Vybz Kartel is what Lil' Wayne is to me in hip hop, or Diddy ... for lifestyle, etc. Vybz is KING of dancehall. Neither do I subscribe to any Gaza or Gully warfare, I just like the music. Just like I had no issue posting Movado's "9 Lives" a couple of days ago. As a Vybz fan, I do not understand the St.Lucian government's reason for the ban and yesterday's "F*** Vybz Kartel (Lucian Diss)" video that was going around.
This ban has gotten the attention of Jamaica Observer cartoonist, Clovis. Clovis’ latest cartoon, which was featured in the Chat magazine, shows Vybz Kartel being denied a work permit for St. Lucia recently and then being courted by a porn movie crew (a reference to rumors that Vybz Kartel stars in a porn movie that’s coming out soon) - Source
When I think of my male friends, only 3 come to mind for style. I've often mentioned their names here when referring to male style.
One of which is my Jamaican friend, Richie Rich. Not sure, if I should use my nickname for him since this summer at The University of The West Indies, Richard Pasley will lecture a course (AR29E) on Fashion, Culture & Development in the Caribbean (Institute of Cultural Studies). I would not want you to walk into his class all too familiar!
Since hanging out with Bajans (Barbadians) for the last couple of weekends, just last night too and loving them! This is a fantastic early AM discovery.
Hal Alexander Linton, is a Barbadian born Soul/R&B singer, songwriter and producer. In October 2008 news broke in the small Caribbean island of Barbados that Hal Linton inked a million dollar deal with major record label Universal Motown, following in the footsteps of other Barbadian international recording artist Rihanna (Def Jam Recordings), Shontelle (Universal Motown), Livvi Franc (Jive Records) and Rupee (Atlantic). - Wiki
Ohhh, my greatest inspiration and awareness has been coming from my many friends on Facebook. Who knew Livvi Franc was a Barbadian - Brit (from Barbados and Britain)? Certainly, I did not!
When IMEEM was the music player that I used on this blog before MySpace bought it over and screwed it over, not too long ago, I featured Livvi's debut single, "Now I'm That Bitch" released in the summer of 2009. The song reached to the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club songs charts. Another of my anthems of sorts and those who know, I love dance music! I often say, "I see God in the music!"
Oh gosh, and it does not help that Mr. 305 (Miami area code), Pitbull is in this remix. My FB friends know I love Pitbull ... he's my Mr. Grimey. Umm, he makes me want to get GRIMEY (a morally reprehensible deed, according to the UrbanDictionary)! .... I could just hear him now, "Oye, mami, calmate!"
Cause now I'm that bitch,
You'll never get to uh.
Can't get what you want, so you're acting like a punk.
You were too fly then, so fly away now.
Now I'm that bitch, and you're just a clown.
Automatik is the second single by the Barbadian - British singer, Livvi Franc!
So I'm making a new playlist and here's a new video that I discovered ... "Fly High" is the latest single released by Jamaican-American reggae singer Shaggy. The song features Jamaican reggae musician Gary "Nesta" Pine who is primarily known as a singer on a few big hits from Bob Sinclar. This is for dance music lovers!
jetBlue Happy Jetting is offering an escape to Saint Lucia, Kingston (Jamaica) and Barbados so travelers can indulge in sunny skies and warm tropical breezes with low sale fares! New York to the Caribbean for $99* oneway. Fare valid from the U.S. only. Taxes, fees and restrictions apply. Flights to Saint Lucia operate on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.
Sale details:
• Fares are valid from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
• Booking dates are June 4–17, 2009.
• Travel dates are:
For Barbados: October 1 through November 14, 2009
For Saint Lucia: October 26 through November 14, 2009. Flights to
Saint Lucia operate on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.
For Kingston: October 30 through November 14, 2009
I am yet to meet a Trini(dadian) that I do not like or admire ... LOL! So ladies, especially Caribbean ladies, it's time to get acquainted with Trinidad & Tobago makeup artist,
Renee is a freelance makeup artist who specializes in Airbrush Makeup application. Renee thoroughly enjoys working with people to create the perfect look for weddings, carnival, graduations, fashion shows and media.
Renee has been busy working on this photo-shoot with Tampa-based photographer Janelle La Fond and model Candice (seen right). ... And she finally got some "me" time, to answer a few questions.
How did you get started?
From as far back as I can remember, I always liked doing my own pedicures and making homemade face masks & scrubs and trying them out on my neighbour but my interest in makeup only came in around 2005 when I got a good deal on a bunch of makeup from the US and decided to retail these items to family and friends. Here and there I did some application and realised how easy all of it came to me so I made a natural progression from selling makeup to applying makeup. In 2006 I attended some makeup courses both in Trinidad and New York and the rest is history!
What made you start a makeup blog?
Initially when my main website, ReneeMilford.com was done in 2007, the designer Raymond included the ReneeMilford.com/blog. To be quite honest I totally ignored it, I even thought it was a waste of time. Then blogs became rather popular and I soon morphed into a blog junkie, constantly checking out updates from various blogs. I soon realised that this is a perfect little tool to share information and showcase some of my work. My main challenge was to start posting, which only happened on New Years Day 2009, from there my resolution was made ... never let an entire month pass without posting at least four times. I purposely set a low post standard so I won't mess up. So far so good.
The blog is my little area for expression, I love makeup but I digress a little bit. I've got a friend who writes lovely little articles so I put a link to her work for reading entertainment. It's my intention to post general information on weddings in Trinidad, casting calls for models, good deals for beauty products and more. Right now I'm most excited for a little online makeup competition - Animal Instinct that I started in an attempt to get makeup artists and aspiring makeup artists in Trinidad to express and showcase their talent.
Girl, I'd have to say texture more than anything else, I mean fabrics, beads, fruits, flowers etc. This is more important to me than color. I also keep up to date on makeup trends in US and see how they can be interpreted to suit the Caribbean woman.
This song "Roll Mi Gal" by Anthony B on the Hot Peppa Riddim got my attention when it starts with, "Psst, *whistle* beautiful lady!""Aye what happen to you? I'm from ST.LUCIA you know, I can wine more than you!" .... KILLA!
I was introduced to "She Loves the Flava"months ago by a male friend. ... And from the time I heard it, soon enough it was included in Sweet 7 playlists. "You must have heard it? LOL!" It also ranks fifth, as one of my iTunes Top 25 (most played) Playlist. Initially I googled, CAMAR and did not find out enough that satisfied my appetite, so I gave up.
Recently on music sites that I frequent, Camar's name popped up again with his recent releases, "Naked,""Put You On" and the new strip pole anthem, "Pole Technician." Camar is also on the "Blame It Remix" featuring Jamie Foxx and T Pain. Once again, I was interested and this time determined to discover more about CAMAR, I would have to interview him myself!
“The greatness of music is not to find what is common
but what is unique”
Born in the island of Jamaica, as Camar Andre Doyles. "I knew from a young age that, I wanted my music to change the world, I wanted my musical influence to be groundbreaking and exhibit the meaning of being unique.” Camar's first appearance singing was at his church. During his school days, Camar was inspired by, Boyz II Men and Jodeci.
At a young age, he wanted to infiltrate the international market with his own style of music, called "Yard Soul." In 2002 during a Karaoke performance Camar was selected by a rep from a local marketing company who took him on a promotional tour for the annual Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. During this year Camar also met with a developing female rap artist by the name of Nadz.
In 2001 they were both solicited by the Artist Network in Europe. A whirlwind of activities soon happened as Camar found himself in Europe working with various artists including Bono from U2, Annie Lennox , Taylor Dane and more. He has opened up for R&B acts, Jagged Edge and 112.
CAMAR not only performs but produces. Further, his songs have two distinctive appeals; there is the CAMAR side full of rich sultry delivery and then Flavr Unit which brings playful nature to undiluted Dancehall. Taking on an abridged format of his school day nickname Flava Unit, CAMAR has incorporated this acronym into his package as he explains: Flavr more represents the Dancehall-Reggae side of me and CAMAR is the soulful side. Together these two equally powerful halves come together to deliver CAMAR's own Yard Soul. (Source: Camar's Biography)
"HONESTLY I DON'T KNOW ... LOL! ALL I KNOW IS THAT I LIKE IT."
Could you tell me about “Yard Soul?”
What is it?
"YARDSOUL IS A MIXTURE OF HIP-HOP/R&B WITH REGGAE/DANCEHALL ... IT'S ALL ABOUT MERGING TWO DIFFERENT CULTURES OF MUSIC INTO ONE SOUND."
What defines Camar’s music?
"WHAT DEFINES MY MUSIC IS ITS RICH ISLAND FLAVOR BLENDED WITH A LOT OF SOUL, MAKING IT EASILY UNDERSTOOD AND STRONGLY FELT."
My introduction to your music was “She Loves the Flava.” When singing along, I thought “FLAVA” referred to “FLAVOUR” LOL! So now that I have read and discovered your alter stage personality FLAVA UNIT … I have a question.
Are you the “FLAVA” she loves, that you sing about?
"YES I AM ... LOL!"
Is it a real or true story?
"IT'S SORT OF A TRUE STORY, BUT I WROTE IT IN A WAY THAT PEOPLE CAN RELATE TO IT INSTEAD OF MAKING IT A PERSONAL THING."
Can you give some more detail?
"FLAVA IN THIS SENSE REFERS TO 'MY STYLE - MY SWAGGER - MY DEMEANOR AND PERSONALITY' THAT'S WHAT SHE LOVES 'THE FLAVA' ... LOL"
Ahh ... so there is a "Pole Technician" competition for one lucky winner to be in a Camar video.
What is Camar looking for when choosing his "Pole Technician" winner?
"WELL, I'M DEFINITELY LOOKING FOR SEX APPEAL, CREATIVITY, PRESENTATION AND TIMING ... PLUS IT SHOULD BE FUN SO THAT'S WHAT IM LOOKING TO SEE"... =]
What can we expect with/when listening to a Camar album?
"EXPECT NOTHING BUT THE BEST!!! FUN, QUALITY MUSIC THAT'S GONNA KEEP YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT AND YOUR EARS GLUED TO YOUR SPEAKERS! ... LEAVE THE VOLUME ON BLASSSST!!!! LOL!"
When can we expect to see a video from Camar’s recent album? And which song?
"MMMM ... THAT I CAN'T SAY, I PREFER TO KEEP THAT ONE A SECRET. WE NEED TO HAVE SURPRISES FOR THE FANS AS WELL BUT WHICHEVER VIDEO OR SONG IT IS, TRUST ME IT'S GONNA BE HOTTTT!"
How did you get discovered /signed by Slip N Slide Records?
"I WAS ALREADY BIG ON THE MUSIC SCENE IN JAMAICA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD BUT I POSTED MY MUSIC ON MYSPACE.COM/CAMAR SOME FOLKS HEARD MY STUFF AND TOOK IT TO SLIP N SLIDE & ONE OF THE A&R'S HEARD IT AND LOVED IT AND TOOK IT TO THE C.E.O AND THAT WAS IT!!!"
What do you feel are the keys to the Slip N Slides' success with its artistes (Trina, Rick Ross, Plies, etc)?
"JUST GOOD MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, GETTING THE ARTIST PLUGGED IN THE RIGHT MARKETS AND JUST MAXIMIZING ON RECORDS SPINS FROM D.J'S ALL OVER."
What are some of the tips you would give to upcoming artistes trying to get signed by a label?
"DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!! THIS IS HARD WORK!!! STAY FOCUSED AND PUT GOD FIRST ... AND ALWAYS BE HUMBLE BUT AT THE SAME TIME DON'T LET PEOPLE BLOCK YOU FROM MAKING THE BEST USE OF ANY OPPORTUNITY YOU'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH TO SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT! NEVER GIVE UP!
What was it like working with Bono from U2, Annie Lennox, Taylor Dane?
"FIRST I WOULD JUST HAVE TO SAY NONE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE IF IT WEREN'T FOR MY HOME GIRL NADZ, MR.DAVE STEWART AND MR.STEVEN VENTURA. I REALLY LEARNT A LOT FROM BEING AROUND THESE WONDERFUL ARTISTES. THEY REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING."
Is there something you could share that you learnt from any of the above artistes?
I'VE LEARNT HOW TO STRUCTURE MY MUSIC, AND HOW PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN CREATING A HIT SONG."
I had a few more questions, after watching pictures & Youtube videos of Camar.
I notice that you never take off your shades.
What’s up with your shades?
"NOTHING, IT'S JUST MY COOL FACTOR ... LOL! PLUS IT'S THE CLOSEST I CAN GET TO FEELING LIKE STEVIE WONDER ... LOL! THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES! BIG UP STEVIE!!!"
I have noticed your physique.
How do you stay in shape?
"I LOVE TO WORK OUT ... BUT I MOSTLY SWIM, THAT'S MY THING!"
What are your tattoos of?
"STARS, MUSICAL NOTES, WINGS AND THE STRINGS REPRESENT MY GUITAR AND ALSO THE MUSICAL STAFF FOR WRITING MUSIC."
Do they have any special significance/ meaning?
"YES THEY DO...LOL! THEY ALL DO!!!"
I noticed you play the guitar.
Do you play any other instruments?
"YES I DO"
What other instruments?
"I'LL PLAY ANYTHING AS LONG AS IT CARRIES A TONE AND A NOTE, BUT I ALSO PLAY THE PIANO, THE BASS, THE TRAP SET (DRUMS) AND PERCUSSION."
I’ve read who has inspired your music but …
Who are you listening to currently?
"CURRENTLY I'M LISTENING TO T-PAIN, JEEZY, RYAN LESLIE, LIL WAYNE, PHARRELL AND THE DREAM."
Which artistes would you like to work with?
"APART FROM ALL OF THE ABOVE, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY KEYSHIA COLE, KERI HILSON, JAZMINE SULLIVAN, JAMIE FOXX and NE-YO."
I must add that your diction is fantastic, every word is pronounced and understood. It makes it easy to sing your lyrics. It’s remarkable. Jamie Foxx has a similar vibe.
"THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMPLIMENTS AND YOUR VERY KIND WORDS. I DO THINK SO TOO AS WELL BECAUSE JAMIE AND MYSELF ARE NATURAL BORN CREATORS AND ENTERTAINERS. I'M GETTING UP THERE REAL SOON. THANKS A LOT FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HIT ME UP FOR THIS INTERVIEW! BLESS UP"
This song "Bacchanal" by Destra was one of my favorites on the road during Trinidad Carnival 2009. Destra Garcia's hit power soca song, Bacchanal, brought creatively to life in a Jouvert-styled, party music video. Also features Antiguan vocalist Tanzania 'Tizzy' Sebastian, Denise 'Saucy Wow' Belfon and Barbadian Soca Queen Alison Hinds.
Last Saturday evening, I'm relaxing at home with my hubby, and "Club StewFig" a.k.a "Nyree's Palace", in other words The Sweet 7's private dance club is in full effect. The drinks are pouring and I'm the DJ! LOL! Within minutes, I was also reliving and playing mas, singing and typing via MSN messenger the words of "HANGOVER" to the HANGOVER man himself, Slammer Cutter. Don't even ask!
Beat de iron, play ya mas
Me head feelin mad, Me head feelin nice, Me head feelin gone
I drink too much rum
HANGOVER!
I love a good drink! My father encouraged and taught my cousin and I to drink liquor from early. His reason was that if we were to go out with a young man, we would be able to handle our liquor. He teases now he regrets that decision, especially since we can probably out drink some men, under any table!
Those of you, who are not from the Caribbean, drinking alcohol is a major part of our socialization and culture. It's not uncommon to sit in a local rum shop/bar and drink, catching up on recent news, politics, sports and gossip! St.Lucians at any session (blocko/ fete) will never miss out on their barbecue chicken and rum. LOL! Generally alcohol is referred to as "RUM" despite the spirit of choice!
There is the old-wives tale about a lil' brandy in milk to help babies sleep. Later, pre-teens are introduced to "Shandy" which is a combination of beer and soda. By about thirteen/fourteen, wine may be introduced at a dinner setting with adults. Sixteen/seventeen is the age at which we graduate high-school and have the option to continue with college or to enter the work force, this is the time of trial and error. By the time, I was off to college, I knew what I liked! Now I'm a connoisseur, of sorts!
Particularly rum, plays a part in the culture of most islands of the West Indies. Rum served as a popular medium of exchange that helped to promote Slavery along with providing economic instigation for Australia's Rum Rebellion and the American Revolution.
Slammer Cutter's birth name is Stephon Corey Mark. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago but has resided over the last eight years in Toronto, Canada. Scarborough to be exact. This twenty-six year old is a Commercial Operations Manager for a Natural Gas Marketing company called Direct Energy in Canada who still finds the time to perform in both Trinidad and Toronto and actually write all his songs. Last year, for Lucian carnival he wrote "She Looking for Cable" for St.Lucian artiste, Private 6.
Slammer Cutter loves music and cannot get away from the Caribbean culture. He has been on the scene for the last 10 years, getting involved by taking part in school competitions and community events. Being from Cumuto Village in Trinidad and growing up amongst artistes such as Bunji Garlin, Chopper and Bongo (God Father Crew) it inspired him to start writing and singing. Musically he can look at anything and just make up a song on the spot about it.
I asked,he answered ...
How do you balance both careers? Balancing both careers can be quite challenging sometimes because I would love to spend more time on music by travelling to different carnivals worldwide and networking with other artist, Dj’s, promoters. However I still have bills/responsibilities to handle so I need my 9-5 job as well!
Tell me a lil' about "HANGOVER." Hangover is a song that deals with the after effects of drinking rum.
How did you come up with that song? Why HangOver? I came up with that song the day after a boat cruise in Toronto. One of my friends who went to the boat cruise called me the next day and said he has a headache and in Trinidad we refer to that as a HangOver. We also say that the remedy for a HangOver is to drink what you were drinking when you got drunk so I then developed and structured the song around that concept. I wrote about HangOver because no one ever sang about that topic before. Everyone sings about drinking rum but no one never sang about the after effects.
Do you feel that HangOver is a responsible song? (... considering the attitude towards alcohol?) Yes. At the end of the day people consume alcohol while partying during carnival but I always stress to my fans do not drink and drive.
Is there anything else you'd like people to know about "HangOver?" I want people to understand that the song is a different concept and was produced by Kerwin Du Bois. HangOver will be one of those songs that never die because it is not specifically about carnival.
What has been the crowd's response to HangOver? People are loving it worldwide and know the song even if they do not know who Slammer Cutter the artist is because I have been behind the scenes for years.
Do you have any plans to remix HangOver again?(I am aware of your chutneyHangOver Remix with Hitman!)If yes, possibly with who? Yes not sure I am trying to work with people from different islands to remix the song for their carnival. I am in the process of trying to remix hangover with Ricky T or one of them.
Do you have any plans to do a video for HangOver? If yes, what do you have in mind? Yes, I have some different concepts that I am working through like a video whereby I went to a fete and got drunk and slept through carnival only to find out when I got up everyone around me has a hangover.
Can we expect to see you at any other International Carnivals in 2009? I definitely plan to hit Caribana, Miami, Labour Day and will try to make Grenada as well as St Lucia this year.
Which band will you be on the road with for Caribana 2009? I normally come down the road with Carnival Nationz or Jamal Magloire. I may be doing a video for Caribana.
What can we expect in the future from Slammer Cutter? You can expect different styles of music like dancehall, reggae etc and creative topics that other people would not dream of singing. MASHUP was an old song of mine before my break through with HANGOVER. If you hear the follow up for next year, called BAD WEATHER. LOL!
I would feel terribly sorry if I was shoving Trinidad Carnival down your throat but by the tremendous response according to my site meter statistics, I know a lot of you don't mind! Tis' the season to be winin' and .... ! I'm certain you could come up with an answer to fill in the blanks! LOL!
Friends are making the trip to Trinidad & Tobago, leaving comments such as ...
"I know you are sad to see me go
... But stop crying before you flood the place!!!"
"For those of you heading to the Land of Oil and Music, Have A Safe and Happy Carnival!
And remember a wine is a terrible thing to waste. (LOL)
One Plus Band performing LIVE in a bar in Vieux Fort, St.Lucia. The best part of this video is the lady cleaning the street who later leaves the job for a lil' break! LOL!
Ayanna Lee-Rivears is a dancer, Socacize™/aerobics instructor, teacher and choreographer. This Trinidad & Tobago native started “Socacize." SocaSize is an exhilarating Caribbean workout. A creative blend of high & low impact aerobics, African and indigenous Caribbean dance movements performed to Calypso, Soca Zouk, Reggae music and on occasion drums. Sign up for a Socacize Class Session or buy the Socacize DVD $19.99.
