Black Am I
Oakland,
CA—TourNentertainment is proud to announce the I
& I U.S. Tour 2014,
featuring two of Jamaica’s hottest roots/reggae performers,
acclaimed reggae/dancehall singer I
Wayne and
Ghetto Youths International protégée Black
Am I. The
two fiery Rastafarian performers represent the past, present and
future of reggae music.
The I
& I U.S. Tour 2014 kicks
off in southern California on Oct. 22 and wraps up in Tampa, FL, on
Nov. 30.
I Wayne
I
WAYNE BIO
I
Wayne is a
DJ’s dream. His VP Records produced hits, “Can’t Satisfy Her”
“Living in Love” and “Lava Ground” have moved the masses with
intoxicating beats and militant lyrics while inspiring love and
romance in the dancehall. Throughout his career, I Wayne has
demonstrated the ability to touch people at large scale music
festivals as well as intimate night spots.
Born
Cliffroy Taylor in Portmore, JA, I Wayne was raised by his aunt and
her husband, legendary keyboardist Ansell Collins, known for his work
with Jimmy Cliff and other artists.
I Wayne
remembers singing along while Collins played the keyboards. According
to the singer, his moniker, I
Wayne,
derived from his childhood nickname, Dwayne, given to him by his
parents.
In
Rastafarian culture, I & I represents the oneness between the
human and the divine.
I
Wayne is also known for his expansive vocal range, which can soar
from low tenor to falsetto.
“I
would classify myself as a chanter, a singer and a singjay,” said I
Wayne. “I
don’t limit myself. Sometimes, I blend the three styles on one
riddim to create a new sound. I can blend reggae with R&B.”
With
his chart topping, soul-infused dancehall anthem, “Can’t Satisfy
Her,” I
Wayne
brought to light the rampant sexual exploitation of women in Jamaica.
Partially based on news reports and actual events that took place in
his community, “Can’t Satisfy Her” tells the tragic tale of a
young woman who went into prostitution to escape poverty and lack of
opportunity.
As
a photogenic artist with a huge female fan base, I
Wayne does
not consider himself a reggae sex symbol per se. But he feels that
it important to create a balance between being hard core and sensual
in his music.
“With
females, you know, you have to put some of the harsh vibes aside and
deal with it calm,” said I
Wayne. “You
haffi move like the lava.”
According
to I Wayne, his hit politically charged hit, “Lava Ground” is a
metaphor for the power of nature and the Most High, and warns people
against committing injustice.
“I’m
just reminding people that the lava; it’s nature; it’s more
powerful than the gun and the knife,” said I-Wayne.
I
Wayne glorifies the regenerative power of volcano, which can cause
mass destruction when spewing fire, but is also a fertile ground for
vegetation; lava rocks can also be turned into beautiful glass and
gems.
On
the I & I
U.S. Tour 2014, I
Wayne is
looking forward to going back on the road, sharing his energy with
his fans and generating new ideas.
Black Am I
BLACK
AM I BIO
Rising
star Black Am
I is a
protégée of Damian Marley and Ghetto Youths International. In the
summer of 2014, Black
Am I
performed as one of the opening acts for Damian Marley, performing at
large scale music events such as the California Roots Music and Arts
Festival in Monterey, CA.
Along
with embarking on the I
& I U.S. Tour 2014, Black Am I
will perform with Shaggy, Etana, Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis,
Tarrus Riley and other reggae greats on the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae
Cruise, hosted by Damian Marley, from Oct. 20-25.
Black
Am I was
born Owen Davis on Nov. 17, 1984 in Nine Miles, JA, the birthplace of
reggae icon Bob Marley. In honor of Robert Nesta Marley, Black
Am I
received the nickname I-Nesta from his father. He began writing
lyrics at age 16 and recorded his first demo CD in 2005. He derived
his moniker from his song “Black Am I” the first track he
recorded for Ghetto Youths International. The song promotes black
pride, solidarity and self-determination.
“The
song says that I am black and I won’t be doing certain things like
bleaching my skin; and I will stick to my roots and culture,” said
Black Am I.
Other
notable tracks by Black Am I include “Modern Day Freedom,” and
“Sound System.”
Vocally,
Black Am I
considers himself a singjay; his influences include, naturally, Bob
Marley as well as fiery roots reggae artists such as Damian Marley,
Tarrus Riley Sizzla Kolonji, Jah Mason and Jah Cure.
“I’ve
always wanted to do music could inspire people and could have the
kind of impact that Bob Marley’s music has,” said Black
Am I. “My
message to the youth is to take life serious, and make sure that you
know that education is the key. Do what you love and love what you
do, and do it to the best of your ability.”
ABOUT
TOURNENTERTAINMENT
TourNentertainment,
a “meeting place for artists, bands and promoters,” was founded
by Albert
“Pretty” Cooke,
Tressa Wells and Alreca Smith.
Cooke,
an AR agent, also works as tour manager for P. Diddy, Stephen and
Damian Marley, Michael Franti and Spearhead and others.
“The
first part of our name says it all-TOUR,” said Cooke.
“We book tours. We are focused on cutting wasteful spending, from
which neither the artists or the promoters benefit. By being on tour,
bands are more accessible. More people hear and see them perform.
They have opportunity to sell their records and other merchandise
that brings in additional income and keep promotion. Promoters are
encouraged to stay in the business of bringing good music to the
masses while the bands and artists have the opportunity to deliver
their music and other wares. We
are the meeting point between the point of origin of music and the
point of consumption; our mission is to satisfy the souls and soothe
the savage beasts of music lovers and promoters.”
I
WAYNE/BLACK AM I TOUR CONFIRMED DATES AND VENUES
|
WORLDBEAT
CULTURE CENTER |
SAN
DIEGO, CA |
22-Oct |
www.worldbeatcenter.org |
|
NEW
PARISH |
OAKLAND,
CA |
23-Oct |
www.thenewparish.com |
|
MOE'S
ALLEY |
SANTA
CRUZ, CA |
25-Oct |
www.moesalley.com |
|
ZODIAC |
PETALUMA,
CA |
26-Oct |
www.zodiacspetaluma.com |
|
MATEEL
CENTER |
REDWAY,
CA |
27-Oct |
www.mateel.org |
|
NECTOR
LOUNGE |
SEATTLE,
WA
|
28-Oct |
www.nectarlounge.com |
|
JAZZ
BONES |
TACOMA,
WA |
29-Oct |
www.jazzbones.com |
|
HAWTHORNE
THEATER |
PORTLAND,
OR |
30-Oct |
www.hawthornetheater.com |
|
FOX
THEATER |
BOULDER,
CO |
2-Nov |
www.foxtheatre.com |
|
BLUEBIRD |
DENVER,
CO |
3-Nov |
www.bluebirdtheater.net |
|
BELLY
UP |
ASPEN,
CO |
4-Nov |
www.bellyupaspen.com |
|
THE
STATE ROOM |
SALT
LAKE CITY, UT |
6-Nov |
www.thestateroom.com |
|
BOTTLENECK |
LAWRENCE,
KS |
8-Nov |
www.thebottlenecklive.com |
|
JUANITAS |
LITTLE
ROCK, AR |
9-Nov |
www.juanitas.com |
|
RECORD
BAR |
KANSAS
CITY, MO |
12-Nov |
www.therecordbar.com |
|
POOR
DAVID'S |
DALLAS,
TX |
14-Nov |
www.poordavidspub.com |
|
CANTINA |
AUSTIN,
TX |
15-Nov |
www.flamingocantina.com |
|
CLUB
47 |
HUNTSVILLE,
AL |
16-Nov |
www.clubforty7.com
|
|
MOJOES |
JOLIET,
IL |
17-Nov |
www.mojoesofjoliet.com |
|
THE
POUR HOUSE |
RALEIGH,
NC |
18-Nov |
www.thepourhousemusichall.com |
|
CANAL
CLUB |
RICHMOND,
VA |
19-Nov |
www.thecanalclub.com |
|
WILD
HARE |
CHICAGO,
IL |
20-Nov |
www.wildharemusic.com |
|
ALBANY
MANOR |
BROOKLYN,
NY |
21-Nov |
www.clubplanet.com |
|
BB
KINGS |
NEW
YORK, NY |
23-Nov |
www.bbkingblues.com |
|
CLUB
FETE |
PROVIDENCE,
RI |
26-Nov |
www.fetemusic.com |
|
REVOLUTION |
FT.
LAUDERDALE, FL |
28-Nov |
www.jointherevolution.net |
|
FREEBIRD |
JACKSONVILLE,
FL |
29-Nov |
www.freebirdlive.com
|
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