Kartel's new Benz turns heads

(via The Jamaica Star)

Deejay Vybz Kartel made the talk of the town this week as he profiled his brand new 2010 S-Class Mercedes-Benz estimated to value over $12 million.

THE WEEKEND STAR visited the deejay recently in Kingston where he showcased his new ride. He was unwilling to disclose the amount he paid for the vehicle; however, several websites checked by THE WEEKEND STAR estimated the vehicle to be worth more than J$12 million. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a series of large luxury sedans produced by Mercedes-Benz, a German manufacturer of cars, buses, coaches and trucks.

The deejay, who got the Benz on Monday from Carland on Old Hope Road, disclosed to THE WEEKEND STAR that the vehicle is a dream to drive. When asked why he bought this particular car, Kartel said, "yuh know is a X6 (BMW) mi buy and me and Corey (Todd) a reason and sey the X6 too common. No deejay eva own a S-Class Benz. This Benz is the flagship of the Benz's line, meaning dis a di top, top Benz."

He added, "It do everything except fly, the body can raise, it just have the whole driving experience, is like yuh a drive pon air."

Since getting his new ride, however, Kartel says he has been reading a lot of rumours online that the car doesn't belong to him. Setting the record straight he said, "People a sey a nuh my Benz, so wha me a deejay fa? So dis is to all di haters dem weh sey is not mine. Hate to burst your bubble but it's mine, paid for and no car payments. This is not a made in Jamaica vehicle like wha other deejays have. Me not even haffi deejay fi buy dis, me coulda sell rum and get dis."

Kartel recently returned from a trip to Suriname where he said he performed to a crowd of over 20,000 patrons. "Suriname was crazy, Kartel owns South America, dem love mi like dem love football," he said. He also recently completed the video for the Duss medley and has a number of new singles just released and to be released soon.

Mr G pleased' with ever-growing attention surrounding his career

(via The Jamaica Star)

Veteran dancehall artiste Mr G has said he's "extremely pleased" with the ever-growing public attention surrounding his music career in recent times.

Since releasing the prophetic single, Before the Year Done (Mi waan fi rich), early last year, the crafty lyricist has seen his career skyrocket and has so far been able to maintain the hype.

He has also played lead role in a recent commercial for telecommunications giant Claro, in which his hit single, Swaggerific, was used as a special theme song to describe the network's status.

He said the advert has so far been significant in his bid for a stronger presence in the public domain.

"The advert has been very significant. What Claro has done now is place Mr G as a major brand in Jamaica, because they (Claro) are a major company. I'm very appreciative of that," he said.

Mr G, formerly Goofy, has been in the music business for more than a decade, and while he had enjoyed ample success under his former identity, the deejay believes he is now quickly matching up to his earlier days.

"I am extremely pleased with everything now. As an artiste, this is what I have been working for. My aim is to become the biggest artiste in the world," said Mr G.

The deejay said he's currently working on a medley video
for the singles Swaggerific and Beat Dem Bad. However, he's yet to release Touch Me This Way, which features former Rising Stars contestant Chrissy.

'The advert has been very significant. What Claro has done now is place Mr G as a major brand in Jamaica because they (Claro) are a major company ... '

Beenie Man drops 8 collabs with friends

(via The Jamaica Observer)

Deejay Beenie Man, buoyed by the success of his hit singles, Rum and Red Bull and I'm Okay, has tackled a new ambitious musical project which he hopes will help to re-define his legacy as a leader and innovator in the world of dancehall.

Beenie Man has enlisted the help of his superstar friends on the musical project he has dubbed Beenie Man and Friends and the result is eight great combination singles, each featuring Beenie Man, on a bouncy dancehall beat.

"No other artiste in the business has ever tried anything like this before. I am writing, arranging and co-producing every song on the riddim, and I am also performing on every song on the riddim," a proud Beenie Man said. "The only thing I haven't done is build the riddim, that was done by Danny Browne."

The project features the talents of artistes such as Khago, D'Angel, Ding Dong, Fambo, Deva Bratt, Kantana, Versatile, Cee Gee and Laden.

"I plan to shoot a video for the single called Time of My Life with D'Angel, and a medley video with all the others, I already have the concept in my head, it is going to be sick," he said, laughing.

This audacious project grew from an idea that Beenie Man had years ago, but he got the raging fever last month and within a week, and a couple of urgent Blackberry pings and messages, he had pulled the critical elements together.

"It is something I had always wanted to do, but I just didn't have the courage to do it at the time. So I just sat down and did it and it all came together. Right now, ah MD time now, Gaza done gone across the world already, now ah MD time," Beenie Man said.

Interestingly, he has been trying to convince one-time nemesis and new-found friend Bounty Killer to participate in the project, but Beenie claims the "logistics of getting him to voice the song is hard".

"Ah mi friend still, but is too much drama to get him to actually voice. Serani voice already, Mavado said he will voice, but I cannot wait on them. In fact, it is up to Bounty, Elephant and Kartel if they want to be on it, mi reach out to them already," he said.

This is a project that is close to his heart, his DNA is embedded in the rhythm itself as his son, Marco Dean lends his voice to the instrumental.

"Marco Dean is on the version, so is not really a song, he is not ready for that yet," he said.

Beenie Man has put a lot of effort into trying to recruit the best and brightest stars in dancehall to put their weight behind the project, but even with the mixed results, he waves off the disappointment as only he can.

"If dem did give me a riddim, mi woulda voice pon it already...mi have my pride," he said.

In the meantime, the project has already been released and the artiste says it is getting excellent rotation on radio.

Beenie Man is scheduled to leave the island today for a two-week tour of the African continent, which will see him performing in the cities of Freetown, Sierra Leone as well as Johanessburg and Cape Town in South Africa.

He returns to the island on December 1, after which he is set to do a three-city swing through Canada.

Fantan returns to Downsound

(via The Jamaica Star)

Like the prodigal son, Fantan Mojah says he has returned to Downsound Records.

Fantan, whose real name is Owen Moncrieffe, left the Downsound Records family in 2006 after a public split in which he relieved the company of all his booking duties. But now the artiste says he is ready to rekindle a good relationship
with the company.

"A nuh decide fi return, a good sheep neva stray very far from the flock. We set a foundation, so we a go back go set it pon a bigger level. Fantan have a career weh mi need help wid it. Me and Downsound have a chemistry," said the artiste, who recently completed a two-month European tour.

This time around, Fantan says the partnership will be better.

"We have a lot of experience in the business and we know how to approach it now. Mi come back to Downsound with the skill weh mi build up a road," he said, noting that he will be managed and booked by the record company but he also has an outside booking agent.

CEO of Downsound Records, Joseph Bogdanovich, said he believes Fantan is sincere with his decision to return.

"He has a different point of view and actively wants to come back. I think it's more a businesslike and he's certainly learned a lot about the business. I hope he has got to be more responsible and will honour contracts and deliver what he's supposed to. I think maturity is the difference," Bogdanovich told THE STAR.

In the same breath, Bogdanovich also lauded Fantan's work, saying: "I've always liked Fantan. He's very confident and he delivers a superior stage show. He loves to entertain and people love him."

Since the reunion, Fantan has already done a few songs with Downsound Records. One of them is Call My Name.

"I think he has a hit record with this if people accept him and play his record," Bogdanovich said.

Fantan also has another song with Downsound Records called Been Through The Fire. He said he is also working on an album that he hopes to release by early next year.

In addition, Fantan says he is actively promoting Richie Melody, an artiste from his own Macka Tree label.

Gyptian takes Soul Train Award

(via Jamaica Observer)

Reggae artiste Gyptian copped another major award on Wednesday night. He beat out five other nominees in the Best Reggae Artiste category of the 2010 Soul Train Music Awards.

The Soul Train accolade comes closely on the heels of the UK's MOBO award that the singer won a few weeks ago.

Gyptian was in high spirits shortly after he won the Soul Train statuette. "This is an awesome feeling. Two awards in one year, I am really fortunate to have won," Gyptian said in a telephone interview on Thursday morning.

His manager Ivor Ruddock was equally excited about the win. "We have been working hard and it is now paying off. This award is another encouragement for us," he noted.

Gyptian performed a medley of his current hits Hold Yuh and Nah Let Go during the Soul Train awards telecast. "It was a great performance. I even had backup dancers," the dreadlocked artiste told Splash.

The singer has been on a roll this year since the success of his smash single Hold Yuh dented various Billboard charts stateside and internationally.

He recently completed a guest performance slot on rhythm and blues singer Mary J Blige's UK tour. 'That was a great platform for me and it exposed me to a wider audience', Gyptian commented.

Gyptian will head into the studios over the next couple of weeks to record a collaboration with R&B singer Ne Yo.

Damian Marley, Mr Vegas, Jah Cure, Vybz Kartel and Gramps Morgan were the other reggae acts nominated alongside Gyptian.

Mavado and Kartel shared prison cell

Singjay Mavado feels that police's action of detaining him on Wednesday has severely affected his attempt for several months to clean up his image.

Mavado, whose real name is David Brooks, and deejay Vybz Kartel were released by the police yesterday afternoon after spending a night in jail. Both men had turned themselves in at the Constant Spring Police Station on Wednesday, after being identified as persons of interest through a release from the Constabulary Communication Network.

On Tuesday night upon hearing the news that he was listed as a person of interest, Mavado had claimed that he was being targeted by a specific police officer.

Hours after his release, Mavado said that he believes it's unfair that he was listed as a person of interest. The artiste said that upon going to the station he was questioned by a number of police officers and was later placed in the same jail cell as Kartel.

He said, "afta me go in dere and talk to di police, di police don't want me fi nutting. Wha me do? Me nuh do nutten or else dem wouldn't let me out and tell me fi gwaan home
. Yuh can definitely see that is a fight dem a try fight Mavado and try dutty up Mavado name. Me a try hold it fi di last one year, me a try do my best wha me can do to keep outta problem and di bagga tings people have to sey."

In recent times the singjay has taken a notably positive approach to his music. In the beginning of his career he coined himself as a 'gangsta fi life' but now has started to sing more socially conscious songs such as Change Right Now, Messiah, Nine Life and more. He has also been behind recent peace initiatives in his community of Cassava Piece and the building of a library and community
centre there.

Mavado added, "Me always jus a try do good, me as David Brooks even when we get fight, we still a get stronger and know sey we haffi do good, we haffi do betta. Cause at di end of the day we nah go mek the fans lose offa we, and di people lose offa we. The whole Jamaica suppose to know that David Brooks is a law biding citizen, cause if I wasn't I'd be in jail, you'd hear ma name a call up on a bagga tings. Nobody don't hear my name call pon nutten."

For the artiste, he says he and his management and legal team are considering taking legal action against the police in an effort to prevent further discrediting of his name. According to Mavado, taking legal action is something he had also discussed with Kartel as he said, "me and Vybz Kartel already talk about it. Me tell Vybz Kartel wha me ago do, and mi feel like a di same way him a think cause this definitely not good."

For the singer, however, it's back to business as usual as he was on his way to the studio. He says fans can look out for songs with him from producer Stephen McGregor, a collaboration with Chase Cross and a remix of a Future Fambo song.

'Charge or release Mavado' — lawyer challenges cops

Chris Tavares-Finson, the attorney representing David 'Mavado' Brooks, has filed a writ of habeas corpus in court, asking the police to either charge or release his client.

A summons was served on the police this morning.

Mavado, along with fellow dancehall artiste Adijah 'Vybz Kartel' Palmer, spent the night in jail, after the police asked them to turn themselves in as persons of interest.

Tavares-Finson said the date on the application is set for tomorrow which means that if his client is not charged, police will have to attend court to explain why he was not released.

Both Mavado and Kartel are still being questioned by cops from the St Andrew North Police Division.

Police say both men wield considerable influence in the communities of Big Yard and Cassava Piece which run off Mannings Hill Road. The cops say they are to be questioned in connection with several serious crimes that have been committed in the communities in recent times.

Kartel, Mavado in police custody

Popular dancehall deejays Mavado and Vybz Kartel spent last night behind bars after they turned themselves in to the St Andrew North Police yesterday.

Mavado, whose real name is David Brooks, and Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adijah Palmer, were named as "persons of interest" by the police on Tuesday. The police said they wanted to interview both men about a series of serious crimes that have been committed in sections of the St Andrew North Police Division. Both were ordered to attend the Constant Spring Police Station by 3:00 pm yesterday.

Kartel was the first to show. He turned up minutes after 9 in the morning, accompanied by his attorney Valerie Neita-Robinson.

Hours later, close to noon, his rival in the dancehall Mavado turned himself in. He was escorted by his attorney Christian Tavares-Finson.

Both deejays will be interviewed in the presence of their attorneys today.

Future Fambo delivers in Canada

(via The Jamaica Observer)

Definitely the 'Comeback Kid for the year 2010', deejay Future Fambo's career is moving from strength to strength. With his fan base growing since the release earlier this year of his Seanizzle-produced hit Rum And Red Bull, (featuring Beenie Man), Fambo's demand has spiked.

The deejay, known for his energetic on-stage presence, recently returned to Jamaica from a two-show trip to Canada, where he had fans in a frenzy as he worked the stage like a pro. Dubbed Reggaelution, the shows were staged by PFB Entertainment on October 29 inside the Government Entertainment Complex in Toronto and the following night in Montreal. Both shows were well supported and kudos to the promoters for proper stage management and good time control.

Of course, Fambo's international hit Rum And Red Bull proved to be a favourite mix, despite the fact that 'Doctor', Beenie Man, wasn't there in person to sing the hook. However, Future Fambo's delivery was on point and, as the self-proclaimed Drunken Master of the Dancehall, he delighted patrons with his infectious Swaggaholic style and song of the same name.

Also a hit with the Canadian massive was the single Pop Bottle, and Fambo made sure to work it with the crowd. Before he exited centre stage, the deejay called on stage Supa Hype, much to the delight of patrons who enjoyed the extra treat.

Although Fambo didn't get to perform This Life in Toronto, he gave it to the Montreal fans without holding back any emotion and this proved a sobering moment during the Drunken Master's act.

It was obvious that the deejay himself was having fun on stage and he was able to convey that element to the patrons, many of whom danced and sang with hands in the air as Future Fambo took time to thank them for the opportunity to perform for them.

Future Fambo was one of six acts including Supa Hype and the Big Ship Crew of Laden, Chino, Stephen Di Genius and captain of the Big Ship, Freddie McGregor contracted to perform at both shows. Fambo opened for Freddie who was the headliner.

During an interview after his performance, an excited Fambo expressed his joy at being able to totally satisfy his Canadian fans and his pleasant surprise at the response to his singles.

"Right now, it's Fambo's Canada," he said with a laugh. "My job was to get the crowd excited and give them their money's worth and for me it was mission accomplished," Fambo said, adding, "I am on a natural high. It is so overwhelming. About eight months ago Freddie (McGregor) said to me 'Fambo, you going to be blessed this year' and I am proving that now," the deejay said soberly.

Buju Banton out on bail

(via The Jamaica Observer)

Reggae artiste Buju Banton this afternoon walked out of the Pinellas County Jail in Tampa, Florida after he was granted bail in an immigration court. Banton has been in jail since December last year when he was arrested for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine.

A member of his legal team, Marc Seitles, said the artiste was overjoyed that he gained some measure of freedom.

"Buju can’t wait to have a nice meal and sleep in his own bed,” Seitle said.

In September, Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was left pondering his fate after a 12-member jury could not reach a unanimous decision about his innocence or guilt.

He will be retried in February next year.

Banton met the conditions bail set by US magistrate Anthony Porcelli after his friend and son of Reggae King Bob Marley, Stephen Marley, put up his US$300,000 house as collateral.

Myrie will have to wear a tracking device and will be under 24-hour surveillance from a security company. He has also signed an extradition waiver and will not be allowed to leave the Middle District of Souther District of Florida until his trial begins.

He will only be allowed to visit a doctor and his lawyer.

Also he must submit himself to urine tests to prove that he is not using banned substances.

Chedda's life threatened?

(via The Jamaica Star)

Upcoming dancehall artiste Chedda claims that he is in fear for his life after receiving death threats.

The latest threat, he said, were received yesterday over the telephone as well as BlackBerry messages sent to his mobile.

Chedda, known for songs such as Fake Jeans Admit It, said the threats are coming as a result of an incident that occurred recently between T'Jean Bennett, a producer at UIM Records, and the deejay. As a result of the incident, Chedda said he had to seek medical attention at the Andrews Hospital, St Andrew.

According to the deejay, whose real name is Tyrello Johnson, 'bad blood' has been brewing between the two entities ever since he decided to distance himself from the group because of what he describes as a high level of unprofesssionalism. He said he thinks it is important that he informs the public and his fans as to what is happening.

"Dem a mek threat a call mi phone a seh a di wrong man mi attack and mi ago dead, mi ago get gunshot," Chedda told THE WEEKEND STAR yesterday. "Wi deh pon di road a promote di new song Bad Inna Gang. Mi a walk down one corridor wid a lady when mi see him and him look up and see me too. When him a pass mi im push di lady out a di way an thump mi inna di side a mi head. Wi deh deh a tussle fi a while until my manager see wah a gwaan an come a try get him offa me." He continued, "When him finally get him off, him draw one long knife and start run mi dung. Mi anuh steel man or nutten suh same time mi run off. Mi see one fire extinguisher pon di wall an a try tek it off fi defend miself and im cut offa mi and buss up di whole a mi finga. Im cut offa mi agen and mi affi kick im off mi fi get weh."

When contacted, Bennett said there was no truth to any of the accusations. "Mi nuh send no threat to Chedda no time. Mi and Andrew do everything fi Chedda. Mi nuh have no reason fi waan follow up Chedda."

He gave his account of the fight saying, "Mi see Chedda a walk down the hallway and when him see mi him middle the hallway so mi woulda haffi nudge him when mi a pass. Suh when dat happen now, same time mi grab him and a likkle tussle start. Him fren dem did deh round di corner and dem run come. Dem neva did a try part di fight, dem a tump afta me, but end up all a tump up Chedda too. Mi have mi knife pon mi an neva draw it, a when dem bring mi inna one room and pop off mi chain an fling it pon mi, mi back mi knife an dem run, him a try tek off the extinguisher an cut him hand an tell everybody seh mi stab him an cut him."

Bennett, known for his production work on the single, Fresh To Death, said that a meeting is being set up between himself, Chedda and Chedda's manager to quell the differences between the two.

The threats and attack Chedda said were reported to the Half-Way Tree and Cross Roads police stations, respectively.