Dreaming sweet for KVY

  For KVY (pronounced Kay), it’s a veritable coming from the wings into the spotlight. While growing up in east Kingston, KVY used to hang around her father while he created music. Later on, he invited her to sing harmonies on some of the songs that he recorded. “My father had a studio when I was growing up, he used to write and record his own songs, and had me sing harmonies on his songs, that was when he realised that I could sing all the different parts without being…

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Macka Diamond excited about brand ambassador deal with Wal-Mart

It was a pinch-me-to-prove-that-it’s-real moment for dancehall veteran Macka Diamond when her team told her that they had signed off on a brand partnership deal with her and retail giant, Wal-Mart. “Wal-Mart! You mean Wal-Mart that’s up the street from where we are right now? Onnu a joke or wha’? That was my first response. I remember Gianni [team member] told me that he had some news for me, but he wanted to see me in person. Add that was the news,” the girl from the Diamond District shared, still…

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Gramps Morgan bowls over St. Kitts Music Festival

Veteran singer Gramps Morgan says his stint at the recently held St Kitts Music Festival lived up to his expectations. “It’s always great to perform solo in the Caribbean, I don’t get to do it much and the songs do so well, but this festival is truly one of the best in the Caribbean, hands down. They are taking it very seriously; production was incredible and makes it a lot for artistes to bring their best,” he told the Jamaica Observer. Morgan performed on June 24 at the Warner Park…

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Grammy eligibility period extended

Artists planning to submit music for the 66th Grammy Awards have until September 15 to do so. The extension was announced by the Recording Academy on April 6. The submission deadline was previously August 31. In a statement, Harvey Mason Jr, the Academy’s CEO, addressed the date change. “A few weeks ago we communicated a change to the eligibility period for the 66th Grammy Awards,” referring to the March announcement that the Grammys had adjusted their eligibility period to start on October 1 2022 to August 31 2023. “After listening…

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Sumfest Marks Milestone

THIS year Reggae Sumfest celebrates its 30th anniversary and principal Josef Bogdanovich is promising a memorable occasion. “Thirty years is an important milestone, and we intend to make this festival our most memorable yet,” said Bogdanovich. “We have had some of the greatest reggae stars on the Reggae Sumfest stage over the past several years, and 2023 promises to be more exceptional,” he continued. The event is scheduled for the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay from Sunday, July 16, to Saturday, July 22. “The team is already working…

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Marcia & Turbulence Spent Time

Marcia Griffiths recently teamed up with Turbulence for Time Away. Released a week ago, Time Away is produced by Donsome Records LLC. “I have done a lot of collaborations over the years, but this one stands out for me. Come on, this is the queen of reggae we are talking about, and the song is sweet, sexy, and relaxing. It talks about taking a break from work to be together with that special someone, and lovers who work hard can easily relate to this song,” Turbulence told the Jamaica Observer.…

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Blackwell, the icon

WHEN the Music Business Worldwide (MBW) A&R Awards are handed out today at London’s Abbey Road Studios, Chris Blackwell, legendary co-founder of Island Records, will be on hand to accept the A&R Icon award. Blackwell will be presented with the award in front of more than 500 music industry executives, artistes and entrepreneurs. The UK-focused awards are made up of a mix of independent and major professionals across labels, management and publishing. The awards, which are divided into three category groups, will be judged on a combination of commercial, critical…

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Dizzle JA makes Sex Tape

For his latest project, singjay Dizzle JA wanted to show love to the ladies who have been, arguably, dancehall music’s biggest supporters. He threw in some shock value to spice things up. Sex Tape is the title of his new album, scheduled for release on October 14. It has eight songs which hear him at his raunchiest. “If yuh check di blueprint from back in di days with Shabba Ranks an’ all a dem man dey, dem did come raunchy wid dem girls lyrics. Di words cut deep an’ yuh…

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Macka Doubles Down

DANCEHALL deejay Macka Diamond is doubling down and says she will continue posting sexually suggestive videos to her Only Fans account, despite the fact that one of them made it to the public domain. “For everybody’s information, Macka is going to keep posting more and more videos…I didn’t put it out [in the public domain]. That’s for sure. And, I also believe none of the members in my fan page group put it out either,” she told the Jamaica Observer’s Splash on Thursday. In the video clip doing the rounds…

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Dancehall Queen contest returns

THE International Dancehall Queen Competition returns to the tourist capital of Montego Bay, St James, after a six-year hiatus, according to organisers. It is scheduled for Pier One Entertainment Complex on Saturday, August 13, 2022. The announcement was made at Pier One on Thursday evening. “A safe and secure environment will be ensured with adequate security and safety procedures adhered to as stipulated by the parish council and the Jamaica Constabulary Force,” said Brian Martin, principal of Big Head Promotions. Contestants will vie for more than $1,000,000 in cash and…

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