Big Splif's 4:20 Reggae: courier oakland

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Saturday, April 3, 2010

Maxi Priest

Maxi Priest turns 40-years old in June, still relatively young for this revolutionary vocal artist, who's become one of the most successful reggae fusion acts of all time.

Max Alfred "Maxi" Priest is the youngest of nine children who's Jamaican parents moved the family to London, England to provide the children with more opportunities...and Maxie took full advantage.

He grew up listening to a combination of gospel, reggae, R an B, and pop music, which evolved into his unique, reggae fusion sound....a genre often closer to R an B and pop than to reggae itself!

Priest began his musical career in the early '80's singing on the South London reggae sound system called 'Saxon Studio International', out of which came some independent singles and few low-budget LP's. Then, lightening struck in 1988 with his first major album self-titled "Maxi Priest" which, along with its cover single...'Cat Stevens' "Wild World"--established Priest as one the UK's top reggae singers!

Eight more albums would follow over the next 20-years, my favorite being his second one in 1990 called 'Bonifide', which featured the hit "Close to You". I remember watching the video over and over and listening to smooth clarity of his voice to the words:"I just want to be close to you, and do all the things you want me to".

That song made him one of only two British reggae acts (along with 'UB40') to have an 'American Billboard' number one. Priest did it again in 1991, teaming with 'Roberta Flack' in "Set the Night to Music". Another duet with 'Shaggy' called "That Girl" was also an American hit in 1996, peaking at number 20.

The latter half of his career has seen Priest work alongside other artists, including 'Sly and Robbie', 'Apache Indian', 'Shabba Ranks', 'Jazzie B', 'Beres Hammond', and 'Lee Ritenour'. It was recently rumored that Priest was about to join 'UB40', and replace lead singer 'Ali Campbell' after Maxi helped them record a cover-version of 'Bob Marley's' "I Shot the Sheriff".

Priest did collaborate with 'UB40' on that track, and, on a successful tour....but the real story is 'Duncan Campbell'(Ali's brother) would become lead singer--while Priest would only appear with them on similar special recordings.

It is no surprise that much of Maxi Priest's musical influences come from his family. His uncle, 'Jacob Miller', a reggae icon, was frontman for the famous reggae group 'Inner Circle'. Meanwhile, his son, 'Ryan Elliott', was a member of the boy band 'Ultimate Kaos'.

It's been over three years since Priest's last album 'Refused', but let's hope another is on the way soon....because the music world still longs for more of his soothing, smooth-sounding, reggae-pop artistry.

You can listen to Maxi Priest on Streetwise Radio's "Big Splif's 4:20 Reggae Show" and "Streetwise Ultra Mix". Log on to www.Streetwisesd.com. and click Streetwise Radio.

Thanks,

PeteCam4

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

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