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L3 Magazine | Life. Love. Lyrics.| June, 2018 ft. Best of the Best www.L3Magazine.com
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L3 Magazine | June | 2018 | No. 53 CEO and Editor-in-Chief
Natasha Von Castle – natashavoncastle@gmail.com
Chief Creative Officer
L3 Group of Companies – L3Magazine@hotmail.com
Publisher
L3 Group of Companies
Director of Caribbean Promotions Keisha Pinnock
Contributing Editor and Caribbean Affairs Editor Tricia ‘ZJ Sparks’ Spence
Contributing Editor and Music Editor Tre Carn
Travel Editor Stacia Von Castle
Music Review Editor Jennifer Menster
Beauty Editor Kay Cunningham
UK Editor Evelyn Germain Senior Writers & Photography
Song River | Marcus Weller | Joah Baston | Zakada Milton | Raul Dunkley Contributing Writers Portia Clarke | Mimi Mamichula | Ayeola George | Zakada Milton | Rico Vibes | Andre Gomez | Pia Jordine Roger Lashley | Gelina aka Baby G – UK Correspondent | Michelle Parker | April Stanford | David Peters | SteffyT
Editors Heart... We were there to party, and party we did with the best Reggae and Dancehall artists on the planet! Organizers of the Best of the Best did not disappoint fans who eagerly awaited Memorial Day Weekend to honor troops, and party with the stars. The hottest Dancehall artist, Aidonia lived up to the hype and expectation. Just ending his tour in Europe, and flying directly to Miami from Portugal, fans received every ounce of his energy … I’m telling you dude had the Mana Wynwood Convention Center rocking. It was to the point that he sometimes held the microphone out to the audience so he could hear them sing. I smile every time I think about that memory. You would never have known how many hours he traveled just to perform. On the Reggae side, veteran star Capleton did not allow anything to stop his presence. He commanded the stage as he reeled off hits after hits. He sang, he jumped, he extended his hands to the people who came just to see him. His fans. Fans! Just as we were treated to the Best of the Best artists, they were treated to the Best of the Best fans who made sure Mother Nature didn’t stop the party. Even with the venue change, fans came out dressed to impress, and gave artists their energy. This can only happen in Miami. The way I see it, this is an annual affair – we know we’re going to see each other. Mark your calendar because we’re going to do it again! Sunday May 26th, 2019 at Bayfront Park … and Mother Nature, please hold yuh corner!
Agree or disagree via Twitter @NatashaVonC
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“We do this every year for the fans. By now they know we shut Miami down for Memorial Weekend and we do it just for them. It’s our time to let the Best of the Best shine!” - Jabba
June, 2018 - Special Edition!
Memorial Day Weekend we were in Miami for Best of the Best and man did we have a great time! Imagine spending your night with your favourite artists and surrounded by your favourite fans ... Yup ... Best of the Best! Throughtout the pages of this months issue we give you mini concert reviews of artists on stage, as well as ultimate pics of those same artists in action. Special thanks goes to the organizers of BOTB who allowed us unprecedented access to the event, and an extra special thank you to the fans who were more than happy to answer our questions! Images for this special edition of L3 Magazine is powered by Dancehall USA (dancehallusa.com). To SupaNic, Camille and the entire team, we loved working with you! To Ronnie and the team at Destine Media, thank you for making sure we had everything we need to get the job done! To Mother Nature (yes we have to address this lady!), we appreciate you wanting to come by and enjoy the festivities with us, but, in the future, please cooperate with us. We prefer to party outside, so next year, no tropical storms and no weather systems, just the sweet sounds of Reggae, Danccehall, Soca and Afrobeats and the cheers from some of the best fans in the world! L3 Magazine | June, 2018 ft. Best of the Best Pg. 7
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t Ghost
In Caribbean culture, who paved the way b word got out that Gho phens were performin f the Best, fans knew mance could not be m his signature songs “D “You’re Beautiful,” an ter Than That.” The la well received, it had t
The Baritone vibration voice thrilled the ladi in his sharp suit, and “Trying to Get to You,” and phones to go in t the performance. Con mance with “Salt of th lutes from the men in recognize the classic to be an anthem for h around the world.
we celebrate those before us! When the ost and Richie Steng this year at Best w that each performissed. Ghost sang Do You Believe,” nd “You Know Me Betatter song was so to be pulled up!
n of Richie Stephens ies! Taking the stage opening his set with ” caused screams the air to record ntinuing his perforhe Earth” drew san the audience who Johnny Adams song hardworking people Richie Stephens u L3 Magazine | June, 2018 ft. Best of the Best Pg. 11
t Bunji Garlin
Power Soca and couple Fayann Lyons mashed Best stage! Between t their music has taken around the world, and ists of fans. The Carib pecially Trini’s, raised t hits started to spin!
Songs like “Big Bad So Road” and “Differentol the Mana Wynwood Co did Fay-Ann’s hits “Girl Party,” “High Heels” an “Joli” featuring Husban
We caught up with a T Best of the Best who s plaint’ we have is that didn’t perform long en we see them they put it’s only right that they 2018! Next year we w for onger hashtag Goo
e Bunji Garlin and d up the Best of the the two of them, residence on charts d stayed on the playlbbean massive, estheir flags when the
oca,” “Ready For De logy” from Bunji filled onvention Center as ls Girls Girls,” “Done D nd combined favourite nd Bunji Garlin!
Trini contingent at said “the only ‘comt Bunji and Fay-Ann nough! Every time on a great show so y were here at BOTB want them to perform od Problems!”
Fay-Ann Lyons u
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t Romain Virgo
Best of the Best Host Jab saying Romain Virgo’s na fans began screaming fo During the introduction, accolades but the crowd ute longer! Romain ran o Doctor.”
Women rocked and groo performed hit after hit. B Band, one lady was seen word for word. Showing ciation for Buju Banton, R from the artist who will m Cammy, a fan of Romain Romain. I got his album him as an artist. Every s I’ve been his fans since t
Backed by her DJ, Hood C of the most anticipated a Bringing her fireistic blen and culture, combined w Rap lingo and delivery, M one of the walking troph
Her anthem “Walking Tro hit of the night. Fans als and “Cut Them Off.”
bba could not finish ame fast enough when or the artist to perform. Jabba tried listing his d couldn’t wait a minon the stage with “Love
oved as the Reggae star Backed by Ruff Kut n singing “Beautiful” respect and appreRomain included hits make his return soon. said “I came just to see m Love Sick and I love song he sings is great. the beginning.”
Celebrityy was one acts of the evening. nd of Jamaican lyrics with modern American Ms. Celebrity was indeed hies for the night!
ophy” was definitely the so loved “Wine Pon It”
Hood Celebrityy u
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t Stonebwoy
Reggae and Dancehal woy told us at Best of his dream to meet on ton. The singer expla faith and belief in His resonated with him a his outlook on life.
Applying faith and be Stonebwoy has becom artist to be featured a – some said it would forming hit singles “B and “Come From Far,” sive and music lovers ment of his performa
And then the legend C stage and proved tha Blazing his lyrics alon Capleton was in the fi singing “Lotion,” “Slew City.” Not only did he and extended his arm proclaiming his prese
ll Superstar Stonebf the Best that it was ne of his idols; Capleained how Capleton’s s Imperial Majesty and helped to change
elief to his music, me the first African at Best of the Best never be done. PerBawasaaba,” “Hero” ” the Afrobeats mass enjoyed every moance.
Capleton took to the at he is the fireman! ngside his band, finest of fine form w Dem” and “Jah Jah e sing, he jumped ms to the heavens ence! Capleton u
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t Mavado
We polled a few patro venue at Best of the B which songs they mo Dancehall star Mavad requests were “Fathe most recent hit, “I’m “So Special.” All three to 2009 respectively, years of success for t music are some of th international playlists
For fans who came to session thanks to Din dancer turned artist h of the stage and the a impressionable entra rage of dancers and b sure onlookers knew
Wasting no time, Ding dancers and the crow “Fling Yuh Shoulda,” “ “Flair is In The Air!”
ons coming into the Best asking them ost wanted to hear do sing. The top 3 er God,” the artists on The Rock” and e songs span 2018 , showing off the the artist. Mavado’s he most popular on s.
o dance, class was in ng Dong Ravers! The had full command audience making an ance with his entoubanner which made who they were!
g Dong directed his wd as he performed “Lebeh Lebeh” and Ding Dong Ravers u
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L3 Magazine’s
Favourite Snaps at Best of the Best 2018! Images Powered by: Dancehall USA
Kerwin Dubois
Kerwin Dubois (above) loved what he saw looking into the audience, and we loved what we saw from the ground at Best of the Best! Jabba and Paul Platinum had the hosting duties on lock, while GView TV’s Fiine China and Editor-in-Chief Natasha Von Castle looked on. All fans we spoke to said they will be back next year! bestofthebestconcert.com
Jabba and Paul Platinum
Fiine China (left) and Natasha Von Castle L3 Magazine | June, 2018 ft. Best of the Best Pg. 25
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t Shenseea Shenseea is Dancehall’s newest darling and based on her Best of the Best performance, it is clear that fans rate her as an emerging Queen. With nothing but Top 10 Dancehall hits under her belt, wasted no time getting fans involved with her performance! As the only female performing for the evening and representing Jamaica, we loved watching Shenseea work the stage as she performed her hit singles “Love I Got 4 U,” “Nothing Dem Have Ova Mi” and “Loodi.” Fans got an extra treat hearing her perform with a live band too. Calling 3 ladies on stage, Shenseea had them perform to her song “Jiggle Jiggle” and whomever earned the most applause from the crowd was crowned the champion for the night. Nothing but excitement erupted especially when the fluffy contestant Yolanda from Jamaica won. Girl had moves … and splits. Shenseea has definitely made us proud with her debut Best of the Best performance!
The fans spoke, and they said that Aidonia is The Best of the Best! Dancehall’s hottest DJ and superstar locked the stage and the attention of everyone at Mana Wynwood Convention Center. With a sensational 2017 and 2018 which included the release of hot singles “Yeah Yeah Yeah,” “Hot Tool” and “Work It,” Aidonia’s charisma shined center stage as he delivered exactly what fans were looking for. Unafraid to ‘work it, work it,’ Aidonia was covered in sweat because of the energy he gave his fans. Men in the audience acknowledge the DJs lyrical prowess as being one of the best in the game. Benson from Chicago proclaimed “for me, there’s no one better than Aidonia right now. He has it locked – everything (musically) is a hit.” “Sidung Fi Di Jockey” was a massive crowd pleaser that had ladies demonstrating how easily they can balance themselves for the jockey! Not shy, females shouted at Aidonia telling the artist they’re available to demonstrate their skills! Aidonia u
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