Quickies

ER premiere for 'Life Goes On' video

Signed to Serani's Rockstone Media, recording artiste and this year's Magnum King Deep Jahi recently shot a music video for his song Life Goes On. The song, which gained prominence in the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall Competition, went on to have a strong radio presence and is still creating waves in the dancehall arena. The video was shot and directed by Mykal Cushnie of DSE Media on location in and around Tivoli Gardens.

The video is now ready for release and is scheduled to premiere on next Friday's episode of Entertainment Report on TVJ, along with an up close and personal interview by veteran television personality Anthony Miller.

Deep Jahi has been busy doing shows all summer, including being featured on last Saturday's staging of deejay Capleton's annual charity event St Mary Mi Come From. Deep Jahi stood out among his peers, giving patrons an explosive performance that was well received.

The young artiste has also been in studio recording numerous new songs, some of which have already been released. Among them are Another Try on JA Production's Overtime riddim, which has been getting favourable attention on radio and the Internet in the few weeks since its release.

Menny More sings Ja tribute

Following Jamaica's strong performance in the recently concluded Olympic Games in London, England, Miami-based reggae crooner and musician Menny More has joined the long list of Jamaican artistes who have dedicated songs to the team and, by extension, Jamaica.

Menny More went into the studio with fellow musicians and did a remake of Tappa Zukie's classic Bangarang riddim, to which he penned and voiced a tribute titled Jamaicans. The song is in celebration of Usain Bolt's success in the London Games and also ties in with Jamaica's 50th anniversary as an independent nation.

Menny More's tribute exudes the patriotism expressed by many Jamaicans living in the diaspora. His powerful vocals and the strong melodies in the song potentially make it a favourite among listeners of authentic reggae music.

According to Menny, the idea for Jamaicans first came to him after he revisited Jamaica a few months ago on short promotional stint, but only manifested after seeing how well Jamaica did in the Olympics. "After being away for so many years living abroad and touring the world, when I returned to the island the other day it was then that I realised how much I missed the culture and the whole 'yardie' vibes, and then to see little Jamaica competing on the world stage and dominating it the way we did, everything sealed right there and then. I'm proud to be a Jamaican," the singer explained.

The tribute was released on the Troback Sound label and can be downloaded free at http://soundcloud.com/trobacksound/jamaicans-tribute.

Among the Jamaican artistes who have recorded songs dedicated to their country are Nando Griffiths, Tommy Lee, Melloquence, Beenie Man, Masicka and, more recently, popular dancer Over Mars.

Menny released his sophomore solo album Menny's Book Of Riddims in June this year. It is a co-production of legendary Grammy-nominated producer Jah Mikes of Reggae Vibes Productions Inc and the newly formed Troback Sound label.

Jah Vinci signs with Trippledose Production

Reggae/dancehall singer Jah Vinci, known for songs such as Watch Your Friends (Remand riddim by Notnice), Dem Shud a Memba Say (Day Rave riddim by Stephen McGregor), In My Life, Remedy and Wipe Those Tears, has been honing his craft in order to continue to cater to his fans.

Jah Vinci has found himself a new management team, Trippledose Production, a music production company which has been on the music scene for a while. This company, along with Jah Vinci, has now set out to bring the artiste to a higher level in his musical career.

Since Jah Vinci's new management deal, he has been in the recording studios working with different producers such as Frenz 4 Real (Rich Two Time) and Black Spider (Amazing Grace). He has also recorded Drop A Night for Trippledose Production, for which they have filmed a music video to be released in coming weeks.

The former Portmore Empire artiste has also taken on a few collaboration projects such as Weh Mi a Guh Duh, with features IQ, and Let's Rock, featuring rapper Scantana. Jah Vinci has also been working on a new mix tape called Braawling, hosted by DJ Metro. Jahvinci is currently in Europe, where he is expected to perform at several popular reggae events.

Ouch Crew criticises dancehall fashion

Renowned designers Ouch Crew believes that dancehall culture is dormant.

Founder of Ouch, Barbra 'Mama Ouch' Francis, relocated to the US with the brand in the late 1990s. According to her, dancehall fashion is not the same. "Right now there is no dancehall fashion culture. What I see now is women coming into the dance and looking two side. There is no music that depicts the culture, so now when you go to dance you are bored because the music is not right. Even at the Olympics dancehall was not represented. That goes to show that there is no message and no trend, so when females go to dance now it's just to look a man," Mama Ouch said.

Co-designer Paula Ouch believes dancehall needs mentors. "Somebody needs to go to the dancehall and do something that people can emulate positively and strive to be like it," she said.

The Ouch brand was strong in dancehall fashion in the '90s, creating clothes for Lady Saw, Holy Childhood High cheerleaders, Immaculate Conception High cheerleaders, Ninja Man and Macka Diamond (then Lady Mackerel), among others. Ouch was also featured in the films Dancehall Queen and Belly, rappers Nas and DMX appearing in the latter.

Mama Ouch feels that designers have lost their local roots, feeding into American culture. "There have to be designers with brands of clothes that covers up the body and depicts dancehall in a way that attracts the outside world. Dancehall needs excitement. Everybody wants to follow America. We need to be more creative. They are too Americanised and going for name brands," she said.