EURweb |
REGGAE UPDATES FROM JAMAICA: Hits from Matterhorn, Gyptian, Sean Paul and Cham hailed by Rolling Stone and Vibe magazines
*The prestigious urban music publication Vibe magazine, has recognized Tony Matterhorn’s Dutty Wine, Baby Cham’s Ghetto Story and Gyptian’s Serious Times among its Top 60 best songs of 2006. The accolades were revealed in the publication’s January 2007 issue.
Dutty Wine was listed at number sixty, while Serious Times finished at number 21. Ghetto Story ended up at number seven. Another Jamaican also figured in the Top 60 best songs of 2006. Junior Reid is featured on rapper the Game’s Its Okay (One Blood) which ends the year at number eight.
Iconic pop magazine Rolling Stones ranked Cham’s Ghetto Story at number 14 among its 100 Best Songs of 2006. The said of Ghetto Story, ‘This year’s ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ but darker, prettier, with descriptions of inner city struggle supposedly strong enough to keep it off the radio in Jamaica’.
Sean Paul’s Temperature ranked at number 81. ‘A sweaty sugar-shot hit anchored by the reggae-pop star’s zippiest beat yet’, the magazine said.
While the accolades for the songs are given by two of North America’s top music publications, its interesting to note that Gyptian’s Serious Times is the only song among the list that didn’t make strides on any of the major urban/pop charts in the US.
Commenting on the accolades from both publications, Cham enthusiastically said ‘It’s an honor to be recognized by these publications and it goes to show what hard work can deliver’. Asked what his best reflection of 2006 was, Cham said ‘Being recognized by these magazines’.
Sean Paul said the acknowledgement has given him the urge to start working on his forthcoming album. ‘It’s a good feeling and this has given me the motivation to start working on my next album’, said Sean Paul.
In 2006, Sean Paul, Tony Matterhorn, Busy Signal, Mavado, Beenie Man, Junior Reid and Cham registered hit singles on various mainstream charts in the US.
• Tarrus Riley on top with Parables
Singer Tarrus Riley, son of veteran reggae crooner Jimmy Riley, has had the number one selling album on the New York Reggae chart for the past seven weeks. His latest effort, the sophomore release Parables (VP Records), has been well-received by fans not only overseas but also in Jamaica.
Stay with You, a cover of the John Legend original which is featured on the album, is currently making moves on the charts. Another single charting for Riley is Beware which is riding both the New York and South Florida reggae charts.
• Hot Wuk gives Vegas his second number one song in 2006
Mr. Vegas is still reeling from a hectic and progressive year in his career. The singer, who topped the charts earlier this year with Do you Know, is back on top with his latest sizzler, Hot Wuk. The song also features a cameo from Opal and Hottaball.
Hot Wuk has been released on the In the Streetz label. It is the label’s first number one song in four years. It was in 2002 that the label hit the number one spot with Beenie Man’s Red Red Red and Capleton’s Lock Up.
Vegas recently wrapped a series of impressive performances over the holiday season.
• Anthony Cruz prepares for sophomore album
Singer Anthony Cruz was in high spirits when this writer caught up with him earlier this week. ‘I just did a stint on Sting with Buju Banton where we did our number one single Place Too Bloody. I also did GT Taylor Extravaganza show in St. Elizabeth. It was just crazy’, said Cruz.
Cruz is now working out with Donovan Germain’s Penthouse label. His sophomore more album is expected next summer. It is the follow up to Mama’s Blessing (Jet Star Records) which was released earlier this year.
Additionally, Cruz recently completed a new single titled Burn Dem Everyday which features Capleton. The song is on the Mixing Finger label. Another single Sexy Love (a cover of the Ne-Yo original) is reportedly doing well in some overseas reggae markets.
BITS AND PIECES
Shaggy and his Big Yard stable mate Christopher Martin recently gave a donation of gifts to patients at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. Joining Shaggy on the gift giving drive were Sean Paul and Baby Cham. Shaggy is making an appeal to fellow recording artistes to give to the needy.
Reflecting on the past year in his career, deejay Mr. Lexx said ‘It was good for me. I performed extensively and I got a lot of love from the radio’. As far as his New Year’s resolution, Lexx said ‘I want to be a better person that I was in 2006. I also want to be a better father to my children and I want to make mature music’.
Expect to see a new album from Lexx in 2007 on VP Records.
KC Jockey recently recorded the song Shake which features new R&B singer Santalina.
Wondering what Abijah has been up to lately? Well one of his most recent recordings, Heavy Load is featured on Sly and Robbie’s Grammy nominated Rhythm and Doubles compilation disc. Additionally, England-based Jetstar Records will be releasing Abijah’s sophomore album Never Lose Faith. The album contains 19 tracks produced by Phillip ‘Fattis’ Burrell for Exterminator Records.
Share and Bookmark |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
