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Kross Kolor Records already in Mashramani mode

Set to release Wine Till Yuh Drop 5

KKR KrewWhile everyone is thinking Christmas, the people at Kross Kolor Records are thinking of Guyana’s premier festival- Mashramani 2010.

This publication has learnt from inside sources that the KKR crew will be pre-releasing four tracks off of their just completed ‘Wine till yuh Drop 5′ Album on the Devil Doer Rhythm.

Here again producer Burchmore Simon continues to name this series of releases after the various roots and herbs of his beloved Guyana.

First there was Sarsperilla, then Koction, followed by Kapadulla, then last year Teasam and now Devil Doer.

This year’s album features Vanilla, Adrian Dutchin, Compton Hodge, Big Red, Jumo, B 52, G Money and Passion.

In the Caribbean, Barbadian Peter Ram of “White Pants Tight” and “Pumping” fame is working on his track and Qupid of St Lucia is completing hers.

Guyana Baboo Terry Gajraj is also excited about the Devil Doer and may be using it for some of his music.  Like the previous rhythms a video medley will compliment the release of the album.

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‘Karmaholics’ brace yourself! Karma returns for two shows

It seems that Guyana cannot get enough of the hottest Trinidad chutney crossover sensations band. With a show dubbed ‘The return of Karma’ the Band with lead singers Ravi and Neisha B is headed Guyana’s way for two shows on December 4 and 5 at the Providence Stadium and the Albion ground.

DJ Stress is the promoter with sponsorship from Gizmos and gadgets, GT and T and Caribbean Airlines.

The band last entertained at the stadium on August 27 at the Jamzone Summer Break Chutney invasion. As they did then the band members are promising that “fans can expect a mind blowing performance that will leave them spellbound.”
The group from the Twin Island Republic is promising old and new hits and noted that “the band constantly churns out new stuff because of the high demand for them across Trinidad and North America.”
Encouraging all despite of ethnic origin to come out for both shows, band officials said Guyanese should not miss the opportunity to witness this spectacular performance, which includes genres of music such as chutney, soca, hip hop, reggae, urban, pop, and Bollywood all presented in true Caribbean style.
Since its inauguration Karma has produce nine albums, namely Evolution, A.B.C (Another Bad Creation) Party Mix, Secret 48, Karma Mangalam, Destiny, Karmasutra, Destiny 2, Destiny 3 and Karmasutra 2.0.

They have secured a place in the chutney and soca industry with hits such as Jepp Singh, Gul Yuh Start Meh, Rum is Meh Lover, Wine on Meh, and Dularie Nanny.

Ravi B is the live wire of the band. He is one of the most popular Indian male artistes in Trinidad and Tobago because of his versatility and charming personality. He is the youngest musical producer, director, arranger, singer and one of the most sought after musical programmer.

Ravi started singing at the age of 13 and ever since this young artiste has just kept on aspiring. He attended the Sangre Grande Hindu School, North Eastern College, University of the West Indies and he is attempting to complete his degree in Business Administration (A.B.E.). Currently at the age of 25, he is the lead vocalist, music director, producer and arranger for the popular Caribbean fused music band. He is also a top radio personality with Trinidad and Tobago’s leading East Indian radio station, 90.5fm.

This young superstar was always inspired by international artistes like Kumar Sanu, Sonu Nigam, Eminem and Machel Montano, but what inspires him the most is his parents, his brother Anil, sisters Nalini and Nisha,his love for music and most importantly God. Ravi has toured the Caribbean, North America, Canada, Guyana, Europe and Suriname; representing Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, chutney and soca.

Some of his greatest achievements includes performing along side Nitin Mukesh in 1996, Shah Rukh Khan in 1999, forming Karma in 2002 together with his Father, Brother, and Sister (“Jeewanlal, Anil, and Nisha Bissambhar”), joining the 90.5 FM family in 2002, played music for Kumar Sanu at the 90.5 FM cook out competition in 2004, the 3rd of December 2005 where he was chosen to open the Bollywood Music Awards, the Bollywood Movie Awards 2006, received Best Sounding Band at Unifest 2006 in Miami, having his own concert for Father’s day annually and singing with Babul Supriyo on the same stage at Zen.

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Miss Guyana World on a safari and on the catwalk

Miss GuyanaMiss Guyana World Imarah Radix is on the hunt for a chance among the finalists in the Miss World competition which is just a week away

This week, she participated in the Top Model competition but didn’t place; that prize went to Miss Mexico.  So, she has not been fast-tracked to the list of finalists, but she stands in the same position as 90-plus other delegates; so it’s not the end of the world.

While she is at it, she might as well enjoy the bliss that comes with being a Miss World contestant. And what is Africa without a safari?

Miss World contestant’s spent two days at Legend Safari Resort and got to experience the wild African bush in the luxury golf resort. The 22,000 hectare game reserve has the ‘Big Five’ and is in Waterberg Biosphere. The contestants spent the days on safari seeing animals in the wild as well as getting up close with some of the younger animals reared on the reserve.

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GT Road march Queen Vanilla does it again

VanillaIt seems that there are simply no boundaries for young Guyanese daughter Melissa Vanilla Roberts. The two times Road March Queen and second place winner in this year’s Soca Monarch competition is now a Certified “International Sports Science Association” trainer with an outstanding 86% in her final exams. This is the latest in a series of successes for Vanilla this year.

She has been pretty low profile after Mashramani and with good reason too. Thanking her supporters, she successfully completed her first aid and Adult CPR courses, placed second in this year’s Miss Body Fitness competition and has established ‘V Fitness,’ an entity dedicated to providing personal training services.

Vanilla also completed The University of Guyana/ Ohio University Television production Workshop a three week programme hosted by the two Universities and saw attendance by many media operatives.

The question that has been asked often enough is whether she was still pursuing a singer career? The answer is yes. She has recently released a single titled ‘Pressure’ which is played regularly on local radio and is receiving steady rotation in the Caribbean. In addition Vanilla will be releasing three new songs and supporting videos for Mash 2010. She also has five songs on an album “Tropical Caribbean Party” featuring fifteen tracks produced by Kross Kolor Artistes and released in Amsterdam/ Holland September 2009.

What’s next for this lady? She is eagerly looking forward to entering the Soca Monarch and Road March competitions come 2010. She is also enjoying applying her skills she recently acquired to filming and editing the new video releases by KKR and generally getting set to pursue her many and varied ambitions.

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GT Road march Queen Vanilla does it again

It seems that there are simply no boundaries for young Guyanese daughter Melissa Vanilla Roberts. The two times Road March Queen and second place winner in this year’s Soca Monarch competition is now a Certified “International Sports Science Association” trainer with an outstanding 86% in her final exams. This is the latest in a series of successes for Vanilla this year.

She has been pretty low profile after Mashramani and with good reason too. Thanking her supporters, she successfully completed her first aid and Adult CPR courses, placed second in this year’s Miss Body Fitness competition and has established ‘V Fitness,’ an entity dedicated to providing personal training services.

Vanilla also completed The University of Guyana/ Ohio University Television production Workshop a three week programme hosted by the two Universities and saw attendance by many media operatives.

The question that has been asked often enough is whether she was still pursuing a singer career? The answer is yes. She has recently released a single titled ‘Pressure’ which is played regularly on local radio and is receiving steady rotation in the Caribbean. In addition Vanilla will be releasing three new songs and supporting videos for Mash 2010. She also has five songs on an album “Tropical Caribbean Party” featuring fifteen tracks produced by Kross Kolor Artistes and released in Amsterdam/ Holland September 2009.

What’s next for this lady? She is eagerly looking forward to entering the Soca Monarch and Road March competitions come 2010. She is also enjoying applying her skills she recently acquired to filming and editing the new video releases by KKR and generally getting set to pursue her many and varied ambitions.

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Car and Bike: from the sleek to the ridiculous

The Ninth Annual Hits and Jam (HJ) Car and Bike show proved to be a spectacle as participants turned out in moderate number for the yearly event held at the Everest Cricket ground.

Most vehicles were more or less similar to those of last year with huge sound systems, a number of flat screen TVs and spinning rims; same trends, different year. Some cars however took the cake and went overboard when their owners decided to put odd twists to their outrageous vehicles.

One in particular, PEE 1820, chose to place his sound system above the engine of his car, in front of the windscreen. The layers upon layers of speakers of varying sizes totally blocked the view of the driver, who had to be assisted onto the stage at the show.

However onto results.

After being crowned Car Show King, PLL 2679 drove away with the second place prizes in the categories of Best Car and Cleanest Car.

First places for the Best Car and Cleanest Car categories went to PKK 1262. The Best Antique Car and Cleanest Antique Car first place prizes went P 6834, while CF 2152 took second place in the Best Antique Car category.

A yellow SSR Chevrolet was given first place for the Super Car or SUV category, while first place for Best SUV went to PKK 9891 and second place to GKK 2220 won second place for Cleanest SUV, the only prizes for the three vehicles. PKK 7183 won second place in the Best SUV category, but copped first prize in the category for Cleanest SUV.

CF 3371 was a clear favorite as it took away all the first place prizes in the Best Antique Bike, Best Bike, Cleanest Bike and Cleanest Antique Bike categories, while CF 2152 came second in each of the Best Bike, Cleanest Bike and Cleanest Antique Bike categories.

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Kartel ‘Keep the Peace Fest’ next Friday

Lovers of the vibes dished by Vybz Kartel and his Portmore Empire will get a second serving on the local shores on next Saturday December 12 at the National Park. However while many have voiced strong objection to the lyrical content of some of the artiste’s songs the Kartel camp is reporting that it’s just for entertainment purposes.

Reports from promoters Conscious Minds and Hits and Jams are that if all goes well School children  in uniform may be treated to a free ‘Vybz Kartel Keep the peace concert’ next Friday at a venue to be announced. Sources in the promoters camp say the show is being organised to help erase the many myths associated gangs that has cause many youths to become violent.

Word from the Kartel Camp is that gaza will be coming in a positive way for all to enjoy themselves regardless of their choosing.

Word from promoters is that “if the ‘keep the peace’ concert is pulled off on Friday with input from at least one ministry and  several Non Government Organizations it will be the stage from which the air will be cleared and abetter understanding would be had regarding the Gully/ Gaza story.”

One of the promoter said “The show which will be strictly for school children in uniform will clear up the myths and will emphasise that the talk is nothing more than entertain.”

The promoter said too that they are “working with some NGO to ensure that Kartel and his team meet, interact with and share conversation on school children related issues and education. The pre-show will also be used as a mini-fair to promote education, HIV and Aids awareness, anti crime discussions and to continue spreading positive vibes”.

The official show dubbed a December to remember is slated for December 12.

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Typheon and Natural Black to release new song

After a prolong period away from the limelight, 20year old Guyanese singer Typheon Abbensetts and ‘Natural Black’ are slated to release a new song and video together.

The two have been working hard in the studios to finish the song on schedule, while making the video simultaneously.

During an exclusive interview with ‘Kaieteur Entertainment’ Typheon said she wrote the song, which is entitled ‘You can make it’ and then decided to collaborate with Natural Black in order to see its success.

The song and video are slated to be officially released before the end of the year. According to Typheon, the song basically inspires youths to follow their dreams and to never give up on life, but to continue aiming for the stars.

“It is just giving them a push…no matter what their dreams maybe, let them just go ahead,” the younger Guyanese singer said.

Other than this latest release, Typheon has many other songs on the airwaves. These include, ‘Shake it Off’ which was her first recorded song, followed by ‘Make me itch,’ which is a song about a girl getting back at her ex boyfriend after he broke her heart. Others include, Fun time, In Love and Not in Love.

All of the songs are written by Typheon herself, a talent which she realised at the age of 14. While writing a song may seem like a difficult task for others, this is not the case for Typheon, as she noted, ‘it just comes naturally.’

“Like you tell me you want something done and in the next fifteen minutes I write it.”

Typheon knew at the tender age of nine that she wanted to become a singer and this later became a reality when she officially recorded her first song at age 16.

Although her passion is for music, most of Typheon’s energy is placed on her studies. She is currently a History major at the University of Guyana.

“If you don’t have education, you have nothing and I just can’t give up my education for something I’m not too sure of and then lose everything. So once you get a degree, at least you know you got something to fall back on if music doesn’t work out.”

Typheon aspires for her music to reach the international level but she admitted that it entails a lot of hard work since the music industry is no easy business.

But what this singer finds strange is the fact that many local artistes leave Guyana to make a video overseas and come back without the Guyanese accent. “This is what I can’t understand you know…our accent is such a beautiful thing. I plan to hold on to my accent and my roots for as long as possible because I love Guyana…this place is beautiful.”

While Typheon aims to put Guyana on the map, she lauded the support she has been receiving from her manager Johnattan Beepat, and the ‘Wildfire’ crew.

Acknowledging the fact that a lot of young people listen to her music, Typheon advises youths to stand up for what they believe in and to hold on to their dreams.

“Nothing in this life comes easy…you got to work for what you want and if you really want it, work for it. You need to follow your dreams.”

By – Fareeza Haniff

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Return of the Guyana Baboo – Shows in Progress

“We bringing world flavour with our flavour”- Terry Gajraj

Guyanese Baboo, Terry Gajraj and his Supertones band have touched down in Guyana and have begun to entertain fans and convert whoever those in attendance this weekend. Last night the partying began at the Arracari resort much to the liking of the fans who traveled from as far as Berbice. Tonight the show goes to the Starlite- Drive-in and patrons are invited to “come out to support your own and have fun, everybody will have a ball,” said band leader Terry Gajraj.

The New York based Gajraj and the Supertones band as they sat in the Hits and Jams television studio said they will continue to thrill local party goers tonight at the Starlite Drive-in before heading to Berbice on Sunday for the Kings Duck Curry competition. “We bringing world flavor with our flavour,” Gajraj said.

Organised by Wonder Boy Productions, party goers are in for some energetic Chutney/Soca and crossover musical entertainment action Gajraj promised.

Wonder Boy Reaz said the time has come for Guyana to see why the all Guyanese Supertones band was voted “Best Recorded Band”, “Best Crossover Band”, and “Best Performing Stage Band” at the 2009 West Indian Music Awards in the USA.  The band members, based in Queens, New York comprise Avinash Singh who plays the Key boards and is also a vocalist who said “people will have blast at our shows because we going way back and coming straight forward with hits from our new album.

The other band members include Omesh “Kuli Bai” Kemraj who plays the Dholak and is a vocalist, Pally Dass a lead vocalist, Princess Anisa a lead vocalist who will be singing soca and chutney, and Terry Gajraj the band’s lead vocalist and manager. They genre range include Soca, Chutney, Reggae and Filmi, Punjabi, and pop music. “This is a show for everybody matters not of your race, culture or creed,” promoter Reaz said.

The band recently released a video for their hit “Tek Sunita” and has also completed a brand new track titled Caribbean Girl. Two weeks ago they played in one of the theaters on Broadway in the West Indian dreams production and are billed to perform in Suriname, Holland and back on Broadway early in 2010.

The group will also be launching its “Red HottSupper one’s Band” album tonight and lucky patrons will take home free autographed copies.

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Guyanese Artistes take the lead in HIV test

In being role models to young people in Guyana and in the wider Caribbean, several Guyanese entertainers took the bold step in being tested for HIV/AIDS at the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) on Wednesday.

Leading by example were Melissa Roberts (Vanilla), Michelle King (Big Red), Adrian Dutchin, Roger Hinds (Young Bill Rogers), Jessica Xavier, Desiree Edghill, Wilbeur Levons (Lil Man) and Tenneisha.

All of the artistes agreed with the fact that their music and lifestyles do have an impact on youths in society, and as such they have a responsible role to play.

The artistes decided to take the test in support of the upcoming National Week of Testing being organized by the Ministry of Health and NAPS.

For Director of Artiste in Direct Support, Desiree Edghill, she still loves to have ‘lots of sex’ at the age of 54 and it is in this context she encourages the older population who are still sexually active to get tested and know their status.

But for Vanilla, since young people happens to be the biggest fans for Kross Kolor Records, she wants to ‘take the lead’ in getting tested for HIV although she has a phobia for needles.

“When young people approach you, from age 13 and up, they are having sex and little do we know they are…and they are our biggest fans and young people are our future and we need to look out for them.”

Being the youngest to take the test among the group, singer Tenneisha said that she has no fear of taking the test, something which many young people dread to do in today’s society.

“I just want Guyanese to know that as young as I am I am brave enough to take this step and young people can do it also.”

For Lil Man, he reiterated the importance of not only young people to know their status, but for the wider population as well.

“It is not the end of your life if you are tested positive for the virus because people could live a long time with a particular virus.”

But Jessica Xavier expressed the fact that entertainers are also human beings who are no different from anyone in society.

“What we are doing here basically indicates to young people that although we have our lives to live, we are getting tested and they should too.”

Young Bill Rogers commended the bold step taken by NAPS in their effort to make young people more aware about the dangers associated with the virus.

“If we as artistes take a step forward to know our status, then young people will do so too.”

Urging husbands and wives to make HIV testing a common thing in their lives was Big Red, who pointed out that children look up to their parents as leaders and as such, they should lead by example.