Thursday, February 9, 2012

New Music: Kes and the Band and Timeka Marshall - Tagging along

How Tamika get on a track with the hottest soca artist and she still ain't break out schups...what they doing with this girl...

2012 Soca Monarch Competition: Semifinals

I have to say....Guyana sucks when it comes to news of the soca monarch competition.
The order of the winners would be Adrian, Jumo, Vanilla.

13 heading to Soca Finals
Written by Abigail Semple
Monday, 06 February 2012 20:01
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Thirteen contestants, including Adrian Dutchin, Jumo "Rubber Waist" Primo, Melissa "Vanilla" Roberts, Granny Ivelaw, and King Shepherd, will be competing for the coveted Soca Monarch crown, at the Finals slated for February 18 at the National Park.

The others are Beverly Little B Smith, George Abrams, Young Bill Rogers, Kendingo, King Shepherd, Wilburg B52 Levans , Roger Bowen and Jonathan “Lil Red.”

The ending of the semi finals, sponsored by Ansa Mc Al, held in the bauxite mining town of Linden Saturday night saw Michelle "Big Red" King's son Jonathan "Lil Red" making it into the finals by the hair of his skin; as a wild card.


The first contestants to hit the stage of the penultimate musical battle, which commenced at approximately 10:30pm, were the Mysterious and Tropical Guys. This duo entertained the large crowd, seated in the stands at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, with their song titled "Regardless". Though they did not manage to garner much crowd response, the two men succeeded, perhaps with their energy, to make it into the finals.
soca_vanilla
Melissa "Vanilla" Roberts


Next came first-timer Christine McKoy, who, equipped with her energetic backup dancers and colourful costumes, sang "Mashramani Time Again". She too did not appeal much to the crowd and as such was one of the five to be sent home.


Immediately following McKoy was three-time calypso monarch winner "Sweet Kendingo" Kennard, who entertained with "We going till morning". Unlike his first two rivals, Kendingo managed to capture a portion of the crowd's attention with his skillful foot movements. Though he managed to make it into the finals, his performance to the crowd was viewed as a bit lukewarm.


Next came "Attie" Attiola Peters, who came all the way from Berbice to perform his piece "Whole night ah searching". This contestant's song was catchy to say the least, and, responding to his lyrics of "Ah want you to wine and shake", a section of the audience yelled for him to follow his own instructions. He was given a good sendoff by the crowd, but unfortunately he was unable to win the judges' favor and was thus sent home.


After Peters' departure from the stage, Linden's own George Anthony Abrams, called "Chinee Bai" was a breath of fresh air and had the crowd in a cheerful uproar with his song "Thyme, Tomato, Celery, Seasoning Wine Up". With his high energy that was immediately transferred to the crowd, the first-timer, at the end of his song recalled one of his two exuberant dancers (whom he labelled "Celery"). She returned to the stage, ripped of the singer's T-shirt and showed him what she was made of. Abrams was a definite success in securing a place for the finals.


Wilburg B52 Levans, formerly known as the "Fireman", was next to come onstage with his "Highly Flammable" piece. Dressed in red and black and backed by his "Fire-starters" this contestant sent forth the message of burning "bad mind". He apparently succeeded as he was able to win the "good mind(s)" of the judges and copped a place among the thirteen finalists.


Vanilla's "Rage" was next in line and the renowned Soca queen entered the stage dressed in a skintight catsuit (literally)and proceeded to shake and tremble to the beat of the drums as she sang a song about her African roots.


Next came the long anticipated performance from Lil Red, who moved about the stage with a transferable energy singing "Hold me tight and don’t let go". He garnered a reasonable response from the crowd.


After that, the Mackenzie audience was thrilled at the appearance of the much loved Granny Ivelaw; a first-timer to the Soca stage. Doing it differently from his usual cross-dresser granny performance, Ivelaw sang "African Moods". In the lyrics of this catchy song, this contestant complained unendingly about the extent to which his "wife" was addicted to the popular moods. This song drew the crowd's attention and had them screaming in favor of both lyrics and performer.


Next came patriotic Adrian Dutchin with his song "Guyanese", and he sang of representing his country in all places at all times. He, at intervals, engaged the crowd
on who they are and if they are proud to be Guyanese and the audience sang along.

Young Bill Rogers followed with "Behind a band", and then stepping on stage was Roger Bowen, who sang "Fire truck/Water". The former appealed to the crowd somewhat, while the latter engaged crowd.


More energy was in the making and it soon had the crowd going as King Shepherd ran onstage with "Wuk up on it". The Berbician, who has been performing in other Caribbean islands, was, after his spectacular performance, lifted and carried offstage by his followers.


Bartician "Corn Daddy" was not a crowd favourite with his song titled "Soca Morning". The first-timer, whose costume entailed a sweat suit with Guyana flags and red, gold n green rags sewn on, did not win much support from the judges.


Abigail AJ James came on next with her "Breakfast" song, which dovetailed a double meaning. Though she won much crowd appeal and was vibrant in her performance, it was apparently not enough to earn her a place among the finalists.


Agricola "The Chemist" DaSilva largely failed in his bid to engage the audience with "Mash up the place".

The long awaited Rubber Waist Primo followed with his popular "One People One Nation". As he sang, Jumo had the crowd's undivided attention, especially when he paused to engage them and to showoff his ability to dance like all six of the Guyanese races.
"On d road again" followed Jumo's performance, in the likeness of Beverly Little B Smith, who had entered the competition before back in 2010. This last competitive performance appealed to both crowd and judges and thus earned the police woman a spot among the finalists.
As the judges tallied their scores and made their final decision, the ready-to-retire crowd was entertained by GT&T's Jingle competition winner Brandon Harding.
The performances were judged by Linden Unionist Charles Samson, writer/producer Michael James, Gadwick Edwards, Wanda Richmond, Vivian Boyd of "Throw it over yuh shoulder"fame, Robert Holden, radio announcer Malcolm Fereira, and Mash Coordinator and Chief Judge Lennox Canterbury.


Lyrics, Party appeal, stage performance, The requirements for winning the judges favor comprised body language and gestures to communicate the song, crowd response, use of the stage, among others.


Due to the very late start the final results were revealed after midnight, but it was worth the wait.

taken from:http://www.demerarawaves.com/index.php/201202073268/Latest/13-heading-to-soca-finals.html

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Guyana Freestyle Cypher:

I'm surprised. Wish I could hear more rapping in the Guyanese accent. It would have added a unique flavor to it.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Artist Spotlight: Jay Anderson

It seems that Guyana is producing rappers of every kind. Last week I spotlighted Raci Racs and Brown Face Gunna.

Today it's Jay Anderson, another young rapper. However, I feel this dude got some talent. I was truly entertained especially by the lil snippet of mirror mirror.

Popular featuring Tish



Mirror Mirror

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

New Artist: Brownface Gunna




In life you have to accept the good and the bad, one can’t exist without the other. This is the philosophy Marcel De Castro (a.k.a. Brownface Gunna), a young, talented rapper/producer hailing from Toronto’s west end, lives by. And he emulates it across the board from his laidback demeanor to the music that he makes.


Brownface’s style is mood music. It switches between angry and upbeat and everything in between based on the type of mood he is in and what he’s going through in life at that moment. The versatility he brings in his music keeps him and his audience anything but bored.


Growing up in Rexdale, the West Indian bred Brownface began rapping at age 11, just for fun. He imitated what he saw on TV in music videos because “rappers were cool” but most importantly it was the only music that indicated that there were other kids, in the world growing up in something other than a Cosby home.


What began as a fun hobby, one that he would have to hide from his mother and grandmother, grew into a deep-rooted passion Brownface just couldn’t shake. At age 15 he began experimenting with beatmaking and by the time he was 17, he became confident in his abilities. Five years later he has evolved into a recognized artist/producer in the Toronto scene on the come up, having released two mixtapes, The Grizzy and Green Harvest as well as successfully earning a place as a contender in the last four Battle of the Beatmaker competitions.


With songs like his latest “Big Dreams” Brownface connects to his audience in the same way rappers like Jay-Z, Nas and Twista did with him in the ’90s. His songs tell stories of a Toronto youth on the come-up, and the world around him. His fast flow and smooth delivery gives way for hard hitting lyrics that paint clear pictures of his struggles, his passion, his pain and his happiness.


Brownface is also willing to push the limits, often taking beats producers intended for dance, rock or R&B tunes, and altering them to fit his unique needs. He’s a self-proclaimed perfectionist and is known for not settling for anything but what he envisions when it comes to his music.


In addition to working with his closest friends including singer Moses and rapper 4-twoney, Brownface has worked with many of Toronto’s elite as well as music royalty including producing the hit “Hollywood Fresh” which was a collaboration with Dougie Fresh and Keysha as well recording with Juno-nominated Kim Davis. He most recently worked with MMVA-award winning video director David Cropper on the music video for the aforementioned “Big Dreams” which was shot in New York City.


But even after accomplishing so much at such a young age, Brownface remains rooted in his community. He still continues to perform at many charity and community events and he believes in never forgetting where you came from, he reps hard for his Guyanese/West-Indian community whether it’s through interweaving slang into his lyrics or showing love for the youth who hit him up through the internet. Strong roots are an important element for the young rapper as he takes strides in his mission to shake up, the game and bring something new to hip-hop. “You gotta understand you work to live life not live to work, money’s just a piece of paper, you gotta have family, friends a community”. That’s Brownfaces inspiration and that’s what fuels his music. “I am not one of those guys that goes off to Hollywood and never look back.”

See more on his page: Brownface Gunna

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Nuff New Music and I don't have time to post it....

Check out Raci Racs.. Red White Green Black and Yellow... GT remix to Black and Yellow by Wiz Khalifa



Shelly G is back in Business after missing the Soca Monarch competition in 2010

Shelly G - Let me Loose


Shelly G fear De Hitman - Iron



Fojo - Trini Posse


Adrian Dutchin - Ah taking it

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Monday, October 25, 2010

Gregory Issacs Dies @ 59.

From the AP
Gregory Isaacs, the Jamaican reggae singer whose smooth style earned him the nickname "Cool Ruler," has died. He was 59. Isaacs' manager, Copeland Forbes, said the singer died Monday at his London home. Isaacs had been diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago, but continued performing until weeks before his death.

His wife Linda said Isaacs was "well-loved by everyone, his fans and his family, and he worked really hard to make sure he delivered the music they loved and enjoyed." Born in a Kingston, Jamaica slum in 1951, Isaacs began recording in his teens, and went on to produce scores of albums .

With his sinuous baritone and romantic songs, Isaacs became a leading proponent of the mellow "Lovers Rock" style of reggae. He hit his stride in the mid-1970s with ballads like "Love is Overdue" and "All I Have Is Love."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Caribbean musical legend who I personally grew up listening to, dancing to, amd misunderstanding all the lyrics until I became an adult. Such simple lyrics, yet such a soulful delivery and a splendidly unique voice. I can't believe he's only 59, he seems much older, maybe he was much wiser. RIP....sing in Jah's choir!

some of favorites: Hush Darling


Stranger in Town:


Sad to know you're leaving:

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Guyana Fest 2010: London



Guyana Fest 2010 in London, Sunday November 7th, 2010 at the Jazz Cafe.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

First Born Bruk Up: Oh NO!

According to a "Guyanese Entertainment Website/Blog", First Born are no longer together as a group.

No further details about the actual split, but members Treyon Garrett is making a solo move and will be releasing an album soon.

Troy Azore is also going to be going solo.

I'm sad man, this was a good group and to see them break up without making it bigger is such a shame.

I am not afraid:



Irits:


Better World Better Place:


Junkie:


Headline:

Guyana Cultural Fest: Maryland

Happening this weekend July 10th, 2010 10am-10pm, Guyana Cultural Fest 1490 General's Highway, Crownsville, Maryland.

Artists straight from Guyana Timeka Marshall, FOJO, Shelly G, Brutal Jammers
Other artists: Terry Gajraj, The Angels Caribbean Band, Wataflo and more

Go if you can.

Saturday, May 29, 2010