AN Exclusive DVD/CD taking an in-depth look into the next generation of dancehall superstars

Record executive/producer Johnny Wonder presents the new batch of dancehall artistes from Kingston, Jamaica. Armed with a camera by his side, he follows these up and coming artistes as they navigate through the dancehalls and studios of Jamaica. Exclusively aired Jan. 1st on Jamaica's own Hype TV and in stores nationwide on March 6th, 2007, this DVD package provides never before seen footage of some of the most talked about artists in dancehall today, including: Busy Signal, Mavado, Aidonia, Hollow Point, Mr. Pepper, WARD 21, Alozade and Tony Matterhorn.

With over 20 years in the dancehall business, Johnny dedicates countless hours in the battlefield to bring forth the talent displayed on this compilation. From the garrisons and trenches of the island's ghettos to the international stage, he brings the insider's perspective on dancehall's underground with personal artiste and producer interviews and recent performance clips from the toughest stage shows. The full-length documentary captures raw behind-the-scenes footage on each of these breaking artistes, as well as, the hottest producers, like, the young talented crew, Daseca, ZJ Liquid, Marc Pinnock, Richie Feelings, Baby G and Jam 2. There is a video segment featuring clips of Busy Signal's "Step Out" & "Born & Grow", Mavado's "Dreaming", Aidonia's "Ukku", Hollow Point's "Who Goes", Mr. Peppa's "Gangster Guerilla" & "Talk," Tony Matterhorn's "Dutty Wine," and Alozade's "Bad Out Deh." Also as an added bonus, Dancehall Draft Picks offers a full audio album with some of the hardcore smashes from each emerging artist.

Hype TV, the top video show in Jamaica, officially premiered the Dancehall Draft Pick's documentary in its entirety on New Year’s Day. Since this preview, dancehall's biggest fans have raved over this groundbreaking footage. "I have never seen a DVD that tapped into reggae's underground quite like this. It shows you how these artistes thrive in their environment...taking you inside the studios of Daseca, King Jammy, and Natural Bridge to the garrisons of Kingston and back to some of the biggest stage shows in Jamaica," says Sharon Burke from the Solid Agency.

After a long weekend of feting in New York for the West Indian Day Parade, I have come to realize that there is little effort made by promoters to put their patrons first. One of the events held behind the Brooklyn Museum was to be an outdoor event.  Brass Fest is one of the top annual events, though promoters failed to keep the bad weather in mind.  Weather reports had stated there would be rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto, though there was no tent set up for the stage or the patrons.  There were no options for the scheduled bands to perform aside from have the lead singers perform against tracks.  Paying patrons were subjected to cold rain and hindered performances.

Shell Cartel’s Brass and Glow was on the next evening at KC’s Hideaway.  Unfortunately for their patrons, the event was shut down early by the police.  There hasn’t been any word as to why, but it takes little for the police to do so.  Whether patrons are illegally parked or loitering outside, the police will end a show.  The promoters may do something in the future to make up, though I find make up shows are rather senseless when so many people are visiting from out of town. 

Dr. Boyce Watkins, a well-known Syracuse University Professor, states that Oliver Stone's crew for the film "World Trade Center" was professionally irresponsible by mistakenly portraying a key black character as a white man.

Dr. Boyce Watkins, a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of "What if George Bush were a Black Man?" is outraged by the recently released film "World Trade Center", directed by Oliver Stone. The film, focused on events during September 11, 2001, inaccurately portrays two of the key characters as white instead of black. One of them is a major part of the story, former Marine Jason L. Thomas, played by Nicolas Cage. The second is Bruce Reynolds, a New York City Police Officer.

Producer Michael Shamberg has stated that "by the time we discovered he's black we had already been in production for a day and it was too late to do anything about it."

Dr. Watkins, who has discussed social justice issues on shows such as Hannity & Colmes, ESPN and The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, finds Shamberg's explanation to be shaky and problematic. "These guys spend millions researching their story before making films," says Watkins. "You would expect someone to at least look at the guy's picture. Right now, Oliver Stone films have very little credibility in my mind."

TOO MUCH FRICTION IN THE MUSIC WHIRL!

Why are so many entertainers causing so much confusion with the law? Entertainers are always causing a lot of fusion with their music; instead they are confusing it with the law. Take for example the lawsuit that Tanya Stephens filed against Lil’ Kim, that we reported last week. It is a big to-do about plagiarism or piracy in the musical fraternity.  Stephens and the Queen Bee aren’t the only ones in the scuffle. Another Jamaican singer, Glen Washington, known for the mega hits, 'Kindness for Weakness', 'Jah Glory' and 'Oh Jah', could be deported to Jamaica from Florida as early as this week, since he has been detained for several days by the authorities in Miami for violating the terms of his probation. He is expected to be deported after being held and interviewed by U.S. immigration officials at the Chrome Detention Center in South Florida.

Miami and Broward Carnivals are fast approaching and the lineup of fetes looks very promising.  Islands United is bringing their annual Girl Power to Bongos (located at the American Airlines Arena, Downtown Miami) again.  While the previous years have always done well and remain the top Thursday event, the artistes weren’t representative of a true GIRL POWER event.  Last year included a large amount of male performers, as did the year before.  This year is the return of Alison Hinds to the card as well as Destra and Atlantik.  Also scheduled to perform is Michelle Sylvester, Fayanne Lyons, Nadia Batson, Candy Hoyte, and the lone male artiste, Iwer.  This year’s event should be a great event.  I love the venue, as there is plenty of parking. For more information on Girl Power, log onto http://myspace.com/islandsunited.

Trinisouthboyz is also another promotion that brings some of carnival’s biggest fetes.  The 6^th annual Socavivor includes a 6-day schedule of events.  You can start your wardrobe shopping from now to participate in their color-coded events.  I love the idea of wearing a particular colour on specific days as the parties have a unified look amongst partiers.  Their lineup for Carnival includes Machel Montano & Xtatik, Benjai, Red Hot Flames, Bunji Garlin, The Elvis White Band, and more.  For more information, log onto http://trinisouthboyz.com.