2013 Grammy Nominations for Best Reggae Album

Congratulations to the 2013 Nominees for Best Reggae Album:

Jimmy Cliff – Rebirth

The Original Wailers – Miracle

Sean Paul – Tomahawk Technique

Sly & Robbie & The Jam Masters – New Legend – Jamaica 50^th Edition

Toots and the Maytals – Reggae Got Soul:  Unplugged on Strawberry Hill

HOTTT New Video - Froggy Madd Squad Opening for Jimmy Cliff!

Normally an artist (as in a performing artist) opens for thefeature act at a stage show or Festival unless you are Froggy Madd Squad who, withoutintending to be rude, is far from normal!

Proudly representing Montego Bay, Jamaica via Orlando,Florida, Mr. Madd Squad took to the stage on closing night for the 9thAnnual Montreal International Reggae Festival. To put it in a word, his performance was brilliant.  So brilliant, that the Legend, Jimmy cliff,for whom Froggy opened, was impressed with the DJ’s musical selections.  The capacity crowd of 8,000 people were also impressed as they called for more!

Using Reggae and Dancehall anthems, as well as songs from his rare Festival Music collection, Froggy Madd Squad mashed up the crowd …literally!

Take a look at what the veteran DJ, music teacher and host did to Montreal on Sunday August 19th, 2013. 

To include this phenomenal selector at your next event, contact him directly via email maddsquadent@gmail.comor teammaddsquad@gmail.com.

Montreal International Reggae Festival Closes the 2012 Season with a Sold Out Audience!

The 2012 Montreal International Reggae Festival season comes to an end on a high note, seeing a sold out audience pack the Old Port for 3 days of sweet Reggae and Dancehall from the Caribbean’s best artists.

Fans were given a variety of talent and themes to enjoy.  Night one, deemed Dancehall night, featured Cham and his Wife O.  Canada’s #1 DJ, DJ Poirier, who also hails from Montreal, rocked the crowd with a combination of musical selections from Shabba Ranks, General Degree and Busy Signal.  Joining the veteran DJ on stage was Juno Nominee Face-T who slick Dancehall delivery had the audience chanting for more, as did the fiery presentation and performance of Fire Lion who had patrons form the Usain Bolt pose during his performance. 

The official after party was enjoyed by Sound Clash diehards who backed EB Lounge to witness Rootsman from Toronto, Showtime from New York and hometown favorite Little Thunder battle each other for the favour of the crowd.  Toronto’s Rootsman Sound won the Clash taking all three rounds played.

Night two featured Konshens, whose chart topping singles “Gyal Ah Bubble,” “Ah So Mih Tan,” and “Good Girl Gone Bad” earned the screams and cheers from his adoring female fans, and fire salutes from the male fans in attendance.  Another crowd pleaser was Christopher Martin who had to wheel up his sizzling song “Cheaters Prayer” several times, and the newest Dancehall sensation, Popcaan worked the stage and the crowd into a frenzy.  Hotta Maestro also touched the crowd prior to Assassin who’s moving performance called for encore’s.

Night three, Reggae night, featured Romain Virgo and his soul moving song “Who Feels it Knows it” had the audience singing along with him.  Tarrus Riley, backed by Ruff Cut band gave fans so much of what they wanted to hear, tweets about Mr. Singy Singy were sent the moment he was announced to be at the venue to the end of his set.  Fans knew every word to every song, and acted as his backing choir when he performed “Stay With You” which was truly moving.

Froggy Madd Squad had the audience in festive spirits, opening for Jimmy Cliff!  His set include Reggae anthems that had lighters and flags in the air!  Remembering the milestone of Jamaica’s 50^th year of Independence from Great Britain, the Madd Squads leader included rare Festival music from his music library, impressing fans both mature and young!

Undoubtedly, Jimmy Cliff was the shining crescendo to an already perfect Festival.  Donned in his red green and gold scarf and leather suit, the legend and Order of Merit holder gave Montreal his heart and soul as he performed his hits that made him famous (“Many Rivers to Cross,” “Reggae Nights” and “Miss Jamaica”) as well as songs from his new album recently released.

Backed by his band, Jimmy reminded all of the years he’s put into the industry, and his undeniable role in shaping the path that others have followed.  He is truly a legend!

Look out for the Montreal International Reggae Festival 2013 where Eric Blagrove, the Festival’s producer, celebrates 10 years with surprises and feature presentations!

In the meantime, all updates will be posted at www.montrealreggaefest.com, or by following @MTLReggaeFest and @L3Magazine on Twitter!

Jimmy Cliff Counts Down to Montreal's Reggae Festival!

Giving us songs that represent the pride of Jamaica and all peoples across the Caribbean and around the world, Jimmy Cliff is a living legend whom the Montreal International Reggae Festival is proud to have on its stage.

Beginning his career at the age of 14, Cliff worked with Leslie Kong who produced the music for Cliff’s first hit single “Hurricane Hattie.”  Since then, the internationally loved artist has released songs that have defined our times, our nations and our Caribbean culture.  Songs such as “The Harder They Come,” “Many Rivers to Cross” and “Miss Jamaica” are stalwarts in our musical fabric.

For generations, these and the rest of Cliff’s discography have served as motivation to get through some of our tougher times.  At this years’ Festival, these songs help us celebrate 50 years of Independence from Great Britain and what a party it’s going to be!

For the 9^th Annual Montreal International Reggae Festival, Jimmy Cliff invites you to relive the musical memories that helped define us as a people.  Make sure you’re there when he sings “The Harder They Come” and more!   

Luciano Cancels Performance at Montreal's Reggae Festival

The Montreal International Reggae Festival (MIRF) is regrettably notifying all media and public that contrary to the previously distributed and advertised roster of performers for the Sunday, August 19, 2012 staging of the festival, Luciano, who was born, Jepther W. McClymont, will not be appearing. 

Luciano, known throughout the reggae music world as “The Messenger,” announced to MIRF, via his manager/wife Sonia Sterling, that he will be unable to fulfill his obligations which are clearly outlined in his contract with MIRF.

In her capacity as Luciano’s manager, his wife relayed the news to MIRF using text and e-mail messages; and she confirmed the cancellation, saying, “[Another agent] went ahead and booked a show … I had booked the Montreal show for Luciano first…[I am]waiting to sort it out.” Sterling, who liaised with MIRF in booking Luciano for this year’s performance sent a final message saying, “Spoke to Lucie… but he is going to do [the other show] since he will be in that area … I am really sorry.” She said the “double booking” occurred without her knowledge.

Despite the contract between Luciano and MIRF being finalized ahead of the other booking - with MIRF meeting all its contractual obligations, Luciano made the decision not to perform at MIRF in August, according to Sterling

Get Ready for Montreal International Reggae Festival 2012!

The 9^th Edition of The Montreal International Reggae Festival Celebrates Jamaica’s 50^th Anniversary of Independence

at the Quays of the Old Port of Montreal August 17, 18 and 19

This year, for its 9th edition, the Montreal International Reggae Festival (MIRF) team is particularly proud to celebrate Jamaica’s 50 years of independence with some of the leading and most prolific ambassadors in the history of Reggae.

Continually embracing the motto “United Against Violence” and with an unrelenting determination to unite nations through music, MIRF has designed three days of stellar programming this summer. Included in the roster of confirmed artists, is: internationally acclaimed Poirier, who is a DJ and producer from Montreal; bright new stars of the Dancehall, Konshens, Khago, Assasin and Christopher Martin; as well as the ever triumphant Cham who makes a return in 2012. Tarrus Riley, one of the newest international stars in Reggae is also on the bill along with Luciano, “The Reggae Messenger” who returns to North America after a five year hiatus.

To celebrate Jamaica’s jubilee of independence in splendor, it is fitting that the unique and multi-talented, Honorable Jimmy Cliff (O.M) will headline this year’s festival. Immortalized by the character Ivanhoe Martin in the 1972 Perry Henzell classic film, The Harder They Come and its hit list soundtrack that included, You Can Get It If You Really Want, Many Rivers To Cross, Sitting In Limbo and the unforgettable title track, The Harder They Come, Jimmy Cliff also started his musical career in 1962, the year of Jamaica’s independence.

The song Miss Jamaica, was one of Jimmy Cliff’s earliest hits, composed in recognition of Jamaica’s August 6, 1962 independence; and for 50 years since then it has remained closely linked to the lowering of the British flag and presentation of Jamaica’s new colors black green and gold. Jimmy Cliff, whose real name is James Chambers, is currently the only living artist to hold the Order of Merit, the highest honor granted by the government of Jamaica for achievement in the arts and sciences.

For additional information email L3Publicity@gmail.com.

Garance Reggae Festival

The Garance Reggae Festival takes place July 27th to July 30th, 2011 in Bagnols-sur-Cèze dans le Gard, France and is headlined by Burning Spear!

Not only is this city a perfect vacation spot, but it will be host to some of the most awesome Roots Reggae and Reggae artists the world has ever seen.  Below is information about who's performing.  If you're in France, make sure you're there!

Performers:

BURNING SPEAR
JIMMY CLIFF  MIDNITE  GYPTIAN  THIRD WORLD
TIKEN JAH FAKOLY  DANAKIL  SLY+ROBBIE FEAT. JUNIOR REID
TONY REBEL  QUEEN IFRICA  LUTAN FYAH  JUNIOR KELLY
THE ABYSSINIANS  KEN BOOTHE  HORACE ANDY  JOHNNY CLARKE
CLINTON FEARON  TWINKLE BROTHERS  PRESSURE  PROTOJE
STUDIO ONE REVUE feat. KING STITT  PRINCE JAZZBO
DILLINGER  WILLI WILLIAMS  DAWN PENN
WINSTON FRANCIS  LONE RANGER  ALPHEUS  JIM BROWN
CARLTON LIVINGSTON  SOUL STEREO SOUND SYSTEM
NATTY  KAYAMANGA

DUB STATION CORNER :
JAH SHAKA  KING JAMMY'S LIVE SET   IRATION STEPPAS
GUSSIE P   PRINCE LIVIJAH   MAKI BANTON   YT
CARL MEEKS  SANDEENO  JAHTARI  HUGHIE IZACHAAR
STEPPIN FORWARD  LION YOUTH  T.i.T
OBF  BLACKBOARD JUNGLE

For more information, log on to http://www.garancereggaefestival.com/