QUEEN OF STAGE

QUEEN OF STAGE AKA SPICE

November 28, 2011

VP RECORDS AND SCIKRON JOIN FORCES TO RELEASE I-OCTANE FIRST FULL-LENGTH REGGAE ALBUM


I-OCTANE CONTINUES HIS MARCH TO THE TOP

VP RECORDS AND SCIKRON JOIN FORCES TO RELEASE

HIS FIRST FULL-LENGTH REGGAE ALBUM


‘CRYING TO THE NATION’ ON JAN 31


“I-Octane's fusion of hauntingly sung vocals with rapid-fire rhymes...reaffirm dancehall's significance as a vehicle for compelling commentaries and praising Jah..." BILLBOARD
VP Records and Scikron are proud to announce the release of I-Octane’s debut album, ‘Crying To The Nation,’ available January 31, 2012. As one of the most-talked about artists emerging from Jamaica, I-Octane’s first full-length LP will reinvigorate the feeling of roots and dancehall at its purest. He has already proven himself as a lyricist with rapid-fire delivery, and unveils his uncanny ability to sing romantic ballads and socially aware tunes on this traditional reggae album.
‘Crying To The Nation’ puts I-Octane in a class of his own as one of the next generation’s leaders of the conscious dancehall movement. Following in a similar vein of his predecessors Sizzla, Capleton and Buju Banton, his lyrics express sentiments of faith, romance, social justice and compassion for the ghetto youth. His brand new single “L.O.V.E Y.O.U,” “Missing You” (remix featuring Agent Sasco) and “Once More” reflect his emotional sensibility, while songs like “Vanity Will Come,” “All We Need Is Love” (featuring Tarrus Riley) and the title track are filled with positive messages and political leanings, something that the current state of dancehall often lacks.
"I feel good about all the songs I've done since I have started out, but this album is very special to me because I got the chance to make the type of songs that I really enjoy and meds the music in a different creative way. My fans will get to see another side of me and after all the challenges I've faced in the industry, seeing my first album is a great accomplishment. I give thanks for that," states I-Octane.
Most of the album’s tracks have never been heard with the exception of the pulsating dancehall anthems "Nuh Love Inna Dem" and “Puff It” as well as “Lose A Friend,” arguably his biggest and most requested song to date. The latter tune hit number #1 on Jamaica’s charts - remaining at the top for approximately 16 weeks - and experienced new life again when Jamaican officials declared a state of emergency after Kingston’s gruesome gang-related attacks.
This year, Billboard magazine enlisted I-Octane as one of their 15 Artists Impacting The Indie Scene. In a rave review for his latest mixtape ‘Focus’ (produced by Livity Movements), the New York Times adds that his recent performance at Jamaica’s largest annual music festival, Reggae Sumfest, was “focused and intense’ and stood out for “bonfires getting stoked throughout the crowd. In the language of Sumfest, that’s an endorsement, a big one for this young singer."
The evolution of I-Octane began when he developed a diverse catalogue of songs under the moniker Richie Rich. He had dancehall’s A-List producers at the helm, like Donovan Germaine of Penthouse Records, Arrows and Cash Flow. In 2007, his breakthrough hit “Stab Vampire” became the number one song in his native country and received the award for Video of the Year at the Excellence in Music Awards (EME). I-Octane continued to put out hit after hit like “Mama You Alone, “Lose A Friend,” “My Life,” “Nuh Love Inna Dem,” “Nuh Ramp Wid Wi” and “Puff It.”
In his short five year career, he has already received a total of 20 nominations and awards, including 3 wins at this year’s Excellence in Music Awards (EME) for Breakthrough Artist, Best Male Singjay and Best Reggae Song for “My Life,” Best Performer at the 2011 Clarendon Music Awards and Jamaica Observer’s title for Male Singer of the Year. Digicel, the largest mobile telecommunications operator in the Caribbean, selected I-Octane as its brand ambassador for the company's 'Next Generation' campaign in 2010 and as their sole entertainer for 2011. Over the past year, I-Octane kicked off an extensive tour spanning 40 cities in North America as well as the shores of Japan. In addition to his buzzworthy mixtape, he is set to release a digital EP ‘Straight From The Heart’ in early December prior to his debut album. In 2012, ‘Crying To The Nation’ will solidify his position as a multi-faceted reggae artist, proving his reach beyond dancehall with his added repertoire of touching love songs and cultural tunes. This refreshing approach to the genre holds a bright future for the ever-evolving artist.

www.ioctanemusic.com
www.facebook.com/itsioctanesiiick


TRACK LISTING
1. RULES OF LIFE
2. HELP I PLEASE
3. VANITY WILL COME
4. NUH LOVE INNA DEM
5. PUFF IT
6. NO MORE VIOLENCE
7. SYSTEM A BEAT DEM
8. ZION AWAITS
9. L.O.V.E. Y.O.U
10. MISSING YOU (RE-MIX) FT. AGENT SASCO
11. ONCE MORE
12. THE MASTERS PLAN
13. LOSE A FRIEND
14. ALL WE NEED IS LOVE (FT. TARRUS RILEY)
15. CRYING TO THE NATION
16. SPACE FOR ALL OF US (FT. ALBOROSIE) [BONUS DIGITAL RELEASE ONLY]

November 23, 2011

DA’VILLE GETS REAL IN TOOK A BREAK


Kingston, Jamaica - It’s reggae crooner Da’ville like you've never heard him in "Took A Break", the second single from his upcoming album.
The song just jumps out at you, it’s almost like a letter from Da’ville to his fans coming straight from the heart.
Listening to this his latest effort it’s hard not to be caught up in the words as he just seem to bare his soul inviting a rare glimpse into his world.
“I know I’ve been away for a while, I took a break from the stage and the lies
You don’t really see my trouble and my trials, All you see is the glitz and the glam...But you really don’t see the man that I am...I hide my pain and I don’t let it show...” sings the artiste.
Commenting on this gem of a song Da’ville says it’s his story and that of everyone who has ever been branded and misjudged.
“It’s a fact that there are people who have lots to say about you, even though they don’t have a clue who you are. They don’t know what you have been through, yet they think they are an authority on your life,” he quipped.
“Anyone can relate to this song,” he shared adding that it is his hope that music lovers everywhere will embrace it.
Da’ville’s first single “When I’m With You” is currently number 2 on Hype TV Top 20 Singles Chart. The single also went number one on Jamaica Music Countdown Chart.
“Right now, it’s just about music and working on more tracks for my upcoming album,” he said, adding that the album is expected to be ready early next year.

NEW MUSIC VIDEO – I-OCTANE – BURN DEM BRIDGE

NEW MUSIC VIDEO – I-OCTANE – BURN DEM BRIDGE

November 10, 2011

I-Octane’s EP comes Straight From the Heart


Singjay I-Octane is gearing up to release his EP titled Straight From The Heart. Coming from a successful performance in Barbados this past weekend which saw him performing to over 5000 people he has now turned his attention to this very special project which comprise seven carefully chosen tracks for which he says should connect “with people despite their class, colour or creed.”
Commenting on his upcoming EP which is a labour of love for him I-Octane says “You can always meet somebody and talk to them about your experiences but very often there isn't the time to really get into it and really let them know the situation. That's why I always say music is a tool. There is no greater way for me to really touch the souls of my fans, except through my music.”

And that’s exactly what the EP is about words coming – Straight From The Heart. According to the singjay people will be able to relate to each track as they are taken from life experiences and will certainly offer something to meditate on.

Straight From The Heart will also be offering a few surprises for fans of the artiste as not only will they be experiencing the ‘old I-Octane that they know and love, but they will be introduced to a different more mature artiste.

“I have been in the business for a little while now,” he says adding “I've been introduced to different sounds and different producers so for me it’ss all about growth.. I have also matured as a person so you will be able to see and feel some of those things in some of the songs.”

Four of the songs on the EP were voiced outside of Jamaica, three in the US (a first for I-Octane) and the other in St.Kitts. The other three songs were produced by some of the most promising young talents in Jamaica.

Straight From the Heart provides a mixture of the authentic reggae beats infused with a more modern neo-reggae vibe. The EP is a refreshing production that sets the stage for I-Octane's upcoming debut album and this he is says is exactly the way he wants it.
“These songs are definitely straight from my heart to my fans. I feel good about them and I am excited for my fans to hear them.”
Straight from the Heart is slated to be released digitally on December 6, 2011.

November 08, 2011

Amid controversy, Prodigal's new song blends in the ‘juggling’


KINGSTON JAMAICA - While one religious radio station is debating whether or not to play gospel artiste Prodigal Son’s latest single, Love Me Like This, the dancehall has embraced the song with religious zeal.

Love Me Like This is blared from the speaker boxes of many hardcore dancehall sessions and selectors confess that “it calm down the people dem and bring things back to a level”.

According to Kevin Genius, selector on Musical Riot and Mackies sound systems based in Yallahs, St Thomas, “This lickle tune yah bad. It have a Christian thing 'bout it because of the artiste who singing it … and you know,,, plenty Christians in the dancehall. But it also have that lovers thing that the people can relate to. So any way you take it, the tune bad.”

And Kevin Genius isn’t the only one singing it praises. Radio disc jocks have added Love Me Like This to their rotation and play it religiously. During the week, it is played in the secular juggling, while on Sundays, it is placed in the gospel mix. It is even requested on gospel programmes.

According to Prodigal Son, that’s exactly the way he envisioned it. His aim was always for the song to have cross-over appeal. But even he admits to being pleasantly surprised at how swiftly it has taken off in the dancehall,

“As a gospel artiste, you have to find a way to reach the masses. I have always tried to have a couple songs which I think will cross over into the dancehall and proclaim Christ. I am a student of the dancehall and I know that despite the fact that dancehall people like the slack songs, they also have a deep appreciation for gospel. I have seen selectors pull out Sanchez’ Amazing Grace in a hardcore session and the place tun ova. You would think is church,” he explained.

Prodigal pointed out that he is at a place in his Christian ministry now, where he is so firmly rooted and grounded that he can confidently sing a song like Love Me Like This.

The artiste says he is now looking about shooting the video for the single, and this, he promises, will be something “very special”.

November 01, 2011

Beyoncé Buzzes Through Kanye West’s Halloween Party



Beyoncé was all the buzz in her Halloween costume. Queen Bee dressed as a bumble bee while attending a gypsy-themed Halloween party hosted by Kanye West and supermodel Anja Rubik at The Darby restaurant in New York City last night. The mom-to-be was cute as can be, donning antennae, a striped yellow-and-black fuzzy outfit, and matching heels, while enjoying belly dancers and tarot card readings.
On November 21, fans can get up close and personal with the pop megastar when she releases Live at Roseland, a 26-song live DVD filmed at her intimate Roseland Ballroom shows over the summer. A two-disc deluxe DVD Live at Roseland: The Elements of 4 will follow on November 29 featuring the complete concert, bonus offstage footage, a 20-page booklet, and a video anthology that includes seven videos from her latest album 4.
Source: www.rap-up.com