... and the Billboard Music Awards Nominees Are ...?!

Cardi B is the most-nominated artist for the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, earning nominations in categories such as top artist, top female artist, top rap artist and top rap album to name a few of the 18 categories she is in. 

Cardi B (Getty Images)

The Bronx native has so much love from fans and fellow musicians that it’s difficult to not already see her as the winner.  She’s definitely the Queen of hearts!  The “I Like It” singer who made history this year as the only female rapper to win the best rap album Grammy, will compete for the top prize against Drake, Ariana Grande, Post Malone and Travis Scott.

Drake and Post Malone earned the second-highest number of nominations, with each artist gaining 17.  Travis Scott earned 12 nominations, followed by the late XXXTentacion with 10 and Ariana Grande with 9.

Kelly Clarkson is set to return as host for the 2019 telecast, which airs live on NBC, Wednesday May 1^st, 2019 at 8pm ET from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

P.S.  I hope Billboard shows a fitting tribute to Nipsey Hussle which honors his musical legacy and the extensive work he has done to uplift the Crenshaw community in LA as well as the attitudes of youth overall.

See the full list of nominees thanks to my friends at The Hollywood Reporter here:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-billboard-music-award-nominations-1199238

4th Annual Hush Weekend in Washington DC

The summer does NOT officially begin until we say HUSH Weekend!!! That’s right, Washington, D.C.’s premiere weekend is back with a bang, celebrating it’s 4th anniversary with an awesome line up of events that will span Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-26, 2019.

The annual destination event weekend promises revelers a fun-filled party and entertainment experience beneath the beaming city lights of Washington, D.C. and it’s booming surrounding area. Set to be it’s best edition yet, Hush Weekend will feature 4 days of pulsating music, energy, vibes and frankly the sexiest people on the planet!

Each year, Hush Weekend draws thousands of Caribbean, International and Popular music enthusiasts looking for an unforgettable weekend of culturally themed entertainment and fun!! This year, 5 events will erupt over the event weekend including the kick off “Shhhhh!” Silent Headphones Party at D.C. hot spot Big Chief on Thursday, May 23, “We Love the 80’s 90’s & 00’s” on Friday, May 24 at Fire Station 1, “French Toast” Breakfast Party and “Pure” The All White Party on Saturday, May 25 and “Glow” The Foam Party on Sunday, May 25.

Further solidifying the chock-full weekend is the amazing line up of national, international and award winning DJs including Renaissance Disco, Natural Freaks, Chinese Assasin, Superslice, Half Krazy, Ablaze, Fyah Oats, Kilo Vibes and more to be announced! What makes Hush Weekend an iconic entertainment experience is the awesome collective of tastemakers and promoters that bring the event to life each year including Dwayne Simpson, Devon Charles, Ramondo Green and Santana Salazar.

Launched by Simpson in 2016, Hush Weekend has evolved into a prominent entertainment brand. While Caribbean entertainment is a driving force for the weekend, the event has expanded to feature an impressive fusion of music genre.

“We are humbled by Hush Weekend’s continued patronage and growth over the past four years,” says the Hush Weekend promotions team. “We set out to raise the bar in Caribbean entertainment, while exposing the allure of the Nation’s capital, and believe that we are well on our way!”

For more information and tickets, visit www.hushweekend.com. Follow @hushweekenddmv2019

#hushweekend2019 #hushweekenddmv2019 

Denroy Morgan Musically Heads to Africa!

Reggae singer Denroy Morgan has come full circle. He started out as a solo singer scoring a huge pop hit, “I’ll Do Anything For You”, in 1981, before dedicating his life to pushing the efforts of his children, Morgan Heritage and LMS, to international fame. Now, he has returned to the music industry, to push the careers of African reggae singers, young men who he says are members of his “extended spiritual family.” 

“God is showing me a balance. I am an African born in Jamaica, who spent a portion of my life in the US, my kids were born in the US and spent their developing years in Jamaica, growing and understanding the energy, and bussing with the Jamaican energy. Now, my kids are on a pioneering mission in Africa, they are the next generation of pioneers, and I am doing my part to unearth talent in Africa, and to bring their music to the Jamaica and the world,” Morgan said. 

Recently, Morgan resurrected his music career, returning to the stage with his band, the Black Eagles, and he also sought out recording talent from the worlds treasure chest known as Africa. He spent several months recording an EP entitled ‘Missing You,’ recording tracks with artistes such as Nyasha David of Zimbabwe, Latitude of South Africa, Vagavybz of Rwanda, Q-Nel of Ghana, and Bravoo of Kenya. 

“These young men are my sons of the outer circle, the children of the outer circle, my spirit family, and they are incredibly talented and I have the blueprint to introduce them to the world,” he said. 

Morgan is the father of 30 children, 15 of whom he shares with Hyacinth Morgan, affectionately called ‘Emo’. He has been able to use the sheer force of his presence and his charisma to introduce new artistes to the world. He did it first with Morgan Heritage, a reggae band formed in 1994 by five of his children namely Peter “Peetah” Morgan, Una Morgan, Roy “Gramps” Morgan, Nakhamyah “Lukes” Morgan, and Memmalatel “Mr. Mojo” Morgan. Morgan Heritage have toured internationally and released a number of reggae albums including the 2015 Grammy Award winning Strictly Roots. He also enjoyed success with the group LMS, which included his son  Laza  “One By One” Morgan who has had some of his own hit records as well.

Morgan is confident he can do it again.

Tony Anthony Covers Tom Jones "That Wonderful Sound!"

Lover’s Rock; the most sacred sub-genre of Reggae originated in the UK, is the kind of groove that an artist has to get right, or don’t bother at all.  Well friend, Canada’s Tony Anthony has this chune so right that it will have a permanent home on radio and on the playlists of fans who covet the genre.

Produced by Mark Bennett, and with music and vocal production by Ifield Joseph, and Willie Lindo and Kashief Lindo on the Mix and Mastering for Phylani Music, you quickly begin to see why predicting “That Wonderful Sound” by Tony Anthony will be a hit record, and there’s history too!

Tony Anthony

Originally performed by the legend Tom Jones, and covered by Jamaica’s highly regarded Dobby Dobson, Tony Anthony’s version of the song sits among musical greats.

The premise of the song hears a man talk about his special lady and the fact that her voice is that wonderful sound.”  Tony sings “as I write this letter / my hearts beating much too fast for my pen / soon I’ll be in your arms again / to think I’ll be with you / to taste all those sweet, sweet kisses once more / darling that’s what I’m longing for….”

If you happen to be a sonic-phile, you will love the bass line and the ‘runs’ from the horns as well as the ‘strut’ of the riddim guitar.  Tony’s vocals are so rich and clear and well pitched, you’re in a vocal goldmine.  About the song, Tony says “I loved every moment of putting this song together.  The team did an incredible job and I think fans, returning and new, will enjoy this track.  This is for all the lovers!”

Available on iTunes today is “That Wonderful Sound using this link:  Connect with the artist on IG to send direct feedback >>> @tonyanthonymuze

DJ ECOOL Makes it a Night To Remember!

It was definitely a night to remember!

Award winning Disc Jockey, Producer, Actor and MC, DJ Ecool, performed at TheLoft (Center Stage) , located at 1374 West Peachtree Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30309 on Friday, March 22, 2019. Doors opened and 6:00pm and the show was from 7:00pm to 11:30pm.

A crowd of over 500 were in attendance to celebrate DJ Ecool’s birthday concert. Ecool is well known for his effortless blend of Afrobeats with Hip-Hop, Pop, EDM and Top 40. To give the local Atlanta fan the full feel of an Ecool Concert Experience the event featured over 20 entertainers that ranged from recording artist, musicians, DJs and dancers. Davido, Dremo, 
Danagog, Efya, DJ Tunez, Coca Vango, Kiddominant & more blessed the stage. Ecool knew how to keep the party going by giving the people an unforgettable experience on the filled with music and performances.

As the night came to an end, DJ Ecool couldn’t help gushing over the massive energy and love in the room. He made sure to express his gratitude one more time before leaving the stage.   Here’s a video highlight of some of the performances.
https://youtu.be/fo8WC5XAsF0

Etana's Reggae Forever Tour!

Grammy Award nominated reggae artist Etana celebrates her Grammy Award nominated album Reggae Forever with much anticipated dates for a 2019 tour. The Reggae Forever tour kicks off this March 16, 2019 in Kingston, Jamaica and have added new dates and shows in major cities including TX, CO, MN, IL, and CA as well as internationally.
 
Etana is excited to announce this 2019 tour in support of her album Reggae Forever. Reggae Forever received a prestigious Grammy Award nomination in the Best Reggae Album category. Etana is the first female in 21 years to be nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Reggae Album category. The last time a female artist was nominated in the category was in 1997 when Sister Carol received a nomination. 
 

 

The worldwide smash album Reggae Forever is available at digital retailers including iTunes.

 

Tour Dates and Locations include:

• March 16, 2019 at National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica
• April 13, 2019 at Reunion Island, Ravine Saint-Leu
• April 17, 2019 at Last Concert Café, Houston TX
• April 18, 2019 at Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill, Dallas, TX
• April 19, 2019 at Queen of Sheba, Oklahoma City, OK
• April 20, 2019 at Flamingo Cantina, Austin, TX
• April 21, 2019 at Austin Reggae Festival, Austin, TX
• April 24, 2019 at Club Viva, St. Louis, MO
• April 26, 2019 at Ophelia’s, Denver, CO
• April 28, 2019 at The Black Sheep, Colorado Springs, CO
• May 1, 2019 at The Cabooze, Minneapolis, MN
• May 2, 2019 at The Wild Hare, Chicago, IL
• May 3, 2019 at Kola Lounge, Farmington Hills, MI
• May 4, 209 at The Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH
• May 5, 2019 at Pearl Street Warehouse, Washington, DC
• May 11, 2019 at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, Kenya
• May 19, 2019 at Unifest, Fort Lauderdale, FL
• May 26, 2019 at Surfside Salisbury Beach, Salisbury, MA
• May 27, 2019 at UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival, Los Angeles, CA
• June 12, 2019 at Oland Roots Festival, Oland, Sweden
• June 15, 2019 at The Grinch Events Center, San Jose, Costa Rica
• August 2, 2019 at One Love Festival, Wiesen, Austria
• August 3, 2019 at Island Soul Music Fest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

King Shine 'Shines' at World Fight Club!

New Jersey’s King Shine sound came out victorious over Brooklyn’s Kosmik Movements and Platinum Kids from the Bronx, to become the very first World Fight Club (WFC) champion.

Set to the backdrop of Brooklyn, North America’s sound clash mecca, New York region dancehall and clash fans poured into Linden Hall, to witness Platinum Kids (also Aidonia's USA management team), Kosmik Movements along with veteran selector Johnny Killa (most known for being dancehall icon Matterhorn's selector for many years), and King Shine battle it out for the champion title.

The exciting rivalry between all three sounds made it a night of settling unfinished business. One part of the rivalry stemmed from the 2016 New Jersey Cup Clash of which Kosmik and King Shine competed, but ended in controversy. Additionally, all three contenders faced off in the 2017 US Rumble (along with 4 additional sounds), which ended in an upset as the most inexperienced clash competitor of that line up—Platinum Kids—came out with an unexpected win over seasoned clash sounds.

King Shine has had a couple of controversial clash endings versus clash legends like Ricky Trooper, as well as Pink Panther, and most recently one of Brooklyn’s “Big Four”, the legendary Earthruler Sound.  A clean win for the New Jersey titan, King Shine’s deadly performance in WFC Round One was a historic moment—the New Jersey native killed two sounds from New York, in New York.

Saturday’s launch of World Fight Club marks the beginning of a new era in the international sound clash arena. The all-new league stands out among other clash brands because only true thoroughbreds in the global arena can face the ultimate test of top tier musical savvy, and wit, in WFCs classic sound clash format of less sounds, and longer rounds. Additionally, contenders in WFC compete for a beautiful belt, of which they must continuously earn the right to keep versus future contenders from all over the world.

Produced by North America’s legendary sound system, King Addies, the sound clash icons encourage all sounds and DJs worldwide to get involved. Co-manager of King Addies, Shinez, says “We are about showcasing authentic Jamaican sound system culture to wider audiences…it’s the only way to push the culture forward.”