Jigga Mattic
YardFlex Reporter

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

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

For his part, Ding Dong, when questioned about Shortman's allegations just laughed. When reporter Jigga Mattic approached him while Ding Dong was making his way through the JFK international airport in New York, Ding took off his knapsack, and rummaged through his back to take out a file folder with newspaper clippings. He showed the reporter a cut-out of an article published in the Hard Copy newspaper four years ago where he had been photographed doing a similar 'Surf' dance.

"Why me woulda want tief Shortman Surf dance? Me always do my own ting, me do a Surf dance years ago, and plus that dance can only do for one riddim and that's Wipeout and it skettel out with too many artistes. Shortman need fi study the music more, ah me mek people start dance again, ah me go fi Keiva and dem after Bogle dead and nobody no waan go out again, ah me say Bad Man Forward, Bad Man Pull Up, and ah that and Dutty Wine still ah run the place, Shortman need fi just easy himself, mi no waan tief him dance," he said.

Ding Dong was in New York to perform at Squeeze's show in the Bronx, and the following day he made an appearance at the Irie Jam Celebrity Soccer Match at Roy Wilkins Park where he scored a brilliant individual goal to help the entertainers win 2-1.
So who owns the Surf dance, and will it take off? Only time will tell.

By: Jigga Matic

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

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

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

"It was a really great experience, being in the middle of Times Square, and just filming, I am just learning a lot right now, and I thought that the scene with the cops was pretty hot," she said.

When Machel Montana arrived, he said in amazement: 'this shit is going to look dope'.

He explained how the song got made:

"This song is very special to me, and I released it last year but it was late in the season, and it didn't have the jump up vibe, so when the carnival season in Trinidad was over, I played the song for Mr. Vegas, he liked it, and we remixed it in reggaeton and released it this year, and it has played every day since then in Trinidad. Mr. Vegas has a song on the same riddim called 'Genie Wine' as well. The riddim was done by two Cuban guys who live in Sweden and have a dancehall sound system called Topaz, so it has a real international flavour, they love dancehall but programme reggaeton, the riddim bad bad, but it's good to get together with different people from different cultures and do music."

Both Mr. Vegas and Machel are managed by Leslie Cooney.

On the second day of the shoot, director Mark Humphrey will shoot a prepaid roaming commerical for Cable and Wireless using the artistes. The theme of the ad is that, according to Michael Look Tong, vice president of Marketing, "you can take the Caribbean with you as there is no hassle and no deposit to be made on your b-mobile phone when you travel overseas, just take your phone and go, you can ask someone to top it up for you later'.

By Claude Mills
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Zebra was one of the top deejays in the island but he messed up, and everybody turned their backs on him, but me like to help a man when he's down, me believe inna Zebra, and me know him from Spanish Town days so that's why me ah work wid him," producer 'Key One', chief executive officer of Key One Records, said.

He says that he has at least nine more songs to release from Zebra. The single, 'Stocky' appears on an exclusive rhythm created by Owen Dalhouse, a drummer of the band Riddim Kings, adn was recorded in a portable laptop/studio in the prison.

The lyrics are 'classic Zebra', biting and humourous at the same time, and which are delivered with great melody and narrative power.

The lyrics go:

Him no have pride, respect or shame/Ah just the needle him want fi push inna him vein...Stocky have a house next door to Dovecot/Him pawn off the zinc offa the house top...sell off the one cow him father got...him rob the passenger from offa the train/rob the pilot as him just land the plane.

"Zebra ah go get back everything and more that he lost because is basically an album I am working on right now for Key One Records. Right now, the buzz on Zebra in the streets is amazing, people want to know about him," Key One said.

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

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

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

"Right now, we are negotiating with a major US label to lock up distribution for the album overseas but we don't wish to disclose who at this time," Devon Wheatley, head of Fifth Element Records, said.

Photo By: Benjamin Poljak

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

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

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

verse:2
yuh love yuh life si dung and pawk it
and stop carry watah inna baaskit
suh mi affi draw fi all di MOSES law
eye fi a eye a dat nuff a onuh waah
onuh a push it till blood stawt draw
all di wrongs bwoie yuh have to pay fah

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

verse:3
dunce bat yuh nuh si seh yuh nuh smawt
come a tell mi seh yuh don't have nuh hawt
a long time wi a preach and a talk
and a tell yuh gi di politics a walk
but yuh a tell mi yuh nuh fraid fi pop it off
caah yuh love hear di big dog a bawk

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

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

The performances by all 25 contestants were awesome and made life difficult for the 7-member panel of judges. When the verdict finally came it, it was 21-year-old Andre Smith, who was declared the overall winner of the keenly contested semi-final. With 336 points, singing Air Supply's hit', 'All out of Love', Andre was a clear winner from the band struck its first note. As the response from the large crowd grew warmer, his performance gained momentum, and he had the hundreds of ladies in the audience singing, swaying and screaming long, after he left the stage. Andre went home with $60,000 in cash, gifts and certificate from the sponsor, Tastee Limited. Andre will now go on to the grand-final in December.

In second place, with 329 points, was 10-year-old Sarah Ramsey, a grade 4 student at Excelsior Primary School. She did a rendition of American singer, Patti Page's 'Crazy'. Sarah performed her entry with such grace and was able to capture the hearts of the judges. She won for herself $45,000 cash, gifts and certificate from Tastee, as well as a much deserved place in the December 14 grand-final.

Third place went to Richard Beckford, with 313 points. Elegantly clad in full black and performing his entry, 'Tears', which was made popular by Force MD & R Halpin in the mid 80's, Richard, held each note like a true professional and took home the third place prize of $35,000 in cash. He too will move on to the grand-final.

In fourth position, was another dynamic singer, Daulton Bell, doing Tom Jones's hit of the 50's, 'Fall in Love', which earned him 302 points from the judges and $30,000 cash from Tastee Limited. He was also awarded an additional $10,000 for being adjudged the 'Best Dressed Male' bringing his total take home reward up to $40,000. He now has a chance to compete for the prestigious Tastee Talent big prize in the December grand-final.

Other winners from the May 25 semi-finals were Tamara Brown, customer service representative at CESCO, who was awarded the prize for 'Best Dressed Female', Mosase Brandford, 'Best Costume', Troy Fletcher 'Best Original' and Wayne Graham’, Most Cooperative Contestant’. Each of these contestants received a cash award of $10,000 from Tastee Limited.

The guest artistes segment saw performances from former Tastee winner and two time JCDC Popular song contest winner, Penincillin, Shocking Vibes' Mr Nesbet and the Tastee Postars. Emcee was the 'Vibes Master' Jerry Davy, while Unique Vision Band provided backing for contestants and guest artistes.

The Tastee Talent Contest is sponsored by Tastee Limited makers of Jamiaca's# 1 beef patty for over 40 years. The next audition for entrants in the 2006 series will take place on Saturday July 1, starting at 9:00 at the Tastee Outdoor Theatre, home of the Tastee Talent Contest, Cross Roads.

Contact: Corporate Image
Tel: 978-0687
Email: ciproduction@yahoo.com

By: Claude Mills
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

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

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

So why do so many Japanese love reggae?

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

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

Some people think that the festive vibe of reggae, especially in terms of its historical roots in mobile DJ units, resembles the atmosphere of Japan's local festivals, or "matsuri." Others see similarities between the highly stylized "skanking" dance style associated with ska music and Japanese "bon odori" festival dances.

Not everyone agrees. Just ask Keiko Yasuda, a Japanese national who came to Jamaica at the age of 19, and got married to a Jamaican man, just because of her love for reggae.

"However, Jamaica has more upbeat riddims, I used to dance bon odori as a child, but it is not as similar. In patois, we have very similar, in Japanese, we call oyster in Japanese, kaki, but it patois, you know what that means, so we always laugh, oh my god, we eat oyster for stamina, we say kaki tonight for dinner, that's so funny and weird," Ms. Yasuda, who is a member of the administrative staff of the Japanese Embassy, said.

The similarities don't stop there.

"We have a lot of similarities, and it is interesting and weird at the same time, our countries names begin J-a. We are both islands, Japan played Reggae Boyz in World Cup, we have JDF, no army, but a body to protect our country, Jamaica has a JDF as well. We love Blue Mountain coffee, we buy 99 per cent of Blue Mountain coffee made in Jamaica in Japan," the thirtysomething year-old divorcee with 'one pickney' said.

She added: "In Tokyo, it is hard to find a coffee shop to sell straight Blue Mtn Coffe, they send it as a blend with Brazilian, because it is too expensive, but my mom buys Blue Mtn blend, 100 grams is US$20. If you order a cup of blend, it is US$15."

Some schools of thought believe that Jamaica's notoriously difficult-to-comprehend patois

"The consonants and sound of our patois and their attempt at speaking English is similar," famed 'Coolie Dance' producer Cordel 'Skatta' Burrell said. "That is part of the attraction, it just seems we have a lot of things in common. We love karate movies, and they love our reggae."

REGGAE AS MESSAGE MUSIC

Reggae's syncopated rhythms are said to echo in the rhythm of Okinawan music -- so much so that Okinawan music is sometimes called "Japanese reggae."

"I personally came to Jamaica at 19 because of the reggae music. I fell in love with Bob Marley music while living in the countryside of Japan, where I could only find Bob Marley and Cliff records in shop. It was very strong music when I was in high school at age 17. I read translations and felt strongly about them," Ms. Yasuda said.

"No other black music has that message, rap not as strong as reggae's message. I learned about Kenya, Tanzania, Jamaica is different from other black society, it has more offering to me, the Maroons, Marcus Garvey, it was very new. Most Japanese love roots reggae," Ms. Yasuda said.

She believes that a lot of young Japanese want to come here to work and live, but cannot do so because of the lack of job opportunities and the language barriers.

"The young people like to correspond on fashion, music via Internet, and there are a few Japanese owned guest houses for Japanese only, most in Kingston, Mandeville and Montego Bay," she said.

According to statistics from the Jamaica Tourist Board, Japanese nationals, especially young adults, have rediscovered the magic of Jamaica in the last couple of years, after a decline in the late 90s.

The number of Japanese coming to Jamaica peaked in 1995 when there were 23,673 visitors, but then in Asia, the economic downturn affected travel outside of Japan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11 9 18 Do You Know-Mr Vegas-Fi Wi Music(1wk@#1) D-2

12 12 9 Bad Man Forward-Ding Dong-VP Records NM

13 16 6 Weh Dem A Do-Movado-Pure Music U-1

14 15 12 Too Much Gun-Busy Signal-H2O U-2

15 17 7 Bad Man Forward-Elephant Man-Fire LinksU-2

16 13 12 Nuh Fren Mate-Macka Diamond-B-Rich D-3

17 10 16 Toppa Tings-Capleton-Don Corleon (2wks@#1) D-7

18 20 5 Temperature-Sean Paul-Jah Snow Cone U-2

19 21 5 The Prayer (Oh Lord)-Little Hero-Inspire U-2

20 23 3 Haffi Get It-Sizzla-Stainless Records U-3

21 24 4 Talk To Me-Buju Banton-H2O U-3

22 26 2 One Man-Beenie Man & D'Angel-Fire Links U-4

23 14 13 Anywhere We Go-Assassin-Mad House (pp#6) D-9

24 28 2 Forgot Them-Wayne Marshall-Legends U-4

25 19 11 Love Is The Only Solution-Gyptian-Palm of Gold (pp#12) D-6

26 29 2 Red Bull & Guinness-Delly Ranks/Chino-Pure Music U-3

27 22 13 We Set Di Trend-Beenie Man-John John (pp#8) D-5

28 - New Stuckie-QQ-Super Love Records

29 30 2 Bad Boy Romeo-Smoke-Outta Road Records U-1

30 - New Wrong Hail-Future Troubles-Steely & Cleevie

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

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

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

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

A favourite among international entertainers, Cooyah's strong brand acclaim is visible on media outlets including MTV's Tempo, and Jamaica's CVM TV Hype TV, RETV, TVJ and Music + and is a praised fashion trendsetter in print publications including Ecko-Complex, and Touch (UK).

Cooyah XL 2006 is sponsored by CVM TV, Hype TV, Tempo, TVJ, RETV, Pulse, 94 FM, Hitz 92 FM BWIA, Roots Malta, Appleton Jamaica Rum and The Courtleigh Hotel, and is a Jamaica Tourist Board and JAMPRO endorsed event. For more on Cooyah visit www.cooyah.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

For further information, contact our marketing representative Jennifer Boswell at 773 793 4008 or email dancehallqueen@gmail.com .

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

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

For more than 35 years, Burning Spear's music-thus, his life-has inspired people on numerous continents. Since the beginning, his songs have implored listeners to fight oppression in all its forms, to work at improving their own condition and to consider the social impact of their actions.

OUR MUSIC builds upon the Jamaican native's legacy of musical activism. With its inimitable dancing groove, the album percolates and bubbles rhythmically in its call for unity between races, between nations, between individuals and even between business associates.

OUR MUSIC is the second album released on his Burning Spear label, following 2003's Grammy-nominated FREEMAN. In the midst of its expected messages about love, oppression and African history is the title track, a public confirmation that his brand of positivity is tempered with a strong sense of self. "Our Music" is Burning Spear's reclamation of his own artistry-a justification for establishing his record company and a challenge to all artists to commandeer their own future.

"A lot of artists just have no time to really look within the business section of the music business," Burning Spear reasons. "There's no one to really sit them down and give them some of that business understanding before they get into what they get into. So then people walk all over these artists and do things where it's not appropriate and it's not right. It's not in the artist's love."

With his art and his business now firmly in his own control, Burning Spear's OUR MUSIC stands among the most joyful albums of his career. Bolstered by its throbbing basslines, bright horn parts and slinky female background singers, the songs embrace persistence ("Try Again"), self-analysis ("Friends"), love ("Fix Me") and community ("Together") through deceptively simple lyrics that point to deeper issues. It is, in effect, smart music you can dance to.

"It's like art," he says. "You're gonna paint this thing, and people are gonna look at this art and say that it looks like a tree, looks like a car, some people it looks like a flower. People are gonna say different things according to what they see. It's very different, what it looks like to them."

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

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

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

MBC will soon be doing a combination single with Def Jam UK artiste, Smujji, and a big-time Atlanta-based rapper soon. YardFlex will be bussing a story on this soon, so stay logged on.

By Cecelia Campbell-Livingston

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

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

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

Born in Kingston, Helen attended several schools there, including Waterford Primary, before going on to Continuation High in St. Mary. She later migrated to the USA. While going to college there she was very active in radio. She briefly thought about being a nurse, but singing was uppermost in her mind and it was a desire she could not ignore.

Helen got the chance she needed to show her talent when she met Scaramooch of Junkyard Record who saw her potential.

Since then Helen has been working on her recordings both independently and with other producers including Junkyard Records. Among the recordings she has done are 'No Lazy Body' (with Anthony B) and 'Please Be True' with Daddy U-Roy. She has also done back-up
singing for artistes such as Yami Bolo and other top artistes from Jamaica who performed in New York.

Helen is aware of the stiff competition to make it in the music business, but she is not worried about it, as she says "I am bringing love which is now crying to be free for all mankind in a world that is filled with hate, fear and despair."

Although singing is her life Helen is ensuring that she has something to fall back on. She is presently in college studying to be a pharmacist. No matter how long it takes to make it to the big times Helen is prepared to work hard and wait. Etched in her memory is the advice of a famous country singer on being successful: "She said three words; faith, courage and determination, and I got it," she shared with YardFlex.com.

For those who have not seen this up coming singer in action then the opportunity will soon present itself as she has several shows in the making.

Look out for her - she is ready!

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

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

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

However, is it really any surprise that the man behind over 1000 songs would be able to make an LP with such a cocksure title? "Music is in me since I was little," he says. "My uncle had a DJ set up and I got my start doing that before I was 6 years old." Perhaps in part due to the fact that he still spins to this day. Consequently by 7 he had recorded his first single, and by 10 he had released his first long-player, The Invincible Beenie Man. Throughout the '80s he continued to record, perform and DJ. In '92 Beenie made a splash at the famous Reggae Sun Splash by going after rival Bounty' Killer in what would become an infamous back-and-forth. Though the following year they would squash it and record a split album, Gunz Out.

Shortly thereafter Beenie release a remake of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry", titled "No Mama, No Cry", which was produced by legendary tracksmen Sly and Robbie. It was during this collaboration that Beenie was enlightened to the Rastafarian doctrine and eventually converted. A slew of national hits ensued through out the mid nineties, including "World Dance" and "Slam." But it was in 1997, on the strength of his crossover smash of his Grammy-nominated Many Moods Of Moses and it's single "Who Am I?", that Beenie exploded as an international superstar. And in doing so for himself, he opened ears and doors for everyone in his genre around the world.

Around the same time Beenie made his acting debut in the critically acclaimed Dancehall Queen. He then went on to The Doctor and Y2K, in '98 and '99, for VP Records. Both considered dancehall classics in their own rights, solidified his core base. Virgin records responded to Beenie's breakout success and signed him. Art And Life, his debut on the new label, truly broke him stateside. Monster hits like the Neptunes produced "Girls Dem Sugar" featuring Mya, and the Wyclef-guested, Saalam Remi produced "Love Me Now" took him to the top of the pops.

From there Beenie continued to churn out hits at home and abroad. "I still do singles, and DJ," he says. "Because it is important to never lose touch and stay in what's going on. And I still love it, as well." His 2002 set, Tropical Storm only further solidified him in the with it's brilliant collaboration with Janet Jackson, "Feel It Boy". However it was his latest, Back-To-Basics, which is arguably the closest thing dancehall has seen to a summer-blockbuster-esque album a la Get Rich Or Die Trying. The LP yielded hit after hit after hit. Undeniable anthems like "Dude" and "King Of The Dancehall" served to coronate Beenie as truly undisputed in every sense of the word.

"I've broken down every barrier and broken every record," says the man who's been nominated for 3 Grammys and won multiple MOBOs in the ,in a tone of absolute humility, referring back to Undisputed. "So this album is just one more step forward." Was there ever any doubt?

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

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

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

On My Mind will be aired on all local cable and TV channels throughout the island. Plans are also being put in place for it to be aired on several international music cable stations.

Valuables worth over $450,000 stolen

By: Claude Mills
Photo By Carlington Wilmot

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

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

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

"Same time, mi start scream, and mi auntie a scream and him come over we wid him gun and say shut up, stop scream. That's when I realized that it was a gunman. Then him say 'don't move, whe de money deh? Don't move!' And mi look pon him and say how mi fi give yu the money if you tell me don't move? And him say O.K., gwaan fi the money," she told YardFlex.Com.

He then emptied the contents of her purse on the bed, and sifted through to find $150,000 in cash, and then he began searching her jewel box for other valuables.

Spice said that she kept her head during the robbery and even became the robber's 'personal assistant' of sorts, assisting him to sort through her possessions, and to carry armfuls of her expensive shoes.

"The man gone wid all mi shoes, all of them gone..he was there for a long time, and he got so much stuff...he had to make more than one trip downstairs where a car and his other friend was waiting. I thought about locking the door at one point but I didn't want to take any chances and then him shoot me over material possessions. I can work back that once I have my life, so I just allowed him to take whatever he needed, the only thing I resisted him on was when he wanted to rape me," she said.

"I am just grateful to be alive, I kept saying the Psalm, 'The Lord is my shepherd...' over and over again during the robbery, but I am glad that I did not panic and do anything stupid. When someone is robbing you, don't resist, just allow them to go with it, you can always work to buy back what was lost, but if you resist, and they kill you, what happens then?" she said.

The investigating officer at the Constant Spring police station confirmed that the robbery had indeed taken place, and that the police were pursuing a few good leads into the robbery.

Spice has joined a growing list of entertainers and celebrities who have been robbed in recent times including Gyptian, Assassin, and cricketer Wavell Hinds whose car was stolen at gunpoint a few weeks ago.

By: Jigga Matic
Photo By: Warlington

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

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

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

Her debut album, 'Esa Cubana' (That Cuban girl) will be released soon, and she will appear on Reggae Sunsplash on August 4. Look out for her singles, 'The Tide is High', 'You Want My Body', 'Talk About Love' featuring Da'Ville and 'Coco Jamboo'.

She has appeared on a number of television stations such as Telemundo, Unavision, Mun2 TV and channel 41.

Here's looking at you girl. 'Mey' you have a great career.

By: Claude Mills
Photos By: Carlington Wilmot

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

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

That is epitome of what Reggae Sunsplash is all about, bridging gaps between people, and creating a space where people of different backgrounds can meet, converse and leave with a better understanding of each other.

The unveiling featured a smashing performance from Cuban singer Mey Vidal whose 'You Wanted My Baby' on the 'Tempted to Touch' riddim went over well with the audience. She will be performing at the festival on August 4, and her debut album, 'Esa Cubana' will also be released soon.

According to the organizers, this official launch of Reggae Sunsplash is being held to reach out to the St. Ann community, who the organisers believe is integral to the continued growth and success of the festival.

Earlier, the media fraternity was taken on a short tour of the festival's new home, a sprawling 200-acre property in Richmond Estate, Priory, and will feature over 100 acts performing for more than fifty six hours from August 3 through to 6, 2006. There was also a sneak preview of performances from some of the acts being showcased on the festival this year, including the Professional Moves Dance Company and the Kingston Drummers.

There will be craft and an art village set up in the venue to showcase other aspects of Jamaican culture, and there will be an amphitheatre set up near the sea. The venue has its own distinctive charm, with a small forest of rocks not far from the amphitheatre where one can wonder around and be one with nature. About 100 metres west of the amphitheatre location, there is a crescent-shaped inlet where the incoming waves are broken into two by the breakwater, then come in to whisper against the sandy shore that is the ideal place for a beach party.

"It will all be completed on August 1 at 12 noon, we do the sound checks, and then rehearsals on Tuesday and Wednesday, and put on the roof on the main stage, and that's it, we're ready," Charles Campbell, director of operations and producer for Reggae Sunsplash 2006, told YardFlex.Com.

The bMobile-sponsored festival will feature 56 hours of entertainment from over 112 acts performing over the four nights and the organisers have vowed to keep the momentum flowing non-stop.

Victor Essiet, a Nigerian reggae star whose album 'One Love, One World' is due out in record stores soon on his own Mystic record label, was in attendance at the event, as well as Russell Gerlach of Foundation Media. Native Wayne Jobson, a producer at Indie 103.1 Radio, an LA station was also present at the 'walk and talk' tour.

Some members of the media complained about the ho-hum f actor of the media tour, but what the tour lacked in pizzazz at the venue, the organizers more than made up for at the RIU hotel, and then some.

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

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

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

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

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

"I seem to have just been dropped by the wayside," he added, noting some US$50 000 had gone into the deposit for fees and other costs toward last year's show. "The least Sizzla's management should have done would have been to meet with me," he said, noting it would also have been normal practice to reschedule the show.

Asked whether his legal action would be an injunction, he said this would be known fully by today after meeting with his attorney.

"I'm not interested in stopping anybody's show. I just want my money. I need to be recognised," he said.

A source close to Sizzla's management, meanwhile, said the deposit had in fact been paid to them last year and they had been prepared to perform in Barbados.

"It wasn't Sizzla's fault that the show didn't come off. It's the police's fault," the source added.

Meanwhile, Floyd Reifer who along with former West Indies captain Courtney Walsh is bringing Sizzla here, said he had heard nothing about such legal action. But he said he and Walsh, operating under the title of Cricket Icons Entertainment, had the okay

from the police, Immigration and emergency services.

The show comes off Saturday at the National Stadium, featuring Sizzla, Gregory Isaacs, Tony Curtis, and LUST out of Kingston, Jamaica.

rickyjordan@nationnews.com

Relax, it's only a statue...

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

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

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

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

But the sculptor, Daniel Edwards, didn't fashion it from real life - he's never even met her.

MTV News
HV

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

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

Sean Paul's The Trinity is currently in its 33rd week on the national charts, including its 20th week at #1 on Billboard's Top Reggae Albums chart. The album has also been a huge hit around the world, selling over 1.2 million copies overseas. It is certified platinum in Canada, France, and the Gulf States, and gold in Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Switzerland, Japan, and the United Kingdom, with as many as four singles heating up in these territories. The newest single to hit the international airwaves will be "Never Be The Same."

Sean has been seen performing hits from The Trinity on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," "Live! With Regis & Kelly," "The Jimmy Kimmel Show," and "Last Call with Carson Daly." He's recently been featured on the cover of YRB Magazine, Trace Magazine, Ozone Magazine, Music Connection, and Cannabis Culture. He is the most successful Jamaican artist of all time on the U.S. Charts, with three #1 singles ("Temperature," "Get Busy," and "Baby Boy"), five Top Ten hits (including "We Be Burnin'" and "Gimme The Light"), and eight chart entries over two worldwide multi-platinum albums. He's about to push that even further with the release of "Give It Up to Me."

The Trinity is the follow-up to Sean's smash VP/Atlantic debut, Dutty Rock, which sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. In the wake of the breakthrough success of Dutty Rock, Sean racked up numerous prestigious awards, including the Grammy for Best Reggae Album - redefining the category in the process. He won MTV Europe's Best New Artist Award as well as Source, MOBO, Juno, Much Music, and International Reggae and World Music awards.

For more information, please visit www.seanpaulmusic.com.

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

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

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

This summer also marks the third year of Digicel's involvement in ATI as an associate sponsor of the event. And this summer, ATI expects to attract both local and overseas visitors in excess of 10,000 patrons

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

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

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

Set to release his debut album on Def Jam Recordings, this dynamic entertainer is ready to deliver. The fun and catchy first single from the album, "Stay" is a song about holding on to the one you love. With smooth rhythmic melodies over pulsating beats, this infecitous track is guaranteed to make your body tingle while swaying to the intoxicating music. While staying true to himself, Ne-Yo is a versatile artist able to express thoughts and emotions other artists are afraid to confront.

Citing Prince, Marvin Gaye, The Rat Pack and Stevie Wonder in his list of favorite entertainers, Ne-Yo's album invokes a nostalgic feeling, a renaissance if you will. On the track "Diamond," Ne-Yo sings from the heart, resonating pure and beautiful honesty. Not many men are capable of admitting that they are the richest man in the world, not financially, but rich because of the love he shares with that special woman. Whether it's the bedroom or the dance floor, Ne-Yo's songs are filled with passion and intense energy that pulls (you into the music) and puts you into a zone.

Ne-Yo is taking the music industry by storm, as he graces and challenges the R&B genre with his writing and vocal talents. Much more than today's male singer, Ne-Yo is a rare artist; expressing creativity thru drawings, paintings, martial arts and song. He is distinguished by youthful energy with in-depth lyrics that touch the soul. Ne-Yo is honored and ecstatic to be a part of the Def Jam brand, which produces some of the best R&B and hip-hop artists in the world. Every artist has something to prove and now it's Ne-Yo's turn. "The R&B heavens have opened its gates and blessed us with Ne-Yo -- A gift for everyone to enjoy."

--- from the official Ne-Yo website

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

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

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

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

verse:2
warlawd bakkle stawt yuh nuh si weh dem gone again
gangsta fi life wi cyaah calm again
yeah bring dem arm again
7 8 9 10 get corn again
weh dem a guh do now di tugs dem cawna dem
yah man a perform again
di girls dem love how mi gwaan again
fiyah fi a man weh nyam unda dem

chorus:2x

outro:

let dem know dat yeah
yuh know wi naah talk again
coppa will balk again
yuh know weh mi a seh delly

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

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

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

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

He has also been doing a lot of work with famous Coolie Dance producer, Cordell 'Skatta' Burrell, as he seeks to redefine his sound for the 21st century.

The Spanish Town-based 'Skullman', born Paul Bartley, is a past student of Kingston College where he was an excellent athlete, excelling in various sports. However, it was music which was his true calling. He ventured into music in 1985, scoring immediate success when he won the St Catherine leg of the Deejay Championship of the Jamaica Festival competition in 1985 with March To Africa.

However, it was not until he sang the introductory, 'Me Name Skullman' that he began to generate a buzz in the dancehall.

"I got the name from the original Skull gang fro Kingston which was based outta East Kingston. Ah man did say me look like one of the Skull gang, and after that, me call myself Papa Skull, and then me create the new style called 'Stuck', and I changed my name to Skullman," he told Xtra Entertainment.

And then, his career rocketed into the next stratosphere. Skullman’s catchy original 'Stuck' inspired deejay Early Black to pen a song of the same name, and Early Black's version with the line, 'Follow me do the new dance...Stuck' became a monster hit, even spawning a dance of the same name.

"When I bussed the talk, 'Stuck', I told everybody that in six months, every deejay ah go talk like this, and it happened just like that," he said.

The 'Stuck' songs started a good-natured rivalry between Early Black and Skullman.

"When Early Black did 'Stuck' and put the dance style on it, it took off more than my original 'Stuck', maybe because it was on Dennis Star label, a big label at the time, it sold more than mine, and then that forced me to go out there and defend it," he said.

He did a counteraction called 'Buck' and followed that up with 'Run Outta Luck' for King Tubbys, a single that peaked at number seven on the local charts.

"For a while, we had a little thing going, Early Black had heard that Skullman was looking for him, and because of the name, he was probably a little fearful of me, but I sat him down and explained to him, no violence, ah just music, but this is what I was going to do, that I was going to brush him up a little, he never really liked the idea, but I had to do it, me affi mek the people know that I am the original," he said.

He says he hasn't seen Early Black in years but added in a jocular voice that 'probably he was stuck somewhere'.

AFTER STUCK

In 1989, Skullman followed up with other hit singles, 'Turbo me Turbo', produced by Dennis Star, and 'Jump and Spread Out and Stop' on the Pickout label. He also created an impression with 'Je T' aime' (French for 'I love you') on Sly and Robbie's hugely-successful Bhangara compilation album, which also includes the monster hit, 'Murder She Wrote' by Chaka Demus and Pliers.

As the 1990s rumbled around, Skullman found that he had fallen out of vogue with producers who were more interested in other upcoming acts. He was forced to find other ways to survive

"You have to help yourself, after a while, I found that no producers wanted to work with me, so I had to do things on my own. I was forced to produce my own songs, and I started to keep my own show, 'Border Clash'," he said.

The popular Border Clash series of concerts were held at Coney Park in the early 1990s, and then he switched to producing in the mid-1990s when he launched his first label, Border Clash. Its first release was 'Sneeze', which was followed by ‘Hold Up Your Hand' and 'Show Me'.

"It's been a hard struggle with the producing, as an artiste, I never really learned how to do it well, me can deejay over rhymes and stuff, but it is only when I meet up with a good producer that I can find the hit songs, that's why me always looking for one," he said.

Over the years, Skullman has performed solo all over the world in various locales such as London, England, Miami Florida, as well as states such as Connecticut and New York. He has also performed in Grand Cayman, Bermuda and Antigua.

"I've always worked alone, with one exception in 1993, I think it was, when I did a Skullman in concert featuring Shaggy, Worl-A-Girls and Sugar Man in Bermuda," he said.

Last year, Skullman scored a minor hit with 'New Dance...Stop' which peaked at #4 on Suzie Q's 'Reggae Train' video top ten, and hit #9 on the RJR charts.

This was the first indication that Skullman's career may indeed be on the rise again, especially given the advance buzz on his new single, 'Don't Violate' on the Full 100 label which has become a favourite at stage shows across the country.

For Booking
876-354-5084

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

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

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

Junior Kelly had been nominated in the Most Improved Entertainer category of the upcoming International Reggae and World Music Awards which was held at the Apollo Theatre, New York on May 6, 2006.

Presents: FUEL

.

By: Claude Mills
Photo By: Carlington Wilmot

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

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