Sean Paul is no doubt having a good week on the Billboard charts this week. He is currently #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #9 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart and #10 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart.

But these positions are not unfamiliar territory for this Dancehall superstar. In the past Sean Paul had entered the top 10 with singles like: Get Busy, Like Glue, Baby Boy (done with Beyonce), I'm Still In Love With You (featuring Sasha).

Below, you can check out the trackings for chart movement for the album The Trinity and the single We Be Burnin'.

The Trinity and We Be Burnin' continue to climb the charts.

The Trinity is #39 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart.
It is #17 on the Top R&B/ Hip Hop album chart.
On the Top Rap album charts currently The Trinity holds the #11 spot.
The album is #1 on the Reggae album charts.
We Be Burnin' is #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, up 3 positions!
On the Hot 100 Airplay, it is #9, up 6 spot!
It is #12 on the Pop 100 chart, up 6 positions.
We Be Burnin' holds the #13 spot, up 12 spots, on the Pop 100 Airplay chart!
On the Hot Rap Tracks chart, the single is #10.
It is #19 on the Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks chart.

So, people, keep supporting the music by voting and requesting Sean Paul's music whenever and wherever possible! Click on the links below to request the video on;

BET's 106 & Park

MTV's TRL

It seems like such a long time ago that Marlon Plunkett aka KIPRICH was the Crazy Kid working out with the big one Jack Scorpio, as well as Danny Brownie of the hot Main Street Label to which he had been signed.

It was in fact, just the other day, the late nineties, when he catapulted onto the dancehall scene with his first number one single, LOGO DI BWOY. But KIPRICH has been so prolific since then, that he leaves fans in wonder at his many hits over such a short period of time.

Perhaps the catalyst for his successful beginning was a name change which came about when one of his management representatives Audley "Bredi" Allen decided that it was time to get rid of the Crazy Kid. Armed with his new moniker KIPRICH began to make his mark, turning out hit after hit all written by the young deejay himself.

With lyrics readily flowing from his pen, KIPRICH has become one of the most consistent deejays in the business. This has made him much sought after, by major producers. As one of their number enthusiastically put it "he can be counted on to give producers chart topping singles." Dance hall hits like Loggo Di Bwoy, Imagine This, All Ladies, Cut Him Off, Bad Man No Snitch, Waste Time represent just a few of his strong catalogue.

Not everyone can make the transition from studio to stage with the same degree of success. However, armed with his trademark smile, KIPRICH performs with so much commitment on stage that he has made a name for himself as an exciting live performer.

His latest project, scheduled to be released soon, is his first album. The producers read like a who's who of reggae/dancehall music with heavyweights Snow Cone, John Baker, Rock Wilder, Bobby Digital, Sly & Robbie, King Jammys, Flabba Malcolm and Steely and Clevie all on board. KIPRICH is justifiably hyped up about the project at it represents another level of achievement in his development as an artist.

Always in perpetual motion, KIPRICH had toured extensively through North & South America, the Caribbean and Europe. But he wastes no time dwelling on his past successes. For KIPRICH it's all about charting new territory while keeping it real...and rich!

It was the equivalent of getting nothing but raisin boxes in your goodie bag on Friday when the Game went to a mall in North Carolina to sign autographs. Instead of hanging with fans, the rapper was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest when he refused to take his mask off.

According to a report by The Associated Press, the 25-year-old rapper (born Jayceon Taylor), and his crew were accused of causing a scene at the Four Seasons Town Centre on Friday when police said they were behaving disruptively and swearing loudly while in the mall for the signing session.

Game said it was all a big misunderstanding. "I got arrested for signing autographs," he told local TV station WFMY after being released on $500 bail. "Signing a little girl's autograph got me arrested."

Mall security officers said Game was wearing a full-face Halloween mask and cursing loudly and then refused to leave when asked. The rapper allegedly continued acting disruptively when police arrived, leading to his arrest. At one point, according to the AP, his posse was sprayed with pepper spray when they surrounded police in a "threatening" manner.

According to the Winston-Salem Journal, 19-year-old Michael J. Taylor was also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct when he interfered with Game's arrest. He was also freed on $500 bond.

- Gil Kaufman

Junior Kelly certainly has the knack for putting the right label on things. Like when he questioned why love could be so nice, yet hurt so bad and the song became the anthem for safe sex.

Now his sixth album tackles the issue of Tough Life, and since most Jamaicans agree that life could hardly be any tougher right now, it could well become the anthem for a generation refusing to cool.

Despite the acid title, the new product includes some refreshingly pleasant love songs and some moving inspirational ones too. These include his most recent hit single, the addictive Receive, which was very warmly appreciated at the launch, and a great duet with Dennis Brown titled Hold the Faith.

There is also a JC Lodge revival titled Love You Like That, on which Lodge sings her mega reggae hit, Someone Loves You Honey.

Kelly's new CD, Tough Life, was launched at a function at Kabana Restaurant, Hope Road, Wednesday night which drew quite a large crowd of the faithful who insist on the superiority of the message over the rhythm.

The album was recorded at five studios, Tuff Gong, Sky and Robbie, Anchor, Cell Block and Gumption and is Kelly's sixth with his last two offerings being Love So Nice and Smile

Singer R Kelly is a step closer to trial after a judge refused to dismiss charges in a three-year old case against him for allegedly engaging in videotaped sex acts with an underage girl. Kelly has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of child pornography. Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan rejected defence arguments that prosecutors have been too vague about when the alleged crime took place, said county state's attorney spokeswoman Marcy Jensen.

Prosecutors claim the video was made sometime between January 1998 and October 2000. They cut 18 months off their original timeframe of November 1997 to February 2002 after a judge agreed in June that the span was too broad.

Defence lawyer Ed Genson did not return a call for comment after business hours Friday.

Kelly, whose first name is Robert, won a Grammy for the song I Believe I Can Fly. He's also known for songs such as Bump N' Grind and Ignition.

The next court date was set for December 9.

Press Association Ltd 2005

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.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Bling took a back seat to brotherhood as Jay-Z surprised bloodthirsty fans by performing side-by-side with his rival Nas in a concert dedicated to squashing rap beefs.

The star-studded event at Continental Arena on Thursday night was promoted by New York radio station Power 105 as "Jay-Z Declares War," presumably against his rivals in the treacherous rap world. Leading up to the show, the station quoted Jay-Z as saying, "I gotta smash a couple people... everybody better make up and be my friend."

Fans stood as the curtains parted to reveal Jay-Z as Commander in Chief seated in his Oval Office, flanked by four Secret Service men. He rocketed into his performance with "Allow me to reintroduce myself, my name is HOV." An spectacular fire and light display emphasized the magnitude of the moment.

The crowd roared for Jigga Man as he displayed a youthful hunger and
Michael Jackson mystique behind aviator glasses and a navy military blazer with all the trimmings. Standing alone on stage with no entourage, he went from hit single to hit single, encouraging the crowd to say the name they've grown to love.

He was flawless with his vocal delivery, paired with choreographed hand movements reminiscent of Caesar addressing the Romans. The masses, on the other hand, wanted to know whom Jay would attack. Several web sites had speculated on the victims: Former partner Damon Dash? Harlem hothead Cam'ron? Movie star 50 Cent?

The crowd wanted war. But first they had to sit through a subpar performance from Teairra Mari and an Usher clone, which took the wind out of the action-packed show.

And then expectations were shattered.

T.I., the high-energy rapper from Atlanta, took the stage alongside Jay-Z, instantly smashing rumors of conflict (although T.I. had trouble keeping the crowd's attention due to faulty mic).

Young Jeezy, a.k.a. the Snowman, performed "Soul Survivor" alongside Akon. Akon brought excitement to his part, but Jeezy seemed stuck to the stage with double-sided tape.

A newly freed Beanie Sigel showed up to give Jay-Z support. Then Jay-Z (now on his third wardrobe change), Freeway, Memphis Bleek and B Sigel helped revive the energy level with gutter word play and lessons from Handgun 101. The crowd loved Jay for it.

The peaceful plot started to reveal itself once the Lox got on stage next to Beanie Sigel. These two camps have fought vicious mixtape battles, but Thursday it was all about the Benjamins. The Lox also performed with their old nemesis Sean "Diddy" Combs (without the infamous shiny suits this time) as Diddy brought his energetic yet dated antics to the stage.

Kanye West showed up as advertised, but he didn't get a rise out of the audience until he blurted out, "White people, this is your only chance to say n-----," referring to his song "Gold Digger."

But the story of the night was Nas and Jay-Z, two stars who haven't had a kind word to say about each other for years. They performed "Dead Presidents" together (Jay sampled Nas' voice on the track from his classic debut album, "Reasonable Doubt") before Nas kicked off his own set.

Jay-Z and Nas finished with Jay's horn-drenched "Encore" as LeBron James hit the stage like micless hype man - a fitting basketball-related finale on the home court of the New Jersey Nets, of which Jay is part owner. Jay-Z may be "retired," but with the Nets moving to Jay's hometown of Brooklyn, no way this king will be able to resist another return to his court.

-The Associated Press.

Artiste: Vybz Kartel
Title: Cellular
Rhythm: Hello Moto
Intro:
Up to the time is modern
Technology from the southern to the northern
Run off:
Mi a use my cellular, Get gal regular
Nokia cellular get gal regular
Samsung cellular get gal regular
Hello Moto

Chorus:
How you fi have a gal if you nuh have a phone
She gi you di number yuh nuh have a phone
She woulda call fi di number, yuh nuh have a phone
Hurry up and go home to you comfort zone

(Rpt)

Verse 1
Mi call Kim pon di T-Mobile pumpumpumnnnununununum
Fi get di pumpum-nu-num
Keisha call di Verizon 'Can you hear me now?'
Good bathe and come fi di hood
Hotta dan peppermint
Hyacinth hook up to Sprint
By she quint inna pussy cocky print
Liquid buy a pack a Durex
Kerry send a Digi Text
She coming fi di sex

Chorus:

Verse 2
'Please Call Me' one of the cellular trends
But mi pack Vodaphone fi British gems
Wendy tell you three friends
Call mi MiPhone fi di free fuck pon weekend
No care it Tracy man bringle or
Him divorce and single har
Call mi Cingular fi something tough like burglar bar
Mi Cable mek she Wireless star

Run off:
Chorus:

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - No one can blame this on a wardrobe malfunction. A video clip that purportedly shows pop singer Janet Jackson sunbathing in the nude was circulating on the Internet on Thursday.

Jackson's manager in Los Angeles declined to comment on the footage and referred queries to the singer's New Jersey-based publicist, who did not immediately return repeated phone calls.

The video appears to have been shot surreptitiously through an opening in a fence surrounding an outdoor enclosure where the subject was lying on a chaise lounge.

In a 34-second version of the clip playing on one Web site, called ThisWebsiterules.com, a woman who appears to be Jackson is first seen lying on her back, tapping her hands beside her and moving her head back and forth as if listening to music.

At one point, she appears to be rubbing lotion on her upper body, then her face is revealed as she sits up slightly. The woman is then shown lying facing down and reaching behind her to tap her buttocks rhythmically.

Another site, iFilm.com, had posted the video earlier but late Thursday was running a message that said: "Out of respect for Ms. Jackson, this film has been removed from IFILM.com."

Jackson, 39, sparked a firestorm of controversy in February 2004 when she bared a breast at the end of a Super Bowl halftime performance with fellow pop star Justin Timberlake, broadcast live on CBS.

Public outrage over the brief flash of nudity, initially blamed on a "wardrobe malfunction," sparked a Federal Communications probe, congressional action to stiffen fines for broadcast indecency and an industry-wide crackdown on sexually explicit material on TV and radio.

Jackson made headlines on Wednesday with a statement, issued through the TV show "Access Hollywood," denying claims that she secretly had a daughter 18 years ago with fellow singer James DeBarge, to whom she was briefly married.

That claim was made by her former brother-in-law, Young DeBarge, during a radio interview last week.

The 2005 South Florida Family Reggae Festival organizers are proud to announce the musical headliners for this year's festival scheduled to take place Sunday, October 30, from 10am to 10pm at the Coconut Grove Expo Center at 2700 S. Bayshore Drive in Miami.

This year's festival headliners are Reggae music icons, the Grammy Award-winning supergroup, Third World, and "The First Lady of Reggae," Marcia Griffiths O.D. (I-Threes / Bob Marley and The Wailers).

Other featured festival headliners include the cultural Reggae music messenger, Chrisinti, and the Fourth Dimension Band from So. Florida. The annual festival is a one-day interactive musical event celebrating the wide cross-cultural and multi-generational appeal of the Caribbean's greatest export: Reggae Music.

The festival will also present the South Florida Reggae Showcase featuring up and coming artists from the area in tribute to the late Clint O'Neil. Clint O'Neil will also be the inaugural recipient of the South Florida Reggae Pioneer Award.

Other key features of the festival will be a Caribbean Marketplace (for general vendors) and the official Reggae Music Row which will highlight the history of reggae in South Florida and the many musicians and reggae related businesses that are now based here.

Shinehead is seeking to re-emerge on the Jamaican dancehall scene in a big way. The dynamic performer has been working on a number of projects to vault him back into the spotlight in a major way.
Although dancehall fans in Jamaica have not seen much of him in recent times, he says he has been working steadily.

"Almost every weekend, I have a show, I had one in San Diego recently, three weeks ago I was in Hawaii, one hour before, they asked me to emcee the show, so mi bring on Junior Reid, Sugar Minott, Everton Blender, so show gwaan every weekend," he said.

He will be one of the headline acts on a show set for November 11 in Hartford, Connecticut with Coco Tea, Richie Stephens, and African Love disco. There are plans to be a part of a scheduled tour of the United States by African Love disco as well.

"Who knows, I may be in Jamaica this Christmas, I got a phone call from Hardrock regarding Sting this year, so that is another possibility," he said.

Shinehead is a man of many moods,and he demonstrates this throughout the interview, switching from hilariously comical foreign accents, to being very sober and intense, sort of like a chameleon, changing moods when necessary.

Asked what are some of his new projects for 2006, he answers:
"I am trying to be the Jamaican Spongebob, picture this if you will, you a watch a cartoon, yu hear a voice, a Jamaican voice on Nickelodeon, and it's me Shinehead! Nobody no get pay like those guys who do voice overs, dem work de mi like, because mi have the talent," he says, before lapsing into a cartoonish voice that sounds like a man with a thick Indian descent

"I have many voices, for the people's choices, but I have to keep it cleaner fi The Gleaner," he raps/deejays.

The man called Shinehead was born Edmund Carl Aiken in Jamaica, but grew up in the Bronx, going back and forth between the two worlds until 1976, when he settled permanently in New York. He first started singing on July 5, 1982, officially on the sound called Downbeat The Ruler. He moved on to African Love, and then was signed to Elektra. His first LP,, "Rough and Rugged" came out in 1985. He released several albums between the late '80s and early '90s that blended dancehall and ragga with hip-hop. He is best known for singles such as 'Shine', and 'Jamaican in New York'. He parted ways with Elektra in 1995 after the albums, 'Unity', 'Real Rock', and 'Trodding', and he did an album called 'Praises' with VP Records in 1999.

"I have some stuff that is not new but current. I worked with Anthony Malvo on a track for the Ballistic Affairs riddim, and did a song for a man who lick ova the Two Year Old riddim. I did a cover of 'Man Next Door', an old Studio One, my version is called 'Girl Next Door'. Plus I have another song with Anthony Malvo, called 'The Reason Why We Sing' which has a Kirk Franklin and Mahalia Jackson vibe to it," he said.

Have you found religion?

"Mi nah find religion when me get old, mi pray when nobody nah look. Some people find Christianity, or rasta, and suddenly,dem a big star.

Shinehead's daily routine involes going to the gym, going to his voice-over class, and using his furniture-making skills.

"Yea, man, we fix up one or two board house inna foreign, my uncle, Isiah Aiken, was one of the top furniture builders from St. Thomas, mi learn a thing or two from him, and boardhouse work mek some rahtid money ah foreign, classic craftsman pure ah dem tinged...mi a bad man from Home Depot, dem have a bad man from, Dunkirk, Jungle, Sherlock, mi a bad man with original jigsaw pon hip," he said.

He was last in Jamaica on August 7 where he performed alongside Beenie Man in Negril in a show that was affected by rain.

"I am looking forward to coming back to Jamaica soon to perform," he said.

For now, he likes to spend time with his family and doing his hobbies.

"Right now, my day can go anywhere, in the morning, mi get up and go gun range, go fire some bow and arrow, fire some gun, play some golf, a serious ting, mi nah exaggerate, or fly go West Coast to do mi voice-over class Hollywood. The lady who teach me ranked #7 in the world," he said.

He is still the perennial joker. When asked his age, he responds in a stirring rendition of Johnny Matthis, crooning in a clear, stirring voice: "It is Not For Me to Sayyyyyyy."

The performer claims that he has been doing well since parting ways with Elektra in 1995.

"Since then, I have been doing my own productions, did one album with VP, Praises in 1999. I have tried to what my fellow co-workers have done all the time, song here for this label, a song for that label, that has its moments, see singles, hear new songs, so I am doing my thing," he said.

WHO HE RATES
"Mi rate Papa San, Cobra, Ninjaman, don't give up pon mi folks. I did Bob Marley Day with Vegas in Los Angeles, I had a chance to see a bunch of them perform. For the fans who I love who have been there for me over the years, remember it's not where you live, it's how you live, it's not what you will, it's how you will. It's not what you save, but how you save, anything you want in life, you can strive and achieve it. For now, this is Shinehead saying Striiiivvvvve," he said.

For more information on Shinehead, check out the website, www.shinehead.net

Reggae music has too often been criticised for its willingness to deal with a painful reality that many would rather pretend was not happening at all and there is an implicit contradiction in attempting to make what could be classed as 'entertainment' out of real pain and suffering. It can sometimes be the only means of dealing with a reality too harsh to contemplate in any other way. Music can give a voice to the voiceless and out of the current conflagration of internecine violence simmering in the ghettos of Kingston has stepped a whole new generation of singers and deejays whose voices cry out to be heard... and the sound of the One Drop.

Unafraid to hold back they are not only facing up to the harsh realities of life but also the omnipresence of death and the music now coming out of Jamaica is a direct echo of the upheaval and unrest on the streets of the capital. The need to sing about peace, love and understanding has never been greater.

In a country notorious for its violence the murder rate in Jamaica this year has already risen to its highest ever toll of sudden, bloody death... two shot dead on a bus travelling from central Kingston to Mountain View… four shot dead, including a six year old child, at a football match in Clarendon… twelve shot dead from sundown to sunrise... twenty nine shot dead over one weekend. The headlines and the statistics tell their own terrible tale but it is the sheer senselessness, the scale of the inhumanity and the apparent absence of any kind of value on life that is impossible to comprehend. A government initiative to attempt to curb this rising tide, 'Operation Kingfish', has seen many infamous gunmen incarcerated but the violence continues unabated as others seek to fill their places in the hierarchy of ghetto lawlessness. Those that are able are fleeing the city and thousands have already left Kingston for the promise of tranquillity and a new life in the country.

In the face of this nihilism an astonishing new level of creativity has risen to meet the current crisis in Kingston as a brave new wave of artists step from behind the barricades and put their heads above the parapets to bravely confront the situation. It is no longer considered safe to hold Sound System dances in the capital and so the beleaguered inhabitants of the strife torn ghettos have remained in their homes and listened to the radio. Many felt that the heart had already begun to go out of the dances with the tragic death of dancer extraordinaire 'Bogle' for the Sound System dance has always been the lifeblood of Jamaican music. In the absence of weekly dances a new 'radio friendly' sound now transmits a music that could perhaps be described as bulletins from a war zone. The music of Jamaica has always been able to reinvent itself and its capacity to adopt and adapt is nothing short of miraculous. There is always the danger that this can lead to what one noted record producer tellingly termed 'the zinc fence mentality' where images of the ghetto are used to cynically sell a product but there is no exploitation to be found here. These songs are full of real anguish and pain, heartfelt and full of hurt.

Many outside observers complain that reggae music started to die with the untimely death of Bob Marley in 1981 and argue that the music then continued to finish itself off throughout the eighties and the nineties with the explosion of the dance hall style where the cultural concerns of the previous decade were swept aside. But what these observers fail to understand is that dancehall (or digital or ragga or bashment or whatever the current term happens to be) was a very real response to a very real situation and that nothing has changed. Reggae has always operated without any outside agenda but, for those who longed for the return of 'reggae like it used to be', it is apposite to consider that Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley, one of Bob Marley's talented progeny, is now making waves all around the world with 'Welcome To Jamrock' and that the style of music known as 'One Drop' and celebrated in the song of the same name by Bob Marley & The Wailers over twenty five years ago should be the current sound of Jamaica.

"We feel it in the one drop
For we still got time to rock
And we’re making the one stop
The generation gap..."

Bob Marley: 'One Drop'

Yet this set represents far more than a yearning for the 'good old days' and is not to be confused with nostalgia. One Drop does not stem from a lack of inspiration but from an acute awareness of a hard fought musical tradition. The best of the past is here, as always, but combined with the stark reality of the here and now to fashion the sound of the future.

There is little to celebrate on the streets of Kingston and the One Drop describes a life lived on the brink: 'Serious Times' from Gyptian currently holds the number one position in the Jamaican charts and is a summary of all that's going on as he sings of the worries and woes of a strife torn society. However the artist who probably best epitomises the style is Jah Cure who features on six tracks on this compilation. Previously a revolutionary firebrand Jah Cure has been locked up in jail for a number of years where he has continued to make records. He now sings of the need for love and understanding and is currently the most popular artist in Jamaica. He has always protested his innocence. It is nothing short of astounding that such beautiful music can come from so much pain but his determination to continue against seemingly insurmountable odds has proved inspirational and can be read as a metaphor for the current situation for this same paradox runs throughout the music of the One Drop.

For as long as they are able to draw breath the poor, the disenfranchised and the sufferers of Jamaica will continue to make themselves heard. Linked to the past by the same burning concern that motivated the artists now considered to be the legendary greats of reggae music the sound of the One Drop is the sound of the new millennium from some of its most committed artists. Their weapon is music; their fight is with the One Drop as they yearn to turn their vision of peace and coexistence into a living reality.

Greensleeves Records Ltd

One set of footprints inna di sand - and yuh a grumble and a screw a seh it shoulda be two - remember one thing mi youth a Father God have the plan - so when you see one set of footprints a God carry you.

[verse 1 (Flexx)]
Hurry up and come back was the last thing she said to her son the day his life was taken she didn't know he would'nt come back he died from the bullet of a gun and now her little boy is gone

[Alex]
She said help me, Lord help me and when she looked up to the sky and she heard a voice reply

[Chorus]
When you cry I cry
I cry along with you
When you smile I smile
I smile along with you
[repeat]

[verse 2 (Flexx)
Another baby left homeless - abandoned when he was two so the street side kids at the shopping mall was the family he knew it's not easy being homeless sometimes you have to do what you what you have to do and he did'nt have a mom or dad to help him get through

[Alex]
He said help me, Lord help me
and then he looked up to the sky and he heard a voice reply

[Chorus]

[verse 3 (Bay-C)]
It was early sunday morning mi get up a watch the news then mi hear seh friday a seaview dem kill a youth den mamma tell mi seh her church sister jacquline just loose her brother over seaview gardens when she tell mi jah jah know it mash mi up naah tell nuh lie but yuh know seh man a thuggist so yuh
naah go see me cry everyday and everynight she still a ask the father why her brother had to die she heard a voice reply

[Chorus]

Singer Anthony Cruz will be launching his own company, Shan Shan Music, to conincide with the release of his sophomore album 'Mama Blessing' next month. The twin projects are very much a labour of love, because they are dedicated to his tight-knit family unit. Cruz's new company is named after his daughter, Shanice, and he will be dedicating the album to his mother, Lorna Harriott, who currently lives in the state of Delaware in the United States.

"This is my first album since I have become a star, since mi buss, so it is special in that respect, and she has always encouraged me to be the best, so this album is for her," Anthony Cruz said.

Cruz is feeling supremely confident about the direction of his career.

"It's just my time. My contract was up with my former label and I just decided that this was the way to go and the time to go," Cruz said.

"I was thinking about it for years and I believe that the time is right, I registered the company a year ago, so it was always in the works."

The company kicks off with some new releases on its Shan Shan label which are scheduled to hit the record racks soon on a new rhythm, 'The Formula' he developed with the Fire House Crew.

" The rhythm will feature a number of top artistes including Luciano, Richie Spice, Spanner Banner, Mikey General, Ras Shiloh and Cruz himself. He said that several more artistes will be added in time.

"I am still voicing, looking forward to getting Capleton and Buju Banton on it as well," he said.

The album, 'Mama's Blessing' is also named after an earlier single which will also be included among the tracks. Other tracks include his old favourites 'You Got It Bad', 'Turn It Up' as well as the bonafide #1 hits 'Too Bloody', 'No Gun A Dance', 'Respect People' and 'Half-Way-Tree'.
It is scheduled to hit the road by November.

Cruz says he has no fear about being able to balance his own singing career with a business. Setting himself up in the music business was always his goal, a goal he has been able to realise some five years after returning home from a long sojourn in the United States.

"As artistes, the business side is known to all of us. It is part of our business to know the business but, in any case, I won't be doing most of the work, I have a team to do that," he pointed. He noted that one area he will not be looking at immediately is that of artiste management; however, he says that if it becomes a necessity it will certainly be added.

Born to Rohan Smith in Mandeville, Manchester in 1974, Cruz is a nephew of the late Garnett Silk. He grew up in Mandeville, but left for the United States after graduating from Holmwood. He lived in New York with his parents before moving to Miami. While in Miami, he met veteran producer Willie Lindo who was so impressed with him he immediately signed him to his label and produced his debut single, an original titled Tell Me What's Up.

Cruz's first hit in Miami was Just Call My Name, which led to his debut album, Where There Is Love, produced by Lindo. But, it wasn't until he returned home in 1999 that Cruz really started to achieve the level of success he desired.

He covered G&B's 'Maria Maria' and was immediately recognised in as a star act. His other hits have included: 'You Got It Bad', 'Closer I Get To You', 'Single Once Again', 'Crazy Over You', 'Turn It Up', and 'I Pray'.

Now Cruz believes that he is about to capture an even wider audience when his latest single, Half-Way-Tree (Footsteps) is released. The song places him in the mould of our musical storytellers like Ernie Smith and Grub Cooper, with a story about what happens in the popular uptown meeting place, especially at nights. "If you go to Half-Way-Tree and you will know."

BOOKINGS FOR CRUZ ARE AT 432-3781

Teaneck, New Jersey,----USA The Caribbean Sunshine Awards organization announced earlier this month that international performing artists, Rupee of Barbados and Kevin Lyttle of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are nominated for the 2005 Caribbean Sunshine Awards for their contribution to Caribbean music.

Kevin Lyttle is described as the "the performing artist with the most popular hit from the Caribbean in 20 years." The smash single "Turn Me On" was recorded on the island of St. Vincent and made it to number two (#2) on the United Kingdom charts and stayed in the top ten for seven weeks. The single was number one in Denmark for ten (10) weeks. Contacted by telephone in New York while preparing for a tour in Ghana Kevin said, "I am extremely happy to be nominated for a 2005 Caribbean Sunshine Award. I have been working very hard and trying my best to keep an international focus with my music. I believe in what I am doing, and the Caribbean will always be a part of me and my music. I am looking forward to accepting this award in person." Kevin attributes the inspiration for his music to his mother and local calypsonians in St. Vincent.

Rupee, an Atlantic recording artist, is described as "the Caribbean artist with the rhythmically complex and catchy sound." Rupee's first success in music came when, as a teenager, he won a popular talent show in Barbados. Rupee, born Rupert Clarke, has no formal music education. He joined the Barbados band Coalishun in 1997. The following year, he caused quite a stir on the airwaves with his hit "Ice Cream." In 2000, he became a solo artist, and has since toured the Caribbean, England, Canada and New York. Rupee's music is very popular in dancehalls and clubs throughout the world. Asked about how he feels to be nominated for the 2005 Caribbean Sunshine Award, Rupee said, "It's really a blessing and an honor to be a part of such a prestigious event that certainly uplifts and helps Caribbean music on so many levels."

The Seventeenth Annual Caribbean Sunshine Awards is scheduled for Saturday, October 29, 2005 at the New York Sheraton Hotel, 811 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m and will include a two-hour cocktail reception, presentation of awards, live show and dancing. Reservations and tickets can be purchased online at www.sunshineawards.com or by calling
201-836-0799 or by fax 201-8364440.

The Seventeenth Annual Caribbean Sunshine Awards is sponsored in part by Hennessy, Continental Airlines, Barbados Tourism Authority, BWIA, Travel Span Vacations and the New York Carib News.

The dynamic duo So-Jah has now become a household name in various Japanese communities. The duo was propelled to stardom in Japan by attaining two number one singles under their belts, 'Pon De Corner' on the Guilty Rhythm and 'Life Get Harder' on the 'Tear Drops' rhythm featuring Martina, both of which were produced by CashFlow Records.

With all that success on the Japanese charts, So-Jah has already booked a flight to Japan for a three week tour. The tour will be seeing them making stops at Tokyo,Yoko Hama, and Kochi.

When they get back from tour, their next project is to complete a video shoot of their latest single entitled 'Too Much Youths Dying' on the Woomba rhythm that was also produced by CashFlow. CashFlow, an instrumental driving force behind the duo, will be joining them on tour for the second leg.

"It's amazing to see that the Japanese market has recognized our talent, but yet still not many persons in Jamaica know us apart from those who live in the Kingston 20 area," one member of So-Jah told Yardflex.com

(Jamaica, NY-October 25th) After departing from the traditional format for the past two years, VP Records has returned to a simultaneous release of two consecutive volumes in the latest installment of the Strictly The Best compilation.

Although the past two years have been very successful for the reggae compilation, (both Volumes 31 and 32 have been some of the best selling in the history of the series), an influx of hits from the island of Jamaica has prompted VP to return to the release of Volumes 33 and 34. The most consistent reggae collection, first released in 1992, is the longest running compilation series in the reggae business.

Not since 2002, when STB Volumes 29 and 30 were released with hits like Sean Paul and Sasha's "I'm Still in Love with You", Mad Cobra's "Press Trigger", Mr. Easy's "Drive Me Crazy", Bounty Killa's "Sufferah", and Elephant Man's "Higher Level", has there been a two volume collection of hits that have showcased both the best in Dancehall and Roots/Lovers Rock.

Now in 2005, STB Volumes 33 and 34 are here, with ground breaking hits like Turbulence's "Notorious", a tremendous song that picks up where Damien Marley's "Jamrock" has left off, with a hard hitting bass and rasta chant of redemption in the face of temptation. This anthem will no doubt propel the release of Turbulence's album of the same name coming in early 2006. Elephant Man's "Willie Bounce", this ode to the beloved dancer Bogle uses the melody from Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and introduced the world to the Willie Bounce, a new dance which can be seen in Sean Paul's video for "We Be Burning" (a track featured on STB 32). Jah Cure’s "True Reflections", this cry of rehabilitation from one of Jamaica's most elusive singers will further his impressive rise to reggae super stardom. Turbulence and Sasha's "We've Got the Love," with two solo albums on the horizon, this couple shares their lovers anthem and heartfelt emotion on their follow up to the seductive "Want a Natty."

In addition, a host of newcomer's contribute hits to the most wanted reggae compilation: Gyptian's "Serious Times", Producer/Entertainers Leftside and Esco's "Tuck In U Belly", Roger Robin's "Take it Slow", and Idonia's "Lolly" round out the set of tunes that will be sure to please.

The three day Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2006: The Art of Music, transforms the picturesque Rose Hall Resort and Country Club in Montego Bay from Thursday, January 26 through to Saturday, January 28 next year. Well known for world class production values, a selection of leading yet diverse acts and an unparalleled comfort atmosphere, the ninth staging of the Festival is expected to supersede previous expectations.

Legend's album, Get Lifted, is his "major label debut album on Columbia Records. On the album, he shows his dynamism of fusing "classic old school soul music with the edgy flavor of 21st century hip-hop." Although he is new to the scene as a solo artiste, this unique and multi-talented artiste, has recently been nominated for four (4) VIBE Awards.

Legend's album, Get Lifted, is his "major label debut album on Columbia Records. On the album, he shows his dynamism of fusing "classic old school soul music with the edgy flavor of 21st century hip-hop." Although he is new to the scene as a solo artiste, this unique and multi-talented artiste, has recently been nominated for four (4) VIBE Awards. Last month, he collected the MOBO Award for Best R&B Artist.

With Get Lifted, his major label debut album on Columbia Records, Legend demonstrates a rare ability to fuse the "feel" and vibe of classic old school soul music with While the romantic themes of traditional R&B permeate John's Get Lifted, there's also a street-worthy hipness and confidence: the sensuality of Marvin Gaye and the sincerity of Stevie Wonder merging with the directness of Snoop Dogg and the wit of Kanye West. Yet, John Legend is very much his own artist, gifted with singular talents and a unique sensibility.

Already confirmed for the festival is Shaggy, Al Green, KEM, Maxi Priest, Morgan Heritage, James Ingram, Air Supply and many more!

The vibrant and colourful city of Montego Bay is the perfect host for the Festival that attracts music aficionados eager to enjoy the best music in a relaxing environment. The gently sloping well manicured hills of The Rose Hall Resort and Country Club and traditional January breeze combine to provide an ideal setting for the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2006: The Art of Music at The Rose Hall Resort and Country Club, Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Travel partners Air Jamaica Vacations offers air and travel packages online at www.airjamaica.com or on the phone at 1800 - LOVEBIRD. The recommended hotel for Festival patrons is host Rose Hall Resort and Country Club, the four star hotel is conveniently located opposite the venue with accessible shuttle service 10 minutes from the heart of the city's main shopping district.

Tickets for the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival: The Art of Music at The Rose Hall Resort and Country Club, Montego Bay, Jamaica, are available from tour operators, Air Jamaica, select ticket outlets and online at:

www.airjamaicajazzandbluesfestival.com.

Tickets are US$50, US$55 and US$60 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night respectively. Season tickets are available for US$160.

Gospel singer, Minister Carlene Davis new album will be in stores worldwide this weekend. The album titled ROCK ME JESUS is being distributed in the United States and England by V.P. Records, in Canada by Universal Records and in the Caribbean by Glory Music.

According to Glory Music's Tommy Cowan the launch of the album will be through a special broadcast on Klas, F.M. 89, and R.J.R., A.M. 720, this he says will give a wider awareness of the product.

Containing fourteen tracks and a hidden track, Davis herself have co-written six of the tracks with her husband Tommy Cowan, whilst drawing on known Praise songs "Show Me Your Way, Draw Me Close, Hungry For You, Agnus Dei, I Have A Friend.

Says Carlene, "My personal testimony comes...

in Ambassador For Christ, Rock Me Jesus (title song), Praise Him, Songs Of Zion which expresses her dissatisfaction with the present situation (crime) in our society.

Musicians featured on this production are Rudy Valentino and Paul Kastic as engineers, Desi Jones - drums, Othneil Lewis, Chris McDonald, Robi Lyn on (keyboards) and Michael Kennedy, Lloyd Parks on bass and Rudi Valentino on electric and acoustic guitars, Dean Fraser on sax and Brother Time on Ikete drums. For background vocals by Cheryl Crooks, Nadine Sutherland, Bunny Brown, Leroy Palmer, Lisa Wilson, Ryan Berry and Naomi Cowan.

ROCK ME JESUS is album number seven for the ordained minister of the gospel Carlene Davis Cowan, who during her secular career recorded fifteen albums. She recently received a master degree in pastoral counseling and is pursuing her doctorate in the same field. Lecturing and teaching in praise and worship is now part of her ministry, she's due to perform at concerts across Jamaica the Caribbean and the United States teaching and singing.

New York, NY - October 20, 2005 - Jamaican superstar group T.O.K (Alex, Flexx, Bay-C and Craigy T.) who has been hailed by the New York Times as "the world's greatest dancehall-reggae boy band," have garnered their first U.S. crossover hit and second Vibe Music Award nomination in the Boomshot category with the socially conscious song "Footprints."

The video for "Footprints," will premiere Friday, October 21st on BET 106th & Park as the "New Joint Of The Day," and make its debut on MTV's Direct Effect Countdown shortly. While the video networks jump on board with heavy rotation on MTV Jams and MTVU, the song has been embraced by radio for its message of hope and is getting over 1,100 spins weekly.

While the story behind the song is quite inspirational, the journey that this video has taken to the small screen is a story board of its own. Dedicated to Alex's brother who was killed by a stray bullet in Jamaica, the group themselves were the unwitting victims of foul play. The original video for the single, from their latest CD, Unknown Language, was in video director Jay Will's Toyota Corolla parked on Constant Spring Road in St. Andrew, Jamaica when thieves stole the car and all its contents, including one year's worth of video footage, a digital camera, and computer equipment.

Distraught over the video's disappearance (especially since it was filmed while Alex, Bay-C, Craigy T, and Flexx were still struggling with the loss), T.O.K. went on Jamaican national TV to appeal for its return. The perpetrators were moved and anonymously turned the video master into the local precinct, but kept the car and the remainder of the stolen items.

With time their perspective changed; they unanimously decided to move forward with the re-shoot of the video in hopes of creating one that would maintain the group's strong message against senseless violence and also reach out to the mothers who lost their sons to war and the tragic life that extreme poverty inflicts. They enrolled director Kevin De Freitas to recreate a video that would capture the raw emotions of the original and be more universal in scope.

The lyrics, "Hurry up and come back was the last thing she said to her son, the day his life was taken, she didn't know he wouldn't come back, he died from the bullet of a gun, and now her little boy is gone," originally written to speak out against the senseless violence in Jamaica, takes a different meaning for a mother who has lost her son in the Iraqi War.

Director Kevin De Freitas uses several interesting visual effects to deliver the message, incorporating T.O.K. as narrators into three main scenes which play out the lyrics of "Footprints." In the first, De Freitas uses a technique called "split screen morph," which juxtaposes two different scenes into one frame. In the left frame, you see a mother grieving for her son, a casualty of war, while on the right, a soldier salutes and hands her the folded U.S. flag. Another interesting visual effect is set against T.O.K.'s lyrics, "Another baby left homeless, abandoned when he was two so the street side kids at the shopping mall was the family he knew. It's not easy being homeless, sometimes you have to do what you have to do and he didn't have a mom or dad to help him get through."

In this scene, a homeless man transforms into a young child demonstrating the humanity and vulnerability of the homeless, and showing how the boy never had the support he needed to make it through as an adult. The video's strong message against senseless violence is depicted in the climactic closing scene where a bystander is hit by gunfire after a fight breaks out in a club. The message comes full circle as the faces of the onlookers change signifying that none of us, really, are immune.

Whether it's violence from war in the streets or abroad, or the reality of extreme poverty, T.O.K.'s lyrics, "When you cry I cry, I cry along with you, when you smile, I smile, I smile along with you," says it all.

"With everything going - the violence, the war, poverty, and even the natural disasters - the world is coming closer together. It has taken devastation to remind us that our struggles are interrelated," explains Bay-C "And it's time for us to make music that's universally relevant." Craigy-T emphasizes, "Ultimately we want to let people know that even in their most difficult times, they'll never walk alone. There's a greater power there to bring you through."

Vegas has been riding a high in the recent weeks. With a number one single under his belt, and armada of new projects under way, he is locked and loaded for what is shaping up to be a hectic fall season.

"Right now, I am working towards saturating the base markets in Asia and Europe, that is where the demand is, and my...

The album will be called 'Constant Spring', named for the title track, the lead hit single that has already topped all the major charts in Jamaica. The single was supported by a creative video that piqued the interest of the dancehall community.

"The video paid homage to the 'Harder They Come', you know, Fuzzy coming to town on bike, the whole country bus, the throwback clothes and hairstyles, and it paid off, the video helped to push the song to the #1 spot," he said.

Vegas burst onto the music scene almost 6 years ago with a slew of hit singles such as 'Heads High', 'Jacket', 'Nike Air', but his career lulled briefly, before his recent flare of success that he attributes to 'regaining his confidence', if you will, his mojo.

"Right now, everything Vegas ah do ah sell off, what I am doing is building ghetto tune, as an artiste, yu have to have ghetto song, so mi go stage show inna the ghetto, mi de a Standpipe, wha day, and hear some new slang like 'sell off', and 'chu chu chu', that is what dancehall is, the ghetto, the streets," he said.

In the last three years, Vegas has become a bonafide fitness junkie, and he has spent countless hours in the gym to chisel out his new buff body.

"I spend 80 per cent of my time working out in the gym, even if mi overseas and it snowing, mi caan miss the gym. I have an obligation to my female fans…have to keep my body up to scratch for the woman dem, with these teenyboppers, yu caan look chakka chakka with a big belly, and caan dress. Image is most things when it comes to being an artiste," he said.

Vegas has been collaborating with Mr. Lex on a number of recent projects including 'Taxi Fare', a bouncy slamming new single that was the centre of a much talked about controversy and fight between Mr. Lex and Foota Hype.

"Is long time mi know Lenny, and he is one of a handful of artistes out there who the girls truly go crazy ova, nuff artiste, the girls only like dem song, but with Mr. Lex, dem love him, so I like doing songs with him, he is the artiste with one of the cleanest heart inna di business. We also have a new song called 'Caan Get We Down' to answer all the haters out there," Vegas said.

By: Jigga - YardFlex Reporter

All the guys want her. And all the girls want to be her. Heck, with her stunning good looks, and her great voice, who wouldn't want to be Tami Chynn?

Tami Chynn has become a popular name on the dancehall scene over the past two years and is now honing her skills and consolidating a sizeable fan base, both locally and here in the United States. She was born to an 'artistic family' so it's no surprise that Tami got involved in music, her sister, Tessane, is also a singer. Tami has done songs on a number of tracks on various dancehall tracks, and this year, earned an honourable mention on one of dancehall's biggest hits, Left Side and Esco's 'Tuck in Yu Belly'. Despite her stunning good looks, and upper crust background, she refuses to be 'pigeonholed' and considered an 'uptown' artiste.

"People would consider me an uptowner, but everyone's opinion varies. I am not what I consider uptown to be, can't I just be no-town?" she said, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Tami, you are so fine, girl, you can be anything you want to be.

In case you are curious, Tami is part-Chinese, part-Cherokee, part-white, part-black.

"Mi mix up bad," she said, laughing.

She describes her most inspirational moment in the biz so far as "definitely the RE TV high school tour".

"That was one of the best experiences as an artiste and person, just humbling, knowing that people are out there and enjoying my music, as opposed to feeling cocky and big-headed about it...to have all these people rooting for me, have to keep up my standards."

Growing up in St. Andrew, she attended Sts. Peter and Paul, before moving on to Campion, but after only a few years, she moved to England.

"I finished schooling at Trinity public school. It wasn't no private school, it was big change to my whole way of life, a big culture shock, no uniforms, you were on a first name basis with teachers. In fact, I was the only person uptight about handing in assignments, everybody else was just like whatever. The teachers here in Jamaica instil a fear but over there, more relaxed, if you do it, whatever," she said.

Who would you want to work with most? And why?

"I have been very fortunate to work with most of the artistes, I did a song with Sean Paul, for his album, 'All On Me'. I worked with Assassin on, 'All Night' he is such an amazing artiste, he is so brilliant. I’ve had the chance to work with Lady Saw, and Beenie Man, I've worked with Sanje, and I see him coming up, Busy Signal, mi love Busy, he is doing real well, and of course, Wayne Marshall."

She will be shooting a video for the single, 'Tell Mi Seh' in New York soon. The video is directed by Nadia (who is of Jamaican heritage) and Naylor, the directors who shot the Cezar video and who have being a part of the new Smirnoff Ice media campaign.

"It's a ladies anthem showing another side of my creativity," she said.

Earlier this year, she inked a four-album deal with Universal Records.

"The first album is due out in 2006. Luckily, I had been working on it before...it's been a blessing getting signed to a major label... it's just wicked, but I have a lot of work to do, and it's just the first step in my career."

This gorgeous Gemini says she wants to dabble in acting in the future once she establishes herself in the music biz.

"I want to consider myself a businesswoman. I have to learn the business of the music, we have to know, or else, the wool gets pulled over your eyes."

If you want to know more about Tami Chynn you can check out her website at www.tamitunes.com where you can read her diary, sign her guestbook, watch videos, interviews, listen to music, and see her events page.

[Intro]
Yeah ya no, rasta live - Universal sign of love
Love is the answer my friend - And love is the only way
Yeah true love you can find yourself - And call a true identities
Love ya brother love your sister - Love one another the universal sign - I'll take it from here

[Chorus]
Love is, much more to life than just words
Love means, much more than to say you love
Love is, call on me brother
Love is, call on me sister

[Verse 1]
When you love someone, love from the heart
Cause love is the start yeah
Love is the answer for every question
Just ask your self why, why
Love is the key to open the door
When they close in your face
Love shows you the way
When u are lost, lost
And cant find your way

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]
Love is the only thing we have to share
Don't you forget that I hope you hear
Sending my message to you out there
I hope you get it clear, yeah
Do not mistake my
And mistake every sound
Whenever you see my face
Always a smile
Counteracts a frown

[Chorus]

Who said he couldn't do it again? Without a doubt, 'The Trinity', Sean Paul's latest album, three years after his 'Dutty Rock' breakthrough, rocks. For his album number three, Grammy-Award winner mixes dancehall, hip-hop and reggae.

It was recorded entirely in Jamaica and boasts some of the most well known producers on the island's dancehall circuit.

The album kicks off with noted sound system selector Firelinks 'burning a big fire' in his loud trademark voice, for the album over a slamming dancehall beat in the background.

This 'live dance' feel is perpetuated on the second track, where a selector interjects comments during the 'Head in the Zone' song, while Sean deejays.

One of the best tracks on the album is the lead single, 'We Be Burnin' which is straight dancehall butter. The song is already leapfrogging up the Billboard HOT 100 charts. It is the catchiest track on FM radio right now, and that is no surprise. Sean is known for his singa-long hooks, and his witty wordplay, and 'The Trinity' album does not disappoint.

Track #4, 'Send It On', is a breakout charmer with an infectious dancehall track and Kool-aid smooth rhymes. One of the great things about Sean Paul's delivery on this song is that he changes his melody every four bars, so it becomes hard to tell when the chorus begins and when the verses begin, making it a seamless, hardcore dancehall hit. Cruising in the drop top, chillin in the ride/ Checking out the phat girls them inna mi sight/Pull up to the hot spot, gal left to right. The song is produced by little-known producers Delano Thomas, Michael Jarrett and Andre Saunders of Renaissance Sound Crew, and its ice-cube clear sound makes this song a must-play in your ride this Fall.

The single, 'Ever Blazin', for which a video is being shot for release in the international market, is also a pretty decent song. Sean deejays: "Bill Gates, Donald Trump them a require you/In a the Pentium Five, them waan wire you/Make them know you a frequent flyer too/Like a trophy inna me bed you me waan retire you...". Nice wordplay.

My favourite track is 'Temperature' on producer Snocone's 'Applause' rhythm, possibly the best dancehall rhythm for 2005, and Sean's contribution is a gem of a song. It's good to hear Sean on a real slamming dancehall track, and he lowers the boom. Verse three is da bomb: Gal don't say me crazy now, this Strangelove it a no Bridgette and Flava show (UH-OH)/Time fi make baby now so stop gwaan like yu a act shady yo (UH-OH)/Woman, doan play me now, cause ah no Fred Sanford or Garady yo (UH OH)/My loving is the way to go...my lovin is the way to go.

However, arguably the best track on the album is 'Never Gonna Be the Same', produced by Don Corleon. It's a well-produced song, with a mellow, almost yearning feel that shows another dimension of Sean's talent. Sean sings: Say when mi look inna mi life, it's plain to see/That its never gonna be the same/Take another step on towards my destiny/But the memories still remain/Deep inna mi soul, I hold the key/Said it's never gonna be the same/Throughout all life and beyond all eternity/I keep burnin up the flame

Other standout tracks include 'Connection with Nina Sky' and 'Yardie Bone' featuring Wayne Marshall.

Sean even takes on a slightly philosophical bent as Sean Paul bemoans the savage gun violence on the rock. Sean Paul must be congratulated for his vision and the risk he took to return to the roots of dancehall and The Trinity perfectly captures the exciting sounds of the scene at street level with its strong beats, danceable grooves and skillfully delivered rhymes. This album should emulate its predecessor's success. It is a must-have for dancehall aficionados everywhere, so don't bootleg it, or download it, support the artiste, dig into your pockets, you won't regret it.

[Intro]: Foxy Brown
Murder (Murder) na na na murder (murder) na na na
Murder dem, murder dem mi nuh competition I gwaan,
murder dem

[Sizzla] (*Foxy Brown):
Sexiness you need some of mine (Uh huh) come kick it with me shorty
Give me that lovin everytime
Now let me, work it work it hard yeah (*Ah!!!)

[Chorus: Sizzla] (Foxy Brown)
That's fine with me (Uh huh Uh huh) make love to me girl
(Whoa)
Wine up pon it (Uh huh Uh huh) I'm here to rock your world
(Eh Eh!)
That's fine with me (Uh huh Uh huh) make love to me girl
(Yes!)
Wine up pon it (Dutty) I'm here to WOO!!!!!

[Verse 1: Foxy Brown]:
Nana got a new drop top (Uh Huh) come ride with me,
I ain't got a roof I got
Backshots when I ride on top, plus an attitude like 2Pac got
Achoo I spew everytime I come through
With a cannon drum but the na na na taste like rum punch
(Uh!) Make 'em say whoa this shit is like dro
You never seen a dread limbo (No!!!!)
This gal yah wicked (Wicked) come kick it with me shorty (Shorty)
I throw that thang like a boomerang
Uh! Backshots is what they call me (Call me)
Brown Fox about go bats
Sex stronger than Barry Bonds and his pops
Neck game longer than giraffes
Get on top you cum first like a warning shot, BLOCKA BLOCKA!!!!

[Chorus: Sizzla] (Foxy Brown)
That's fine with me (Uh huh Uh huh) make love to me girl
(Whoa)
Wine up pon it (Uh huh Uh huh) I'm here to rock your world
(Eh Eh!)
That's fine with me (Uh huh Uh huh) make love to me girl
(Yes!)
Wine up pon it (Dutty) I'm here toWOO!!!!!

[Verse 2: Foxy Brown]
Fox got the streets on lock
In the hood they call me Doug E. Fresh
dudes get beat with the box
Stay deep in the seat of the drop
Like lost change of this broad in the game got the media locked
I'm a Bad Girl but I ain't signed to Puff
A true Bad Gal dutty that's what's up
Word to Selassie I Foxy I wine body I
Get freaky freaky freaky freaky like Ladi Di
Poor little rappers, all a dem a mess
Don't even ask, whole a dem a mash up
Word to my boy B.I.
Brooklyn we are back, RAH!!!! RAH!!!! RAH!!!!

[Chorus: Sizzla] (Foxy Brown)
That's fine with me (Uh huh Uh huh) make love to me girl
(Whoa)
Wine up pon it (Uh huh Uh huh) I'm here to rock your world
(Eh Eh!)
That's fine with me (Uh huh Uh huh) make love to me girl
(Yes!)
Wine up pon it (Dutty) I'm here toWOO!!!!!

[Verse 3: Foxy Brown] (*Sizzla)
Everytime I drop my hits the DJ say (PULL UP!!!!)
Whip game is sick everytime I (PULL UP!!!!)
Valentino pumps fit nuh man (PULL UP!!!!)
Pum pum goody yes my body (GOOD OY!!!!)
(*I come get yuh girl yeah I seh dat)
Ice cream treats laid back up in the Maybach
(*Mek yuh bawl and beg I run yuh red hot)
Nana got di shizzot Fox di toppa top (WUY!!!!)

[Chorus: Sizzla] (Foxy Brown)
That's fine with me (Uh huh Uh huh) make love to me girl
(Whoa)
Wine up pon it (Uh huh Uh huh) I'm here to rock your world
(Eh Eh!)
That's fine with me (Uh huh Uh huh) make love to me girl
(Yes!)
Wine up pon it (Dutty) I'm here toWOO!!!!!

[Outro: Foxy Brown]
Yeah, Black Roses baby, Brooklyn, Nana, Sizzla Kalonji

When the interviewer meets Zebra in the office of the Superintendent who runs the prison, he sees a man who radiates an unmistakable joy, fresh-faced and smiling. His five-year incarceration has not broken him.

He is dressed in white: white jeans, white sneakers, cream shirt with a badge of Haile Selassie and his empress over the left side of his chest, and a white turban with a badge with the image of Marcus Garvey directly over his forehead. He has a little orange-cover notebook in his right hand which is heavy with a three-tiered (the trinity, he explained) gold chaparita, and two rings. His left hand has a rasta sweatband, and red-green-and-gold trinkets, and he has allowed his goatee and beard to grow.

"In prison, you have to hold up yourself in a way so you can hold up others. In here, it is strictly a survival ting, ah just tribulation and segregation, today, ah just the grateful vs the ungrateful, yu may be grateful to a man today, but tomorrow, him same one could be yu killer. Ah prison dat."

Since his incarceration in prison since March 2000, no entertainers have tried to visit him, or give support in anyway. For him, it has been a lonely trod, except for visits from close friends and his father, singer Dennis Walks.

"Right now, ah just Dennis Walks mi give the honour. Mi no really see nobody more than so, but mi have to big up Elizabeth Hemmings and Wissian Wisdom, dem two empress de nuh lef me out."

Are you disappointed that no other entertainers have come to offer support?

"No, not really, the whole ah we inna one fraternity, yes, but we no look out for each other. We not close, we just share a stage from time to time, there is no glory, no love, no unity with the self and the crowd for most of them. They are pretenders, but it is good to be natural and real."

"Yu see the two year dem when I run the road from 1998 to 1999, dem grow fi dislike me because I was dem worst nightmare because of how the people did embrace me, when me go stage show, dem waan hurry up and work because after I done work, the show done. The ones on top doan waan to see no one else rise, but I live for the music, I am the music, the music is me," he said.

Zebra has used his time to read the works of Marcus Garvey, the island's first national hero, extensively, and to hone his lyrical skills.

"Music, ah dat hold me up. It mi use and rehab myself, mi no really entangle with no other form of work, or other rehab programme. Mi write continually about the present and the past, but no negative rhyme, dem can play all a Sunday time, the rhymes dem tight up, well write up," he said, breaking out into a short deejay verse.

He said that his days are consumed by music, and he is a part of the Rehabilitation Through Music programme, and often practices with a band called Cry Freedom daily along with other inmates such as Bobo, Marksman, Cry Freedom, Red Ray, Chronic, Elvis, and Leminotep.

He says that he has been approached by many producers to record tunes, but because there is no studio at the St. Catherine District Prison, it has not become a reality.

"A lot of real big man come here and dem feel my energy, and when dem leave, dem invite me to come check dem when mi come a road. Some even want mi to voice from inside here. But the chance not possible to do it from here, because there is no studio, but I get so much use and refuse, I have to be wise to what I am doing now" he said.

He said that he has not been earning any royalties from the hit songs such as 'Rupert', and 'Redder than Red' in the years 1998-1999.

"Mi neva try to ask dem for royalty, mi just love the music. I survive on the blessings of I and I family, who tek care of my children, and right now, mi ah live by the Grace of Jah, by His love and support. Mi family dem a live joyful, my presence as a father is missed, and since I and I come in here, mi empress dem have a few yutes, you know yu get caught up, and dem born while I am in here. I cannot see dem 'cause dem don't allow no children in prison."

What has been the toughest thing about being in prison?

"The toughest time is right now, the present, 'cause mi still de ya, and my toughest time nah go end till me come out alive. The injustice of it too big, up to this time, yu have to watch yuself, watch yu headback, everyting yu do, yu have to bend your mind to serve yu time.

Since his time in prison, his relationship with his father has strengthened, his Rastafarian faith has grown, and he has been able to forge "multiple friendships with the staff, and the inmates.

"The joy is unexplainable, me ah de only one of his children who do music, so mi get everything outta him, so the father, so the son. Him mek his music when no money neva de pon it, ah just small money, no strong currency, so when I come out, I plan to do a combination wid him, do some fresh tune, give him back a joy," Zebra said.

Asked about the turban he is wearing, and the rasta paraphernalia, he laughed and responded: "Well, remember ah me did say Selassie I Send Mi Fi Warn."

Zebra said that the words of Marcus Garvey, and books he had read such as 'Self, Mind and Consciousness' has strengthened his intellect, made him more self-aware and focused. He says that the life of Marcus Garvey is an inspiration to him.

"Marcus go prison, him lef prison and come be a star. Mi a go follow that trod," he said. "Remember, ah me say further on."

Zebra plans to apply for parole this year. According to prison officials, first time offenders are allowed to apply for parole six months before their parole eligibility date, but he is required, as second-time offender to apply eight months before that date.

"I plan to get a form soon, and apply because I have got my letters together, the address where I am going to stay, the studios I am going to be working and so on. Nothing before the time, mi just ah go apply and take it from there."

When is your earliest possible release date?

"Well that will be in the morning, with the rising of the sun, y’know."

Yes, but when?

"In prison," he said, leaning forward. "When yu come out, that is your release date, because who knows, something terrible might reach me afta mi lef da interview ya. The date when I come out alive, that is my release date."

It is here that the other men in the room chuckle knowingly.

How do you feel about other entertainers dissing you as a rapist on stage shows?

"Dem can tease me all dem want, but I not going to answer dem, and gi dem a hype, mi have all the stripe, man ah kill man fi tek off dem stripe, but me, mi born wid my stripe. No man caan get no ride offa Zebra, only Xena alone can ride a zebra."

So what you learned during your incarceration that makes you a better man?

"I learn that you have to be on your side. Any side I am taking must be my side. I get a deeper feeling about life, especially with the love of my empress dem. I am not afraid to die, because if you are afraid to die, you will be afraid to live and vice versa. So I learn to enjoy the small moments, the quiet moments, the time with family, that is life."

"Well, mi name says it all. The world is strictly black and white, my name says unity, black and white must come together, pon a zebra, yu have the black and the white close together, and yu caan tell if is a black animal wid white stripe, or a white animal wid black stripe, so that tell yu dat unity and peace in the world is possible. We can be one, we just have to believe," he said.

Montreal (QC) - 13 October 2005, Cezar Brumeanu Productions and Nuff Respect Promotions presents superstar king of dancehall artist Beenie Man featuring the Shocking Vibes crew; with John Hype, Silver Cat, Little Kirk, and Patchy.

Backed by Ruff Kut band they will perform live at Le Medley (1170 St-Denis/Rene-Levesque) on December 3rd, 2005. Supporting acts include Django, Beeco, Bryms, Chonfa, and Rasselas, backed by Addi Roots band; special appearances by Mikey Dangerous, Jermaine Maxwell and Khalila. Music comes courtesy by Montreal's own Little Thunder, Firesquad, Road Warrior, and DJ Notch. Prymtym and Don Ignorance will host the event.

"Beenie Man is one of the few artists that can put on a 2-hour long show or more, and still keep the crowds jumping all night...he is one of the best in the business", says concert producer Cezar Brumeanu. Back by popular demand from a earlier performance this year; Beenie Man is bringing his entire Shocking Vibes crew including the ever popular dancer John Hype, who is credited for being one of the best invents of new reggae dancehall moves.

When gal praisin', high flossin' Beenie Man is in the house, you're guaranteed a performance filled with unpredictability and non-stop excitement. The reggae rapper boasts an astounding 60-plus number one singles, scores of hit albums - including Virgin Records releases Art and Life (2000) and Tropical Storm (2002) - and who knows how many of the platinum standard stage shows that crowned him long ago as reggae dancehall's undisputed King.

For his last two Virgin Records sets, the versatile "Doctor" flowed over joints produced by American artists like The Neptunes and Irv Gotti and worked that roiling boundary between dancehall, pop, and hip hop alongside superstars Wyclef, Kelis, Lil Kim, Mya (for Art and Life irresistible smash hit "Girls Dem Sugar") and Janet Jackson (for Tropical Storm rump-shaking chart-dominator "Feel It Boy").

An abundance of musical gifts, countless hits, the entertainer's true sense of humor, natural magnetism, and a strict professional work ethic won Beenie Man a 5 record deal with Virgin Records. Art and Life went on to win the Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2000. The mission continued with 2002's Tropical Storm, also created at the crossroads between dancehall and hip-hop.

Since the track Peace In Spanish Town, Jamaica has not stopped hearing the conscious cries of Lutan Fyah.This son of Spanish Town grabbed the spotlight in 2003, and has somewhat gone on a recording rampage to make sure he cements his place in the hallowed halls of Roots Reggae.

Lutan Fyah has been working the Jamaican airwaves - and as he admits - deliberately. Tracks like Rasta Still Deh Bout, Reputation For Love, Badness Nuh Pay and Back To Africa are all in rotation at once. The music videos for Rasta Still Deh Bout and Reputation For Love both enjoyed regular reviews on local cable channels at the same time.

Lutan Fyah says there is a method to his madness. "Right now is just work. Because I don't have no crew or camp I just do the work," he states.

Earlier this year he released the fifteen-track album A Time And Place on the luster Kings Label, and he is working to follow up with another by December. Releasing two albums in a year from the same artist is known in Hip Hop circles as the sign of accomplishment. While rappers Tupac Shakur and DMX can attest to this, in Reggae circles it is not common.

Lutan Fyah however feels he must leave his mark. "I want more people to get to know the real Lutan Fyah. Mi want to be more consistent," he explains. "Mi want people hear me and accept me more because it is energy for me. When I feel this energy from the people a the greatest thing, so mi can't stop work."

Little Hero's luck has finally kicked in with the success of his runaway hit Inna De Ghetto. The song, which is featured on DJ Sunshine's Real Life rhythm, has given Little Hero's career the attention that he craved for.

"The vibe is really good right now. I am hoping that this time around things will be better," he said recently.

Inna de Ghetto that reached number one on the B Mobile Mega Jamz Top 20 Reggae chart rose to number five on the New York Reggae chart a few weeks ago. The song is currently number seven on Richie B's Top 30 Hit List chart.

Little Hero, who was born Paul Gayle in Farm Town, Discovery Bay in St Ann, is no stranger to scoring a chart climber. As a matter of fact, around 10 years ago he was featured on the collaboration God Alone with Merciless and Action Fire.

The single was first recorded as a solo with Little Hero and was produced by Courtney Cole for the Roof International label. It garnered some airplay, but it was the remix featuring Merciless and Action Fire, released on Harvel 'Gadaffi' Heart's Annex label, that took the dancehall scene and the charts by storm.

"The song was a big hit back then," said Little Hero. "I got some shows and it put my name out there. Just the other day, I re-recorded a version for the Inspire rhythm, and so far it's getting a lot of airplay."

Little Hero made his recording debut in 1992 on Courtney Cole's Roof International label with the track Pretty Looks, which featured Delly Melody. Among his latest singles are the 'Prayer Time' and 'No More War' on the Inspire label.

Infiltration kicks off with a bang as Assassin unleashes some of his biggest hit singles from his arsenal like As A Man, Idiot Thing and Don't Like You. So after all that partying with those well-knowns, he introduces a few of his latest singles like In Da Club, I'm A Hustla, We Dem Want.

The album then goes into a whole other direction with a future hit, Free At Last he shines on the track produced by Christopher Birch. The next single, Let Me Know features the R&B songstress, Syleena Johnson where even with Syleena's sultry vocals and Assassin keeping it real Jamaican, it comes across as a bit corny.

Assassin picks up those broken pieces and moves on with the ever popular, Girls Gone Wild. And then he demands respect as he spits fire over the military rhythm with Step Pon Dem. Gangsta City is a tune that is guaranteed to be a 'gangstas' anthem for a good while.

The album then tapers down with tunes like Dem, Hot, Wandering Mind, Youths Well Cold (featuring Freddie McGregor), Big Mix (featuring Red Square) and the grand finale, Respect Due.

Overall, the album is just a fast paced record where Assassin does what he does best over beats produced by talented producers like Steely and Clevie, Delano Thomas, Omar Clennon, Tony "CD" Kelly and Richard "Richie D" Martin. Executive producers for the album are Christopher Chin and Donovan Germain.

Aisha's unconventional and distinctive style has occasionally met with resistance, however this reluctance has not stifled this young talents' creativity as she remains steadfast in her goal of producing high quality music that will be accepted globally, and her fusion of Contemporary, Reggae and R&B will make her a household name.

Aisha recently completed the music video for the recent single Shed Those Tears. But her extensive catalogue also includes: Other songs such as Critical on the Masterpiece rhythm, 'Is That Your Boyfriend? On the Hydro rhythm, produced by Richie D from Miami, 'Devotion' on the Money Love rhythm, produced by Richie Stevens and Fed Up produced by King of Kings, This dynamic singer has toured with the likes of Shaggy, Baby Cham, Spanner Banner and Kymani Marley.

Warrior King's eagerly anticipated 'Hold the Faith' VP Records album will be released on October 25th. "The singles which are getting great airplay so far are 'Caan Get Me Down', 'My Life' and 'Judgment Days'.

This is a spiritual album, a message for the times, a fulfillment of the bible's prophecy, a message to keep the people strong and give them a positive vibration so the teens the adults can get a joy," the singer said.

Warrior King's 2001 debut single, "Virtuous Woman," was an international smash that rocketed up local and international reggae charts. Since that auspicious beginning, Warrior King's compositions have consistently charted not only in his native Jamaica, but also throughout the entire Caribbean, as well as New York, London. The inclusion of "Never Go Where Pagans Go" on VP Records' compilation set "Reggae Gold 2002" further raised the artist's profile

Jovi Rockwell carries herself much like a blues musician of the early 20th century; she is brooding and spiritual with her music. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, the child of an art and music connoisseur Jovi has been steeped in "the business" since an early age.

She is a mysterious bon vivant who always has a story to tell and a song to serve as the soundtrack.

The latest talent to emerge from the multi-textured, dancehall soul label Mystic Urchin Music (Farenheit, Transdub Massiv) Jovi offers up an intimate blend of dancehall, pop and soul that she describes as "Rebel, Love, Goddess music." She imbues the already innovative blend of musical genres that is Mystic Urchin with an impressive throaty vocal style that is accented with both depth and emotion.

Merely in her early 20s, Ms. Rockwell is still honing her craft as a singer, songwriter and bass player. Her debut singles prove that she is seeking out various styles and sounds before settling on a few to call her own. Meanwhile, Jovi masterfully ensures that her work doesn't sound like a patchwork quilt, but rather a perfect blend.

Reporting Live From Jamaica's Concrete Jungles, Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley Exposes A World You Won't See On Postcards.

Driven by a mighty riddim from legendary reggae producers Sly & Robbie and tricked out enough motorcycle, glock and siren samples to male the dub wizard Lee 'Scratch' Perry blush, Jr. Gong's trance - inducing Welcome To Jamrock introduces the world to what life's about in Trench Town of today: massive poverty, endless random acts of violence, ruthless cocaine pushers, gangs whose powers have eclipsed the government's, and dangerously undereducated youths.

Who's to blame? According to Jr. Gong, it's the country's past and present leaders and Jamaican parents." A lot of our problems in our economy have to do with the importation of food from elsewhere. We cannot compete with America's farmers. So you'll find that imported food often sells cheaper than what is grown in Jamaica."

Although the island's leaders need to make Jamaican food affordable for Jamaicans, parents need to be more responsible as well, Jr. Gong says." On a community level, people need to be going around speaking to parents about making sure their kids are going to school, because a lot of times schools will be there, but kids don't go." And that's just grazing the surface, he says.

Even while the violence on the island is continuing to spread to the affluent, uptown areas of Kingston and increasingly putting natives in a state of despair, Welcome To Jamrock has angered Jamaicans who resent being lumped with ghetto gang bangers. Unfazed, Jr. Gong responds, "If people are getting emotional, then that means it's doing what it's supposed to be respect in the international marketplace. I don't know of any other genre of music where you can say, "the music is really about upliftment - upliftment of the people." (See the entire article in the October 2005 issue of The Source, pg. 83)

Queen of Dancehall Lady Saw is fresh back from her one month tour which saw her all over the North American continent with stops in the nations Capital Washington DC, Chicago, New Mexico, Oregon, Miami and other states.

Even though she had a worn out month, the Queen is back with a new energy, her new single "cry unda man" is ripping up airwaves and is currently an anthem in the local Dancehall circle.

"QUEEN OF DANCEHALL" which was last week added to the play list of Royal Radio 106.3 New York's number one Caribbean Radio Station is creating havoc in the big apple. Lady Saw will have a packed weekend as she performs on Jamaica's North and South Coast this weekend and will be jetting off to New York Next month to do a series of shows in the Tri-State area. The Queen will be shooting a series of music videos this week and will be recording some tracks for her upcoming album including collaborations with Major local and international talents.

Kenneth 'Spragga' Wilson told YardFlex this week that the controversy surrounding the 'Spiritual Warfare' rhythm that spawned the monster hit, 'Serious Time' is being resolved.

"How can I steal something when they carried the rhythm to me? I paid them for the producer's cut, I paid to get Bongo and Tony Greene to play on it, I paid for studio time, and mi spend countless, sleepless nights going to clubs and radio stations to buss the tune. But I understand that it is just business so every man will get his fair share, they will get their mechanical rights. Dizzle is just 'bad mind', him jus ah try push a ting when all him do is engineer the drum kick. Mi and the other man dem cool," he said.

The rhythm is owned by co-producers 'Radic' and 'Dr. Dizzle', the latter of whom has a heavyweight publisher associated with Anchor Recording Studio in his corner. They have been contending that they are not being recognized for their contribution to the hit.

Chuck Fender a former member of the ever blazing Fifth Element Crew has recently shot the video for his radio hit, 'Crisis', in downtown Kingston earlier this week.

"I went to downtown close to the wharf section near Kingston Harbour and several other areas of downtown Kingston where got some real footage of what is really happening in the area such as the everyday struggle. It was a successful shoot, and it ah go mad ah road,"

The video was shot by popular director Leo O'Reggio, and will be release at a later date this month soon. The 'Crisis' single has been getting a lot of airplay in recent times along with the 'Don't Cry Mama' a song that appears on the 'True Reflections' rhythm

How do you define true beauty? Mere words cannot describe the irridiscent beauty of 23-year-old Tamara Murray. Words can only diminish what she has become in the minds of the ordinary Jamaican male - the perfect definition of beauty.

Tamara was born in the second city, Montego Bay but spent most of her life in the capital of Jamaica, Kingston. She strongly believes that in order to capture the spotlight in her chosen field of modeling, it would be best to for her to live in the Corporate Area because this is where the party hub now exists.

Tamara has been modeling professionally for over five years and has made several appearances in the music videos of various well-known entertainers such as Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, TOK, Super Cat/112 and recently, she did a photo session with Sean Paul for his upcoming promotional pictures.

Her plans for the future: "My plan for the future is to become famous on the international scene. That would probably be one of the best days of my life."

Her hobbies are playing tennis, dancing, and taking photos. In her spare time, she likes to go clubbing at the Quad, Village and Asylum.
Who is Tamara?

I am a very understanding person who anyone can easily get along with. Most of all I love to socialize and communicate with persons of different nationalities.

To Whom It May Concern:
On the 30ft of September 2005, at my court mention, a number of my brothers and sisters came to show me support. I am overwhelmed and honored that so many people care about my welfare, and I thank them all for their encouragement.

I do regret any disturbance that my supporters may have caused the court, and the public. I do not support any steps taken to unduly influence the system of Justice. I believe in this great nation's court system and have full faith that I will be offered a just ruling.

I deeply apologize to the court for the interruption my supporters have caused. I also apologize to the motoring public for any delays you might have experienced that day, when my supporters rushed across Maxfield Avenue.

I am aware that all citizens are free to attend court and listen to hearings, however I appeal to all my supporters to not gather at the courthouse whenever I attend Court. I do wish all my supporters pray for me as I put my trust in the Father.

Sincerely,

Mark Myrie (a.k.a Buju Banton)

Jamaica's dancehall sensation Sean Paul will 'get busy' shooting a music video this weekend, for the single, 'Ever Blazin' which appears on his latest album.

The single 'Ever Blazin' will be released in the international market only to drive sales outside of the United States. In the meantime, Sean's team is finalising plans to shoot a medley video for two other singles entitled 'Break Out' produced by Patrick 'Roach' Samuels' on the Siren Rhythm and ‘Temperature’ which appears on Jah Snow Cone's 'Applause' rhythm.

The medley video will be shot by internationally acclaimed director Little X who shot Sean's breakout video, 'Gimme the Light' that catapulted Sean into the international spotlight.

"We're going to shoot in Toronto on Octobver 21 and 22 with Little X. And the video for 'Ever Blazin' will be shot by Anthony Mandler who shot the video for Common's 'Testify'. Mandler is also the photographer who did our cover shoot," Jeremy Harding, Sean Paul's
manager, said.

In the meantime, the first single from Sean Paul's 'The Trinity' album is this week's Greatest Gainer on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Charts, entering the Top 20 this week, and steadily rising up the Pop charts as well, with the video currently in rotation on MTV and BET. Sean performed the hit single for fans on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday, October 5, 2005. There will be additional performances coming up next week, and a tour jumping off in November.

Bongo Herman's unique ear, and superb percussive effects has been the driving force behind a lot of big reggae rhythms, including the ultra-popular 'Spiritual Warfare' rhythm featuring Gyptian's hit song, 'Serious Time'. Without a doubt, he is the leading Nyabinghi drummer in Jamaica.

"I am regarded as one of the greatest percussionists by people all over the world. When I get a riddim, I hold the reins, bringing it to a level, to a heartbeat so I feel it so I know when to play, and when not to play. The way I play is that the bass batter, the funde flatter, and the repeater scatter. I know this, and I have helped to revolutionise a business that started to changes with the 'Hail the King' rhythm featuring Fantan Mojah and Jah Cure a few years back," he said.

Bongo Herman has played an 'instrumental' role in such hit rhythms as 'Nyabinghi Trodding', and hit records such as 'Earth Ah Run Red' by Richie Spice, and Jah Cure's 'Longing For'.

"The drums are the most important, the shaker is also important, and when you go to the clubs, you hear everything clean. Right now, Jah Cure and Gyptian have the best new voices in the business, more producers need to go more one-drop right now."

By Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur, BET.com Staff Writer

As most hip-hop artists obsess over "bling-bling," a new wave of reggae/dancehall is ushering in a new era of social consciousness. TOK's new album, Unknown Language, evokes the emotion and grassroots politics of early hip hop records, such as "The Message" by Grand Master Flash & The Furious Five.

Flexx, a member of the Kingston, Jamaica-based group, told BET.com that while hip hop is still street, people have grown accustomed to the commercialism of hip-hop messages heard on radio and seen in video.

"Hip hop has been around for a minute and so has dance hall. Hip hop, to some extent in my personal view, has become not only about materialism but it’s kind of like the norm. It's commercial, it's not underground. People out there are seeing dance music as a new vibe, like a form of hip-hop, because you know that both genres pull from each other."

The popularity of "Footprints," a sorrowful tale on the album about lost love, exemplifies the American public’s newfound love of dancehall, Alex added. "It's a good feeling really and truly reggae music, umm, Caribbean music, has been underground for a long time now. It usually has a big boom, then it calms, then a big boom. Really and truly, it's a good feeling because it shows reggae music is just more then just a fad - its here to stay, and its gone through the test of time."

Deejay Vybz Kartel, who has been storming local and overseas charts with an arsenal of hits including 'Emergency', and 'Cellular', has decided to start his own booking company to handle his business.

"I just think that it is time for me to dabble in other areas of the business, I want to know more about the business side of the business, so I have been doing my own checks, and I just thought it would be a good idea to exert more control over my professional career, so it is all about Timeless bookings now," he said.

The contact number for the Timeless booking agency is
(876) 472-4914 or (876) 472-4916

The charismatic deejay's latest album, 'The Trinity' (VP/Atlantic), racked up sales of 107,243 units in its first week, earning accolades for being the highest ever reggae debut. The album also earned the distinction of tallying the largest single week sales for a reggae artist in SoundScan history.

"I am representing and taking it abroad with the reggae soldiers. This debut means a lot for the growth of dancehall, the growth of Caribbean music...and it really means a lot to me because I had to prove myself all over again," Sean Paul said during a phone interview with YardFlex this week.

Sean Paul - the man who music industry insiders say put Jamaica's dancehall on the world stage - slammed into the charts in a big way with this week's #7 album on the Billboard 200 album charts, #4 on R&B chart, and, of course, #1 on the Reggae chart. The record-breaking sales gives Sean Paul his highest chart position to date

"I feel really good. This album is called the Trinity because it has been three years since 'Dutty Rock', and I am representing a young Third World, and trying to prove that we could do this, and that great things can come out of the dirt, which is what they think of the Third World, so it was a challenge. It was difficult, especially with the record company, because my sound had changed, but I was confident, I had a gut feeling that I had to go on these dancehall rhythms which represent what is happening now in Jamaica with the movement and dance, and make it work, and now, the world is accepting it."

It's been a giddy time for dancehall music as just a week ago, Damian Marley sold 86,000 in his first week, then the biggest debut for a reggae release since Nielsen SoundScan starting collating data in 1991 before he was eclipsed this week by Sean Paul. 'The Trinity' is the follow up album to the breakthrough debut album, 2002's Dutty Rock, which sold 65,000 in its first week and went on to become an international phenomenon, selling over 6 million worldwide. That album spawned four mega hit singles as well as collaborations with artists such as Beyonce, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, and even Sting at the 2004 Grammy awards show.

"What makes it gratifying, no one thought we could do it again, we're on track to do it again, that was one of Sean's main concerns, he was disappointed that people felt he wouldn't be able to do it again, the pressure associated with making this album three years after that success…this good news is what makes it feel good, this is how you want to start a campaign, you try to start strong," Jeremy Harding, Sean Paul's manager, said.

Since the album's release on September 27th, Sean Paul has been doing a lot of press interviews, radio interviews and magazine shoots to help drive album sales. He recently appeared on the Carson Daley show, he appeared on the 'MTV/Nokia Unwired' show in Times Square in New York last week, and made a high profile cameo on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show on ABC last night.

By: Jigga - YardFlex Reporter
With the creation of the Cartoon rhythm 15 year-old Stephen McGregor a fifth-form student at Ardenne High is now on the verge of becoming one of Jamaica's top dancehall producers. So far the 'Cartoon' rhythm has been creating a havoc in and around the dancehall circuit and is also getting favorable airplay on local radio stations

"I am just pleased at the reaction I have been getting so far. This is my first full-scale project, and I am expecting big things," he told YardFlex.

Stephen co-wrote some of the songs on the track, and mixed the tracks personally.
"I wrote the second verse and gave it to Elephant Man, and he built a song around it. What I like about the Cartoon riddim is that it is different from everything else that is out there, you hear the playfulness in it, and it gives people something to talk about," he said.

The rhythm itself has a 'showtunes' Broadway feel, and uses voice samples from the popular Looney tunes cartoon characters on some of the songs.

"I took the sample, I chopped it, and edited it, and then played a dancehall track around it, and then I began to voice the artistes one by one," Stephen said.

Stephen, who will be doing his CSEC exams next year, is the son of famous reggae singer, Freddie McGregor.

"My personality is kind of laid back, I am not into the star thing, I don't like too much attention, that is why I prefer to stick to producing, instead of being in front," he said.

No kidding. Stephen produced four tracks on his father's recently released album, 'Coming in Tough'. He plays a number of instruments well such as the drums, bass, guitar, the piano and even the violin, all without formal training.

The songs on the rhythm include Mr. Lex's 'We Hot', Elephant Man's 'Fly Go A Moon', Delly Ranx 'Doan Fear Dem' and a rollicking track by Xcitement Gang, 'That's All Folks', and the popular 'Things Set a Way' by Predator.

At least one song from the rhythm, Delly's 'Doan Fear Dem' has already been added to the playlist of Royal Radio, one of the largest urban radio stations based in Bronx, New York in the United States.

"I plan to do a medley video soon right before Xmas to promote the rhythm, and ensure visibility in the teenage market, cause this riddim is going to be mad ah road fi the Xmas," he said, smiling.

There are also tentative talks being done with Lil Wayne of Cash Money Millionaires to work on the project as well, to do a combination song with one of the artistes, as Stephen said, "we are doing everything to expose this song to different markets".

Singer Nicky B recently returned to the island after a three-week jaunt opening for hot rapper of the moment, Kanye West. Nicky B, the son of veteran music producer Mikey Bennett, says the experience was a good one and he learnt a lot while being on the road.

"I just came back from L.A. where I was on tour with Lil Zane, we were promoting the first single of his album which I am featured on. I just shot my new medley video for two songs, one on the Siren riddim, 'Swarm Me', and 'Jus Move' on the Hello Moto riddim. I am doing some work with Danny Champagnie and Don Corleone," Nicky B said.

He is also working on a album called 'R and D (Rhythm and Dancehall)'. Nicky B's real name is Nicholas Bennett. He has been getting some attention lately with some solid recordings that he has been churning out over the past year. Nicky B's vocal strengths have been aptly demonstrated on dancehall rhythms such as 'French Vanilla', 'Good to Go' and 'Egyptian' where his distinctive voice is almost always a favourite of dancehall fans.

Rap legend the Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls, continues to live on with the forthcoming release of "THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. DUETS: THE FINAL CHAPTER." The posthumous, all-star set is slated for release by Bad Boy Records on November 29th. The first single, "Hold Ya Head," it is a duet with another musical legend, the late Robert Nesta 'Bob' Marley. Clinton Sparks produced the dramatic, poignant track, which features a sample from the Marley song "Johnny Was."

"THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. DUETS: THE FINAL CHAPTER" will feature duets between Biggie and some of music's greatest vocalists and MCs. In addition, the tracks are all brand-new, created by many of the industry's top producers. The extraordinary line-up of superstars will be announced at a later date. The package will also include a DVD featuring never-before-seen performance footage, celebrity interviews, and vintage Biggie videos

Born in Brooklyn, the Notorious B.I.G. was Bad Boy Records' flagship artist. From his earliest verses on tracks like Craig Mack's "Flava In Your Ear Remix" and Mary J. Blige's "Real Love," it was clear to the hip-hop world that a new king had been crowned. Biggie solidified his position with his classic 1994 debut, "READY TO DIE." Through the combination of Sean Combs's powerful production and B.I.G.'s vivid rhymes, the disc brought Bad Boy to the forefront of East Coast hip-hop, and went on to be certified 4x platinum by the RIAA.

Tragically, the superstar's life was cut short in March 1997, when he fell victim to a shooting. His already completed second set, a double album entitled "LIFE AFTER DEATH," was released soon after his death, and featured the smash hits "Hypnotize" and "Mo' Money Mo' Problems." A true masterpiece, it is considered by many to be the greatest
hip-hop album of all time, with an unforgettable track list crafted by Frank White. It entered the charts at #1 and went on to be certified 10x platinum, earning a rare Diamond Award from the RIAA.

1999 saw the release of "BORN AGAIN," an album of previously unreleased B.I.G. material. It also entered the charts at #1 and was certified RIAA double platinum. The highly anticipated "THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. DUETS: THE FINAL CHAPTER" marks the first release of new B.I.G. material in six years.

Source: Atlantic Records

Everyone knows her as the girl who took on her male DJ counterparts in the 2001 number one single "Changez." Since then the self proclaimed "Bad Gyal" has dished out a slew of hit tunes but none as controversial as "Do it To me Baby" a strong feminine stance for oral sex.

Well Cecile has done it again with a tune dubbed "Can't Hot Again"
on the Baddis Rhythm produced By Richard "Shams" Browne and judging
from the mixed but strong response she has been receiving for this tune (even though not yet released) this might be her most controversial yet.

In "Can't Hot Again" Cecile is chastising the men who are brazenly
confirming that they wear "women's" clothing in the form of
women's jeans and to some extent women shirts. This craze seems to be a new phenomenon with some men in the dancehall who openly admits to purchasing women's pants because of its snug fit but Cecile is lashing out at the men who she claims are wearing jeans pants that are "tighter" than hers. In the song Cecile expresses her disgust at the fact that women can hardly find jeans because they are being purchased by some men.Be sure to be on the lookout for this song.

Meanwhile Cecile left the island on September 27th for three shows in Europe.

Cecile who just wrapped up her European tour some weeks ago is in so much demand that promoters have asked she return to venues in Italy,
Luxembourg, and Germany. Upon her return to the island she will be shooting medley music videos for her songs "Can't Hot Again" on the Baddis Rhythm produced By Richard "Shams" Browne, Johnny produced by Cordel Burrel on the Rave Riddim and "Not My Time" on the Rush rhythm produced by Lady Saw.

'Tempo', a new cable television network dedicated to Caribbean music and culture, will be launched by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. in October of 2005. The new channel will be advertiser-supported, and will target all people with a passion for the Caribbean lifestyle.

The channel will provide a mix of original and acquired programming that is vibrant, relevant to its audience and true to the spirit of the Caribbean and its culture.

"There was no eureka moment with this idea, it's more like a eureka lifetime. I have always been into our culture, all through school in the Caribbean, then to college on the mainland, I deejayed at Caribbean parties, I promoted events, this what I do," Frederick Morton, a high-ranking exec at MTV Networks who dreamed up the idea of Tempo, he said.

He was born and raised in St. Croix, the United States Virgin Islands to Nevisian parents. He currently resides in Newark, New Jersey.

Frederick graduated from Rutgers University School of Law in 1993 and received numerous awards, including the Alumni Senior Prize. In addition to his law degree, he has a Masters in Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Rutgers College, Rutgers University, where he served as the President of the West Indian Student Organization.

After graduation, Morton rose to become the senior vice president, deputy General Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs for MTV networks, a division of Viacom Inc. And he plans to give up all of that to become the head honcho of Tempo, an idea he pitched to MTV two-and-a-half years ago.

"It dawned on me, hey wait-a-minute, this culture is so rich, music is so significant but it is under-recognised, and Caribbean people have done so well over the years, we deserve to have our culture highlighted and embraced," he said.

There will be stellar reggae-and-dancehall line up for the two day kick off for Tempo at the James Bond Beach on October 15th and October 16th. On October 15th, there will a show featuring reggae acts such as Gyptian, Barrington Levy and Richie Spice in a tribute to the greats, then the following day, The Game will appear alongside artistes such as Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killer, Assassin, Voise Mail and other artistes to be confirmed. Donisha Prendergast will host the show.

"The theme of the launch will be Caribbean Rising, I believe it is our time now," he said.

Prior to joining MTV Networks, Frederick was vice president, Chief Litigation Counsel for Viacom Inc. where he managed commercial litigation for the media and entertainment company.

"Tempo will be built around music, and be dedicated to all things Caribbean: music, food, travel, sports, we will try to get a bit into the personal lives of our icons, there are people in the Caribbean who know more about Usher than they know about Bounty Killer, we want to change all that," he said.

Tempo will launch in November 2005 in markets across the Caribbean through its distribution deal with innovative Cable TV and additional distributors that will be announced in the coming months. The network will debut in North America in 2006. Tempo joins Viacom's roster of popular and highly-targeted cable networks which includes MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET and Spike TV. Industry experts say the channel could cost as much as US$100 million to develop, and market to audiences worldwide.

The Tempo channel will be backed up by an aggressive marketing campaign, and there will be VJs from several regions across the island.

"We make good TV," he said simply. "It is going to be off the chains."

Wyclef Jean is also reportedly "tapping into his creative energies" to assist the station reach its desired target audiences. The channel could be available to viewers in Kingston as "early as the end of November" Morton promised.

So by December, the new buzz phrase saturating the ears of the reggae public will be "Got Tempo?". Check it.