Reggae & Dancehall Music News Recaps Jan 2012

Good News! Veteran Reggae artist Jepther Washington Mclymont, better known as Luciano “The Messenger” has been re-issued his US visa.

Luciano‘s visa was taken away after he was charged last year for harboring a fugitive at his home.

The charge was later dismissed on the grounds of insufficient evidence! It has now been officially confirmed that Luciano has been re-issued his visa and will now be able to travel and work in the United States.

Watch Luciano -Give Praise Official Music Video – Reggae Music

Starting this evening in Montego Bay The Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival which will cater to an audience of 25,000 – 30,000 music enthusiasts across three days, with 25 live acts performing including major international music acts.

The Festival also showcase Art of Music Talent Stage featuring undiscovered, unsigned, upcoming and original Jamaican and international artists.

The line up is crazy! Starting tonite Shaggy, Chris Martin, Ky-mani Marley, George Nooks, Pluto, Half Pint, Aj Brown , Assassin, Maxi Priest, Marcia Griffith, Etana, Michael Rose and John Holt. The also have Celin Dion, Richie Stephens and Gentleman, Cee Lo Green, Temptations, Damian Marley and many more music artists.

After Alicia Keys also Senegalese superstar Akon recently landed in Jamaica where he will be recording new material alongside Damian Junior Gong Zilla Marley, Stephen Marley and Julian Marley at Tuff Gong studios in Kingston.

Akon also visited the Bob Marley Museum in Liguanea, St. Andrew; and he posted pictures of his visit on his official Twitter profile. The Convicted singer already worked with Jamaican artists such as Shaggy for What’s Love and, most recently, with Mavado in their new single Survivor and he also toured and worked with Grammy-winning artist Sean Paul.

LISTEN TO MAVADO FEAT AKON – SURVIVOR – NEW MUSIC

Spragga Benz is acting in this upcoming movie called Green Card from Jamaican Director Cleon James that will soon hit US screens.

Green Card is based on Caribbean people making their way to the United States all seeking the American dream. The story explores the decisions they make and how they get to their goals — following the ups and downs and misconceptions that can be formed in a bid to obtain that Green Card.

“The movie is based on true events,” James shares, adding that before penning the script he interviewed several immigrants who shared their stories. Carlton Grant, aka Spragga Benz, portrays Ricarlo — a Rasta man, that is not very keen about getting married for the papers. Spragga is not new to acting: the Jamaican reggae dancehall artist had already acting roles in the now legendary reggae movie Shottas and Brooklyn Babylon, where he starred as himself.

Spragga Benz also has a project in the making with Top Notch Vision, as well as his own documentary which he says is in the final stages of editing while on the recording side he has released Get That Dough, Queen’s Highway and Consequence. He has also shot a video for Call Upon Jah with Sean Paul being edited and soon ready to be released.

WATCH JAMAICAN MOVIE – GREEN CARD- TRAILERS – STARRING SPRAGGA BENZ

Dancehall diva D’Angel, real name Michelle Downer, will launch her debut book, Love Triangle, in February, a book already dubbed “the most controversial Dancehall novel.”

The book marks the first part of a two-book deal with Pageturner Publishing House, as she will also release an autobiographical entitled, Break Free, later this year, which will talk about her many successes and controversies on and off stage.

Love Triangle talks about three contrasting individuals, Dylan, Brandy and Malcolm involved in a steamy back and forth relationships.

According to D’Angel, via press release, her new novel is far from PG.”This is not a kiddy story, this is a story for the mature audience, much like some movies and music are for those of a certain level of maturity, and no, it’s not porn, soft or hard, but we could call it Dancehall with a Soca undertone – interestingly pulsating,” she said.

Former Gaza artist Blak Ryno, kicked off the new year in high spirits and released three new singles since the start of 2012.

‘Build The Youths’ and ‘Diss Me And Fled’, the titles of his new singles. The latest is on a Riddim for Marcus Myrie , son of incarcerated Reggae superstar Buju Banton. The new Ryno’s song entitled ‘Why Life Nuh Sweet’ sees the singjay speaking out for the poor while lashing out at the system for keep neglecting the people with no voice.

The single was released earlier this week on iTunes and other digital platforms.

“The song was inspired by things I see in the streets on my daily travels, people hustling to make ends meet, police brutality, inhumane treatment of the poor and elderly and just social injustices everywhere. So I am just providing a voice for them.” Tune!

LISTEN TO BLAK RYNO WHY LIFE NU SWEET

Spice just released three fresh tracks to jump start 2012. Spice adds a Dancehall Reggae flavor to the track Take Him Out with Mya, part of Mya’s new just released album, KISS.

The R&B singer is as excited about the song as her guest performer, Spice. The songs tells the story of a relationship falling apart, a story females can definitely relate to say’s Spice. The music video is currently in post production and will be launched in both Jamaica and the United States next month.