Triple the Focus October 2011 Issue by TRIPLE THE FOCUS E-MAGAZINE

TRIPLE THE FOCUS 3 EDITOR’S NOTE 4 ART & CONTENT DIRECTOR’S NOTE 6 DELUS – UNDONE! 7 THIRD WORLD BAND 10 DANCEHALL/HIP HOP COLLABORATION 12 MY LIFE OUTSIDE OF MUSIC Keida talks Sex and Style! 14 CHAPTERS OF A MUSICAL ICON Gramps Morgan Revealed! 16 UP NEXT Reggae Recording Artist, Recruit! 18 REGGAE MUSIC AND POP CULTURE The Connection and the Impact! 20 CREATIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE CONTACT

Email: triplethefocus@gmail.com Phone: 201-981-6960 (US) | 876-475-5841 (JA) 2

October 2011

Editor’s Note

As if I am not busy enough, here I am creating another project for myself. Triple The Focus is not something that I thought about months in advance and brainstormed with my team. I was working on a press release for a client one day and the name snapped in my head. Without hesitation, I started jotting down the ideas as they came to me and before I knew it, I was outlining what would be the makings of the first issue. With a colossal amount of information always swimming around in my mind, unplanned ideas rarely get a chance to creep in – so when they do, I pay close attention. This is the premiere issue of Triple The Focus. And while I am hesitant to say that it is a magazine, it is taking a shape all on its own and I am just going to ride the waves and see where it takes me. For now, I am referring to it as a newsletter of sorts – with a magazine feel - that gives our clients another platform to gain visibility and connect with their fans in a not so typical fashion. With behind the scenes photos, exclusive personal interviews and of course the job they love, we’ll give them the opportunity to express what’s going on in their lives. We really want to use our relationship with our clients to give you a sneak peek into what makes them tick. We are quite aware that it may become boring to feature the same artists every month so we are giving our team and clients the full reign to tell us who they would like to see featured every month. And at some point we will ask you the reader to tell us who you want to see between the pages of our “newsletter.” For now, please sit back, relax and flip through the pages of our October Triple The Focus issue as we chip away at the lives of Third World Band, Delus, Keida, Recruit and our guest feature, Gramps Morgan. Until next month, stay “Focused!”

Stacey Bethel Your Editor-in-Chief

Art & Content Editor’s Note “You build your own brand by helping others build theirs.” It’s a marketing quote that I’ve lived by. When Stacey approached me about Triple The Focus her excitement was infectious. Her vivid expressions allowed for a straightforwardlayout with a twist. Stacey is continuously looking to brand her clients innovatively and Triple The Focus’ emagazine gives readers a digital reference that will always be available. Triple The Focus brings you inside the lives of some of your favorite artists and their lifestyle outside of music Just laying out the premiere issue brought me a little closer to these artists whom I’ve heard countlessly on the radio. I have been transported into the lives of reggae Ambassadors, Third World Band, Triple 7 recording artist, Delus, dancehall artist, Keida, newcomer Recruit and Gramps Morgan. These are all artists that I am familiar with but through their feature, I have gained a newfound respect for. I am equally delighted by the two articles we have from writers Mighty Penn and Snow McCullen. Snow’s piece educated me on the influence of Reggae music on Pop Culture. While Penn’s brutally honest observation on some of the reggae artists/news that have plagued the headlines had me thinking about what was being said. This issue is not only refreshing and educational but also thought provoking. I believe that is the purpose that we will try to achieve with every issue. As Art and Content Director, developing the design was about creating imagery that was vibrant, inviting readers to want to know more with each issue. We’ll continue tosurprise you and creatively push for a different aspect with each month. So stay tuned as we hope you will take this journey with us.

Mikelah Rose

Your Art & Content Director

Triple 7 & VicRae Ad

DELUS – UNDONE! Meet Triple 7 Entertainment’s recording artist, Delus. Undoubtedly one of the most talented singer/songwriter from Kingston, Jamaica, he has proven to his fans why he has emerged a “winner.” This multi-dimensional artist has not only penned singles for himself, he has written songs such as “God Alone,” for College Boys, “Sanity” for LMR (Love, Money, Respect) Productions, “Mek Dem Sorry” for Subkonshus Music, and “Unruly” for Live Up Records. Additionally, he has released a catalogue of hit singles that includes, “Another Gal,” “Silent River,” “What Tomorrow May Bring,” “Life,” “Mek Dem Sorry,” “Sticky A Road,” among others. Adding to his repertoire, Delus has directed and edited music videos for artists such as Bescenta, Warrior King, Tiana and a medley that included artists such as D’Angel, Mr. Peppa, Delly Ranx, Sojah and Spragga Benz. Delus has also worked on projects such as “Some Gal” on the Outada Riddim by Seanizzle, “Gal or War” for Mr. G’s Young Blood, remixes by D&H (Daddy & Hypa) out of France, with Tracks like “Whatever You Like (Anything U Want)” Remix with Rapper T.I. featuring Delus & Nicole, “Gangsta Remix” with Mavado featuring Delus & Vybz Kartel and “Arab Money” dubbed “Gangsta Money” with Busta Rhymes featuring Delus. Clearly an impressive resume, Delus reveals “there is more to me than music. I am very well rounded. It is important for fans to know that I am a simple guy with more interests.” 3And so in a “no holds barred” interview, Delus reveals the makings of him. IF I WEREN’T MUSICALLY INCLINED, I WOULD BE...If not music I’d like to try my hand in media as I am a lover of creativity and have experience in directing and editing. I also understand and appreciate the work in producing programs. HOW DO YOU UNWIND AFTER A LONG DAY? After a long day I listen music, watch a movie, play video games, chill with family/friends and sometimes play some basketball. DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE. My personal style is very laid back. I wear whatever I wake up and feel like wearing but nothing too far outside the box though. WHAT’S IN YOUR DRESSER DRAWER? Hahaha! Let’s see – boxer briefs, T-shirts, tanks, socks – you know the usual guy stuff. HOW HAS YOUR LOOK CHANGED OVER THE YEARS. My look has changed in terms of hairstyles. I have had corn rows to sister locks and now a Mohawk. And the fashion goes with the time. SHE IS SEXY WHEN SHE IS WEARING: Nothing! I SLEEP IN: Almost nothing! Facebook.com/delusmusic Twitter.com/delusdj

THIRD WORLD

LIVE FROM THE ROXY THEATRE IN LOS ANGELES ON NOVEMBER 16, 2011 After a successful European summer tour, that included performances in Belgium, Holland, Austria, Spain and France, Third World has hit the ground running with the planning of the second installment of their Spirit Lives concert series. The first premiered in New York City at the Highline Ballroom on April 5, 2011. The event was sponsored by VP Records, Linkup Media, Caribbean Fever WBLS 107.5FM, JAMPACT, UWIAA New York Chapter and Middle Passage Commission Corp and Unchained Forever Inc. and featured performances by Tessanne Chin and Donahue Jarrett. At that time, the band received awards from JAMPACT, UWIAA-NY and Unchained Forever Inc. After the show, fans flooded the groups Facebook fan with comments such as, “Brilliant! Great performance! Thank you,” “Absolutely the best show you’ve ever done! Love the new tunes from Patriots. Wish you were in New York more often” and “Oh What A Night! Congratulations to Third World and their entire staff for a magnificent production and performance that can easily be considered one of the best album release events in New York history.” As a result, the group has decided to host the second series at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. Celebrating 38 years and introducing their 23rd album, Patriots, the concert will feature performances by Tessanne Chin and special guest Leon and the Peoples. The red carpet event, which will be hosted by Pat McKay of Sirius XM and Native Jobson of Indie1031.com, is sponsored by Afterbeat Entertainment, Triple 7 Entertainment, Sirius XM4, FeverEyes.com, Indie 103.1, Revolution Laboratory, Steady Image, LA Reggae among others. As an added bonus, the concert will be streamed live on www.caribbeandreamerstv.com. Not only will fans get to watch the concert live, they will also get a chance to see preview episodes of Caribbean Dreamers, an upcoming series that captures up close and personal look into the group’s life. Third World is encouraging fans to log on to the website and pre-register. Additionally, fans are asked to make a pledge wherein a percentage of said funds will benefit the band’s official charity, Jamaican Children’s Heart Fund, Inc. A 501(c)(3) organization, JCHF is comprised of a pediatric cardiac surgical team and an intensive care team from the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital (JDCH), Hollywood, Florida, headed by Dr. Richard Perryman, Chairman-JCHF/Director Cardiothoracic Surgery JDCH, along with Dr. Gerald Lavandosky, Vice Chairman-JCHF/Pediatric Intensivist JDCH. JCHF, which recently announced their merger with Chain of Hope Jamaica, has conducted pediatric cardiac surgical missions to Jamaica over the past twelve years. The recipients of this cost free life saving surgery were as follows, 93 children under the heading of CHMA and 31 children to date under JCHF, totaling 124 recipients to date. Their mission, “to facilitate and address the urgency reflected in the increasing, rather than decreasing list of infants and children with congenital heart disease in Jamaica.” Remarks Stephen “Cat” Coore, “The band is delighted that we will be able to give fans, whom are not able to travel to LA to see us perform, the opportunity to watch via live stream. This will be our second time streaming our performance. Last May we hosted an informal online only rehearsal, which was streamed live on www.ination.tv/thirdworldbandlive and www.thirdworld.com. I saw the numbers first hand and it was a tremendous success. At that time, to be able to reach fans worldwide, premiere our video “The Spirit Lives,” and show a preview of the making of the video for single “By My Side,” featuring Tessanne Chin was just groundbreaking. We are confident that the numbers will double this time around and in the process, support a cause dear to our hearts, the Jamaican Children’s Heart Fund.” Thirdworldband.com

SNAPSHOTS OF THIRD WORLD’S EUROPEAN SUMMER TOUR

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Dancehall & Hip-Hop Collaborations A Hybrid of Cultures

Photo Credit: TheUrbanDaily.com

The year we’re in is three quarters over and a new year begins soon enough. So it’s a good time to be asked to consider and offer observations about what has happened in reggae this year. There is much production going on so a great big ‘BIG UP’ to producers of all ages everywhere making much music. This is another prolific and competitive year in reggae and yet the most compelling and controversial artists make the headlines and those overwhelmingly for reasons outside of their work. Their art, product, gift, exactly that which captured us long ago as listeners, concert goers, fans and patrons is largely unheralded. But while that is sad, there is particular interest (justifiable?) when an artists’ transgressions conflict with not only an individual or group image, but also with the image of the official music of love, peace, Jah, weed and unity (not complete, add anything positive you can think of). At the same time the music - abundant and entertaining - successfully avoids important charts and/or chart positions. The smart acts record and tour relentlessly. But to this last, consider complicating factors and challenges like (1) visa revocations, (2) the global economic downturn, (3) homegrown counterparts to reggae artists in the foreign lands that once craved the original Jamaican product/artist and (4) a finite amount of groups/ acts with a sturdy enough catalog to support a recorded collaboration and/or tour. There is reason to believe reggae is suffering rough times. Until this week, I would have said the following: there is an upside: his name is Vybz Kartel. LOL - just joking. Not really! One day I’ll write an entire proper article on him but I’ll just share this briefly. The man is to be admired. He stays right there in Jamaica and dominates international reggae news headlines. Shocking on varying levels (but shocking to most all) he is several shades lighter in complexion than he has been most of the time us fans have come under his spell. What’s up with that? And yet, who really cares when he’s bringing so much heat? Yet - back to the skin thing- you can’t help but hope the internal physical effects of skin bleaching aren’t so shocking within his extremely slender frame and its

contents. And aside from anything complexion altering, I hope everything he conjures and serves up does well and serves to encourage the many other youths living in poverty that there is hope, keep pushing! His brand is expanding, his music is impacting important places like iTunes, he’s got an album credit on Beyonce’s newest release, his own beauty product and fragrance lines, a new reality series -which is beyond ‘ghetto’ at a glance - providing visual crack a la VH1 series ‘Flava of Love.’ It’s all brilliant. To the youths and the disenfranchised he represents the small fish that not only didn’t get eaten by the big fish, he is the ruling the oceans! OK, it’s the pond. The ocean is another story. But all the positives are now overshadowed by his recent arrest, first time criminal charges have been filed against him for murder. This arrest marks the end of an era in Dancehall, Jamaican popular music - the genre is in transition. However, real artist management, artists/musicians with strong work ethic, along with producer/studio owners, label founder/owners and Executive producers still are the order of the day. They have been really aggressive in making their product available to radio, DJs and online to consumers. Artists have built and are engaged with their online communities, which is increasing and will only serve to help artists - many of whom are far from their larger fan bases and important markets. And then there is the matter of DJ Khaled signing Mavado. . . yawn! What does that mean? Only time will tell. I’d like to hope something good comes of it but really? Khaled’s collaborations have been and can be the “HOT TEST” – certified. He’s a master of collaborations, the live and recorded production and presentation of great innovative fresh music. No one laughs at his tagline and brand name “we the best.” One of the best ‘hype men’ alive, Khaled can easily enough defend that title. Yet even ‘hot,’ the challenge to his as well as each and every project is still how to gain popular support and chart position - and in this case now with Mavado added to

the mix. Urban stations keep one stale dancehall song in rotation at a time and they - those stations - don’t regularly include Khaled or his roster. So here’s another hybrid? And remember Mavado has the same mismanagement team on whose watch, Bounty, one of dancehall’s most amazing ever, experienced career-regression.

Jimmy Cliff with Rancid. Why? I haven’t heard it but I’m not running toward that experience. And for the record, listening to his records, Jimmy Cliff has been a “world music” artist for years anyway.

Though I can’t ask ‘why’ with Khaled, if I do the good, sensible reasons are not hard to find. If you’re a club DJ in Miami, you better be up on your dancehall music. Khaled runs the Miami club mix scene and is on the air there, and I don’t know the stats but I know there’s a bunch of Jamaicans in Miami so Khaled probably had his nose open to the real long ago and no doubt properly. Khaled has reciprocated, proven his love and support of dancehall for years - been in the trenches. Yet despite that and his documented history, his street cred with proven love and respect for dancehall AND Jamaicans - do either Mavado or Khaled really know what to expect of each other? Ignoring entirely the recently released artist mashup remix and video for “WelWhat do collaborations do for reggae/dancehall in the come to My Hood” club banger that adds Mavado in long term? I love some collaborations, however there too sparingly, like an afterthought - what can fans and aren’t enough folks buying them on any level. It’s a tough listeners really expect from this arrangement? What sell at best. In my limited awareness of reggae/rock, hip did we get from Dame Dash and Sizzla? What will we hop/dancehall, collaborations that built awareness of Ja- get from Superheavy (Mick Jagger/Dave Stewart/A R maican music, the “Jamaicaness” was always in the cre- Rahman/Joss Stone and Damian Marley)? ative lead. I’m thinking of Peter Tosh with Mick Jagger, Third World with Stevie Wonder, Def Jam with Capleton, The beat goes on and so does reggae! Doug E. Fresh and Viscous, Supercat with Mary J, B.I.G, Puffy - great songs. And even adding a few more, I don’t mention - those are the exception. The rule is the new

Photo Credit: MommyWarbucks.com

MY LIFE OUTSIDE OF MUSIC KEIDA TALKS “SEX AND STYLE”

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SEX APPEAL? Swagg, LOL! But yea the ability gain attraction from a person without being direct. For example confidence, sexy body language, a great personality and good hygiene are always a turn on for me. WHAT IS IN YOUR LINGERIE DRAWER? Nothing, LOL! For me the more spontaneous the event, the more intriguing. WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL SEXY? I always feel sexier when I’m healthy and my body is in good shape, also being complimented gets me going too. ON YOUR LATEST PHOTO SHOOT, DISCUSS WHY YOU WENT WITH THE WARDROBE CHOICE THAT YOU DID? To be honest I didn’t get too involved with the styling of the shoot. I had a few concepts I wanted to use in terms of props and treatments so the shoot was styled around that. So the shoot turned out to be a fierce, grown and sexy. DO YOU HAVE A SKIN CARE REGIMENT? Not particularly. I wash my face with a gentle cleanser apart from that I use a face moisturizer with SPF when I know I will be in the sun for a long time and that’s pretty much it. “I’m in love with my Jamaican Boy, gimme my Jamaican Man. . .no man can please me like you, when a time fi lovin you know wah fi do, you brighten up my day anytime mi feel blue. Yuh mek mi feel betta like remedy fi flu.” Those are the lyrics to Keida’s breakout hit, “Jamaican Boy.” The single, which was produced by Craig “Leftside” Parks of Keep Left Records, is a light-hearted ode to the men of her beloved island, Jamaica. With over 150,000 YouTube views, the song became an instant radio hit receiving airplay locally and abroad. Following the maican Boy,” singles such Enough,” “Hot

success of “JaKeida released as “Can’t Get It Up,” “Bubble

Up,” “Dancefloor/Care Not,” “All I Have,” and “Really Love,” to name a few. In 2011, Keida recorded a song with Antiguan and reigning Soca Monarch (2010) Tian Winter for “We are the West Indies” campaign, aimed at revitalizing the public’s perception of cricket. The campaign’s promotional efforts, thus far, has included travel to Barbados. Keida has performed in Barbados and will perform in Trinidad and Dominica over the summer. Fresh from her ten-day US Promo Tour and taking a break from the hustle and bustle of studio life, Keida talks to Triple The Focus about her personal style, skin care and what turns her on.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE? My personal style is mood oriented. I try to dress for comfort and creativity. IS THERE A STYLE THAT ALWAYS WORKS FOR YOU? I never go wrong with jeans and a printed top, nicely accessorized and worn with flats or pumps. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FRAGRANCE? “Chance” by Chanel is a nice delicate scent for the day time. For the night I like “Live” by Jennifer Lopez. It has a fruity but elegant smell. WHAT’S YOUR FASHION ADVICE FOR WOMEN? Try to be aware of your body type and dress accordingly. Highlight your assets and no one will notice your flaws. HE IS SEXY WHEN HE IS WEARING. . . Boxer briefs! LOL or nothing at all (smile). Facebook.com/keidamusic Youtube.com/keidamusic Twitter.com/keidamusic

CHAPTERS OF A MUSICAL ICON

GRAMPS MORGAN REVEALED His resume includes, sold out performances at stadiums around the world, member of the internationally renowned reggae band, Morgan Heritage, ten albums and three DVDs released, a budding solo career and sold out tour with India Arie and John Legend on the Evolver Tour. Additionally, his chart topping album, WASH THE TEARS with the first single, 2 Sides of My Heart Vol. 1 earned #1 on Canadian Reggae and Dancehall Charts for 4 consecutive weeks on CHRY 105.5 FM. It was also #8 on Under Pressure’s Top 20 Singles Chart in Italy and charted simultaneously in Toronto, New York and South Florida peaking in the latter two cities at the #3 & 4 spots. Respectively, the video also debuted at #2 on Riddim Jamaica’s Weekly Top 12 Video Chart and on and on. Wow is the right response. Not only is Gramps Morgan talented, his humility is and cheerful disposition is contagious. He has craved his niche in the reggae market and continues to break new ground. CEO of Dada Son Entertainment, a full‐fledged entertainment company, Gramps plans to brand the label through multimedia ventures including independent films and the Internet. In addition to his solo musical pursuits and production, Gramps also manages the company’s roster of artists. Passionate about helping others in need, Gramps also established the charity Music Orchestrating Miracles (MOM), to help bring relief to the needy in various parts of the world. In Africa, MOM works in conjunction with various medical organizations to provide mosquito nets, Malaria medication, HIV test kits and water purification tablets amongst other resources in remote areas. The organization was also part of various benefit concerts aimed at collecting funds and resources for the people of Haiti and most recently Japan. MOM has been operating since early 2010 and continues to make strides in helping to alienate human suffering due to poverty, diseases and natural catastrophes. Meet the man whose voice - I believe - resembles that of the great Peter Tosh. He is not only an artist that I love and admire - he is a friend who was happy to grant our request for this informal interview. Facebook.com/grampsmorganmusic Twitter.com/grampsmorgan Youtube.com/grampsmorganmusic Grampsmorgan.com

How was the European tour and tour with Ky-mani Marley? The Reggae Revolution Tour with Ky-mani Marley was a huge success, it was the first time ever that a Marley and Morgan has toured together. The European tour with Peetah was wonderful because it reminded me of the Morgan Heritage days. I also for the first time brought my son Jemere on tour to perform. We are launching his solo career and it just felt good to me to see him make his way in the entertainment business and the fans accepted him with such open arms. It was very fulfilling. What are some of the challenges you face being on tour for 4-6 weeks at a time? The biggest challenge is the lack of sleep. When you’re in a different city every night, the hustle and bustle of flying sometimes 2-3 times a week and then hotel accommodations at times are good but at other times can be very bad. However, I do this for the love of the music and for my fans that continue to support me day in and day out. What is a typical work day like? Typical day in Gramps Morgan’s life is up at sunrise, workout, interviews and soundchecks and performances, if any. How do you balance your personal life and work? With Faith For those readers who may not know who Gramps is, what would you want them to know about you? That my mission is to heal the world through my music and I love Italian food. Where do you draw your inspiration from when writing your songs? I draw my inspiration from life experiences, what’s going on in the world and my day to day interactions with family, friends and my fans. How do you unwind? Cooking, I love to cook and getting alot of rest and watching a good movie. Talk about football? Started back this year and it was a great challenge and outlet for me. How important is diet and exercise to you? It is very important to me and a vital part of my everyday life. Without a proper diet and exercise it would make my job of performing very difficult. What are your downfalls as a musician? I feel I don’t practice enough. Biggest misconception people have about you? That I am unapproachable. What’s next? More great music, going to touch a little bit in the techno market, mixing reggae and techno, my new album “Reggae Music Lives” which will be out next year, music from my son Jemere Morgan, more production with the Sons on Manasseh and charitable work through my charity Gramps MOM which simple means Gramps Music Orchestrating Miracles. Any shout outs? To all my fans for their continued support. I love you all.

UP NEXT

REGGAE RECORDING ARTIST RECRUIT Garvin Orlando Spence, stage name ‘Recruit’ is a young and upcoming artist who hails from Sherlock Crescent in Kingston, Jamaica. As a vocalist and songwriter, his love for music began at a very tender age following in the footsteps of his two older brothers. “I started my music career seriously about three years ago. It is in my blood. My two older brothers – Delus and Konshens.” While in the ninth grade Recruit began showcasing his talents through his penmanship. “Many things influence my lyrics. My best lyrics come out when I write about lovemaking.” During his last year of high school, he started taking music more seriously. “The first song I recorded was in 2005. The song that will resonate well with fans is ‘Galang Gal’ on the Trailer Reload Riddim.” Since then he has emerged on the entertainment scene and has been steadily making his mark through his performances. He has opened for top billing artistes such as Serani, Spragga Benz, I-Octane and has performed as a solo act on “Rock with Squeeze” at SOB’s in Manhattan and Africa Meets Jamaica at De Island Breeze in New Jersey. As a multi-talented artist, Recruit’s style is classified as a diverse mix of dancehall with a little reggae and pop. “I listen to everything, even the music that sounds like gibberish. I love R&B, Hip Hop, Rock and Soca. Other than my brothers, my favorite artist of all time is Denis Brown.” On a regular day Recruit can be found in the studio working on new material. He has worked with French producers Daddy and Hyper from D &H Productions, Konvict Yard Music, Shango Productions, Subkonshus Music and LMR Productions. “I do music because it’s my way of expressing my thoughts on different aspects of life. I can safely say that music is my second love because I have been surrounded by music all day, every day for as long as I can remember.” Collaborations with upcoming artistes “Mad Kerry” and “Mic Gee” has added to his portfolio putting him one step closer to achieving his goals - to provide his fans and potential fans with quality music - as a musician. And when he makes it in the industry, Recruit wants to “be able to help other upcoming artistes in the industry who are struggling and have a really difficult time as I did” he says. Facebook.com/recruitmusic

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REGGAE MUSIC AND POP CULTURE by Snow McCullen

tural movement has emerged from America’s young urban population, mirroring the cultural patterns born out of the Reggae/Dancehall movement among younger inner city Jamaicans. “Hip-hop, the whole chemistry of that came from Jamaica, ’cause I’m West Indian,” states Kool Herc. “I was born in Jamaica. I was listening to American music in Jamaica and my favorite artist was James Brown. When I came over here I just had to put it in the American style and a drum and bass. I’d find out where the break in the record was at and prolong it, and people would love it. So I was giving them their own taste and beat percussion-wise. ’Cause my music is all about heavy bass.”

In 1977, British punk pioneers The Clash featured the unforgettable “Police and Thieves” tune on their debut album. The hardcore punk rift with the monotone and oddly accented lyrics made for an innovative, if not just plain weird, sound. A year earlier, singer Junior Murvin scored his biggest international hit with those same lyrics poured over a smoothly melodic drum and bass rhythm from his native island of Jamaica—a relatively new and widely unknown form of music called Reggae. Today Reggae has carved a significant niche in pop music culture. You can hear Reggae rhythms in Rock & Roll, Punk Rock, Folk, Pop, R&B, and especially Hip Hop music. Even country legend Willie Nelson, rode the drum & bass reggae rhythms in Countryman, his full length Reggae album. Time Magazine named Bob Marley & the Wailers’ Exodus the “Album of the 20th Century.” Jimmy Cliff was requested by the Kennedy family to sing at the funeral of JFK Jr. Reggae was recognized by America’s National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences four years before they even recognized American Hip Hop. The signature bass and drum rifts of Reggae have expanded the borders of its tiny island home to become one of the Caribbean’s largest cultural exports, and perhaps most powerful brands. Around the same time that The Clash was experimenting with Junior Murvin’s “Police and Thieves,” in the U.K., young Caribbean immigrants in the United States were also blending the sound and styles of their native and new lands. Jamaican immigrant Clive “Kool Herc” Campbell bridged the “chatting” or “toasting” style of Jamaican sound-system selectors with break loops in American R&B, funk and soul songs, pioneering a new sound called hip hop. Since that time, the Hip Hop cul-

In the mid-late 1980’s, a host of New York’s hip-hop MCs incorporated a style locally known as raggamuffin. Jimmy Spicer, KRS One, Shinehead, Heavy D, Special Ed, and Chubb Rock, and many other MC’s of Caribbean background or influence began to blend original reggae beats, slang, and delivery into hiphop music. To date, some of hip-hop’s top ranking acts, including Jay Z, Rihanna, Notorious B.I.G., Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj, have had Billboard topping reggae blend hits. Hip Hop artists also made popular music collaborations with Jamaican Dancehall deejays like Shabba Ranks, Buju Banton and Bounty Killer, helping to cross promote Dancehall in the U.S. and Hip Hop in the Caribbean. Native Jamaican Reggae artists Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Busy Signal, Baby Cham and Tony Matterhorn had all enjoyed Billboard charting hits with regular urban and mainstream radio rotation in the U.S. and U.K., while Rihanna, Sean Paul, and

Shaggy are multi-platinum international pop artists.

Country duo Big and Rich.

In 1964, a decade before the birth of Hip Hop, when Reggae was still in its formative years and predecessors Ska, Blue Beat, and Rock Steady were dominating the airwaves in Jamaica, Jamaican-born teenager Millie Small broke racial and gender barriers when she hit #2 on the U.K. Singles Charts and #4 on the Billboard Top 100 with her Ska/Bluebeat tune “My Boy Lollipop.” A remake of American singer Barbie Gaye’s 1956 single of the same name, Small’s version of “My Boy Lollipop” sold over 600,000 copies in the UK and eventually sold over seven million copies worldwide. “My Boy Lollipop” was also the first hit single recorded on Chris Blackwell’s Island Records. Four years later in 1968 Desmond Dekker became the first Jamaican to top the U.K. charts with the Ska single “Israelites.”

Reggae musicians have had an obsession with Country music from the very beginning. Claude Gray’s 1961 Country single “I’ll Just Have Another Cup of Coffee,” became an early single for a then up and coming singer Bobby Martell, whose name was actually Robert Marley, in 1962. The Everly Brother’s 1957 Country classic, “Bye Bye Love,” has been covered by countless Reggae singers, most famously Trevor Sparks in 1988. Perhaps driven by the popularity of western films in Jamaica, with many Jamaican artists adapting stage names like “the Outlaw Jose Wales,” “the High Plain Drifter,” and “Clint Eastwood,” Country music has enjoyed popularity in Jamaica since the 1950s, when Radio Jamaica became the island’s first commercial radio station. With the advent of Radio Jamaica, Jamaicans had access to American popular music and made Country singers like Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, and Marty Robbins household names on the island.

Later that same year, the Beatles recorded the Reggae single “Ob La Di, Ob La Da,” a name Paul McCartney got from a Reggae band named Jimmy Scotts and the Obla Di Obla Da Band. “Ob La Di, Ob La Da” became a #1 single in the U.K for Scottish pop group Marmalade in 1969. Reggae continued to make a name for itself in Rock and Roll, particularly Punk Rock throughout the 1970 and 80s. Notable singles include Eric Clapton’s 1974 Rock cover of Bob Marley “I Shot the Sherriff, “ Peter Tosh and Mick Jagger’s 1978 “Walk and Don’t Look Back,” and Blondie’s 1980 Punk cover of John Holt’s “The Tide is High.” Rocksteady pioneer Little Roy, best known for his 1969 single “Bongo Nyah,” – the first Rastafarian-themed song to top the charts in Jamaica - released another groundbreaking creation in 2011, The Battle For Seattle, a Reggae cover album of 90s grunge Rock god Kurt Cobain’s Nirvana classics. Recorded on Ark Records, The Battle for Seattle features Little Roy, croons Cobain’s dark lyrics from “Lithium,” “Polly,” and “Come As You Are” over up tempo roots Reggae and Rocksteady beats played by London’s most revered Reggae musicians including Donald “Junior Marvin” Richards Jr. of the Wailers, Leroy “Mafia” Heywood of Mafia & Fluxy, Steven ‘Marley’ Wright, and Carlton ‘Bubblers’ Ogilvy.

Bobby Martell, who later became the international voice and face of Reggae under his given name Bob Marley, stated in his single “Trench Town Rock” that “one good thing about music, when it hits you’ll feel no pain.” Reggae music and its predecessors Ska, BlueBeat, and Rocksteady has been hitting the international music scene since the mid 1960s, and continues to hit music charts worldwide. Over the past year, Reggae artists Gyptian and Ricky Blaze have pounded Reggae and pop music charts worldwide with the singles “Hold Yuh” and “Just You and I” respectively, while Rihanna’s Reggae-flavored “Man Down” peaked at #9 on the Billboard R&B Charts and hit #1 in France, the top 20 in Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, and the U.K. Recently Jennifer Lopez teamed up with Hip Hop’s golden boy Lil Wayne on a Reggae-tinged single “I’m Into You,” in 2011 as the second single for her album Love.

Another shining example of musical synergism is Reggae giant VP Records’ partnership with Warner Music Nashville for Reggae’s Gone Country. Released in 2011, the compilation features classic country hits like Kenny Roger’s “The Gambler,” and Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes” covered by Jamaica’s top musicians like Beres Hammond, Tarrus Riley, Tessanne Chin, Etana, Luciano, and Sly and Robbie, supported by vocals from Country icon Larry Gatlin of The Gatlin Brothers. “Reggae’s Gone Country is taking some of Jamaican’s favorite classic American country songs and putting their beats and whole instrumentation around it while still having that root of country... It is this crazy cool idea,” says producer John Rich of multiplatinum

Creative Director’s Note We are all born with our own special gifts. With these unique gifts, we can chose to apply in situations that influence positive results or otherwise. Triple The Focus is the exceptional idea and brainchild of our editor, Stacey Bethel. To share, inspire and create are some of the attributes Triple The Focus will deliver. I’m very excited to be a part of this premiere e-magazine. Creativity, by my definition, is to “reflect the desired life.” As creative director of Triple The Focus, I am given the opportunity to assist in sharing this unique vision. It also allows us a chance to embrace and share some of our blessings through this electronic medium. We are sharing and profiling our artists and their stories, work and successes in the spirit of giving. Subscribers will be able to follow and learn some of the innovative elements we employ with our clients. Triple The Focus readers can absorb the vital importance of the visions of our artist. This we hope other artists are encouraged and inspired with our illustrations and gain insights from our many journeys. This premiere issue is I am looking forward and feed back. Please your thoughts to me

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Until next month, stay “focused” and think “creatively.”

Vic Rae

Your Creative Director