ALL LYONZ ROAR!!...LOUDER!!
We give thanks we have made it to the end of this year. Stronger, network longer, and with no fears! More positive things aguan chale! T.V. & Radio show appearances, magazine interviews, competitions won, international collaborations, and so much more!
WUT’Z BEEN GOOD:
Sydney’s own D.J. Nsroma (a.k.a Rita Connel) of the "African Hour" on S.B.S Radio arrived in the states from Australia and linked up with Seven and Wanlov of Roar Entertainment. She’s going back with brand new tracks by Roar Entertainment’s artists as well as other artists affiliated with Roar to keep blasting the airwaves with fresh conscious tunes.
Wanlov was invited to perform @ Fela Kuti Day in Los Angeles by D.J. Nnamdi Moweta of Radio Afrodicia. It was held at Kaos Network in Leimert Park. He got the opportunity to link up with the activist and film director, Ben Caldwell. Caldwell runs Kaos Network, home of Project Blowed, where positive talks took place concerning video shoots and extending the Kaos Network to Accra, Ghana and other parts of Africa. Wanlov also linked up with the members of the famous Afrobeatdown Band so look out for future show collaborations.
The following weekend, Wanlov was invited alongside Gyedu-Blay Ambolley to KPFK’s Afrodicia Radio (90.7FM Los Angeles, 98.7FM Santa Barbara, & worldwide on the web @ http://www.kpfk.org/), to perform live on air. It was a great honor for Wanlov to perform for the first time alongside a living legend. Blay Ambolley and Wanlov did some live accapellas then “Ambolley in Da House” by Gyedu Blay featuring Boya Dunn & Wanlov was played for the first time on air. The session ended with Wanlov and Gyedu Blay tag-teaming two instrumentals; live on air spreading solid vibrations to the listeners. We will put up the re-broadcast on Roar Entertainment’s website in the near future. Gyedu Blay’s album will be out early next year so start your susu now!
Wanlov performed at the annual T.W.E.S.E African Royal Banquet held at Rutger’s University in New Brunswick, NJ. Alhaji, a Spoken Word poet, from Sierra Leone, opened the stage right after dinner with some powerful words for the attendees. Right after that Terry Lion of Pureafricanz blessed the stage with conscious Reggae vibes followed by a positive speech by one of the organizers. Finally Wanlov was called to the stage to rouse things up with tunes like "Kokonsa", "Dey Came", "Please Mummy", and "In Ghana". Click here to see the video. The T.W.E.S.E. Dance Troupe closed the show with some excellent dancing and their performance merged right into the party deejayed by D.J. K.9. It was a very lovely evening. There was a lot of West African cuisine, and people whom enjoyed it! There were student and delegate speeches/presentations, as well as a music band. In addition, there was a documentary highlighting the investment opportunities in Africa, presented to open the eyes of many and break their inhibitions about Africa. The United States is about a third the size of Africa yet the media makes us think every part of Africa is in constant crisis. For more information about African nations click here.
Boya Dunn made a guest artist appearance two times this past month on Caribbean Vibes Radio & T.V Show hosted by D.J. Solo and T-Mann , both based in Houston. It is a lovely show structured kind of like 106th and Park where mostly Caribean artists come to get interviewed. Boya Dunn was asked about his hometown in the Bahamas, performances to date, and future moves are for Bahamas Most Wanted. Video clips are played and news is disseminated. We should have the video episodes with Boya Dunn on Roar in no time. Boya Dunn also linked up strong with artists like Guage from London and Brown Pilot from Houston so some future collaborations should be in order.
Seven Xavier won the “Industry Standard Producer Showcase” held at The Remote Lounge in Manhattan, NY on 14th November, 05. Rockwilder (Produces for Redman, Christina Aguilera, Game and many more), and other top industry producers and A&Rs where present to judge the producers. Seven's victory was announced as a landslide over producers who have worked for numerous artists, old and new, that are already in the majors. Seven was the only producer who wasn’t criticized, but rather seemed to have inspired Rocwilder, who has asked Seven to come by Sony Studios and drop off a beat for Redman’s new album. He won over $1,500 in studio software, an interview by Beat Talk, a 1-yr producer membership to Dynamic Producer, and much more. Wanlov and all Seven's supporters picked Seven up and paraded him around the club shouting for joy.
Seven & Wanlov recently linked up with Kalab Berhane of VP Records and Riddim Driven Apparel. They were introduced to Joel Chin, a really humble and blessed idren who produces for numerous VP artists like Sean Paul, Elephant Man, I-Wayne, Wayne Wonder, Junior Kelly,...believe us this list could go on with as many names as there are known Reggae artists. The wheel was set in motion for collaborations to take place. A few days later Seven and Wanlov went back to VP Records to pick up a consignment of unreleased VP Records Riddim Driven Apparel and Accessories which they will be wearing from now on. VP's gear is solid and more representative of our culture than what is found in most stores now. Pat Chin who runs VP Records, Kalab Berhane, the lions of VP Apparel, as well as the hardworking and gifted staff of VP Records showed Roar Entertainment nuff nuff love and we are really excited about this venture which might include Wanlov's upcoming album "Odo Baako" being distributed by VP Records. This should open the door to all the artists of Roar Entertainment and its affiliates as the genres offered by VP Records will be branching into other cultural music from mama Africa and beyond. Seven picked out his share of the Riddim Driven gear as we drove him from VP Records in Queens to JFK where he jumped on his flight headed for Ghana. Bless!
WUT AGUAN:
Before we talk more about Roar Entertainment let’s address a major issue brought to light by Empress Shilo, CEO of Celebrity Plus & Publicist for Solar Entertainment, who represent Bascom X, Gyptian, Nye, Frisco Kid, Mad Cobra, Lynx, and other solid artists.
The Empress Shilo has come up with a petition for the Grammy's, requesting to broadcast the segments when the Reggae, Dancehall, and other genres of Caribbean/West Indian music artists are awarded.
This is a very significant petition because Reggae & Dancehall is more worldwide than Rock Music which gets nuff airtime. If you claim to be a true fan of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and all the greats then now is the time to reciprocate the love they gave you! Empress Shilo is already making great strides towards achieving this goal that has been set. Click here to read one of the numerous articles that has been written about what her efforts has helped start.
Ghanaians and other Africans from the continent and abroad reading this should bear in mind that soon we will be petitioning for Highlife, Soukous, Afrobeat, Hip-life, and more to be on the Grammy's so scratch a back now and you know the rest. Do we even need to say all this? We are one people, as such we must act as one! What other kind of music spreads more love than Reggae?
The petition is at www.celebrityplus.net. Click on the Grammy icon and sign.
The direct link is http://www.petitiononline.com/reggae1/petition.html
Everyone who listens to Reggae music or is an artist, deejay, songwriter, promoter,...send this link around. There are some out there who believe we should stop petitioning to be a part of an event that is Euro-centered and start our own kind of award show and in our eyes that just keeps stalling I-nity. We should be working towards making these events inclusive to represent all cultures. For now Reggae is what has just called for its respect due. So people let's make the Grammy's pay up!
Boya Dunn is in Houston, Texas. Boya is being featured alongside Anthony B, Turbulence, Marci Ball, Journalis, Lutan Fire, Binghi Ghost, Teacha Dee, Terri Lion, & more…on the Gloria Riddim, Unification Riddim, Strange Things Riddim, and more riddims being pumped out by Genius & Ganja Fyah Dub of One Harmony Music. These albums will be distributed in the Caribbeans and some parts of Europe. All companies interested in distributing these compilations worldwide should link up. Deon the Butcher of 100 Jamz FM in the Bahamas has offered to re-mix a riddim for Boya Dunn's "See Di Gials" track which will be re-released on a major level.
Boya Dunn has also been selected by Jamaican Songstress Lorna Bennett to feature on a riddim compilation she's putting together and this is a great honor for Boya Dunn to be working with a Lovers Rock living legend alongside great artists like Spragga Benz and General Degree. Last, but not least, and most likely greatest, the Alpyne Empress and Boya Dunn are expecting a child anywhere in the next week or two. A new member of the Roar family soon commming! Olatunji Marion Campbell the 2nd. ROAR!!.
Seven is in Germany on his way to Ghana to promote the works of Roar Entertainment and its artists. He will be in Ghana for over a month doing radio promotions, meeting with potential investors, and working with artists like Batman, Tuface, Blackmonks, and V.I.P.
Wanlov has been invited to Solar Entertainment’s 10th Anniversary Party. So many top artists will be performing. Artists such as I-Wayne, Gyptian (who will be performing for the first time in the U.S.), Fantam Mojah, Bascom X, Turbulence, Shasha, Frisco Kid, Apache Chief, The New Kingston Band, and much more…view event flyer here for more details.
On the 7th of December Wanlov will be linking up wit Sol of Direct Current Media & 4REAL to see K’naan perform at the Mercury Lounge 217 E.Houston St NY, NY. 7:30 pm sharp. RSVP. Those who haven’t heard about K’naan need to sell their ears to people who need them. Even M1 of Dead Prez was blown away by the Dusty Foot Philosopher’s talent and fire. K'naan is touring on the Breedlove Odyssey Tour with Jean Grae, Talib Kweli, Little Brother, Pharaoh Monch, Mos Def, and more. Chale the show is going to be massive! Wanlov will definitely be in the house.
Wanlov will also be attending a few open mics in and around the East Coast before he returns to California to continue building with Ben Caldwell of Kaos Network, D.J Nnamdi of Radio Afrodicia, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Shadow Zu and the whole UnitedNationsofHiphop family, Pharouk & 2 Dread of Proverb Records, among other Roar networks.
