Dancehall deejay Ikaya is on a musical high following her commendable performances at a number of events, most recent of which was at St Mary Mi Come From, the cultural show staged by acclaimed fireman King Shango, aka Capleton.

In recognition of her growing popularity within the dancehall, Ikaya was no starlight act, instead she performed at 3 am, right after big gun Macka Diamond. Conscious of the fact that several artistes were waiting in the wings, Ikaya did a medley of her tunes and upped the excitement ante when she gave the cameraman a little "something to remember". She appropriately closed her set with the single, Better Whine.

Ikaya, prior to this, had strutted her stuff and rocked the stage at Guinness Summer Eclipse at The Jungle night club in Negril, Jamaica the previous weekend. The only female on the line-up, Ikaya represented well for the ladies and held nothing back as she gave a crowd-pleasing performance to a packed house.

Written by Biz Jones
Sohh

DJ Khaled has voiced his support for incarcerated reggae artist Buju Banton in light of his current legal woes involving alleged drug trafficking.

While not getting too deep into Banton's situation, Khaled expressed the good character behind Buju's personality.

"Shout-out to Buju Banton," Khaled said in an interview. "My comment is he's a great person, he's a great friend of mine and I know him for being a great person, great family man and being a great artist and a real dude. Buju Banton, I salute, that's my brother right there and his music is amazing. Free Buju Banton. Free, Buju Banton..." (VIBE)

Still behind bars, Buju's attorney claimed the United States government intentionally set-up the rapper to be arrested on drug charges last year.

Even though Buju Banton has problem of his own he yesterday announced that he will be lending a helping hand to the people of Haiti.

According to information reaching OutAroad.com the incarcerated reggae superstar Buju Banton has pledged to donate US1000 along with clothing and other necessary items.

Thousands of Haitians are feared dead or missing and an unknown number of others lacking food, clean water or medical care, international rescue teams descended on this ravaged capital Thursday to provide assistance.

Since news broke two weeks ago of Buju Banton's arrest and detention for conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine of more than 5 kilo's, radio jocks across Canada have shown the Reggae superstar and Grammy nominee support by playing Buju 'marathons' of the artists top singles.

George Barrett of COOP radio in Vancouver began his marathon on his Sunday program called Reggae Train because "it's important that we radio jocks show our support which is an extension of the communities support." Barrett also went on to say "many people have tried to hold Buju down but they can't because Jah is with him."

By J Tymz
OutAroad.com Writer

While Buju Banton faces a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. His Grammy nomination is also under attack by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance.

LGBT requested that Buju's nomination should be withdrawn from the Best Reggae Album category, but this time around, victory went to Rasta Got Soul after they got some shocking news from The Recording Academy.

In the short statement, the Recording Academy defended its selection say: "The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Awards have a long history of supporting freedom of speech and creative expression, and of supporting artists and the music they create. Artists of a variety of political or cultural perspectives have been nominated or featured on the telecast, despite protests and backlash. ... The GRAMMY Awards is a celebration and recognition of outstanding musical achievement by music makers, regardless of politics, and that will continue to be our mission."

By OutAroad.com Writer
J Tymz

Despite being targeted from left to right by several Gay Rights Group since beginning of this year Buju Banton has however managed to end his ethic year on a good note as he heads the list of nominees in the reggae album category of the prestigious 2010 Grammy Awards.

This will be Buju's fourth nomination, already many industry insiders are saying that the Gargamel will take this one.

The Gargamel Buju Banton will face with veteran reggae singer Gregory Issacs' 'Brand New Me' album, Sean Paul with 'Imperial Blaze' while the list closes off with the Marleys which showcases Julian for Awake and Stephen Marley for Mind Control.

Sunday January 31, 2010 is the set date for the Grammy Awards, which will be held in Los Angeles.

Gargamel Music, Inc. is proud to announce that four-time Grammy nominated Reggae icon Buju Banton successfully wrapped the final leg of his Rasta Got Soul US Tour with a string of successful dates in the Sunshine State last week. The roots rocking revue, which featured opening acts Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage, vocalists Nikki Burt and Angel Shalome, plus special guest Wayne Wonder, steered its way into Florida for five stellar performances in Melbourne, Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami and Orlando.

In just seven short but eventful weeks, Banton, backed by his Shiloh Band, played jam packed venues in Philadelphia, Bladensburg, Providence, New Haven, Portland, Boston, Rochester, Newark, Charlotte, Norfolk, Ann Arbor, Cincinnati, Columbus, Denver, Aspen, Berkeley, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Los Angeles, San Diego, Albuquerque, Dallas, Austin, Houston and Atlanta. Despite the misguided efforts to derail his musical movement, Buju Banton's Rasta Got Soul US Tour proved unstoppable with nearly 30,000 fans attending 32 shows across the country, making it the biggest-selling Reggae tour of the year.

With only 4 days to go for the much anticipated Reggae Bash 2009, all eyes are focused on the Gargamel himself Mr. Mark (Buju Banton) Myrie. Buju Banton, whose Rasta Got Soul tour of the United States has been dogged by protests from gay rights groups, has just completed a show in Atlanta and his making his way down to Melbourne on Wednesday, Jacksonville on Thursday, Tampa on Friday and Miami on Saturday.

Amid all the protests, Buju Banton will definitely be performing at Reggae Bash 2009 being held at the James L. Knight Center, 400 SE 2nd Avenue, Downtown Miami on Saturday October 31, 2009.

Gates open at 6:00PM show time 7:00PM log on to www.jlkc.com for more info.

Also performing are Crowned King of Dancehall and Grammy Award winner Beenie Man along with the extraordinary soulful Wayne Wonder and the sensational Reggae Artist Red Rat. The combination of artistry and talent from these entertainers will make a phenomenal weekend, one that should not be missed!

Members of Global Vybz Entertainment have had dialogue with gay lobbyists. They recently appeared in a panel discussion with Equality Florida spokesperson Vanessa Brito on WAVS, a south Florida-based Caribbean radio station and all is good to go for this weekend.

Source: sflcn

- Promoters Call It The Biggest Selling Reggae Tour Of The Year -

Over 15,000 fans have already witnessed the magic of Jamaican music icon, Buju Banton's Rasta Got Soul US Tour, which kicked off last month at the Trocadero Theater in Philadelphia. The buzzworthy Roots Reggae revue has since blazed through a string of successful shows in Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, Michigan and Ohio, and has been receiving rave reviews from day one:

"During the show, Banton's gruff, soulful voice captured the passion behind the hyperkinetic 'Murderer' and 'Willy (Don't Be Silly).' His band (including a drummer who sounded as though he had eight hands) was ridiculously tight, their arrangements elegant and dynamic without losing their frenetic feel. From the 'Wipeout'-based rhythm-backed rap of 'Me & Oonu' through to the soulful 'I Rise' to cribbing Michael Jackson's universal plea, 'Heal the World,' Banton proved he could make things right within his music."

Gargamel Music is pleased to confirm that four-time Grammy nominated Reggae artist and icon, Buju Banton will kick off his hotly anticipated Rasta Got Soul US Tour on September 12th in Philadelphia. We are disappointed by the hasty cancellation of a few shows by Live Nation/House of Blues and Goldenvoice/AEG, but fans will be happy to know we have over 30 confirmed shows that are definitely playing and we are working to replace the canceled dates. Now our team is primarily concerned with setting the record straight on the grossly inaccurate portrait of Buju being painted by certain organizations and systematically relayed to the masses and the media.

Buju Banton was all of 15-years-old when he wrote "Boom Bye Bye" in response to a widely publicized man/boy rape case in Jamaica. It was not a call to violence. The song was re-released on a popular dancehall rhythm in 1992 and caused a huge uproar after receiving commercial radio play in the States. Following much public debate back then, prominent gay rights leaders - and Buju decidedly moved on. For the record, it is the only song he ever made on the subject - and he does not perform it today.

Those who have followed Buju Banton's musical journey and have actually listened to his extensive catalog, know of his development into a world-class singer, songwriter and performer who can quietly sell out such prestigious venues as the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York and Brixton Academy in London. He does not advocate violence. There has never been a shred of violence at any of his live shows. In fact, he commonly preaches against violence - against all people.

Several of Buju Banton's concerts have been canceled after the promoters came under pressure from the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

AEG Live/Goldenvoice the brainchild behind the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival was also forced to cancel his concerts that featured the Banton. The other shows that Buju was expected perform on are the House of Blues venues in Chicago (Oct. 2), Las Vegas (Oct. 15), Dallas (Oct. 20) and Houston (Oct. 22).

The problem started in 1992 when Buju Banton recorded a song titled Boom Bye Bye, which instantly became a hit amongst dancehall lovers around the world, until several gay and lesbian groups discovered the meaning of the slang Boom Bye Bye.

Sells Off Annual Extravaganza & Performs With John Legend On Main Stage

Jamaican music icon, Buju Banton, once again rocked the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden for his 3rd annual Buju Banton & Friends Caribbean Extravaganza on August 7th. Produced by veteran radio personality Dahved Levy's Devonish Promotions, this year's blockbuster event featured guest appearances by Reggae great Burning Spear, dancehall legend Shabba Ranks, lioness on the rise Queen Ifrica, Heritage siblings Gramps & Peter Morgan and the legendary Tony Rebel.

Fresh from touring Europe and the UK for two months, Banton and his Shiloh Band -- complete with two keyboard players and two bass players -- were in superb form. Buju delivered a flawless double set that spanned the breadth of his vast, hit-filled catalog, and included a well-received live debut of the song "Optimistic Soul" from his critically acclaimed new album Rasta Got Soul, plus a rousing Reggae rendition of Michael Jackson's classic "Heal The World."

Last Thursday night, Buju aka Gargamel, graduated to the world famous main stage at Madison Square Garden, where he performed with R&B superstar John Legend to a sold out crowd of 20,000 concert-goers who raised the roof in pandemonium when Legend announced his special surprise guest!

Mounts Charts In Jamaica, South Florida & New York

Rasta Got Soul is currently the #1 Reggae album in Japan at both Tower Records and HMV. The new album has also been well- received by local press with Banton gracing the cover of Riddim Magazine Japan and garnering features or reviews in BMR (Black Music Review), Woofin', Rove and Bounce. MTV Japan recently showed their support of the artist with a 30 minute block of Buju Banton music videos, including the clip for "Magic City" from the new album. Rasta Got Soul was released in Japan via JVC/Victor Entertainment.

Backayard, Rasta Got Soul remains the #1 Reggae Album on the Jamaica Music Countdown Top Reggae Albums Chart for the third week in a row. Hosted by the omnipotent Richie B, the JMC can be heard each and every Friday on Hot 102 FM. Rasta Got Soul is being distributed in Jamaica and the Caribbean by Dynamic Sounds.

OutAroad.com gets to understand that Jamaica's reggae giant Buju Banton's latest album titled Rasta Got Soul has made an impressive debut on the Billboard's Top Reggae Albums Charts, sitting pretty at #2. While Easy Star All-Stars holds off the #1 spot with the album titled Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band.

The highly anticipated album Rasta Got Soul also secured several other accolades such as debuting at #38 on the magazine's Heatseekers Chart and is currently the #8 selling Reggae record on iTunes in North America.

Rasta Got Soul was released on April 21st in the US and Canada and has received critical acclaim from several media outlets including The Buffalo News, Exclaim! and All Music Guide, who called the album "An instant classic!"

Buju Banton is set to blaze up the stage at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden on Sunday May 10th at 8:00pm. Billed as the 3rd Annual Mother's Day Extravaganza, this year's event will be in honor of Buju's own mother, the late Murdine "Miss Dotty" Clarke, who passed away in early April. Banton and his Shiloh Band are planning a very special set for the occasion that will include the live debut of several tracks from Rasta Got Soul.

- Long-Awaited Roots Reggae Opus To Drop In North America April 21st -

Gargamel Music, Inc. is pleased to announce the North American release date for Jamaican music icon Buju Banton's highly anticipated roots reggae album, Rasta Got Soul. Recorded over a seven year period at Buju's own Gargamel Music studio, the long-awaited project is finally set for physical and digital release in the United States and Canada on April 21, 2009. Coincidentally, the date marks the 43rd anniversary of the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie's historic visit to Jamaica in 1966.

His most musically audacious work to date, Rasta Got Soul unites Buju Banton's characteristic vocals and consistently positive messages, grounded in the tenets of Rastafari, with organic reggae rhythms carefully crafted by a select aggregation of the island's finest musicians. "Roots is the foundation," explains Buju, who became a dancehall superstar in the '90s by riding the latest synthesized beats. "The computer stuff gets monotonous; every third production you can hear some similarity, as opposed to when you listen to something live there is always something different," he says.

Jamaican music legend, Buju Banton has teamed up with yet another 'Legend' to deliver the seductive and sexy new tune, "Can't Be My Lover."

The steamy track, which will be the bonus cut on the platinum-selling artist/producer, John Legend's forthcoming album, Evolver, has been described as "a Reggae- tinged track that has Legend resisting the charms of a relentless seductress."

Already making the rounds online, "Can't Be My Lover" was produced by the Jamaican hit- maker, Supa Dups (of Black Chiney Sound), who has worked with the likes of Beenie Man, Reggaeton superstar, Pitbull, Sean Paul and Legend's UK protégé on his own HomeSchool records, Estelle. The album is slated to be in stores on Oct. 20th in the UK and Oct 28th in the US.

Greetings, good people of the earth! I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the love and support over the years and for your continued support in the future.

By now most have already heard about the separation between myself and Penthouse Music Group. Let me assure you that it was one of mutual understanding, and that I sincerely wish Mr. Donovan Germain all the best. With much respect I say to Mr. Germain, thank you for the many years of service and for the eye-opening experience.

To the haters, hate on. To the well-wishers, we will be victorious because JAH LIVE. As for me personally, I am fine. Glad I now have the medium to communicate to my fans and friends all over the world.

Here at Gargamel we are cultivating a new awareness in the minds of music lovers everywhere. Over the past three years, I have been steadily building. The trials were many and the lessons arduous. However, it has made me much more informed and knowledgeable about this business of music. Learning how everything works behind the scenes is crucial in this age. I am proud to announce that the studio renovation is now complete, give God almighty the glory -- yet our works have just begun.

Gargamel Music is very proud to announce that international Reggae icon Buju Banton aka Gargamel will once again blaze up the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday May 10th at 8:00pm. Billed as the Mother's Day Reggae Festival, this now annual extravaganza will feature performances by dancehall legend Super Cat, and one of the most recognizable voices in reggae, Barrington Levy.
This will be Buju Banton's fourth time gracing the world famous stage. Last year he played to a capacity crowd of over 5,000 energetic patrons that included former New York Knick and Jamaican national Patrick Ewing.

Buju Banton and his Shiloh Band are guaranteed to blaze up the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden with a bevy of dancehall classics from Buju's early catalog, as well as roots, lovers and other selections from his critically acclaimed albums 'Til Shiloh, Inna Heights, Unchained Spirit, Friends For Life and Too Bad.

The Mother's Day Reggae Festival is brought to you by veteran Caribbean radio personality Dahved Levy through his Devonish Promotions company, with partner GB God Bless.

Music icon Buju Banton's Inna Heights 10th Anniversary Edition is even better the second time around! The follow up to Banton's classic 'Til Shiloh album, Inna Heights, originally released in 1997, furthered the artist's exploration of roots Reggae with such spiritually enriching tunes as "Destiny," "Hills & Valleys," "Give I Strength" "Love Sponge" and "Close One Yesterday."

The digitally remastered Inna Heights 10th Anniversary Edition boasts 3 previously unreleased tracks from the time period: "Bad Boy", "Politics Time Again" and "Situations" featuring Morgan Heritage. The 2 disc deluxe package also includes a bonus DVD containing 40 minutes of rare live footage from Reggae Sumfest, circa 1996.

WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING:

"Whether crooning bible verses on 'Destiny' or rattling a cappella about social inequality ('Circumstances'), he doesn't so much vocalize as emote, radiating intensity with every syllable...This reissue features and a live-performance DVD showcasing Buju in his element: onstage in Jamaica, exhorting and electrifying." -- Blender Magazine

(New York, NY//Kingston, JA) 1, January 2008) Operating as a true independent record label, Gargamel Music, Inc., is especially proud to announce that our founder and CEO - Jamaican music icon Buju Banton, ranked a cool #8 on Billboard magazine's Top Reggae Artists chart for 2007. His critically acclaimed album Too Bad, which actually dropped on September 12, 2006, slid in at #12 on the publication's Top Reggae Albums chart for 2007.

Billboard's charts are based on a combination of sales and airplay in the United States. Banton's first pure dancehall project in over a decade, Too Bad held court on their Top Reggae Albums chart for 37 weeks. The album's smash single "Driver A" also steered it's way onto the Billboard Hot 100 R&B & Hip-Hop Songs chart for six weeks, peaking at #75.

Back in Jamaica, Banton is presently heating up the local charts with a one-off dancehall gem "Tell Dem Don't Follow" (Heart Of Love), which moved up a notch this past week to #4 on Richie B's weekly Jamaica Music Countdown on Hot 102 FM. Also starting to make waves at home and abroad is the tough new Buju tune "Cowboys" on the classic rub-a-dub 3 Blind Mice riddim.

Buju Banton
(New York, NY//Kingston, JA) 18, December 2007) Gargamel Music, Inc., in association with Penthouse Music and VP Music Group, is proud to announce a very special Buju Banton release:
the Inna Heights - 10th Anniversary Edition, set to drop worldwide on Tuesday, January 8th.

The follow up to Banton's classic 'Til Shiloh album, Inna Heights, originally released in November 1997, furthered the artist's exploration of Roots Reggae with such spiritually enriching tunes as "Destiny," "Hills & Valleys," "Give I Strength" and "Close One Yesterday." The album received rave reviews from a host of international media outlets, including Rolling Stone magazine.

By Iana Seales

It had all the ingredients of a good show - quality performances, massive support and mostly clean music - but the highly anticipated Guyana Music Festival clearly lacked the core item of local talent, which was in very short supply.

But even that was insufficient to put a damper on things and when the curtains came down at around 3 am yesterday morning, the $3000 that the majority of persons parted with, was exhausted mainly due to one man and a band with a music career much older than three quarters of the huge crowd.

'Gargamel' Buju Banton and Third World rocked the show so hard the vibrations probably shifted a few seats in the Guyana National Stadium. Combined the two powerhouses belted out sounds so sweet and conscious it was difficult to determine the best reggae performance of the night. But the night certainly belonged to the dreadlocked, still very much homophobic Jamaican dancehall star, who had no apologies for his discriminatory lyrics lashing the gay community.

"Buju nah like no batty boy and dem batty boy attack Buju", the singer said to an adulating audience who seemed to have been waiting for that exact moment. And perhaps feeling the vibes of the embracing crowd and the urge to sing his controversial song, "Boom boom bye", the singer belted out a few of the lyrics nearing the close of his performance.

But Buju was not the only performer to have walked that line. Kiprich, another Jamaican star who appeared much earlier in the night also sang out against the gay community and the audience largely enjoyed it.

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