Protoje's JA video could not have come at a better time...

Right now Jamaica is experiencing some difficult and violent times. Although most of the recent violence has been in Kingston, it affects all of Jamaica. I think Protoje's song "JA" is rather timely as it talks of the strength of the Jamaican people. Jamaica gets a bad rap when it comes to violence, but it is still a beautiful country with some warm people. Let's just pray that this recent bout of violence concerning the Dudus matter ends real soon.



Meantime....enjoy the song

20 Questions: Protoje Interview (Stars On The Rise Feature)

Aight ya'll we are jumping right back into the music industry with our next interview. As much as he is not looking for a "buss" Protoje has definitely crossed the barrier between unknown artist and radio and TV favorite. His songs "Arguments" and "Dread" have been featured on ZiP and Fame FM as well as RETV, Hype TV and TV J. Despite having famous parents and a famous cousin in Donovan "Don Corleone" Bennett, Oje still did it on his own and earned his stripes. Read on to see what he says about his road to success.




1. What does success mean to you?
Success to me is getting closer to your goals every day. I deh pon my music so success is getting closer to having the album complete or closer to being on tour. I don’t really wait for something to happen to say I’m successful. I try to make something successful happen everyday.


2. What do you want to achieve in your field?
I want to be able to travel the world and perform music. That’s been my goal ever since- to be on stage performing and interacting with people.


3. What is the greatest sacrifice you have made so far in your career?
That’s a good question. Umm, the greatest sacrifice I’ve made in my career has been a huge personal sacrifice. I had to give up A LOT to stay in Jamaica and do my music. To do something you really want to chances are you have to make a sacrifice. I’ve always had to give up opportunities for music, although fortunately I had the chance to do other things it wasn’t like a music or bust type a ting. Music is the only ting that make me feel alive that way.


4. Though you already have a loyal following, do you ever fear that you won’t make it big?
No, not at all because as I say, it just depends on what you call making it. So, even me saying I want to travel and do music, I travel from Kingston to Negril to go do a show or whatever it is. I don’t really fear not making it at the end of the day I’m living my dream of making my music, it’s just how people react.


5. What makes you stand out in your field?
Just being me, naturally. I try to really focus on just speaking my mind and what my truth is and how I feel about stuff. That has to make it authentic because no one is me. My music is consistent with me as an individual; so naturally it’s going to have some originality. I try not to focus on what other people are doing and just stay true to my roots. I am from St. Elizabeth, Santa Cruz Jamaica my experiences are going to be different from people from other places, but I stay true to who I am and I guess the difference just comes out in the music.


6. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and who was it from?
I really can’t tell you who it’s from, I cyan remember. It’s just one of dem tings I just remember picking up a piece of information but it’s something I always go by and that is always working on my craft and not concentrating on end results. The music is the only true ting you have so when you focus on things like making it and stuff like that, that’s not where the focus should be it should be on the craft and doing what you can do for the music because it is all about the music.


7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to make it in your field?
Work on your craft. Get better everyday at what it is you do. If you get better everyday that’s 365 times. Can you imagine improving over three hundred times in one year??? Just work on your discipline and you will see the dividends right away. After one week you’ll be like woaw!!

Read more about Protoje HERE and see his answers to our 20 Questions.

New Music: Protoje-"Dread" (Official Video)

Protoje's new video for his single, “Dread” premiered earlier tonight on Entertainment Report on Television Jamaica (TVJ).It's directed by Leann "DreamSeeker" Ollivierre.




Look out for Protoje's 20 Questions Stars on the Rise Feature coming real soon to the site!

Click HERE to view the video!

WOMANBITION 2010 word, power, sound-mission accomplished!

Today, Monday May 8th is International Women's Day and for some enthused and generous patrons in the courtyard of Star Apples Restaurant in Kingston Jamaica it could not have started on a more positive note. They were attending WOMANBITION: Word, Sound Power-It’s a Mission”, a concert organized by influential women in Jamaican entertainment with proceeds going to two well-deserved charities. As guests mingled, sat in the yard sampling the delicious fare from Star Apple or sauntered over to the bar, they were kept entertained by Tricia Spence AKA ZJ Sparks (Naw wah, I mean--lol) of Zip FM.

Tricia "ZJ Sparks" Spence

Ayeola and Nelly Stharre

The night’s event was for a serious cause and Ms. Enid Courtney took the stage to speak about the contributions that the U.N.I.A nurses Corp has been making throughout communities on the island such as performing routine blood pressure checks; and offering alternative forms of medicine such as yoga and reflexology. “The wealth of a nation depends on the health of a nation,” said Ms. Courtney. Sentiments echoed by the capacity crowd. Ms. Nadia Williams of Mary’s Child took the stand to speak about the pregnant girls that are under her stewardship. At the Kingston location, there are 8 babies with 4 on the way, while in Montego Bay there are 2 with 4 on the way as well. The girls at the facilities range in age from 12-18 and are victims of rape, incest and or carnal abuse. The girls learn skills in the various centers at the facility: IT, cosmetology, home economics and sewing.

Jessica Yap and Etana

The first performance I saw was Jessica Yap who played “Don’t Worry” by Bob Marley and “Wrong Address” by Etana. The songstress, popularly known as “The Strong One’ was visibly moved and shared her sentiments with Jessica. After that instrumental performance came some of Jamaica’s top female vocalists, who shared stories of strength and inspiration with the crowd, with special focus on the girls from Mary’s House. Mary Isaacs performed “Don't Stay Away” by the Skatalites while serenading a very bashful guest on stage. For her encore performance she gave the crowd a taste of Bob Marley's "Nice Time". Keteis Ayunde started off with Miriam Makeba's "Pata Pata" her second song "In The Name of Life" was dedicated to the memory of her nephew who died from Leukemia. A moment of silence was observed in honor of the life of Ras Junior Manning, Chairman of the Ethio-African Diaspora Millennium Union Council, who passed earlier in the day.

Alaine

The multi-talented, host, TV personality and entrepreneur Empress performed some original renditions. She has the most beautiful skin-flawless! Alaine started off her set with “Rise In Love”she also advised the young ladies to get their education as that is something that can never be taken away. She also sang ”Deeper”and an acapella rendition of "The Lords’ Prayer" before closing with "No Ordinary Love”.

Perched on a chair with guitar in hand, Etana sang "Wrong Address" and wow does the crowd love her, they were singing word for word. "Roots" and ”I am Not Afraid” were well received as well. She got the enthusiastic crowd to repeat: ”independent,” “powerful,” ”mi love miself," "real wit it”-definitly capitalizing on the evening's theme. But the most poignant moment of the evening came when she sang her latest song "Free." Etana became so overcome with emotion, she had to turn her back to the crowd. For a moment she could not speak. She eventually told the encouraging crowd that she touched one of the girls and felt nothing-that she was empty. Speaking to the young girls from Mary’s House, Etana said that she wished she could give them her strength, but she gives them her music, her prayers. She said her tears were falling into the earth, going to place that are untouchable. She encouraged these children to believe in their prayers and that the Most High loves them "Just the same.” She told them that everything in Earth is theirs "You no have to sell your soul, sell your heart, sleep wit no body, beat nobody. You going to get it. Some don’t know what to do with it and they think they are better than others. Never you do it. God will take it away. Bad mindedness will bring you into the earth, Mother earth will swallow you. She cited the recent earthquakes around the earth and the unusually cold weather as signs from mother earth. "Everything is possible if you believe it." She finished her song.

When she got on stage Tanya Stephens stated that “Etana take way mi legs dem” referring to the preceding performance. “Mek Dem Talk" was her first song. She also sang a song written for people with HIV called “I’m Still Alive” and implored persons to work together to solve the problem from wherever they were. Now Tanya is known for some tongue-in-cheek lyrics and I think she effortlessly lightened the mood. With songs like “Home Alone (What Would You Do) she said you might have to promise a man bun if he's not attentive to your needs. Like children, if something doesn't work one has to try new methods, don't? Well ladies Tanya says in same way "Your manh ah yuh child so you have fi raise him, right." LOL . She sang favorites like "These Streets" and "It's A Pity" accompanied by the receptive crowd. I love how Tanya Stephens can say things that are so unconventional with a sweet smile and we just cyaan mad at her for that. Like when she jokingly stated how selfish it is of the woman who "finds one good man in a 100 mile radius and doh waan fi share: You wretch!" Oh Tanya how we love you, and your take on relationships.

Gotta give props to D'Angel who interacted with the girls from Mary's home who walked her onto the stage, and even did some impromptu dancing to her song "Blaze." Lady G wrapped up the night's performances with "Breeze Off" and "Nuff Respect"

Earlier performances came from Jah 9, Kai Wakling, Sharon Tucker, Sajoya, Nelly Stharre, and poet Natural Cherry

Though they did not take the stage other female entertainers and personalities such as Una Morgan, Barbee, Kim-Marie Spence and Dr. Carolyn Cooper were present and accounted for. And the men lent their support as well. Photographer Alty Benjamin Jr, singer Protoje, and Charles Campbell Chairman of Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA)-who visited to the stage on more than one occasion to drop money, were observed enjoying the performances.

Alty Benjamin Jr. and Kim-Marie Spence

I was definitely pleased that I attended this very worthwhile event. Kudos to the organisers Denise "Isis" Miller (who was the night's MC), Keteis, Nadia Stanley, Empress and Nelly Stharre. All artists performed free of charge. ZJ Sparks and ZJ Elektra as well as the all female security lent their services for free as well.

Sponsors for the event included: Calabash Heights International, Nature's Eyes, Rassis International, Pleasuremakers Sound & Equipment, Livity Veggie Meals, Stanley and empress Boutique, Star Apple Restaurant, Simiyah House, Mekyah Water, King Alarm, SecurePro Security and Sling Shot Productions (lighting)

Enjoy the clip of the performances and scenes!




2010 International Women's Day theme is "Equal rights equal opportunity progress for all". For more information click HERE!