More than twenty albums dropped
Record breaking number of albums dropped in 2014, 4 received Grammy nominations, 6 hit Billboard Reggae Albums Chart while three out the six topped Billboard. Some of the album released includes :-
Shaggy – Out of Many One Music Grammy nominated
Tarrus Riley – Love Situation peaked at #1 on Billboard Reggae Albums Chart
Ziggy Marley – Fly Rasta Grammy nominated
Tessanne Chin – Count On My Love
Sly and Robbie – The Reggae Power Grammy nominated
Popcaan – Where We Come From peaked at #2 on Billboard
Etana – I Rise went #1 on Billboard Reggae Albums Chart
Sean Paul – Full Frequency Grammy nominated plus peaked at #1 on Billboard Reggae
Cecile – Still Running
Steven Marley – Revelation Part 2
Tanya Stephens – Guilty
Bugle – Anointed
Tafari – Rude Love hit Billboard and peaked at #17
Carl Dawkins – Hard Times
Vybz Kartel – Reggae Love Songs and Other Things
D’major – It’s Major
Wayne Marshall – Tru Colors
I-Octane – My Journey hit Billboard
Mr Vegas – Euphoria
Duane Stephenson – Dangerously Roots
Ruffi-Ann – Save The Juvenile
Jahvinchi – Ghetto Born
Asante Amen – Chapter
Chronixx Dread and Terrible project hit #1 on Billboard although it is not considered an album
Billboard Top 15 Best Selling Albums in 2014
Major Label Deals and Endorsement While some released albums others signed major deals, 17 year old Samantha J best known for her hit single ‘Tight Up Skirt’ inked a major record deal with label giants Columbia Records. Shaggy also signed off on a major deal with Sony while Omi inked a major deal with Ultra Music via Sony Music Entertainment.
Historic achievement and personal milestones
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Etana |
Billboard Charts since Diana King and Patra. Her ‘I RISE’ album produced by the accomplished music Producer Clive Hunt, instrumentalist, composer and arranger went number one on Billboard Reggae Chart …
Bounty Killer/Beenie Man historic ‘Legendary’ Collaboration is a musical unification between the Dancehall icons and a move the industry needed. We also consider this collaboration as a milestone not only for the two artistes but for Dancehall at a time many probably taught could never happen. Bounty Killer and Beenie ‘Legendary’ single is produced by Starstruck label.
The British Mobo Award goes to Stylo G a Jamaican/British artiste who won his first ever major award over big names such as Sean Paul, Popcaan and Tarrus Riley. Stylo G stayed true to his dream of getting recognized as a reggae/dancehall artiste in the UK. His first major impact in the UK was in 2010 with a Grime music recording called ‘My Youth’ after which he vowed to have his UK fans recognized him as a Reggae/Dancehall artiste.
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| This pretty much sum up 2014 for me |
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| Long lines to see Chronixx |
Chronixx created ground breaking opportunities for himself in 2014 and quietly increased the size of his audience from small venues to arenas and mini stadiums in places unlikely for current Jamaican artiste as in the case of the massive crowd turnout to see Chronixx in New Zealand.
Other artistes to have crossed borders and experience a
swell in the size audience they perform for or break new grounds are JARIA’s Breakthrough Artiste of the Year, Kabaka Pyramid who was also nominated for a Juno Award in Canada Demarco who was nominated for an award in Australia for a song he did with popular African Reggae artiste Samini and Popcaan who drew over 40k strong in Kenya.
Among the spectacular moments Tessanne Chin experience in 2014 is a performance at the White House for US President Barrack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House.
The Caribbean was well represented when Tessanne Chin and Machel Montano made favourable impressions at the Soul Train Awards.
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| Machel Montano receiving his STA |
Machel Montano won the Award for Best International Performance while Tessanne made a cameo appearance during the highlight of the Soul Train live show, Legendary Award presentation to Kool And The Gang. To illustrate how far their influence has spread, several US superstar gave musical tributes to the legends as well as Jamaica’s own and the 2013 NBC Voice champion, Tessanne performed alongside Liz Warfield.
Both Tessanne Chin and Machel Montano also made presentations. Wolf Blitzer and Tessanne presented Aloe Blacc’s Soul Inspiration performance and 40 year old energy laden, presented the Best New Artiste award alongside Kim Coles.
Powerhouse label VP Records celebrates 35 years sharing their story and history of Reggae music with a state-of-the-art display designed by Michael Thompson. From Ska to rocksteady, roots reggae to dub, lover’s rock to dancehall – VP Records has been at the forefront of Jamaica’s musical evolution. 2014 marked the 35th anniversary when its founders Vincent and Patricia Chin moved their headquarters from Kingston, Jamaica to Jamaica, New York transforming their operations to the largest reggae company worldwide.
Mr Vegas struck a milestone in his career when Beyonce’s ‘Standing On The Sun’ remix featuring him made her self-titled Platinum edition, visual album BEYONCE.
Tifa hit Billboard/Twitter Emerging Artist Chart and became the first Jamaican artist to do so on the newly installed chart. Her song, ‘Bak it Up’ peaked at #8.
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| Last year was a history year 2014 |
One year after releasing the video for her raunchy Dancehall track ‘So Mi Like it‘ Spice celebrates the video’s over 12 million views on youtube. So Mi Like It is a Notnice Production.
Popular radio DJ/ZJ Liquid, also struck a milestone when he and Jamaican born, New York base DJ Jabba of the famous Jabba and Bobby Konders duo were both nominated for a Global Spin Award. Another personal and possibly historic move on the path of ZJ Liquid was his showcase as a Special Invited Guest DJ on BET 106 and Park show.
Major US TV appearances
Dancehall and Reggae enjoyed major US television acknowledgement in showcases at the BET and Grammy Awards live shows and NBC The Voice Finals which saw Tessanne Chin emerge winner in
2013. The trait continued in 2014 with other artistes making US television debut/appearances such as Chronixx performance on NBC The Tonight
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| Sean Paul/Konshens AHS |
Show with Jimmy Falon, QQ and Wayne Marshall BET performance and Sean Paul’s Performance on the Arsenio Hall show with Konshens. They perform their Want Dem All collaboration off the Full Frequency album now up for a Grammy.
Honours and recognition.jpg)
Gospel singer Judy Mowatt and Reggae Queen Marcia Griffiths were honoured in New York. The two former members of the I-Threes and back-up vocalists for the undisputed King of Reggae Bob Marley, received the Reggae Ambassador’s Award’ in New York. The awards were presented to the ladies for their supres artistry, outstanding achievement and contribution to the development and promotion of reggae worldwide by VP Records and Groovin Inc.
Freddie McGregor Received the Reggae Sumfest Award for his ‘sterling contribution to reggae.’ Mr Gregor a Pioneer in the Reggae music industry started out his illustrious career at seven years old as a member of The Clarendonians in 1963.
Reggae crooner Sanchez was honoured at Unifest for his career accomplishments and contribution to reggae music. Commissioner Alexandra Davis on behalf of Mayor Lori Mosley and fellow commissioners of the city of Miramar in Florida, presented Kevin ‘Sanchez’ Jackson with a proclamation; citing May 17 as the official ‘Sanchez Day’ in the city.
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| Maya Angelou R.I.P. |
Deaths (R.I.P.)
John Holt – 1967 – 2014
Bunny Rugs -1949 – 2014
Wayne Sleng Teng Smith – 1966 – 2014
Chad Young – 1987 – 2014
The passing of Bunny Rugs, former lead singer of Third World Band, John Holt, Wayne Sleng Teng Smith and 27 year old IRIE FM CEO Chad Young hit the industry hard but one must continue until his own journey ends, R.I.P. gentlemen.
Bits ‘n’ Pieces 2014
August 2014 – Marcus Garvey – The Man, His Movement and His Poetry
Marcus Mosiah Garvey was the man who in the historical record brought unification and strength to Black people throughout the world. He started the United Negro Improvement Association and spoke out about the unjust behaviour towards his people. He inspired and gave hope through speaking, teaching and writing. He used poetry to understand his own life and relay it to black people and promoted them to do same C.E. Jordan Gremp …..moreClick also to read Floral Tribute on Garvey’s Birthday Jamaica Observer
August 2014 – How did Rastafari turn from an ostracised religious sect into a global phenomenon?
What role has this spiritual movement had in forming Jamaica’s soul and identity? Presented in a series by political commentator and educator Kingslee Daley, check out this publication on website BBC World Service more
August 2014 – VEVO The Giant Music Video Site Tries To Fix Itself Before It Sells Itself
“Owners try to Sweeten The Pot” one headline read.The owners of VEVO music website UGM, SONY MUSIC, ABU DHABI MEDIA and GOOGLE are reworking their P and L sheet to attract an interested suitor according toRECODE.NETGOLDMAN SACH and THE RAINE GROUP are looking for quity investors, marketing materials are being prepared for releasemore
August 2014 – Jamaica Poetry Festival Goes from Strength to Strength
The Jamaica Poetry Festival celebrated 50 years since Jamaica’s Independence and 100 years of Jamaican Poetry. Organiser, Yasus Afari in a article written by the Jamaica Gleaner reporter Sadeke Brooks in 2012 “We will be celebrating 100 years of Jamaican Poetry that was marked by the publication in 1912 by Claude McKay.” The 2014 staging of the festival will lead a special tribute to Jamaica as well as celebrating poets such as Harry Belafonte, Bob Marley and Claude McKay.. more
July 2014 – The Skill of Listening
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