JULY 2013 | L3MAGAZINE.COM
HAILE SELASSIE TRIBUTE
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EARTHSTRONG QUOTE FROM BUJU BANTON, KING ALI BABA AND MORE! MIAMI ART WALK IN WYNWOOD MUSIC ON BLAST AND MORE!
DEMARCO
YARD AND ABROAD
ETANA
THE STRONG ONE SMOKING SENSI WITH
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SIZZLA KALONJI WELCOMING THE MESSIAH
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MIAMI ART WALK IN WYNWOOD HEIKE DEMPSTER
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Sometimes Art is best said as a visual and without words. Here is a photo essay of Miami Art Walk in Wynwood!
PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT DEMPSTER
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JULY 2013 | NO. 023 CEO & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VP & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER PUBLISHER ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
NATASHA VON CASTLE DOMINIQUE RAPHAEL L3 GROUP OF COMPANIES - KEVIN SMALLS PAIGE HARRIS
EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR & LIFESTYLE EDITOR ALLIE MASON CONTRIBUTING EDITOR & CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS EDITOR TRICIA SPENCE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR & MUSIC EDITOR TRE CARN TRAVEL EDITOR STACIA VON CASTLE MUSIC REVIEW EDITOR JILL MAHONEY BEAUTY EDITOR LONDYN NIKOLE COPY EDITOR XAVIER RAPHAEL SENIOR WRITER STARLEETAH BROWN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS HEIKE DEMPSTER, MARCUS WELLER, NIYAH MYC, KARLA ASHLEY, ANASTASIA SARADOC, AEYOLA GEORGE, MIMI MAMICHULA, MARCO, ZAKADA MILTON, LANRE DAVIES, KERRY K. TAYLOR, KENDON POLAK, JENNIFER MENSTER SHENEA ‘PIA’ JORDINE INTERNS EDWARD BISHOP, ALICIA KEMP, JONATHAN NEWTON ART ART DIRECTOR SANDRA HERNANDEZ SENIOR DESIGNER SANCHA DESIGNS ART ASSISTANT JAMALL THOMPSON RETOUCHER JEROME MABINI INTERACTIVE WEB DEVELOPER TENIKA JONES ADVERTISING ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS MANAGER ROHAN BECKFORD ADVERTISING ASSISTANT TERESA MAGLOIRE CIRCULATION CIRCULATION/MARKETING DIRECTOR RICHARD NEILSON SINGLE COPY SALES MANAGER NIGEL COLLINS
“L3” (ISSIN 1020-2000) is published monthly (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec) by L3 Group of Companies, 123 blank street, Scarborough, ON L1R2H2. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Copyright © 2011. Title “L3” registered CAN Patent and Trademark Office. Printed in Canada. MANUSCRIPTS AND ART: The Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES (CAN) 1-289-217-2800 or l3magazine@hotmail.com. SUBSCRIPTION RATES and Possessions: 14.95 CAD/Year plus applicable taxes. SUBSCRIPTION PROBLEMS call 1-289-217-2800 or email l3magazine@hotmail.com.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR LIFE
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I’ve been on the road a lot since April. I’ve seen more airports, security scans and passport stamps than I care to count, and the one common element that touches me the most, and that I’m seeing more of, is people’s greatness. Gone are the days of keeping hidden the beauty and majesty that lay within us; gone are the days of discouragement and a false sense of not being able to accomplish the gift we’ve been burdened to bring to fruition. Gone are the days of not having the tools and resources to get what we need to get done. Here are the days of access to education, real education, hands on education in which we are learning by doing and not just by reading or watching (though these are an important part of the learning process). Here are the days where people can create million dollar empires on a dream; where working with a person in Venezuela, combined with a person in The Netherlands and a person in Canada can result in the next ‘big thing.’ Greatness is happening because we are eliminating borders and with that elimination, peoples true vibration can be felt and built on to achieve more. People are finally living in their greatness. They are finally doing what naturally resides in their hearts to do. An artist sings his or her greatness, a manager manages the artist in greatness, musicians strum in their greatness, designers design in their greatness and writers write…. Go for it … once and for all - go for it! Go for and share your greatness! Have a comment?! Tell me what you think on Twitter >>> @NatashaVonC
Natasha Von Castle
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L3 MAGAZINE PROUDLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE EARTHSTRONG OF HAILE SELASSIE. HIS LASTING WORDS SERVE AS A GUIDELINE FOR LIVING A PROSPEROUS LIFE. WE SALUTE THIS TRUE RULER AND LEADER.
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HAILE SELASSIE TRIBUTE
BUJU BANTON “That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned: That until there are no longer first-class and second class citizens of any nation; That until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes; That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race; That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained; And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique and in South Africa in subhuman bondage have been toppled and destroyed; Until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self-interest have been replaced by understanding and tolerance and good-will; Until all Africans stand and speak as free beings, equal in the eyes of all men, as they are in the eyes of Heaven; Until that day, the African continent will not know peace. We Africans will fight, if necessary, and we know that we shall win, as we are confident in the victory of good over evil.� Such a profound speech. Such universal insight is unmatched; even in this present age. Truly someone of immense insight an vision, who always encouraged the Black race to stand up and be counted as a people of great worth and value. Hail to the King! Buju Banton
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KAISHA LEE
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Happy Birthday Haile Selassie I. Thank you for your teachings, for your example. July 23 we salute your known earthly time. It is an honour to salute you. Love Kaisha
SOPHIA SQUIRE LIFE
Haile Selassie is ruler and also great King from tribe of King David who set trends for others to follow I Sophia Squire wanna say Happy earth strong. Bless
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KING ALI BABA I do not say Haile Selassie because every Rasta man ah call upon his name. I see him with my two eyes and know him to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Haile Selassie’s Earthstrong is everyday ‌ he lives with the true people ~King Ali Baba
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NANNY MYSTIKK 31 L 3 M AG A Z I N E .CO M | J U LY 2 0 1 3
The True Conquering Lion Is In The Hearts Of The People. Let Us Not Forget About Emperor Haile Selassie I The First And The First Ites Of All First, With The Incient One We Shall Truly Conquer Babylon. Blessed Earthstrong H. I. M. Emperor Haile Selassie I 1st. ~Nanny Mystikk
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Available Exclusively in Canada
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FEAST FOR A KING JIMMY TAMBOU
As this month is a celebration of Haile Selassie’s Earthstrong, here are a few dishes we have prepared in his honor. Enjoy the recipe for desert which is Vegan Pineapple Chuck Cheesecake!
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ITAL RICE INGREDIENTS
Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, scallions, tomatoes, celery, carrots, green peppers, squash, thyme and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until they begin to brown on the edges. Add garlic, lentils and rice, stir well and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Add the water, stock and coconut milk and stir well. Add the whole Scotch bonnet chile (or habanero) and bay leaves; it will season the rice much . Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat to low and cover. The rice should be done in about 15-20 minutes, depending on the type of rice you are using (some rice takes longer to cook). Check after 15 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and cover for 10 minutes. To serve, fluff with a fork. Sprinkle with a little lime juice if you want. Discard the habanero or eat it, if you dare!
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2 Tbsp coconut oil 1/2 yellow onion, chopped 4 garlic cloves, chopped 1/2 of green pepper, chopped 2 scallions, chopped 1/4 cup diced tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup grated carrots 2 cups brown rice(any type of rice will do) 2 cup water 1 cup grated squash 2 cups coconut milk 1 cup lentils, rinsed and drained 1-2 sprig of thyme 2 bay leaves 1 whole Scotch bonnet
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STEWED CHUNKS INGREDIENTS FOOD
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1/2 pack soya chunks 2 tbsps brown sugar 1/2 onion chopped 1/4 cup cilantro 1/4 cup celery chopped 3 garlic cloves peeled and chopped 1 scallion chopped 2 green chillies (to taste) 2 tbsps coconut oil 1/4 cup tomato ketchup 1-2 tbsp of spike(spike can be found in most health food stores) 1/2 cup water
Boil water in a pot and add Soya chunks. Take off heat and stir occasionally until cooked. Strain, squeeze and keep aside. Grind celery, cilantro, green chillies, spring onion, chopped onion, chopped garlic and spike. Add mixture to chunks and season chunks. Heat oil in a low-based pan and add brown sugar. When sugar melts and starts to bubble in the oil, add seasoned soya chunks, ketchup and water into pan and mix. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 mins. Remove from heat and serve hot.
FRIED PLANTAINS INGREDIENTS
• Vegetable oil • 2 ripe plantains
Preheat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Peel the plantains and cut them in half. Slice the halves lengthwise into thin pieces. Fry the pieces until browned and tender. Drain excess oil on paper towels.
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TOSSED SALAD WITH SPICED PUMPKIN SEEDS INGREDIENTS
Melt butter over medium heat in a skillet. Add pumpkin seeds, sugar and pepper; toast them, stirring constantly, until seed just start to pop (DO NOT BURN). Transfer to a bowl and season with salt and cinnamon. Mix together tomatoes, cucumber, beets, corn kernel and spinach. sprinkle spiced pumpkin seeds over the salad.
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1 cup cooked corn kernels(canned corn is optional) 1 cup diced tomatoes 1/2 cucumber, cubed 2 cups spinach, rinsed and drained 1 beet, shredded 1 cup pumpkin seeds 2 tbsp vegan butter 1 tbsp sugar pinch of cinnamon salt and pepper to taste
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VEGAN PINEAPPLE CHUNK CHEESECAKE FOOD
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1 (12 ounce) package soft tofu 1/2 cup soy milk/almond milk 1 cup of diced pineapples 1/2 cup brown sugar/honey 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup maple syrup 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
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STRAWEBERRY TOPPING INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup of water • 1 cup of white sugar • 2 cups of quartered strawberries •
Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over mediumhigh heat; stir until sugar is dissolved. Mix strawberries into saucepan and bring to a boil; boil for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until strawberries are mushy and sauce is thick, about 10 minutes. Strain liquid into a bottle, add lime zest, stir and refrigerate. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a blender, combine the tofu, soy milk, sugar, vanilla extract and maple syrup. Blend until smooth, then add diced pineapples and pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool; refrigerate until chilled. Jimmy is available for catering and special events by email: tamuchambo@yahoo.ca
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15 TIPS FOR GROWING YOUR HAIR BLACK WOMAN BAUTY CENTRAL
Get Rid of Damaged Hair When you’re just beginning your healthy hair journey it’s best to start with a clean slate. Have all split and damaged ends cut off your hair. It might seem counterproductive but it’s important. Damaged, split ends will always set you back. Wash and Condition Regularly Moisture is what makes your hair flexible and keeps it from breaking. Water is the only thing that provides that moisture. Wash and condition your hair once or twice a week to keep it healthy, hydrated and strong. Deep Condition with Every Wash If your hair’s dry, relaxed, color treated or damaged, deep conditioning is very important. Moisture is what keeps your hair manageable and builds elasticity into the strands. Do a deep conditioning treatment once a week for 30 minutes with a steamer or hooded dryer for your healthiest hair.
Hydrate Your Hair Daily Dry hair is one of the biggest culprits of breakage. Black and African American hair is dry by nature and needs a lot of moisture to stay supple. Counter this with daily leave-in moisturizer (not hair grease) that’s main ingredient is water. Focus on the ends of your hair since that is the oldest part and the most likely to dry and break off.
Care for Your Scalp Just as quality soil is the foundation of healthy plants, a healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. Regular scalp massages with natural oils encourage circulation and bring nutrient rich blood to the follicles for faster healthier hair growth. Trim Split Ends You might be tempted to not trim your hair since you’re trying to grow it long but it’s an important part of the process. Untrimmed split ends travel up the length of your hair causing damage and breakage. Micro-trim your ends every three or so months and they’ll stay healthy and split end free. Use Gentle Heat Over using blow dryers and flat irons dries your hair out causing split ends, damage and breakage. Use gentle or no heat styling techniques like wet sets with a bonnet dryer or air drying to keep your hair healthy and growing strong. If you use flat and curling irons as well as blow dryers stick to low to medium heat settings.
Stretch Your Relaxers If you get relaxers one thing that can help with length accumulation is going as long as possible between each one. Doing that allows your hair to grow out more and cuts the chance of over processing. Take Charge of Your Hair You’re the boss when it comes to the care and maintenance of your hair. Never allow a stylist to dictate what should and shouldn’t happen. If you don’t feel comfortable, walk away. Make sure they listen to you and don’t be afraid to ask as many question as you need to about what they do and put in your hair. I’ve seen gorgeous hair ruined because of overbearing stylists. Don’t let it happen to you.
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Take A Daily Hair Vitamin Good nutrition is important for healthy hair growth. Even if you do eat a well-balanced diet, take a good hair supplement with biotin and the other essential nutrients. It enhances the growth and health of your hair and has the potential to double your hairs’ growth rate.
Don’t Double Process If you get chemical applications done, it’s best to stick with a single type. For example, if you relax don’t color and if you color don’t relax. Double processing makes your hair brittle, weak and prone to breakage.
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Use Natural Hair Oils Most products geared towards Black and African American hair care are loaded with petroleum oil and other heavy synthetic pore clogging ingredients that weigh hair down. Natural hair oils like castor, jojoba, coconut and shea are much healthier for our hair.
Sleep With Silk or Satin When you toss and turn at night your hair rubs against cotton pillowcases that your hair out. Protect your hair with a silk or satin scarf or pillowcase.
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Wear Protective Hairstyles Protective styling is one of the keys in how to grow Black hair. When you wear these styles your hands stay out of your hair and it doesn’t get caught in things since it’s tucked away. This cuts down on breakage while keeping your ends from drying out and splitting.
Use Quality Combs and Brushes Plastic combs and brush bristles shred and tear your hair over time leading to split ends and damage. Use seamless bone combs and boar bristle brushes to help your hair grow stronger and healthier. These combs and brushes don’t catch your hairs and pull them out.
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Available Exclusively in Canada
Buy You YOLO Rasta Bracelets Now! 2-Lined Music Hut - Malvern Town Centre TreaJah Isle Records & Tapes - 1514 Eglinton Ave. W. Twitter: @2LINEDMUSIC | @TreajahIsle 48
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THE ULTIMATE ETHNIC WEDDING GOWNS
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The ultimate in African wedding gowns and ethnic bridal dresses was on display in New York City during the annual bridal showcase was hosted by Circle of Sisters and WBLS Radio. The guest brides appeared to be in awe over the display of colorfully designed bridal gowns. One may think, once you’ve seen one white wedding dress, you’ve seen them all. However, these are no ordinary wedding gowns. On display was the launch of the ‘Queen of the Brides’ collection by TeKay Designs. TeKay Designs presented wedding gowns and groom’s attire that represents matriarchs from ancient civilizations. Brides who want an event that’s to be remembered for generations invest in a theme that’s centered around the bridal gown. And no theme is more compelling than that of your heritage. Each runway model displayed cultural bridal attire and ethnic gowns inspired by the ancient thrones of Africa. The models portrayed Queen Sheba of Ethiopia, Queen Mumtaz Mahal of India, and Egyptian Queens Cleopatra, Nefertiti, Tiye, Ankhesenamun, and Hatshepsut. The presentation wouldn’t have been complete without a Pharaoh to escort each Egyptian queen. After all, shouldn’t every bride have her own bare-skinned Pharaoh? Each fashion look features an aesthetic embellishment such as a necklace, bracelet, veil or headpiece that’s of cultural or historic relevance. Veils have been a traditional wedding staple for years, dating back to the 13th century BC. Ancient Egyptian queens wore a range of elaborate crowns and head pieces linked frequently to the Queen’s role of a goddess such as Isis. In modern times, the veil is more a symbol of wedding elegance, and a fashion accessory that complements the dress.
TeKay’s bronze metallic headpiece has gold beads and scales and is a historical replica of headpieces worn by Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. Queen Nefertiti’s gown has hand stitched golden crystal trim, appliqués and beads. But the jewelry and headpieces complete the look. The statement necklace with pearls, crystals and hand blown faceted glass beads has a distinct, royal Egyptian look. The gold, silver, and rhinestone headpiece with a crystal appliqué in its center added a finishing touch of regal beauty to the ensemble. However, the gowns that are inspired by culture, such as the Maasai wedding dress are equally as regal. The Maasai people in Kenya are a proud nomadic warrior tribe whose women wear elaborate and colorful beaded necklaces and bold earrings. The fashion line-up also included flower girl dresses with embroidered colors to match the ethnic bridal gowns. As an option, TeKay’s gowns can be ordered with a set of matching bridesmaid’s dresses and groomsmen’s attire to complete a theme wedding ceremony. TeKay’s cultural gowns and jewelry are fused with western silhouettes, and can be worn for occasions beyond the wedding date.
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Creative Director Kimma Wreh introduced the ‘Queen of the Brides’ collection that was launched early this year. “We are very excited to introduce our new bridal collection. Each dress is unique and has never been seen in the New York market. New York is known for trend-setting fashions so it’s important that the Queen of the Brides collection be well received by style conscious New Yorkers. We are also very proud to showcase at an event where African-American brides are the focus. TeKay Designs offers a cultural option for brides who want to add meaning to their wedding by incorporating their African culture into the affair. Sharing your culture does more than define you, sharing your culture completes your entire family. It’s a gift that transcends to future generations,” says Wreh. During the event, TeKay Designs offered a free ethnic bridal gown give-away for a lucky bride that entered their promotional contest. So if you’re a bride who is inspired by culture, and is worthy of royalty; this is certainly for you.
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SAMSUNG GALAXY S4
The rumours and speculation are finally over, folks! At a glitzy launch event at New York City’s famed Radio City Music Hall (and a live stream into Times Square), Samsung made the Galaxy S4 official. The device is the fourth generation of a device destined to give Apple’s iPhone a run for its money (and consumer audience) with a sleek design and innovative features that, in the words of Samsung, “allows users to bring their worlds together all on one smartphone.” The device, which squeezes a 5-inch screen into body slightly smaller than that of its predecessor, the S III, will go sale in Canada sometime in June. Samsung didn’t say what the phone will cost but it will be available from Bell, Eastlink, Fido, Koodoo, Mobilicity, Rogers, Sasktel, TELUS, Videotron, Virgin Mobile and Wind Mobile and their authorized channels. In the last two years, Samsung has proven itself as Apple’s main competitor in the high-end smartphone market. At the same time, it has sold enough inexpensive low-end phones to edge out Nokia Corp. as the world’s largest maker of phones.
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MOTOROLA P4000 MARC SALTZMAN
Stop me if this sounds familiar: It’s only mid afternoon but you realize your smartphone’s battery is waning, and you’re nowhere near an AC outlet! Motorola’s P4000 (from $40) is a very slender and compact battery charger than can charge up your smartphone — any model — a couple of times. Both a microUSB connector and female full-size USB port is included, therefore you can charge up two devices at the same time (yes, it also works for tablets, e-readers, cameras, GPS units, iPods, and so on). The P4000 itself must be charged up — but it doesn’t take long. Just 15 minutes of charging can yield 2.5 hours of talk time. | Motorola
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LOREX CARE ‘N’ SHARE
New parents have never had it so good. Lorex’s Care N Share (from $179) is a high-tech baby monitor that ships with a wireless handheld LCD screen, so you can see into your child’s room up to 450 feet away – and even digitally zoom in and out for a closer look; even in the dark thanks to night vision technology. With its two-way talk feature, not only can you hear your baby, but also talk directly to him or her. Or play soothing sounds to let your little one fall asleep easier. It’s called the Care N Share as you can remotely capture photos of your newborn and then share those images with friends and family. With an optional Wi-Fi cradle, you can transmit your camera’s video feed over the Internet and access it from your smartphone, tablet, and computer. | Lorex
AVAILABLE NOW ON ITUNES! Grab your copy here today!
AVAILABLE NOW ON ITUNES! Grab your copy here today!
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MARIA TRENDY GODDESS
MODEL OF THE MONTH
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Trendy Goddess based in Hollywood, Florida is pleased to present model of the month Maria! About Trendy Goddess: Trendy Goddess Management is a company that is run by six strong individual women with a focus on Model management. Placement for Runway, Catalog, Commercials and Brand Ambassadors are also facilitated. To book Maria, email TrendyGoddess@gmail.com.
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DJs WE LOVE TO HEAR SPIN AND YOUR EARDRUMS WILL FALL IN LOVE TOO!
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OLIVA LEWIS
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LOVER’S BASH SOUND Lovers Bash Sound was founded in September 1999 and is made up of core members Veronica (MC Majesty) & Mark (Selecta Vex). Shelton Sykes (Knowledge) a long time friend was asked to join the sound in the summer of 2011.
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The name” Lovers Bash” came from a popular riddim produced by the High Power Production Crew, General Lee and G. Douglas which was and still is one of their favorites. They have played alongside many big name Reggae artists such as Mikey Dread, Norris Man, Ras Attitude, Sister Nancy as well as many California and Internationally based artists and bands. Lovers Bash is a unique sound all about family vibes and spreading the message of true Reggae music to the masses.
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L3’S
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11 12
KONSHENS
“Stop Sign”
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GAPPY RANKS FT. EXCO LEVI
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”
1 2
CHRONIXX
“Judgement”
DEMARCO
“Love For Mama”
3
“Come Shock Out”
4
“Always On My Mind”
5
BUSY SIGNAL MAVADO
KONSHENS
“Ah So Mih Tan”
6 7 8 9 10
CBLOCK
“Wifey”
RANDY VALENTINE
“Bring Back The Love”
MIRIAM SIMONE
“Dem Ah Chat”
OMI
“My Old Lady”
CALI P
“Sweetest Thing”
13
“Rastaman House”
14
“The Girl is Mine”
15
“Don’t Give Up”
ANTHONY QUE
MORGAN HERITAGE
BUGLE
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“Got It Forever”
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“Baby It’s You”
DELLY RANX AMMOYE
18
“Greedy Babylon”
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“Rock and Come Een”
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“Good Love”
JESSE ROYAL BRYAN ART
SIZZLA KALONJI
Charts are based on the most active DJ downloads via the L3 Music Distribution service.
RICO VIBE’S TOP 10 VIDEO PICKS
TOP 10 CHARTS
FOR JULY
Compiled by Rico Vibes
MACKA DIAMOND
3
TIFA FT. SPICE
4
KONSHENS FT, DARRIO
5
OMI
“DYE DYE” “WHY YOU MAD” “GYAL SIDDUNG” “CHEERLEADER”
O
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CHRONIXX
8
LADY SAW
9
KONSHENS
10
“MONEY PULL UP” “BEHIND IRON CURTAIN” “HEELS ON” “COUPLE UP”
JESSIE JAMES “ROLL IT UP”
MACKA DIAMOND “DYE DYE”
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“THAT GIRL”
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JAH CURE
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GARLIN 1 BUNJI “DIFFERENTOLOGY”
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SOCARIFIC SELECTIONS
AMERICIAN TOP 10
2
MACHEL MONTANO HD & KERWIN DUBOIS “POSSESSED”
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SUPER BLUE
4
MACHEL MONTANO HD
“FANTASTIC FRIDAY”
“THE FOG”
MARSHAL 5 SHALL “WE LIMING”
6 BLAXX “LEH GO” 7
BUSY SIGNAL “BEDROOM BULLY”
8 BENJAI “FETER” RHYTHM INTERNATIONAL’S MC FIRE KYLE TOP 10 SOCA Compiled by Rhythm International’s MC Fire Kyle
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RAVI B
10
CHUCKY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIRE.KYLE Twitter: http://twitter.com/mcfirekyle
“PRESCRIPTION”
“I NEVER WINE”
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MIXTAPE FEATURES
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SPARKISM VOL. 4
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/whichjb8f805cjz/ SPARKISM_VOL_4_-_REGGAE_MEGAMIX_-_CULTURE. mp3VV
SOMETIMES COFFEE. SOMETIMES TEA.
https://www.box.com/s/e294lktm27g3lg4mz1vi
RISE ‘N’ SHINE
http://www.mediafire.com/download/8hwixkqqp0akqfm/ RISE_AND_SHINE_MIXCD_2013-ONE_TRACK.rar
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NEW RELEASES
YOU’VE BEEN BAD RIDDIM REALITY SHOCK & REALITY CHANT
THE GRASS ROOT RIDDIM
BREAD BACK PRODUCTIONS & 21ST HAPILOS
DA STAGE RIDDIM
SJN MUSIC GROUP & 21ST HAPILOS
NEW RELEASES
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SOCA COASTER RIDDIM
STREET OF GOLD RIDDIM
HAPPY TIME RIDDIM
DIAMONDS AND GOLD RIDDIM
KICKDOWN RIDDIM
WASHINGTON D.C. RIDDIM
WORLD RIDDIM
PYRAMIDS RIDDIM
OTHER SIDE OF LOVE
FWI MUSIC
PENTHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
GOOD GOOD PRODUCTIONS
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DJ FRASS RECORDS
MASSIVE B SOUNDSYSTEM & 21ST HAPILOS
JUGGLERZ RECORDS
UPTEMBO INTERNATION MUSIC RECORDS
BREAD BACK PRODUCTIONS & 21ST HAPILOS
SEAN PAUL
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CORNEL CAMPBELL NEW SCROLL
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JOSHUA CHAMBERLAIN
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anyone’s ‘plans and all their ambitions’ where ‘everyone is a superstar whether home or abroad’ is a clear counteraction to dancehall values which focus on the local. With years of experience to his credit, tracks like “Seek JAH Love” where music and chanting are treated like sacraments in a larger moral message, or “Gun Powder” in which another vibrant steppers reggae riddim sets the stage for a serious conversation about the danger of drugs and guns, underline the fact that music is a weapon as well. “Chant It Out” signals a new approach. Starting with a congo drum solo, “Chant It Out” channels an African spirit into a catchy roots anthem. As if perched on a mountaintop, Cornel Campbell’s voice carries the word of Jah love in a loop. Seductively similar to a work song, Cornel catches all within his lyrical grasp. Keeping the focus on simplicity, “Walking In The Rain” is a simple love song in which Campbell goes toe-to-toe with a subtle bass line, mimicking the steady heartbeat of his one and only. Walking turns to running on the (relatively) fast-paced “JAH Highway” where a driving riddim propels the singer forward. Campbell gets swept up in the excitement with exclamations from the artist freely given in the spirit of the moment. The final chapters on New Scroll are left to three dub versions of earlier tracks: “People Dub,” “Weed Out Vampires Dub” and “Seek JAH Love Dub.” The musical explorations of these closing songs are an invitation to reflect on the message while enjoying the music. Indeed, not unlike its original purpose in ancient times, New Scroll combines art and commentary for the ages.
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Available everywhere June 18, New Scroll, the new album by foundation Jamaican vocalist, Cornel Campbell, evokes the timeless spirit of the ‘golden era’ of Reggae. Released on the award-winning Zion High Productions label, the album is a treasure trove of original Jamaican music. Boasting 9 new songs penned by Campbell as well as 4 extraordinary dub mixes, New Scroll is loaded with Campbell’s steady musicality and poetic flow. Rich, resonant arrangements by Zion I Kings and soulful messages straight from the ‘Original Gorgon’ ensure that New Scroll will please those who celebrate when singers ruled the land and dub was a soundman’s weapon. Set now within ZHP’s signature and award-winning ‘modern classic’ sound, the falsetto that brought Campbell early and then unparalleled success with Jamaica’s most revered producers (Joe Gibbs, Coxsone, Winston ‘Niney’ Holness, Winston Riley, King Edwards, Duke Reid and more) is given a new life and lift on New Scroll. Celebrating 10 years of making acclaimed Reggae music, ZHP guarantees that this, its latest release, will be an instant and enduring classic as well. New Scroll is available June 18 on the Zion High Productions label in conjunction with A-Train Entertainment. The ‘scroll’ is an ancient form of transmitting as well as preserving information through text and visual art. Here, the musical art and lyrical message on the album New Scroll is also closely connected to the Bible due to Jamaica’s longstanding relationship with first Christian and later Rastafarian beliefs. Not surprisingly, New Scroll bears the stamp of both since Cornel Campbell grew up in the church and embraced Rasta early on as a performer. His preaching style of song writing permeates New Scroll while Rasta chanting and emotive, soulful harmonies add a clear, yet hard to touch, spiritual element. Setting the tone with the title track, “New Scroll”, Cornel Campbell demonstrates how the veteran performer still has something new to offer. The dub conscious riddim is punctuated by wandering guitar riffs and trap synths, adding anotherworldly vibe to the commentary: ‘Through all the years of ages the truth has never been told… New scroll, new scroll, I and I come to bring a new scroll.’ Written in proverb style, “Weed Out The Vampire” leads with a steppers riddim, chunky guitar lines and explosive cymbals softened by a warm organ sound on top of which Campbell has a message to tell but is in no hurry to tell it, ensuring maximum affect. “Evil Woman” is more message music in which the harmonies fill the role of the community, backing up the singer/preacher while “People” embraces diversity using a minimalist jazzy melody, spacious organ and fat bass. Standing up for
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MUSIC REVIEW
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L3MAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 2013
MUSIC REVIEW
KING ALI BABA HERBALIST
JENNIFER MENSTER
Some people use herbs in food to add flavor; others use herbs as a part of their spiritual and religious practice and others too use herbs recreationally and for the purpose of opening their third eye. Jamaica’s King Ali Baba is a herbalist who is using herbs to speak to the nations through music! Deeply rooted in a heavy bass line, this song grows on listeners as plentiful as Marijuana grows on the grave of King Solomon. What’s more, the drum command at the beginning of the song makes sure that all who were sleeping, are wide awake and ready to hear the truth as expressed by the King when he proclaims: I ah herbalist / Babylon surround mih ganja field wid all biologist / dem carry it in ah dem lab and ah call it cannabis / but King Selassie I say dem caan touch one ah dis / but answer dis yes / Rasta man / till the soil / while Babylon ah waste things / dem fly gone ah moon / and talk bout say dem ah trace things / leave it alone that’s the way Mother nature make things / dung ah Africa mih neva used to face things ….” Produced by Mek Money Records (and distributed digitally via Hapilos 21st), this chune is one that will spread like wildfire across the nations. Already, and thanks to Johnny Wonder and the L3 Music Distribution Network, this song is receiving international airplay to support the fact that it’s available on iTunes HERE. Just as herbs, no matter what the form is neither old nor new, so too will this song be whenever you play it. It is just an outstanding song! L3’s rating is 4.5 out of 5
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LOVE
ERIC CLAPTON EVERY LITTLE THING MARCUS WELLER
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For all intent and purposes, Eric Clapton has done it all. He’s graced every stage, won just about every award and worked with the elite in the music business. There isn’t anything he hasn’t accomplished therefore there isn’t anything he needs to prove. I was alerted to a new single release by him and thought ‘ok … Eric is recording again,’ and then I saw the name of the producers of the track which made me stop and do a double take. Damian and Stephen Marley … working with Eric Clapton. This has got to be good. The collaboration between the Adult Contemporary legend, and the songs of the Reggae legend is a song called “Every Little Thing.” Eric’s voice is as still and determined as ever; it simply has not changed. Hearing it against the back drop of a Reggae groove is not what one will expect as Eric does not try to put on a façade of changing his vocals to accommodate the genre. Eric stays Eric which fans will appreciate. Musically, the Marley’s understand that they are not trying to turn Eric into a Reggae star, instead they are working with Eric in his lane, just adding some Caribbean flavor. To that end, they get the music right. The simplistic approach; a clear bass line that can be understood by non-Caribbean folk, and loved by traditional Reggae loving fans, as well as electric guitar accents that fits makes this a melodic flow that cannot be resisted. So good is this track, if one listens carefully, they would be able to hear a Bob Marley meets 2013 coming through the speakers. I know this song is not for hardcore Reggae and Dancehall fans, but in honesty, it is the right fit for the wider Reggae lovers who are also fans of Eric Clapton. To this song I say yes! L3’s rating: 4.2 out of 5
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LOVE ADVICE
2-Lined Music Hut Malvern Town Centre 31 Tapscott Road 416-264-3999
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L3MAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 2012
LOVE ADVICE
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SHE KING
Connect with Shawnee on Twitter >>> @ShawneeSheKing
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Born in the town of Welland, Ontario a young determined singer Shawnee Lynne Talbot devoted her life to a dream and her passion. Although Shawnee discovered her passion for music at the age of 4, singing on picnic tables and stealing her dads guitar to write music at the age of 12 is where it began. Shawnee got her first job while most kids her age worked at McDonalds Shawnee started performing as a Shania Twain impersonator and eventually singing ACDC, Ledd Zepplin covers in a rock cover band. After high school Shawnee packed her bags and moved to Canada’s music city Toronto to pursue her dreams and blaze her path in the music industry. It was there Shawnee the now known as the diverse, powerhouse female with Six Nations roots, award winning vocals and renowned enthralling passionate performer became, She King…. and the magic begins.
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CONTRIBUTED
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SHAWNEE CANADA’S
The performing veteran who goes by the stage name She King continues to prove that no matter what your age, gender or musical interest, she will reel you in and captivate your attention only to leave you with the need for more! “Performing comes second nature to me; it’s like my real home, people that know me and say I’m more comfortable on stage than anywhere else.” She King is known for leading her performance with dedicated high energy, heart and passion. This coupled with the singer’s powerful yet seducing voice becomes a unique experience. Next to performing, Shawnee is a recognized song writer. Recently teaming co-write with some of Canada’s biggest most well known musical writers in the Pop-Rock and Alternative genres include Justin Forsely, Michael Hanson, Suzie Mcneil, Alan Frew and more. She King is making her mark in the music industry and quickly gaining attention and supporters. Exclaim Magazine says “Shawnee has a female empowered charm all the while there is a undeniable star quality and its’ a matter of when for this one. Success is chasing She King with her debut single “I’m Not Ok” which was recently released to radio and charting within days. On the popular music social media site YouTube, her single has more than 115,000 views and is quickly climbing. The young star has been invited to tour with Glass Tiger, and has performed at Canadian Music Week and Indie Urban Week. 2013 and beyond is looking very bright for Shawnee – She King!
SOJA CROSSING ALL BOUNDARIES LOVE CONTRIBUTED
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Mention folk music to the average listener and the list of usual suspects come to mind: Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Woodie Guthrie, etc. Talk to SOJA’s lead singer / guitarist Jacob Hemphill, however, and you’ll walk away with a different perspective. “To me, Rage Against The Machine, Wu -Tang Clan, Sade, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley – they’re all folk artists,” he says. “There’s no difference between Raekwon saying, ‘I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side, where staying alive was no jive,’ to Bob Marley saying, ‘Cold ground was my bed last night and rock was my pillow, too,’ to Johnny Cash saying, ‘I know I had it coming, I know I can’t be free, but those people keep on moving (around) and that’s what tortures me.’ Folk is all about storytelling and passing on a legacy. It’s timeless, it’s limitless and it crosses all boundaries. That’s what this band is striving for. It’s a tall order,” he laughs, “but we’re making our way.” They’re raising the bar with Strength to Survive, their fourth fulllength album, an intoxicating mix of hot-rod Reggae grooves and urgent, zeitgeist-capturing themes. The album, produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews, John Mayer, O.A.R.), will be the band’s first for ATO, the label co-founded by Dave Matthews. Hemphill says the album was greatly inspired by Bob Marley’s Survival. “That’s the greatest Reggae album ever made,” he says. “It has the best bass lines and the best lyrics ever heard on one record. Marley wrote it after he went to Africa. I was 13 or 14 when I listened to it for the first time and it triggered all these long-forgotten memories of when I lived in Africa as a kid. My Dad was an IMF (International Monetary Fund) res rep in Liberia in the late 80’s. I remember when the coup first started; my family had to hide in these iron bathtubs for 3 days because the military was shooting at everything. I was 7 and that was one of my first memories. We made it out on the last flight. So Africa was always a big part of our lives; it defined our family, in a way. Music came right after that, so, for me, music was always tied to Africa and music was always something powerful.”
Shortly after returning from Africa, Hemphill met Bobby Lee (bass) in the first grade in Virginia. The two instantly became best friends, finding common ground through their love of Hip Hop, Rock and Reggae which they performed together at their middle school talent shows. Throughout high school, they met Ryan Berty (drums), Kenneth Brownell (percussion) and Patrick O’Shea (keyboards) and together formed SOJA. WThe band gigged locally in the DC area while a couple of the guys finished school, all the while making plans to hit the road after graduation. They actually wound up owning the road. Over the course of the past few years, SOJA has sold more than 150,000 albums, headlined large theaters in more than 15 countries around the world, generated over 20 million+ YouTube views, amassed more than a half-million Facebook fans, and attracted an almost Grateful Dead-like international fanbase that grows with each tour, with caravans of diehards following them from city to city. Most impressive of all, they’ve accomplished all this on their own. This 7-piece band has spent the past year and a half grinding it out from venue to venue, playing more than 360 dates, including headlining sold-out tours of North and South America, as well as opening for O.A.R. and sharing stages with everyone from Dave Matthews Band to Matisyahu.
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Connect with SOJA on Twitter >>> @SOJALive
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With Strength to Survive, the band makes an impassioned call for unity and change with universally relatable songs about faith, hope and love. “I could go on and on about the horrible damage we’ve done to the earth or the problems that arise when countries compete for money over an imaginary border, but the album has one central theme,” says Hemphill, “and that’s our hope for the world to be one family.” It’s a concept best exemplified in the song “Everything Changes.” “People out there with no food at night,” sings Hemphill, “And we say we care, but we don’t, so we all lie/But what if there’s more to this, and one day we become what we do, not what we say/Maybe we need to want to fix it. Maybe stop talking, maybe start listening/ Maybe we need to look at this world less like a square and more like a circle.” Among the album’s many highlights is the ethereal “Let You Go,” about the road not taken, “Mentality,” the disc’s hard-hitting opening track, and the one-two punch of “Be With Me Now” and “When We Were Younger,” the latter bringing together the macro and the micro with the simple yet resonant line, “All of my answers, now that I’m older, turn into questions.” Hemphill says the band’s simple and honest approach to music is what’s enabled them to break through obstacles of language, distance and culture in amassing an international following. “What’s the alternative – pop music?” he laughs. “Pop music—especially American pop music, is about having money, sleeping with models, living in mansions, spending all of our time in clubs and generally being better than the rest of the world. It’s funny, ‘cuz everyone here is broke. We sing about different things—things that actually matter. I think our fans appreciate that.” “When I look out in the audience and I see these kids with tears in their eyes, not because I’m singing a love song, but because I’m singing about how the world is dying and we’re the only ones who can stop it, that is huge. I live for that. We played a festival in Brazil in front of 80,000 people, and everybody was singing every word—in English. After one of the songs, I told them, ‘We’re on the road a lot, and people always ask me, “Don’t you ever get homesick? Don’t you miss your family?” I said, ‘It took me awhile to realize this, but this is my home, and you all are my family.’ The place just blew up. It was amazing. But it’s the truth—those are my people and I always want to do right by them. It’s is the only game in town for me.”
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NAIJA’S
SHA HAS A SUNNY DAY LOVE
CONTRIBUTED
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Born Sha Nyiri Gwom, Sha is a singer, song-writer and trained sound engineer. His vocal-style is a blend of Roots Reggae, Soul and Hip Hop all of which he delivers in his own unique way. His debut single, “Sunny Day” produced by Ozzie ‘Triple O’ Productions is a fusion of several genres, and inspires listeners to move. Being a reflection of the many sounds he appreciates as an artist, Sha and Ozzie are not shy to add the familiar sounds of Dancehall and a hint of Reggae. When talking about “Sunny Day,” Sha tells us “I wrote Sunny Day in Jos, Plateau State (Nigeria) where I come from and grew up as a little kid. Today, the once peaceful state is devastated by war and religious crisis fuelled by the country’s so called ‘political leaders.’ This has resulted in the tragic loss of loved ones, homes and jobs. The country and the African Continent is caught up in corruption and mismanagement of public funds, and social unrest, joblessness and despair amongst the future generation. When I came back home from school abroad, I sat back and flashed back to those days, “Sunny Days,” hoping to see a change in the country, a change in the system of government and so forth. Saddest is a few or nobody speaks out about it. We all living like it’s alright or it’s gonna be fine.” While it’s not intended, Sha’s song makes us want to move as opposed to act on his political message. To that Sha says “the more people sing the lyrics, they’ll be inspired to act.” “Sunny Day” is the official theme song for the Michael Essien Foundation and lead track for the “Game of Hope and Inspiration Compilation Album.” Sha performed the song live on stage in Accra at the “Game of Hope and Inspiration Gala Event to which he received overwhelming response. (MEF) is a foundation which develops basic amenities in communities and gives hope and inspiration to the youth. The aim of this charity game is to support other charities providing vital services for youths in their communities in rural areas of Ghana. MEF aims to empower them with hope and inspiration for the future. http://www.michaelessiengh.com/foundation/foundation.html
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CITI BOI CONTRIBUTED
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While the Rap and Hip Hop game has morphed from its early days of being a platform for storytelling, a small few hold true to Hop Hop’s original creative structure, lyrical flow and style. Citi Boi adopted his own commercial style, and uses embellished lyrics combined with his fast paced life style that he’s carried since the age of 14. Poor surroundings and low income housing gave Citi Boi the drive he needed to chase his dreams. At the age of 17 Citi Boi’s pace of life began to move even faster. Growing up in the night club atmosphere at the 50 Yard Line in Chicago, Citi Boi developed a trendsetting style of his own that is best defined by one term - exceptional. Having been featured in several magazine’s including Coast 2 Coast Magazine, the hard hustling artist made several appearances and features on numerous Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes. His songs Roll Up and Facebook can be heard on radio stations such as Power 92, Jammin 107.5, UIC Radio, Hot 107.9, Foxie 103 Jamz and Dirty South Radio. Performance wise, Citi Boi has become very popular at venues such as Club Adrianna’s, Platinum 144, Images Ultra Lounge, The 50 Yard Line, The Lick Entertainment Center, Giovanni’s in Chicago, Sullivan Hall, The Tenth Rail & TIAN at the Riverbank in NYC as well as the Best of the Best concert in Miami, Florida. Citi Boi has a uniquely infectious growing sound that is taking the US by storm and he’s doing all of this as an independent
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KUSH I KROWN NO WATA CONTRIBUTED
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Seeing people happy is upcoming Roots Reggae artist Kush I Krown’s main motivation. Inspired by the beauty of life and artists such as Anita Baker and Burning Spere, this August-born Torontonian began singing and writing poetry at a young age as a way to free up and express herself. The purpose of her music is to awaken and uplift the people and her latest single, produced by Thriller Music and written by Kush I Krown is called “No Wata.” Set to the Evening News Riddim, and with live instruments played by Sly & Robbie, “No Wata,” which means fire, speaks to a variety of systemic and social issues. Having opened for I-Wayne and Turbulence in November 2012, in addition to performing with long-time renowned Reggae group Truth and Rights Band in July 2011, this sing-jay is fresh on the music scene and would love to share her art universally; especially with the upcoming future generation. Look out for this analytical young sister, motivated to create change. “I don’t like what I see going on in the world,” is her view which gives her the drive to create music. Connect with Kush I Krown on Twitter >>> @krowni
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L Y R I C S
Sizzla Kalonji by Ellen G – 2010 Archival Giclee Print Edition of 30
11 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. (30 x 40 cm) $115 Framed / $75 Unframed SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS 1331 W. Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026 info@subliminalprojects.com
LY R I C S
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WELCOMING THE MESSIAH
NATASHA VON CASTLE
T
o do an interview with Sizzla Kalonji is not a small event in my life. This, actually is quite huge! Sizzla is not a man to give many interviews, and he is not a man to mix company with people who are not walking on the spiritual path. Your heart must be clean before you enter his inner sanctum. From the moment he felt my energy … before I even uttered a word, we were at ease. My view on Sizzla is he is a God on earth. I’m not putting him on a pedestal (I am very aware that he is human and does human things), and I am not giving him praise that he doesn’t deserve. He was chosen to deliver messages to the masses, and he is a willing vessel. Songs like “Thank You Mama,” “Solid as a Rock,” “Dry Cry” and “Give Me a Try” barely scratch the surface of his greatness. His recently released album The Messiah continues that legacy. I only came to know about the greatness of the album because of Junior Rodigan who extensively showcased it on his radio show in Boston. This album my friends, and Sizzla Kalonji are two elements you must know, and it starts here…
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SIZZLA KALONJI
LY R I C S
SK
LY R I C S
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Speaking on your album The Messiah, it is beautiful from beginning to end. Tell us about the creation process as in from the time the seed was planted within you to make the album to the completion; and who are some of the people involved? First of all the most High; heaven and earth, the universe, the people naturally. In terms of the album, it is really Richard ‘Breadback’ Bramwell who put the album together. He decided on the riddims, and the riddims came from Donald Dennis, Danny Axe Man, Dynasty Records and 1 riddim came from some local musicians. Other credits go to Robert Murphy, Ainsworth, harmonies by Jay Cole, Garfield McDonald was also on the album. It is a beautiful album. We also have Althea Lenn on the album also and a lot more musicians. We have an old school feel with a modern vibe. We are speaking of Africa with a moderns artist, and Sizzla is giving you and bringing you the ideas of what Sizzla is thinking about, the things that are going on in his brain, how he sees the future. All of this is amalgamated in the album called the Messiah. Then again music is not anything without the Almighty, and nothing without prayer.
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We’ve read and heard many people say that you are ‘back,’ but our meditation is that you never left. Just so the people know, in between the release of your last album In Gambia, and this album the Messiah, what have you been doing? Well much has been going on. I have structured the Sizzla Youth Foundation where we give back to the people in the community and to the people of the world. This is done through properly structured programs where we have development and education. We have justice in the community where the elders from August Town preside over and administer justice which has done a good job in eradicating ignorance and crime and violence. I am also working on my own Spring Water called Kidoo because water is really important. I would like for anywhere where I am in the world that I can drink my own spring water. There is a lot of genetic organisms in the water we drink today which is hurting us, so I’m focused on natural spring water. Also, we’re getting ready to celebrate or have a home coming for August Town where people who have left the community are returning. We are restoring balance and establishing an equilibrium where we are united; where there is no crime or violence. The homecoming takes place on the 31st of August, but we are celebrating for the entire month of August. We have a sound system called the King Tafari sound system where we do charitable work, and have worked for cash or kind in and around August Town. We provide the sound and entertainment for people who want to do parties or gatherings. That’s what’s been going on since then, and why some people haven’t heard too much from me. Now today, we’re getting ready for the European tour which runs the middle of July to the 5th or so of August. One of the highlights is the Garance Festival in France. We have a lot more activities going on such as the Reggae to Reggae in Portland with a lot of Reggae Icons, and a lot of shows within Jamaica.
LY R I C S
NVC: I heard you tell Jr. Rodigan the other day that the greeting we give is the response we will receive; if we greet you with Love, respect and honor, we will receive the same. It is those greetings I bring to you today. SK: Thank you very much.
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Despite the fact that you have a lot of intimate songs in the Dancehall and a lot of ragamuffin songs, we have different genres of music in Jamaica which comes through on the album. We have Reggae or one-drop which is a reflection of the Nyabinghi spiritual music. We use that music to offer praise. The faster the beat, it’s more of a party sound, but yet we have both genres in Jamaica, and both genres and more on the album. Right about now, I do consider this album to be a very beautiful album where I can bring back some old school beats and singing vibes, Roots Rock Reggae on riddims that the world knows but hasn’t heard in a while. I compliment the musicians before who came before I and I and now give me a chance to add to what they created. In creating this album, I made a study to see where we have the economic crisis, and where the crime and violence is coming from. You have land in Africa going for cheap and people buying them, then turning around and disrespecting the indigenous people of the land and then again you have women out there, who are lonely mothers, single, and I had to provide for those topics, those issues on this album. People on a whole, and on behalf of the staff, not just me Sizzla, all of us felt it was important to make this album at this time and not just as a one-off. The album started on my last European tour where I recorded a few tracks, performed, returned to the studio, recorded 2 more or 3 more songs, leave it at that, perform again and so on. I did that for some time until one day the engineer said ‘Dada, you know we have bout 20 or 30 songs?’ Once I heard that, I knew it was time to compile the album. The song selection was done according to ‘what’s wrong with the country?’ Ok, this song speaks to that. ‘Kids getting raped,’ ok this song speaks to that, ‘people getting killed,’ ok this song speaks to that and so on. We studied the environment and what’s going on in the country, and the people and we found songs that addressed those matters. Only the last song, “Better Must Come” was recorded after my motor bike accident. You begin the album with Psalms 121; the meditation we get from that is your praying over the album (like how you would pray at the start of your day), and praying over your listeners. Was that your intention? Yes certainly. As I said before there is nothing without prayer. The main culture is to pray before you do anything. Just like you wash your hands before you eat, pray before you eat; pray before you do anything. Without prayer, you won’t get peace or comfort or anything. Pray. One of the things we like most about the album is your use of multiple classic riddims as well as a little Hip Hop-ish seasoning and even R&B. Did you include those genres to bring fans closer to the light we call Sizzla Kalonji? Naturally. We made a study to see what best people like and what best way to reach them. Once we have the minds, we can influence the peoples actions and that’s what we want. We want the minds to study peace and prosperity and not war, and allow them to think for themselves … be their own think tank. We built those riddims specially for that and those reasons. Your song “Centre of Attraction” is the strongest political statement we have heard anyone sing since Bob Marley’s “Africa Unite. Is the message in that song one you have been carrying in your heart for years? It doesn’t sound like a song written quickly. Naturally and it’s not just a problem I’ve been carrying in my heart for years but a problem carried by each and every one of us all over the world. People are having problems with their land, with the government, problems with their domestic situation and on and on. As I said before, I looked at what was going on in the world and made music to address those issues – to speak for me and the people. Music is a medium through which we can reach the people. When you put the lyrics properly together with feeling and thought and get it to the people in a sense where it’s conscious, it will shine and will illuminate for the people.
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LOVE
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“May Di Powerz” is profound lyrically. You spotlight abuse of children (which we all are), and parents confusion. You then bestow a blessing upon us which is the protection of the most high. All of this is juxtaposed against an amazing R&B groove; not just any groove but one that could easily hear R. Kelly, Beyonce, Rihanna etc. What is the history of this riddim? R&B singers, Hip Hop, Rappers are all African blood. We are the same except we have been developed in different cultures with different characters. We’re going to come up with different patterns of music, but that doesn’t change the fact that we are one. Personally, I’ve been doing a lot of underground work where I’ve been freestyling on underground Hip Hop beats because sometimes when you listen to the music in Jamaica, especially in a session, we get Dancehall, One Drop, Hip Hop and R&B – that’s just how we play with the music. We listen to everything. It’s wise to be in the light and study everything. You can’t go in the kitchen and start cooking something and not ask me what I want for breakfast. I might be used to a certain food, or might be allergic to something so it’s the same thing with the music. It’s the same thing with the music. Yes I’m complimenting those artists because they’re my brothers and sisters. All for one and one for all; when we work together there is no failure so we must unite. Those people in America, Canada, England and all over we must know that we are one. We must be united and music is one of the ways to make that happen. Once we are united, we can go to Africa and build. Check the news; read the paper or watch the television to see what’s happening in the world. When you see it, you’ll know that you have to make a move and we must start with the peoples mind. Going on these riddims with these profound lyrics is done to reach out to the people more. Another outstanding element of the album is the artwork on the cover. The use of the letter ‘S’ as well as the image of Selassie captivates the audience. Who designed the cover?
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-messiah/id638560383
LOVE
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As you know, we celebrate the birth of Haile Selassie on July 23rd. Last year you released a moving song in honor of his earth strong (Happy Earthday Selassie I), and previous to that several of your chunes honor the King. For those who are contemplating becoming a Rasta, why is Selassie so important to the nations? Israel King is Israel God and without a King, the nation suffers. You have no one, a particular head of state to maintain the principle and the laws of the country and black people are not a law-less people. Meditating on the Emperor you can see all that’s been missing and where you should be going. He’s the head and he’s our leader. We should take his principles, the way he governed the country and say within yourself as an Emperor or an Empress what would you do to keep your people out of the deplorable state that they are in. His Majesty should be connected to your spiritual lifestyle on a whole where in which I’m speaking about bloodlines so your Emperor must be of the bloodline; your brother, your cousin, your uncle your father and what-so-ever. This is very important. The Emperor must always be connected to the Almighty. Israel King is Israel God. That is very much important for you people contemplating becoming a Rasta to understand for the people contemplating to become a Rasta. You were born Rasta. It’s not a conscious state where you say I’m going to turn this or do that. I’m going to tell you something right now; in Jamaica if you don’t have no hair on your head they call you a bald head, but if you go around the corner and stop shave and stop trim for one day, they will call you a Rasta. The hair alone that you grow naturally makes you a Rasta. How can I change my hair? It’s from the genes; the DNA, so when you see him you say Rasta so literally, Black man ah Rasta and Rasta is King. Israel King is Israel God and he who says Christ is not of the flesh, he is an anti Christ because Christ came in the flesh. You’re praising Christ which is a man he comes from the lineage of David which is the conquering lion of the tribe of Judah so you must know that Christ is a Rastaman. Christ is Black man.
LOVE
I have nothing to with the cover of the album (Sizzla smiles with pride and laughs)! The only thing I had to do with the album is making the songs. The front cover came because Breadback reached out to a designer in Venezuela by the name of Venacio Bravo for a logo for the spring water. The logo came back by email and it looked good. Breadback said let’s see if he can do the cover for the album the Messiah so I said ok. He designed the cover in the concept of the name and the culture. He’s an artist so I give credit to him for designing this cover which I love and the people love. Yes. Venacio Bravo! That is to show you that Jah spreads the world far and wide and Jah inspires the people so we need to bring the youths together. Rasta is Black peoples culture, and this man from Venezuela has designed the cover of the album, getting the credit, yet still it’s being distributed in America, so you see, variety is the spice of life. Everyone has something to do. We are inspired.
LY R I C S
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Listen to this. You’re in the Western world, you’re speaking English yet still the word Christ who you praise as a God is a Latin word, so from the 16th century, the English edition of the Bible, King James, we have the start of Christ coming from Christus and Christus comes from Greek. Christus and Greek is translated from Hebrew which is Ma-Shy-At in Hebrew and in English it is Messiah which means anointed one. In Latin Christ means anointed; Christ is the anointed so Jesus, which should be Yashua is really his name given unto him by his parents but Christ means he was anointed to Yashua Ma-Shy-At. It’s the language that causes the problem. Everything is from Africa. Christ is black. Joseph and Mary were Black. Why was it that Mary and Joseph had to flee? The Pharaoh needed tax and he taxed who came from Judah so people, in that time when Pharaoh ruled, the poor citizens of that place had to leave. Joseph had to leave with Mary because she was pregnant. Mary was on the donkey and going through the mountains and the baby came quick. Christ was born in a cave. Pharaoh was looking for Christ to kill Christ , John the Baptist was Christ’s cousin so John the Baptist and Christ; Pharaoh was looking for them to kill them, so they hid Christ in the manger with the Cows where no one would go or think to look. It was tax that made Christ have to leave. When do you hear about the budget and tax? April. That means Christ was born in April and not December. Shepherd outside tending to flock; how could Christ have been born in December in snow? Everything about God and Christ is Black man and the Black man doesn’t know and it’s messing up our brains. People in Israel have different intelligences and different communications. They are only going to know about Hebrew and Arabic, people in English colony are only going to know about English; people in French are only going to know about French and so on. People are not going to share this information. We are only going to know what’s been taught to us so this album means the anointed and everyone is being anointed because from you have life you’ve been anointed. Christ told you to love one another as you love yourself so that some things won’t be destroyed. This is the 70th album… The Messiah. Touring! We know you’ve been to every country so there’s no place new for you to go but do you still get excited to perform for your fans? Certainly! I am elated to be going on tour which is the 20-13 tour and the reason being is its Christ and his 12 disciples to make 13. It’s really 13 months of sunshine because the original month in the gregorian calendar is February with 28 days so should you take away all the other days and the other months and make them 28 you’ll get another month which is 13 which is 12 tribes of Israel; 12 sons of Jacob and the daughter makes 13 – 13 months of sunshine so this is the 13th year now … 2013 in the 21st Century so it’s a pleasure going to Europe to perform for these people then again it brings a lot of joy not just to spread the message of Jah but to make money too!
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You are the most requested artist to be added to the Montreal International Reggae Festival. Just so fans know, when was the last time you were here in Canada?
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People will make money to support their family. There are people who are trying to take away Reggae music and claim it and take royalties from the Black man so I need to go out there to sing to collect my money to come back to Jamaica to feed my people. We need to share the message as well. I need to look in the people’s faces to see what’s happening. We need to go out there and see what the world is being made of so when we go to Africa we have a vivid experience. We need to meet and greet people and help each other get out there to make a living. Music is the honest way – it is honest money. When you work, you must be paid, and when you receive you must share.
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LY R I C S
I think it’s been 6 or 7 years since I’ve been to Canada. Since President and Honorable Barack Obama has been in office, I haven’t been to the America. I haven’t been to England in 10 years now.
Connect with Sizzla on Twitter >>> @SizzlaKalonji_
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The name of the magazine is L3 and each L has a meaning. The first of for Life, the second is for Love and the third is for Lyrics. What advice would you give our readers on Life, Love and Lyrics. Yes I would very much like to. Life is the greatest. Without life nothing is possible; you should protect life and not take life. Make sure to help another life too. With love comes the power and love created life and that is where you get the lyrics. The lyrics are the words we use to conjure the message that brings the power to life. The magnet that keeps the words together for you to express that sense of thought comes from the love. I would say it’s a Trinity right there: Life, Love and Lyrics. Life is really your Mother and your Father and life is heat air and water and the Most High reigns in the heart of all living flesh and he receives praise as God of the living. Everyone needs life. Love is the foundation. The Lyrics is the word sound and power and that gives the sense of intelligence to express thought. 3 in 1 and 1 in 3 is triple 7 so More Life, More Love and More Lyrics. I think that expresses Sizzla … Life, Love and Lyrics. Yes!
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YARD AND ABROAD! TRICIA ‘ZJ SPARKS’ SPENCE
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o Now this interview should have taken place months ago, but Demarco, is one Dancehall act who travels extensively. Since this interview he has been to Canada, Atlanta, Dubai, Africa just to name a few, I literally had to catch him the day after he had just landed from one of his many overseas assignments. Standing outside his studio, one would not imagine that it were even one. The studio is made of haulage containers, the type that trailers pull across many states in America, worldwide and even here in Jamaica. The design seems to be one that some people, however, are steering towards: one of our Ministers here in Jamaica has even made utterances that he is considering building his home out of this same material. Recently, he made history by becoming the first Dancehall act to make the cover of Infusion (An Arabian Magazine,
which is ‘THE’ Entertainment go to magazine of Dubai). He gave a ‘tr88’ (totally) ‘shelled down’ (house raising performance) at Hickory House in Toronto, before heading to Domeland Area, Dubai, The Atlanta Caribbean Unity Festival in Georgia, with onward travels to Africa (Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Guinea) where he did not disappoint. The vibe in the studio was so animated, even Walt Disney would get inspiration for a cartoon. Swiveling and rocking back and forth in his studio chair, Demarco sported that wide grin that would make even an old oak tree crack a smile. He just has that charm. Making his break back in 2007 with Fallen Soldier, which by the way is a Dancehall staple and a song which he has to perform in his sets, he wasn’t always an artiste, but a beatmaker.
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DEMARCO
LY R I C S
D
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You know some people have this way of boxing in people, seeing them only one way and thinking that they should or can only do this and not this and that. How accepting were persons of you becoming an artiste because you will have people who will just pump you up and not mean it. You know what I had songs playing on the radio before I broke out with ‘Fallen Soldiers, because when I would build a riddim for Jam 2 I would voice on it and he would tell the radio deejays, ‘yo the yute Demarco on the riddim ah him build the riddim too enuh and him bad’ (the artiste Demarco on the riddim, he also built it and he’s a good artiste, give him a listening ear). As a result of that some of the deejays gave me radio rotation. You were not always living in Jamaica, why did you decide to come home? I used to live in the United States, but I came home because mi waan buss (I wanted to make it). If you live in the United States and are doing Dancehall it is harder and it’s like you are not taken seriously. When you realized that ‘Fallen Soldiers’ had hit, did you feel pressured to find the follow up or did you say to yourself ‘yes my foot is through the door now and I can now put out all these songs that I have already written out? It was like ‘yes I am through the door now, but I didn’t want to put out foolishness (lame songs). Maybe that is why I am not bigger than how I know I could be, because I’m putting so much thought into the songwriting process, that it took me long to put out a song. Now though, I can just spew out lyrics. Then I had to think very hard. Maybe that’s why I am not yet on that Mavado and Kartel level. It’s different now though, I can build a beat in 15 minutes, write a song in 45 mins and recording it and the whole process would now take be about an hour and a half.
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So you have had your hands in a number of hit riddims. Why did you decide to launch out from behind the scenes to the forefront, doing your own thing and setting up your own label (True Gift Entertainment / Starkutt Records)? Oh, you know what, when I used to build riddims, I would write songs for artistes and do a demo, my friends would tell me ‘why don’t you just become an artiste, you sound good’ and it started from there. I had to try an find my own voice and my own style.
LY R I C S
TS: Alot of listeners probably didn’t know at the time and maybe still don’t know that you are a beat builder as well. What are some of the riddims that you had an input in? D: Gang War Riddim (Jr Gong - One Loaf of Bread), Mission Riddim (Mavado’s - I’m On the Rock), Warning Riddim (Mavado - Money Changer, Demarco’s - Sort Dem Out), Shoot Out Riddim (Demarco - Duppy Know Who Fi Frighten) and many more.
You know you have some artistes who cannot build riddims, yet you can, but you still voice for other producers and not just do everything yourself, why is that? I am not at that level yet where I can just do it all and it is automatically played on the radio, I am still in the growing and building process.
LY R I C S
In a typical month you are always on the road, what is it like? I love it, I love to travel and I get to meet people and see their reaction to our kind of music, Reggae and Dancehall. It is a great feeling. You mentioned earlier that you had to come home in order to break, to make an impact, yet every time you travel, you still come back to Jamaica, it is like your hub. Why? Because a yah suh it deh (this is where it all happens, the energy is here). If it’s not happening for you here chances are it won’t happen for you overseas.
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How does your performance vary in Jamaica versus when you travel to places like Africa and Dubai? The songs that are big in Africa, some of them have never been played here. In Africa they love melodies and I do a lot of melodic sing-jay-ing, example, for True Fren and Fallen Soldiers. Since then, they look forward to my music. What the first thing that you must do when you get back home to Jamaica? (There goes that big grin again, he pulls his cap down and rocks to the side and starts laughing loudly) ... ah ah ah! Ok, ok, don’t answer me, it sounds like something that bears relation to your current hit, Continue Whine (he laughs even louder, as a matter of fact, the crew in the studio laughs along). Ok, moving right along. One of the things about you is that you don’t put out 10 million songs one year, but when you do they have impact. I know you write, but know that you are hella busy, do you now incorporate writers in your camp? We hold a studio vibe and people will just be in the studio and say ‘hey why don’t you say that and say that’ and we might add it in, but in terms of concept, I deal with that. Let me ask you this because you have a lot of frustrated producers here in Jamaica. They can’t understand how you have some underpar songs and underpar overseas production yet those songs get massive airplay and rack up sales on iTunes, what do you suppose accounts for that? Marketing and Promotion … simple. A Reggae and/or Dancehall Artiste might get a hit songs and instead of turning it over into their career they buy a big car, in addition, they need to form teams and work the songs. We don’t have big record labels like overseas and so you have to invest in yourself. Promotion is where it’s at. What do you have to tell the readers of L3 Magazine? Keep on supporting Demarco’s music and I will continue to give you good music. I love the fans because without you there would be no Demarco. Look out for Bad Man World and No Lazy Body. Connect with Demarco on Twitter >>> @DemarcoDaDon
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E ETANA
THE STRONG ONE NATASHA VON CASTLE
E
tana is every girl and every boy’s best friend. She’s the kind of chick to keep it 100% real with you, and she’s not afraid to kick you a$$ if you need it. Etana is the woman you can depend on. Her music in many ways is an extension of her. When she performs, she is that song, and when she gives to her fans, she’s giving everything from her heart. On a bright and beautiful afternoon in Toronto, Etana and I met for an ‘interview.’ We met in Toronto’s historic Kensington Market which was a fitting backdrop. Travelling with her entourage, several people gathered to stop and listen to our chat; a chat that revealed a few surprises and a chat that confirmed; Etana is our best friend!
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LY R I C S
NVC: When you were younger, and deciding on your career path, you thought you were going to be a nurse! E: I still want to be a nurse (she laughs)! It’s a dream of mine but I think I’m going to work with music a little longer!
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So you decided on music, or music decided on you; and based on the type of music you make, you’re not too far from being a nurse because to be a nurse is to help heal people and bring people back to life which is what your music does! Right! Maybe that’s what it is … My music, and my intention at first; in the world that I was in, was to make music to strengthen women, and young women, especially in Jamaica and the Caribbean and then my dream was over to Africa. I wasn’t even thinking about any of the other stuff; just that little circle right there, and then it spilled over to all over. Seeing that it’s gone ‘all over,’ do you ever look at the ‘empire’ if you will and say ‘wow, this is reminiscent of Queen of Sheba.’ I guess the thing is realizing what you have; realizing where you are and capitalizing on that and work hard in accomplishing all your goals. That’s what I’ve been doing. Where the music took me is not necessarily where I thought I would be in the time that I had or in the time I did it. This has a lot to do with realizing what can be accomplished over time and using that to the best of my ability to get to where I need to be. If I had a goal to say I have a goal and I’m going to make sure to conquer everything, then I would have taken a different path, but I think I’m guided by some other spirit, some other energy that I don’t know about. You lived and spent a lot of time in the US; do you think straddling those two cultures and countries, do you think that helped you in terms of the music you put out? In many ways. Going to Jamaica I realized that women were treated second and less than what they’re worth; they would go on line ups at a show and never get to perform because the promoter feels that ‘ok we’re running behind and need to get to the male acts’ and so the females get pushed aside. Claude and Ethan sat down and said ‘you know what we’re going to do, we’re going to make them respect women starting from you and then it will spread.’ What he did is he organized for men to walk me up on the stage, to take me off, to bring me my guitar, to take it from me when I was finished using it at that part of the performance, and to walk me to the bus etc. What that did is it set a precedence and platform for me to stand on. The respect grew from there. Now there were females before me, yes, and they were doing their thing but the statement that we made a big difference, and now females headline and they get more of the respect they deserve. They and we don’t get our full justice and our job isn’t done, but it’s better than when I first started. All of the music on your albums include a strong element of Soul. You’re one of the few who successfully fuses Soul and Reggae. Can you tell us about that experience, and when we say Soul we mean both the audio and the spiritual..
“Silly of Me” is a fan and radio favorite! You redid that song so well that it sounds better than the original. Did you choose that song? I didn’t! Usually I’m not a person to do a sing over. I feel a person has done the song and it’s for me to enjoy it, not to sing it over. When they asked me to do it, they said I need to do a cover because people love covers. I did it. It was Shane Brown who thought it would be a good idea so I did it!
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Your 3rd studio album ‘Better Tomorrow’ shows off your vocal range just as beautifully as Free Expressions and Strong One. How did you choose which songs were going to go on this album. We just did them. For Free Expressions I did 17 songs and they picked from the 17. On this album, we did the songs as we went along. It was 14 songs done and 13 of them are on the album. There’s only 1 extra track, maybe 2 that’s not on the album I don’t know how it didn’t get on. It’s an old Negro spiritual like what I mentioned before, and the theme of the song was being in the fields and falling in love with one of the field hands and I’m singing like I was in the fields exactly like how they did back in the days. We had the harmonies just like that too. It was all bass and vocals. No keyboard, no guitar, nothing. That’s the one song that didn’t make the album and I need to find out why!
LY R I C S
I think a lot of the Soul part comes from when I was in middle school. In high school we had to do a lot of Negro spirituals in choir class and I didn’t want to sing them (Etana laughs). As for the Soul, I think a lot of that had to do with growing up with my Grandmother. One day I got up and decided that I had to look deeper than what was in front of me. I was raised Catholic, then I researched being a Baptist, then Methodist; all kinds of different ‘ists’ and ‘isms’ but I realized that there is something more. This cannot be live your life, according to these rules, do as I say and you’ll go to heaven. That’s when I started digging deeper. It took me years to do that. Honestly I think I was born with it.
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Do really feel and really know the gift you have? Not just on a physical plane but a spiritual plane as well? The amount of fans you’ve touched – not a play thing or joke thing, really touched. You must know that you are chosen. (Etana laughs) well I know in my heart; and sometimes I reason with myself, and I say why do you feel that someone’s burden and problem needs to be yours? Why can’t you just live … you know? For some reason I have no answer. I know there is a purpose for me and my purpose is to help strengthen and educate and share. The most important thing is for me to Love unconditionally. I can’t be upset for too long. For example, you and I may have a disagreement, and I say some strong things to you … I mean I’ll go really hard, but then 5 minutes later I’ll be like ‘hey – what are we doing later?!’ The point is, once I tell you exactly how I feel, and I expect you to treat me the same way; once you are free, you can move on. At that point, I can totally understand you, and you can totally understand me and then we can live and communicate. The moment I feel like I have to argue and fight all the time, that’s the point where I love you, but I won’t be in your company because I know what you do to my spirit. I have to give so much and share so much in other places that if I burn myself out on you, I’m going to wear myself out, and I can’t do that. That is how I respect this gift, is to not allow energies to interfere with it. I don’t think about it like ‘oh I was chosen,’ no, I just do what I have to do. It makes my heart feel good.
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Recording at the legendary Tuff Gong Studios was …?! Warm and comfortable. I felt free when I was there. The nicest thing to me was to see Chow come out. Chow was an engineer for Bob Marley when he was alive, and decided he was not going to go back to Japan. He only comes out for music he can really feel, and every time I went to the studio, he came out. He would fix the organs, and fix things and put wires in place, and people, the band etc would look and say ‘wow, Chow came out!’ It was a real family vibe and the studio is nice and warm and makes me feel relaxed.
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Speaking of Shane, you’ve worked with Shane on singles, now you’ve worked with him on this album! He was only supposed to do 3 songs, but, when I walked in the studio, he had a band put together. I knew most of the band members like Kevon who played for Richie Spice, Kirkledove as the drummer, I knew the bassist which is Ian from the band C-Sharp, and I knew Monty the guitarist who played for Tarrus and me in the beginning. When the music started and it came together, the energy was amazing. Right then and there we decided that this is when we need to do the whole album.
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Let’s talk about “Wrong Address.” That chune changed the mindset of Corporate Jamaica. I was in Miami. I had just finished doing a show with Richie Spice, and instead of going back to the hotel, I went to my apartment. I was watching a documentary called ‘Life and Death.’ It was emotional because they were talking about how the system was created a certain way to keep poor people where they are, and they are so trained right now that they are comfortable with it. It went so deep that I can relate to, especially being in the Garrison, I’ve seen so much. Right in the middle of the documentary, my Aunt called and she said ‘yuh know mih neva get dih job.’ I was so emotional from watching the documentary, that to hear her say that because she didn’t have the right address she didn’t get the job. Right then and there I started to write the song. The lyrics started to come really fast and I had to unload … with pen and paper. It came with so much tears at the same time. I get deeply emotional and passionate about things like that and I wrote the song and vowed that as soon as I get to Jamaica I’m going to record the song and that’s what I did. I called Riffy and told him to come to the studio so we can go over the song. What we did in the rehearsal studio is what went out as the original! I’ve seen changes after that. They got buses for a short time to drive youths from the Garrison, take them to work, wait for them, then take them back home. It lasted for a while, then put the youths in programs to get them jobs. It did good, but it didn’t last too long Balancing Husband, children, fans, recording etc. Do you ever have moments where you say ‘time out … Etana time….’ No. I remember one day my daughter was screaming, I mean crying, crying, crying and I couldn’t take it. I got frustrated so I put her down on the bed, reasoned with myself and said ‘you know what, this is what I have to do. Tired or no tired, frustrated or no frustrated; this is my child, my daughter and I just have to deal with it.’ Ever since that day, no matter how tired I am, I just do what I have to do. The hardest thing that I find is finding the balance between Mommy and Wife. I spend 90% of the time being the Mommy, and 10% being the Wife. My Husband jokes with me and says I feel like I don’t have a Wife anymore, so I joke back with him and say ‘oh I’m sorry, wait til she starts to walk!’ (Etana laughs)!
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If you could bless the earth with three wishes that you’re giving, and not that the earth is asking of you, what would those three things be? Wow! Here’s how I would flip it. I would take away the divide by taking away people’s ability to see their differences. Everyone would see, care and share on one level because they would have no choice. The second thing I would do is return people to farming. They would have to look to the earth for food which means they would have to care for the earth much more than they do now. They would have to care for the earth because they need it for survival. The last thing I would do is return the people to love. I think the problem today is people have forgotten how to love. What general advice can you give our readers on Life, Love and Lyrics? Life, live and love life is the greatest gift. Love unconditionally, but you have to love yourself first unconditionally. I’m talking about every strand of your hair, every flaw, everything that is good about you, everything that you think is bad; love it all because it’s all you. Lyrics … there will be a day, there will be a way, there will come a time to sing a brand new song; no more pain , no more sorrow, no more hungry children. No more tears, there will be a better tomorrow! Connect with Etana on Twitter >>> @EtanaStrongOne
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We’re a fan of your music, but whose music are you a fan of? If we look at your playlist, who would we see?! (Etana pulls out her iPhone)! Elle Varner, Estelle, Gyptian, Jazmine Sullivan, Monica, Pink, Paramore, Richie Spice, Sixpence, Stephen Marley, Amel Larrieux.
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Will we see and hear a collaboration between you and Richie Spice? It’s quite possible. We’ve re-united as a team. My company, Free Mind Music and my engineer has his company ETH and Richie Spice is a part of his company. So we’re now in the family unit all over again!
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Social media! You say some inspirational things to fans. Are you ‘in to’ it?! I do tweet a lot (we are interrupted by Etana’s daughter who is hungry. Immediately Mommy steps up)! I do like tweeting and face-booking. I receive thousands of messages and I can only reply to 5! But I do like social media and especially on Twitter, I say exactly what’s on my mind. The only thing I don’t do is go to Twitter when I get upset. When you get upset you say a lot so stay off of Twitter when you’re mad!
SMOKING SENSI WITH
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SS STEPHEN SOUZA JENNIFER MENSTER
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tephen Souza’s demeanor is calm and laid back. He stands out in the crowd; he has an aura of significance and importance … and that voice! His smile lights up the room as we sit down to speak. In my mind I’m thinking Stephen looks exactly the way his photos do which is a good thing. The moment we exchange hello’s I know that this is a person I would gladly “Smoke Sensi” with, and exactly as described in his hit song “Smoke Sensi” on the Sly & Robbie produced Sitting and Watching riddim. It is an honor to speak with this Reggae Gentleman. Introducing Stephen Souza…
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JM: There’s more to you than meets the eye. Tell us about your musical journey to get to centre stage! Wow! Let me see (Stephen’s smile is broad and bright and illuminates the room). It all started with my high school band Phase II. My childhood friends brothers Paul and Patrick Roach kept pressuring me to join the band. I’m shy so it took me a while (he laughs). The music teacher Steadman Barrett R.I.P. heard me sing and roped me in right away; not only was I shy but I had mad stage fright too (Stephen literally shakes his head with the memory), but once I got on stage the vibe took over. I then knew I was born to do this. When one of my older brothers Earl realized I could sing he started a sound system called King Sonic. This kept me pretty busy performing with Phase II and King Sonic ... I was in heaven touring Jamaica!
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One of your influences is The Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Brown. Tell us what he was like as a mentor and why he had such an influence over your style? Dennis is my idol. I always loved his music, his person, the way he carried himself; but it’s when I heard his rendition of “Ain’t That Loving You” I knew I wanted to be a singer and have my music touch people the way his music moved me, and I’ve been singing ever since. I am so glad I was able to tell him what he did for me; when he died I cried and I’m not ashamed to say it. Dennis Brown and his music is immortal and I strive to be recognized in the same way. To date you’ve released 2 albums and a number of singles as an independent artist. What do you like most about working independently? Recording independently allows you to be true to yourself; the type of music that you record, how many singles, CD’s you release per year is all up to you. When the vibe hits you, you can move with that vibe. When you record for a major record label, they dictate the type of songs you record and when they are to be released, they tend to want to go with what sells and follow a trend. I’m always writing new songs and thinking of good cover tunes, so being able to release a song when I want to is epic! You’re best described as a Lover’s Rock artist, yet with your single “Missing You,” you have more of a Soul sound, and it sounds quite good. Will you do more Soul recordings? SS: Absolutely! I love recording soul music. As a matter of fact, I originally started off writing soul music, which I was able to translate easily to Lover’s Rock. See, my first set of songs were mostly love letters that I wrote in High School as I was too shy to tell the girls them face to face (Stephen laughs asks that I not laugh at him so I laugh with him)! My previously released CD ‘Revisited’ features one called “I Marry My Friend” which did very well for me. I also write and sing Gospel (he hints that there may be releases coming soon in that genre).
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Speaking of performance, you’ve performed on the smaller stages! How ‘ready’ are you for the big stage and which big stage would you like to rock first?! My dream has always been to perform on the big stages like Jazz Fest Jamaica, Montreal Reggae Fest, Best Of The Best in Florida, Reggae on The River in California, Irie Jamboree NY, Japan Splash, England, Italy, Germany, The UK, etc and I should add that I’m ready! The larger the audience, the greater the energy; there’s nothing like being on stage. This brings to mind a quote from Natasha VC; “to understand the true meaning of power, hold a microphone at center stage;” that statement is so true and it’s what I want to share with as many audiences as possible.
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You performed at a high school reunion show in Florida. Were your former class mates surprised at how good an artist you’ve become over the years? It was amazing (his trademark smile appears again); mere words cannot express! The overwhelming response I received, I felt like Beres Hammond! It’s always great to perform for my former Manchester High School classmates; to hear them say that I was their Teen Idol and to see the pride in their eyes! So many of them individually told me what I meant to them in High School and what I’m doing for them now … all of that is the ultimate. It all started with them as they have been my biggest supporters from day one, so I will always be there for them whenever they need me!
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Going the independent route as an artist is not easy, but there are some rewards! What has been the most pleasant surprise for you? I had no idea I would enjoy producing so much (Stephen ponders and smiles). As an Independent artist I’ve been doing a lot of my own productions under the Request It Again Music banner and so far my productions have been well received as in “Sounds Explosion,” “Missing You” and “Sensi Smoker;” that does wonders for my ego which friends tell me needs to come out a little more. Don’t get me wrong though, I have love for major label releases, and for what the majors do for the industry, but for now the independent route is for me!
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The name of our magazine is L3 and each L has a meaning. The first L is for Life, the second L is for Love and the third L is for Lyrics. What general advice can you give us on Life, Love and Lyrics? Live your life to the fullest, the best possible way that you can. Endeavour to make a difference; leave a legacy of some sorts … not just in music or any of your aspirations, but also things like family. There’s nothing like family. I love mine ... it’s God’s greatest gift to me so I cherish them as such. They drive me and inspire me. With Love I refer to 1 Corinthians 13:4;-8. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes; always perseveres. Love never fails. As for Lyrics ... be true to yourself make sure people can relate to them in some way or the other, let them be progressive whether it be about life, or love, try not to be offensive or degrading. If you want to live forever, let your music, your lyrics matter … be an originator not an imitator. Strive!
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So far we haven’t heard any collaborations with other artists so will we be hearing any soon?T I actually collaborated with Frankie Paul on my first CD If You Were Mine on a song called “Best Of Me,” also with Charmaine John with “12th of Never,” but yes I will be doing some collaborations in the near future. I would love to collaborate with others artists, like Luciano, Tarrus Riley, Tessanne Chin, and Etana to name a few.
LM 20 QUESTIONS WITH
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LUDMILLA MUSE AYEOLA GEORGE
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t’s not a coincidence that the artistic Ludmilla Muse has a Greek last name. Ordained by the Gods perhaps, her artistic skills range from acting to singing to writing. From her Russian first name and Slavic middle name (Nadia) to her Cuban, Haitian and multi-raced background she is a true example of a melting pot, a mélange … the American Dream come to life. She was born in the ‘Windy City’ Chicago to Haitian parents who ensured she and her siblings had the best of what the States had to offer. During her childhood, Ludi wrote and performed in plays for friends and family alike. She made her on-screen debut in the 1998 movie Light it Up as an extra. Buoyed by her growing passion for film, in 2007, she produced and coordinated the SOL film festival in Houston TX with the aim of motivating struggling writers and film makers in their creative quests. That year she made her foray into the radio world co-hosting the “Pure Vybez” show on 90.1 KPFT alongside popular DJ Supa Neil. In 2008 she landed a starring role in the independent film Hoodlum of the Opera where she played ‘Robin’ the female lead. Later in 2008 she had a cameo appearance as a radio host in the movie Rent a Car and even contributed her vocal talents to “I Fell in love with a DJ” a single off the movie’s soundtrack.
With her growing portfolio, word of Ludi’s talents spread and she landed a hosting gig on Caribbean Vybez, an entertainment show which aired to some 600,000 households via Houston cable stations. She was also cast as a remote locations host for European TV show “Brother 2 Brother.” Currently hosting and producing for The Spot, an online entertainment show which features celebrity interviews, event coverage and artist spotlights, Ludi is in her prime. Having interviewed an admirable list of athletes, business moguls, entertainers, politicians and other influencers including Miami Heat’s Dwayne Wade, UFC champ Ricardo Lamas, Russell Simmons, Michelle Williams and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Ludi is in her element. The long list also includes Caribbean celebs from Reggae (Wayne Wonder), to Soca (Machel Montano). Now her love for theatre has come full circle as she stars in Crystal Phoenix Tyler’s “From Slavery to
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the White House.” June just marked the one year anniversary of the play which has been staged in Chicago, Detroit and Houston. Her love of the stage has also grown on her young son Mecca who is also in the production. The two also spend mom-and-me time promoting her first children’s book “My Day at the Park” which she illustrated and self-published. We talk to the talented beauty to learn more about her role in From Slavery to the White House, what was the hardest thing she had to do and why he Caribbean heritage is so important to her… AG: ‘From slavery to the white house’ literally spans from slavery to when Barak Obama becomes the first black president to occupy the White House. What role do you play, are you Michelle? L: No I’m not but I do play Diana Ross! I play 11 characters and I’m in the play just about from start to finish. I go from a slave on the auction block to the 20s, 40s, 50s, 60s etc. The costume changes must be pretty cool. The wardrobe is amazing. People are like Oh my God, how do you do it? That’s the live performance side of you. I know you did on the screen roles as well such as Light it Up, Hoodlum of the Opera, Rent a Car etc. What do you prefer, working in film or on stage? You know, I like both! Last summer I was on the set of the Style Network’s new reality show called “Chicagolicious;” I was on so many different sets, I was on commercials, I did so much. When you’re on set, its ‘cut’ and you have to do it 12 million times; so a good actor could do it right and they have to re-do it anyway because they have to set the shot up etc. With theatre there’s no ‘cut’ you just keep going - it keeps you on your toes. I think every actor should go into theatre because it makes you become more focused and helps you to become more confident with everyday life, you know. Even with doing my show “The Spot” it helps me to be more confident just talking to the different celebrities and those kinds of things. So theatre prepares me for filming. I just love to act. That’s my main passion. I live, breathe, sleep that. I just want to do it all day every day.
In June we observed Caribbean American Heritage Month. Now in July we are celebrating American independence. You’re a born and bred American. What’s up with you being involved in so many things related to Caribbean culture? Where did that come from and why is it so important to you? I’ve always represented, even as a young child, that I was Haitian. I have a foreign name so everybody’s always asking me where you from? And I look different as well. Haiti has such a … sometimes it gets a bad rap … and I always wanted to let people know that, you know, just because you might hear something about the Haitian culture or Caribbean culture, it’s not always what you think it is. Doing Caribbean radio, and Caribbean TV just fell into my lap but once I started learning more about the people and the different islands and different cultures it just helped me to be more aware, and made me embrace my Caribbean heritage even more. My father’s father is Cuban. My dad was born in Haiti but his father was Cuban and his mother was born in Haiti and her grandparents came from France. They were white and so my dad’s part of the family is really fair skinned. Growing up in Chicago, a very segregated city, people would say ‘oh you’re light-skinned’ and all this like Haitians can’t be light skinned. Do you speak patois? No. The only reason why is because growing up here in Chicago, my grandfather on my mom’s side (I never met my father’s father), and his wife did not allow us to speak creole in the house. And, when we went to school at that time (1980s), the teachers didn’t want us to speak different languages as it was confusing. The south side of Chicago is not out of the slave mentality; they don’t want you to know a foreign language. I bet if you had moved to Miami you’d be speaking Creole! I already know. I can understand more than I speak but it’s still difficult because nobody was here with me growing up. Lemme tell you something that’s so funny. Now I go visit my grandfather (he lives about five minutes or less from where we live) and do you know what he says to me? Ludi why you don’t speak creole? I’m like are you serious? I would tell him grandpa you did not speak creole to us when we were younger. He would say oh ho, girl he would deny it I promise you (laughs).
On a different note, you seeing somebody? Girl no. Who would you say is your ideal guy? Have you met that person? Is he still out there? My ideal guy is Idris Elba. I think I admire him so much because he’s a DJ, he’s into music, and he’s a little eclectic, and he reminds me a lot of myself. And so my ideal guy would be like somebody who can appreciate (she sighs). When I was dating someone, it was hard for them to accept my schedule. And so when I’m at rehearsal, I’m at rehearsal. I don’t answer my phone. I don’t even look at my phone. And so a lot of the time people get angry. They get upset. Like I said when I slept for a week - people just don’t understand that. So my next man, he would have to be so understanding and giving to help me with that you know, and then I have a child. So somebody who has a good relationship with children and who understands a child, you know, is important to me - somebody who loves to love. You know, because I’m a big romantic. And I love me some love.
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Are the sensitive subjects (slavery, Jim Crow) a part of the reason why you’re so drained? It’s possible because I do cry a lot. I use a lot of my energy. I play Rosa Parks, I play Diana Ross; I dance, I run across the stage. Each character is totally different, so I have to go to my Rosa Parks place … what was she feeling at that time, what was Dianna Ross feeling? I watch a lot of different things to help me. I read a lot. By the time the show is over I am just tired. Even though I leave whatever I give on the stage, I give everything; I want the audience to just really feel like they were there… and just imagine when I do two shows.
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Do you have a pre performance ritual? You know what I do; I pray. I try to find a quiet point, you know, my own zone - a quiet place where nobody will really bother me. My son is in the show too and sometimes it’s hard because he’ll be like ‘mommy mommy,’ but he is getting to a point where he understands ‘she’s in her zone.’ Because I’m taking on so many characters after the show I become really drained and sometimes I don’t want be bothered. I may not answer my phone. I become really tired. I remember one time we did the show last year and I was so drained I stayed in bed for like a week. People were texting me, people were mad at me because I was not responding.
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You have a very strong presence on camera. How much of it is innate natural talent, and how much of it is training. 100% of it is natural. I’ve not gone to school for any training. I’ve not gone to school for media, I did not go to school for communications. I have a degree in Business Administration. I did do John Robert Powers when I was 18 where it taught you how to walk etc. In high school I took design classes. I used to draw a lot. I did airbrushing, I learned how to do graphic design at a really early age. I used to make jewelry, I used to paint. Like the thing about me, and maybe that’s a Pisces thing is that it’s at certain times and certain seasons I’m wanting to do certain things. So there’ll be a time when I only want to paint. And then I paint and then I go on with my life. I’ve always known that there was an artist that’s living inside of me. Acting though was number one. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do? The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do honestly is to bury my son. I would say that. That was really hard. I was about 23 years old and I was pregnant. I got married at a young age and you know we brought the baby home and we thought we had a healthy baby and he literally died in my ex-husbands arms at home. I was a young girl and I didn’t know what to do I didn’t know how to handle that. And we had to have a funeral for him and everything. Like a serious funeral, and I mean I thought I was gonna lose it after that but God just made me super, super strong. After the funeral I cut my hair off, said to myself lemme just start over and I asked God when the time is right to let me have another child. I was pregnant like three months later with Mecca. And how old is Mecca now? He’s eight going on 28. He turns nine this month. He’s in the play. And I don’t force that acting on him. I asked him if he wanted to do it. What period is he in? He’s in the beginning as an African child in the village. Then he’s on the auction block and once again at the end. There’s a children’s version coming out, so he’s about to take on a bigger role. What’s your favorite timeless fashion trend? Jumpsuits
Rooftop party or basement party? Rooftop. Boris Kudjoe or Lance Gibbs? Boris. My last words will be … Thank you Father. Because of my son … I am disciplined On a Thursday morning at 11 am … I’m just doing my thing chile.
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