Quickies: Ce'Cile goes digital with 'Jamaicanization'

Ce'Cile has released Jamaicanization on iTunes and via mobile Apps. The album, which was released on August 19th in Germany, has been previewed in magazines such as Grazia and the German Playboy. Ce'Cile is also one of the few Jamaican dancehall artistes utilising Album Apps, and her full album plus lyrics is available as an application download for Android and iPhone users.

Jamaicanization, which has not yet been released in Jamaica, contains 16 tracks, of which 13 were done for the album.

So far, the reviews have been excellent. Reggaeville.de states: "In fact, Jamaicanization is an album to listen to from beginning to end. It works for dancehall fanatics, it works for a (more or less) mainstream audience, it works in a club as well as a background soundtrack while having breakfast, doing ironing or whatever."

Jamaicanization has also been doing well on the charts. Two of the songs on the album - Step Aside (Beep Beep) and Singing This Song - are currently at 10 and 11 respectively on the MTV German Black Charts. Ce'Cile is sitting pretty, ahead of artistes such as Lil Wayne, Drake, 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige, Singing This Song peaked at number four.

Video expected after YouTube hits

After amassing over 700,000 hits on YouTube following its release this summer, music producer Troyton Hinds has confirmed video discussions are under way for the dancehall/R&B single I Know You Want Me (Remix), featuring Mavado and international star Ne-Yo. The song was produced by Hinds and released on his Troyton Music label.

The move to shoot a video spells exciting times and indicates, says Hinds, a positive direction for the Jamaican music scene. "The song has been doing phenomenally well and this video would only serve to raise the profile of the Jamaican music industry. It's really great that international acts are taking an interest in working more frequently with Jamaican artistes and producers. I hope this leads to bigger things for our industry players," he said.

Hinds has recently logged studio time with new UK recording artiste Jay Harmony and also released the Danger Luv Riddim. Tarrus Riley, Mavado, I-Octane, Aidonia, Konshens, Bugle, Chris Martin, Lutan Fire, Mr G, Bencil T-Nez and Khago all make appearances on the mid-tempo compilation.

'Get Better' scores for Nando

Heart to Art/One Jam recording artiste Nando is basking in the popularity of his song Get Better. Nine weeks after entering the Reggae Vibes Jamaica Top 20 Reggae Chart, Get Better, a song for single moms and all women striving to raise their children without compromising their values, now occupies the number-seven spot.

Nando is now putting the final touches on his debut album, Yaad and Abroad, which is slated for release between early December and mid-January. According to Nando, "We just had a listening session for the album last week that was attended by some top names in the industry, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. We are just waiting on a remix with a top dancehall deejay to close off the album. Once that's done, we will determine the release date. We know some folks are anxious to get the album. However, we continue to confer on the best release approach, as too much effort went into creating the album to not give the release adequate attention."

Wasp flies to Africa

Dancehall recording artiste Marvin Clarke, better known as Wasp, left Jamaica this week for South Africa to do a two-week tour of the African continent. The deejay, known for Wasp A Buss Di Place, Unfair Officer and Cry Fi Dem, is one of the billed headliners for the Lager Beer Summer Festival in South Africa tomorrow. Other Jamaican performers confirmed for the festival are Cocoa Tea, Beres Hammond, Fantan Mojah and Giovanni.

Aside from the festival, Wasp has several club dates through Johannesburg and the surrounding regions.

Ahead of his departure, Wasp premiered his new video for the single Thank You, directed by Scorpio 21. The song pays tribute to all the critics who have been instrumental to his continued success. The video debuted on Hype TV's Up and Live programme, and is already enjoying favourable reviews across the Caribbean diaspora.

Wasp has been working assiduously in the studio, and is expected to soon release projects, courtesy of two US-based producers, Coppershot Music, Zip FM's ZJ Dymond, Ward 21 and newly formed record label, Darkcide International.

Hamma Fridaze returns with Guinness

After a successful inaugural staging, attracting thousands of partygoers, Kingston-based sound system and record label Darkcide International, in association with the Hamma Squad, is set to return with Hamma Fridaze this month.

Hamma Fridaze, officially launched on June 14th, is gearing up for a second season following a brief hiatus in September. As part of the renewed experience, the promoters have partnered with two of dancehall's biggest brands, Guinness and Smirnoff, for the rebranding of 'Guinness Hamma Fridaze'. The rebranding exercise will see Guinness and Smirnoff playing a major role in bolstering the party atmosphere that patrons have become familiar with, with the introduction of several offerings including the Guinness promotional girls, bucket deals, increased ad campaigns and giveaways all night.

According to event spokesperson Shadow, "we decided to take a break in September to allow parents and college students to focus on back-to-school efforts. However, since then the queries regarding the event's return have been frequent and we are pleased to advise the public that, come this Heroes weekend, Guinness Hamma Fridaze will be back with a bang. We thank everyone and all the surrounding communities for their continued support."

Guinness Hamma Fridaze will unfold tonight at 39 Wildman Street (Spoilaz) in downtown Kingston. The event starts at 10 p.m. with music by resident sound Darkcide International (ZJ Wah Wa, DJ Calico and Acid), Presto Mix and Little Richie from Hitz 92FM.

'Adrenaline Junkie' anticipates fatherhood

Jack Osbourne is to become a father for the first time. The Adrenaline Junkie star has confirmed fiancée Lisa Stelly - who he got engaged to two weeks ago - is expecting their first child and he can't wait to be a dad.

During an appearance on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight with his parents Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, he revealed: "My life is absolutely insane right now. I guess, technically, I do have something to tell you. I'm about to be a father. I'm excited. I'm a little nervous, but I'm excited. It's going to be fun."

Jack shot to fame on family reality TV show The Osbournes, but the 25-year-old star has vowed not to put his own offspring through the same experience. He said: "I'm not going to do a reality show, though!"

Ozzy and Sharon are equally as thrilled by the news, though the heavy-metal legend admits he is still in "shock". He joked: "I'm in shock. It's fantastic. It doesn't matter what I think - the baby's on its way." Sharon added: "I'm happy, because it's what Jack wants. And so I'm happy, and I've always wanted to be a grandma."

Meanwhile, Jack's sister Kelly proclaimed herself to be the "luckiest girl in the world" about the news. She wrote on her Twitter page: "girls night in w/@lisamarstelly my future sister in law & mother of my niece/nephew, we are so happy the news is out so i can talk about it."

Barbee hits black carpet

International starlet, Barbee, who comes from Jamaica, made an impact at the recent BET Hip Hop Awards weekend in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The songstress not only walked the hot black carpet, where she mingled with other celebrities, but also conducted interviews with V103, Hip Hop Weekly, 106 N Park and other media outlets.

On the carpet Barbee discussed her music and talent and spoke about her excitement at being in the company of her peers in the entertainment industry. She also enjoyed the nightlife events, partying with the New York Knicks' Amare Stoudemire, attending the T.I and Diddy party at Compound, and also Young Jeezy's birthday party at Mansion Elan.

"I have been blessed to travel abroad and meet some of the most talented individuals within the industry. It was nothing but a world of opportunity and an exciting experience to be able to attend the BET Hip Hop Awards, to witness honouring America's most talented and driven individuals. I am eager for my peers and the world to learn and see more of my movement on an international level," Barbee said.

Gully goes to Ghana

Already boasting a long list of achievements in his career, the Gully Gad Mavado reached a personal milestone last weekend when he performed in Africa for the first time. Mavado performed for a 10,000-strong crowd at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana.

"Long time mi suppose to reach Africa fi sing fi di people," said Mavado. "But nothing before time. It was a great experience and I felt so at home there. Ghana reminded me so much of Jamaica. I loved it."

From the moment Mavado arrived in Ghana, it was pandemonium as crowds followed him everywhere he went, whether on foot, by bike or car, as he did the promotional rounds and hung out at various spots in Accra. Mavado had to remain in the car he was in for nearly 20 minutes when he arrived at the stadium for his performance, because of the excitement surrounding the motorcade. When Mavado finally emerged to enter the stadium's field, he was surrounded by fans who formed a massive circle around him as he walked.

The Fantasy Entertainment promotion reportedly pulled one of the largest crowds ever seen for a reggae event in Ghana. A slew of Ghanaian performers put on strong performances, from reggae to dancehall, rap, drumming and traditional genres. Samini, the Ghanian headliner, put on a great show with his band before making way for Gully Gad, backed by Anger Management band.

The large crowd erupted as Mavado ran out with So Special and he had the audience captivated for over an hour and a half, singing song after song with him. It seemed the Ghanaian people identified most with Messiah 'No Food, No Water', words from the song, were emblazoned across T-shirts for sale at the venue. Hope and Pray also got a massive response, Mavado having to sing the song several times to satisfy the crowd.

"I had to give them almost everything," said a sweat-soaked Mavado after the performance. "The people showed me crazy love and made me so welcome since I came here, so I had to give them a special performance. I can't wait to return and I look forward to performing in other African countries in the near future."