Raging Fyah Featured on Grammy Amplifier Frontpage!

Hyundai and The Recording Academy^® announce the launch of the third annual GRAMMY Amplifier^® - an innovative, online music initiative aimed at mentoring emerging artists and providing them the opportunity to elevate their careers by showcasing their talent.  As of January 28^th, featured on the front page of the Grammy Amplifier page is Jamaica’s own Raging Fyah!  

Raging Fyah Featured on Grammy Amplifier

Three-time GRAMMY^® and Brit winner Mark Ronson will serve as the 2015 GRAMMY Amplifier Ambassador alongside this year's program curators – current 57^th GRAMMY nominees The Band Perry and Ziggy Marley, and singer/songwriter Allen Stone. The ambassador and curators will vet talent via online submissions and select the program's three winners who will individually be awarded one of the following prizes: (1) a studio recording session with a GRAMMY winning producer; (2) filming and starring in their own music video with a noted director; or (3) securing an opening spot for a noted musician and/or at a music festival.

"We couldn't be more excited to continue our dedication not only to the GRAMMYs but to the celebration and support of making music," said David Matathia, Director, Marketing & Communications, Hyundai Motor America.  "The Amplifier program and our partnership with the GRAMMYs allow Hyundai to celebrate innovation and creativity through a truly unique and inspiring platform."

Artists can begin entering submissions on January 27^th at GRAMMYAmplifier.com.  Based on their track plays and social media "amplifications," the top 25 finalists will be brought together for a GRAMMY Amplifier mentorship experience.  The top 25 will then be whittled down by program curators to a short list of finalists, at which point the program ambassador will select the final three winners and align each of them with one of three top prizes.

The new GRAMMY Amplifier website will go live January 26^th and will feature the debut of the mentoring session video series.  The episodes document the year-long learning experiences of the 2014 winners and include footage from a studio session with Ronson, the experience of performing on the road as opening act for Allen Stone, and conceptualizing and filming a music video under the guidance of industry professionals.

The 2015 GRAMMY Amplifier program marks the start of a newly inked three-year renewal between Hyundai and The Recording Academy, again naming Hyundai the official vehicle partner of The GRAMMY Awards. In addition to a new Hyundai commercial scheduled to debut during the 57^th GRAMMY Awards television broadcast, Hyundai vehicles will be featured on the GRAMMY red carpet, GRAMMY Celebration^® after-party, in addition to a Hyundai fleet of vehicles chauffeuring talent throughout the week. 

Reggae Radio Syndication ft. Lindo P - Akon - Chantelle Ernandez and More!

Playlist – January 26^th, 2015 as heard on 95.3 FM in Philadelphia / 1430 AM  / Vybz 103.9 FM / 95.3 FM / 99.3 FM / 91.7 FM / 104.7 Fort Lauderdale and Miami / and Online via:  www.radioregent.com – Toronto / www.irievibesradiodetroit.com – Detroit / www.daflavaradio.com – Atlanta / www.TonySoul.com - Ft. Lauderdale / www.NoyzRadio.com - New York / www.Reggae4Us.com - The UK / www.reggaeradiovibes.co.uk - The UK / www.siixteen.com - The UK / www.basslinemuzik.com – Tampa / www.buyakaradio.com – Colombia www.datzhitsradio.com – Boston / www.ReggaeCaption.com – Toronto /

Listen again / Download Link:  http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ixtumjj2aar0ll5/Natasha_Von_Castle_-_Music_Connection_-_January_26th,_2015.mp3

Lindo P

Ammoye – Pick Me Up

Nikesha Lindo – Leave a Little Love

Richie Stephens – Murdah

Singateh ft. Tony Anthony – Should’ve Told You

Ammoye – Baby It’s You

Beres Hammond – You Stand Alone

Christopher DeMontague – Couldn’t Believe

Shuga – Tell Me a Lie

Nikesha Lindo – Talk of the Town

Tian Winter – I Care for You

Marcia Griffiths ft. Exco Levi – Love is a Treasure

Third World ft. Marcia Griffiths – You Made Me So very Happy

Shaggy ft. Super Cat & Maxi Priest – Night Flight

Stephen Souza – Didn’t I Tell You

Shaggy ft. Beres Hammond – Fight This Feeling

Chelsea Stewart – Over You

Lindo P ft. Reefah – Never Can Say Goodbye

Kardi Tivali – Let Me Love You

Kardi Tivali – Let Me Love You [Dubplate]

Ammoye – Still in Love

Krishane ft. Melissa Steel & Beenie Man – Drunk & Incapable [Shy FX Remix]

Lindo P. – Loving You Forever

Bigga Boss ft. Lady K – Wire Waist

R.C. – Won’t Tell You a Lie

Nana McLean – Give Me One Reason

Phillip 7 – I’ll Be Here Waiting

Salisha – Lost

Randy Valentine – Treat Her Right

Chantelle Ernandez – Selfish Love

Romain Virgo – Stay With Me

Iba Mahr – Love with You Girl

Dubtonic Crew ft. Chantelle Ernandez – Tonight

Maroon 5 ft. Gwen Stefani – My Heart is Open

Jah Cure – All of Me

Kerry John & Megan – And Ever

Bob Marley – Rastaman Vibration

Disturb – Nuh Gun Fih Buss

Gappy Ranks ft. Exco Levi – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright

Genergal Degree – Irie

Gappy Ranks – Mih Alright

Dubmatix ft. Pinchers – Rock and a Hard Place

Akon – Mandela

Dennis Brown – Rocking Time

Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller – Tenement Yard (News Carrying Dread)

Duane Stephenson – Cool Runnings

Kaisha Lee – Rise Above It

Capleton ft. Yami Bolo – Put Down Your Weapon

Stephen Marley ft. Akon and Buju Banton – My Conclusion

Jah Cure – Life We Live

King Ali Baba – Herbalist

Kranium – History

Send me your music:  natashavoncastle@gmail.com

Listen again / download link:  http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ixtumjj2aar0ll5/Natasha_Von_Castle_-_Music_Connection_-_January_26th,_2015.mp3

Make It Another One for Exco Levi!

Exco Levi’s 2015 could not get off to a better start and today’s news is yet another cherry on the cake!  Before I get to today’s great news, let me start with Exco’s performance at Sting (December 2014) where he not only performed well, he picked up a legion of new fans.  In January, 2015, Exco performed at Rebel Salute which solidified his placement on fans list as one of their favorite artists.  

Later in January, it was announced that Exco had been nominated for the JaRIA (Jamaican Recording Association) Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and now today, has been nominated for the 2015 Juno Reggae Recording of the Year!

This year marks Exco’s 4^th nomination and I couldn’t be more proud.  The song that put him in the category is “Welcome the King” on the Love Quest Riddim produced by Kheilstone Music based in New York!

Congrats Exco!

P.S.  Look out for Exco's full length studio album entitled Countryman coming March, 2015.

Additional Nominees is the 2015 Best reggae Recording Category are:

Tasha T – Real Talk

Mikey Dangerous – Wake Up

Kirk Diamond ft. Bob da Builder – Love Inna Wi Heart

Steele – Hold On Til I Die

Machel Montano’s Featured on Vogue.com Daily!

Soca, and music from the Caribbean is slowly seeping in to the consciousness of the mainstream, and today’s entry on the most popular fashion site, www.Vogue.com proves this point!

Machel Montano

Machel Montano (undisputed Soca legend from Trinidad & Tobago) added his Soca touch to Ariana Grande’s “All My Love” and fans can’t get enough!  Produced and curated by Diplo and the Major Lazor crew (production credits include Madonna, Busy Signal, Snoop Lion and more), this remix has quickly hit music lovers playlists and have stayed on repeat.

Big up Machel for making history again … Strike a Vogue nah!

Read the full article by Alex Frank here:  http://www.vogue.com/8702039/remix-ariana-grande-charli-xcx-clean-bandit/

Why Are Promoters So Wicked to Kranium?!

Atlantic recording artist and Queens, New York native, Kranium is currently in The Six (Canada) doing what he does … getting all the ladies excited, and you would think that after all that hard work (and all that money made), promoters would feed Kranium properly.  If you thought that like I did, you thought wrong!

Kranium

The artist took to his Instagram page to express his displeasure, and not only that, put the ‘dry food’ on display for the world to see.  Ugh!

For Caribbean people born and raised in Toronto, Canada, we know have very good food; very good Caribbean takeout to be exact!  The promoters dealing with Kranium clearly forgot about sweet spots like Mainsha (1561 Eglinton Ave. W), Jamaica House (2531 Finch Ave. W) or Willy’s Jerk (2353 Finch Ave. W).  Shameful!  Why are promoters so wicked to Kranium?

I think I might call on Polly Famous from LP International and ask him to cook some food (Polly can cook!) and ask him to carry it to Kranium quick before the artist’s condition gets worse!

Check out the artists video complaining about the food treatment here:  http://instagram.com/kranium1/

P.S.  The good news is Kranium will be back in Queens to get proper food soon!

Despite Media Reports It's NOT Over for Buju Banton

Without wasting any time:  it’s not over for Buju Banton despite what media reports have written and said.

The official legal explanation is that the US Court of Appeals dismissed Buju’s appeal for a new trial, not because of the merits of the case, but on the technicality that they do not have jurisdiction to hear the case.

In plain English and to use a very basic example, we went to the baker thinking we could buy steak, but the baker told us to go to the butcher instead who is a few miles down the road.  The baker did not say we could not buy steak, he simply told us where to go to get it which is not with him, the baker.

The headlines used by media incorrectly stated that Buju has lost his appeal which is not the case.  We still ask that you send positive vibrations to Buju and his team as we have not given up the fight.

Aluta Continua!  Not in reference to Big Youth’s 1985 album (though it’s a good one), but aluta continua meaning the struggle continues for Buju and we are not giving up.

Stay up to date with Buju via his team by following him on Twitter @FreeBujuNow or on Instagram as @FreeBuju

Time and Place:  http://www.mediafire.com/listen/d80c6fdfvcuvif5/Buju_Banton_-_Time_And_Place.mp3

Kyle Lowry's Top 10 Pre All-Star Game Playlist!

It was just announced (Thursday January 22^nd, 2015) that Toronto Raptor Kyle Lowry will be a starter on team East for the NBA All Star game.  This honor is reserved for the best players in the NBA as voted by players and the fans.  To celebrate (Toronto is my home team after all), I decided to put together my top 10 songs for Kyle’s pre-game listening party!

P.S.  I’m a Reggae and Dancehall chick but I had to throw in some Hip Hop too.  My soundtrack for Kyle Lowry:

Kyle Lowry

10.  Stylo G – Move Back (Diztortion Remix)

9.  Gloomy Grade – Can’t Stop Me Now

8.  Snoop Lion – Here Comes the King

7.  Big Daddy Kane – Ain’t No Half Steppin

6.  Bigga Boss – Nobody Fih Ramp Wid

5.  Bobby Shmurdah – Hot Ni&&a

4.  King Ali Baba – Target

3.  Kranium – History

2.  Busy Signal – Glass Hand

1.  Demarco – Levels to This

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFH9L6-ZG1w

As point guard from Villanova by way of Cardinal Doughtery High School in Philadelphia, Kyle has worked his way up from the bottom which is why the number one song comes from Demarco called “Levels to This.”  Anyone who thinks this just ‘came’ to Kyle or any other player, have no idea the training and regiment players go through.

Congrats Kyle … can’t wait to see you do us proud!