Reggae on the River Eco Music Festival 2008

PATTERSON, NY - April 20, 2008 - Lauren Drummond, President of LMJ Productions, LLC and Executive Producer of Upstate Reggae on the River Eco Music Festival announced today that noted Caribbean producer, Victor E Lewis, Managing Director of VicRae Inc., will lead the production team of the first annual Upstate Reggae on the River Eco Music Festival at Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson, New York scheduled for August 23, 2008 from 10 AM – 8 PM.

Mr. Lewis is credited with having generated more than $3 million in annual revenues based on performance fees for emerging artists under his representation. A visionary and is instrumental organizer of international entertainment events and has an excellent track record. As a producer, Mr. Lewis has managed successful public events in London, Iceland and various parts of the US. He has produced events for the U.S. Committee for Refugees, notably worked effectively with the NYPD/NYFD's 911 Emergency Fund and Upliftment Jamaica just to name a couple of his successes.

Upstate Reggae on the River Eco Music Festival is an all-day family event that features the "Messenger" roots Reggae icon Luciano with Jah Messenjah band, featuring special guest Mikey General, as well as new sensations Rootz Underground, actor/musician Leon and the People's Band, Latin Rock Band Sequida, and Mystic Dub with more to be announced. A key component of Upstate Reggae on the River Eco Music Festival is a Children's Pavilion where Lydia Adams Davis and Grammy Award winner, John Guth will perform. Our Art Pavilion will feature various local and international artists. Carlos "GoGo" Gomez presents an African/Cuban drum circle workshop and an environmental work shop for all ages. A multitude of vendors will be on hand with foods from all over the Caribbean and Latin America as well as a variety of arts and crafts.

The first annual Upstate Reggae on the River Eco Music Festival will help increase awareness of environmental concerns and the preservation and sustainability effort in the Hudson Valley New York region. This years theme is "Recycling to Save the Planet." this one day event represents a tapestry of various genres of music, art, culture woven to support the message that in order to preserve the environment we must come together to create eco-friendly environments. LMJ Productions, LLC will donate part of the proceeds to Upstate Reggae on the River Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation to deserving educational and environmental organizations.

For tickets or additional information contact LMJ Productions LLC at 845-494-4654 or visit www.upstatereggaeontheriver.org.

Reggae group Morgan Heritage release new album 'Mission In Progress' Today

Morgan Heritage, one of the most influential reggae bands today, will be releasing their highly anticipated 10th album Mission In Progress today on VP Records.

Renowned worldwide for their riveting live shows, Morgan's Heritage's new release captures the band bottling the power of its stage performance on disc and infusing its songs with a heavier dose of hip-hop. Produced by Morgan Heritage (with a few songs helmed by Shane Brown and Stephen McGregor son of reggae singer Freddy McGregor),MISSION IN PROGRESS lyrically finds the group continuing their quest to bolster their love for reggae music through romantic, street-wise and conscious songs built on slabs of spirituality. Musically however, MISSION IN PROGRESS is the realization of Morgan Heritage’s “ROCKAZ” concept: reggae music with an edge.

"I think this record is the most aggressive one that we've ever done both musically and personally," says vocalist/keyboardist Una Morgan. "A lot of our inner feelings from growing up in the industry and the experiences that we’ve had touring the world, specifically in Africa, are reflected here and served as the inspiration for this album.”

The album's first single is "Raid Rootz Dance" a re-imagined and renamed cover of a Steel Pulse song ("Blues Dance Raid"). The release also features "Brooklyn and Jamaica," the group call's the first song to represent both the old neighborhood and their home for the past 11 years: Jamaica. Other standout songs featured on the album include the straight-up romantic track “Love You Right,” the sublime funk-fueled anthem “Nothing To Smile About” and the golden jam “Faithful.”

Comprised of five offspring of reggae veteran Denroy Morgan, Morgan Heritage is comprised of vocalist/keyboardist Una, vocalist Peter ("Jahpetes"), keyboardist/vocalist Roy ("Gramps"), rhythm guitarist Nakhamyah ("Lukes") and vocalist/MC/percussionist Memmalatel ("Mr. Mojo"). Born in Brooklyn's tough Bushwick neighborhood, the band's five members were raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, and spent their summer vacations back in New York's hippest outer borough, where they returned after high school. Raised with intensive vocal and instrumental training, the Morgan children were exposed to everything from the godfathers of roots reggae to top 40 American radio: from Duran Duran and Tears for Fears to Metallica and Van Halen The band signed to MCA Records in the 90's triggering one of the most impressive streaks in modern-day reggae since. In a dozen years, the band has racked up several hits in Jamaica and abroad, thanks in part to collaborations with such lauded Jamaican producers as Lloyd "King Jammy" James and Bobby Digital.

You can watch Morgan Heritage music videos on Realvibez.

Courtesy of Headline Entertainment

Adidas to shine spotlight on Reggae

Pro Model Tuff Gong

Adidas, the well-known sporting brand, is launching it's first ever global campaign for the Adidas Originals lifestyle brand which sports the trefoil logo launched in 1971.

According to Mediapost, The campaign involves some short films and one of them, "Sounds of the City", will promote a number of Adidas Originals products while spotlighting Reggae from Jamaica.

The first film focuses on Adi Dassler, the founder of Adidas and the is a very short clip of Bob Marley, a fitting tribute to the singer who was well-known for loving football (soccer) and wearing Adidas.

Check out the film here.

Check out some of the Reggae/Jamaica inspired products below:

Marley Jacket

Pro Model Kingston

Kingston Zip Hoodie

Half Pint launches his new album 'No Stress Express' in Jamaica

The Half Moon Hotel/Resort, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, was the scene on Saturday, January 26, 2008, when the entertainment fraternity turns out to support the launch of the latest venture from superstar artiste, Half Pint. Dignitaries, media personalities from Jamaica, the US, Europe and the Caribbean along celebrities from as far as Germany witnessed the Jamaican launch of his album No Stress Express. This offering will be released worldwide on March 11, 2008 through Half Pint Music / Essential Music Group and distributed via Universal Music Group Distribution.

No Stress Express is deemed to be a classic and is poised to be his best album to date. The hot tracks include “Unity” featuring Jack Maness from Long Beach Dub All Stars / Sublime, “Bad Boys” featuring Sizzla, “Just be Good” featuring R&B songbird Mikki Howard, ‘Mind Over Matter,” ”Suzie,” and "Children of His Majesty.” Half Pint will be performing on three shows in Great Britain to promote the album in February 2008 and a US tour in April / May.

High praises poured out for Half Pint acknowledging his latest achievement. His manager, Loyal Haylett, lamented on his fifteen year relationship with the superstar. Ras Astor Black reminisced on the early days of the artiste's career performing and doing interviews on reggae Roots TV in Chicago. He stated that "Half Pint deserves to be on the Reggae Walk of Fame." Jamaica's Minister Of Culture and Information, the Hon Olivia 'Babsy' Grange stated, "the singer represented the culture of Jamaica and has always made her feel proud." She thanked his record company for supporting Half Pint.

Mr. Desmond Young, the President of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM) remarked that artistes such as Half Pint make Jamaica the most popular place on earth. Other speakers included Levent Karahan, President of United Music Industries, Derede Whitlock, a representative from the Ministry of Tourism of Antigua and Barbuda, and producer / industry veteran Clifton 'Specialist' Dillon. Mingling in the gathering were Sharon Burke, Ainsworth Davis, Bridgette Anderson, Dacosta Records executives Tyehimba Kafele and Dr. Vernon Dacosta, singers Carol Gonzales and Pam Hall, Ken Williams (WVIP -NYC), Jamusa (WAVS - So Florida), Steve James (Roots FM), Conrad McLeod, Howard Hendricks, David 'Squeeze" Anakie (Link Up Media), Sandra Rose, photographer Dianne Issachar and representatives from The Gleaner, The Sunday Herald, XNEWS, Jamaica Observer, JamRock magazine, Buzzz magazine, Echos magazine,Yard Flex, Bob Arts TV, Carib TV, ReggaeInc.com, Serfphonic Disco among others.

Half Pint has enjoyed a long history of success dating back to the early 1980s. His first big hit “Winsome” was later covered by the Rolling Stones in 1986. Today,he is surrounded by a competent and able support team which consists of manager Loyal Haylett, and Ra-Umi Alkebu-lan " Alkebu-lan / The Media (Jamaica) and Russell Gerlach / Foundation Media (North America).

"Hammer" - Rootz Underground's newest music video

Realvibez.com is the first place anyone can check out the newest music video from Rootz Underground - Hammer.






Click to watch the bigger version

Rootz Underground is an up-and-coming band from Jamaica that formed in 2000. Learn more about them by checking out their official website.

VP Records to acquire Greensleeves Records

The music industry has seen a wave of consolidations over the last few years as the industry has seen declining sales. The genre of Reggae seems to be a candidate for a major acquisition, one that would create a virtual monopoly.

Today VP Records, which describes itself as "the world’s leading reggae record company", announced that it has made an offer to purchase Greensleeves Records, which is owned by Zest Plc.

Zest Plc acquired Greensleeves Records in March 2006 for £3.25 million. It has traditionally been VP's largest competitor and the acquisition would drastically reduce the number of options for Reggae artists.

Based on an article in the Jamaica Observer today, Music industry players fear looming monopoly, members of the music industry in Jamaica are not too thrilled by this news.

Chris Chin and Randy Chin, respectively Chief Executive Officer and President of VP Records, further added: “Although Greensleeves has historically been our competitor, we have always had the utmost respect for what Greensleeves stood for. The label and its founders had a long term commitment to Reggae music and no one is better positioned than VP Records to understand the need to respect this legacy. We will ensure that Greensleeves remains alive as a brand synonymous with excellence in Reggae and Dancehall music.”

The offer must be approved by the Shareholders of Zest Plc.

VP Records press release

Did Billboard get the top Reggae artistes list wrong?

Billboard Top 10 Reggae Artistes

1 Matisyahu
2 Bob Marley
3 Stephen Marley
4 Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley
5 Sean Paul
6 Bob Marley & The Wailers
7 Collie Buddz
8 Buju Banton
9 Notch
10 Beenie Man

Some will question why Notch is on the list - but he did release an album, more reggaeton than reggae though.

Other will question Beenie Man being so low and why Bob Marley gets two mentions - but then the list is mostly based on sales figures.

Still others will ask about Mavado and the new artistes - but then what mainstream popularity have any of those garnered?

I am just glad they did not have Sean Kingston on the list.

Ky-Mani Marley Marches in the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart

In the week Ky-Mani Marley was confirmed to return as the special guest on the 2008 leg of the hugely successful Van Halen Reunion tour with David Lee Roth; Marley's anthemic song The March broke into the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales Charts - debuting at an astounding #19. The March the second single off his album Radio, outperformed songs by 50 Cent, Beyonce and Jay-Z to name a few.

Listen to the track below:



The March is currently performed by Ky-Mani at every Van Halen show to
great response. The song puts his message out to the world and continues on 30 years later from his father's Exodus in a still troubled world.

USA Today, reporting from the opening show on the tour reports that Marley "incurred favor with the crowd by opening his half hour set with Roots, Rock, Reggae and finishing with 'No Woman, No Cry,' two songs from his late father Bob Marley's repertoire. However, he flashed his own charismatic side by enthralling the crowd with The March, a hip-hop/reggae hybrid song from his new album, Radio, that juxtaposed the war in Iraq with street violence."

The March is being released to mainstream radio in early 2008 as well as a video release with a powerful message. Ky-Mani's album Radio is currently on a number of radio and Billboard music charts including the mainstream Rhythmic Radio chart at Mediabase where it entered the top 200 this week.

DMX, Junior Reid and Dawg. E Slaughter shoot music video in South Florida

Realvibez was present for the first day of shooting for the music video for Bad Boys, the first single off DJ GQ's upcoming album 'Let Em Know', dropping in Spring 2008.

The music video was shot in various parts of South Florida, including Miami, Broward and Boynton Beach. The video will debut online on Realvibez.com in January shortly after the release of the song to djs and radio disc jockeys.

The title of the song is Bad Boys - DJ GQ featuring DMX, Junior Reid and Dawg E. Slaughter. Junior Reid has been in demand since bursting back onto the scene on Mims' remix of This is why I'm Hot and Dawg E. Slaughter, a native of Trinidad, has been building a strong following among US fans.

DMX has been away from music for some years and this song marks his return to the scene in a big way. His most memorable collaboration with artists from the Caribbean was Here's Comes The Boom featuring Sean Paul and Mr. Vegas from the movie Belly.

Stay tuned for more photos and information.

2008 Grammy Nominees for Reggae are announced

• The Burning Spear Experience
Burning Spear

• Mind Control
Stephen Marley

• The End Of An American Dream
Lee "Scratch" Perry

• Anniversary
Sly & Robbie And The Taxi Gang

• Light Your Light
Toots & The Maytals

This is certainly one of the more 'Reggae' focused group of nominees in recent memory.

Second video for Shaggy's Church Heathen

VP Records recently sent us a copy of a new video for the hit single Church Heathen by Shaggy off his new album Intoxication.

Check it out:

In case you missed it: Alica Keys giving Reggae prime time exposure

If you didn't catch Alicia Keys' performance of No One during the broadcast of the American Music Awards, check out the clip below (it will probably be taken down soon though).

Some people doubt just how big Reggae music is and she gave a clear answer. It was also great to watch Alicia Keys doing dances like the bogle.

Reggae Dancehall Group T.O.K. Signs Merchandise Deal With Realvibez.com

T.O.K., a chart-topping Reggae Dancehall group signs a merchandise deal with Realvibez.com, a leading online provider of media for consumers of Caribbean music culture. Very few Reggae artists have merchandise deals, generally only making money from performances and dub plates (special cuts of a record). T.O.K. also aims to use the deal to promote their upcoming album.

Read the whole release here

Ky-mani Marley's new album in stores - listen to the first single

The new album from Ky-mani Marley, Radio, is in stores now and you can check out the interview with him on the front page or under ArtistVibez.

Listen to the first single off the album:

Shaggy to make virtual appearance in Second Life

According to the blog Second Life Insider, Reggae superstar Shaggy will be making his first-ever virtual appearance on the web tomorrow in popular virtual world Second Life.

Shaggy is hosting the MOBO Awards this year and this virtual event will serve to promote his upcoming album release Intoxication from VP Records/Big Yard Music. The flyer states that Shaggy will be previewing tracks from the album and there will be limited edition Second Life merchandise. Participants will also have the chance to win autographed CDs in real life.

The blog indicate that the virtual world appearance is “the work of digital advertising agency Silence and award-winning Second Life developers The Guild.” You can watch the event live at SLCN.tv and see how a Caribbean musician is using an interesting part of web culture to promote himself and his music.

Read the entire blog post here.

Classic Bob Marley interview

Definitely check out this video: