• Artists
    • OMI
    • SPIRITUAL
    • LAURELL
    • N’EVE
  • Releases
  • News
  • Videos
  • Shows
  • About Us
  • Contact

admin

“Let’s Support Our Jamaican Police Officers For Reggae History Month” by Dubb Master Chris

March 12, 2019 by Admin
News, OMI, Review
Dubb Master Chris, Jamaica, Jamaica Constabulary Force, JCF, OMI, Police, Serve and Protect

“I am privileged, each day, to have the ears of thousands of radio listeners in the tri-state area. As a senior radio personality at Irie Jam Radio, 93.5 FM, WVIP, it is part of my civic responsibility and my patriotic duty to highlight issues that impact Jamaicans at home and here in the Diaspora. This is something I have done, consistently, over the years.

Eight years ago, I took what some characterized, at the time, as a very unpopular decision, which was to put a temporary ban, during Black History Month, on music by dancehall hit-maker, DJ Vybz Kartel. I felt at the time, Kartel was sending the wrong message to our young, impressionable kids and some of his music was helping to erode the concept that Black is beautiful.

Fast forward to 2019, and I am immensely troubled by the lack of respect for members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). These hardworking Jamaican men and women put their lives on the line ,each day, to protect and serve our beautiful country.

The unfortunate incident that transpired in Spaulding, Clarendon, recently, brought the issue to the fore for me. From the multiple videos that have surfaced on social media, it is clear that the police officer, on duty, was simply doing his job when he was maliciously accosted by the bus driver, who instead of seeking justice in a court of law, took matters in his own hands, after being riled up by the crowd. In the end he was shot by the policeman, who was attempting to protect himself.

As I reflect on my life in Jamaica, it is safe to say we were brought up in an ‘informer fe dead’ society, where police officers are, in some instances, considered the enemy. Our music culture, particularly dancehall music, has, for too long, embraced songs that hit out against informers. It, at times, denigrate police officers, calling them ‘Babylon Boy’, this is just not acceptable anymore.

Music can influence behavior. Don’t believe? Just ask Ugandan dancehall DJ, politician, businessman, philanthropist and musician, Bobi Wine, who performed recently at Rebel Salute in Ocho Rios. The dancehall DJ said Jamaican superstars, like Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel, Anthony B, Buju Banton and others, have influenced his career in a positive way.

So I implore all Jamaican reggae, radio djs and dancehall selectors to re-think the messages that they promote. So for Reggae Month and Black History Month 2019, I want to change the narrative in the dancehall space. I have made a decision, with support from the Irie Jam executives and radio family, to refrain from playing any song that is not uplifting the police force.

I encourage other radio jocks, here in the US and in Jamaica, to join me as well. Any song that hit out against informers and do not celebrate our police officers — who do yeoman’s work every day — will be temporarily banned for the month.

When I return home (to Jamaica), I feel a sense of pride when I see our hardworking officers doing their jobs. When I see them at the various check points in Western Jamaica, working with members of the JDF as part of Zones Of Special Operations (ZOSO), I smile with a sense of pride, knowing they are helping to make the country safer for all Jamaicans.

I still find it hard to comprehend 335 murders in St. James in 2017, alone. When we are abroad and we heard about scamming that has infested our island, it is the police officers, working in tandem with the DEA, the FBI, US Marshals and the local counter-terrorism team, that are helping to snuff out these scoundrels and helping to bring back peace to our beautiful island. So let’s support them.

Positive lyrics and songs not just educate but entertain the masses as well. I love what international singer, OMI, has done with his song ‘To Serve and Protect’ that pays tribute to police officers in Jamaica. Here is a song that was inspired by Omi’s own life journey and experience as a one-time police officer. Now is the time to embrace a positive, uplifting song like this. I endorse it 200 percent.

I wish more reggae and dancehall acts would follow Omi’s lead. In the past we had songs like ‘Bad Boys’ by Inner Circle and ‘Call The Police’ by John Wayne.

The Reggae History Month campaign is not so much to name songs that I will not play, as that just gives more publicity to those songs — which is not what I am promoting.

We have been quietly encouraging artists, we have relationships with, to record positive songs about the police. The truth is, we don’t have a lot of these songs out there. We plan to start a contest here, on Irie Jam radio, soon, that will let our listeners determine the best of those we have received. We will offer a cash incentive to the winner as determined by our listeners.

I appeal to all patriotic Jamaicans, at home, let’s show respect to our police officers, who are charged with the unenviable task of protecting law-abiding citizens. Let’s support efforts by our Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang, and all police officers, across the island, as they seek to curtail crime and violence, which have affected local businesses, tourism, undermined the rule of law and deprived law-abiding citizens of the right to work, travel and live peacefully.”

Dubb Master Chris is a senior radio personality at Irie Jam Radio, 93.5 FM, in New York.

Source: http://pridenews.ca/2019/02/13/lets-support-jamaican-police-officers-reggae-history-month/

“OMI pays tribute to the police with ‘To Serve and Protect’” by Jamaica Gleaner

February 9, 2019 by Admin
OMI, Release, Video

Singer OMI is out on the scene again with the release of his new single, To Serve and Protect, a tribute to police officers. According to the recording artiste, this song preceded his recording career.

‘This so happens to be one taken from the ‘vault’,” he said. “This was recorded years ago. It’s just one of those songs that had to be written. But, we were waiting for the appropriate time for it to be released. A very important factor in this business is timing, careful planning and execution – especially when you are dealing with a sensitive topic that will provoke negative and positive thoughts.”

The Cheerleader singer said his life was the inspiration for the song. ‘The inspiration behind writing this song came from the fact that I’ve lived it. This was a part of my journey. Music is a universal language that transcends all barriers and pulls all cultures together. As an artiste, I am inspired daily to use my skills to articulate and communicate life’s circumstances and experiences. My life experiences will continue to inspire me to positively influence our community and our country.”

LOCAL VIDEO SHOOT

The accompanying video was very important to the singer, who wanted it done a particular way. “Clifton ‘Specialist’ Dillon and I gave our directives for this video, and held firmly to them because something like this had to be done right, so I guess it’s official… we are directors now.” he joked.

The video is the first that the artiste has shot locally. “It was a great experience filming in Jamaica, I felt right at home. In all seriousness, I know I am taking a bold step to highlight the great work of our police force that, most times, are hidden or seen through a clouded lens. After all, crime, violence and law enforcement are never a welcome conversation. But I think if we also celebrate the police force for serving and protecting us, the conversation becomes balanced versus one sided –- and our little brothers and sisters will get an alternate view other than fear. Therefore, it was important to show up on set, even if I was not in the scenes, just to show my support and admiration for the ‘first responders’. It was fun and humbling.”

To show his support, OMI shared that he will be setting up a foundation to help our first responders.

Since the success of his monster triple-platinum-selling hit Cheerleader in 2015, OMI has been busy working on several projects. Last year, he teamed up with Shaggy on the song Seasons. He also collaborated with Felix Jaehn on the song Masterpiece. I Found a Girl, featuring The Vamps, became OMI’s third hit on the British pop charts.

He told The Gleaner, “Wow, since Cheerleader I have been up to a lot of touring. We did a world tour and now have two singles out – Masterpiece and As Long as I’m With You, so the work never stops. I’m now leaving in a few days for a writing camp in London, Stockholm and Denmark, which will be followed by a tour in Australia and Asia.” He is currently working on his follow-up album to Me 4 U, which he hopes to release early next year.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20190207/omi-pays-tribute-police-serve-and-protect

“BTS WITH OMI” Interview with FLAUNT

September 5, 2018 by Admin
Interview, OMI, Pop, Release

 

“High above the Los Angeles skyline and tucked away in the San Gabriel Mountains, I find myself on set of Omi’s newest music video. As I am chatting over blueberries with Ultra Music representatives and foreign models, I can’t help but reminisce about Omi’s legacy – his chart-topping, remixed single, ‘Cheerleader,’ that reigned the summer of 2015. It was the summer jam that was trapped in our minds and played on an endless loop on every radio station.  Following the release of ‘Cheerleader’, we weren’t left with much from the Jamaican artist. I even considered him to fall victim to the curse of “one-hit-wonders”. But, to my ignorance, I shortly discovered how wrong I was. […]”

 

Written by: Allyson Borunda

Photographed by: Meagan Rafferty 

Magazine: Flaunt

Interview with Spiritual

February 8, 2018 by Admin
Fresh News, Interview, Reggae, Spiritual
Spiritual

Collectors of Alborosie’s unstoppable run of early singles will remember Marathon: a 2008 collaboration with a singer whose wood-smoked, nasal tone recalled Burning Spear and Culture’s Joseph Hill. That man is Spiritual and he releases his overdue second album Awakening through VP Records on February 3rd.

Awakening contains 14 tracks produced by Clifton “Specialist” Dillon, Bobby Digital and Horace Chin, featuring a raft of top musicians including Sly Dunbar, Robbie Lyn, Horsemouth Wallaceand the late Nambo Robinson. All songs sound like they could have been recorded in the latter 70s – were it not for appearances by the equally ancient-sounding voices of Droop Lion and Iba Mahr.

A teacher and community organiser as well as a singer, Spiritual conversed with Reggaeville about growing up an orphan at the feet of West Kingston’s greatest music stars. He explained how his Rasta messages are inspired by his passion for good works; noted the significance of particular numbers in his life; and warned that he has a third album soon to come.

See Full Interview on ReggaeVille:

https://www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/spiritual/news/view/interview-with-spiritual/

Jamaica Gleaner: “OMI’s Debut Album Certified Gold By RIAA”

February 8, 2018 by Admin
Accomplishment, OMI, Pop
Accomplishment, OMI

Me 4 U, the debut album from reggae singer OMI, has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

This means that the artiste’s compilation has sold more than 500,000 units. OMI took to his social media pages a short while ago to make the announcement. ‘ME 4 U’ is officially certified GOLD in the United States,” he said in the post. “Thank you to everyone who has purchased, streamed and continues to support my music! This is just the beginning.” Released in October 2015 by Ultra Music, Me 4 U, debuted at number 51 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with first week sales of over 9,000 copies. It peaked at number 18 in Canada, 37 in Australia, 62 in France, 21 in Norway, nine in Sweden and 25 in Denmark. The entertainer who catapulted to international recognition with his breakout tune, Cheerleader, promised his fans new music to be released soon.

Source [2017] –http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20170519/omis-debut-album-certified-gold-riaa

SPIRITUAL’S TIME HAS COME

February 8, 2018 by Admin
Fresh News, Reggae, Spiritual
Reggae, Spiritual

Jamaica Observer: Following his performance at VP Records’ New Artiste showcase at Milk River in Brooklyn, New York last Thursday, singer Spiritual is keen to make 2017 his breakthrough year.The showcase for music industry executives also featured performances by Addis Pablo, Prince Royal and Mark Balet who did songs from their latest projects.

This was Spiritual’s first performance in New York. He said the response was more than he anticipated.

“The reception was warm and accepting. The energy from the people made me want to keep the message from Jah flowing,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Spiritual is managed by veteran impresario Clifton “Specialist” Dillion, whose track record includes gold and platinum albums and songs by Mad Cobra, Shabba Ranks, Patra, and OMI.

Spiritual’s performance included the songs T ime Has Come, Ethiopia, Want No More, and Stand Up To Rasta from his debut album Awakening.

“The objective of the showcase was to introduce me as a new artiste so that the world could hear my message through the small congregation. I was very pleased with the achievement because everyone in attendance showed me great and positive love.”

Spiritual’s latest single is Stand Up To Rasta, which is produced by Dillion.

Born Horace Chin, Spiritual is from the central Kingston community of Allman Town.

“I was given the name Spiritual from my youth, from the people around me when they saw me as a spiritual leader. I was always preaching the word of Jah in and around the community and the name stuck with me since then,” he said.

A video for Stand Up To Rasta was filmed in New York City.

— Kevin Jackson

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/spiritual-8217-s-time-has-come_99703?profile=1116

Previous »

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned

Follow Us

 
 
 
 

2018 © Copyright @ KayWeb –  All Rights Reserved – Website by oufahmusic.com

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy