After a two year hiatus, The Soul Train Awards Show is back and in a big way!! The show presented by BET's spin-off channel Centric. The show will simulcast on BET and Centric on Nov. 29 at 9 pm ET. The show will be hosted by Academy Award nominee actors Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. Scheduled to perform are Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Erykah Badu, Robin Thicke, Fantasia, Ryan Leslie, Chrisette Michelle, Raheem DeVaughn, Karyn White, Boyz II Men, Ledisi, Chico Debarge, Angie Stone, Brian McKnight, Ginuwine, Melanie Fiona, and Johnny Gill plus many others.
This year's show will also pay tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson won more Soul Train awards than anyone else in the history of the show and he will be honored posthumously with a special Entertainer of the Year Award.
Any fan of dancehall music is more than aware of the Gully vs. Gaza battle that has been brewing for some time between Bounty Killer, Mavado, and Vybz Kartel et. al. Recently, while at a party, Bounty Killer decided to address the mounting tension linked to the ongoing rivalry. In sum, Bounty Killer still and always will rep for the Gully Side but this does not mean there should be violence over which side you represent. Sort of like Democrats vs. Republicans - can't we all just get along????
Gully or Gaza take your pick but no need for anyone to die over this issue. As for me, me deya pon de Gullyaza side!
39 reggae artists have been selected for consideration for the Grammy Award for Reggae Album of the Year. Some of the submissions include the ever so special album, Mavado's "Mr. Brooks...A Better Tomorrow" and Sizzla, "Ghetto Youth-Ology". Grammy award winner Sean Paul is back with his latest album "Imperial Blaze". Sean Paul's album released on August 18 just barely beat the submission deadline of August 31. Queen Ifrica is on the list repping for the ladies with her album "Montego Bay". Not to be left out, Buju Banton is also up for consideration with his "Rasta Got Soul" album. Both Stephen and Julian Marley are also up for consideration but no such consideration for brother Ziggy.
The final nominations should be released by the end of November early December and I will keep you posted. The Grammy Awards are scheduled to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 31, 2010. Below is the complete list of albums submitted for nomination consideration:
1. The Aggrolites - IV 2. Anthony B - Rise Up 3. Buju Banton - Rasta Got Soul 4. Benaissa - Tables Turn 5. Ce’cile - Waiting 6. De Apostle - King Of The V.I. 7. Easy Star All-Stars - Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band 8. Lutan Fyah - Justice 9. Terry Ganzie - Loose And Running 10. Gyptian - I Can Feel Your Pain 11. Inner Circle - State Of Da World 12. Gregory Isaacs - Brand New Me 13. The Itals - Let Dem Talk 14. Jah Cure - The Universal Cure 15. John Brown’s Body - Re-Amplify 16. Kronik - Breaking Loose 17. Lady G - Rated G 18. Terry Linen - A Better Man 19. Julian Marley - Awake 20. Stephen Marley - Mind Control - Acoustic 21. Mavado - Mr. Brooks…A Better Tomorrow 22. Mishka- Above The Bones 23. Fantan Mojah - Stronger 24. Sean Paul - Imperial Blaze 25. Prezident Brown - Common Prosperity 26. Queen Ifrica - Montego Bay 27. Rebelution - Bright Side Of Life 28. Tarrus Riley - Contagious 29. Sizzla - Ghetto Youth-Ology 30. Mikey Spice - Walk A Mile 31. T.O.K. - Our World 32. Shango Trex - Shango Trex 33. Various Artists - Chemistry Riddim 34. Various Artists - The Hit List 35. Various Artists - National Pride 36. Various Artists - Reggae Gold 29 37. Various Artists - Reggae Jammin Vol. 1 38. Glen Washington - Destiny 39. Westbound Train - Come And Get It
The Best of the Best concert went down on Sunday May 24 in not so sunny Miami, Florida. Your girl Red Carpet Shelley eagerly prepared for the trip to Miami and landed on Saturday night. On Sunday, I got to the show bright and early and got ready to enjoy one of the biggest reggae shows. Upon arrival, I secured my spot in the press tent (only to be kicked out later on when it got overcrowded. It's all good - you know I got back in there. Can't keep a good gal down!!) As expected, the show lived up to its title and brought the best of the best to Miami for a one night stand. The stage was set and smell of Caribbean food wafted through the air as the massive throng of music enthusiasts enjoyed the best musicians in dancehall, reggae, soca, and hip hop (the smell of something else was also wafting through the air!!)
The performances were not as long as theaudience would have preferred but given the amount of performers, rain showers and the time allotted, it was a great show overall. Some of my favorite performances included T-Pain, DJ Khaled and Rick Ross (pictured here without his 40 plus deep entourage. Rick, who in the heck were all those people?). The hip hop trio got the audience hype and didn't disappoint especially when Jeezy jumped in too. Young Jeezy put on for his city (A-Town stay down!). Did I mention that Diddy and Flo -Rida made surprise appearances? It was bananas!
Young Jeezy The Trini massive was not going to be left out and were well represented by Destra who followed the hip hop artists. The dancehall reggae artists were not to be outdone either. Spice decided to get down and dirty by jumping into the audience and pulling an unsuspecting audience member on stage for a night to remember! Tony Matterhorn certainly gave the girls a good show too - nothing like a good dutty whine on a Sunday afternoon (forgive me Father...). The ladies loved him and I, too, was smitten! Beenie Man came out dressed a like a Pirate of the Caribbean (or was that Elephant Man? I think they had the same stylist this year). Beenie gave the audience a proper fix and taught Sex 101 (I took some notes from both Beenie and Spice!). Beenie was miffed at the short time allotted for his performance and let it be known that he was not leaving the stage until he was good and ready. Gwan Beenie! He also let The Alliance (Bounty Killa, Mavado, Serani, Kiprich, etc.) know that he didn't feel threatened by them. I, on the other hand, accidentally bumped into the Gully God aka Mavado backstage and definitely felt some trepidation. I kindly apologized and Red Carpet Shelley kept it moving! I don't think he even noticed that I had bumped him as he went on to converse with Tony Matterhorn. Part of me did want to let him know that he is my main ringer on my phone - I love you Mavado - still waiting on a piece of your cassava! Following Beenie was the Energy God, Elephant Man. He delivered his expected high energy performance after scolding Beenie for not abiding by the time restrictions. Mavado
Beenie Man
The Alliance did not disappoint either. The Alliance, comprised of Mavado, Bounty Killa, Serani, Kiprich, etc. closed out the show but were short on time. The audience definitely wanted more from the Gully Side but seemed contented with what was given. Bounty introduced his singer son Majah and the girls swooned over his sultry R&B sound. Overall, a great time and I look forward to next year's show. The Alliance - Mavado, Bounty Killa & Kiprich
Energy God - Elephant Man
Capleton below burning down Babylon amongst other things.....
HE'S SO SPECIAL!!!!! Mavado's latest album "Mr. Brooks...A Better Tomorrow" debuted at the #1 Top Shotta spot this week on Billboard's Reggae Billboard. David Constantine Brooks aka "Mavado" has been on the reggae scene for some time now but is now gaining greater visibility outside of the Caribbean community. A large part of this is due to his recent hit song "So Special". Mavado performed the song on BET's Rip The Runway and the song is also in rotation on MTV Jams. Although the album has just been released, many of the songs on the album are already big hits (including "So Special") and will be familiar to most reggae heads. In a recent MTV interview Mavado explains how the struggles in his life are the inspiration behind his popular song "So Special".
"I sing about my whole life," "I've been through so many things and I'm still here today, so I try to put message in my song within my life, because it's a reality." "I'm not the only one that's been through struggle," he states. "I know you must have been through some kind of struggle in your life. Everyone [has] struggled." Look out for Mavado on Jay-Z's next album Blueprint 3.
Congratulations Mavado! Can your girl Red Carpet Shelley get a Piece of your Cassava?? I'm just sayin'!!!...
STOP YOUR WHINING!!! Last month, Jamaica's broadcast commission announced the banning of music containing explicit sexual and/or violent lyrics. Commission spokesman Cordell Green stated the "we've got to clean up the airwaves." At the heart of the controversy is "daggering" . According to the commission, the definition of daggering is a "colloquial term used in dancehall culture as a reference to hardcore sex or what is popularly referred to as 'dry sex' or the activities of persons engaged in the public simulation of various sexual acts and positions". Media outlets not adhering to the ban may face stiff penalties. As a result, Jamaica's CVM and TVJ will likely not broadcast next month's Carnival celebrations in Jamaica. They do not want to run the risk of facing huge fines or being put out of business by the government. No more whining de bum bum!!!
