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Introducing budding artiste Yohan Jackman

In the face of young men often being pressured to fit into a mode that leans ever so often to negative choices, Yohan Jackman stands out as proof that the opposite is still true and possible.

Born May, 1987 to Raphael and Hazel Jackman, he grew up in the Wortmanville area of Georgetown with his older brother, Yaphet.

Throughout his upbringing and education, he was always interested in various creative and cultural subjects in school and at his church, First Assembly Of God, Wortmanville.

It was very early on that his gift of singing was recognized by his Sunday school teacher, Lynette Fraser, who encouraged him to “sing more and often” paired him with another young man, Rayon Brandt (residing in the USA).

Since then, Yohan has been active in the Worship Team of his local church. After Graduating from St. Stanislaus College in 2006, he began working on his first album, which he says is under very tight wraps but is always celebrated whenever he sings. He claims that he is waiting for the right time to come along before entering the studio.

Yohan is into urban gospel music and worship. “Kierra Sheard, Smokie Norful, Izzy, Die-trick Haddon and quite a few other gospel artistes have influenced my style of singing,” he said. “I strive to give my best to God at all times. He’s done way too much for me just to sit and be quiet. I believe my purpose in life is to lead God’s people into His presence through worship.

He did a video for his church’s weekly program “Choices” last Christmas but noted that it wasn’t the first video he has done. He however said from experience “every shoot is a different experience but I loved the idea of putting some Christmas Spirit out there on the airwaves!”

Entertainer: What are some of the challenges you have faced this far, and how have you been able to overcome them?
Yohan: Quality to me is more important that quantity. I want to make sure that when I do any recording, it’s properly done and can compete in the international arena right up there with the best. So finding a great studio is definitely a challenge. Our local standard is improving, and I’m very happy about that. But I’m still shopping around. The copyright situation is also a very touchy one. Artists should be able to benefit in some way, even though it might not be their primary goal.

Entertainer: What can patrons to the upcoming Gospel Fest expect from you?
Yohan: I’ve done a lot of concerts in and around Georgetown for the year so far, working with Ocie Thomas, Amanda Peters, People of Praise and a whole host of other exceptional artists. I’ve also done pieces at the Upscale Restaurant for Xpress YoSelf GY. I’ve also done some work with Guyenterprise and Global Fund on a few AIDS projects. My next show is Gospel Fest 2009, which will be at the National Cultural Center on September 19th – 20th. The presentation never fails to be one with a difference. I’m working on a few pieces that will be great.

Entertainer: What are your thoughts about the music industry?
Yohan: We’ve come a very long way, but we still have a long way to go, but personally my genre of music (Urban Gospel) hasn’t really penetrated locally. It’s a different sound because it incorporates elements of spirituals, blues, R&B and jazz into Gospel music, but I believe that the Guyanese public will embrace it.

Entertainer: How far do you hope to go with your music?
Yohan: I only want to go as far as the Lord is willing to take me. I serve a Global God, so the possibilities are endless. I don’t want to limit Him with the margins that my finite mind would come up with. I’m very excited about the future and I know that a whole lot is in store for me and my ministry.

By: Mondale Smith

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Meet Calypso soldier Boy ‘Mighty Believer’

Ready to claim 2010 Calypso monarchy

While some are yet to think of Christmas, one calypsonian is thinking of the 2010 Republic celebrations. A sharp contrast to the average 24 year old, Kenroy Sherwarth Fraser aka ‘Mighty Believer,’ is one of the nation’s youths working to keep the calypso art form alive amidst popular talk of its decline.

Many veterans have publicly sounded an SOS to save the art form from total demise locally and he believes that it will live again with more input from all stake holders including Corporate Guyana.

Calling for promoters to include Calypsonians in their programmes as a remedy, he says there is also a need for more unity among calypsonians and if he has his way, he could become the 2010 senior Calypso Monarch.

The one time Junior Calypso Monarch with several 2nd and 3rd place prizes, graduated to the senior competition three years ago always made it to the final round but has never placed in the top three.

Much more prepared this time around, the youth believes that he has what it takes in composition, delivery style and stage performance to win the 2010 monarchy.  “I’m putting all calypsonians on notice that I believe that the 2010 Calypso Monarchy is mine.”

Fraser who has already completed his composition for the 2010 Mashramani competition said he’s “coming to blow the crowd and the judges away” with a song that focuses on   Guyana being the true El Dorado.

Hesitant because of  the non-existence of  modern copyright legislation he does not have any professional recording but boasts an ever growing repertoire of “lots of Calypso, culture and reggae music” which he is hoping to record and release as an album in a year’s time.

Calypso lovers would recall his composition “everybody calling for a change” that dealt with issues during the crime wave. There is also the humour reality check song titled “man in woman suit” which details a hypothetic tale of meeting a beauty and taking her home only to find out that she was really a he in disguise.  In another memorable song of his was tasked as doctor with injecting a sick woman who was in too much pain.

Graduating in his writing skills this year he went conscious singing ‘whatever a man sow that’s what he would reap’ and spoke to politicians and the man in the street telling then that “the evil that you do will follow you.”

On calypso and the Music industry

The artiste opines that the music industry will develop but he has observed that the main players are more focussed on money. “There is much talk of the development of the industry but I realise that most studios have their favourites and bias for friends and relatives and it shows in their production which to me is harming as opposed to helping,” he said.

“I believe that the art form is hard pressed and suffocating to some degree because calypsonians are self censoring their compositions for fear that they would be sidelined.”

Good soldier

A soldier by profession who exudes positive vibes, the married father of two hails from Belladrum Village West Coast Berbice, loves engineering and does just that as an able rating in the Coast Guard Unit of Guyana Defence Force.

Coming from a family of military men, he boasts six years in the GDF and contrary to reports from some who have opted to AWOL (go absent without official leave) he say “the army is a good place” that offers much opportunities to youths as they serve their country.

Originally he  signed up for  the minimum  three years in the military but notes that since signing up in 2004 “I was able to qualify myself as an engineer, improve my qualifications and I have also benefited from training locally and overseas.” Optimistic that he might one day be Chief-of-Staff of the armed forces he said above all the army is ideal for discipline and bringing one’s body and mind to the same level where one can be all that one wants to be through commitment, dedication and discipline. He enjoys weight lifting, writing and composing but says he’s totally into engineering. He joined the army for three years but has stayed on for six and he says he has no plans to quit anytime soon.

By: Mondale Smith

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Ten to vie for 9th Miss Guyana Talented Teen crown Saturday

The Simpli Royal team is set to continue its quest at shaping the lives of Guyana’s young beauty ambassadors to be confident, eloquent and fashionably conscious through the staging of the 9th Miss Guyana Talented Teen pageant.

Ten local beauties will vie for the coveted Miss Guyana Talented Teen 2009 crown billed for the lawns of the Duke Lodge Hotel tomorrow evening. The beauties are drawn from Linden, Berbice, East Coast and West Bank Demerara. They will compete in segments of national wear, swimsuit, talent, and evening wear for a spot in the final five.

Based on responses to a final question, a queen will be crowned. Aged 14-19 the delegates are Ruqayyah Boyer, Madona  Ghannie, Annalisa Austin, Criselle Alleyne, Kiswana Jefford,  Teneisa Piggot, Jnelle Babb, Sarah Gannie, Meenashki Khubir and Marissa Adams.  They, unlike most local pageants, were trained for five months under the stewardship of international fashion consultant Lester Rauseo of Trinidad and Tobago followed by members of the Simpli Royal committee. They also underwent etiquette training with Jillian Phillips.

The queen walks away with $50,000 cash and assorted prizes and a chance to represent Guyana in St Kitts in December. A prize will also be awarded to one of the beauties to represent Guyana at the upcoming Miss Teen Universal Pageant in Barbados and another beauty will go to the Miss Cariabes Hibiscus in St Maarten in November.

The pageant has been in existence since 2000 but was shelved last year to accommodate   CARIFESTA X. Past queens include Ulex Atwell, Asha Pieters-Roberts, Shamaine Davis, Shonette Moore, Keran Devi Singh, Kendacy Edwards, Jennel Cox and Trissana Cox.  These queens as well as runners up have gone on to win the Miss Guyana Universe titles and also represented Guyana at international and regional pageants.

Even as Guyana‘s quest continues to win an international pageant crown through efforts of the Miss Guyana Talented committee, several regional crowns were won in recent times. Asha Pieters Miss Guyana Talented Teen 2001 copped the Miss West Indies and Miss Carival crowns while Meleesa Payne her runner up in the 2001 pageant copped the Miss Carival crown and the first runner up prize for the Miss West Indies pageant. The reigning Miss Guyana Universe is Janelle Cox. Atwell copped the 2nd runner up prize at the Miss Cariabes Hibiscus pageant.

Pageant organiser Pamela Dillon said and when the new queen is crowned, she will begin her reign at the insomnia party being hosted just after the pageant at the same venue. Organizers believe the pageant and party concept will bring alive beauty pageants in Guyana. A number of local artistes will perform at the pageant and the girls will be serenaded by a special surprise guest.

By: Mondale Smith

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Jamzone Summer Break Soca show lives up to the hype – Machel ‘sell off’

A soca therapy session administered by ‘Dr. Machel Montano’ and his High Definition band at the stadium on Saturday night, has certainly erased any doubt that he loves Guyana as a performing stage.

There was hardly a person with dry clothing on Sunday morning when “the one time” too young to soca artiste concluded his performance at the Jamzone Summer Break Weekend. This came after several years of shows void of the artiste.

Some commendable Guyanese acts raised the curtain with a mixed bag of music ranging from dance hall, to hip hop, to Soca that reached crescendo with Guyana’s rubber waist Jomo Primo dishing out some of X2 hot hits including the energetic  ‘crazy’ soca song.

During his performance Jomo proved why he’s among the few Guyanese acts with mad international entertainment abilities with a bias mainly for the ladies. He caused mad frenzy vocally and with his every gyration and instruction they screamed in wild abandon.

By the end of his steamy high energy performance he was topless and dripping and so were some of the local fans.  But this was a set up for the show stopper of the night: Machel Montano.

The mere mention of his name sent a contagious fever that saw the already packed VIP area being invaded by Machel crazy fans who simply wanted to come closer.

It couldn’t have been something in the drinks because the variety represented every beverage company on the local shores and they were all well supported. And it certainly could not have been the temperature in the Providence stadium because that location is an open air venue.

Machel with help from Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy and one other artiste caused a soca tornado that caused even those with inhibitions to lose their selves.

They dished out hit after hit and his dancers added to the party mood too. The crowd numbering in the tens of thousands certainly had a good time void of any incidents. Some people saw it fit to steal wine here and there without rejection in most cases.

Then came the ‘toro toro’ charge that heated up the stadium. “A grade, A grade and A grade” is the verdict from the tens of thousands of Guyanese who flocked the Providence stadium for the Inaugural Jamzone Summer Break Weekend soca show.

Guyanese soca lovers have concluded that the long overdue wait for Soca king Machel Montano was certainly made up for on Saturday night into Sunday morning at the national stadium. There was not one person with dry clothing at the end of the inaugural Jamzone Summer Break weekend. Neither were there any notable complaints.

He also made a promise to the fans that if they chanted hard enough he would be back for Mashramani 2010. And they certainly did.

By Mondale Smith

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Timeka/ Busy Signal to launch hot music video before Jamzone

For this August holidays Timeka has switched gears from the one drop tracks for which she has become known to a high energy, sassy and sporty sound. News from Jamaica is that even as she continues her quest to hit the music main stream she’s upped her game yet again with a music video out of the land of reggae and Dance Hall.
A main feature among artistes the likes of Peetah Morgan, Busy Signal, Barbee and Vegas for the Jamzone Dance Hall/ Reggae Splash Timeka is promising much to her local fans.

After several weeks of unofficial play on local and Jamaican radio stations Marshall’s spicy ‘feel fuh’ dancehall single featuring Jamaican  artiste Busy Signal is set for official release as a prelude to the inaugural JamZone Summer Break Weekend.

With Feel Fah produced by Shane C Brown of Juke Boxx Productions Timeka demonstrates her vocal range while sparring with Busy Signal.

The video for this, ‘sure party starter’ with all the professional workings included is completed filming and editing in Jamaica and is a contagious must see.

Based on comments from   those in the music fraternity the video in terms of location, dancers, choreography and setting is by far more captivating that any video from a Guyanese artiste. It also brings out a side of Timeka never before seen in any of her previous music videos. Showing all the signs of a maturing artiste who is focused on what she wants she breaks into the mode of a dancer and tastefully sexily so.

The video quality is a must see that local artistes should strive for and in some instances it betters any  of those produced by local and Caribbean female dance hall singers. The feel good song brings out the energy through superb choreography that appeal to persons of all ages.

Word from Jamaica is that Timeka has been gearing up for summer by recording a number of radio friendly tracks that have started hitting the airwaves.

Fans can listen out for Timeka’s deejay skills on Doesn’t Matter on the Equiknoxx produced Monkey Business riddim currently in rotation.  The Timeka hit list also includes The Way You Love Me from Penthouse and another track from Juke Boxx on the Road Crusher riddim titled Move On.

Earlier in the year, Timeka blasted to the top of the video charts with All Night, produced by Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor and directed by Jay Will. Timeka followed up with a provocative collaboration with Peetah Morgan on the Juke Boxx produced Indiscretions riddim.

Her Hush track and his Secrets track were combined for a video medley directed by Gareth Cobran. Both tracks demonstrated her skills as a one drop singer.

Timeka’s increased production effort is part of a plan coined by her management team Pyramid Music Group and their strategic production associates, Juke Boxx Productions.  The Barbados and Jamaican based entities have partnered to guide the career of the Guyanese born singer.  Under the terms of the partnership, Pyramid and Juke Boxx will jointly collaborate on the musical and artistic direction of the artiste.

The team has not held back and neither has Timeka.  In addition to a slew of releases in Jamaica bound for international recognition, Timeka has several endorsement deals in Guyana, including a major association with GT&T Cellink.   Plus she also recently landed an endorsement deal with international eye wear company Oakley. And, later this summer, fans can look out for Timeka in not one, but two new videos.

By Mondale Smith
For Kerwin Bollers

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Digicel launches Summer Flex promotion

Elephant man, Tanya Stephens, Tessanne Chin to headline concert

Digicel Guyana, along with corporate sponsors Banks DIH and Caribbean Airlines, promises to set the National Stadium ablaze again with another multi-million-dollar ‘summer’ promotion.

In 2008, the companies entertained Guyana with the Morgan Heritage family concert to conclude of its summer sizzle promotion, now on June 26, next, the company is set to offer entertainment seekers and subscribers to its ‘D’Summer Flex’ promotion with a mega international ‘Free’ concert.

Incorporating the events, the management skills of Wild Fire Productions the company yesterday announced that Guyana would enjoy, as part of the launch, mega performances from international acts Elephant man and Tanya Stephens while Tessanne Chin will be making her local debut.

Guyana’s star performers X2 and B-52 will add to the excitement.

Jonathan Beepat, Wildfire CEO/ Creative Director, at yesterday’s press conference said, “The international lineup was selected based on their popularity and abilities to provide a night of entertainment from their great musical repertoire.”

Jerome Softleigh, the Promotions Director assures that the event will be nothing short of excellence, as “sound, stage and lights will be provided by Traveller’s Sounds while the evening’s entertainment will be Trendsetters and Slingerz sounds.

Through a Digicel initiative, Beepat guarantees that entrance to the event is free and Donovan White Digicel’s head of marketing said much will be on the offer to patrons from his company and Banks DIH.

At that event Banks DIH will be launching its Power Stout and its new RYDA Wine, said Carlton Joao, Banks DIH Sales and Marketing Executive.

Explaining that a grand surprise awaits Whyte said that tickets are free with every purchase of $1,500 Top up at Digicel outlets.

By Mondale Smith

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Six Crowned at Mother and Daughter 2009 Pageant

Mother and DaughterGuyana has added three new queens and princesses to its pageant winners list.

On Saturday night Tikesha Sullivan –Elias and daughter Tyanne, Yvonne Vikerie and daughter Amina as well as Gem Sandord-Johnson and daughter Anastasia were crowned winners of the 2009 mothers and daughters pageant at the National Cultural Centre.

Before a capacity audience they copped the titles of junior, intermediate and senior winners from a filed of twenty two pairs as the Supa-Stylistics group staged it 18th pageant on Saturday night.

Twenty two contesting pairs showcased each other in mostly locally designed outfits that celebrated the bond between mothers and daughters competitively at the junior, intermediate and senior levels.

For the junior competition sections of the audience were in stitches of laughter as little lasses aged no more than eight years old outshone their mothers with twirling hips and feminine, feline struts that bordered on precociousness.

Both mothers and daughters donned and displayed colourful, creative and mostly matching picnic, party dresses and skirt suits that transformed into Capri pants suits.

The designs offered variations that brought out the maturity of the mothers and the playfulness of the lasses and were accentuated by flowers, ribbons and hand paintings in colours of greens, whites, pink.

One presentation bordered on an afro-centric influenced outfit.

For winning this category Tikesha Sullivan –Elias a nursery school teacher and daughter Tyanne will be winged via private airplane to the Baganara Resort for an all expenses paid day trip complements of L’Mart Furniture store. The two will also enjoy lunch at the Up-Scale Guyana Restaurant and a photo shoot.

They sported green and white Olympia Sonoram’s creations. The mother’s look was a matured fashionable lady in a balloon styled knee high dress while the daughter’s white shirt was removed to reveal a green pants suit. The creative skirt was transformed into a hand bag for mum.

The Donna Wong and Aliya and Sacha Paul and Katana pairs placed second and third respectively.

Presentations in the middle category were not as amusing or entertaining as the juniors.’ Bordering on boredom from some pairs some mothers out manoeuvre their daughters and in the process physical bonding was not of the best for most.

In the end the bubbly Yvonne Vikerie and daughter Amina were adjudged winners in the intermediate category and will be treated to a paid trip to Trinidad and Tobago, dinner for two at Glow International and a photo shoot package.

Ambika Persaud and Nadia as well as Donna Edighilo and Akesia placed second and third respectively.

Glitz and glamour and extravagant satin, cancan gowns and evening dresses suited for graduations, dinner with mum and attending the Presidential Inauguration ball was featured for senior category.

The competition was tight in the senior category that featured a line-up of eight pairs. But sporting dresses from designer Olympia Sonoram local model/dancer Anastacia Richards and her mum legal mind Gem-Sandford- Johnson proved the best of the lot.

The two will wing out to Barbados on a return trip compliments of Caribbean Airlines. They also took home two pairs of 14-Karat white gold earrings from Kings Jewellery World, will enjoy an over night stay at Herdminston Lodge with complementary breakfast, a beauty treatment from Hair Force Beauty gallery and a photo shoot package.

Phillipa Amsterdam and Amanda, Tracy Junior and Tremane and Patricia Helwig and Delicia placed as first to third runners up respectively.

Pageant Production manager Ingrid Fung in dubbing the pageant another success said she was again pleased with the audience and participant support. “I’m encouraged and dare say that this pageant is here to stay,” Fung told Kaieteur News. She encouraged that enthusiasts can “look forward for eligible bachelors to strut their stuff next year as compared to the couples who made guess appearances this year.” She reiterated that one can feel good as Guyanese attending her pageant as it cuts across age, gender, class, creed and ethnicity.

Mother and daughter 3:
Caption: Junior winner’s row Junior and middle categories: Junior winner Tikesha Sullivan –Elias and daughter Tyanne stand at center as their runners up look on.

(By Mondale Smith)

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Jamaican Dancehall Kings RDX to Invade National Park

A night of high energy entertainment action is promised to dancehall music and dance loving fans who head to the National Park on Saturday for King Scorpion sound’s  ‘Back way’ show.

Through sponsorship from corporate citizen Banks DIH the show according to promoter Wolly will feature the RDX crew out of Jamaica performing live.

As prelude,  the curtain raisers will feature a dance competition showcasing some of the nation’s hottest street style dance groups including X-Factor, Famous Pose and Diamond Squad among others. Other dance groups interested in competing can contact Wolly on Tele: 666-9800.

The winning dance group takes home the Banks Power Stout Trophy and $100,000 cash.

King Scorpion Sounds arguably ranked as one of the nation’s best promotions/entertainment groups on the local shores may best be remembered for recent promotions that featured artistes the likes of Tony Matterhorn and Vegas as well as the Canadian Invasion.

“We are doing what we can to   add to the development of eth entertainment industry because we believe that entertainment is a great way to get away from all the many stresses that life throws at us sometimes. It’s also good therapy and we do not fore see any issues of violence and crime at eth show or as a result of the show,” Promoter Wolly assures.

The show according to Wolly, starts at 9:00PM Sharp t and will offer total entertainment for dance hall lovers.

The artiste are bringing an international dancer and will offer a full energy show so come prepared for  a night of full, high energy.

eave home your guns and knives and walk with yah queens. The show will also be used as another occasion to introduce the Banks Power Stout to the local market.

The artistes are scheduled to arrive in Guyana on Thursday night and will be hosting a press conference at the airport upon arrival.

The media bus leave hits and Jams at 9:00PM (21:00hrs) Thursday.

Who is RDX (BIO)

There’s no questioning the immense talent of the duo RDX. Since January 2007, the high-energy performing duo has worked up a storm among teenagers and young adults, introducing dance routines in a song, and dance moves in the dancehall.

Renegade X and Delomar X, who comprise dancehall/reggae duo RDX, are pursuing their dream and have successfully taken their brand of music to the ears and hearts of fans locally. They are working assiduously to positively impact the international market in similar fashion.

RDX brings their explosive style of music to the dancehall game. Carlton Williams (Renegade X) and André Bedward (Delomar X) were formerly known as Xsytment and delivered hot songs like 2 Tha Haters,BumBum and I Don’t Trust You. Xsytment made quite a name within the dancehall circles, having the song I Don’t Trust You topping the charts in the Bahamas and peaking at number 17 on the UK’s Echoes charts in 2004.

Don’t hate

2 Tha Haters hit the top 10 on the same chart a year earlier.

Internal differences caused the group to downsize from a trio to a duo, and since then they have released singles such the hilarious Khaki on the Fresh Ear label and Friday, a major hit in Japan and parts of Europe.

Renegade X, the deejay of the duo is also an established beat-maker, creating hit tracks such as the Chrome rhythm for South Block/VP Records, which bore chart-toppers like In Her Heart by Capleton and Jiggy by Elephant Man.

Rhythm catalogue

Renegade’s catalogue also includes the ‘Dutty Landlord’ ‘Summer Bounce’ rhythms, the latter of which featured a hit of the same name by Elephant Man.

After taking themselves out of the limelight for a few months and reassessing their strategy, Xsytment decided that the next step forward was to reinvent themselves with all the perks; a new sound, new image and a new perspective. Thus, RDX was born.

The change immediately had a positive impact, with the release of hot new songs such as Four Q and Cartoon, Renegade X kept his drum machine thumping, and created another popular rhythm called the ‘Jumpoff riddim’. Again, another hit single was brought to the fore by popular dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel entitled Realest Thing. Renegade then created Stamma and Stain with Beenie Man’s hit Swing it Wey, before taking another break.

RDX took time out then to concentrate on promoting themselves in the streets before returning once again to the studios to produce Bling Dawg’s hit song Roll upand Dance on the very energetic ‘Bembe rhythm’ for their current Apt. 19 label. The uptempo song created a frenzy within the dancehall and just about everywhere else dancehall music is played.

Always in the streets, RDX became a household name campaigning and promoting themselves in rural parishes and by visiting inner-city communities daily to interact with community members and dancers alike.

PRO Mondale Smith: 679-6111

For Promoter Wolly: 666-9800