Jigga Mattic
YardFlex Reporter

Shortman from the Fras Crew has made claims that Ding Dong is trying to rip off his 'Surf' dance that he built for a song done by Shifter on the 'Wipeout' riddim. However, it is a claim that Ding Dong, who originated the Bad Man Forward, Bad Man Pull Up dance, denies because he says that

"One of the members of the Fras Crew go ah Gabba Sundays a few weeks ago and he said that DJ Whiteman announced that Ding Dong have a new dance called 'Surf', but Surf is a dance that me build a Foota Hype Birthday Bash seven weeks ago when I heard Shifter's song. So from that Gabba Sunday, me see him couple times and him no do the dance, but mi hear say him do it at other places when me not there, but is my dance, how him fi try tek it," Shortman told YardFlex.com.
"Me ah the only one wid a rubber surf body board and me carry it everywhere me go, so him fi just leave my dance alone."

By: Jigga Matic

Singer Jovi, whose single 'Rizzla' is enjoying excellent rotation on local radio stations, recently made an appearance in a Machel Montana/Mr. Vegas video for their reggaeton flavoured single, 'Dance With You'.

YardFlex.Com spent the day with her on the shoot which was held in the middle of Times Square on Memorial Day, right outside ABC Good Morning America studio. Dressed in a sexy outfit and sporting roller blades, Jovi and two other skater girls shot scenes crossing the less-than-frantic Times Square streets, narrowly dodging taxi cabs, and generating interest from roaming tourists and one police cruiser. Jovi and her girls flirted openly with NYPD police officers who chatted up the girls. The director of the video which is sponsored by Cable and Wireless is Mark Humphrey. Grant Mercer, senior vice president of marketing and communications in the Caribbean Region for C & W was also present.

Jovi plays Machel's love interest in the video, and had a really fun time with the experience, even freestyling for passers-by and keeping everyone entertained with her unique offbeat personality.

By Claude Mills
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

Queens, New York:
Beenie Man was threatened by thugs at the end of the sixth annual Celebrity Soccer Match at the Roy Wilkins park in New York tonight on Memorial Day, May 29th.

"Some 90s man say dem get a phone call from a certain artiste say mi teeth fi get lick out because of the lyrics mi deejay at a stage show in Miami last night. Mi tell the man who come to me the name of the hotel that I am staying in, and give dem mi room number and tell him say him can come check me cause me nuh know where this ah come from, look how much time him diss me and the one time mi do a lyrics weh diss him, look what him waan to bring to me," Beenie Man told YardFlex.Com just minutes after the incident happened.

The stage show Beenie Man was referring to was the Memorial Fest that was held in Miami and where Bounty Killer and Beenie exchanged heated barbs directed at each other. Because of the damaging nature of the insults, we are unable to repeat them on this website, but the ongoing feud between the two archrivals has set the dancehall world on edge yet again. We will have more on this story as it breaks on YardFlex.Com reporting from Queens, New York.

Zebra has returned to the airwaves with a bang. The incarcerated deejay's latest release, a song called 'Stocky', which narrates the story of a down-on-his-luck cocaine addict who is terrorizing his family and community because of his addiction.

"Mi glad that the people dem ah endorse it and that the disc jockeys are showing me love, Zebra have lots of good music to give the people dem," Zebra told YardFlex.Com from his prison cell at the St. Catherine District Prison where he is serving his sixth year on a rape charge.

The track is enjoying heavy rotation on local radio stations.
"It is getting crazy airplay right now and is a good sign that when he comes to road, he is going to be a force to reckon with," said his producer Key One.

Richie Spice has been nominated in the reggae male vocalist category at the 13th annual Reggae Soca Music Awards which will be held on May 27th.

"Right now, I am grateful for the nomination, it is just an energy, and mi give thanks for the support of the people who support me and reggae music," he said.

The show will be a black tie affair at the Broward Centre for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, and will begin at 8 p.m. Richie Spice's single, 'Youths So Cold' peaked at #59 on the Billboard Top 100 singles chart last year. Spice's latest singles, 'Brown Skin' and 'Open the Door' on the Bobby Konders Massive B label, have been getting rave critical reviews and are expected to drive the sales of his upcoming album, 'In the Streets to Africa'.

Photo By: Benjamin Poljak

intro;
ooh oh LORD
a di living fiyah once more enuh
they really don't know
cyaah cool enuh cyaah watah dung enuh
naah compromise nuh time enuh

verse:1
a big man like you
rape off a 6 yr old baby
a big man like you
pop off yuh gun and put nine pon a likkle ole lady
a big man like you
bunn dung a school and a talk bout yuh mad sick and crazy
but when GOD hol yuh
nuh if nor nuh but nuh badda tell almighty bout maybe

chorus:
gash dem and light dem
for all the negative vibes weh dem a bring
gash dem and light dem
mi come fi mash up and wreck up dem senseless killing
gash dem and light dem
bwoie affi reverse wid dem bag a gun ting
gash dem and light dem
stand guard and come out a di wages of sin

There is no contesting it. The Tastee Talent Contest has undisputedly stamped itself as the leading trendsetters in the unearthing and showcasing of real talents in Jamaica. The May 25th semi-final contest re-confirmed this as 25-top talents in the various areas of the performing arts, demonstrated the wealth of talent that abounds in Jamaica, bursting at the seams for outlets and opportunities to turn those talents into hard cash.

This month contest brought back good singing to the stage as both young and not so young contestants dipped into their 'oldies but goodies' bags and came up with winning presentations at last Thursday's Tastee talent contest at the Tastee Outdoor Theatre in Cross Roads. The organizers are of the view that the promised prize of 'Best Solo artiste' to perform in the UK-Unsigned talent contest at the end of the year, could well be the reasoning behind the influx of singers in this month's competition.

By: Claude Mills
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

Konnichiwa.
There is no denying it anymore. The Japanese have a yen for all things Jamaican.

There are more ska and ska-punk bands in Japan than Jamaica at this time. In addition the number one international reggae sound, Mighty Crown, is from Japan and not so long ago the number one dancehall queen was Japanese.

So why do so many Japanese love reggae?

"From a Jamaican perspective, I believe it has to do with Rastafarianism. It came out of learning about what they stand for. Because reggae is associated with rastafarianism, I think that is how they became interested in it," Megan Barrett, assistant to the cultural officer at the Japanese Embassy, told YardFlex.Com

However, the fervent Rastafarian religious belief displayed by many reggae musicians is alien to the experience of the largely non-religious Japanese. Plus, marijuana is strictly verboten in Japan. And while there are plenty of Japanese kids wearing dreadlocks these days, it's more about fashion than culture or religion.

Up and coming singer Nanko has been booked for three shows with international superstar Shaggy in the Caribbean for this Summer.

"It's a great development for him, and he's getting paid really good money for this tour, and it is a good indication that his music has been accepted by bonafide reggae fans. He has got a couple of follow up tunes, especially an uptempo one called 'Loca Amore' that I know will do well in the Caribbean and the Latin American markets," Joseph Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Records told YardFlex.Com.

Nanko rose to fame last year on the strength of his 'Lucky You' single which hit the pole position of the Richie B Tru Juice charts.

By Richie B, host - "HOT MIX" on Hot 102FM
Sponsored by Tru Juice

TW LW WC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL
01 1 12 Nuh Badda Mi-Mr. Perfect-Pure and Clean (2wks@#1) NM

02 3 9 Gash Dem-Chuck Fenda-Juke BoxxU-1

03 2 17 Gangster Rock-Elephant Man-Birchill Records (2wks@#1) D-1

04 5 7 Heart Attack-Beenie Man-Fire Links U-1

05 4 19 Hotta-T.O.K. featuring Maestro-B-Rich (1wk@#1) D-1

06 6 12 Get Crazy-Voice Mail-Birchill Records (pp#4) NM

07 11 10 Tilly Ben Ben-Buju Banton-Flip Money Records U-4

08 7 17 Please Stop The Killing-Hit List-Fouta/Gogan Music (pp#5) D-1

09 8 14 Bad Out Deh-Alozade featuring Kiprich/Chico-B-Rich (2wks@#1)D-1

10 18 4 Dutty Wine-Tony Matterhorn-Hyperactive Entertainment U-8

May 25, 2006 Kingston, Jamaica—On Saturday June 10th, world renowned authentic reggae clothing brand Cooyah, will host its second celebration of Jamaican culture and entertainment, with the stylish and star studded Cooyah XL 2006 at Morgan's Harbour, Port Royal, Jamaica.

Last year the highly lauded Cooyah XL extravaganza was described by Trace magazine as, "a five-star party in the rainforest of Kingston...which took party patrons to the dizziest heights in fashion entertainment."

Promising to outdo itself this year, the ultimate ultra all inclusive Cooyah XL event will feature celebrities such as, Rapper Mike Jones, UPN Half & Half's Lamon Rucker, and many more to be confirmed. At midnight super models and international celebrities will strut the moonlight runway featuring the latest from the Cooyah collection. Spinning the best in party music will be Upsteper China’s leading selector, Ed Lover from NY's Power 105, Kirk Riley, Renaissance, Coppershot, Walshire Killer and Razz & Biggy.

Regarded universally as the original Jamaican roots wear, Cooyah has represented reggae artistes by designing promotional clothing and has marketed original designs that reflect Jamaica's cultural heritage since its founding in 1987.

Hot blazing Gangsta Guerilla DJ Mr. Peppa will be heading to the tri-state this weekend, where he will be doing a couple of gigs including Irie Jam Celebrity Soccer Match at Roy Wilkins Park, New York.

Mr. Peppa who has just recently shot the video for Gangsta Guerilla will be knocking it hard at the Celebrity Soccer Match - when asked if he thinks he will make the starting eleven, he replied. "Yow right now it's all about fun, so for me it doesn't really matters, it's all about good sportsmanship," he told YardFlex.Com.

Mr. Peppa who's a product of Natural Bridge Records burst on the Dancehall circuit in 2003 with the hit single 'Good Good Gone', but since of late he's more known to the public for his mega hit single 'Hypocrite A Talk' that has now been added to the list of dancehall anthems.

BIG HEAD promotions (the promoter for Jamaica's world famous, 9 year
old annual International Dancehall Queen Competition), together with
chicagoreggae.com (the top-ranked website for reggae and dancehall in
the midwest), Fireworks and Uncle Joe proudly present the 1st Annual
Midwest Dancehall Queen Competition on Saturday, July 1, 2006 at the Taste Entertainment Center 6331 S. Lowe, Chicago, IL.

There have been several successful dancehall queen competitions in
Chicago over the years, but this is the first contest to be meticulously organized, culminating in the winner being sent to the International Dancehall Queen Competition held annually for the 9th year in Montego Bay Jamaica.

The extraordinarily popular contest attracts contestants from all over the world including, for example, last year's contestants from: New York, Florida state, Georgia,Sweden,Japan, Canada, Belize, Trinidad and of course Jamaica.

Grammy Award winning, reggae pioneer BURNING SPEAR is a certifiable legend, celebrating more than 35 years in the music business. As the popular story goes, Rodney bumped into BOB MARLEY while walking through a field, and the two began talking about music. Marley encouraged him to visit Jamaica's Studio One, where Rodney and a fellow musician recorded "Door Peep." By the time of its release, Rodney had branded the duo Burning Spear, taking the nickname of Jomo Kenyatta, who was jailed by a colonial British government in Africa but rose to become the first president of Kenya..."I think people have to remember the originals," Burning Spear suggests. "So to be honest, I don't really feel no way about it when people put reggae in a different form. Regardless who's gonna do what with the music, I don't think they interfere with Burning Spear."

"I don't know how other people see music," reggae legend Burning Spear reflects. "Some people might see it based upon money, some people might see music based upon opportunity and access. But I see music as life. I see music as inspiration."

Make Boys Cry journeyed to Japan last week for a series of promotional appearances for their debut Toshiba EMI album which is due out this Summer.

"The girls were really excited about the trip, everything went great, they shot a new video for 'Short a Nutten' which will be the lead off single, MBC did photo shoots, they did MTV Japan, a couple of TV stations, did station IDs and for radio disc jockeys. The album drops in Japan on July 19th, and will be available in the UK three weeks before that. Usually, they don't promote reggae artistes this way, usually, it's underground, no mainstream airplay, so to see them roll out the MTV guns, Toshiba is a powerful force, and they believe in the project.

They have the look, they're marketable, they are a rare find coming from Jamaica...EMI is looking to sell over 100,000 copies with this album at least," Computer Paul said, adding that this augurs well for reggae music internationally.

By Cecelia Campbell-Livingston

She is talented and set on making big strides in the music business. You could say she started being groomed for the big times from as far back as she remember. Her name is Helen Lindsay and she has had a
love affair with music for almost seventeen years now.

It all started when she was a little girl of five years old. According to Helen she would use singing as therapy whenever she was sad.

She first started singing in church, as her father was a piano player. He would take her along with him "and I was always placed in the front bench with the choir. I would sing along not knowing the song, but i was the seed that was being planted for my love of
music," Helene reminisced with a smile.

Beenie Man rightly proclaimed himself, King Of The Dancehall, a couple years ago and no one in the battle-based culture batted an eye-lash. Why? Because when it comes to chats and riddems, Beenie Man is the alpha and the omega. That is, the 33-year-old Kingston native, born Moses Davis, but better know 'round the world as Beenie Man, is the dancehall movement personified.

Releasing his first record, "Too Fancy" at the tender age of 7-years-old in '81, Beenie has not only been at the forefront of the genre ever since, but has been largely responsible for growing it into the international phenomenon it is today. And it is exactly this legacy which his latest release, Undisputed, serves to maintain. "This album is all about the title," he says. "It wasn't a concept, but more of a theme.

Each song had to live up to that name." And with production by the likes of Scott Storch, Don Corleon (Elephant Man, Sizzla) and Tony Kelly (Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder), and appearances by Akon, Brooke Valentine and reggaeton artist Voltio, Beenie able to completed the task of crafting an LP worthy of such a bombastic title. The lead single, "Hmm Hmm" is vintage Beenie at his best with infectious choruses and unforgettable melodies.

The video for Da'Ville's single 'On My Mind' was premiered on Entertainment Report (E.R.) on Friday, May 12 and gearing to be one of the top music videos for the summer.

Shot in a countryside setting, Da'Ville is seen playing a guitar as some children joyfully play throughout the shoot. There is also a scene in which the children are seen being transported in a traditional Jamaican donkey cart.

While Da'Ville sings about the woman he has on his mind, she picking some juicy mangoes and putting them into a hamper basket. The video is very family oriented and one that can be watched by all ages. 'On My Mind' is destined to be another quality effort from the singer.

Valuables worth over $450,000 stolen

By: Claude Mills
Photo By Carlington Wilmot

Deejay Grace 'Spice' Hamilton was robbed on Saturday at about 2 a.m. by an armed man who broke into her Mannings Hill apartment through a window, and at gunpoint, made off with $150,000 in cash, five cellphones and jewellery valued at over $300,000.

According to Spice, the robber, who was dressed in full black and had a black towel over his head, was working with an accomplice who stood guard downstairs while he clambered up the steep wall to her second floor apartment.

"I was up talking with my aunt who is visiting from England, and then we fell asleep, leaving the lights and the TV on, and then I only heard a scream from my aunt, 'Gracie, Gracie, who is that? Who is that?'. I jumped up and I saw a man with a black towel over his face, in a full suit of black like a ninja and a walk like a crab," she told YardFlex.Com.

By: Jigga Matic
Photo By: Warlington

Mey Vidal is a stunner. She was the centre of attraction for many at the Reggae Sunsplash launch in Ocho Rios, St. Ann over the weekend for her sassy moves, and her melodious voice.

Born in Cuba, she left at the age of nine where she lived in Panama, then Costa Rica before finally settling in South Florida. She specialises in an eclectic mix of music which includes reggae, reggaeton and Latin reggae.

"There are a lot of Jamaicans now in Florida, and I just love reggae music and I have to give props to the roots. Lots of people choose to like ignore it, but reggaeton came from Panama, and then when the Puerto Ricans began to sing reggae songs in Spanish, and then when it moved to New York, it blew up all over the world, but I have to give props to the roots, this is where it started," she told YardFlex.Com.

By: Claude Mills
Photos By: Carlington Wilmot

The organizers of this year's Reggae Sunsplash 2006 festival ushered in the return of the original reggae festival with great panache during an unveiling ceremony at the RIU Hotels and Resorts in Ocho Rios, St Ann, on Saturday, May 20.

When the drums of the Kingston Drummers began to speak, the posh, ritzy hotel was transformed into an ancient unpredictable jungle paradise, and the tourists loved it. A Caucasian woman, who was staying at the resort, wheeled her physically challenged son to the crowd gathered before the lightning hands of the drummers, and the child clapped his hand in obvious glee at the rhythmic, decadent sounds.

By: RICKY JORDAN
Carlington Wilmot Photo
According to reports from Barbados by Daily Nation News LEGAL ACTION is about to be brought against the Royal Barbados Police Force and one
of the world's biggest reggae artistes, Sizzla, who is slated to perform here this weekend.

The action, stemming from Miguel Sizzla Collins not being allowed to enter Barbados last year, is to be brought by a United States-based Bajan promoter, who paid

50 per cent of the performance fees for the March 2005 show that didn't come off.

Promoter Anthony Harris told the Daily Nation yesterday he was meeting with attorneys here in an attempt to take action against Sizzla and the Commissioner of Police, who stopped Sizzla's entry into the country following an arrest in connection with illegal firearms.

Harris said he had been trying to contact Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin for the last month and Sizzla's management for eight months.

Relax, it's only a statue...

MTV NEWS: A statue of Britney Spears in the buff has prompted floods of complaints.

The statue, entitled 'Monument to Pro-Life: The Birth of Sean Preston' is due to be unveiled at the Capla Kesting gallery in New York next month.

Pro and anti-abortionists have got their knickers in a right old twist about it - the gallery's had 3,000 complaints.

It features Britney naked on all-fours, giving birth. Gross.

Sean Paul's third album, The Trinity (VP/Atlantic), has been certified platinum by the RIAA for U.S. sales of over 1 million units. The album current smash single, "Temperature," held the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 Airplay chart for four consecutive weeks. The album's first single, "We Be Burnin'," was recently certified as an RIAA double platinum digital single. "Give It Up To Me," the third single from The Trinity, has just been released.

On the heels of his latest platinum certification, Sean Paul is gearing up for a fantastic summer - in addition to an extensive 4-week European tour, Sean will perform at MTV's Beach House on May 31st and at NYC's Hot 97 Summer Jam, the largest one-day hip-hop festival in the country.

We think we 'em! We think we really like 'em.
Hot rap group Dem Franchize Boyz are slated to headline the performance segment of Absolute Temptation Isle's Temptation Live stage show. This takes place on July 31 at the Long Bay Beach football field in Westmoreland. Dem Franchize Boyz have topped the Billboard Rap Singles charts with tunes including Lean With It Rock With It and I Think They Like Me.

At the launch of the 5-day Absolute Temptation Isle event earlier this week, promoter Alex Chin confirmed that the group will be taking the stage. He also hinted at the possibility of another overseas act to be added to the lineup. The five day package will be packed in with 13 events which comprise Absolute Temptation Isle's get-away package which runs from July 28 to August 1.

Jamaica's hippest phone company, Digicel, has also teamed up
up with Absolute Entertainment for the staging of the highly anticipated Absolute Temptation Isle 2006. The 'Five Days of Steaming Hot Fun' begin on July 28.

"Heaven took a melody, gave it a soul, gave it a mission, put it on earth and named it Ne-Yo" -- words spoken from the mouth of a chose young man. At the tender age of twenty-two, the lyrical and musical talent that Ne-Yo possesses is far beyond his years. Born into a family of musicians from Arkansas, Shaffer C. Smith aka Ne-Yo was raised in a single parent home by his mother. In hopes of a better opportunity, Ne-Yo's mother relocated his family to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Ne-Yo would discover his passion.

Topping Billboard's No. 1 R&B chart for several weeks, the words on "Let Me Love You" touch your heart and makes you feel good in your soul. Performed by the R&B artist Mario, "Let Me Love You" is just a glimpse into the mind of a true writer. A master in the art of storytelling, Ne-Yo began writing at an early age.

A vivid imagination and creative energy has allowed Ne-Yo to write songs for multi-platinum artists such as Mary J. Blige, B2K, Faith Evans, and Musiq Soulchild. When asked about writing number one hits for other artists, simply put, Ne-Yo said, "I feel there is always room for good music. I want to reach people's soul with my lyrics throug whatever vessel God chooses."

intro:
gangsta fa life
real bakkle is on
anyway gangsta fa life
anyway

chorus:2x
weh dem a do weh dem a try
marrow wi fly into di sky
gun mi nuh barrow mi money buy
a bwoie wi die
(marrow wi fly)

verse:1
anyway mi nuh tek talk sen bwoie body to di grave pawk
dem bwoie deh nuh have nuh brave hawt
dem and dem girl have di same hawt
dem a cry like a bitch wen di war stawt
dem a run like a witch wen wi get wrawt
man guh murda dem bloodclawt
gangsta fi life wi nuh tek talk

Skullman is back with a bang. The deejay's latest hit, 'Don't Violate' has been scorching the airwaves like a US military strike over Baghdad in recent times.

While the big hit, 'Stuck' helped to define Skullman's career in the 1980s, he has not remained 'stuck in time', but has constantly evolved to keep pace with the dynamic demands of dancehall music, penning new favourites for music lovers of every generation. The song 'Don't Violate has earned him major props at stage shows across the island, and given Skullman his second taste of mainstream success.

Earlier this year, he signed a contract with the RJR Communications Group to do an islandwide tour called the 'Cross Country Invasion'. He appeared on 54 shows across the island.

"Mi love how the people dem respond to me right across the island, it was like mi launch mi career all over again, and then I tried a song I have called, 'Don't Violate', and the place lift up each time the way the people dem love the tune, mi know say it gone, this is going to be my next hit," he said.

Junior Kelly is now home from a tough European tour that promoted his most recent album Tough Life where one of the highlights was a sold out Paris concert that had in attendance several journalists who could be seeing dancing and singing to his pulsating repertoire.
He then travelled to Reggae Japansplash 06, where he shared the stage with veterans Marcia Griffiths and Gregory Issacs.

From Japan, Junior Kelly was confirmed to perform at Gambia West Africa's Repatriation Jam, however, the festival was postponed due to problems between the promoters and other local organizers. So as not to disappoint his disgruntled and emotional African brothers and sisters he changed his travel arrangements and was the key organizer in the production on the following day of a successful free concert on Gambia's Baku beach.

Junior Kelly has been confirmed for Reggae Sunsplash 2006 World Beat Night and his singles Get Out There on Shane Brown's Confessions rhythm, Altafan's Creator and Rock My World on His Imperial Majesty rhythm (Fever Label) are enjoying steady rotation on local and overseas radio. A video for Hold The Faith (a tribute to Dennis Brown) has been released.

Presents: FUEL

By: Claude Mills
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

Sizzla's new found friendship with Damon Dash has realized a new sneaker deal.

"The sneaker deal is just for year, it's a deal with Pro Ked, only in America. On the sneaker, yu will have the Pro-Keds sign, them you have the Sizzla sign, no special colours, we just endorse it same way. It is just to promote the name still, still get a percentage off it for a year," he told YardFlex.Com.

Will you be promoting it?

"Yea, man, yu tink Sizzla nah promote? The people just want it bredrin, So is the same principle again. accept all these things, see if we can get any income from it, any progress out of it, from it good and positive, we just deal with it."

Did you have a say in the design? Will the sneaker be in rasta colours?

"We help design it, but at the same time, Prod keds is still a Pro keds, me just want to mek it hit the market and take it from there. Just market yourself, man, if you name rasta, Selassie, everyting engrave wid him name on it, I and I is just Sizzla, I want to make a Sizzla belt, and a shirt that design a way, we just want to find a company that can make it, so that the quality stitch is there, so that people will accept it in the fashion world."

GARGAMEL MUSIC IN ROW WITH BIG CAT RECORDS OVER DANCEHALL STAR BUJU BANTON'S ALBUM RELEASE

Dancehall artist Buju Banton and Gargamel Music have threatened legal action against Big Cat Records who recently released an album called "Buju Banton Presents: Toppa Di Top Dirty Rhythms".

According to a release from Gargamel Music's Vice President and General Manager, Tracii McGregor, fans of Buju Banton should not buy the album as no one but Big Cat Records will benefit from the sales on this project, and warned that litigation will be the next step.
A release from Gargamel Music said that "the so called deal that was executed five years ago is null and void today".

"...and despite the fact that the material is just as old, Big Cat records is trying to promote it as a sanctioned new album and has even gone as far as listing Buju Banton as one of their artistes on their website," the release stated.

Sean Miller
YardFlex Writer

Reggae soul sensation Etana's radio hit, 'Wrong Address', has been blowing up all over FM radio. The song is a haunting and melodious song that is leading the charge of a new genre of music in Jamaica, reggae-soul.

The song, which is accompanied by a wonderful video, narrates the story of a young ambitious woman striving to overcome adversity.
"It is a true story based on my aunt who applied for a job and was turned down. But while she was in the office, somebody told her that she should change the address on the application next time she was applying for a job. I found that shocking in this age that we live in so I did a song about it to try to change attitudes hopefully," she told YardFlex.Com

Etana recently performed during a function at the British High Commission where she did 'Wrong Address' and covered classic songs such as Whitney Houston's 'Your Love is My Love', and Phyllis Dillon's 'No No No' to rave reviews. Upcoming singles yet to be released are 'Live and Love Life' and 'Jah Chariots'.

Beenie Man and R & B singer Akon shot a video for their combination single, 'Girls' last week. The song, which has been getting a lot of spins on hip hop stations, is one of the tracks on Beenie Man's upcoming 'Undisputed' album set for release on July 18, 2006.

"It was a two-day shoot and we did a lot of green screen work so the images will be added later. I always like working with Little X The buzz on the song so far is good, I am looking forward to seeing the finished video," he told YardFlex.Com.

Beenie Man will be shooting the video for 'Hmm Hmm' next week as well. "Hmm Hmm" is the lead single of the album for which the Doctor has enlisted his superstar friends such as hip-hop mega-hit maker Scott Storch (Beyonce, Eve, Chris Brown, Nelly, The Roots), and studio guests such as Akon ("Lonely") and reggaeton's seminal female star, Ivy Queen.

Jigga Mattic
YardFlex Writer

Jamaica's performance artist and vocal feminist Stacey Ann Chin appeared on BET's dynamic new Sunday talk show, 'Meet the Faith' that aired last Sunday, May 7 at 11 a.m. (ET/PT) and 8 p.m.(ET/PT).

Chin was the 1999 winner of the 1999 Chicago People of Colour Slam and winner of WORD: The first Slam for television. She has done one-woman shows off Broadway, and was a co-writer and performer in the Tony-nominated Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam on Broadway. Her work has been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Pittsburgh Daily, and her work has even been aired on '60 minutes'. Chin is also a vocal feminist and ahs declared publicly that she is a practising lesbian.

By Richie B, host - "HOT MIX" on HOT 102 FM
Sponsored by Tru Juice

TW LW WC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 2 17 Hotta-T.O.K featuring Maestro - B-Rich (1Wk@#1) U-1

02 1 15 Gangster Rock-Elephant Man-Birchill Records (2Wks@#1)D-1

03 7 10 Nuh Badda Mi-Mr. Perfect-Pure and Clean U-4

04 8 10 Get Crazy - Voice Mail - Birchill Records U-4

05 6 16 Please Stop The Killing-Hit List-Fouta/Gogan Music U-1

06 10 7 Gash Dem And Light Dem-Chuck Fender-Juke Boxx U-4

07 3 12 Bad Out Deh-Alozade featuring Kiprich / Chico-B-Rich (2Wks@#1)D-4

08 11 5 Heart Attack-Beenie Man-Fire Links U-2

09 4 16 Do You Know-Mr.Vegas-Fiwi Music (1Wk@#1) D-5

10 5 14 Toppa Tings-Capleton-Don Corleon (2 Wks@#1) D-5

By: PaPPa & RaZZi

Reunited and it feels so good. Reunited 'cause we understood...These are the words from the old Peaches and Herb classic that Mr. Lex must be crooning these days as he has reconciled with his wife of three-and-a-half years, Tossan Campbell-Palmer, former Ms. Petite Jamaica 1999.

The couple got back together again after a trial separation recently and word is that things are even better now between the two.

"Every couple has problems, every couple goes through these challenges...but ah just love, Tunya means a lot to me, she's a very important part of my life, both of us are more mature now, so yes, we're together again...respect," Mr. Lex told YardFlex.Com today.

Today is Mr. Lex's birthday, and the couple will be celebrating this festive occasion by heading to the North Coast to stay at one of the Hedonism resorts for a few days. They declined to specify which one.
"It has been seven years since we've been together, three years since we've been married and you know, how those things go, we have arguments like everybody else, and last year, he moved out...this was meant to be, we're still in love," Tossan said.

A release from the website, www.prweb.com, announced that Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, the youngest son of music icon and legend Bob Marley collected an unparalleled six awards at the 25th International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), on Saturday May 6, 2006 at the World Famous Apollo Theatre.

The producers of the event were Chicago based Martin's Inter-Culture Ltd. and associates.

Hosted by actor LEON (Waiting To Exhale, The Five Heartbeats, The Temptations), the well organized, event was a resounding success. Luminaries and dignitaries graced the red carpet as media and fans celebrated this anticipated event. America's Next Top Model finalist Camille McDonald caused a sensation in her role as one the presenters.

Damian Marley reached sensational heights with the album "Welcome To Jamrock" (Tuff Gong/Universal), which features Nas, Bobby Brown, and Black Thoughts (the Roots). Marley's 25th IRAWMA 2006 awards, included his father's namesake "Bob Marley Award For Entertainer of the Year", as well as "Recording Artist of the Year", "Best Song", "Best Album", "Best Music Video", and "Songwriter of the Year" which he shared with his brother Stephen Marley.

One of music's most honest and inspirational singer/songwriters, 12-time Grammy nominated India.Arie will release her new album, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, on June 27.

Her third studio album, and her first since 2002's acclaimed Voyage To India, which reached #6 on the Billboard Top Albums chart, the new disc was produced by longtime collaborators Shannon Sanders and Mark Batson (Seal, Beyonce), among others. The album's first single, "I Am Not My Hair," featuring searing remix collaborations with Akon, Swizz Beatz, and Jazze Pha, marks the first time India.Arie has agreed to let other artists remix her work.

Known for her soulful pursuit of unvarnished musical perfection, the new album is a more personal expression containing more intimate songscapes from the artist, duly recognized through the years for her keen insights about the world at large. She will be doing an extensive promotional tour this month, with a trek to Europe after Memorial Day to perform select songs from the much anticipated album.

COPPER - The fatherly, grand man of reggae, a flamboyant strongman among the showmen of songwriters, "Toots" Hibbert, and his band, the Maytals, play a free April show in the Burning Stones Plaza at Copper Mountain for the resort's Sunsation festival.

Toots has become a popular phenom among the masses of aging performance musicians, and his latest U.S. release is a testament to the man and his band's impact upon some of the most familiar musicians in America today.

"True Love" remains a reggae release, though the guest list for Toots' studio during the recording process spanned the spectrum of popular music.

The guest appearances from rock-star royalty like Eric Clapton and Keith Richards, singer/songwriter legends Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson, original Wailers Marcia Griffith and Bunny Wailer drew quite a few new fans to the stores for Toots' ringleading effort. If those priceless collaborations didn't sell the album, then some of the younger stars helped sweeten the deal.

DJ Macka Diamond is in high spirits after walking away with the Female DJ/Rapper of the Year Award at International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) held last Saturday at the world famous Apollo Theatre, New York.

Macka Diamond edged out other nominees Lady Saw, Ce'Cile, Tanya Stephens and Fiona.

It was pandemonium when Macka Diamond took centre stage to perform her hit single 'Bun Him'. She didn't even need Black-er's input as the audience did his part quite convincingly. 'Bun Him' is still very dominant on the New York Charts for the fifth week now.

Her debut album, 'Money O' produced by Greensleeves was released last month and already it's enjoying great vibes. Among the hit singles on the album are 'Bun Him', Lexus and Benz' and 'Done Already'.

Photos By: Warlington

P & L Records recently shot a medley video for their new rhythm titled, "Holiday". The Holiday is anticipated to be the hottest local compilation this summer. The music video for the Holiday rhythm features: Bounti Killa, Vybz kartel, Mr Lexx and Bling Dawg.

This medley was shot at a mansion in Jacks Hill, St. Andrew. Creative Source, popularly known for Game Over, Jay Will and Sharif directed videos directed the flick.

The video reflects the whole idea of Summer Holiday's with a bevy of scantily clad females at a car wash scene to a fun BBQ party that's poolside. Other scenes include Bling Dawg hosting a Summer night club setting with his entourage in tow sipping Hennessey and making the most of the usual holiday excitement, while Mr Lexx preferred cooling down indoors. He relaxed in sud-filled Jacuzzi surrounded by females.

Beenie Man is the name mentioned by many Ugandan 'ragga artists' (as they are known by local funs) when asked to tell their music idol.The born lucky Uganda's Bobi Wine now says his dream seems to have come to reality when he met,talked and performed with not only the dancehall king singer Beenie but also Spragga Benz in Stockholm Sweden last month.

Known in Uganda as the president of "Fire Base Crew" Bobi Wine is one of biggest East Africa Dancehall musicians famous for their real ragga tunes done in Luganda his mother tongue."I can't say I am a star but I think I am good, because if Beenie Man could admit that I am talented, and even agreed to do a song with me, then Ugandans should know that I am good," that is what Bobi said when he was interviewed on KFM(local radio station in Uganda) few days after he come back from his tour outside Africa which ended in London on Easter.He even promised two duets with Spragga Benz very soon.

By: Claude Mills
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

Aidonia told YardFlex.Com that he has not yet been
contacted by well-known 'Coolie Dance' producer Cordell 'Skatta' Burrell regarding management ties, yet he has been assailed by a lot of rumours that his now ex-manager has cut all ties with him.

"I have not heard from Skatta since last week Thursday when he called me and asked if I was going to come in to sign the contract or not. I told him I was doing my hair, mi soon come in, but him hang up and mi no hear nutten since then, me no hear nutten official yet about this management issue... just this one bag a negative thing, the media ah call mi phone, one bag of rugu-rugu, and me and the man no have nothing," Aidonia said.

"I was given the contract nearly two weeks ago, and mi review certain tings wid mi family because dem a represent mybest interest and nutten no wrong wid dat because after all, a contract is a compromise between managment and the artiste. And there were certain things that I never liked, so mi have to look out for myself, this is my career."

By: Claude Mills
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

Cordell 'Skatta' Burrell has cut off all management ties with deejay Aidonia, who he has managed for the past 14 months.

"Aidonia says that I cannot manage him exclusively, and he has refused to sign a contract my lawyer put together for him," Skatta told YardFlex.Com while responding to rumours that have circulated since late last week that there was once again friction in the camp.

"I still believe in him, he is a talented artiste, but he needs to know say him wrong. How can you be that ungrateful? It's not his talent alone that put him where he is right now, he is very talented, but millions were spent on promotion and development of the artiste, and he has not help up his end, loyalty is the most important thing in this business. None of the great artistes make it without a good management structure, Buju, Beenie Man, Sean Paul, Shaggy, look at what they have done because they have remained loyal and true to what they are doing."

Ding Dong, whose 'Bad Man Forward, Bad Man Pull Up' single went to number one in England on the reggae charts, has introduced a new dance/song, 'Before Summer'. The dancer-turned-deejay also recorded a song of the same name, alongside Tornado to compliment the dance.

"The dance ah go tek the whole place soon. When people see it, dem ah go know it instant because it different, it come in like six different dance inna one, right now, we endorse it every Sunday at Gabba Sundays inna Ravers Clavers Park rounda Mountain View," Ding Dong told YardFlex.Com.

He has an upcoming show in Bahamas with the rest of the Ravers Clavers crew.

"Ah just crazy show a come in right now, we go away every weekend, the people dem love the flavour."

By: Jigga Matic
Photos By: Warlington

Building a rep in the dancehall game without a record deal is no easy task. But Munga is a testament to the power of dedication and talent. He has been able to 'trick dem and buss'.

The rookie deejay's growing buzz is centred around the unapologetically hardcore single, 'No Bad Like I', which has become a rude-boy anthem at stage shows all across Jamaica, plus he is getting crazy love from turntablists as well as FM radio as the track is a must-play for every disc jockey worth his salt in the business today.

"I never knew the song had a current, but I never knew that it would be this big," the 26 year-old deejay born Damian Rhoden said.

He grew up in the parish of St. Mary where he attended Hillside Primary and later St. Mary High for two years. He then moved to Kingston where he attended Tarrant High at the same time as Denise Plummer a.k.a Dancehall Queen Stacie. At school, he made good grades, and could have done any number of things but he chose to deejay.

According to a press release from Gargamel Music, Inc.international Reggae star Buju Banton aka Gargamel will headline UCLA's 20th Anniversary Jazz and Reggae Festival to be held Memorial Day Weekend at the sprawling Intramural Field on the UCLA campus at the end of May.

The prestigious two-day festival features some of the most talented names in both Jazz and Reggae, and attracts over 30,000 fans each year.

The Jazz lineup on Sunday, May 28th includes such greats as Dianne Reeves, Floetry, Gerald Wilson and His Big Band Orchestra, Kenny Burrell and Donnie. Monday, May 29th boasts Jamaican music sensations Assassin, Bushman, Macka Diamond, Tami Chynn, and of course, the legendary Buju Banton who will close out the festivities with his energetic blend of dancehall and roots Reggae.

Local dancehall group Voise Mail took their brand of music to the international scene recently, as the members invaded Japan on a two week trek to promote their recently released album Hey.

According to group member Jerome 'Craig' Jackson, 'Japan sell off. It was crazy fun and the vibes was great'. The group performed to venues which drew out fans in their thousands. 'We did shows in Takanawa, Tokyo and we have a few more to complete before we come back home to Jamaica', Jerome added.

The members of the group were overwhelmed by the response of the Japanese people, towards their performances. 'Voise Mail is on their way into the hearts of the Japanese. It was as if they couldn’t get enough of us', Jerome commented.

Rihanna's "SOS" Hits #1 on Billboard Hot 100, Hot Digital Songs, Pop 100, Dance/Club, Billboard Monitor, and R&R Pop Chart - With Worldwide #1 Chart Results Pouring In!!

A GIRL LIKE ME, Second Def Jam Album, Debuts At #5 On First Week Sales of 115,126 Copies

New Single "Unfaithful" Blows Onto The Charts, As Video Debuts On MTV's "TRL" - Follow-Up To #1 Video "SOS"

Rihanna builds on success of 2005's RIAA gold debut, Music Of the Sun, featuring summer crossover smash "Pon De Replay"

Def Jam recording artist Rihanna is buoyed by the top 10 debut entry of her second album, A GIRL LIKE ME (follow-up to her RIAA gold debut, Music Of the Sun), as she rides the crest of this year's biggest crossover smash, "S.O.S." - which takes over the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, Pop 100, Hot Digital Songs Chart, Hot Dance Club Play Chart, and Billboard Monitor and R&R (Radio & Records) Pop charts.

Photos By: Warlington

Floydwest is not your typical garden-variety singer. He is a charismatic firebrand who is unafraid to speak his mind, even if it means that he might offend you. In fact, he is defined by one primary mission in his life, and that is to make music that speaks to the hearts of men.

"Right now, I believe that Jah ordain it for me to sing and perform for people, and I have a message that has to get out there to the people," he said.

West has packed a hectic full life in 25 short years. During his youth, he was a whiz at performing poetry and short narrative pieces, winning several medals in the annual Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) competitions.

At one time, while attending Bridgeport High, he won a Colgate song contest under the name 'Rapper Kid'. In his late adolescence, acquired skills as a woodworker (learning from his father, Owen Fitzroy West), before going into music, later becoming disenchanted. After that, he began studying at Portmore Community College before leaving that to enjoy a brief stint in the army!

Mr. Vegas is now in high spirits following his successful debut performance in Russia on April 29.

Vegas knew his song 'Do You Know' was crossing borders but even he wasn't prepared for the overwhelming response he received when he touched the stage in Moscow Russia.

"The show as great, the venue was jam packed and the audience was singing along to songs such as 'Heads High', 'Tamale', 'Do You Know', 'Pull Up' and 'More Love' the singer shared on his experience.

For him it was really an experience and more encouraging for him was the fact that the Russians told him it was one of the best show they had seen for a long time.

'Saddle to the East' rides again.Bounty Killer has revived his signature stage show, 'Saddle to the East' which will be held in August of this year, a move that is sure to please the legions of Killa fans out there.

Kingston, Ja/New York, NY: Hailed as the 'Poor People's Governor,' Dancehall icon Bounty Killer joins forces with non-profit organization Upliftment Jamaica to revive his signature stage show Saddle to the East in support of on-going educational initiatives in St. Thomas, Jamaica's most impoverished parish. After a six-year hiatus, the highly anticipated Saddle to the East, returns on August 26th, this time at Goodyear Oval in St. Thomas, and features the ace deejay (mc) alongside his A-List dancehall and reggae brethren.

'The Five Star General' who was named "Upliftment Ambassador" at the organization's 2004 Gala, is re-launching the annual concert to raise money to support Upliftment's programs geared toward improving academic training and structure, furnish teaching materials and supplies, and re-building playgrounds in St. Thomas's under-funded schools.

New York: Rising dancehall star Jovi Rockwell is blowing up worldwide. The young singer who describes herself as a "rebel-love-goddess" is riding a wave of popularity in the tri-state area where her unreleased single "All About Love" is enjoying heavy rotation on numerous Caribbean radio programs including the number one rated Irie Jam Radio, WRTN, 93.5FM in New York.

The hot single "All About Love" is from her forth coming album on Wire One Music and was produced by Yogi from FIWI Music. Another single, "You Are Gonna Need Me" is also creating waves in New York. The song which is a remake of an all time Jamaican classic was recorded with dancehall star Mr. Vegas and will be included on his forth coming album due out this summer.

In Jamaica, another unreleased single "Rizzla," which was leaked by Shaggy's manager Robert Livingston to DJ Sunshine of Irie FM is enjoying multiple spins on the Ocho Rios based station and looks set to make it to the top of the charts.

"I am so very excited about all the attention my music is getting. It just goes to show that hard work does have its rewards" Jovi was quoted as saying.

Turn It Up! is the all new dancehall television show hosted by top BBC 1Xtra DJ Robbo Ranx hitting the TV screen on Friday 5th May 2006.

This groundbreaking TV show Turn It Up! is a 30-minute music and lifestyle programme featuring live dancehall footage, interviews and up-to-date coverage of the international dancehall scene.

Robbo Ranx hosts London's only West End dancehall and reggae club night, Uptown Splurt, every Wednesday at prestigious top spot Cameos nightclub. The night features some of the biggest DJ names in UK dancehall.

Named after the highest mountain in Africa and one of the the many tourist attractions in Tanzania, the Kilimanjaro music awards organizers put up a list of all the artists nominated for this year's event.There are twenty one categories including best reggae/ragga artist which features local reggae big names like innocent nganyagwa last year's winer and Hard Mad who have tried to keep up the music's true roots.

Innocent Nganyagwa plays Tanzanian reggae blending some Tanzanian rhythms into normal known reggae beats whel as Hard Mad does real dancehall music flavoured with roots reggae and some african tunes.I n another category tittled East African musician of the year, two Ugandan dancehall artists who havve been on a tour to UK have been mantioned that is Bobby wine of Kagoma/Taata wa bana fame and MeggaDee of Nze ndeka/In heven no beer fame.

It's Lykle Bit 30th b-day, and as most people would do they would celebrate it, either by having some bashment dance or with family and friends. Lykle Bit on the other hand decided to have a fundraiser to raise funds in assistance of providing tickets to the youths in the community to attend an amusement park such as wonderland, CNE, etc. The reason behind this is that most parents cannot afford to give their children a summer to remember; we all know that at the begining of the school year most teachers want to know what they did for the summer; most of them dont have an answer, now they do.

"I have local Toronto artist who have volunteered their time in support of my idea to come out and perform because they thought it is different and that it is for a good cause. I also have DJs coming out to play variety of music and Big G (www.biggonline.com radio show host) hosting the event.

Editors At Large
By: Claude Mills
Photos By: Carlington Wilmot

Dancer-turned-deejay Ding Dong is revolutionizing the dancehall game with his edgy creativity and dancing savvy, creating a host of new moves to match the slamming dancehall rhythms coming out of the island's studios.

YardFlex.Com caught up with him at Ravers Park in Nannyville, St. Andrew last week, the same week he scored his first number one hit, 'Bad Man Forward Bad Man Pull Up' on the CHOICE FM chart in London, England.

You've probably seen him in a recent Digicel commercial on TV, or in the 'Wacky Dip' video with Voice Mail. Now, Ding Dong's got his own thing - Bad Man Forward, Bad Man Pull Up, a self-explanatory dance geared towards the 'shotters' who once believed they were too macho to dance.

By: Jigga matic
Photo By: Warlington

Quick, send a 'she-mail' to Pythagaros, the Father of Mathematics. Tell him that the number two is dead. Well, at least in Jamaica.

Here on the rock, the Arabic number two (2) has somewhat of a bad rep.

"All things are numbers," said Pythagoras who laid the cornerstone of scientific geometry. However, Jamaicans have taken this idea a bit too far to the extent that the number two has become the victim of nasty smear campaign, perpetrated by the Cash Pot, Bingo and Drop Hand games that Jamaicans have played for decades.

Here, the number two has all sorts of terrible connotations and has become a euphemism to suggest homosexuality, immoral men, or suspected gaydom, and in the Cashpot game, 'small fire'. As such, most artistes, producers and managers have summarily banned the word, and now use word twice instead.