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October 29, 2005
Macka Diamond - Soca Meets Dancehall
Katana House Records (KHR), is a new independent record label based in London UK, and is about to pre-release it's very first rhythm, entitled; "The Hard Hitter Riddim". It will be released on the 22nd of October 2005, in Trinidad and Tobago, Miami, New York and the UK. "The Hard Hitter Riddim" is a combination of different genres of music; soca, dancehall and UK grime, produced by "JAatana" and co-roduced by legendary producer, arranger and engineer to the soca stars, "Kenny Phillips".
Featured on the rhythm for the build up to Trinidad's 2006 carnival, is a catchy duet entitled; "What Girls Like" by international female dancehall artist "Macka Diamond" who is currently signed to Greensleeves and international female soca artist "Denise Saucy Wow Belfon", who is one of the longest standing female soca artist in the world.
JA Katana ex-BBC 1XTRA radio presenter makes his debut with a carnival inspired track entitled; "Blow Yuh Whistle", while Trinidad's local duo "Flava" creates a hilarious track entitled;
"Pure Laughter", and sexy voiced "Trini Jacobs" tames the rhythm with a track entitled; "Love".
In a recent TV interview, Synergy TV (Trinidad's local music channel) asked Macka Diamond,"What was it like doing her first soca song with one of soca's top female artist", she replied, "I think she's a very strong women and she has a vibe, its like same as mine, it's fun. I think it will really go far because women are really getting their fair share all over in dancehall and calypso. I think it's going to do well". Denise Belfon's take on working with Macka Diamond was, "People asking me why you doing stuff with Jamaican artists and outside people, why you don't do stuff with your own local artists and stuff? I believe that in order for any music to go anywhere you must fuse and you must come together, put your culture and my culture together to make something a big culture than none, so that's why were here today". The producer of "The Hard Hitter Riddim", JA Katana, while being interviewed, described the collaboration between Macka Diamond and Denise Belfon as, "We have international female dancehall artist, we have international female soca artist and then the rhythm which is an urban crossover from the UK, grime and soca, its all about mixing the cultures which I believe will appeal to different masses".
KHR's aim with the Hard Hitter Riddim is to feature an array of
artists from different cultures. Besides the artists featured on
the rhythm for the build up to Trinidad's 2006 carnival, UK cuts of therhythm will be released featuring UK grime star "Wiley", "D Double E" who featured on the number one UK single "Pow", and UK's hottest dancehall star "Gappy Ranks" formerly of the group
"Suncycle", who has just released a track featuring America's rapper "Twista". Also additional Jamaican cuts will be released by "Hollow Point" and dancehall's newest sensation "Idonia".
"The Hard Hitter Riddim"has already received a lot of press and
TV interviews while in its preparation stage, (The Jamaican
Observer, Synergy TV, BBC 1XTRA and Soca News). The full riddim
including three bonus tracks will be released on the 16th March
2006 on the Jet Star Record Label.