On Wednesday night, at an undisclosed location on Miami Beach, R & B star Monica (a Scorpio) will be hosting the 'Shottas' event with special guest appearances by Kymani, Stephen and Damian Marley, Rik Ross, DJ Khalid, Fat Joe, Trina, Trick Daddy, Paul Campbell, Lennox Lewis, Spragga Benz, Falam Remi, Inner Circle and many more.

"It's a red carpet affair. It's going to be a VIP event, lots of celebrities. 'Shottas' will open the floodgates for Caribbean film industry," director Cess Silvera told YardFlex.com managing director Debbie Cole this morning.

There will be large screen televisions at the location showing the trailer of "Shottas". The movie itself an unapologetic raw urban drama that deals with life in the ghettoes of Jamaica. Recently, the film was done over after it was bootlegged and released to the public.

The story revolves around Biggs & Wayne, poverty stricken Jamaican youths who want the gangster lifestyle, and what the consequences are of their actions.

Appleton Jamaica Rum, in association with Cable and Wireless and bMobile, presents Welcome To Jamrock: the concert, on Friday, December 22. This year, the concert will be held at the Constant Spring Football Club.

Last year, the first staging of the event was held at Cinema 2 in New Kingston and saw stellar performances from Dancehall songstress Alaine, Serious Times singer Gyptian, Roots Reggae giant Richie Spice, the Reggae family band Morgan Heritage, inscrutable Dancehall veteran Buju Banton and multi-Grammy award winner Damian "Jr Gong" Marley.

Since then, a lot has happened with the artistes who have performed on the show. Alaine has consistently released hit Dancehall tunes. Gyptian has released his debut album. Richie Spice has kept high on the local charts.

Kingston, Jamaica - The blazing hot duo of Leftside and Esco will lend their star power and unmistakable musical prowess to the newest competition in town, the Smirnoff Ice Press Play Riddim Competition. Reknowned for their creativity in studio, on the mike and at the turntable, Leftside and Esco have built a baseline rhythm and aspiring music producers will be challenged to add their personal touch to the mix in an effort to unleash the hottest new tune that will hit the airwaves.

The public challenge is to come up with the next original hit rhythm. The base rhythm was chosen and will be aired. Contestants will take this base rhythm and add sounds to create a different rhythm on a specific genre of music that will be communicated through the media. An example of this is if the rhythm is up-tempo dancehall and the challenge will be to re-mix it along the lines of a hip-hop rhythm.

How do you enter?

Collect the base rhythm CD at any of the Red Stripe distribution centers, RE-TV and ZIP FM studios, do your remix and submit it with one proof of purchase from a six-pack of Smirnoff Ice, plus contact information. Every week a different genre gets thrown into the mix to keep things interesting.

Montreal's Dancehall Queen 2006, Lady Splitz, has been blazing a trail since gaining the coveted title this year. On October 28, 2006, she put her artistic talents on parade at what has been labelled, the hypest birthday bash this year. It was Lady Splitz's time to shine, and as birthday girl, she pulled out all the stops to give friends and fans a night to remember at Montreal's Castleton Gardens Club.

Tumultuous cheers rang out as there was a lot to celebrate, with this year being one that seems to have ushered in many of Lady Splitz's dreams. There was the spring Dancehall Queen crowning and subsequent trip to New York where she was 1st runner up for the US title, a June high school graduation ceremony and the emergence of Diva's Beauty Salon founded and owned by the young no-nonsense businesswoman, Lady Splitz. While keeping her eye on the prize of someday being involved as an educator for children with mental disabilities, Lady Splitz continues honing her natural abilities, not only as a performance artist but also within the salon where, "Hair is art," she said.

Claude Mills
YardFlex Writer

Tanisha Henry, an 18 year-old resident of Beacon Avenue in Thompson Pen, became the first official causalty of the 'Dutty Wine' dance when she died this morning right in the middle of a 'School Uniform' party in her community.

YardFlex.com went to the Spanish Town hospital hoping to get some information relating to her death but a "Dr. Knight' who was the physician on duty at that time was not there. Our investigations took us to Beacon Avenue where we spoke to her mother, who with tears standing in her eyes, managed to blurt out the story in between heaving sobs.

"When I go there, dem ask if she was doing the Dutty Wine dance. I told them yes, and the doctor said that it was probably it that killed her because she have a cut on her forehead...there was a big crowd at the hospital...Tanisha was well loved by people...she was going to do so much with her life," her mother, Linda Henry, told a reporter.

Carlington Wilmot Photos

It come in like ole time sumting come back again. Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Nitty Kutchie and Harry Toddler were spotted hanging out together and joking at a Weddy Weddy session this week. It was like old times when Bounty Killer and the Scare Dem crew were tight friends, and almost inseparable. Will Ele and Toddler and Kutchie reunite to do a new Scare Dem record though?

WHO IS THE REAL MAFIA?

There are three Mafias in the local dancehall biz. Flippa Maffia, Don Mafia, and G-Maffiah. YardFlex.com did an interview earlier this year where G-Maffiah contended that other people stole his name, and even pointed fingers at Don Mafia, who Don Mafia is contending that he did not steal G-Maffiah's name. He believes that even though there is room in the industry for all the Mafioso, he is the real mafia.

Photo by: Carlington Wilmot

How Spice just a beat off har chest so hard, and she nuh have a number one tune yet? She vex say Tanya coulda win the Reggae Grammy next year, ah muss dat, because she no . Yu nuh read what Tanya tell the STAR reporter that 'imitation is the greatest form of flattery' and that she surprised because she neva know that Spice know that she exist.

Mi hear that Spice is mad as hell about it. But ah dat fi happen, Spice ah gwaan too hot now, she even try draw di Killa tongue at Horse Man full black show...ever since Killa talk say ah him buss har, and she run go deny it, she just hot fi him, or is because she inna Dave Kelly camp now.

Photo By Carlington Wilmot

What is De-va Brat's problem? How him ah walk up and down and ah diss up Idonia. Him no hear wah Killa say, from yu diss Alliance, yu get bullet!

Who is Bar-bee, and is she romatically involved with Junior Kelly? Word is that they were very cozy on the set of the video for their combination song. The video is enjoying steady rotation on HYPE TV and will hit MTV Tempo soon.

Ah true say KC Jockey and Sasha did have a ting one time?

Is it true that Flair, formerly of HYPE TV and Music Plus is getting married? Rumours are that is a toppa-top money man from Montego Bay.


How Kartel ah wear full white from wah day ya and him no go Full Black? Something rumbling in the Alliance?

You know that I got the real stories. One of my girlfriends called me over the weekend with some terrible news about her good-fer-nothing man. She say 'Buffilous, I had to kick the nigga to the curb and discipline him as well."

Apparently, as is peculiar to his sex, him ah give ah har bun, but this dawg ah do it extra wicked. Is like the two ah dem supposed to go to a wedding reception together but him get dress and leave her inna the shower. My girl neva miss a beat, she just get dressed, pick up har girlfriend and shot go to the ting, but when she reach, is like him friend dem a block her at the gate. So she spot the rake, but she hold har meds. All the time, him inna one room wid a next gal.

Finally, she see him come out and him and the girl stand up and dem a dance the whole night. But my girl just easy, and she and har friend get tipsy and enjoy demself. A few hours later, him come ova to her, say him waan leave, and drape her up and promise her a shot. My girl give him a feisty reply: "only one shot yu can gimme, and that is gonorrhoea."

Former heavyweight champion of the world Trevor Berbick was found with his skull bashed in this morning in Portland. The story even made it to the international press, and a report aired on FOX News this morning. Reports are sketchy at this time, but the police confirmed that the boxer had indeed been killed by unknown assailants in the community he resided.

"People are tight-lipped at this time, but we can confirm that he was found dead in Norwich District, Portland, we're not sure if it's stab wounds or gunshots. I know that he was deported from the United States, but we're not sure what were the grounds for his deportation," a CCN representative said.

At the age of 21, Berbick represented his native Jamaica in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Berbick, a former heavyweight champion of the world, had been forced to stop boxing after his last bout in May 2000 against Shane Sutcliffe when a CAT SCAN reevealed a blood clot in his brain and his license to box was revoked. He had retired to Florida to be with his wife and three children but had various arrests throughout his life and was even sentenced in Florida to 5 years in prison (he served only 15 months) for sexually assaulting the family babysitter in 1992.

New deejay on the rise, Terro 3000 has been making his presence felt on the recently launched RE High School Tour. The tour has so far made stops at Campion College, Queen High and St. Andrew Technical High schools.

'The RE school tour has been a great experience for me so far. I got a chance to meet other artistes and interact and vibe with them both on the bus and at the venue. It has also helped to build my confidence as a performer. Every aspect of the tour is fun, from the performance to the bus ride to and from the venue', Terro explained with a burst of enthusiasm.

The RE High School tour which started in 2005 is aimed at spreading the abstinence and safe sex message among high school students. Popular entertainers also part take in the tour in helping to get the message out to the students.

Embracing an effortless eloquence and cocoa butter smooth persona, the music of Brian McKnight has defined the true meaning of American soul man since 1991. Like his spiritual Motown godfathers, this upstate New York native has a velvety voice and silky style that captures the vibe of vintage soul without being old fashion. On his latest disc Ten, that blend can be clearly heard.

"It's always been my goal to try and bring back real R&B music," Brian says. "When I was growing-up it was all about the seventies soul men. From the first time I ever stepped into a studio, my daydream was to pick-up where Marvin Gaye left off." While Brian's aspirations might have seemed like a lofty ambition, the longevity of his career is a testament to the purity of his vision.

In an industry that has a fast turnaround of acts vying to be the next "quiet storm" king or crooner on Soul Train, it's unbelievable that Brian McKnight is still creating beautiful music fifteen years after releasing his self-titled debut. Like the late Luther Vandross before him, the secret of Brian McKnight's rhythmic endurance comes down to his ability to create eternal music.

Tempo, the Caribbean's premiere entertainment television network is pleased to announce the Super Star line up for Tempo Turns One: the channel's one year Anniversary Celebration. Headline artists will include: The Royal Family of Reggae, Morgan Heritage, The Alison Hinds SHOW, Machel Montano & XTATIC, Denise "SAUCY WOW" Belfon, Wayne Marshall, Sweet Mickey and many others including a few surprises. St. Croix favorites will also be bringing the Tempo, including: Kenya, The Stroka Band, The Xzecutives, and D'Apostle. Mr. Rockin U himself Dahved Levy will be pumpin' it up as the Master of Ceremonies. The Anniversary will be held on Cramer's Park East End Beach the weekend of November 4, 2006 on the Island of St. Croix.

Tempo is also pleased to announce that LP Records and Sandal Solé have been added on to sponsor Tempo Turns One. They will join previously announced sponsors: Innovative Cable TV, Government of the Virgin Islands, American Airlines, DIVI Carina Bay, Heineken, University of The Virgin Islands, The Reichhold Center for the Arts, JKC Communications, West Indies Corporation, Cruzan Rum, Budget Rent A Car, Billy D's Special Tees, First Bank, VI Hotel & Tourism Association, and IB Designs.

Greetings Dear Reader, I just wanted to thank you for the overwhelming response I have gotten in regards to the column, please keep sending me your thoughts and concerns and I will try my best to answer them all.

This is another true tale of mine, this one goes out to Ally who ended up with a great man and avoided, what could have been a life-shattering event thanks to Father God, all blessings through Him. Jah, Rastafari!

Sistahs, sistahs you must beware because yuh have some real wicked man out there!

Shouting out Situation # 2 "My man The Hustlah who nearly got me busted"

OK so I'm on IM talking to my friend Tara the other day about how important it is to truly know your man, know the beast you're dealing with so that nothing he does comes as too much of a surprise to you. Tara's remark was "Do I have a story for you MJ. What about the one you thought you knew but who does a 360 degree turn on you? Cause that's what happened to my sister Ally." Now Dear Reader, I was clueless as to what Tara's sister had been through but I sure as hell wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to hear what happened. So I pressed Tara to tell me more and this is what she wrote:

Photo by: Pittermd.com

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is at the forefront of the movement to advance the use of robotic technology in gynaecological surgery. Michael Pitter, M.D., is one of the physicians leading the way in developing and advancing these GYN procedures with the use of the da Vinci robot which benefits patients by making recovery quicker and hospital stays much shorter.

Dr. Pitter described how the da Vinci fits into gynaecologic applications.

"Gynaecologic surgery was always predominantly minimally invasive. Before the robot, 30 to 50 per cent of our cases were being performed laparoscopically. So using the da Vinci is a natural extension of laparoscopic surgery," the St. George's College old boy said.

WHAT IS GREENSLEEVES GOING TO DO?

By: Sean Miller
Photo by: Carlington Wilmot

Are dancehall artistes shooting themselves in the foot with their unprofessional attitudes towards the business side of the music biz? Almost every week, you hear the horror stories of artistes not honouring contracts, whether they have been inked with individual managers, or with major record companies, and it has got to the point where you wonder when this sort of 'cowboy attitude' will cause this indigenous industry to implode.

So saying all that, YardFlex.com spoke to an industry insider about what were the broader implications of the recent developments where Fantan Mojah and now deejay Vybz Kartel have decided to opt out of their album deals with independent label Greensleeves Records.

"Based on what I have seen and heard, the way they are going about it is totally wrong," music producer Gussie Clarke. "This action will not get them out of it, but instead will create a negative impact as how they are perceived by other record labels. It could lead to a reluctance on the part of major players of have anything to do with those artistes in the future."

By: Janice Dayle
MONTREAL

Oliver Samuels is more than his usual wild and witty self as he brilliantly portrays a hilarious burglar in Patrick Brown's "Assistant Thief". Currently on tour in North America, the play features an equally talented cast of Glen "Titus" Campbell and Camille Davis.

"I caught up with the tour at Montreal's Royal Vale Auditorium on October 22, 2006, where the excitement began even before the play started. It was actually dinner theatre, thrown together by stalwart promoter Garry T and associates, with fine finger-licking cuisine, refreshments, Caribbean delicacies and CKUT's Howard "Stretch" Carr as host.

By: Jigga Mattic
Photo by: Carlington Wilmot

Bounty Killer will be releasing the Alliance's debut album next year on his new label Me-Is-A-Rebel Music.

The Alliance recently inked a label deal with VP Records and their first project will feature 20 artistes from the Alliance including the Young Alliance youngbloods, Advance, Anarchy, Dada, Assailant and others, and will feature the top producers in the music business.

It has been three years since his last album, a time period that is like an eternity for a dancehall artiste, but the stiletto-framed Killer is always relevant, with his unqiue delivery and signature slangs like 'Bullet'.

He hit it big in 2002 with No Doubt, the platinum-selling band on the worldwide smash, 'Hey Baby', giving him an international profile. His last album was Ghetto Dictionary, a two-CD set that was released on May 28, 2002, and distributed by New York independent VP Records.

Stephen Marley will drop his highly anticipated solo album, Mind Control on February 6, 2007. The album will include guest appearances from Mos Def, Ben Harper his brother Junior Gong Marley on the single, 'The Traffic Jam'.

The album will be released on the Ghetto Youths/Tuff Gong/Universal-Republic label. That's a mouthful isn't it'
Stephen will join the rest of the Marley family for the Africa Unite 2007 tour in South Africa in February.

Photo by: Reggae Photo

Reggae star Gregory Isaacs will take time out of his busy European tour schedule to do a recording with Bono of the group U-2 in Ireland soon. He will also be performing with the "Bollywood Orchestra", a philharmonic orchestra from India, during a special show in Ireland and in the UK.

U2 star Bono is reportedly a big fan of reggae music, and is a huge fan of reggae singer Abdel Wright, a former convict, after performing with him at a 2003 AIDS benefit concert in South Africa and now he's helping him hit the charts

The recording will take place some time during a European tour that Gregory Isaacs will be conducting and which will wind through Holland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany and the UK.

YARDFLEX GIRL OF THE WEEK

Photos by Carlington Wilmot
YardFlex: Photo Editor

Wad up beautiful people? My name is Alicia Crystal Cole, A.K.A. Crissy. I am a hot and sexy 20 year old cancerian who is currently attending the pre-university school of the West Indies, Jamaica -where I am majoring in business and psychology.

philosophies: "live each day as if it is your last" and "through hard work comes success ".

YARDGIRL OF THE WEEK

Photos by: Marcus

Height: 5'2 Weight: 135 lbs Size: 6 --- Chest: 34 Waist: 28 Hips: 40
Sign: Virgo

I am an outgoing and free spirited individual. I enjoy music, dancing, reading, going to the beach, fine wine and food and spending time with friends and family. I am very laid back and I just like to enjoy the moments of my life.

There are times when I let lose and get 'on bad. I was born in Trinidad, and raised in New York, I now reside in Miami. I graduated college with a bachelor's in the Environmental Science and minored in Economics.

Friction between up-and-coming deejay Ras Myrdhak and his Blaque Warriaz camp and Lion Cub of the Downsound Records camp over what the deejay says is "a remarkable similarity" between Myrdhak's 'Breath a Fire' rhythm and the popular Downsound project, 'Sika', has set tongues wagging all across the Corporate Area.

"Mi know that is Lion Cub carry my rhythm go over to the Downsound studio. The 'Sika Sitten' song build ova our office, so me know it before it even voice, but me tell him at the time that me have over 50 man pon it already. So him carry it go over Downsound and dem lick ova my thing. That's OK, still, if him did waan lick ova the riddim and put Downsound artiste alone pon it, but now, it come in like dem a put everybody pon it, like a man ah try kill my riddim. But mi a Blaque warrior, me can defend myself," Ras Myrdhak, whose recent Blazer hit is a bonafide top ten song on local charts here, told YardFlex.com.

Superstar deejay Elephant Man's stocks are certainly rising on the international scene. The energetic dancehall artiste has teamed with internationally acclaimed hip-hop giant Diddy and singer Nicole of the group Pussy Cat Doll for the single titled 'Come Give Me' on the Bad Boy label.

The Q45-managed artiste says the song is doing very well with regular rotation on local as well as overseas radio stations. Already there are plans in place for a music video for 'Come Give Me'. They are doing treatment for the video that is expected very soon.

With regards to the highly anticipated album that will be produced on Diddy's Bad Boy label, Elephant Man disclosed that it is due next March. The yet to be titled album was originally set for September but has been pushed forward for another six months.

Music confuse me...too much bad songs out there!" are the words coming from the singjay that is tearing up the dancehall scene right now with 'Hot Wuck'. From the vibes coming out of the dancehall Hot Wuck seems to be the "maddest, baddest ting out deh now!"

And no one is enjoying those vibes more than Vegas.

He is now gearing up to unleash "a new ting" on the massive and dancehall fans had better gear up for it!

Vegas has teamed up with Over Mars from the Ravers Clavers dancers for 'Raging Bull'. The singjay is very excited about it as he says the dancers have already created a dance that will be busting the place for it. He was all fired up to launch it but had a slight set back as one of the dancers was injured. Vegas also has another song 'Teck Wey Yuhself' and according to him "it a come wid crazy vibes!"

In 2002, director/screenwriter Cess Silvera set out to pen SHOTTAS (the Jamaican word for gangster), the story of two young Jamaican teenagers-turned-gangsters. In their quest for a better life in the United States , the two teenagers rob a soda truck to get enough money for Visas. The two soon find themselves intertwined in the seedy world of Miami drug dealers and Jamaican gangsters. According to Silvera, "We've seen the Italian gangsters, the Jewish gangsters, the Cubans, but nobody has ever seen how the Jamaican gangsters do it."

The film, originally produced in 2002, offers a shocking realism that few films can deliver. It is this very realism that proved troublesome to the producers when attempting to find a distributor for the finished film. Not long after, a rough cut of the film found its way onto the internet, and it soon became the most downloaded bootleg film on the internet.

By: Jigga Mattic

Would you fork out $45,000 for a date with singer Ce'cile? Marvin Reynolds, of VP Records, did. He forked out $45,000 G dollars (Guinness dollars) at the Asylum launch of the GUINNESS® BIG BID Consumer Promotion last week.

Asked if he had splurged too much on the date, this big spender, a mad gleam of joy in his eyes, responded: "Yu mad, my yute? She more than worth it!".

"Mi work a VP, yu no see how much artiste we produce, we no short ah money!" he added, while counting out his pseudo-dollars. It was not clear

Earlier, emcee Ity had conducted auctions on cellular phones, and conducted a bad man dance contest to (what else?) the song, 'Dutty Wine' to much laughter from the gaggle of media practitioners, Red Stripe employees and music industry insiders in attendance.

P DIDDY has confessed he had group sex in champagne-filled baths when he was a bachelor.

The rapper, renowned for throwing lavish celebrity parties, admits his fetishes spiralled out of control.

He told Vibe magazine: "I was buck-f***ing wild - beyond Ménage à trios.

"I was 20-something and renting the presidential suite at the Hotel Nikko in Beverly Hills.

"I got the bathtub filled with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.

"Then sex became dangerous."

Diddy is keen to stress that he has now turned his back on his wild ways. His long-term girlfriend KIM PORTER is pregnant with twin girls.

Jamaica's ghetto superstar, Cham, is setting the trend for Dancehall entertainers this year. After releasing Ghetto Story earlier this year to local acclaim, he remixed it for the international listeners. Alicia Keys contacted Cham's management and thus Ghetto Story, Chapter 2 was born.

BET is hosting its first ever Hip Hop Awards show at Atlanta's Fox Theatre on Sunday, November 12, which airs Wednesday, November 15 on BET. Cham is up for 2 awards for his single, Ghetto Story, Chapter 2, which features Alicia Keys: Best Collaboration (Touch It Remix, Ridin', Grillz and Shoulder Lean) and Rookie of the Year (Chamillionaire, Lupe Fiasco, Rick Ross and Yung Joc).

JAMAICA'S WEEKLY TOP 30 (SINGLES) HIT LIST
By Richie B, host - "HOT MIX" on Hot 102FM

Photo by: Carlington Wilmot

01-2-16 - These Streets-Tanya Stevens-Tarantula Records(1wk@#1) U-1

02-1-11 - Goodas Fi Dem-Tony Matterhorn-Natural Bridge (2wks@#1) D-1

03-3-14 - Forty Sup'em-Capleton-Blaque Warriahs/Trendsetta Ent NM

04-4-11 - Life Seeds-I-Wayne-Loyal Soldiers NM

05-5-17 - Nothing with Them-Buju Banton-Gargamel NM

06-7-12 - Blazer-Ras Myrhdak-Blaque Warriahs/Trendsetta Entertainment U-1
07-8-9 - Gangsta Guerilla-Mr. Peppa-Natural Bridge U-1

08-6-20 - Bounce-TOK-Stainless Records (1wk@#1) D-2

09-10-13 - Inna Di Road-Chezidek-Massive B U-1

10-9-20 - On My Mind-Daville-Fashowzy (3wks@#1) D-1

11-12-18 - Most High-Jah Mason-New York Entertainment Movement U-1

12-13-7 - Wah Dis, Wah Dis-Capleton-Don Corleon U-1

13-15-5 - Let's Dance-Voice Mail-Don Corleon U-2

14-14-13 - Independent Gal-Heather Cummings feat Shaka Pow-Doc Records NM

15-16-16 - No Man Caan-Kiprich/Black-er-Fresh Ear U-1

Are you ready for this! It will be a lot of soulful vibes on the weekend of November 24 - 26 when Princess Promotion present The Original Manhattans featuring Dorothy Moore.

It will be a lovers treat and then some as the package will see George Nooks, Dobby Dobson, Jimmy Reid, One Third, Nickeisha Barnes (Digicel Rising Star, first and second place winners) and upcoming
artiste Lt. Brookie on the performance calendar too.

On Friday, November 24 the group will be making its first stop at Disco Inferno, the next day will see them heading to Fayor's Entertainment Centre, Mandeville then on Sunday, November 26 will be the finale performance at National Indoor Sports Arena in
Kingston and this will be missing One Third and
Nickeisha.

Hype TV Top 20 Singles Chart

ThisWeek - LastWeek - WeeksOn Chart - Artiste Name - Song Title Label

1 - 2 - 17 - Tanya Stephens - These Streets - Tarantula - 1wk@ #1
2 - 1 - 11 - Tony Matterhorn - Goodas Fi Dem - Natural Bridge - 3wks@ #1

3 - 3 - 10 - I Wayne - Life Seeds - Loyal Soldiers

4 - 5 - 6 - Capleton - Forty Sup'em - Blaque Warriaz/Trendsetta
5 - 4 - 20 - Da'ville - Always On My mind - Fashozy - 5wks@#1

6 - 7 - 5 - Jr. Gong/Stephen Marley/Buju - Traffic Jam - Ghetto Youths

7 - 6 - 9 - Baby Cham - Rude Boy Pledge - Mad House - Peak @ #6

8 - 9 - 7 - Sean paul/Keyshia Cole - Give It Up To Me - Atlantic/VP
9 - 8 - 15 - Q Q - Stuckie - Super Love - Peak @ #5

10 - 12 - 3 - Mr Vegas Feat. Opal/Hotaball - Hot Wuk - In The Streetz (Shot To watch)

Dr. Kingsley "Ragashanti" Stewart, a well-known talk show host and poet, was kidnapped last night from the UWI, Mona parking lot by armed assailants, but later released. He gave a harrowing account of his ordeal on radio this morning to fellow broadcaster Fae Ellington where he recounted that the men had wanted to kill him but let him go when one recognised that he was the television personality who "defended poor people".

The CCN confirmed this morning that they had heard of the incident but had not compiled a formal report of the kidnapping.

YardFlex.com will have more on this story as it continues to break.

He ran a phenomenally popular version of Disclosure on HOT 102 FM. He had stints as co-host on the highly regarded radio news program Nationwide, a club member on the much respected Breakfast Club, co-host for Television Jamaica's (TVJ) highly popular morning show Smile Jamaica, and host on Mantalk, the very earthy and popular Sunday night talk show.

K.C Jockey is living large these days, hanging out on film sets with megawatts stars like Denzel Washington, and doing remixes with big acts such as Akon. The deejay hung out with Akon a few months and they hit it off so well that K.C gave his energy to an Akon remix, 'Lap Top'

"I was hanging out with him at the Source awards, at that time, SRC Universal who Akon is signed to, had expressed an interest in signing me as well, but they had other stuff in the pipeline before they could get to me, so that hasn't happened yet. Anyway, hanging with Akon was great, he's down to earth, and we had a crazy time, hanging with shorties, and talking about the industry; it was a family ting," he said.

By: Claude Mills
Photo by: Carlington Wilmot

Ace deejay Beenie Man believes that the local media is adding a "new terror to death" with the slant of their coverage on the death of his half-brother Brian Smith over the weekend.

"The newspaper come in like it ah set up man life. Mi ah go mek mi lawyer write dem this time. Dem a publish false and misleading information. My brother was questioned in relation to Bogle's death, but there was never any link, and now, the newspaper ah try taint the man life wid this ting, rasta. It no right, Brian never wanted inna him whole entire miserable life. Is a lie dem a perpetrate pon mi bredda memory, the man dem kill mi bredda and dem coulden mek it go so, dem have to turn it into a circus, but mi know that is some bigger heads behind this," Beenie Man told YardFlex.com.

P & L Recording artiste Selah's latest single, 'Lonely Girl' has been added to radio playlists in the Caribbean, the United States and England, and he will be joining forces with Ras Kassa to shoot a video for the song next week.

"The song is getting a lot of early buzz, and we're fairly confident that it's going to do well. I am looking forward to working with Ras Kassa who is a genius in his own right and to see how he will interpret the song in a video format," Selah told YardFlex.com.

Selah has been aggressively promoting the single which was three weeks ago on the P & L Records imprint. The song, he says, is semi-autobiographical, written by a friend who had a failed love affair with a girl in his past.

Launch ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Promotion

As cricket fans throughout the West Indies eagerly anticipate hosting ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, Pepsi, one of the event's four Official Global Partners, and Cable & Wireless an official sponsor are launching an exciting consumer promotion tied to this prestigious competition.

Starting in October and running until approximately December 20th, consumers in several markets throughout the Caribbean, can participate in the promotion which has been designed to provide fans with the opportunity to win a wide range of prizes, including courtesy of Pepsi, Grand Prize of Two Tickets to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Final in Barbados.

Countries participating in the promotion include Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Grenada, St Lucia, Turks & Caicos, Antigua, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Cayman Islands.

Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

Controversial deejay Adidjah Palmer a.k.a Vybz Kartel has decided to change his deejay name to Addi the Techa in a bid to gain some artistic and financial freedom from the European-based independent record label and music publisher Greensleeves Records.

"My new name is Addi the Techa. I have been in negotiations with the executives at Greensleeves with regards to the promotion of my material with good videos, and a proper marketing strategy. But I have not got a suitable response, so I am liberating myself from them, that's why I am changing my name, they can keep the Vybz Kartel name," a frustrated deejay told YardFlex.com

He just completed the second project, JMT, as part of his three-album deal with Greensleeves Records. But the way things look right now, it is quite possible there will not be a third. Sources close t the deejay believe that the strategy behind the name change seems to be a desire to reinvent himself, redevelop his style and escape the shackles of the Greensleeves album deal.

INSPIRATION BEHIND HIS FAVOURITE SONG: "My favourite song is 'Saddest Day of My Life' which was inspired a by a true life experience. A girl who I used to talk to in high school just call me and say she have something to tell me, and she just cut star, tell me say it over. It hurt mi star fi real, but that's over and forgotten now."

ON BUJU BANTON: "Ah long time me and Buju no really link. Everybody grow still, and the music unpredictable, ah just music, ah that me do."

THE SADDEST DAY OF HIS LIFE: There was a time when I was going through a phase, I was under so much pressure that I could not create, and that is the worst thing for me, feel like mi ah push offa one building. This was about '93 when mi leave Penthouse, and then when mi link wid Dave and that didn't work out. I had to start over again all by myself in 1999-2000.

One year old Malawian David Banda is privileged to be mothered by pop star Madonna who has been permited by Lilongwe High Court to take him to the United States of America after signing adoption papers.

According to the Daily times a local news paper in Malawi, Madonna went there to fulfill a number of charitable engagements that included visits to several orphanages in relation to her new project of helping the poor most especially orphans.

The singer latar met David at Hope Care Centre in Mchinji where he has lived since the death of his biological mother who passed away a month after the giving birth.

Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

Even as Beenie Man prepares for the birth of his son, Marco Dean later this month, he is in mourning over the murder of his half-brother, Bryan Smith, 32, at the hands of a group of armed men over the weekend.

Beenie Man's brother, a rastafarian, was murdered on the eve of teh deejay's wife's baby shower on National Heroes Day.

According to police reports, Bryan Smith, 32, was among a group of men at a plaza in Pinto District in St. Andrew when at 11:10 p.m. on Sunday, October 15th, a group of men attacked him. He was shot and
stabbed several times. He was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.

Carlington Wilmot Photo

The hoax about Sizzla Kalonji circulating the internet is false!!! Concerned friends and fans of one of the most renowned Reggae star have been in an urgent frenzy in response to an alleged fatal car accident news story on the internet. The fake internet news story website has been identified and will be addressed.

In the meantime, Sizzla Kalonji has been performing all over the world for fans and communities spreading the importance of good education for the youth. He recently held a back to school treat in his community, August Town for hundreds of youth. The treat was held to assist the youth with school supplies in preparation for the new school term. He prepared meals for all the youth in attendance and enjoyed the day with them and their parents.

Sizzla Kalonji has also been speaking to the youth at different events, showing them the importance of receiving a good education but also placing accountability on the government's involvement in this process in a supportive way. Hero's weekend at UWI, Kalonji took the time to perform for the college students and spread some of the same messages.

By: Claude Mills
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

The blue and white theme was in full effect at D'Angel's baby shower held in upper St. Andrew on National Heroes Day. The balloons, some with phrases, 'Baby Shower' and 'It's a Boy!', added a festive
quality to the occasion.

The cake decorated in blue and white had the words, 'Michelle and Moses' emblazoned across the top, and below that, a portrait of a woman with an infant in her outstretched hands.

D'Angel, attired in a blue-and-white kimono-style dress from the Neahlis' maternity line, and Beenie Man, looking dapper in a white jeans, white sneakers, a blue-striped shirt and a white vest, oohed and ahed over the baby gifts, cracked jokes, and sometimes smooched each other in amorous displays of affection.

NEW YORK AND THE GAY ISSUE

The whole ah New York ah talk 'bout how Channel 9 UPN go undercover at the Irie Jamboree show and start interview the artiste dem 'bout dem stance on homosexuality? Beenie claim say 'funny guys are man who have sex with little boys' but it come in like Buju smell ah rat and just hold him tongue. Now the whole ah New York ah chat 'bout it since the show air last week? Mi hear say clips of it all reach CNN, mad ting!

According to a source close to Irie Jam, there should be no financial fallout from the interviews.

"They interviewed Buju, Beenie, Kulcha Don and Irie Claire from Irie Jam. While the broadcast focused on the gay bashing controversy, I would not say it affected or will affect sponsorship as those who are on board are already aware of the lyrics of our top dancehall djs and do not think the lyrics will incite violence against gays as GLADD would want everyone to believe."

Two stalwarts of the local music industry will be conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander

Five stalwarts of the local music industry will be conferred with the Order of distinction in the ranks of Commander (CD) and Officer (OD) this morning at the traditional investiture ceremony at King's House.

The ceremony, which will feature the military-style pomp and pageantry, typically attracts hundreds of Jamaicans who gather in brotherhood to applaud selfless acts and people who are true exemplars of excellence in their chosen fields. It is really a parade of the best that Jamaica has to offer on National Heroes' Day.

Jay-Z has noted that he is looking forward to taking up another date in Shanghai after his concert was cancelled by the Chinese government.

The country's ministry of culture pulled the gig due to concerns about Jay-Z's lyrics and references to drugs and guns.

The state run China Daily stated: "The ministry of culture has decided to protect the city's hip-hop fans from nasty lyrics about pimps, guns and drugs."

Jay-Z responded with a statement on the Durban stage in South Africa saying:

"I look forward to rescheduling my concert date in Shanghai. This world tour has been a life changing experience and it has only been made better by touching the fans that I am seeing for the first time."

The Grammy nominated Sis Carol(Black Cinderalla) is backagain. Remember she was the stylist in the movie "Married 2 the Mob",also Something Wild".

The titled 1-DERFUL WORD" celebrating the silver jubilee", will be released on Oct 31, with 17 tracks.

The album release party is set for Oct 29th at the Canal Room in Manhattan 285W Broadway, from 7-12pm. All press & media are invited.

The night's performances will showcase artists such as Ras Droppa, Empress Keba(Sis Carol"s daughter), Asher Vision & more guest appearances.

Seven years ago history was created at Windsor lawn St. Ann when Colin Levy a.k.a Iley Dread presented his company Kings of Kings 5th anniversary celebration with the return of legendary sound system Stereograph.

Entertainers from every era came and showed their love and support many performed who were not even built for the show. It was also the return of Jamaica's internationally acclaimed artiste Shabba Ranks
Who had not performed on the island for many years. Also sharing the
headline with Shabba was Charlie Chaplin, Jose Whales, Lynval Thompson, U Brown, Brigadier Jerry, Sister Nancy, General Trees, Little John, Daddy Roy and Ninja Man. Such was the magnitude of this event that it attracted over 30,000 patrons far more than could be accommodated in the venue. This was also the last time veteran selector Inspector Willy performed before passing away.

The show started around 7pm and continued through the wee hours of the morning some said it reminded them of the days of Sunsplash ending with the rising of the sun. The event was promoted by the three big men Mighty Mike, Big A and G.T Taylor of reggae radio Irie Fm.

Hype TV Top 20 Singles Chart

ThisWeek - LastWeek- WeeksOn Chart - Artiste Name - Song Title - Label

1 - 1 - 10 - Tony Matterhorn - Goodas Fi Dem - Natural Bridge - 3wks@ #1

2 - 2 - 16 - Tanya Stephens - These Streets - Tarantula

3 - 3 - 9 - I Wayne - Life Seeds - Loyal Soldiers

4 - 4 - 19 - Da'ville - Always On My mind - Fashozy - 5wks@#1

5 - 7 - 5 - Capleton - Forty Sup'em - Blaque Warriaz/Trendsetta

6 - 6 - 8 - Cham Rude - Boy Pledge - Mad House

7 - 9 - 4 - Jr. Gong/Stephen Marley/Buju - Traffic Jam Ghetto Youths - (Shot To watch)

8 - 5- 14 - Q Q - Stuckie - Super Love - Peak @ #5

9 - 11 - 6 - Sean paul/Keyshia Cole - Give It Up To Me - Atlantic/VP

10 - 8 - 16 - Richie Spice - Brown Skin - Don Corleon - Peak @ #2

Snoop Dogg will return for the 2nd year to The Greek Theatre on Wednesday, October 25 with The Pussycat Dolls, Damian Marley and many more chart topping artists for a special benefit concert, supporting the Snoop Youth Football League.

The concert will benefit The Snoop Youth Football League (SYFL), which is a youth football league aimed at kids who otherwise couldn't afford to play in other organized youth leagues. The league consists of five age divisions located in eight different chapters. The teams will compete in a seven game season followed by three weeks of playoffs.

Carlington Wilmot Photo

Deejay Turbulance has denied that he has an ongoing feud with rastafarian singer Fantan Mojah as is being rumoured in the streets after the two had a heated exchange during an IRIE FM show earlier this week.

"I am not into any feud, just into eating food," he said, a laugh bubbling in his voice.

"There was a show on IRIE FM about originality, and the presenters were saying that they had noticed things that I had put down that Fantan Mojah had picked up, for instance, wearing a knapsack onstage and so on, and Fantan neva like the tone of the argument so him say ,'some bway waan backle war', and some heated things were said. Me see him afta and him apologise, and we hold a reasoning. Rasta caan keep up feud, we ah blood bredda. Fantan is a yute mi respect, he is man who ah strive and we love him fi dat."

What about the lyrical feud with Sasha?

YardFlex will have exclusive pictures of D'Angel's baby shower which will be taking place on Heroes Day, Monday, October 16, "at an undisclosed location". But of course, we already have our invite, so we know the 'secret location'.

As can be expected with this celebrity couple, this event also has a colour theme, (dem hype eh?).

"The colour theme will be blue and white. It is going to be a very select group of people, close friends and family," she said.

The registry is at the store, Boy Oh Boy, off South Avenue.

You can bet your house that YardFlex will be there to give you another exclusive.

Album: Another Rockaz Moment
Artiste: Morgan Heritage
Release Date: September 26, 2006
Record Label: VP / Universal Records

Morgan Heritage Album 'Another Rockaz Moment' is deemed one of the most energetic and electrifying album to be released by Morgan Heritage. The contemporary R&B flavour produces a brand of Reggae that has listeners yearning for more. It features stage versions from albums Three In One and Full Circle, the combination embraces their message of spiritual and conscious livity which is conveyed throughout the entire live recording.

From Inna Dem Ting Deh to Tell Me How Come the self titled track on the Seasons Rhythm, Morgan Heritage delivered and this album captures one of their best performances from 2005.

Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

Im gonna give what u want..want. want (Im gonna give what u want..want. want)

Chorus:

Gunna give u wat u wat u wat u wat u wat u want
Never givin up Im never givin up cuz I
Love it wen we kissin n I luv it wen we touch every morning every nite I wanna gi gi gi gi gi you
Gi u wat u wat u wat u wat u wat u want
Never givin up Im never givin up
Gonna gi you wat u wat u wat u wat u wat u want
Every morning every nite Im gonna gi gi gi gi gi you

Verse 1:

And in the morning wen you wakin up Ill giv u luvin wen the sun cumz up
And in the nite wen we turn out the lights, well b closer,
Babe is that alright?
And wen its hot outside ill make you sweat
And wen its cold ill warm you up again
Oh baby this is how its got to be
So if u give it all to me

By: Jigga

If you thought they "were done', think again. The organisers of the popular Startime series have injected a slate of fresh new ideas into their highly successful original concept, and as such have rechristened themselves for the start of a new series of live shows.
Now, just call the vintage shows (drum roll please) CVM Startime.

Media giant CVM has signed on as title sponsor for the super-popular series of vintage concerts which will kick off on November at Mas Camp in Kingston. The popular series had taken a hiatus from the live entertainment calendar for a while to retool its operations for a new season.

Behind the Scenes of her new video, We Must Separate

This Linden born songstress is set to make serious waves with the release of her video for the smash single We Must Separate. Produced by the Muzikmedia crew, filmed entirely in Jamaica, W.I and edited in the New Jersey studios, this video has the makings of a local as well as overseas hit!

Timeka was also featured on Jamaica's premier TV station Hype TV which also airs on Direct TV 24hrs a day. Manager Kerwin of Hits and Jams states that the video has officially been released at the Pegasus Hotel in Guyana.

Guymine.com, the Guyana franchise holder of the "Muzikmedia" program that airs in Georgetown travelled to the sunshine island to get you the behind the scenes pics!

So the 'Please Call Me' thing gone global now! Ah now the 'please call me girls' ah go get wild!

Digicel's famously popular 'Please Call Me' Service which assists Digicel prepaid customers who have limited funds, can now send a special text message (or notification message) not only to Digicel customers, but also to other international mobile numbers, as well as Cable and Wireless or MiPhone consumers, requesting that the recipient calls you back.

Wayne Miller, Digicel's Marketing Communications Manger comments on the new features of the 'Please Call Me' Service, "In addition to being able to use the service among our subscribers, Digicel's prepaid customers will now be able to send this notification to international GSM users belonging to corresponding roaming partners of the company, when the credit on their account is less than J$3."
He explains that when a user chooses the 'Please Call Me' Service, the system will check their balance to ensure it is below a certain threshold before sending the message to the other party.

Goal:
To promote Busta Soft Drinks throughout the entire Jamaica using the route of Sports & Entertainment to attract large audiences (especially those 16 years & older)

To create a memorable & enjoyable experience among the consumers and leave a great lasting impression within the communities visited.

How ??? - VIA SPORTS

Sports like Football, Basketball & Cricket are enjoyed by many Jamaicans, whether they are playing or participating.

By: Jigga Mattic
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

Albinos are a persecuted bunch. Just look at the Tom Hanks' movie, 'The Da Vinci Code' where an albino villain plays a prominent role in the film and you'll get an idea of what we're talking about it.

Arguably Jamaica's most famous albino, deejay Yellowman is a legend in the lexicon of dancehall music. During the 1980s, he captured the public imagination with a string of sexually charged hits that exaggerated his sexual prowess, and established his reputation as an awesome, if foul-mouthed toaster. As the 80s wore on, he continued to churn out the hits, and in the process, eventually overcoming the pariah status normally accorded to albinos in society.

In the early 1990s, Yellowman struggled with skin cancer, lost a significant portion of his jawbone to the disease, disfiguring his face permanently. Later, Yellowman took a deep introspective look into his own life, and reinvented himself to some degree with his 1994 album 'Prayer'. Followup albums such as 'New York' in 2003, and 'Round 1' in 2005 walked that same path of new-found spirituality as Yellowman sought to redefine himself as an artiste in the new millennium. To his credit, he has continued to remain relevant. Last year, he scored a radio hit single with Dave Kelly.

A record is broken this week on the BILLBOARD Hot 100, as AKON achieves the largest climb in the chart's 48-year-history with "Smack That" featuring Eminem, which rockets # 95 to # 7. The song's monstrous leap is fueled by its No. 6 debut on Hot Digital Songs with 67,000 copies sold. The 88-spot jump bests the 86-4 move by Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron and Andrew Seeley's "Breaking Free" in February.

By: CJ
YardFlex Florida

At least 7 to 8,000 people turned up to see this year's ICM Fest in downtown Miami. It could have been a better turnout but a lot of things were happening that day. After all, it was Miami Carnival Weekend, the Miami Heat had an event at the Continental Arena, trust me, the Magic City was popping over the weekend.

The YardFlex crew was in the house, with the boss lady, Debbie Cole, new YardFlex writer CJ, photographer Marcus, and the rest of the entourage showing up to take over the backstage area. Yea, it was all about us.

First of all, I must say that even though the organizers never had any running order posted in terms of which artistes were performing when, you would never have known. Sting got stung, but ICM had a much better turn out. Differently, the artistes gave stellar performances and the production was very tight. The sound, the lighting and the overall setup of the venue, including the nation of Islam security team, exceeded expectations.

Internationally known music producer Tony Kelly has teamed up with local producer Danny Champagnie to release a new project, the rhythm called VIP. Eleven artistes have already recorded on the rhythm.

"The album was launched last week Tuesday October 3rd at the Asylum nightclub, and the premiere was recorded by well-known director Nordia Rose for promotional purposes," Kelly told YardFlex.com reporter CJ while they hung out backstage at the ICM Fest show.

Carlington Wilmot Photos

Check out the Stars of Digicel Rising Stars 2006.

By: Claude Mills
Photos By: Carlington Wilmot

Thousands of persons converged on Mas Camp last night to witness the spectacle of this year's final event. On a night defined by emotional highs, three was a recurring decimal throughout the festivities. After all, it was the third year of an event, which is adjudicated by three celebrity judges, and this year, there were three winners, all three of whom were men. All three winners in the competition have thus far been male.

One Third, which is managed by former ARP manager Ray Alexander, and who the achingly beautiful Denise Hunt joked used "the most peroxide in the competition" were elated with the victory. Nickiesha Barnes was gracious in defeat, and was perhaps the contestant who arguably had grown the most during the contest, rising from obscurity to stardom to within kissing distance of the title.

Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

P & L Recording artiste Schoolboy is now in the United States to do a series of gigs that will take him from Washington D.C on the east coast to Tampa in Florida in the south .

"Right now, the people dem seem to be getting to know Schoolboy because they are responding to songs like 'Weh De Belly De?' and 'Banana-na', so me have about three show line up for D.C. Plus me have a song that mi do fi Nikki Z that ah go mash up the place when me return to Jamaica at the end of this month. Right now, people ah feel the mad energy, ah mad ting about to gwaan wid my career because the bookings are coming in," he told YardFlex.com via an international call to Connecticut.

While in Fort Lauderdale, he plans to shoot his 'Nanny Wine' video.

We're stepping up our game. Buoyed by the overwhelming responses to the content of our website, www.yardflex.com and our monthly publication, we have decided to push the boundaries just a little more by dabbling in another type of media, (drum roll please) television. Beginning soon, we plan to produce a 24 minute TV programme that will be aired weekly on a local cable station. We are already in advanced talks with HYPE TV to produce the pilot which will be written by our talented team of writers here at YardFlex.

We are seeking intelligent, confident, and beautiful women who have a flair for television broadcasting to be the new voice and face of YardFlex TV. Interested persons can send their resumes or CVs to our Managing Director Deborah Cole at debracole_yardflex@yahoo.com or mail us at 5 Upper Sandringham Avenue , Kingston.

By: Sean Miller
Yardflex Writer

Tonight, history will be made in the ultra-popular Digicel Rising Stars contest.

For the first time in the history of competition, there will either be a group, One Third, or a female, the irrepressible Nickiesha Barnes who will ultimately emerge as the next 'Rising Star'. The list has been winnowed of the pretenders to the throne such as Natel, Brushy One String and Suzanne Perkins. All that is left is the creme de la creme.

Viewers tend to agree that Nickiesha has a superb vocal range, and some experts believe she can hold her own even when held up in comparison with big R & B international acts, while One Third's versatility, sex appeal and choreography has made them instant hits with the female audience. There have even been unconfirmed reports that Motown is sniffing around the group, making possible overtures for a record deal.

Shane-O, who recently signed to P & L Records, is on the three-city swing in the United States where he will perform in the cities of Atlanta, Georgia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia and New York, New York in the next few days.

"The thing dem (bookings) ah come in back right now and there is a lot of demand for. We're trying to get an album, by now, and early and next year. I plan to do an album by now and early next year, something for P & L. My father got some gigs for me up there in Philly because the 'Thunder Roll' and 'Dogs in the Streets' songs dem a sell off up there. The last time I was up there earlier this year, I left a number of mixtape CDs and it seems like ah that ah soak in now," he told Yardflex.com.

He will return to the island on October 20th. There are also plans for him to do a combination single with Jamaican-born singer Jarvis Church known for hit singles such as 'Charms', his work with Nelly Furtado and his debut album, 'Shake it Off'.

Special big ups to Richie Stephens who is the 2006 recipient of the Governor - General's Achievement Award for Westmoreland.

Known for hit singles such as 'Winner', 'Bus the Place' and the pseudo-operatic 'Slop Dem' from back in the 90s, Richie has persevered with a career studded with hits. Earlier this year, his 'Screechy Joe' song was a minor radio hit, and his latest single with his mom is already a music video favourite on most local stations.

However, it is his philanthropic work that has separated Richie from his peers in the entertainment fraternity.

This is part two of an interview with Wayne Wonder published in the September issue of YardFlex magazine.

By: Claude Mills

Will you ever make music with Dave Kelly again?

"Ah music me mek, if him want to make music, we'll work together again. I don't know what happened why we're not talking. I guess people want to grow, they need changes, sometimes fundamental changes are needed, and that was me," he told YardFlex.com.

Wonder met Dave while he was working under Donovan Germain at Penthouse Records. When Dave Kelly began his own hit factory, the Madhouse / Xtra Large labels, Wayne continued his fruitful relationship with Kelly bring him some his biggest hits to date with the worldwide reggae smashes "Joyride" and "Keep Them Coming." Wayne's album for Madhouse / Xtra Large, 'Da Vibe' contained singles like "Watching You" produced by Dave's brother Tony Kelly (K-Licious). But then things soured between the notoriously eccentric Kelly and Wonder. However, it was the dancehall classic "Saddest Day" which became Wayne's first big conduit to the U.S. when he sang on Foxy Brown's remake on her Broken Silence LP in 2001.

"Me and Dave no link up again, but me and Cham link up more time, we link up a few weeks ago in Hartford, Connecticut at the Caribbean America Day there, and it was cool," he said.

By: Jigga Mattic
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

After a scintillating performance at Miami Sting, Mr. Lex returned to the island last week to continue working on his album which will be released by VP Records next year.

"VP has finally signed off on it, and they have given me a release date for next year, so that's great news," the deejay told YardFlex.com while hanging out at the Mixing Lab studios.

"The album is progressing well, I have completed seven tracks, and there will be guest appearances by Jadakiss, Mr. Vegas, Buju and Sean Paul, so right now, I am trying to keep the creative juices flowing, and make good music that is marketable all over the world. I want to carry the thing to the level of a pop star, and be one of the top stars," he added, laughing.

By: Claude Mills
Photos By Carlington Wilmot

D'Angel a.k.a Mrs. Moses Davis is anticipating the arrival of her first child, Marco Dean, into the world this month.

"The pregnancy has been smooth so far. The baby is kicking like crazy, is like him ready to enter the world to sing the first note for his father," D'Angel told YardFlex.com.

"There will be no media coverage of this event, and I want people to respect the privacy of our family as we are set to celebrate this wonderful occasion."

Beenie and D'Angel have had a tumultuous couple of months from the moment that the rumours of their courtship first started. After news of the pregnancy hit, the attention around the couple became almost manic, and the media circus continued until the couple wed in August of this year.

Since the marriage, Beenie Man has traveled frequently to the Caibbean and the United States, doing promotional gigs and events to promote his 'Undisputed' album. However, the couple did get to spend several days together in New York recently.

"Sometimes I wish he could be here with me all the time, but I am in the business myself so I understand what is going on, I know it's tough. I speak to Moses everyday on the phone, and whenever he has some spare time, he calls me. He’s working hard for his family and it's all good, I give him 100 per cent support," she said.

Arguably one of the better dancehall albums to be released this year, Busy Signal's debut album, 'Step Out', is being watched closely by the industry because it may be paving the way for other artistes who want to go the tough route of attempting an independent release.

The album, released on the artiste's own Network Records, is unapologetically 'gully', accessibly dancehall and true to its roots. This is Busy coming to you straight from the garrisons and that explains why there is no track 2, instead, there is a track 1A. If we have to explain why, you should stop reading this article and get your a*s to another website.

My favourite track is 'Full Clip' feat. Mavado which is preceded by an interlude where a man makes an overture to the deejay of exchanging guns for dubs, a decidedly ancient system of barter, but effective nonetheless because it works in this instance because (surprise surprise) the going rate on a Busy dub is 'a one K, two mattic, and the one spin-barrel'.

After this interlude, Mavado's haunting lyrics, 'A boy inform...', and Busy blows p all over the simple dancehall beat with some hardcore gangster lyrics that promise dismemberment and death coming to a location near you.

Back to school treat in mona was a big success

Last month, Jah Cure donated funds to host a back-to-school treat in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, with the assistance of the Youth Crime Watch of Mona Commons chapter and his personal fan club. We spoke to Christina Grand of Iyah Cure Music about what were Jah Cure's motivations to participate in this charitable effort.

"Many people do not really know Jah Cure personally and have no idea how caring he is. They have heard terrible untrue things about him yet, can get to know the real him through his beautiful songs and music. He is a definite humanitarian who has always been a giving person. He has plans to help many organizations within Jamaica as well as other places," Christina Grand of Iyah Cure Music told YardFlex.com.

The Youth Crime Watch programme was recently implemented in Jamaica by Dr. Corbett from the United States. Many chapters have been formed and the new Mona Common Chapter is the latest addition.

By: Claude Mills

New York-based deejay K.C Jockey is showcasing his acting chops with a minor role he earned in a major motion picture, 'American Gangster', and he will be featured on an upcoming episode of perennial children's favourite, 'Sesame Street'.

One876Entertainment spoke to the deejay via phone recently about his new role in the Universal Pictures movie 'American Gangster' with Denzel Washington, Richard Core, Russell Crowe, Carla Gugino as well as recording artistes Common and T.I.

The film is based on a New York Magazine article by Mark Jacobson, which depicted the true story of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas (Washington), who smuggled heroin in the caskets of soldiers killed in Vietnam. He was eventually caught by New York detective Richie Roberts (Crowe), who got Lucas to turn his talents toward catching the crooked cops and drug dealers who profited from his scheme.

"I am in the scene where Frank Lucas (played by Washington) is getting married and also a scene in the Ali-Frazier fight in 1971 at Madison Square Garden, they aren't speaking scenes, and I am just a part of Lucas' entourage. The scenes right now are being shot in New York, but we will move to LA soon, and who knows, there may be a speaking role ahead for me when we move to California to shoot new scenes," he told YardFlex.com.

ROOTS ROCK REGGAE RULES!

Copeland Forbes, head of Comar Productions, is pleased about the financial windfall and the feel-good vibes generated by the recently concluded 'One Love' tour featuring reggae music heavyweights Buju Banto, Capleton and Gregory Isaacs.

"Each night was sold out on the tour," he told YardFlex.com. "It showed that reggae is alive and well in the United States. People really enjoyed the package, and surprisingly, no one asked much about Coco T who was unable to make it because of some visa situation. People loved Live Wyya, Elan (former lead singer for the Wailers), Assassin, Gregory Isaacs, Buju, New Kidz, and then Prophecy, Moses I, Jah Thunda, Jah Landa, and of course then Capleton sealed it off."

"The whole One Love vibe was there, the price was reasonable for that kind of package at that time of the year, and we had great turnouts all through the festivals. After the tour, Buju continued on with his 'Too Bad' tour so this is an exciting period for reggae music."

Inner Circle is, of course, best known for "Bad Boys," a ubiquitous crossover hit thanks to its use as the theme song for the long-running Fox TV reality series Cops. But the band had a lengthy history prior to its international breakthrough, dating all the way back to the late '60s.

They hit the big time in Jamaica during the '70s as a danceable yet rootsy Rastafarian reggae outfit, fronted by the charismatic singer Jacob Miller. Miller's tragic death in a car accident in 1980 put the group on hiatus for several years, and when they finally regrouped in the mid-'80s, they began to temper their rootsiness with elements of pop, R&B, and dancehall. Originally recorded in 1987, "Bad Boys" became a worldwide smash in the early '90s, and the group soldiered on into the new millennium amid several personnel changes.

Inner Circle was originally formed by brothers Ian (bass) and Roger Lewis (guitar) in 1968. The group's other charter members were guitarist Steven "Cat" Coore, keyboardist Michael "Ibo" Cooper, and multi-instrumentalist Richard Daley. Initially, they made their living playing in hotel lounges.

The RE High School tour has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the high school radar. With two successive staging last year, the tour is set to kick off on October 11 and will last for six weeks.

PJ Wright, Promotions Manager for RE High School tour explained that the objective of the school tour is to enhance the message of abstinence from sex. 'The main objective is to utilize entertainers who the teenagers see as role models, to try and send a positive message of abstinence and/or safe sex', said Mr. Wright. He further added 'We usually visit the schools after making prior arrangements with the school authorities and the artistes perform and talk to the students about the importance of not having sex at an early age. For those who are having sex, we tell them to practice safe sex practices. Its basically entertainment mixed with education'.