Sham Pain - Call Me Boss!

Femi Olu popularly known as Sham Pain a.k.a 'Prince of Ibadan' or 'Nigeria's Biggest Gbedu BO$$' officially returns to the musical arena with a deep bangin' Dr. Dre inspired instrumental banga entitled 'Call Me BO$$'. He wrote & recorded the track whilst touring between USA & Europe in 2012. Talking of his now signature deep 'gruffy' vocal style Sham Pain said it most definetely is not R&B and of course it is not Rap but it fits somewhere in between then a bit to the left with a slow curve to the right. He added 'I have created a new genre and named it 'Gbedu&B' pronounced "Beddu" which means 'Big Drum' in his native Nigerian, Yoruba language'.

The song 'Call Me BO$$' is taken from Sham Pain's forthcoming album entitled 'B.O.$.$ (Built on Sweet Success)' which will be released 3rd or 4th quarter 2013 with several single releases beforehand.

Entering the studio to work on his 7th solo independent official studio album he knew he wanted to deliver something more than exceptional, fresh, intellectual & different to show his musical and lyrical growth since his previous album '4D Swagg (The Movie)' which was released October 2010 much to critical acclaim and loved by his fans worldwide.

Always keeping busy within the music industry he has released many collaborational singles & promo remixes with upcoming and well established artists such as R. Kelly, D'banj, Terry G, Papoose, Wale, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Fabolous, T-Pain, Omarion and many more along with writing and performing worldwide, all songs can be heard via his youtube channel. Sham Pain has shared the same live stage with Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, T-Pain, Akon, Fat Joe, Ciara, LMFAO amongst many others. Sham Pain has spent the last 6 months signing new artists to his label 'gRock Records Intl.' and building his own Mastering studios in the South of France, opened more international distribution channels and made even more international alliances.

Sham Pain was born and raised in the harsh surroundings in Peckham SE15, London (UK) to Nigerian parents of which his Father is a Doctor and Mother a PA Secretary. He did not allow the drug and gun culture of his environment to capture him. As a young boy he steered himself into sports and academics where he had many accomplishments and ended up garnering several achievements for his local borough and represented his School, College & University at many academic and sporting events before leaving for his new life in Dallas, TX (USA) in 1999. Coming back to live in Europe late 2012 he said, "my head is in the boardroom and my feet are in the streets".

'Call Me BO$$' will show people who do not know who Sham Pain is or forgot who he was and remind them of who he was, who he is and what the future holds for him. He is truly a self made International Boss making international power moves on an international scale... and he is proudly made in Nigeria. Sham Pain is surely BOSS'd Up!

Listen to the track here >>> http://hu.lk/h73wp6bf8mps

Salute to Spragga Benz - Top Shottas Anthem

In honour of a great artist and a living legend, recording artist and producer Xyclone took to the studio and voiced an amazing tribute to one of Jamaica’s best, Spragga Benz, who is also became world-renowned for his acting debut in the hit Jamaican movie Shottas.

The track is called “Top Shottas Anthem” on the Top Shottas Riddim and features former Gaza Empire member, Deva Bratt. It is on the new RSQTHP label, in collaboration with Black Out Squad and 3^rd Floor Productions. It was released in September 2012.

Xyclone looks up to Spragga for his lyrical versatility and talent to not only perform on stage but also to act in movies. “In my opinion, Spragga a di real Top Shotta so that’s why we [RSQTHP] built the riddim and named it Top Shottas Riddim,” said Xyclone. He also made it a point to mention that Spragga is a mentor to him as well as other young artists and ghetto youths. 

Already “Top Shottas Anthem” has gone over 8,000 views on YouTube. Also, with an impressive 20,000 plus views, Stylo G’s hit “Bolt” is another tribute to another living legend, Jamaican track superstar Usain Bolt, which has skyrocketed Top Shottas Riddim to an overwhelming anticipation for the release of the compilation. There are other popular artists who have jumped on board like D’Angel, Red Rat, Magazeen, Bawse Dawg, Delly Ranx, Esco, Ninja Kid, Ratigan and Brik Tears.

The video was shot recently on location in Portmore, Jamaica in January at the start of 2013. It was released on February 12, 2013 to rave reviews with over 8,000 views on YouTube in only 3 days! Xyclone is definitely on the path to major success and shows no signs of slowing down.

Nurse Nisha Delivers the Cure for the Common Fete.

Chutney-Soca princess Nisha B of the band Karma had a truly hectic Carnival 2013 with as much as 5 event appearances per night. This year the young singer has certainly shown the masses that much like her brother Ravi she can command massive audiences, deliver original crossover hit songs and offer her own unique ‘party prescription’. 

In addition to garnering her fair share of radio rotation with her C2K13 hit tune ‘Wine Up Your Body’, her sizzling performance of the track in fetes sent several male audience members into a frenzy. Decked in a sexy nurse’s uniform among other sultry onstage numbers, Nisha touched down on several fete stages and at the recent events such as RAMA, A.S. Bryden’s fete and St. Anthony’s All Inclusive her mesmerizing moves motivated male patrons into performance mode as several of them climbed onto the stage to display their dancing abilities for the Chutney-Soca diva.

Most notably, much like her music repertoire, the very humble and hard-working Nisha has also seen an expansion in her brand. Recently, the East Indian beauty was signed as a local endorsee to international beauty product line Virgin Glam Hair. As one who always had an interest in fashion and beauty, she shared that she sees this product alignment as a natural fit for the Nisha B brand as she herself has many goals to accomplish on a global scale in the not too distant future.

As the T&T Carnival season has ended Nisha aspires to produce more original music in various genres and to continue to carry indigenous Caribbean music to various international borders throughout 2013. 

Along with her brothers Ravi, Anil and the other members of the Karma family, Nisha anticipates taking the band’s fresh show on the road. With a renewed energy, a pumping song and a collection of eye-catching outfits Nisha B is set to fire up fetes and keep audiences moving for the entire 2013 and beyond.

Natasha Von Castle from L3 Inspires CARIBANA™ on Ice To Be Held February 23rd at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square!

The CARIBANA™ Arts Group, founders of the 1967 Caribbean festival, known as CARIBANA™, and North America's largest festival, is once again instrumental in bringing another special event to Toronto thanks to a special contribution by Natasha Von Castle of L3 Magazine! 

On Saturday February 23^rd, 2013, CARIBANA™ Arts Group will warm up the City of Toronto with CARIBANA™ on Ice!

CARIBANA™ ON ICE is the brainchild of Natasha Von Castle from L3 Magazine, and was created as an expression of warmth for fans and revellers of the largest North American festival who reminisce about warmer days on Toronto’s Lakeshore.  The skating event, filled with Calypso music and dance, is one that organizers hope to make into an annual event.

Although skating has traditionally been a sport that does not attract a lot of people from the Caribbean, organizers are hoping they can break that culture with music.  “I can’t think of a better way to highlight the contributions of our Caribbean heritage to the City of Toronto while celebrating Black History Month” said Natasha from the CARIBANA™ offices.  “Possibly, the disposition of us staying away from the cold can be changed when our music starts reverberating on the ice,” added one of the organizers. This could be true, as more people from various communities are now playing ice hockey and entering skating competitions through early exposure to these sports.

Breaking down barriers and amalgamating cultures is synonymous with CARIBANA™’s history.  In a few days The CARIBANA™ Arts Group aims at dispelling the misconception that the warm and tantalizing rhythms of Calypso music could only be enjoyed during the summer months.  On February 23, 2013 the group will kick off a festive event celebrating Black History Month by frolicking Caribbean rhythms during one of the coldest months of the year. 

While this event is dubbed a family event, an emphasis will be placed on getting the youth out to participate, especially on the ice rink.  The young people's participation is vital, as the success of the event may hinge on them.

Supporters are already asking if there will be revellers during CARIBANA™ ON ICE, as is customary at the summer festival. CARIBANA™ Board Director, Kathleen Daniel, has given reassurance that the public can expect to see some revellers there.  She wants patrons to come out and support the CAG and dress in bright colours.  Ms. Daniel has emphasized that there is no dress code, however, she explained bright colours would symbolize a Caribbean theme, hence her request.

The event runs from 2:00 pm to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 23 at Nathan Philip Square. There will be no excuse for not coming to the event as admission is free. 

Sheba is All For Valentine's Day

SHEBA wears her heart on her crown. She will tell you, "I make music because if I didn't my heart would not let me hear the end of it. I write and sing for cathartic reasons. It's how I process life. It's how I make sense of the ups and downs." 

Some musicians are born into environments where music is all around and picking up an instrument or honing an obvious talent is a given. Despite signs of musical ability at a young age, Sheba's family having fled revolution in Ethiopia to start over in America, understandably, encouraged her to take on more stable pursuits that would lead to a less precarious career.

She says, "I knew I could sing very early on, around 4, but not long after I knew I could and wanted to be someone who wrote the songs coming out of the radio. I also very vividly remember being frustrated that I couldn't spell yet." Sheba recalls racing home from school to secretly practice singing along with the Diva's: Whitney, Mariah, Aretha, Chaka. "I would record myself singing onto the same tracks as my favorite singer's and chase them, note for note. That's how I learned to sing. I would study the lyrics of my favorite songs. That's how I learned song structure, melody and began to absorb production. I listened the radio obsessively. I had my favorite albums on repeat." Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Fela, Lauryn Hill, Prince, The Police and No Doubt are those that had the most influence on her musical style.

At some point our dreams become too loud to ignore and we may choose to listen to the insistent whispers of the hearts longing for itself. After college, Sheba felt it was time to listen. She began recording her songs, learned how to produce records and with some encouragement from a youtube posted song that ended up on Sirius XM and Kiss FM in London, and a couple thousand dollars, Sheba put out a song on her own called "Love This Lifetime" which went on to chart in several territories around the world, including the UK (Music Week). Bounty Killer jumped on the remix for the song, and the song continued to travel, with the video ending up on MTV UK, VH-1 Soul and Trace TV. It was a good sign. She took it as a cue to keep making music.

Sheba has recently emerged with a new collection of recordings, called #QUEENOFHEARTS. The inspiration came from a thought she had: "broken hearts grow back stronger, to hold more love. Life is full of ups and downs, it's unpredictable and sometimes you get your heart broken. But maybe it's not the end of the world. Maybe, it's just growing back bigger and stronger so that you have a bigger capacity to love. Each and everyone of us, can be the ruler of own heart and choose how we interpret the breaks."

www.sheba.bandcamp.com 

Ricardo Clarke Returns With New Single and Album

Reggae artist Ricardo Clarke is back with a brand new album and a new single with “Don’t Count Me Out.” The album(Uprising Vol 3: Don't Count Me Out" will be released digitally on 3-13-13, followed by the release in stores on April 9th 2013.

Ricardo Clarke burst on the international scene in 2009 with “Not Settling” and has followed up with a lot of great reggae music. Amongst other awards, Clarke won Recording of the Year at the prestigious Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards, a show that has been in existence for 14 years. 

Recently, Clarke has been working with reggae labels and producers in London, UK, such as Lockdown Productions and Tippie Irie, who featured Clarke on two albums released in 2012. French labels Dub Akom Flash Hit Records and Rise and Shine Band released five albums featuring Clarke.

Clarke, who has shared stages with major acts such as Beres Hammond, Tarrus Riley and Grammy award winner Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, is invested in his community. His willingness to deposit into the lives of young people led him to create the "Wasting No Time" School Campaign, which encouraged all to "never settle" in academics and reinforced the importance of using time wisely in school. So far, the campaign has reached over 50 schools throughout the Bahamas, affecting the lives of 15,000 students and Clarke is determined to continue his efforts.

The artiste is a sought after speaker at schools, colleges, conferences and workshops and has been involved in numerous philanthropic and charitable efforts, namely the fight against breast cancer, with his support of the Bahamian organization Sister/Sister Breast Cancer Support Group.

http://www.reverbnation.com/ricardoclarke 

Monster March for Stephen Souza on the East Coast!

The Reggae Gentlemen, Stephen Souza will have a Monster March as the artist will hit the studio to record new material, and will perform in Miami and New York.

Currently enjoying strong radio and fan support from radio stations as far away as South Africa and as close to home as New Jersey, Stephen, as well as his signature Lover’s Rock sound, is increasing in traction.  This increase has led to more demand for music as well as stage show appearances.

On Saturday March 2^nd, Stephen will be in Miami, Florida for the Manchester High School Alumni Association reunion taking place at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center (1770 Monroe Street – 33020).  This performance is extra special to Stephen as the reunion is being held in honor of Kirk ‘Freddie’ Barrow as well as being a fundraiser for the MHS Penn Relay Team.  The event, sponsored in part by Grace Kennedy Foods and MC’d by Gerry McD from Palav (RJR 94 FM in Jamaica) is attended by distinguished guests in South Florida in addition to MHS alumni.

Of this performance Stephen says “I’m really excited for this show as Paul and Patrick Roach in addition to being my childhood friends, they were the ones who encouraged me to join Phase II Band.  We haven’t performed together in more than 30 years, so I can’t wait!”

March 9^th, Stephen returns to New York to perform at New York University for Maxine Greaves annual Winter Affair at the Rochdale Village Community Centre (169-65 137^th Avenue – Jamaica, New York – 11434) which is one of the most attended events on New York’s Caribbean Dancehall calendar.

In addition to the above performances, Stephen will be in studio recording new material to be released as singles.

View the video for Treat Her Like a Lady Here >>>