Soca superstar Machel Montano's hectic schedule throughout the six-week carnival season in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), which ended on February 12th, included 20 concert performances, completing his carnival album Machelements Volume 1, preparing for two major soca competitions and promoting and producing the six-hour Machel Monday live extravaganza (February 4th), the latter of which attracted nearly 25,000 patrons, reportedly setting a single-night attendance record at Port of Spain's Hasely Crawford Stadium. Since the 1990s the 38-year old singer/songwriter, born and raised in Trinidad, has worked towards taking soca (calypso's uptempo derivative) to a wider market through his high-profile collaborations (Wyclef Jean and Lil Jon), the integration of rock, pop, dance and hip-hop strains into his soca brand and the development of an exhilarating stage show that juxtaposes his adrenaline-pumping singing and wining (a pelvic-gyrating movement), skills with masqueraders, dance troupes, steel bands and pyrotechnics suggestive of T&T's multi-faceted, kaleidoscopic carnival celebrations. On March 27th, Montano moved closer to fulfilling his goal, signing a licensing/publishing contract with Universal Music France affiliate AZ and an agreement with the company's management arm the Olympia Agency. The deal covers continental Europe and the French West Indies; Olympia agent Marie Audigier and Port of Spain-based…
Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts Chairman, William Munro, speaking exclusively this afternoon with ETCETERABUZZ.COM said he was tired and fed up of it all. William Munro says he is fed up. Munro, the franchise holder of the international competition hosted across the Caribbean, during carnivals in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and T&T among other Caribbean destinations, said he would not sell the T&T mecca franchise to any other country- maintaining, “the competition belongs to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.” On Tuesday, news broke that Munro- a promoter who has hosted numerous events, making a name for himself in entertainment for over two decades, would be bowing out of the cultural competition. He told us he would now leave it up to the government of Trinidad and Tobago, to see first hand, the hard work, overall financial expenditure and dedication, that goes into creating what he terms, a competition that is still growing. With artistes still awaiting their cheques from this year’s competition, Munro said he was told by ministry officials that the entertainers would be paid by next week. “The public thinks a lot of money is made but they don’t truly understand what goes…
Jamaican deejay Lady Saw copped four titles to top the winners list at the 2013 Linkage Awards in New York. NEW YORK, United States, Friday March 22, 2013 – A glittering array of dancehall and reggae stars converged in New York on Saturday for the 2013 Linkage Awards in Mount Vernon. Seasoned Jamaican deejay Lady Saw made the night her own, taking home four new titles to add to the collection, topping the winners list and delivering a stunning live performance. The enduring entertainer, born Marion Hall, copped the Female Artiste of the Year and Outstanding Female Artiste honours, and was also inducted into the Linkage Hall of Fame and presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Hot on the Lady’s heels was Bunny Wailer with three honours. The reggae icon also earned a Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Hall of Fame, as well as being chosen Reggae Ambassador of the Year. Completing the 2013 Hall of Fame inductees were singers John Holt and Cocoa Tea and deejay Lady G. Holt and Cocoa Tea, as well as fellow singers Luciano, Jimmy Riley and Spanner Banner were also presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The Entertainer Of The Year award…
Downsound Records CEO Josef Bondonovich believes his company is on a path to create history in dancehall music. He recently signed iconic clash artiste Desmond Ballentine, popularly known as Ninja Man to his label.Though many people might think Ninja Man is past his best musically Mr. Bondonovich is convinced that Ninja Man still has a lot to offer dancehall music.“This guy is a living legend, he’s one of the greatest artistes ever and I certainly think he has a lot to offer to this generation of dancehall fans, he’s one of the greatest dancehall acts ever, he has a lot of history behind his name and Downsound plans to make some more with him, you’ll see .”Ninja Man who began his career in the late 1980s is known for his famous clashes at Sting with the likes of other dancehall luminaries such as Shabba Ranks and Super Cat. The self-styled bad boy of dancehall music has remained a prominent fixture on the local music landscape despite his many run-ins with the law over the years. He recently declared that he has resigned from clashing to focus on the rebuilding of his recording career and the upliftment of dancehall music.“Mi done…
- Monday March 4th, 2013 - Teasers are out for the 10th Annual Biker Boyz event! 2013, is a big year for Toronto’s largest outdoor motorcycle expo and charity fundraiser. With nine successful years under its belt, the De Biker Boyz event is geared to celebrate its 10th year anniversary on Sunday July 28th, 2013 at the Woodbine Centre. A community driven initiative, De Biker Boyz brings individuals together to share in a common interest, motorcycles! Reaching its most captive audience in 2012, De Biker Boyz amassed an attendance of well over 6,000. Teaming with high profile industry partners like - Yamaha Motors Canada, Kahuna Powersports, StayUp Riders, TorontoTuner.com, Daytona Motorsport, Kapsco Moto, Premier Wheels Direct and many others - De Biker Boyz raised an impressive $2,000 donation in support of, The Canadian Cancer Society. Each year De Biker Boyz amazes riding enthusiasts by its vast calibre of featured events. Although 2013 plans have been kept ‘hush hush’ so far, there have been excited rumours surrounding an official launch of Biker Boyz gear. Already boasting a live stunt show, wheelie machine, celebrity guests, and loads of giveaways we’ve come to realize that anything is possible when it comes to De Biker Boyz!…