John Legend guest stars on Reality Time - Sunday, July 26th

RnB powerhouse and 6 time grammy award winner John Legend is the very special guest on next weeks Reality Time on Bigupradio.com. Hosted by the furious DJ Kurious and might MC Taiyefoon, Reality Time brings you the latest reggae news, culture and exclusive interviews each Sunday on Bigupradio's 24/7 dancehall station. Don't miss this special interview and feature with pop star John Legend. John is currently on worldwide tour so check his website for tour dates. Don't miss this show! ONE LOVE About John Legend: John Stephens (born December 28, 1978), better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American recording artist, musician and actor. He is the recipient of six Grammy Awards, and in 2007, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.[2] Prior to the release of his debut album, Legend's career gained momentum through a series of successful collaborations with multiple established artists. Legend added his voice to those of other artists, assisting in them reaching chart-topper hits. He lent his voice to that of Kanye West, on Slum Village's "Selfish", and Dilated Peoples' "This Way". Other artists included Jay-Z's "Encore", and sang backing vocals on Alicia Keys' 2003 song "You Don't Know My Name" and Fort Minor's "High Road." Legend played piano on Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything". Find out more here.

Mark Wonder and Luv Fyah on Reggae Jamdown

Mark Wonder and Luv Fyah make a double interview special on Reggae Jamdown Monday, July 13th on Bigupradio.com Roots Reggae. Catch this show for a special feature with reggae artists Mark Wonder and Luv Fyah. Tune in to the roots station on Monday! ONE LOVE About Mark Wonder: Although Jamaica has no shortage of roots singers, Kingston's Mark Wonder (b. Mark Andrew Thompson) must not go unnoticed. His mother loved soul singers which greatly influenced him and in certain circles, he was expected to fill the void left by Garnett Silk. Wonder's first singles were "Got the Loving That You Want" and "Don't Pressure Me" for the veteran producer Jack Scorpio. Others releases followed soon for many other producers including King Jammy, Blue Mountain, and Jahmaik from Trinity Records. His first album, "Sign of the Times" [Zola & Zola, 1996] was released in 1996, followed by "Jeremiah" for producer Milton Moore [Soundproof, 1998]. A live album in Switzerland [Trinity, 2001] followed suit, and his most recent album "Break the Ice" [Red Bridge, 2005] showcases his talent well. Find out more here. About Reggae Jamdown Its been said that on a Friday afternoon in Humboldt County, you do not even need a radio to hear the sounds of Reggae music. That is because a majority of the radios that are on, are tuned into the "Reggae Jamdown." For two hours, positive vibrations and a continuous mix of Roots, Dub, and Dancehall flow from the university campus to reggae lovers near and far via airwaves and internet. Despite the geographically isolated location, Humboldt County has a relationship with Reggae music that runs as deep as the roots of the ancient Redwood trees that surround the area. The region hosts one of the most well respected Reggae music festivals outside of Jamaica, and is an essential stop for musicians touring the West Coast throughout the year.  The "Reggae Jamdown" comes to BigUpRadio.com from the fertile hills and valleys of Northern California built on a tradition of community supported radio and an authentic love for Reggae music. Look forward to starting your week with big tunes from past, present, and future mixed by DJ Dub Cowboy and special guests. The "Reggae Jamdown" airs MONDAYS at 3am, 9am, 3pm, and 9pm EDT onBigUpRadio.com Roots About DJ Dub Cowboy DJ Dub Cowboy makes home with his wife and children in Arcata, California at the Northern end of Humboldt County. He is a recent business graduate from Humboldt State University specializing in radio and video production. In between spinning records on the radio and in the clubs he is planning a carbon-neutral DJ studio to be based in Arcata. More mixes, more love, more FIRE!!! Massive Respect

Must Have New Dennis Brown & DJ's Album Out Now

Dennis Brown & The DJ's - The Joe Gibbs 12" Selections is the second half of this special double album collection of 12" selections. Kicking of with "Equal Rights", Dennis Brown and Big Youth go toe to toe in extended fashion. "Running Up And Down" is a driving dubwise roots riddim featuring first Dennis Brown's vocal stylings before Big Youth returns to run away with the riddim. Love is in the air on "How Could I Leave", signature D. Brown with Prince Mohammed adding deejay power to the lover's argument. "Girl I've Got A Date" has Dennis Brown reprising the Alton Ellis classic on a song made even more special by the deejay Trinity getting playful on the 'part 2'. And the all time fan favorite, "Money In My Pocket" is made all the more valuable by Prince Mohammed coming in on the 12" selection only found here on Dennis Brown & The DJ's - The Joe Gibbs 12" Selections. "Man Next Door" has the Crown Prince of Reggae leading the listener over a blues-influenced riddim before the door is opened for Welton Irie to talk the talk and walk the walk. The lover's reggae anthem, "Your Love's Got A Hold On Me", sees Dennis Brown tearing up the heavy bass line and sharp horn riffs before concluding the album with "I Can't Stand It", another thumping bass-driven riddim for the immortal Crown Prince of Reggae and Little U Brown to spar on. With 11 artists over 11 tracks representing more than 60 minutes of music, Dennis Brown & The DJ's - The Joe Gibbs 12" Selections is a comprehensive album and a must have for reggae and world music fans everywhere.

Truckback Records New Sparkplug Riddim Firing On All Cylinders

Truckback Records is pleased to release its latest dancehall riddim to radio and media worldwide. Featuring the hottest names in the business from Beenie Man, to Mr. Vegas, Elephant Man to Erup as well as newcomers Shaq The MC, Deh Deh and Gargamel recording artist New Kidz, the Sparkplug Riddim is full of the energetic grooves Jamaica's relentless creativity is known for. Beenie Man, the ultimate and affable entertainer, is all vibes on "Draw Me Out" while Elephant Man's "You Caan" lives up to his 'Energy God' label without question. Spice, the female DJ of the day, combines sexiness and sassiness on "Swear" as Sizzla, the legend in the making, turns the tables on the haves versus the have-nots with "More Riches". Truckback's newest discovery, Shaq The MC, combines R&B grooves with his own unique lyrical flow for a catchy melodic song that is guaranteed to be a summer hit. And Erup (whose "Click My Finger" music video is now circulating to international acclaim everywhere) follows up with "Fight", a track that possesses one-of-a-kind crescendos that will ram the dance floor. Mr. Vegas' smart style is on full display with "Life Alright" and the new duo on the rise, Deh Deh, make nice with the Hip Hop-influenced "Sharp". Terminal DG's "Kinda Wicked" shows complete determination and passion and of course Anthony B, Deva Bratt and Mr. Peppa also contribute outstanding tracks. The musical creativity of Truckback producers Steve and Adrian Locke (Erup "Click My Finger", Baijie "That's Life") is firing on all cylinders with the Sparkplug Riddim. Every dance, party and radio program needs a spark this summer and Truckback's Sparkplug Riddim is the answer! TRUCKBACK MYSPACE SPARKPLUG RIDDIM 01- BEENIE MAN - DRAW ME OUT 02 - ELEPHANT MAN-YOU CAAN 03 - SHAQ the MC - MY TIME NOW 04 - ERUP - FIGHT 05 - MR. VEGAS - LIFE ALRIGHT 06 - SIZZLA - MORE RICHES 07 - SPICE -SWEAR 08 - DEH DEH -SHARP 09 - ANTHONY B -TIGHT 10 - NEW KIDZ - WA DAT! 11 - DEVA BRATT - TRACKLE  12 - MR PEPPA - JOURNEY 13 - VERSITYLE - SEH DEM A DON 14 - ZEBRA - RIGHT AWAY 15 - DICK TRACY - CAMERA TRICK 16 - TERMINAL DG -KINDA WICKED 17 - SPARK PLUG RIDDIM (version) - truckback records

amps Morgan Releases New Album '2 Sides of My Heart Vol. 1'

Kingston, Jamaica - June 30, 2009 - On a mission to "heal the world through music", 2 Sides of My Heart Vol. 1, the highly anticipated solo-debut album from Gramps Morgan will be released exclusively on July 7th 2009 at grampsmorgan.com where fans can purchase the CD before the album's world-wide release on August 4th.   To commemorate his solo debut, Dada Son Entertainment will host a listening party for industry tastemakers and shakers on the 7th which also happens to be Gramps' birthday; festivities take place @ Club Pure in Jamaica. In a time when reggae music is in a state of dejection and dancehall lyrics are redundant, Gramps Morgan proves positive music can still top the charts; and he did with 'Wash the Tears', the first single from the album.  #1 in Canada for 4 consecutive weeks on CHRY 105.5 FM, 'Wash the Tears' also debuted at #8 on Under Pressure's Top 20 Singles Chart in Italy, before it began charting in Toronto, New York and South Florida simultaneously, peaking in the latter two cities at the #3 & 4 spots, respectively.  The video also debuted at #2 on Riddim Jamaica's Weekly Top 12 Video Chart. Gramps Morgan remains dedicated to conscious Roots Reggae & Lovers Rock as he expands his horizons to new markets. Currently on India Arie's Soul Bird Tour, Gramps continues to impress audiences across North America with his distinctive sound. Gramps appears on "Therapy", the second single from Arie's "Testimony Vol.2 Love and Politics" album. In its first week of sales, 'Therapy' was the most downloaded track. Fans can look forward to the accompanying video soon. In the meantime,  Gramps' reggae-remix of the song appears on 2 Sides of My Heart Vol. 1. Following the release of 2 Sides of My Heart Vol. 1, Gramps Morgan will accompany John Legend and India Arie this summer on his Revolver Tour in addition to performing his own solo dates including: Chicago on July 4th; Atlanta on July 10th; Charlotte, North Carolina on July 11th. Canadians can look forward to his appearance in Toronto on Aug 2nd. Gramps will also appear on Buju Banton and Friends alongside his brother, Peetah Morgan, Burning Spear, Shabba Ranks, and Queen Ifrika at Madison Square Garden on August 7; Sept 6 at the award winning, Irie Jamboree, York College - Queens, New York. more concert listings   Most of 2 Sides of My Heart Vol. 1 is self-produced though Gramps also collaborates with producers he's worked with in the past including Bobby "Digital" Dixon, Buju "Gargamel" Banton and Kemar "Flava" McGregor. He also collaborates with Grammy Award winning producer, Shannon Sanders. 2 Sides of My Heart Vol. 1 takes a closer look at this burgeoning solo artist who has emerged ready to take things to another level. Fans can expect Vol. 2, a full R&B/Pop/Country album to be released in 2010.

Bescenta dominating with new single 'Genuine War'

Singer Bescenta continues his mission of peace-calling under hit making production house Uplifting Music International (UMI), who has been working with the artiste since 2006. Last year, UMI signed the singer to a management contract and together they have been making and releasing excellent, chart-riding music.     "We are proud to work with Bescenta," said UMI CEO, Africa. "He is a very dedicated and focused artiste and only produces great music."     Among Bescenta's new hit singles is the big tune 'War' ('Too Much Killing'), recorded on the Sons of Spoon label and rhythm, which also features I-Wayne, Nesbeth and George Nooks, among others.     'War' is scheduled to be videoed by mid-summer and the video production label Thirteenth Tribe is said to be responsible for making it all happen. Not yet released, 'War' has been getting some good radio play.     "When yuh hear the chorus it is straight to the point, stop the killing. Killing is on a high not just in Jamaica but worldwide. We know the problem is not limited to Jamaica. You have nuclear war threat, gun manufacturing and you know the whole thing start from gun manufacturing. Some can't buy food and a buy gun. So the biggest solution really is to stay away from guns. Without people use, the mechanism gun has no use," Bescenta reasoned.      Bescenta broke into the music with 'Mama Told Me', a song that reiterated the warnings he received from his mother "to stay clear of bad company". After a few not so popular, or less promoted singles, the Rastafarian DJ found another hit in the "hot head" consoling 'Calm Down Your Nerve'. Despite the song's appeal to murderous blood-letters to "calm down their nerve" and cease the killing and preserve life, the song also hints to possible reasons for the rise of crime.     Bescenta, who has been enjoying label tag and management from UMI's CEO Africa and producer/manager Damion Allen with professionalism and some good recordings, is anticipating a summer album release of his debut album 'Calm Down Your Nerves'.     "I love working with UMI, we are on the right track, everything is alright, everything is professional," the singer said.     Already he has released equally potent singles of varying topics from the album. Some of the fifteen tracks plus bonus expected are 'Too Much Killing', 'Calm Down Your Nerves', 'Fire In A Di Heavens', 'Genuine', 'For I Hold A Joy', 'Hungry Lane', 'Alright' and 'Fields Of Green'.     Bescenta, who seemed eager to get his music to his fans, also toasted 'Genuine', a label he proudly pins on women, the subject of the song.     "'Genuine' is really a song complimenting the family, the woman and strong family values, because keeping the family together is not easy so this is like a love solution. Look out for the video for this one," the singer touts.     Regarding the album, Bescenta gives props to musicians Dean Fraser, Clive Hunt and Sly & Robbie and says, "a little bit of everything, world issues" can be expected from the album.       Next to the chart topping 'Calm Down Yuh Nerves', 'War' is currently Bescenta's biggest song and comes as a follow up to 'Calm Down Yuh Nerves', which is still reigning, getting heavy chart action on New York, South Florida and Jamaica Music Countdown charts, while CVM TV celebrated its video as number one.     "In the streets when I perform it I get a good response from the people.  I did it in Grants Pen on Sunday and they loved it. Even though they say these areas are violent, the people dem a sing the song. Everybody needs to be freed from these things. Which is just one of the problems, there is a message in all the songs," Bescenta tells.     Bescenta is expected to join other artistes and an array of big bad sound systems for promotion 'Reset' with Stone Love, DJ Shawn and Rebel T.      In the meantime, Bescenta promises "good music straight with no disappointment to my fans" and "big ups to his management, DJ Shawn who hits the street with me, all selectors and disc jockeys".

Barrington Levy New Digital Release of 'Broader Than Broadway' Out Now

One Time Music and Zojak World Wide are glad to be part of the Barrington Levy experience with the digital release of Broader Than Broadway: The Best of Barrington Levy. On this best of collection, pioneering and genre crossing dancehall vocalist Barrington Levy includes his biggest hits recorded for the biggest producers of the era (The Mighty Two, George Phang, Junjo Lawes, Black Scorpio, etc). Broader Than Broadway: The Best of Barrington Levy is now available on Itunes and etailers worldwide. From the opening "Here I Come (Broader Than Broadway)", which is included on Saints Row 2 and Grand Theft Auto 3: San Andreas and features his unparalleled vocal stylings, the album showcases exactly why Barrington Levy has been called the Godfather of dancehall reggae. The herbalist anthem, "Under Mi Sensi" (also the biggest hit on the African Beat/Jah Works riddim), followed by the wicked grooves of the Mighty Two-produced "Teach The Youth" as well as "Prison Oval Rock", "Shine Eye Gal" and "Bounty Hunter" recorded for Henry 'Junjo' Lawes, are all classic examples of Levy and crucial reasons for dancehall reggae's international appeal. Barrington demonstrates his versatility on the lover's production of "The Vibes Is So Nice" before launching into the straight-talking and melodic "Too Experienced" and the bass driven "Minibus". "Money Move", one of George Phang's early 80s hits with the help of Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare and "She's Mine", recorded in the late 80s for Black Scorpio not to mention the 1990s remix of "Here I Come", show just how 'broad' this album really is. Indeed, Broader Than Broadway: The Best of Barrington Levy is a collection of not just Barrington Levy's best but also the best classic dancehall has to offer, then and now. 1    Here I Come (Broader Than Broadway) 2    Under Mi Sensi 3    Teach The Youth 4    Prison Oval Rock 5    Shine Eye Girl 6    Bounty Hunter 7    The Vibes Is Right 8    Too Experienced 9    Minibus (On The Telephone) 10    Money Move 11    She's Mine 12    You Have Caught Me 13    Here I Come (1990 Remix) SOUL OF THE LION PUBLICITY