Best of the Best Continues

The Best of the Best International Music Festival (BOTB) continues to buzz with an explosive lineup showcasing the very best in urban entertainment, and this year the excitement grows as some of the hottest names in music are set the take the stage during Memorial Day weekend, on May 30 in Bicentennial Park in Miami, Florida. Music mogul Diddy is tapped as the official host of the concert event of the year, which also features DJ Khaled, Gucci Mane in his first major performance of the year, alongside blazing Caribbean acts including Serani, Gyptian and Machel Montano, plus many surprise guest stars and MORE ARTISTS TO BE ADDED IN THE COMING WEEKS.




BOTB ALWAYS DELIVERS

Now in its fourth year, show promoter JBJ Entertainment sets the bar for the ultimate showcase of urban music and each year they deliver. This edition is gearing up to be no different as none other than Diddy is set to host the show, with his surprise friends in tow, along with DJ Khaled and his stable of friends also for the ride. Last year's show boasted stunning appearances from Diddy, Flo Rida, Brisco and Ace Hood, and there is no way to predict which celebs will grace the stage come May.


"I'll be there promoting my new album Victory, a sizzling collaboration effort with my friends," declares superstar radio jock DJ Khaled. "I'm bringing all my friends with me to Best of the Best so make sure you don't miss what's sure to be the best concert this summer because as you know, we the best!"


Diddy will also be promoting his latest album, Last Train To Paris, which is scheduled for release in June. Like Khaled, he is also scheduled to appear with his friends. And with the likes of Miami's own Rick Ross on his current radio hit, "Angels," there is no telling who the Bad Boy CEO will have join him on stage.


CARIBBEAN MUSIC SHINES

This massive showcase also features the best sounds in Caribbean entertainment today, including dancehall stars Serani and Gyptian, both of whom currently have radio smashes on mainstream radio. Serani has been enjoying a massive crossover following his breakout hit, "No Games," and now Gyptian joins with his current Billboard coup, "Hold Yuh."

Joining them will be the internationally renowned 'King of Soca,' Machel Montano, who recently shared the stage with Beyonce during Trinidad's Carnival, and has already performed to a sold-out crowd in South Florida this year. His performance in Fort Lauderdale in March was enjoyed by Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade and actress Gabrielle Union, just to name a few of the stars that turned out to bask in sounds of Caribbean music.

They will be joined by a solid lineup of more Caribbean sensations including Mr. Vegas, Baby Cham, Ding Dong, Demarco, Lady Saw, Tony Matterhorn and reggae star Anthony B, just to name a few. And after all that, show promoters reveal they will be adding even more artists to the lineup as we inch closer to show time.


BOTB EXPANDS TO FOUR DAYS

The festival also expands from a one-day event to four days of fun-filled fiestas for all journeying to Miami for the holiday weekend, thus renaming it Best of the Best weekend. The Best of the Best Weekend runs from Friday, May 28 to Monday, May 31. It kicks off on May 28 with the BOTB Official Welcome Party at the Opium Nightclub at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida.

On Friday, sun seekers can head to the BOTB All White Pool Party at the ravishing Deauville Beach Resort in South Beach. On Sunday, where else to be in Miami but at Bicentennial Park for the Best of the Best Concert, followed by the BOTB Official After Party at Bongos Nightclub at the American Airlines Arena. Then if that's not enough, join the musical clash at the New York Vs. Miami showdown at the magnificent Mansion nightclub in Miami Beach.



TICKET/PRESS DETAILS

The BOTB concert takes place at Bicentennial Park, located at 1075 Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami. Park gates open at 1:00 pm and show time is set for 1:30pm sharp.

For further information on each event and to purchase tickets, log on to www.bestofthebestconcert.com or call 1-305-438-9488, or also visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Mr. Vegas banned from performing in Grenada

Jamaican Dancehall sensation Clifford Smith AKA Mr. Vegas, with mega hits Heads High, I Am Blessed and Do You Know, is the second Jamaican Artists to be banned from performing in Grenada by the 19-month old NDC administration, in less than a year.



The popular entertainer was scheduled to perform in Grenada for the first time in just under two years at the popular Karma night club in St. Georges Grenada, on Sat Feb 27th 2010.
According to the promoter of the event Steve Duncan, this one came as a shock. No specific reasons were given by the Ministry of Labour for the refusal of the work permits.
Inside sources has hinted that the refusal may have been as a result of one particular song from the Artists which contains derogatory remarks about women that behave in a negative manner.
Mr. Vegas has recorded over four popular dancehall/reggae Albums to date.
Duncan also stated that over $30,000.00 was already invested in bookings and promotions for the event, and that no indication of a problem was hinted when the application for the work permit was made some four weeks ago.
When asked about how this development was going to impact on his business in these difficult times, his response was simply “devastating”. “If this Government is placing a ban on a particular number of Caribbean Artists, then that should be public knowledge and should be brought to the attention of the promoters when the application for the work permit is made, says Duncan, one of Grenada’s most popular event promoters and owner of the Islands largest nightclub, Karma. “I sought to get an explanation from the Minister of Labour, Honorable Carl Hood, and to explain my plight, only to have the phone hung up on me. This is not the first time that this has happened”.
Just recently a similar complaint was given by manager of a local night club in the south of the island.


MINISTER OF LABOUR'S TAKE ON ISSUE

Minister for Labour, Hon Karl Hood says the Government of Grenada has not banned any regional artiste from performing in Grenada.

Minister Hood said his ministry has no difficulties with regional performers displaying their expertise and talents in Grenada. However, he says, his ministry has attempted to ensure that proper procedures are followed by promoters wanting work permits for artistes booked to hold concerts in Grenada.

“The issue has nothing to do with Mr. Vegas as an artiste. Our Ministry met with the promoters and agreed to the procedures for performers to receive work permits. These procedures are designed to give the Ministry the requisite time to vet the requests and allow the promoter time to advertise his event,” Minister Hood said.

He noted that some promoters have not adhered to the rules and have continued with last minute requests for work permits, even though they signed contracts with the artistes and have been advertising their events for months.

He said the procedures call for promoters to contact the Ministry of Labour for work permits once they agree to a contract with an artiste to perform in Grenada.

Read the rest HERE.

LISTEN TO VEGAS'S INTERVIEW WITH MIKEY HUTCHINSON ABOUT THE MATTER (below)



Source

Mr. Vegas not happy with the state of the music industry

Mr. Vegas thinks Jamaican music is going to the dogs. Autotune, poor lyrics and stage performace and just plan old lack of talent is killing the industry. He made his feelings known on his Twitter page earlier this week and now on his My Space blog:



On current artists:

I realize that these “now a day” artists that say they running the place is a
bunch of waste of time and peoples money. If you take away the war from these
artist them nuh good not even near good. If they not throwing words at each
other on stage they can't entertain a crowd for 15 minutes, I am back stage
like, what the fu.k is that? What has the music gone to?

On veteran artists

I remember when I was growing up and if you get a chance to
see a show live or a video of the show, Tiger, Admiral Bailey, Stitchie, Papa
San, then to Ninja, Shabba, Buju, & Beenie (before him start gi weh him ting
and forgot he is the king), had the crowd eating out of their hands. From start
to finish all when the come off people asking for more, now the people dem just
stand up a look like, did I pay for this shit?

Who he likes right now

Without the auto tune weh them use inna the studio fi mek the song sound
decent them artist yah sound like shit mi nah lie. The one Good new talent that
is out there I-octane the radio and selector not looking at him, they only waan
be apart of Gaza/Gully.

On Female artists

Now to the female artist them, my Gooood what a tragedy they caan stay out after
5.30 cause the rubbish truck comes around that time. I don't understand how they
got into music I was at teen splash back stage and I swear them look like market
woman and their voice
is a whole different story the crowd sing them song
better than them, they have no key, no idea, nothing, I want to vomit.

On Quality of music

fu.king Bruce Golding them weh a get involve inna dancehall music need to
ban all computer from the studio, or ban the producer dem weh produce these no
talent mashing up the music artist yah

Role of audience

The worst part of this shit is, its going world wide via stream so the
whole world get to see the shit we accepting. People of Jamaica need to do
better cause I know they know better music they use to run people off stage with
this shit. Come on people are we hearing the same thing, if we keep supporting
this shit we will never get back to music, right now is only fu.kery.

Promoters are part of the problem too:

And for the promoter them weh keep teen splash and put some of these
artist on to perform for 11 and 12 year old kids hmmmm mi rest it deh
so.

I replied to his post and basically said that he made some valid points but there is good music out there. Just listen to Tarrus, Etana, Makeida, Queen Ifrica, Duane Stephenson, Damian Marley, Konshens etc. They have positve songs which people know word for word. Of course I had to mention the wealth of talent in Dominica: Dice, Shadowflow, Olbenz, Aima, Ras Judah, Dr. Silk-right! And I challenged him to use his influence to find and develop the kind of talent he wants to see.

Overall there are a lot of negatives in the music industry today, just look at the crap that Lisa Hype, and the other females are doing. Where is the honor in comparing your private parts??? I mean Spice song was creative and all but at the end of the day how does it make you a better artist and how does it make the world a better place?????

You know what I like about Vegas music??? Two things, it makes me dance and it makes me smile. I mean can you listen to "I Am Blessed" and not feel good? or "Gallis" and not want to cut a rug????? Everyone will not make that kind of music though. So at the end of the day it is up to listeners to decide what is good music and go out and look for it. It is out there waiting for you to discover and enjoy.

I listen to radio but when I get fed up of hearing the same songs...especially money and bling,bling songs (can't stand those) I listen to my own collection. Rakim y Ken-Y, Luke Dube, Alison Hinds, Machel Montano, Musiq Soulchild, Ryan Leslie, Warren, Nasio Fontaine, Michele Henderson, WCK, Lazo, Triple Kay, Jah Cure, Sizzla, Anthony B, CAMAR, marie-claire, Rihanna, Shontelle, Kassav, Saik, Ayeola (how you mean? lol), Nicola Lionfish (the more I listen the more I love her voice and style), Baron, Sade, Buju Banton, Cherine Anderson, Tessanne Chin, Tami Chin, Wayne Wonder, Wayne Marshall, Da'Ville, Garnet Silk, Lil Rick (he keeps me dancin), Pressure, Ziggy Rankin (I try to imitate his runs, too funny), Kayla Bliss, Styl Pus (they are like the Nigerian BoyzIIMen), Emiline Michel, Wyclef Jean, Kali......the list goes on and on....

Bottom line. We have GREAT music, its just to bad that it is hardly on your radio or club or live show.