Billboard Premiers Musiq Soulchild & Syleena Johnson's "Feel The Fire"

NORTH LAUDERDALE, FL, MAY 15, 2013: Musiq Soulchild and Syleena Johnson's new pop-reggae 

duet single, "Feel the Fire," was premiered by Billboard on Wednesday.

The new single - a Caribbean-flavored summer love melody - will be the first single from Syleena and Musiq's upcoming album, "9INE," produced by Kemar 'Flava' McGregor in his new pop-skank style. The 9INE LP will feature three solo singles apiece from Musiq Soulchild and Syleena Johnson, along with three duets from Musiq and Syleena, totaling nine songs. The album is scheduled for release July 9, 2013

Muta King Releases Debut Album - Life Over Death

Recording artist, Muta King, who is based in St. Thomas, Jamaica, has released his first full length studio album entitled “Life Over Death”. Inspired by all the positive feedback he has been getting over the years about his music, Muta King decided to independently release the album on his own Muta King Records label. The project features 14 tracks some of which were previously released as singles and some on rhythm driven compilations.

 “Life Over Death” is being distributed by Zojak Worldwide and is now available on all digital music retail stores. Persons wishing to hear the full album prior to purchasing may do so here: http://soundcloud.com/Muta-King. The lead single, “Pressure Buss Pipe” can be downloaded at no cost and the video can be viewed here: Muta King - Pressure Buss Pipe (Video Link)

iTunes link to purchase album: https://itunes.apple.com/album/life-over-death/id642449795?ls=1

Karamanti's European tour yields "Pack Up & Run" Music Video

Positive Queen of Dancehall Karamanti who has been in Europe since the end of April decided to shoot the official video to one of the lead singles off her new album, "Dancehall Retaliates," while there. The track is entitled “Pack Up & Run” and it talks about her separating herself from those in the dancehall industry that chooses to do dirty, degrading and negative music.

The video was shot in several different areas around Gothenburg. Video arrangements were made possible by Tyga Man, the CEO and owner of Nitelife Mix Sound Crew (who is responsible for Karamanti’s
tour), and directed by Mark Kwamina better known as Ras Tonto of Ghana (CEO and owner of MKQ Productions), with assistance from Louise Ming.

The full video will not be ready until the end of May, however, persons may check out some behind the scenes shots here: Karamanti - Pack Up And Run (Behind the Scenes)

Dancehall Retaliates is now available on all major online music retail stores.

I-tunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dancehall-retaliates/id639585204

Reggae Record: http://www.reggaerecord.com/download/en/description.php?release_id=96335

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dancehall-Retaliates/dp/B00CIYU12S

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/karamanti/album/dancehall-retaliates

Operator2013 Rhythm Velocity Tribute to Reggae Legends Album Release May 2013‏‏

For the first time since the original release of Delroy Wilson's "Cool Operator" in the 1970's, the rhythm and song which was produced Edward O'Sullivan Lee (OD) better known as Bunny "Striker" Lee  has been revisited with a fresh and invigorating line up of artists.

The album was released on  May 21, 2013 and is now digitally available (on iTunes) distributed by Mightyful13/ VP Records Vpal Dist. Download "Full Album" Here

Operator2013 Rhythm Velocity is an 8 tracked riddim driven compilation of sweet melodies from seasoned artists, musicians and emerging talents from the United States and Jamaica. No two songs on this album are alike, each tells a clear story in a catchy way.

Album Track List:
1 - Andrew Bees - Cool Operator
2 - Tabeta Cshae - If You Don't Wake Up
3 - Zanadu - Reaching Out For Your Love
4 - Shanti High - My Sunshine
5 - Little Hero - Come Awff Ah Wi Name
6 - BassieDee - Work To Do
7 - King Mellow Man - No Heart
8 - Dub Operator2013 Velocity


With so many emerging young talents and a shift in the style and form of classic reggae music, finding the right artists for the rhythm proved to be a challenge while the idea of honoring these reggae legends was an easy one.

Mightyful13 Records Producer, Fitzroy Francis and Founder of Global Linkz Radio Phyllis "Empress Skortcher" Chamberlain, have teamed up on this project with each selectively choosing the artists and songs. The goal is to capture a worldwide audience with Operator2013 Rhythm Velocity, while keeping Delroy Wilson's and Bunny Lee's work fresh in the minds of foundation reggae lovers and simultaneously reaching a younger generation of true reggae music enthusiasts.

In coming months expect the release of  Spain Reggae Recording Artist, Tete Man Levi's single "Energia Libre/Free Energy" as well as a remix of Chyna Nicole & Andrew Bees' "Cool Operator" on the same rhythm.

L.E.A.D. Interview on Ever Blazing Friday with Empress Skortcher

A former entrant in Jamaica's popular star search competition, " Magnum Kings & Queens of the Dancehall" and son of veteran Dancehall Deejay Bucky Marshall, 24 year old Darron Cole aka L.E.A.D. (Life, Endurance, Ability, Do-It), is an ambitious, talented and very intellectually astute uprising artist and songwriter.

Born in Portmore, Jamaica, he later moved to Spanish Town where he is now rooted and focusing on making a name for himself in the entertainment industry. L.E.A.D.'s first single "Goodbye" has spun an up-surge of attention toward this new voice in the Dancehall/Reggae arena.

L.E.A.D. has also been featured on various interviews and most recently performed at the "Maddest N Baddest In Action" show in Trelawny, Jamaica which featured other acts such as Sizzla, Powerman, Danny English, Jimmy Riley, Turbulance, I-Shenko, and many more artists.

The single "Goodbye is now in rotation on various radio stations in the US, Jamaica, and England. On Feb 26th 2013, "Goodbye" was featured as the "Global Spin of the Week" on Global Linkz Radio for 2 consecutive weeks. Subsequently, making its way to Scotland as the selected "Empress Pick" on the "Reggae Reggae Source" Show with DJ Rupert on DCR 97.4 FM.
The emotional debut single is a dedication to all who have lost a love one and still struggle with saying a final goodbye. The track was produced and engineered by Khemis at VybNation Records in Spanish Town, Jamaica.
L.E.A.D. shares more about his early beginning, his quest as an artist, and his views about the plight of getting air play on local radio stations in Jamaica. He also shares insight on his plan to releases his first EP. Thanks for visiting - Fuljoy.


Connect with L.E.A.D. via Facebook
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Women: Celebrate Your Inner and Outer Selves

So today I had a chat with a brother, Kamal Imani. Our conversation was conceived over the reissue of his Hip Hop Soul & Poetry song entitled "For the Love of the Black Woman" and the meaning behind his writing it. He quickly proceed to share his thoughts regarding an issue that for centuries continue to parade in cloak of deep seated hate among women in particular that we often time pretend does not exist.

This my dear sisters, its  the issue of  Dark Skin Vs. Light Skin complex and the self hate that it propagates which descends through generations. That is right. No typographical error here.

Brother Kamal Imani's Take:
" In the year 2013 I am somewhat surprised to still see shows such as Soledad Obrien’s on CNN where many of our sisters, especially our girls, still manifest self hate. Many dark skinned girls want to be lighter and many light skinned girls are checking the “White Box” on college applications with the belief that this will give them a better opportunity for success. In light of the on going "Lightskin VS Darkskin" schism and competition, I still feel a need for songs and poems like "Ms. Melanin" to be brought in front of our people.

For the Love of the Black Woman (originally titled “Ms. Melanin) was written in response to sisters that I know being teased when they were in middle and high school because they were dark and the inferiority complex and lack of self esteem still remains decades later. I wanted to let them know how beautiful they are. So I wrote a spoken word poem about it and put it to music. You want to hear it? Check it out!"

Click the title below to hear the song:
For the Love of the Black Woman By Kamal Imani

Empress Skortcher's Take: 
In my experience and humble opinion, it is not a taboo issue but one I seldom give much attention to simply because to behave, or think that the shade of my sisters' skin makes them more/less beautiful, smart, or better yet MORE/LESS LUCKY is plainly ignorant.

The truth is, the outward appearance of either a dark or light skinned sister whose mind  is not at ease with her physical outer and emotional inner self  is not at all beautiful nor does it attract positive energy.

In looking at Jamaica's Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, Oprah Winfrey, United States First Lady, Michell Obama, Tennis Greats, Venus & Serena Williams, Olympic Sprinter, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Chairman of the National Family Planning Board and Anti-Aging Physician Dr. Sandra Knight, the Queen of  Soul, Aretha Franklin, and so many other dark skinned sisters and think magnificent! There is no way that THEIR LUCK GOT THEM WHERE THEY ARE.

With that being said, I truly believe EVERY woman light skinned, or dark skinned, Caucasian, Asian,  Latin, etc, has the ability to learn to, and appreciate her inner and outer self,  which  over time helps to shape and  mold her greatest characteristic asset (self-confidence) to become her best self.

I hope anyone male & female suffering from this inferiority complex realize that the self hate that this harbors shines bright on the outside to those looking in. Bob Marley said it best, "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds!   On the other hand,  to those who suffer from this horrible superiority complex, as one of the greatest president, Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself.” What is yours can not be for anyone else. Free up and live.

Happy International Woman's Day.
-EmpSk

Recorded Candid Reasoning with Andrew Bees

Andrew Bees was born Oneil Norman Beckford on May 17,1972  and grew up in the Waterhouse community of Kingston, Jamaica, an area with  a very rich  history in Reggae/Dancehall music.

In this podcast you will hear in the artist's own words his experience growing up as a youth during hard economic and political drifts in his native country. Bees extended a real insiders take at what it was like as a young man roaming among some reggae stalwarts and his eventual transition to performing internationally and recording with them.


Bees also spoke about the influence of his father, his solo career, and ongoing relationship with the first Grammy Award winning reggae group  "Black Uhuru." Most shocking of the night was Andrews Bees candid revelation of his very close long time brotherhood and working relations with producer Fitzroy Francis of Mightyful13 Records, who Bees gave credit for introduced him to Derrick "Duckie" Simpson among many things.

Andrew Bees Better Must Come Cover

In this candid interview with Empress Skortcher of Global Linkz Radio, Andrew Bees explained the significant  if the # 13 and of him recording "Better Must Come," explaining that while he was an infant at time of the release of song,  his father "Marmalade"  later gave him the history regarding the song being used in 1972 as a political campaign theme song to bring hope and motivation to the struggling people of Jamaica.

He also shared insight that the inspiration to record the song came as he and Fitzroy Francis was on the Black Uhuru 2012 West Coast tour and Francis was singing the song while chilling off stage in a hotel.

Mightyful13 Producer Fitzroy Francis

 In 2009 Bees migrated to the US where while now refocused on his solo career bees remains a "for hire" vocalist for Black Uhuru with their last tour being a massive 2012 US tour on which they performed in various West Coast states.

With the reunion with his long time protegee and New York base Record Producer Fitzroy Francis in January 2012,  Bees recorded "Something Strange" on the "Mighty In Battle Riddim" for Mightyful 13 Records which went # 8 on the Foundation Radio Network/New York Top 30 Music chart.

Later in September 2012, Andrew Bees officially singed a recording deal with Mightful13 Records commencing his current project with the label, he recorded his first tribute "Better Must Come"  to the late great Delroy Wilson which has given rise to a upsurge in Andrew Bees' presence on an international level as a solo vocalist. This song has spread like wild fire receiving radio air play and charting in New York and South Florida.  As of the date of this press release, "Better Must Come" is in the # 2 position on Clinton Lindsey's Foundation Radio Network/New York Top 30 Music Chart and # 21 on South Florida's Top 25 Reggae Chart.
 Empress Skortcher predicts that the single will continue soaring reaching higher heights globally.

Bees is currently working on his second tribute to Delroy Wilson, "Cool Operator" which was already recorded as part of a collaborative album on the "Operator2013 Riddim Velocity" under Mightyful13 Records.  This Album will include other artists such as Zanadu,  BassieDee, Little Hero, Shanti High, King Mellowman and Spain's Reggae artist Tete Man Levi plus others.  Which will be distributed digitally worldwide by Mightyful13/VP Records (Vpal Dist).

More About Andrew Bees. 

100 Artist Ghetto Bash 1993

Andrew Bees started singing at the tender age of 14,  when in 1986 he became a regular performer on the popular "Colgate Cavity Fighters Club" program on Radio Jamaica (R.J.R.).

As he advanced his skills, he began singing among reggae all-star performers such as Augustus Pablo, Half Pint, Hugh Mundel, Junior Reid, Locksley Castell, and Wayne "Sleng Teng" Smith  among others.   

1989/1990, Andrew Bees recorded his  first songs for Castro Brown's "New Name Music" productions, namely "Life In The Ghetto," "Struggle and Strive" and "Be Cool."
His live performance career started in 1993 with Bees appearing on Bunny Wailer's 100 Artist "Ghetto Bash Concert" at the Jam World Entertainment Center in Jamaica.

In 1991, Bees and his childhood friend Fitzroy Francis collaborated in the recording and production of the single "Things A Gwan Things A Go Dun" which led the the production of  Bees first solo studio album "Militant" The was entirely produced by Fitzroy Francis for Music Lion Production Label  later being released and distributed in 1995 by R.A.S Record in the United States and Sony Records in Japan.
In 1996,  Andrew Bees first toured in Brazil as a guest vocalist for  "Black Uhuru." In the following year, he officially became rooted as the lead vocalist for the group. Since then Andrew Bees has toured extensively with the group throughout Europe, North American, and South America.

Andrew Bees Live

Dubbin It Live DVD

As a member of the group, Andrew Bees recorded the album "Unification" in 1998  which was produced by the legendary King Jammy who also produced Black Uhuru's first studio album "Black Sounds of Freedom" in 1977.  In 2000 Andrew Bees recorded his second studio album  "Dynasty" with the group,  for the  US based R.A.S. Records Label. In the same year,  Black Uhuru toured  Europe and the US with the Great "Sly and Robbie." Subsequently, in 2002 "Dubbing It Live" CD which feature live performances recorded at Paléo Festival with Black Uhuru and "Sly and Robbie" was released.

As years passed, Andrew Bees decided to continue pursuing a solo career releasing his sophomore album "Iration" produced by Guyana based Walter Fraser, released July 24, 2006 on the label Vizion Sounds.