weed inna no shorts or no brief”.

Rastafarian firebrand I Octane uses his powerful voice to convey deep emotions on the track, Baby Don’t Leave, with the song, crooning, ‘I’m crying over she, weak inna mi knees, baby don’t leave’. He bleeds all over the track as he apologizes for cheating on his amor, a slight that puts the breaking strain on his relationship, but Octane gives no exact details and that only adds to the intrigue of the situation.

All in all, this is a great one-drop project that shows that the art form is on a resurgence in the eyes of the international audience.