Big Splif's 4:20 Reggae: courier service san jose

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Sunday, February 21, 2010

Jah bukie

Jah bukie Courtney Anthony Stewart, a.k.a. Jah bukie, is an emerging Jamaican singer, songwriter and producer. Jah bukie’s style of music is Positive roots reggae as he was truly influenced by the great legendary Wailers (Bob Marley’s band) and a diverse variety of the great reggae performers and their uplifting music of the ‘80s. Born on April 4, 1977, Jah bukie grew up in the communities of Stokes Hall, Saint Thomas and Kingston, Jamaica. With the intention to contribute nothing but good music to the people, in 2007 he started his own record label, First Born Productions, which he currently renamed as “[Urban Boyz Productions]”. In 2008, the first evocative single “Evil Out There” introduced his talent to the current Jamaican music scene, followed by two explosive tracks: “Coke and the Guns” and the socially concious “Scrap Metal”. Inspired by his respect and appreciation of the music he shares with the world stage, Jah bukie also uses the positive message of Urban Boyz to recruit other young talents. Check out his production of the romantic song “My Love” by his cousin and label mate “Tadius” (Nicholas Stewart). The determination to pursue his musical dream was forged early on Jah bukie’s life beginning in childhood and on through his early school years. By 1995 Jah bukie’s choice to move forward encouraged his ambition to find a way to succeed. It was not an easy road to travel, but in 2002, he got the opportunity to visit England which opened doors to his first studio work. In 2004 Jah bukie made his first demo at DJ Publo studio in south London. Despite continued difficult times for the Music, his aspirations to break into the industry endured and Jah bukie’s persistence sustained his spirit. Surviving bad times from the past, his journeys brought him home to Jamaica to fulfill his musical promise and the single, “Evil Out There” was released in early 2008. Today, the youthful dreams of his music have become a reality and he is working on the growth of [Urban Boyz Productions’], promotions and distribution. The hard- won proof that he will not allow anything to prevent him from succeeding flows through the positive message he brings in his songs. A thought-provoking songwriter, Jah bukie daily prayers to Jah seek assurance that the people will hear him singing and the people will unite as One. He hopes his Music brings high respect from his listeners and reflects his appreciation for those who set him on the path of this Music…This music he has come to love so very much…This music shall live forever… He sings the Truth. This is Jah bukie! - Wake the Town

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Mr. Yagga Yo ‘Knows Jah’

Mr. Yagga Yo ‘Knows Jah’

Fresh off the release of his debut sleeper single, ‘Warning’, Mr. Yagga Yo, the newest Reggae-Dancehall artist to The Bahamas declares his knowledge of Jah. The mid-tempo single, ‘I Know Jah’ is a nod to the existence of a higher power and His role as a comforter, protector and friend. While the world of Reggae Dancehall is filled with superficial themes, ‘I Know Jah’ is a refreshing reminder that without spirituality life can be unfulfilling. Each individual culture has its forms of prayer and meditation which assists with coping with the daunting challenges of life. ‘I Know Jah’ is Mr. Yagga Yo’s appreciation of this fact.

In ‘I Know Jah’, Mr. Yagga Yo features conscious Reggae artist Peter Runks who is no stranger to music of a spiritual nature having released Slave Driver, and Bless the Place although his rise to popularity was spurred by ‘Badness Outta Style’.

The single was co-produced by The Bahamas’ first Reggae Record Label, BuffBoo Records, The Clones and music powerhouse O2 Records.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Toots and the Maytals

Cover via Amazon

Toots and the Maytals are a Jamaican vocal group formed in the early 1960's who literally tuned-in the music world to the reggae, ska and rock steady genres. They're even credited with coining the word "reggae" from their 1968 single "Do the Reggay".

They're also known for their strong, blended vocals and un-rivaled passion, led always by front man Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, who's soulful style has been compared by many to Otis Reddings'.

Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt calls this reggae pioneer "one of the most powerful and original soul singers ever", and Toots is ranked 71st on 'Rolling Stone Magazine's' list of Top-100 greatest singers of all time!

Toots is the youngest of seven children, born in May Pen, Clarendon, Jaimaca in 1945...where he grew up singing gospel music in the church choir until 1958. Four years later he moved to Kingston, where Toots met Henry "Raleigh" Gordon and Nathaniel "Jerry" McCarthy and formed the Maytals.

Backed by producer Clement Dodd and 'Studio One Records', the Maytals' close,harmony gospel-style rivaled Dodd's other rising vocal band 'The Wailers'. Two years later the Maytals recorded with 'Prince Buster' and then 'Byron Lee in 1966, when they released the hit "Bam Bam"...which won the most popular song competition at the Jamaican Independant Festival.

A few months later Toots was arrested for Marijuana possession and jailed for 18-months, although he claims it was due to him bailing-out the wrong friend....who skipped town. During his time inside Toots wrote perhaps his greatest song, "54-46 That's My Number", depicting his ordeal behind bars.

After being released Toots hired producer Leslie Kong, and over the next five years the group put out hits like "Do the Reggay", "Pressure Drop", "Monkey Man", "Sweet and Dandy" and "Pomps and Pride"....which made them international stars.

They were also featured in the 1972 movie soundtrack "The Harder They Come", which 'Vanity Fair' named to its top-ten soundtracks of all time.

After more success with albums 'Funky Kingston' and 'Reggae Got Soul', The Maytals opened for 'The Who' on a 1975-76 North American Tour, which did not go over well. This led to the group's 10-year break up. In 1992, Toots and the Maytals re-formed and began recording and touring again.

But, it wasn't until 2005 that the album "True Love" won them the Grammy for best reggae album, featuring re-recorded old hits, and the accompaniment of 'Bonny Raitt', 'Willie Nelson', 'Eric Clapton', 'Keith Richards', 'Ben Harper', 'No Doubt', 'The Roots' and 'Shaggy'.

Toots and the Maytals filled the rest of the decade with other collaborative recordings and successful tours, including one last March with Amy Winehouse as part of their shared label tribute to 'Island Record's on its 50th anniversary. Winehouse was forced to cancel , but that left Toots and the Maytals well enough alone....where they continue playing to sell out crowds. To this day, they also still hold the record for number-one hits in Jamaica, with 31.

Thanks again,

PeteCam4

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Peter Tosh

Peter Tosh became one of Reggae's most flamboyant and colorful superstars while trailblazing through a two-staged life filled with volatility, controversy and violence. For the first 31-years he was Winston Hubert McIntosh born in the Kingston, Jamaica slum of Trenchtown in 1944.

There he learned to play guitar and sing at an early age, heavily inspired by American radio and a vocalist teacher named Joe Higgs. In the early 1960's Higgs introduced Tosh (nicknamed 'Steppin Razor') to Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer.

The trio instantly began perfecting their musical sound by playing on the street corners of Trenchtown, however, it was Higgs who polished their magic by teaching them to harmonize...and introducing Marley to the guitar.

In 1962 Higgs influenced Tosh, Marley, Wailer and newcomer Junior Braithwaite to form the band "The Wailing Wailers", where they released 'Simmer Down'...the first of many hit singles over the next three years.

But, in 1965 the band broke apart with Marley moving back to the United States to work at a Chrysler factory near his mother's house in Delaware. Tosh and Wailer continued together musically, but also took on a fanatical, spiritual involvement with the Judo-Christian religious movement called Rastafari.

Marley returned to Jamaica two years later with a renewed interest both in music, and in Tosh and Wailer's spiritualized Rastafari movement. Together they re-named the group 'The Wailers' after the word "wail"...which means to mourn or express one's feelings vocally.

Upon slowing their dance tempo style down to a rock-steady pace, the Wailers infused their lyrics with social and political messages, from which arose such mega-reggae hits as 'Soul Rebel', 'Duppy Conqueror' and 'Small Axe'.

By the early 1970's the Wailers had become Caribbean superstars, eventually signing an album deal with Island Records in 1973 to produce and release LP's 'Catch a Fire', and "Burnin". Later that year Tosh's career took to a new stage going solo, and his life would also take a drastic turn.

While driving home with his girlfriend,Tosh's car was hit head-on by another auto traveling on the wrong side of the road. The accident killed his girl friend and severly fractured Tosh's skull. He survived, but was never the same in tolerance or mood.

In 1976 he released his solo debut album "Legalize it" on a new label CBS records....the title track becoming an anthem for supporters of legalized marijuana. Tosh became a willing militant target of the Jamaican Police who would often beat him up. Tosh proudly displayed his scars to followers and fans during performances.

In 1978 Tosh signed on with Rolling Stones Records and released the album "Bush Doctor". A track from the album, a "Temptations" cover song called 'Don't Look Back' was performed as a duet with Mick Jagger, and quickly turned Tosh into one of reggae's best known artists.

Over the next ten years Tosh combined his songs with concert lectures on the legalization of marijuana, equal rights and opposition to South African apartheid. He tried to maintain success while keeping his militant views, but was only modestly successful compared to Marley's "One Love Message" achievements.

In 1984 Tosh went into self-imposed exile, seeking the spiritual advice of traditional medicine men in Africa! While there, he also tried to free himself from recording agreements which distributed his many successful records to apartheid-laiden South Africa.

A few years later Tosh began a career revival after being awarded a Grammy for Best Reggae Performance of "No Nuclear War". However, on September 11th, 1987, just after flying back to Jamaica....a three-man gang broke into his home and demanded money. The gang leader was actually a former friend who Tosh had tried to help find work following a long jail sentence.

Tosh told the gang he had no money in the house, while at the same time many of Tosh's friends were arriving there to welcome him home. This frustrated the robbers who, after several tense hours, put a gun to Tosh's head and shot him twice...killing him along with disc jockey and friend Jeff "Free" Dixon. Several of his friends were also shot and wounded as the gangsters fled.

The leader turned himself in and was tried, convicted and sentenced to death following an 11-minute jury deliberation....the shortest in Jamaican history! The two other men were never found, although rumors insist they were later gunned down,just as was the distinctive, prominent reggae sound of Peter Tosh--blown away from us before his time. May the songs and messages of "Steppin' Razor live on in reggae memory, forever!

PeteCam4

Monday, December 14, 2009

BEENIE MAN

BEENIE MAN

Beenie Man (aka Anthony Moses Davis) was born in the tough Waterhouse
district of Kingston Jamaica, on August 22, 1973. The first time I heard
of Beenie Man was in 2000, “Girls Dem Sugar“ featuring Mya was playing on
the radio, Beenie Man knew he wanted to become a DJ when he was a
toodler. By the time he was eight, he took first prize at the national
Teeny Talent contest, This led to a meeting with producer Junjo Lawes
who recorded Beenie’s debut single “Too Fancy.” By the time he was ten,
he was appearing with DJ heavyweights Dillinger and Fathead. Beenie’s
debut album The Invincible Beenie Man came out when he was 10 years old.
In 1984 Beenie Man’s career was put on hold while he finished school.
Beenie returned in the 1990s, he appeared at Reggae Sunsplash in 1992, he
felt he was ready for the big guns. Bounty Killer was Beenies first
target, because Bounty Killer stole his catch phrase “people dead,” and
the war was on. In 1993 at a national show celebrating the visit of Nelson
Mandela, he was booed off the stage, he left Kingston for almost a year.
Beenie returned a year later, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man reconciled and
split a album “Guns Out”. Beenie’s single “No Mama No Cry” a version of
Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry,” the song was inspired by the murder of
fellow DJ Pan Head. “No Mama No Cry” brought Beenie instant acclaim, this
single was the guiding light that turned Beenie toward his Rastafarianism.
In 1994 “Defend It” and “Dis Unu Fi Hear” were released, they were more
cultural raps and hardcore dance hall sound. Beenie was named DJ of the
Year Award in 1994, he released the Blessed album this album feature
dancehall smash “Slam”. Beenie Man hosted Sun Splash in Jamaica in 1998,
shortly after that he signed with Virgin Records in the U.S.. From this
union Beenie cracked out song after song “The Doctor” was a instant
dance hall classic. In 1999 Y2K was a album that mentioned the millennium
bug, AIDS and illiteracy. the hits just kept on coming. In the 2000
Beenie Man teamed up with artists Wyclef Jean, Fugees, Arturo Sandoval
and released Art & Life album which won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae
Album, In 2000 he co-produced with Wyclef the debut album by actor Steve
Seagal, He also worked with artist like Janet Jackson, the Neptunes, Lady
Saw and Lil’ Kim. “Back to Basics” album in 2004 was his return to
straight up dancehall. Beenie Man’s lyrics in some of his songs are
controversial, they incite the murder of homosexuals with lyrics such as
“I’m dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays”. In “Mi Nah
Wallah”, he says he would like to cut the throats of all gay men. In “Bad
Man Chi Chi Man” the lyrics instructs listeners to kill gay deejays, and
in “Han Up Deh”, the lyric suggest hanging Lesbians with a long piece of
rope. With his controversial lyrics banned from the MTV Video Music Awards
and the Big Day Out music festival in Auckland New Zealand. Beenie Man’s
songs he did with Mya “Girls Dem Suga”, Janet Jackson “Feel It Boy” and
“King of the Dancehall” are also a favorites of mine. Even though some of
his lyrics are controversial he is truly talented.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beenie_Man

LM

Monday, November 2, 2009

RAS D

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, RAS D began writing at a very early age and he has been a contributing talent for jingles used in Jamaican radio and TV advertising. He recalls music as being a part of everyday life in Jamaica; the air filled with the blast of reggae and dance hall coming from every direction. The sounds of music is everywhere and always in the air. It's a necessary food; as common as rice and peas. We must hear it everyday to sustain life in Jamaica. Song is used to express everything. From the time we are small children we learn old songs and make up new ones. Then we reach adulthood, we sing about what goes on with the people and the powers that govern them.

All original lyrics and music, RAS D prophetically delivers a message to America and to the world, promoting peace, love and health. The message is straight and forward; a mix of lyrics and music swirling with rhythm and harmony.

GIVE SOME LOVE TODAY ,' addresses social concerns of today from an anti-smoking message to a more serious reflection on 9/11. Songs include September 11 th ; Peace Call; Hail To The King; It's a dirty habit/ Cigarette Smoking; Love and Devotion to name a few. The CD also features performances by the talents of Andrew Tosh, Jr. Toots, Under-P, vocalist Regina Espinoza and the voice of Brendan Munroe, RAS D's youngest son.

The singer, songwriter's style can be described as a progression of reggae and dancehall rhythms, bridging R&B and POP music into a healthy bubbling roots soup;

It's good for the soul.

RAS D now resides in California and is available for interviews and bookings.

Email: daverasd@hotmail.com or call (510) 289-5418.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Daddy Yankee

Image via Wikipedia

Ramon Ayala, otherwise known as 'Daddy Yankee', is one of the many pioneers of the reggaeton genre who's boyhood dream was actually baseball! But, in his early teens he suffered a serious leg wound after being shot with a AK-47 during a neighborhood gun battle. Suddenly, this Yankee's athletic career was over.

Fortunately, Ayala had a knack for singing and lyrical improvisation, having been musically influenced by his family as a child. Fortunately for the music world, he quickly took to the underground rap movement, which was becoming popular in his hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico...and by 1992 Daddy Yankee was playing in a new field of dreams.

Early on, Ayala imitated artists such as Vito C, DJ Nelson, and DJ Playero...who got Ayala his first recording gig in the production 'Playero 37'. At the age of 18 Ayala cut his first album 'No Mercy' which didn't sell well, so he eventually formed a duo act with Nicky Jam. Their track 'Posicion' was featured in the movie sound track 'One Tough Cop', however Daddy Yankee quickly re-focused on a solo career.

His albums 'El Cartel' and 'El Cartel II' did well in Puerto Rico, but it was 2002's El Cangri.Com that really took off....in New York and Miami as well. This really helped his cross-over success with English speaking audiences.

Two years later Daddy Yankee hit a grand slam with the album 'Barrio Fina', which featured the smash hit 'Gasolina' and a special, salsa cross-genre single called 'Melao'...which he performed with Andy Montanez. 'Gasolina' was nominated for a Latin Grammy, and an MTV Video Music award, with other tracks on the LP combining reggaeton and other genre's aimed at attracting English speaking audiences.

This led to Ayala's first world tour which included South and Latin America, the United States, and Europe. Soon afterward Ayala received several international awards, making him one of the most recognized reggaeton artists in the industry.

In 2007 Ayala followed up with 'The Big Boss', which became the year's top selling latin album in all categories. It also marked Daddy Yankee's return to his hip hop roots, as opposed to total raggaeton. Later that year, Ayala was named one of the 100 most influential people by Time Magazine.

In 2008 Ayala made a guest appearance on an album titled 'Caribbean Connection, that also featured artists 'Wisen and Yandel', 'Don Omar', 'Hector Delgado', and Jamaican groups 'Inner Circle', Elephant Man', 'Bounty Killer', and 'Wayne Wonder'.

Then, early this year he performed at Chile's famous Vina Del Mar International Song Festival, where he took home numerous awards. Ayala also won the prestigious 'Spirit of Hope' honorary award at the Latin Billboard Music Awards.

Off stage, Ayala signed a mega-endorsement with Pepsi, and is the first Latin artist to sign a deal with Reebok. He also endorsed John McCain's candidacy for U.S. President, and has worked in the film industry...both as an actor and producer.

Daddy Yankee also co-owns 'El Cartel' Records, has created a charity for troubled youths in Puerto Rico, and owns part of the Caguas Creoles Pro Basketball team. Finally, his guarded personal life does include a 15-year marriage to his wife Mireddys and three young children... who keep Their Daddy Yankee grounded and at home whenever possible!

Thanks, and keep listening!.

PeteCam4

"Best Wishes"--PTCJr

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

BOB MARLEY

BOB MARLEY

I was introduced to Bob Marley in 1985 by my brother. Every time we got together Bob Marley was played. “I Shot the Sheriff”, “No Woman No Cry”, “Could You Be Love”, “Stir it Up”, “Jamming”, “Redemption Song”, and “One
Love” were Bob Marley’s best know hits. Bob Marley is still the most widely known and revered performer in reggae music, he was known for spreading Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement. Bob Marley played “Get Up, Stand Up” as the last song at every concert, and it was the last
song he ever sang. Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley lost his fight with cancer on May 11, 1981. In my opinion Bob Marley is the all time King of reggae music.