So far, Mavado has filmed videos for three songs off his new album Gangsta For Life, The Symphony of David Brooks. There’s “Dying,” “Dreaming,” “Squeeze Her Breast,” a short documentary and more and we’ve rounded them up for a mini Mavado marathon: ([More →])

Foxy Brown, despite all the hype, has been working on her new album titled Brooklyn’s Don Diva which is due for release in December on Koch Records. The album features collaborations with some of Jamaica’s ruffest and most controversial deejays. One song, “Mr. DJ,” contains a classic Barrington Levy sample from his hit tune “Here I Come (Broader Than Broadway).” The same Levy tune has been sampled by the Fugees in their song “Ready Or Not” and Shaggy in his song “Broadway.” The word on the street is also whispering of a track with dancehall’s rising star, Mavado! Apparently, Foxy and Mavado have been discussing the collaboration for months and she gives him shout outs in the album’s intro. She recorded the vocals for the new track before her incarceration and now that recording is in Mavado’s studio where he is building the riddim to back it. Mavado has been blazing up music charts in Jamaica and NYC with his recent debut release on VP Records, Gangsta For Life, The Symphony of David Brooks. ([More →])

Jah Cure fans have waited 8 years since his last performance and they will have to wait a little longer. He’s still being released from prison on time, as far as anyone can tell. But the organizers of Curefest, Danger Zone Records, has decided to postpone the 3 day festival of conscious dancehall music until October. ([More →])

Jah Cure will be celebrating and giving thanks for his freedom, while Curefest will highlight reggae and dancehall music with a positive message. Curefest has announced a preliminary lineup of confirmed artists, with more big names being added up until the festival weekend - August 24-26th. ([More →])

Mavado has announced more details about his upcoming debut album from VP Records. It’s titled - Gangsta For Life: The Symphony of David Brooks and it’s set to release on July 10th. Mavado draws his musical stylings from dancehall veteran Bounty Killer, so be prepared for ruff and aggressive lyrics and spitfire energy. But this album showcases some of his more gospel talents as well with songs like “Pon The Gully Side” and “Born and Raised”.

“Dreaming”:

I was not able to find an official tracklist for the upcoming album, but Yardflex lists off these songs as definitely being included:
“Dreamin,” “Weh Dem A Do,” “Sadness,” which touches pon the death of his father, “Pon The Gully Side,” “Born and Raised” and “Dying”. This last tune is reportedly a tribute to Tupac’s lyrical power, and has already proven a hit on Jamaica’s and New York’s radio airwaves and video television shows.

“Dying”:

Unfortunately, this album uses the one thing I hate most in modern music: the auto-tuner. And much too much of it. I blame VP Records for that. It’s all over Sean Paul’s albums too. If somebody took that out, I think I’d really dig this album. But, with the auto-tuner in place, this album will probably have much wider commercial success. Or at least, the label believes so. The notion of what equals commercial success is how Columbia Records ruined Morgan Heritage’s debut album, yet they discovered huge international popularity immediately after leaving Columbia. Maybe this is the path set before Movado as well.

Mavado LINKS:

Mavado Space
Gangsta For Life on imeem

More news! Dang, i’m hot tonight…. This time, Wiley UnRetires and Mavado gets a 3 album record deal with VP!

The Jamaican Star, Big Up Radio, Fader Magazine, and other music news outlets are abuzz today with news of Mavado’s rising success.
Dancehall’s biggest, baddest dj at the moment, Mavado, has signed a 3 album record deal with VP Records. His debut, “Gangsta For Life” is set to be released this July, and features production by Daseca, Stephen McGregor, TJ, and Famous. Of course Fader is stoked, Mavado was their cover boy December 2006.

WILEY ’S NOT RETIRING ?! it’s unclear right now what the eski one is doing…

ok, so you knew he was a joker. looks like he changed his mind this time. alex bok bok had a chance to interview wiley, and will be putting it up on his blog lower end spasm soon.
Wiley’s top 5 big garage players in the future? With himself in a league of his own, it reads Scorcher to Ghetto…. check out lower end spasm to see the list.
and whoever ate all them pies, was probably sighing a breath of relief at this retirement news, but now ya better watch out! that wiley ain’t so easy to lose!