Konshens Brand Ambassador for Pepsi Jamaica

Konshens/Pepsi Bubbla shoot

Pepsi Jamaica has made one of Jamaica Dancehall/Reggae's most potent artiste Konshens, it new Brand Ambassador.  According to a release Brand Manager Carla Hollingsworth said of the deal that Konshens is the ideal choice and perfect fit for the brand, "Konshens is an extremely talented, ambitious, young entertainer.  He has shown his skill on the stage and in musical circles he has demonstrated professionalism and dedication some of the attributes that we like to see here at Pepsi." Hollingsworth further added, "He will be a part of the re-launch of Pepsi Bubbla campaign, which we are ecstatic.  We will also have Konshens as the face of the Pepsi Music Platform for major events."

As Konshens secure the endorsements, he also prepare to launch a second album which will be entitled Hotel Room.  Konshens carved his own niche in Dancehall and became a popular artiste who is known for a string of hits that includes tracks such as, This Means Money, Good Girl Gone Bad ft. Tarrus Riley, Realest Song, Gyal A Bubble and Do Sumn.  Konshens recently performed alongside Sean Paul on the Arsenio Hall show in New York city.

NIPnews Archives Konshens Konshens on America's Next Top Model 

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Tessanne Chin's first outdoor performance in New York City since 'The Voice'

Tessanne

The wait is over! Almost three months after winning the 5th installment of NBC's "The Voice' competition, Jamaican songbird Tessanne Chin will get her first opportunity to perform for her many fans in the tri-state area when she headlines the first annual Oracabessa Festival - 'A Celebration of Caribbean Culture' - at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, NY on Memorial Day, Monday May 26, 2014.  Beenieman, Konshens and Assassin will also be performing on the event.

"We are just thrilled to have the opportunity to present Tessanne and her fans in her very first, full length performance in the tri-state area," said event organizer Bobby Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam radio. "Irie Jam radio has had a long relationship with Tessanne and her sister Tami.  We were strong supporters during her journey on "The Voice," encouraging radio listeners to vote each week.  She is an extremely talented singer and the sky is the limit in terms of what she can achieve in the music industry" he noted.

Tessanne's anticipated performance in New York is expected to attract large support from her Caribbean fan base as well as garner mainstream attention.  The "Hideaway" singer has been a regular fixture on American television since her first appearance on "The Voice" last September.  Shortly after her victory, she was interviewed in New York by Matt Lauer of NBC'S Today Show.  She also appeared on the Kathie Lee and Hoda show, Live with Kelly and Michael, Access Hollywood and New York Live.  On New Year's Day, she was back on NBC, this time making an appearance at the popular Rose Bowl in California.

Her last performance in the USA was on March 6th in Washington DC where she was a special guest of US President Barack Obama and wife, Michelle Obama at the White House 'Women of Soul' concert where she delivered a scintillating performance of the Donna Summer classic "Last Dance." The program, which will be broadcast April 7 on PBS, included performances by Melissa Etheridge, Aretha Franklin, Ariana Grande, Janelle Monae and Jill Scott.
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Asante Amen's upcoming UK visit and album 'Chapter'

Asante Amen is anticipating the release of his sophomore album 'Chapter' later this year, under the Boom One Records imprint.  The album consists of 9 tracks and features the likes of Lutan Fyah, Leaf of Life and the Kurfew Band.  The precise release date for the album has not yet been set, but even before that is finalized and made public, look out for at least two singles off the album soon to be released.

The 'Chapter' represents some of the best work from Asante to date and in his view, best explains who he is as an artist and what his objectives are.  So remember to look out for 'Chapter' by Asante Amen in your favourite digital store or Reggae website.

Asante Amen is also preparing for a visit to the UK for promotional purposes.  He is already scheduled to perform at the Hootananny, Brixton on April 6 and will be spending as much time as is necessary to network and promote his music.  Asante Amen says that this is a formula he plans to take to other countries as a way of establishing his music and spreading his message.

Contributed

Veteran Dancehall Artiste Frankie Paul stand against Dancehall discrimination

Frankie Paul

Reggae artiste Frankie Paul has resurfaced defending 'Dancehall' the colourful offspring of the Jamaican Reggae music genre.  The singer voiced his opinion on the Run Things label soon to be released single entitled, "It's Not Dancehall'  and spoke to the Jamaica Observer 17/3/14 about the music.  Frankie Paul defended Dancehall saying, "I don't know where they got the idea that Dancehall music promotes crime.  Dancehall has always been about life and fun." These implications have come on the heels of the recent murder conviction of popular Dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel.

According to the article, Frankie Paul admitted in the interview with the Jamaica Observer that there are indeed songs that overstep moral and social boundaries, but believes censorship should be left to a regulatory body such as the Broadcasting Commission, not the police or courts.

As the criticisms spiralled across various media understandably, another underlying fact is that media reporting remains unbalanced as it relates to day to day stride and/or progress made by other Dancehall artistes to right the wrong or what can be done to capitalize on a multi-million dollar industry.  Recently Dancehall icon Bounty Killer retweeted fans who congratulated him and Busy Signal on their performance and demonstration of bringing about change in Dancehall, as popular Dancehall artistes at the recent Mountain View Jamboree. 
The Tweets:

Indian @indianzilla · Mar 16

@busysignal_turf @GrungGaadZillA mi luv how yuh talk to ghetto girlz dem n mek seh fi ole up dem head n do mek nuh artiste come a style dem

Andre Alliance @slicker25 · Mar 16

The Alliance with the boss 5 Star general, Busy Signal and Bling Dwag show that unity is strength @GrungGaadZillA

Popcaan who is said to currently have a case in court, recently performed in Ghana's 40,000 capacity Accra Sport Stadium to a full house while Sean Paul's performance with Konshens on the America late night Arsenio Hall Show, remains an historic, major and positive public display of the genre.

Popcaan tweeted a section of the crowd at Accra Stadium

The international news coverage of Vybz Kartel's conviction recently although negative, attest to the fact that Dancehall has a mass attention span and while there might be problems in some aspect of it, has grown considerably over the years.

Frankie Paul laments to the Jamaica Observer his other concerns were, that although offending provisions were removed from the anti-gang legislation, they remain under the Offences Against the Person Act, and carry heavy penalties for lyrics which the courts deem offensive.  

With every business comes problems, issues, challenges likened by this writer with the popular Jamaican proverb 'di higher the monkey climb the more him a$$ expose.' In the case of the Jamaican Dancehall genre, saying it's dead will not stop the young artistes coming up to strive further than Vybz Kartel or those before him.  It will not stop the artistes who are already in the business and making a living from it and it will not stop the millions of fans who enjoy the music from supporting it. Hip-Hop music is big business in America and received similar flax and what has Hip-Hop artistes done? They become even more creative and this is what is happening now, Dancehall artistes are becoming more creative and like all other potential 'artistic' brands in Jamaica deserve more than second chances, Dancehall deserves as much chances it takes to get it right.

Frankie Paul's argument on the issue of Dancehall is wholesome, he became one of Dancehall's leading artist during the 1980s and 1990s with hits such as 'I Know'The Score,' 'Sarah,' 'Head to Toe,' 'Pass The Tu-Sheng-Peng,' and 'Worries in the Dance.'  In 1994, he settled in Gambia after performing at a show in that African country. Frankie Paul is visually impaired.

Excerpts: The Jamaica Observer

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