Ever so often you come across an artist from the contemporary reggae/dancehall scene who could, potentially, become the next heavy-hitter mainstream player, then they later fade from the radar screen and are somewhat relegated to the one-hit-wonder status, case in point, I Wayne, Gyptian, Nanko and others.
These artists are the new young faces of reggae/dancehall music and for reasons unknown they just do not get the push required to elevate their talent to that of other mainstream artists like those who have gone before them, Super Cat, Beenie Man, Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, Sean Paul and now Mavado.
It begs the question whether the Jamaican reggae/dancehall scene is organized enough to facilitate artists development. More below the fold…
The next time you are in the club winin’ and grindin’ to a hot dancehall tune chances are the man behind it is one of dancehall’s hottest and youngest producer, Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, son of veteran reggae great Freddie McGregor.
Since the age of 12, Di Genius now 19, has been making hit riddims after hit riddims collaborating with artists such as Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Vybz Kartel and Sean Paul, to name a few. Di Genius also demonstrated his versatility by working with American Hasidic Jew reggae artist Matisyahu on his Life album.
Recycled riddims of the 60’s and 70’s once dominated the dancehall scene, thanks to fresh new producers like Di Genius, dancehall will revive itself and appeal to a more wider audience while keeping its Jamaican roots.
This meeting took place in early December, but for those of you who are not aware here it is…Mavado and Vybz Kartel at a conference with the Jamaican government as a step towards stemming the violence as a result of their ongoing feud. The result of this meeting is The Gaza Gully Peace Treaty of 2009…sounds funny but true. Check out the video…
The 2009 Soul Train Music Awards will, for the first time since it began in 1987, introduce a “Best Reggae Artist” category.
The Soul Train Music Awards is scheduled to take place on November 03, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The show will air Sunday November 29, 2009 on both the BET and CENTRIC (formerly BET J) cable channels at 9:00PM ET.
The nominees for the “Best Reggae Artist” category are:
Mavado
Sean Paul
Serani
Tarrus Riley
Ziggy Marley
The nominations were announced in October 2009. Check your local Cable or Satelite listings.
Update (11/04/2009): Sean Paul named winner in the “Best Reggae Artist” category at the ‘CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS.’
Photo:allseanpaul.com
The show was taped last night (Wednesday, November 03, 209) and is set to air Sunday, November 29, 2009 on both the BET and CENTRIC (formerly BET J) cable channels at 9:00PM ET.
One Minute Spotlight:Busy Signal
Reggae Mix Online
These artists are the new young faces of reggae/dancehall music and for reasons unknown they just do not get the push required to elevate their talent to that of other mainstream artists like those who have gone before them, Super Cat, Beenie Man, Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, Sean Paul and now Mavado.
It begs the question whether the Jamaican reggae/dancehall scene is organized enough to facilitate artists development. More below the fold…