Sean Paul Set to Release New Album Imperial Blaze

Sean Paul announced Friday (April 24) that he will release his first album in three years, "Imperial Blaze," on August 18 through VP/Atlantic Records. To mark the occasion, the Grammy-winning dancehall artist released a new song entitled "So Fine" on his official website, allseanpaul.com.

What is the true meaning of Dancehall Reggae

Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music which developed in the 1970's. initially as a more sparse and less political and religious variation of Reggae.

Dancehall Music is called dancehall because of the consumption that it "Makes People Want to Dance"

Dancehall is form that historically comes from Jamaica reflection of social injustice, repatriation and Rastafari beliefs. Lyrics touch on the subject matter of dancing, violence and explicit sexuality.

Two of the biggest artist of the dancehall era was Yellowman and Eek a Mouse. Two of the biggest deejay stars of the early dancehall era, Yellowman and Eek-a-Mouse, chose humour rather than violence, with both becoming huge stars, and Yellowman the first Jamaican deejay ever to be signed to a major American label, and for a time enjoying a level of popularity in Jamaica to rival Bob Marley.

Dancehall has different forms Conscious and hardcore Reggae. Conscious reggae is more deep rooted and culture rooted.More of a singing melody. Regular reggae has the inflences of Hip-Hop, Pop Culture and Punk Rock.

To me dancehall is universal to Carribbean people because of the close relevance to what the artist is saying. Most people complain that they dont understand what the artist is saying. I believe its all a mine thing because some speaks with an accent does not mean what there saying is not english. For example I dont speak Haitian but still appreciate a good haitian song.

Dancehall Rips Summer Jam

This sunday(June 6) at Giants Staduim Hot 97 hosted its annual concert" Summer Jam". Dancehalls top 3 artist Mavado,Serani and Elephant Man performed in front of an audience of 50,000 people that packed in the staduim.

All 3 acts did very well on the main stage, Serani's greatly-improved stage presence shone, with his crossover hit No Games proving to be the monster it is. Mavado, representing the hardcore side of Dancehall, stalked the stage commandingly, and was given a great response to hits such as "Whe Dem a Do?" "On the Rock" and "So Special." Elephant Man lived up to his Energy God moniker and had the whole stadium signaling the plane.

You could see people rocking way in the upper tiers at the back when we were on stage" added Serani. Serani says that this was the biggest show of his life. Interestingly Serani's birthday was the same day as the Summer Jam concert and even had the crowd wish him a happy birthday.

I have never been to a summer jam concert but every year I hear it gets better. I have a desire to go to next years Summer Jam because in the past years they have added a dancehall segment that was not there years before.

The Energy God

The Energy God himself Elephant Man has made a name for himself coming from Kingston Jamaica.

Elephant Man exploded on the dancehall scene in 2003 with his hit "Pon Di River" off his album"Good 2 Go".

I believe Elephant Man is the true energy god just because of his appearance. Elephant Man dyed his hair yellow and red.

Elephant Man's performances for shows that i have been to is second to none. Elephant Man enters the stage in some type of prop and allways has a designed entrance. I remember for the Hot 97 Reggae Tip Live show Elephant Man walked on stage with a Hulk outfit on and his whole body was covered in green body paint. Looking like a true hulk.

Elephant Man performs his songs with alot of energy and charisma,whether it be climbing on top of speakers,monitors and performing to jumping in the crowd.

On Labor Day I look forward to seeing Elephant Man on what I think is the most anticpated truck the Hot 97 truck. Elephant Man is always on the truck performing with a host of other dancehall artist that was hot for that year. I have seen for myself Elephant Man come off the top of the Hot 97 truck and jump into the crowd of thousands of people with out any secruity or protection. Which is rare for artist to do just because of the fear they would get robbed or hurt in between the crowd.

Elephant Man has seem to produce hit tracks every year around the same time as Labor Day Weekend. He has produced tracks like "Willie Bounce", "Sweep" and "Nuh Linga" all summer time hits from Elephant Man.

Busy"Hot Head" Signal

Busy "Hot Head" Signal is most known for his dancehall club bangers that people can dance to. Busy Signal starts off every song with his signature saying "Hot Head".

Busy Signal is a elite artist in the dancehall realm. He produces songs for everyone to dance to.

Busy Signal first exploded on the dancehall scene in 2005 with his first hit off his first album" Step Out" named "Step Out". Busy Signals real name is Reanno Gordon, he is from St.Anns Bay, Jamaica. Since then Busy Signal has produced hits such as "Nah Go Jail Again" ,"Unknown Number", Wine Pon Di Edge" ,"These Are The Days" on his next album entitled Loaded which was released in September 2008.

I believe Busy Signal is another artist who is lyrical talented and can product songs about anything. In 2008/2009 Busy Signal has produced tracks entitled"Nah Ansa", "The Ol Chair","Money Tree" "Up In Her Belly". Songs that are not usual names but the lyrics and riddim draws one to listen and appreciate.

Sizzla

Well i am going to blog about the dancehall legend Sizzla Kalonji.

Sizzla is an icon in the dancehall scene who is still to this day producing tracks even though he exploded in 1995.

Sizzla Kalonji is Rastafarian and has been since he was born to 2 Rastafarian parents.

Sizzla is devoted to his religon and was even banned from England because of his beliefs and lyrics about homosexuality. In which he opposes homosexuality completely.


Sizzla Kalonji has released over 45 solo albums and over fifteen combination albums, crossing different genres of reggae.

Sizzla, along with reggae recording artists such as Capleton, Buju Banton, and Anthony B, are credited with leading a movement toward a re-embracement of Rastafarian values in reggae music. By recording material which is concerned primarily with spirituality and social consciousness. About Issues such as police corrupting influence, the disenfranchisement of ghetto youth, oppression of the black nation and Sizzla's abiding faith in God and resistance against perceived agents of oppression.


Sizzla is an icon to me because since i was a little kid. Sizzla has produced songs where the lyrics might be conterversial but i still believe it is his opinion and it is what he believes in. If his lyrics were so irrational then they would sell and people wouldnt want to listen to what he was saying and he wouldnt be a dancehall icon as he is today.

Serani Makes Record Setting Achievements

Serani's biggest hit of 2008" No Games" has jus surpassed Bob Marleys classic"Three Little Birds" at #1 of Americas Reggae Itunes Chart. The hit single has been selling thousands of downloads and ringtones for months. No Games has been on top of the charts with the #1 spot for sometime, but now replaces Bob Marley's anthem which sells an average of 5,500 a week in downloads.

Serani to me is a good dancehall artist he has a different type of voice when he sings. Serani's song games is extremely popular because the riddim it is on calle the unfinished business riddim. Mavado came out with his hit"I Am So Special" and Serani with "No Games" and a host of other artist whos song on the riddim made the riddim one of the years hottest riddim.

Serani is a up and coming artist who comes from the alliance camp but has not got involved with the fued between Gaza Empire and The Alliance.

A Girls Dem Sugar

Another Dancehall Icon Beenie Man.




Beenie Man has been on the dancehall scene since the early 1990's.



Beenie Man was under the influence of legendary artist such as Barrington Levy.




























Beenie Man was born in the Waterhouse District of Kingston,Jamaica. Beenie Man got his start in the 1990's at the Shocking Vibes studio. His Carrer took off after performing at Reggae Sunsplash festival in 1992.



Beenie Man had his first number one single in Jamaica in 1993 with "Matie", and he won the DJ of the Year Award the same year, the first of eight consecutive awards. Beenie Man dominated the dancehall charts in the late 1990's and claimed himself the "Dancehall King".
Beenie Man released hits like this in the 1990's "Romie", "Who Am I","Slam" and "Dancehall Queen".

Beenie Man is one artist that as time goes by in my opinion never gets younger he evolves as the time changes. Beenie Man has released hits in 2008 named,"Gimme Gimme","Pickney Nuh Hold Yuh Down" and "Wine Gyal" all songs that appeal to his biggest fans women.


Beenie Man is set to release a new album this year entitled" The Legend Returns"

Mavado

David Constantine Brooks better known by his stage name Mavado, aka Gully God, is a Jamaican dancehall artist. Born November 30, 1981 He was raised in an area known as "Cuba", a micro ghetto within the heart of Kingston, Jamaica's Cassava Piece community.

Mavado had two major influences in his life that made him want to pursue a career in music. His grandmother who raised him, brought him to church with her each Sunday, and this helped to fuel his love for music. Another influence in his music is his idol, and current label mate Bounty Killer.

Mavado first exploded on the dancehall in 2004 when he teamed up with Daseca productions, where he recorded his song" Real Mckoy" over the anger management riddim. Mavado first biggest hit that went worldwide was his song" A Wah Dem A Do" on the Redbull and Guinness riddim. Mavado later on went to sign a deal with VP Records in 2007 and released his first album in July 2007 Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks. In my opinion Mavado's first album is a classic a cd that can be played from begining to start with out skipping a song Mavado address everything about uplifting your self and expressing his struggles in life from losing his father and growing up in poverty. Mavado released a second album in March of 2009 named Mr. Brooks...A Better Tomorrow with hit tracks such as "I am So Special", " On the Rock","Overcome" "Money Changer" "Real Killa" a diss song aimed towards Vybz Kartel his musical rival.

Mavado is personally my favorite artist in dancehall, i feel like every song he comes out with is hot, he sings about real life things. In videos and interviews he is never snobbish always promotes liberating your self. Mavado promotes going to church believing in god. Mavado is allways seen as humble even in his inteviews talking about his fued with Vybz Kartel. Vybz Kartel has produced songs about Mavado's mother and about his deceased father and Mavado still stays humble did not stoop to his level and retaliated with songs dissing Kartel in other ways.

Vybz Kartel Releases New Album...

Vybz Kartel released his new album " Deh Pan Di Gaza". In March of 2009 with songs about his lyrical enemies from The Alliance recording group.

01. Vybz Kartel - Dream
02. Vybz Kartel - Wah My Grade
03. Vybz Kartel - Addi Addi Addi
04. Vybz Kartel Ft. Troopa - When Mu Buss My Gun
05. Vybz Kartel Ft. Jah Vinci - Middle Day
06. Vybz Kartel Ft. Don Corleon - Kalico
07. Vybz Kartel - Nuh Fraid
08. Vybz Kartel Ft. Lisa Hype - How You Do It Like Dat
09. Vybz Kartel - Selassie I Luv We
10. Vybz Kartel - Mama
11. Vybz Kartel - Money Pon Mi Mind
12. Vybz Kartel - Last Man Standing
13. Vybz Kartel - A Guh Bawl
14. Vybz Kartel - A Wa Do Them
15. Vybz Kartel - Deh Pon Di Gaza 
16. Vybz Kartel - Weh You Feel Fi Say
17. Vybz Kartel - Whine
18. Vybz Kartel - Fling It Pan Mi
19. Vybz Kartel - Wine You Body
20. Vybz Kartel - Bring It To Me
21. Vybz Kartel - Ramping Shop
22. Vybz Kartel - Duggu Duggu
23. Vybz Kartel - Babylon Say Jail For Me
24. Vybz Kartel - Kill Dem
25. Vybz Kartel Ft. Jah Vinci - Weh Dem A Go

Gaza Empire

Gaza Empire also formally known as Portmore Empire consists of the some of dance hall and reggae's up and coming artist. Gaza Empire is lead by the reggae idiol Vybz Kartel. Vybz Kartel had exploded on the dance hall seen in 2005.
Most reggae followers would remember him from his fight with Ninja Man at the the Jamaican concert Sting 2005. Vybz Kartel came out under the mentor ship of Bounty Killer but left Bounty Killer's alliance due to disagreements.
Kartel started his own mucic group called "Gaza Empire" which consists of up and coming artist such as,Blak Ryno ,Jah Vinci ,Popcaan ,Lisa Hype ,Shawn Storm ,Doza Medicine and Jefferey Hype.
Gaza Empie is often criticzed for the name its self, they are seen as people who dont worship god at all.
Gaza Empires biggest up and coming artist besides Vybz Kartel is Blak Ryno, Jah Vinci and Popcaan. This year alone Gaza Empire has released more videos then they did last year.

Kartel & Mavado

This year Dancehall has spread all over the world. Jamaican born artists like Vybz Kartel and Mavado started off the year with Sting 2008. A concert to determine who is better. The concert was considered a draw,Mavado's camp(The Alliance) says Mavado won because Vybz Kartel recieved consecutive boos from the fans.Kartel's camp(Gaza Empire) believes he won simply because of the Mavado left the stage before Kartel was able to finish. The confrontation that happen in Jamaica between the Kartel and Mavado results was felt all over the world. I feel the winner of sting was none of the artist. Both Mavado and Kartel did there thing and they made sting a good show, showing off all there lyrical talent.

I believe that Mavado and Vybz Kartel have two different styles of producing dancehall music. Mavado in my opinion is one of the top dancehall artist in the dancehall game right now.Mavado is an artist who usually has a catchy hook in his songs. Mavado represents a newer meaning of dancehall were he sings about up lifting people from poverty. Mavado's biggest hit this year on the bill boards was "I' Am So Special".


Were Vybz Kartel is more of a lyrical assassin were he kills his opponnets with his creative lyrics and sayings.