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Jamaica:  Latty J Released "Bumpa" Music Video 

5/26/2015

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MV Music recording artiste Latty J has released a sizzling-hot music video for her single 'Bumpa'. The video was shot and directed by Terminal 4 Media Productions in Kingston.

"The video features a lot of dancing (and) it's full of action and energy. We filmed it at various locations in Kingston, including Barbican and Palisadoes," she said.

The video was premiered on Hype TV recently and has enjoyed heavy rotation on several popular music video channels.
"I premiered my video on Up & Live two weeks ago. The vibe was very good. I've been getting a lot of social media messages about it from my fans telling me how much they love it," the artiste said.
Latty J has been very busy on the promotional rounds. She recently did interviews on a number of radio and TV stations.
"Since the release of the video, I've been doing a lot of interviews to promote it. Based on the feedback I'm getting, it looks like Bumpa is going to be one of the big songs for the summer," Latty J said.

Latty J is currently preparing for a month-long tour of the UK, which is scheduled to begin in August.

"I'll be touring England in August with Mr Vegas. It will be my first tour of the UK and I'm really looking forward to it,"she said.

Also on the cards for Latty J are a number soon-to-be-released singles, including Gift for Arms House Records and Pocket Rocket featuring Natel.


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SFDC WEEKLY RADIO CHART MAY 23 TO 30 2015

5/26/2015

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Ghana: Gospel Singer Ohemaa Mercy Nominated For Kenyan Awards

5/26/2015

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Gospel musician, Ohemaa Mercy, has been nominated for an award at this year’s Groove Awards scheduled to come off at the Machakos People’s Park in Kenya on Monday, June 1.

The Wobeye Kese hitmaker is in contention for the Best West African Artiste Award and she is facing a stiff competition from a contingent of Nigerian artistes. They are Frank Edwards, Lara George, Sinach, Solomon Lange and Nathaniel Bassey of Imela fame.

The award winning artiste who recently gave birth to her third son expressed her excitement about the nomination and her chances of winning the award from her “rivals”.

The artiste, who is known for songs such as Thank You, Obeye Ama Wo among others told Showbiz on Wednesday that her nomination is a reward of her hard work over the years and was pleased for the recognition of her works outside the shores of the country.

In 2013, Ohemaa Mercy launched her fifth album, His Word, and according to the Adanfo Papa singer, her nomination is a booster for the Ghanaian gospel music scene and used the opportunity to appeal to her fans to vote for her to bring the award home.

“This is a great inspiration for my ministry and I hope my fans vote massively for me before the closing date on May 30. This is not my glory but the whole of Ghana,” she said.

Ever since she burst onto the gospel music scene in 2004, Ohemaa’s distinctive character has been to encourage the depressed and down-trodden to keep trusting in God through her music and she believes she has been doing that after almost a decade in the gospel music business.

Ohemaa Mercy has five albums to her credit namely, Adanfo Papa, Edin Jesus, Wobe Ye Kese, Prophecy and His Word.

An annual event that was established in 2005 to celebrate and honour gospel music artistes in Kenya, the Groove Awards scheme has over the years spread its wings to other countries in the sub-region.

Its main aim, the organisers, Mosoum Events, say is to bring attention to the works of the stakeholders in the gospel music industry in Africa, particularly Kenya, hence, the awards celebrates the works of not just gospel artistes but DJS, TV shows and producers who help in the growth of the industry.

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TRINIDAD: Bunji Garlin For UK Festival Glastonbury 

5/26/2015

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CARIBBEAN SOCA star Bunji Garlin is heading to Somerset this summer to perform at the renowned Glastonbury music festival.The soca musician Bunji has been called upon to headline one of the key dance stages at the gig next month.

The festival, which has been active for over 40 years and has been voted the world’s number one events, boasts a number of key arenas which showcase star talent.

This year’s headline acts include Kanye West, Foo Fighters, Pharrell Williams and The Who and attracts in excess of 185,000 patrons.

Garlin, from Trinidad and Tobago, will be lining up alongside his wife, Fay Ann Lyons and acclaimed production outfit Jus Now, who have collaborated with Bunji on a number of tracks including Truck On The Road and Tun Up.

The Trinidad takeover takes place on the Gully Stage on June 26.

“Playing in Glastonbury will be a special moment for me not only as I get to present the culture of Trinidad and Tobago from a certain and maybe different perspective but also because I don't get to do it alone as in most cases in occasions like these with artistes from Trinidad and Tobago,” Garlin said.

The soca star’s popularity in the UK has been at an all time high, with his sold out London show last year as well as record levels of radio play across the board with a number of hit singles from his album Differentology.

“Since my first appearance on stage in the UK in 1999 I felt connected to the audience and we also have lots of my friends from back in Trinidad who live out here so we always always always feel welcomed and received as family," Garlin added.

Before heading to Glastonbury, Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons will also be headlining their own show at The Coronet in London.


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Uganda: Pop star Panadol Face 10 Years in Prison 

5/26/2015

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AN UGANDAN pop singer is facing 10 years in prison after making a saucy music videoJemimah Kansiime is the first to be prosecuted under Uganda’s strict anti-pornography laws after making a risqué video to promote her new single, Ensolo Yange.

The 21-year old singer, who uses the stage name Panadol wa Basajja - literally, "medicine for men" - has already spent five weeks in jail after her arrest for a music video that gives a lingering and generous focus on wet and soapy buttocks.

Conservative politicians in the country said that the music video has broken the country’s tough new anti-pornography laws.

Under the new law, which took effect in February this year, Kansiime faces up to 10 years in jail if found guilty of “wilfully and unlawfully producing, trafficking, importing, selling and abetting pornography”.

Human Rights Watch have argued that the new law so loosely defines pornography that it has encouraged public attacks on women wearing skimpy clothing, while Amnesty International has called for it to be repealed, reported The Guardian.

“I was aware that there are some sections of society that are conservative,” said Kansiime, but she never dreamt her new video – played over 190,000 times on YouTube – was breaking the law.

One thing she said she learnt from her idols – including Rihanna and Nicki Minaj – is that 'sex sells'.

“I was just experimenting to see if I put on a short dress, will the audience like it?” said the singer.She was arrested in November along with her then-manager, Didi Muchwa Mugisha.

Mugisha pleaded guilty and was fined 200, 000 Ugandan shillings (£43), but Kansiime pleaded not guilty, and was detained for five weeks before raising money for bail.

“My rights have been trampled upon, my freedom of expression has been trampled upon,” she said at her home in Kampala.

Kansiime’s lawyer, Isaac Semakadde, has argued that the case is a test for the right of Ugandan performers to “express themselves”.

“That right to erotic entertainment, there has to be a space for it in an open and free society,” he said.

“To ban all forms of pornography, all forms of nudity, is outrageous,” he added.

Kansiime was tracked down and arrested after Uganda’s ethics minister Simon Lokodo was apparently shocked by the video.

He described Kansiime’s videos as “very obscene and vulgar”, and warned of further arrests.

Under his continued crackdown on pornography, Lokodo has this year ordered police to arrest men who procure prostitutes, and described a popular local television dating show as prostitution.

Kansiime is due in court later this month. As she awaits her next court appearance, the singer insisted that she had the right to film “whatever I want”, but conceded she may need to cater for more conservative tastes if she is to continue to make a living from her music.

“I have to do something that people like, I have not benefitted from that video,” she admitted.


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Ghana: Eyshun Signed to British Based Label 3F!

5/19/2015

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When 3Fs productions came into Ghana, their aim was to set up an Ultra-Modern studio fit to produce top of the chain music for Ghanaians.
The British Based group, also aimed to sign the next evergreen superstar to come out of Ghana so they hired a young undergrad to help recruit potential talent.
Like typical fairy tale, the guy meant to recruit became recruited as his talent overwhelmed his employees. Eyshun's Style can be defined as energetic and awe-inspiring, as he puts in all the components of pure African music into creating tunes fit for ears the world over.

At the signing, which took place earlier this week, the record label reiterated its dedication to put Ghanaian Music on the grandest stage of all. The artiste looked excited, as the signing seemed to symbolize a new chapter in his life.



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United Kingdom: SFDC Weekly Radio Charts May 15-23 2015

5/19/2015

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Kenya: Producer Tried to Rape me " Yuny"

5/19/2015

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Yuny took a music break when she was just getting started. Two years ago, she had just released her debut song Sugar Daddy when she began recording her second single Tujuane at a popular studio in Nairobi. The love song would never see the light of day and instead, hate developed between her and her producer. She claims the producer put her in a compromising situation one evening when he asked her to stay around to work on her song. Then aged 20 years and fresh from high school and with big dreams to take over the industry, she wanted to make the most of the opportunity and her talent. She recalls that when she went to record at the stable, the main producer took it upon himself to be part of her project. It melted her heart. 
then one evening as others left, she says the producer asked her to stay behind. She did and they went to the studio booth, Yuny having no idea he was setting up a trap. He made sexual advances at her, expressing his adoration for her. When she would hear none of it, he forcefully pulled her to himself and demanded sex from her. It was pointless to scream; the booth is sound-proofed. “He kept coming on to me even when I told him there was no way I could sleep with him. When I tried to run away, I found out he had locked the main door. He took me to a table and attempted to remove my clothes. The good thing is I was in jeans and it was difficult to remove it. I bit him and fought myself from him,” narrates the self-confessed shy girl. After thirty minutes, Yuny says the man grew tired and unlocked the door and she ran away. She feared to press charges because she says she did not have proof the incident happened. And it is an ordeal that only a few within the industry know about.
I do not want to be seen as if I am seeking attention. I am only saying this because I want you to see the frustrating circumstances female artistes go through. This incident made me decide to quit music because it was too much for me. I also would like to encourage female artistes that you do not have to give in to the demands,” she says. Yuny, her real name Eunice Kamau, embarked on other hustles until she heard Rapdamu was opening a studio, Pacho Entertainment, and he was signing artistes. The two had met sometime back and he had noticed her passion for music. A call and Rapdamu took her under his wings. “It is a good thing that I am now a signed artiste. Since the industry is tough already for female artistes, I do not have to deal with people asking for sexual favours. I already have my team that takes care of everything and markets the songs for me. I only come to the studio to record songs and perform,” she says. Yuny released Gari Gari two weeks ago, a song that praises love over money in relationships. She takes music as her first profession and studies music production at Zetech University while going for dance lessons at Sarakasi Dome to prepare herself as a performer. Music has taken a lot of her time to the point where she finally decided to put dating on hold for a while. “Music is what I have always wanted to do and I was to come back to it at some point. It is a priority. Everything happens, happens for a reason. I have learnt there are crazy people out here and I have to deal with a lot of them. The break was good for me. I can handle anything right now,” she assert


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Kenya: Reggae Singer Wahu; Upclose

5/19/2015

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Singer/song writer Wahu Kagwi Mathenge, commonly known as Wahu has established herself as a versatile singer, a wife and a mother. In spite of all these roles, she still manages to remain relevant to her fans, she opened up to Chillax .

How do you manage to handle all these roles?

There is absolutely no secret. I just plan. I take things one day at a time and do not let stuff that happens affect me. If I do something and it doesn’t go my way, then I am okay with it.

One of the lessons I have learnt is that when you take issues too seriously, they affect your ability to enjoy life and in the end you will not be a good friend or wife.

When I had my second born daughter, Nyakio, I took a break to take care of her.

Has there been a time when you felt that you couldn’t take the heat any more?
Yes, in 2006. I do not like attention. I am freer when I have a one-on-one interview than when being bombarded by media. I thought of quitting music after giving birth to my first born, Tumiso and the media were all over my case.

I did not have a moment of privacy with my family and were it not that Nameless (her husband, who is also a singer) told me that even if I quit people would not stop wanting to know what goes on in my life, I might have stopped singing.

I saw the truth in this plus I told God to see me through with this passion (singing) that he had bestowed upon me.

There were rumours that your marriage was on the rocks and the paternity of your second child was in question.

Yes, there was a time that my marriage was in trouble. We are a normal couple and we go through issues just like any other couple, but get me right, those were just misunderstandings and nothing like a divorce was in the offing.

We disagreed on various issues but we ironed them out. Although we were angry at each other during that time, we still talked unlike other couples who don’t speak to each other in weeks or even months despite living together.

Thank God, that is all behind us now. We are stronger than ever and please, the father of my children is and will always be, Nameless.

Rumour has it that you and Nameless got married because corporates love the image of the two of you together?

If that were the truth, I would be very unhappy. Monski (Nameless’ nickname) is not only my husband, he is my best friend and business partner.

If corporates love us or hate us, that is their problem and not ours and this is where I draw the line. If it is anything to do with my career, the world can comment or criticise because I do it for the people, but when it comes to my family and issues that happen in my house, those are mine.

Has motherhood affected how you do your music?

I am very careful about what I write in a song and how I do a video because I know Tumiso, who will be turning eight this year, watches me and gets more inquisitive by the day.

When we were young, we looked up to our mothers and our children look up to us. I watch my language  because I don’t want her to start doing stuff in the name of ‘mummy is also doing it’. We also try hard to make her understand that when she sees mum or dad in a video, they are just acting.

What are you working on now?

Like I said earlier, I had taken a break to look after Nyakio. Now I’m officially back in the studio and might release something mid this year. I also plan to establish myself in the hair and beauty industry.

What advice do you have for Tumiso and Nyakio?

Be your own woman, don’t let society define you; let your dreams define you.


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Jamaica: 30 years on Sophia George " Girlie Girlie" 

5/19/2015

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IN 1985, singer Sophia George scored a monster hit with the salacious Girlie Girlie. Thirty years later, the song remains her greatest triumph.Written by Anthony 'Sangie' Davis, the song was reportedly inspired by Davis' womanising. It was produced by Ronald 'Piggy' Chung, George's manager at the time.

George was working as a teacher for deaf children when she recorded Girlie Girlie on the Winner label. It was distributed by Sonic Sounds.

The song took off instantly, topping the RJR Top 40 chart for 11 weeks. It was also a massive hit in the United Kingdom where it peaked at number seven on the pop chart and earned George an appearance on the highly rated Top of the Pops television show.

George followed up with other hits including Tenement Yard, Latest Slang, Lazy Body, It Burn Mi Belly and Ain't No Meaning.

In the mid-1990s, after marrying Chung, George relocated to Miami. Today, they reside in Los Angeles.

Sophia George, who is now 51, has to date released five studio albums, beginning with 1986's Fresh. Her last album was 1995's Sexy Dumb Dumb for Pow Wow Records.

Her son, Patrick Chung, plays for the New England Patriots in the National Football League.


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