NEW YORK, NY (RHONA FOX, INC.) - Maybach Music Group founder and rap star Rick Ross has touched down in Kingston, Jamaica to launch his artist Magazeen to the dancehall community. Jamaican-born Magazeen is the only dancehall act signed to the Miami-based label, Maybach Music Group (MMG), which has a joint venture through Def Jam — a syngery Magazeen is looking to capitalize on with his fusion of dancehall, hip-hop, R&B and pop sounds and thus international appeal.

His versatile musical style can be sampled on Ross’ single “Yatch Club,” on his current album, Deeper Than Rap. “I’m coming like a loaded clip with my music,” discloses Magazeen, on his launch in Jamaica — the motherland of reggae and dancehall music.

Maybach Music dancehall artist Magazeen

While in Jamaica, Magazeen and Ross will be shooting not one but three videos, as they aim to capture the reality of Jamaica on screen, as lyrically depicted in their songs. The videos are for new singles “Psalms 27,” “Seven Eleven” and “Real Jamaicans.” Both Ross and Magazeen will also perform on Saturday, August 22 at dancehall king Beenie Man’s annual birthday bash, Summer Sizzle.

“I’m here to show Jamaica 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 flavor for our videos to show the world.”

“I’m happy to be coming home to Jamaica,” reveals Magazeen, who currently resides in Miami. “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.”

To learn more about this eclectic artist, log on to www.myspace.com/magazeenmusic. Please direct all press inquiries to RHONA FOX, INC. at publicity@rhonafoxinc.com.

Rick Ross and Magazeen will be in Kingston from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23. To schedule your interviews, please contact us immediately:

Ricardo Clake, known for hit songs such as “Not Settling”, “Road to Zion” and “No Minutes” has teamed up with the band NMB (No More Babylon) from France for a compilation entitled “Uprising Special Edition”. All 6 tracks on the album are written by Ricardo Clarke and produced by NMB Band. The release date is October 2009 but the first single “Rocky Road” can already be heard on various radio stations. The bonus track (7) “Last days” is a re-release of Ricardo Clarke’s first break through single.

“Uprising Special Edition” will be distributed by Uprising Soundz and will be available worldwide on ITunes, Amazon, Irribean Tunes, Rhapsody as well as Gospelreggae.com and in stores throughout the USA in conjunction with Avan Entertainment.

The album is strictly roots reggae and features the skilful 8 piece band No More Babylon(NMB). NMB are a premier reggae band from France whose 14 year history has seen them collaborating and backing reggae’s elite. They also had produced “Street Life” on Ricardo Clarke’s debut album “Not Settling” and due to the chemistry between the singer and the band they decided to team up again for this project.

Ricardo Clarke says that they “initially met through myspace. It was quite random, as I was just surfing as I normally do. We linked up and worked on “Street Life”, a track from the debut album. Instantly I was drawn to their sound, .the horns, the depth of the roots band flow. Their passion came through the music and I absolutely loved it. It sounded like rebel music to me, which matches perfectly the Uprising brand that I am pushing.”

About the new project “Uprising Special Edition”, Ricardo Clarke says “What makes this special for me is that the project is all live band! It’s special because it’s a first for me, possibly the first for a Bahamian artist in my genre. The project is a compilation of all the songs we worked on…it was only supposed to be one collaboration however it turned into multiple songs. It was only natural to put the project out.”

Track listing

1. Uprising

2. The Race

3. Why Did You Go

4. Rocky Rd

5. No Time

6. Jehovah

7. Last Days (bonus track)

“Rocky Rd” , “Uprising” and “Why Did You Go” are available for media and djs for promotional use. Please contact me for the music or further information.

The much anticipated album from

“Adrian Dutchin” has arrived and it’s titled  “FINALLY!”

Adrian’s album is packed with hit after hit like, Mr. Wuk Up, Impossible, Rum Drinkaz ft. Terry Gajraj and Hitman plus one of the biggest tunes for Crop Over 2009, For Me ft. Peter Ram.

Adrian is one of the most influential artists out of Guyana today. He has won the Guyana Soca Monarch twice and is a very intricate part of Soca music today. Adrian is a proud Guyanese and has so much love for all his West Indian people across the world. He believes in the phrase “One Island, One People” so much, that it is inherent in every performance that he gives. His professionalism and artistry as an entertainer is dominant in his performances which are so entertaining and powerful. If you haven’t seen him perform yet, you don’t know what you are missing!!

Some of you might remember him from being a part of the group called “X’s 2 — (Times 2)” which scored the big hit “Tick Tock”. Currently, he performs with the legendary Soca band – Krosfyah who mashes up fetes across the globe and he also gives great solo performances.

Everyone has been asking Adrian when is his album coming out, and it is here!

Nadine Sutherland first captured the world’s imagination as a child, and her star has shown brightly ever since. An internationally recognized Artiste, and acclaimed songwriter, Nadine has been blessed with many talents, dancer, media personality, not to mention her many journalistic contributions throughout local print media, make her one of Jamaica’s most formidable talents. Throughout the years, she has continued to grow and blossom as an artiste; like fine wine, toned, beautiful, and sexy, she has grown from a little girl, into a phenomenal woman, all right in front of the public eye.

In 2009, Nadine decided she wanted to record new music, early January, she began writing and recording, working with some of the brightest new producers in the industry, but, still keeping the link with some of the more established producer’s she collaborated with in the past, Shane Brown , Lenky Marsden, Arif Cooper, and others have helped in creating exciting new songs that her fans have long been waiting for. “I am happy to be just working in the studio again, music is my life, no matter what else that I do, I am a singer/songwriter, who wants to perform, and just get my stuff out there”, she says. Her unique vocal styling has been compared to the likes of Whitney Houston, and Anita Baker, her range and tonal quality has been respected by music ears around the world. Nadine Sutherland is one of our best, and she carries herself and our flag with her usual humility and grace.

After garnering a new generation of fans with her work on “Rising Stars,” she recently took a short hiatus from the popular television show to perform in a series of concert dates across North America. Her singing and dancing had her fans excited by the sheer power of her stage magnetism. Nadine’s many years of hits, had her audiences singing word for word, her every move keeping them in her command.”Machester Fiesta”, saw her exciting the local masses, one of the defining moment of that night, was her performance. She left them wanting more, and having one emcee marveling on her fitness. Fans are remarking on her new energy, her new drive, and loving her new look.

Her first single “Down on my knees,” produced by Arif Cooper, showcases her range, and her ability to capture raw emotions, and project her depth, and passion. The beautiful, haunting melody, of the music highlights Cooper’s usual musical flare, and the truth and experience Nadine conveys to her audience in the lyrics, proves that she is one of our most dynamic songwriters. Nadine brings a vulnerability, and sensitivity, to the lyrics that paint a picture all can relate to.

Nadine has already established her place in Reggae history, and with this new music you can expect that she will definitely continue to add to her rich legacy, establishing her own unique place in the musical history.

Jason Walker
Contributor
Buzzz Magazine, CaribVoice

Head Of Caribbean Music
WRFG Radio Atlanta 89.3 FM
1227 Kern Cove
McDonough Ga
30253
404 533 1248
www.unitedforjamaica.org
www.cariblifecentral.com
www.caribbeanfocustv.com
http://www.myspace.com/jasonchangez5
http://wrfg.org/features/shows/shows-desc.asp?showid=20
http://changez.hi5.com

We are very proud to announce two very special expansions to Michael Franti’s Power To The Peaceful Festival weekend on SEPT 12 & 13th! SUNDAY SEP 13th at HERBST THEATER, SF, CA - Power to the Peaceful and CARE present The 2009 Global Action Forum and Celebration: Empowering People to Create Solutions to Poverty TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW HERE! Join Michael Franti and the leading humanitarian organization CARE, and other local notables for a special event on how to take meaningful action on behalf of the world’s poor. On Sunday, September 13 at the Power to the Peaceful Global Action Forum & Celebration you can join conversations with local and international social change practitioners about key international issues including girls’ education and empowerment, climate change, and hunger and food aid. Featuring representatives from CARE, Back to Earth, the Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Potentia Foundation, Room to Read, Spark, UC Berkeley, Vitamin Angels, as well as artists, dancers, musicians, and other special guests, this one-of-a-kind gathering will provide information and inspiration to help you make positive change at the local level for the billions of people around the world who live on less than $2 per day. Following the Forum will be a reception and celebration featuring music by Michael Franti and friends, presentation of the Stay Human award to a noted humanitarian, and much more! BUY TICKETS NOW! THE FUTURE IS THEIRS! ON SATURDAY SEP 12th SPEEDWAY MEADOW, GG PARK, SF, CA - This years Kidz Zone at Power To The Peaceful presents a full line up of entertainment featuring 6 musical acts, including 4 emerging Bay area youth bands: The Pop Lyfe, The Bay Area Girls, The Peace Outs, and The Bird school of Music PTTP band, Jayden, the 8 year old acoustic wonder and Gabby La La. The area will also have the Sustainable Living Roadshows: Consious Carnival Games, Daily Acts flag painting, face painting, a chill tent for feeding and napping, puppets and tons of fun nestled into the most peaceful festival on the planet!!! See You There!! MORE INFO AT POWERTOTHEPEACEFUL.ORG Kids Zone Stage Schedule Jaden: 12:00–12:20 Peace Outs: 12:40–1:00 Gabby La La: 1:20–1:40 Bird School PTTP Band: 2:00–2:20 Bay Area Girls: 2:20–2:40 Pop Lyfe: 3:00–3:20

www.powertothepeaceful.org

POWER 105.1FM’S DJ NORIE PERFORMS SMASH NEW SINGLE AT MEDIA LAUNCH

Imperial Blaze, the latest album from international dancehall sensation Sean Paul hits stores across the world today. The long-awaited release from the platinum-selling superstar is his fourth studio album, and was recorded and produced in his homeland, Jamaica, and features 100% Jamaican production.

Producers on the 20-track set include Jeremy Harding, Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor, Delano Thomas, Don Corleon, Craig ‘Leftside’ Parks, Arif Cooper, and Jason ‘Jigzagula’ Henriques.

The album is already available on major music websites, such as iTunes.com, and is also available for digital download from his own website – www.allseanpaul.com.

Sean Paul, who already has Grammy, Billboard, and American Music Award trophies in his cabinet, is the most commercially successful Jamaican artiste of all time – with several chart topping singles such as Temperature and Get Busy, an impressive catalogue of collaborations with artistes such as Beyoncé, Estelle and Blu Cantrell, and a slew of Top Ten hits including Gimme The Light and We Be Burnin’.

Imperial Blaze is expected to do well, continuing the trend of the singles released from the album so far. So Fine and Press It Up have been making chart movements around the world, with So Fine being the number one club song in Germany, and a radio favourite all over the Caribbean, US, and Europe. Press It Up is already finding its way to turntables in clubs and on radios around the world, although it only became available on iTunes last week.

The success of the singles and the expected success of Imperial Blaze are testament to the extensive promotional tour Sean Paul is on, with performances, radio promotions and television appearances.

“It’s been really hectic, but music is what we deal with, and music is what we love, so it has to be done,” SP said about the tour.

“I’m looking forward to today, and I’m really looking forward to a break in my schedule when I can go back to Jamaica and chill out for a few days, until I hit the road again. We blaze imperially!” he laughed.

Tonight, an album launch party takes place in New York City’s Highline Ballroom where Sean Paul will officially introduce his fourth album to the music world.

Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, takes on a Red Yellow and Green transformation with the staging of the 2^nd annual Ottawa Reggae Festival! Live from Le Breton Flats located in Downtown Ottawa, and beside Canada’s War Museum, the festival will span 3 days and will host more than 30 performers from Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad, Mexico and the US.

In keeping with their commitment to fostering and promoting Canadian talent, the festival also features award winning Ras Lee & Roots from Ottawa, Auresia from Montreal and Juno Award winner Humble from Toronto, among others.

About Ottawa Reggae Festival:

Sponsored by Hot 89.9FM, CHOU 89.1FM, Rogers TV, Heineken, Red Bull, Coco-Cola, Appleton Jamaica Rum, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Radisson Hotel and many others, The Ottawa Reggae Festival is non-profit, volunteer-driven, three-day music festival which promotes cultural arts and diversity in Canada’s National Capital Region, showcasing international artists while maintaining 75 per cent Canadian content.

The festival is committed to initiating cultural events, encouraging community involvement; provide a family-friendly environment; and reduce the environmental impact by using ecologically sustainable management theory and practices.

Members of the media who wish to cover this event, please send an e-mail to: nvoncastle@ottawareggaefestival.com, or L3Publicity@gmail.com.

Keep up to date with all things Ottawa Reggae Festival at: Ottawa Reggae Festival

Cameal Davis showed she had it last year

Monday August 9; Kingston, Jamaica:  Yes, it’s true. When you’re the Digicel Rising Star, doors immediatelybecome easier to open and it has its perks. You can count on being pointed on as you walk down the street and being asked for autographs and photos. You can count on being on the concerts and stage shows, being asked to perform at all ends of the island, a fast-tracked career in the music business, endorsement deals, billboards, advertisements… the life of a Digicel Rising Star is what stardom is all about.

This year, the winner of Jamaica’s most popular talent contest ever will walk away with more than a million dollars in cash and prizes, but it’s going to take a lot to get that far, says the reigning Digicel Rising Star Cameal Davis, who comments that while the competition was fun, it was certainly a lot of work.

“It’s a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of work. Your performance just doesn’t come together on a Sunday night, and you have to know that people are watching and expecting a lot from you if you’re the competition favourite. You have to be strong, believe in yourself and believe that it can happen,” Davis said.

The competition’s performance director, Michael Sean Harris is of a similar opinion: “Success in this competition will require a shift in attitude and awareness. The contestants, for the most part, come into the competition as amateurs. Yes, they have been told they sound nice by friends, family members and church, and yes they sing songs they have been exposed to and songs they love. But once they reach the top ten, their lives change,” said Harris.

“They go through a make-over process and get advice on image, fashion and a lot more. I am one of their creative/performance coaches, specializing in voice and stage repertoire. There are others for movement and stage craft and there’s also the musical director and producer. We all have input. Digicel Rising Star potentials have to make a shift from making their own decisions to being advised on song selection and performance,” he commented.

“It can be difficult, but we’ve seen those who make the attempt succeed. A singer isn’t always aware of which song works best for their voice, physical appearance or with the local audience and we assist them with that. They have the option to accept our advice or ignore it, and we certainly can’t force it on them, but Digicel Rising Star potentials have to shift to the next level of maturity as a performer to be able to use our advice to get ahead. Something as simple as learning a song you never knew before in a few days, because THAT song is the best to showcase your talents is exemplary of the drive and attitude needed to get ahead,” Harris, who teaches at the Edna Manley School of Performing Arts, says.

“Some contestants want to rely on what they already know and many times that is extremely limited and limiting. The Digicel Rising Stars experience will hopefully bring them that much closer to the level of truly professional performers or at least provide some of the necessary tools.”

Davis, who is the first female to ever walk away with the title, says the competition did a lot for her: “Digicel Rising Stars did a lot for me. I mean the support we get as contestants was great, but the experiences were off the chain. Even at the road shows, you get to perform live; you get to learn how to watch crowds and feed off their energy, and read them. You have some crowds that are having the best time, but they don’t move. They don’t sing along, nothing. But when you’re finished they rail, and even want an encore.”

The only female judge on Digicel Rising Stars, Nadine Sutherland, acknowledged that the road is tough, but the contestants have to be tough too: “Apart from talent, I think you need to have some consistency and the ability to take criticism with grace. That is very important.

“One of the things a Digicel Rising Star has to do is take criticism for what it is. It might sound harsh, but they have to be able to take the advice from criticism and apply it to their performance the next time around.”

Sutherland also contended that one needed to have a deep sense of self, and belief in themself: “You have to have confidence, and belief in yourself. That doesn’t mean that you’re boastful or over-confident, because that shows up insecurity. Arrogance is evidence of deep insecurity, and that is not what a Digicel Rising Star is. You definitely need to know who you are, keep grounded, and realise that people can love you one week and drop you like a hot potato the next. This show can be a very intoxicating experience both for the audience and the contestants and the Digicel Rising Star would have learnt to cope with that.”

The competition’s mother-like figure said that it is also important for a Digicel Rising Star to never take their performance for granted, especially when they are competition favourites.

“I see it happen year after year, good talent can get caught up in the hype and let their performance fall by the wayside. Never, ever, take your performance for granted because right now, that’s your bread and butter,” Sutherland closed.

Last Sunday, the final seven performed for an excited audience and attentive judges, but only the voting public can choose the Digicel Rising Star, and they have a far way to go before the next Digicel Rising Star is crowned.