Team Jamaica-let's Light the Torch

While debate rages on about which of Shaggy’s On a Mission or Mikey Bennett’s Find a Flag should have been designated the official song to commemorate the Jamaica 50th celebrations, one song that was recently released is staking a strong claim to be the official song for Team Jamaica heading to the 2012 London Olympics. The song is Team Jamaica (Light the Torch) by fast-rising singer Nando Griffiths, son of legendary Jamaican jockey Winston “Fanna” Griffiths, and it is synched to a very moving internet video that captures some very memorable moments, mainly from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2009 Berlin World Athletics Championships.  

While Team Jamaica urges our athletes to “Go for your dreams” and to “Stand up and take your place when our flag is raised and our anthem plays,” it also assures them that “No matter where you place, we will still celebrate you Team Jamaica. “ This last point is particularly timely and relevant, as only earlier this week the officials of the local track and field technical coaching staff publicly urged Jamaica’s track and field fans not to pressure the athletes. In a similar vein, JFF president Captain Horace Burrell lambasted those who have already started to unfairly criticize Usain Bolt after his two recent losses to Yohan Blake and asked that Jamaicans, “Instead of tearing down Usain, let us build him up.”

Team Jamaica has been endorsed by the Irie Jam Media Group, Caribbean Media Partners of the Adidas Grand Prix, New York’s premier outdoor track and field meet. It has also earned the endorsement of Team Jamaica Bickel (the venerable NY-based organization which provides support including meals and lodging for Jamaican athletes attending the annual Penn relays), which has designated it as the official anthem from the diaspora for the Jamaican team heading to London 2012.  It would only be fitting for the Jamaican Olympic Association and the Jamaican Amateur Athletic Federation to bestow similar recognition upon the song.  Not waiting for such developments, Team Jamaica’s popularity is spreading like the “Pocket Rocket leaving the blocks,” and similar to Shelly-Ann Frazer-Pryce’s new-found staying power, Team Jamaica has the enduring qualities to become a timeless anthem for Jamaica’s sporting teams

Yami Bolo has been nominated for the award of Best International Male Artist at the British Reggae Industry Awards due to take place October 2012

Yami Bolo has been nominated for the award of Best International Male Artist at
the British Reggae Industry Awards due to take place October 2012. Please take
the opportunity to let your fans know so that they can vote for Yami. Here is
the link to the site www.britreggae.com/vote.shtml thank you.

Vote for Yami Bolo at http://www.britreggae.com/vote.php for international best
male artist.

British Reggae Industry Awards
www.britreggae.com
The British Reggae Industry Awards (B.R.I.A.) is committed to bringing reggae
music to a world audience, promoting UK based reggae music to an international
market and creating an event where reggae music can be appreciated in a
prestigious awards ceremony.

BLACK MATTIC DEBUTS NEW SINGLE "SUPERSTAR"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2012

New York, NY (FOX FUSE) - Jamaican dancehall pop artist Black Matticdebuts his new single, "Superstar," the first track from his album upcoming album Diamond For Life Project, slated for a mid-2012 release. The single is available for sale on iTunes on March 27, 2012.    

 
Written by Black Mattic and released by his label, Official Hitz Entertainment, "Superstar" exemplifies the artist's versatility in this pop dancehall fusion. It was produced by Yo Dash Productions and recorded at Official Hitz Studios in Queens, New York. 

"This track is a representation of my goals in the music industry," states Black Mattic. "Being of Jamaican decent and residing in New York, I'm all about fusing dancehall with other genres, and you can hear the essence of my sound in this single. My focus is to bring dancehall to a more competitive and larger audience."  

Black Mattic has been making a name for himself across the channels for some time now, and fans have seen him live in concert in Jamaica, New York, and he is even set to perform in China this summer

For all inquiries on Black Mattic and to schedule interviews, please contactfans@blackmattic.com.

The internet: the new home of the riddim.

If you're after new tracks and you're tired of rifling through the CD racks at your local music shop, then the internet is probably going to be your first stop for new music. But what does it offer the people making the music you're listening to?

Well, for starters, it finally gives them an indie platform they wouldn't have had before. If you take this site as an example, it allows an artist to say "my music video is on YouTube, my tracks are on BandCamp", and what have you - there's no more need for a record label if you don't want one.

The advantages of this is clear - more independence, and more money. But this means no PR, no marketing push, so you'll be spending time organising your own career rather than recording some new tracks and kicking back with a little PartyPoker to wind down with. You'll be working hard for your money - it's no different to any other medium in which self-publishing your work is an option, from novels to videogames.

But the best thing is seeing stuff go viral, being able to embed people's music and video content onto sites like ours, and seeing people engage with said content in a way they couldn't a few decades ago. The internet is a seriously powerful tool in the hands of a business and tech-savvy musician, and the skills are not impossible to pick up.

So the next time you want to put a new track out, or buy one, try the web, because you never know how it might turn out. The world wide web is enabling music to reach audiences it couldn't before, and that benefits absolutely everybody with the time, money and desire to get involved. Enjoy a whole new generation of media consumption.

G Mac and Sizzla's brand new single 'Question' prerelease

What could it be about fast-rising sing-jay, GMac, why he is highly favoured by music industry types, including the big names of the business? From cultural sing-jay Sizzla to crooners Natty King and Bushman, GMac has been embraced by some of the most influential music practitioners, several of whom are solidly in his corner, rooting for GMac's ascension to the top. But it is not only music industry types who are impressed with the superstar on the rise, as fans of reggae and dancehall have latched onto the music of the comely sing-jay. His breakout, critically acclaimed number, Vampires, has been burning up the airwaves and flying off the shelves. GMac's follow-up, Girl You Got Me Going On, produced on his very own Royalty Records, has also garnered radio staple status. 
The singles have been keeping the dancehall crowd dancing, becoming a favourite of the most prominent sound systems and selectors. This newfound success GMac accepts with graciousness. 
“I just give thanks to all the people who have been supporting the cause,” he submits. “I am happy that my works are being appreciated. There is no greater joy than knowing that what I put out there is being appreciated.” 
With disarming good looks, crisp, distinct vocal attributes and personal characteristics, GMac is knocking down the doors of superstardom while knocking everyone off their feet. His brand of music spans the gamut from cultural, reality message music to party floor themes and affairs-of-the-heart lovers odes. This is not surprising since GMac's guiding principle is to be a penchant for versatility. He says he refuses to be pigeonholed. 
"To be labeled or categorized is not my wish. I am about music that can inspire and elevate, but I am also about fun music that will help people release the stresses of life," he notes. 
Those who have come in contact with GMac's music will attest to the fact that the rising sing-jay possesses the uncommon ability to master all of reggae's sub-genres. From hardcore dancehall to soulful lovers rock, GMac glides comfortably across the scales, ably raping his edgy vocals and imaginative penmanship around every demand. This comfort level might be attributed to GMac's long flirtations with music, harking back to the sing-jay's formative years. GMac's brushes with musical inclinations first became manifest as a thirteen year old when he was enlisted as a member of the six part Gospel singing group, shade, connected to Harbour View's St. Boniface Church. It was while a member of the gospel group that Gmac took his first taste performing for n audience and it was a baptism that prepared him well. After leaving Jamaica for New York in 2000, GMac was featured on a concert in Buffalo, alongside Livewyah (Progression Posse), and it was then that his stagemanship became undeniably evident. 
Three years later, upon to his return to Jamaica, GMac was introduced to famed cultural sing-jay Sizzla, and a new path was open. 
GMac took his first down that path when Sizzla invited the young sing-jay into his August Town Studios. The result was the further owning of GMac's microphone skills. In fact, Sizzla was the first to spontaneously hand GMac a microphone, since then, Sizzla has become a mentor and a tutor. “He has taught me the intricacies of the business. He even showed me how to write and structure a song, and he has given me books to read," Gmac reviews. One important lesson learnt in his emulation is the necessity for adapting to varying genres and styles. 
“I respect Sizzla because he is so versatile. Sizzla does culture, lovers rock, hip-hop, jazz, and even rock music. He is my idol," GMac confesses. 
Already, GMac has record the single, “Life Is Priceless”, for Sizzla Kalonji's Record Label. Other recordings include, “Nothing More Nothing Less” for guitarist Gibby's recording label, as well the duet, “Any Means Any How” with deejay Alozade. 
GMac is fast becoming a sought-after act for concert appearances, making live stage deliveries at various events across the island of Jamaica; an indication that GMac is oiled, ready and prepared to take off to higher heights. Gmac has perform at the biggest 1 night dancehall event call "Sting" in 2009 where he perform and rock the crowd and also in 2010 where he perform with Sizzla Kolangi in a smashing performance with the veteran, he also performed at the biggest reggae festival in the world "Reggae Sumfest" in 2009 and another high energy performance in 2010 also. GMac has been on tour with Grammy winner and reggae icon Buju Banton on the "too bad tour" in Canada where they perform