First Lisa Hype, then Gaza Kim, now Black Rhyno is the latest to break ties with the Portmore Empire.
According to Jamaica Observer online:
Deejay Black Rhyno, yesterday confirmed reports that he has severed ties with the Vybz Kartel-led Portmore Empire.
"I just want to make it known that I am no longer a member of the Empire," Rhyno told the Observer during a telephone interview.
The deejay, whose real name is Romane Anderson, is most known for his track Bike Back on Russian's Strip Club Riddim, and is said to be one of the Empire's biggest money makers, outside of the self-proclaimed Gaza president, Kartel.
However, Rhyno has dismissed reports that his split with the Empire has anything to do with money.
"I know it has been said that there has been some money issues with me and the Empire, but I want to state clearly that it has absolutely nothing to do with money," the deejay said.
On Monday, the Gaza machinery, in reacting to reports that both Black Rhyno and the Empire's other rising star Jahvinci had left the crew, denied that anything was amiss.
According to a spokesman, Rhyno and Jahvinci were happy with their arrangements. "They are happy, their parents are happy and those around them are also happy, and they say the funds are rolling in as required," the spokesman said.
When contacted, Vybz Kar tel's publicist said a statement would be released soon. Source
Since Gaza Kim's ignominous exit from the Portmore Empire, Gaza fans have been wondering about her replacement, Vanessa Bling a.k.a Gaza Slim. The singer has already recorded three songs since joining with the Empire late last week. She has a solo song called Mean Man, ahard-hitting collaboration called Bedroom Bathroom with Sheba, and a highly touted combination with Vybz Kartel himself called 'When You Touch Me'. Born Vawnessa Faddler, the 18 year-old grew up in the Lawrence Tavern community in St. Andrew. She attended Oberlin High where she concentrated on business-oriented subjects before graduating in 2008. While growing up, she attended the Grant Hill Pentecostal church in Lawrence Tavern where she participated in the church choir. She was also active in the high school choir, and once she left high school, she decided that she wanted to be a professional singer. Interestingly, she recorded her first song, Only God Knows with the controversial comedic tag team of Twins of Twins two years ago. And now that she has joined the hottest crew in dancehall today, the Portmore Empire, her stocks are on the rise. Asked how her parents felt about her joining the Empire, she responded: "Well, they're proud of me, they feel I have the potential to make it." She doesn't seem ruffled by the controversies that have rocked the Empire in recent weeks. "I am here to do my thing to the best of my ability and to hopefully learn and improve and become a better singer," she said. Asked what she could bring to the Portmore Empire, she laughed and remarked: "Well, I can write my own songs and I have my own unique flavour, the world will soon see that." Vybz Kartel christened her Gaza Slim because of her thin waist line, and petite bone structure. "I like the name very much. The first time I heard it, I laughed, then it just kind of grew on me...I always smile when I hear it called."
Since the beating incident at Big Yard, allegedly on advice fom Vybz Kartel for her snitching ways, Kim "Gaza Kim" Hamilton, parted ways with the group, but Empire head Vybz Kartel advised that she was under contract and moneys had been invested in the 18-year old singer.
According to statement from her camp:
Over the last eight to nine months (8-9 months) my career was managed by Adidjahiem Records. The Management Contract has been terminated and I’m now pursuing independently my career. I’m now focusing on driving my career and past events in my life have only made me stronger and more driven to achieving success. I would like wish my former Management Team all the very best in their endeavors.
Good lukc girl. I still can't believe she's that youg...
According to a statement issued by Vybez kartel, it seems that the Empire does not want to lose on its investment in Kim Hamilton AKA Gaza Kim now KYM
It Reads:
The Portmore Empire invested a substantial amount of money in the career of singer Kim Hamilton--filming music videos, printing promotional posters and clocking several hours in the studio honing her talent. We're disappointed that she felt the need to issue a press release to the media announcing her departure from the record label, Adidjaheim Records, without first notifying the company. This is particularly disturbing given the fact that she is still under contract and the record company has fulfilled its end of the agreement.
Gaza Kim is also speaking about the incident. Listen HERE to her interview with Nikki Z as she talks about what happened and who was involved when she got beaten.
Wow....two down, one more to go. Gaza Indu, after what happen to Lisa Hype (now Lisa Hyper) and Gaza Kim (now Kym), I say watch your back girl. Gaza Kim is officially out of Portmore Empire after she was beaten outside Big Yard studios. Fingers have been pointing to Vybz Kartel and members of the Empire as being responsible for the attack, allegations they strongly deny. Gaza Kim became part of the empire last year at age 17. She is known for her popular song with Vybz Kartel "Teenage Pregnancy."
Gaza Kim and Vybz Kartel in a poster for their song "Teenage Pregnancy"
From Jamaica Star:
Several members of the Portmore Empire have been quick to deny being beaten, as well as any involvement or knowledge of any beating that have taken place in the crew.
As news of an assault on teenage singer and member of the Portmore Empire, Gaza Kim at 'Big Yard', off Mannings Hill Road, spread in the media yesterday, other members of the Portmore Empire have since contacted THE STAR to proclaim their innocence.
Rumours have been circulating that other members of the Empire were being beaten on a regular basis and another artiste was rumoured to have been beaten over the weekend when they defended Gaza Kim.
verbal altercation
According to reports in Tuesday's STAR, Gaza Kim was at Big Yard when she and a group of men got into a verbal altercation. THE STAR source claimed that Vybz Kartel arrived on the scene and the men were instructed to beat her. A statement from Kartel, however, denied his involvement in the incident and condemned violence against females and children. A statement from Gaza Kim confirmed that she had been assaulted over the weekend and sought medical attention, details as to what happened, however, were omitted. According to the release, Gaza Kim says she will be taking legal action against her attackers.
Gaza Indu, known for songs such as Virginity alongside Vybz Kartel, was one of the first to call. Indu made it clear that she has never been beaten, nor was she present at the time that Gaza Kim was beaten. Indu said that she was calling all media contacts so as to clear her name. One of the latest females added to the Gaza crew, Sheba, also contacted THE STAR. Like Indu, Sheba stated that she was not present at 'Big Yard' over the weekend and did not appreciate that her name was being called up by the media and in rumours concerning any assault.
Two of the leading male artistes from the Empire, Blak Ryno and Jah Vinci also made contact with THE STAR yesterday. Persistent rumours of being beaten have circulated around both figures. When asked about these rumours Ryno replied, "a lot of things have been said about di Gaza that aren't true. We cannot control what is being said in the media ... I am sure about myself and I have never witnessed any one being beaten on di Gaza."
As for singer Jah Vinci persons have questioned whether he is still a member of the Portmore Empire, after rumours have spread that he no longer hangs with the popular crew. Jah Vinci however, denied these rumours saying, "Gaza fi life." Source
According to Jamaica Observer online:
