501 Entertainment

Mavado Headlines “Best of the Best”

The show that promises to be the ‘best of the best’ is indeed that. The 2009 line-up for its third undertaking on Sunday, May 24th at Bicentennial Park in Miami sees nothing but stars! Billed as the “Best Caribbean Show in North America,” Best of the Best has grown into an international music festival, which music lovers journey from around the world to savor each year. Presented by Miami’s premier promotions company, JBJ Entertainment, this year’s roster showcases artists that are at the top of their game, in their respective genres, in Caribbean and urban music.

Dancehall star Mavado is enjoying amazing crossover success with his current album sitting pretty at #76 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-hop albums; it’s the only Caribbean album on a Billboard mainstream chart. “Last year I didn’t get to make it to the show,” says Mavado. “So this year, Best of the Best is going to get the very best of Mavado.”

Also enjoying tremendous mainstream airplay is Serani, whose single “No Games” comes in at #67 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-hop chart this week. “With all the positive things happening in my career recently, Best of the Best is dropping at the right time,” reveals Serani. “I’m 100% ready to celebrate with all my fans cause it’s going to be one big party!”

Elephant Man joins the momentum as his dance anthem “Nuh Linga” debuts this week on Billboard’s Hot 100 R&B/Hip-hop chart at #100. Fans can also expect to enjoy massive catalogs of hits from Wayne Wonder (”No Letting Go,” # 11 Billboard Hot 100; 2003), Bounty Killer (”Hey Baby” with No Doubt; 2001 & “Hip Hopera” with The Fugees; 1997), Beenie Man (”Hmm Hmm,” #42 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-hop Singles Sales; 2006), Capleton (Heathen Rage, #42 Billboard Hot Rap Singles; 1996), Cocoa Tea (”Barack Obama,” #9 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-hop Singles Sales; 2009), and Tony Matterhorn (”Dutty Wine,” #24 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-hop Singles Sales; 2007).

The show will also profile soca star Destra, who drops her new album internationally this week. Reggae artist Ras Penco comes with the #3 reggae song in Jamaica, while Ce’Cile sits at the top of the reggae album chart (Jamaica Weekly Countdown). The Caribbean roster rounds up with Spice (who is enjoying massive airplay with her collaboration with Vybz Kartel, “Romping Shop”), Flippa Mafia, Christopher Martin and The Stones.

Hip-hop lovers will be satisfied with heavyweights like Rick Ross (who just dropped his new album this week, Deeper Than Rap), Jeezy, remix king T-Pain and Miami’s own DJ Khaled. “It’s going to be a night to remember,” states Mavado, of the star-studded bill. “The show’s name tells you who is performing, so the fans can come out and expect to see the best.”

Air Jamaica has just been added as an airline sponsor for the show, which 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. The 10-hour event does not end there. Everyone is invited to the official Best of the Best After Party, at Bongos Nightclub (located behind the American Airlines Arena), immediately following the show.

www.bestofthebestconcert.com

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Buju Banton Mourns Mother Death

876radio.com is saddened to announce the passing of Reggae superstar Buju Banton’s beloved mother, Murdine “Miss Dotty” Clarke. Miss Dotty made her transition earlier this month, leaving behind her adoring children, grandchildren, family and friends.

A very somber Buju said he would like to thank all those who have sent their condolences in this his time of grief.

In other news Gargamel Music, Inc. celebrates its 5th year operating in the United States by going green! Originally launched in Kingston by CEO Buju Banton back in the late 90s, the label is proud to do our part for the environment by kicking off a fresh line of recycled products starting with the new Buju Banton album, Rasta Got Soul, which drops in North America next week Tuesday, April 21st. The date also marks the 43rd anniversary of the late Emperor Haile Selassie’s historic visit to Jamaica in 1966.

Art Director, Darhil Crooks of Foundation Design Studio, explains his creative vision for the new album. “Now that we’re in a digital age, everything about the CD as we know it has become disposable. Album art has been reduced to a small icon on whatever mp3 player you use,” he explains.

Darhil remembers exploring his parents vinyl collection as a kid and getting absorbed in the artwork. “That tactile feeling has been lost,” he admits, “but I felt it was important that we brought that back with Rasta Got Soul. People throw away jewel cases now and I really wanted to bring back the feeling of vinyl when the music and the imagery were inseparable.”

Working with a striking set of black and white images shot by esteemed celebrity photographer, Jonathan Mannion, the design itself is rather minimal. “My goal was to showcase Mannion’s work and give the album a classic, clean look. Not too busy. Raw and real,” Darhil adds. “I just took it back to basics in the same way Rasta Got Soul is taking it back to the roots.”

Source: www.876radio.com

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Usain Bolt Issues Public Apology

World triple sprint record holder, Usain Bolt, is rushing to clarify statements attributed to him by a popular German magazine.

The Jamaican sprint sensation caused some eyebrows to be raised after the article claimed the track star made comments about Jamaican children using marijuana.

According to the article the athlete said “…When you’re a child in Jamaica you learn how to roll a joint…”

In a release issued Monday, Bolt moved swiftly to deny making any such comments, admittedly he confessed to smoking marijuana as a child but never made a statement describing drug use among children in Jamaica .

Bolt said he would like to publicly apologise to the Jamaican people if at anytime it came across as if he was suggesting youngsters in Jamaica “…roll joints.”.

German tabloid BILD reported Sunday that the Jamaican sprint phenomenon also confessed to using marijuana as a recreational drug during his formative years, but said he has not touched it since.  

The Olympic triple gold medalist and record holder’s interview with the German tabloid which was done at Boys and Girls Champs recently has received significant traction throughout the world.

In another article published on Saturday in the New York Times, Bolt was quoted as saying that eight (8) time Olympic gold Medalist Michael Phelps who was photographed with a bong was stupid and also that his competitor Asafa Powell tended to “…freak out.” at the big moments.

Source: www.876radio.com

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Aidonia Cleared of All Charges

Aidonia who recently celebrated his birthday has a lot more to be thankful for after he was cleared of all charges when he appeared before the Supreme Court in Downtown Kingston, yesterday morning.

The entertainer whose real name is Sheldon Lawrence was last year slapped with several charges ranging from conspiracy to shooting, illegal possession of firearm and shooting with intent stemming from an incident in the Shortwood Area in January 2008.

Valrie Nieta-Robertson the entertainer’s legal counsel made application for the charges to be dismissed against her client after an alleged witness who was injured in the incident did not show to give his testimony and base on the lack of evidence on the part of the prosecution all charges were dropped and Resident Magistrate Williams advised Aidonia that he was free to go.

After the hearing a very jovial Aidonia said he was happy with the outcome and thanked everyone who had been supportive of him in his time of need. . - He told 876radio.com in an exclusive interview.

“Mi just wah give Jah thanks we face trials everyday, because di case been going on for a year. Pon a level it mash up mi medz and di career likkle but  jah was walking with me.. mi definitely expected a not guilty verdict so now we free up again we can focus on more positivity…. no more unnecessary entourage and di bag a idle thing ..yuh nuh see mi get rid a dem a just growth we a focus pon now …to do better because is all about di music and entertaining the fans”

Aidonia’s charges stemmed from a shooting incident in January 2008 in the proximity of Wedcombe Avenue off Shortwood Road where several shots were fired and one man was injured. When the police arrived on the scene upon further investigation it was revealed that the deejay’s name was one of those being called as being involved.

Source: www.876radio.com

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