Introducing Guyanese Singer DJ DFlex

DJ Dutty FlexThree albums and counting

When an artist is serious about his craft, the way Dutty Flex envisions his successes, there’s only one way to press on. That’s precisely the approach this talented, persistent, versatile and independent US based Guyanese artiste, had to succumb.

Already he has completed an album, ‘Fully Loaded’ and now Dutty Flex is aiming to take his music higher heights never experience personally or by his peers. Hence, the birth of his second album dubbed recharged and ‘Reloaded’.
The successful outburst of ‘Fully Loaded’ created a wide opportunistic appeal for Dutty Flex’s follow up album, ‘Reloaded’. If you don’t know this artist yet, you’ll come to know that he’s a perfectionist and his music, no doubt takes center-stage.

‘Reloaded’ breaks open to all, with its worldwide appeal, fusing diverse dance hall music with splashes of West Indian culture, making it a ‘must see, hear and must get’ album. With its lyrical and collective efforts, this album stands up to the test of times and critics.
Dutty Flex is young, full of wit, a talent to be reckoned with and has a promising career in the music industry. So it comes as no surprise when he chose to work with the best and creative ‘on the rise’ artists, to make ‘Reloaded’ an impressive accomplishment.
‘Patience is virtue’. Some would agree but others, including Dutty Flex isn’t one to display this sentiment. He’s beyond serious and passionate about his craft and with this eagerness comes genuine realization that he’s at the top of the pack, the leader on a trail, which takes him to the ultimate place he seeks, in only ‘A matter of time’.

DJ Dutty Flex works with Neil Anthony Bacchus exclusively on the production of his music videos.

CrewHis album releases to date include Reloaded, Fully Loaded and OutBreak 2 while his line-up of videos include True Guyanese, To The Girls, Serious Thing (Remix), Serious Thing, My Gal and Be My Girlfriend.

Call him Dutty Flex, if you may but he’s a young and ambitious Guyanese born DJ, who’s been making waves also as a singer and songwriter. Living in New York for most of his life, Dutty Flex takes much pride in the learnt skills of how good music should sound. He’s taken the past eight years of exposure to underground remixes of Hindi music, fused with Caribbean and scores of worldwide influences and made them his trademark. Dutty Flex’s take on music is extremely riveted on a higher level than most of his colleagues, but longevity is what keeps him maturing and comprehending music, in a different light.

Dutty Flex will always be a DJ at heart, but his maturity level has already taken flight. Amidst consistently producing new music, he’s also transitioning from his DJ years, to his present artist status, on the Dancehall Reggae scene. While he stays faithful to his fan base, Dutty Flex’s music has a worldwide appeal, so he’s bridging that gap in the process.

A true artist’s work is never done! While Dutty Flex works diligently to get his name and music heard, he’s also scouting young artists, like himself, but less fortunate, for his compilation records. Thus far, he’s been very successful. In the past, he’s released two (2) albums of such: “Outbreak” and more recently, “Outbreak 2: The Epidemic”. These albums features a little of everything that today’s listeners desire, including Soca, Chutney, Reggaeton, Hip Hop and of course Dancehall Reggae. Already, you can see the camaraderie in this fine artist.

Proving to both himself and his following, Dutty Flex has taken many extreme steps in the right direction, one of his many outstanding achievements are the few  music videos he’s already made, that can be easily viewed on his website. With these elements in line, Dutty Flex’s career is taking a more prominent shape as a promised artist. With his eyes set on the prize, you can be assured that every album that he’s involved in, will be a guaranteed success. This is a newcomer, you don’t want to miss. His name is Dutty Flex.

By Mondale Smith

Neyo, Mavado for Jamzone Super concerts- Kerwin Bollers

The Road to the 10th  annual staging of the Jamzone Summer Break began on Friday Night at the Princess International Hotel with the official  announcement that international  artistes Neo  and  ever climbing Jamaican Dancehall artiste Mavado will be  among the mega headliners  for the 2010 event.

Bollers  sitting at the head table with sponsors such as Princess International Hotel, Digicel Guyana,  Ansa Mcal, Splashmins, and the Ministry of Tourism among others promised an exciting summer event  that surpasses all  other stagings  todate  with  a night when eleven international Chutney big names will invade Guyana  for a Jamzone chutney super concert at the National Stadium and if all goes well the Guyanese stars will have a night to shine in the spotlight.

We also hear that there are some plans for a food village if all goes well. the vents  will not all be   held  on consecutive days  but all told eight delegates drawn from from Antigua, Trinidad, Jamaica,  Barbados,  Dominica Republic, Suriname, St Lucia  and Guyana  will be contesting the coveted title of Miss Jamzone International and a first prize purse of US$10,000 cash.

Guyanese and tourists are promised at least a week of entertainment and leisure activities that will culminate with the crowning of the first ever Miss Jamzone international.

Wildfire Entertainment – Press Release

TemperatureWildfire Entertainment’s heat for the Temperature Concert has reached boiling point! The final tally for the texting promotion is in and Wildfire Entertainment’s CEO, Jonathan Beepat, has made a very special announcement, “We are very pleased with the response from all of our supporters in the texting promotion.  In the end, it was Gyptian who had the most texts and is, technically, the winner. However, since Tarrus Riley was very close behind in the number of texts received, we realize that many fans in Guyana want to see Tarrus as well. All of our events is a WE ting, and so we have decided to give everyone their desire and bring both artists! Therefore, the Temperature concert will be featuring Tarrus Riley AND Gyptian! Wildfire Entertainment would like to thank everyone for participating and making it a WE ting!”

The concert will be held on July 3rd at the National Park. The early bird tickets were available for a short period and are already sold out. Regular Tickets are now $2,500 and are available at Beepats, Giftland Officemax, White Castle Fish Shop, Nanda’s Boutique, and the venue on the night itself. Wildfire is advising persons to buy tickets in advance as the gate price will be $3,000 and also would save them from having to stand in line to get tickets. Also, patrons are asked to purchase the tickets from official ticket outlets. There will be a VIP area for the event and these tickets will be limited and available through promotional activities of our sponsor partners. Sound PA will be provided by Slingerz international sound which has a brand new power system built for large capacity arenas. CEO of Slingerz, Javed Ali says, “We are happy to be the selected P.A. system for the Temperature concert and will not disappoint the expected huge crowd.

Our new system was built on December 25 2009 and we have played at our Christmas Village night which featured Ding Dong, and our Anniversary at Joe Veira Park which featured the mighty Stone Love out of Jamaica. We are more than confident to be able to provide adequate sound and power for the event and the people can expect to have a great time with no fault of sound quality.” Light and stage gears will be provided by the Brutal Tracks Company who are also veterans in providing quality lighting and stage gears as they have done many events.
Warren Williams, Wildfire event manager, stated, “We have always ensured that our events are well secured and this one is no different. We have employed the police and a private security firm to handle the security aspect and we will also be providing secure parking for patrons.”

The local artists are Spidaman out of the Wildfire camp, and Mystic and Ilaman out of Brutal Tracks Recording Studio. Also being introduced to Guyana are two new Guyanese artists Eva blazin and Dublin. Dublin is a new addition to the Wildfire camp and holds promise. Musical entertainment for the evening will be provided by Stereosonics, Slingerz and Trendsetter. Our partners for the show are BTV2, Giftland Officemax, and our diamond sponsor Digicel, Guyana’s bigger better network. WE hope to see all the fans of the artists and Wildfire at the event to jumpstart the summer. The Temperature for the summer was rising, but now, with both Tarrus Riley and Gyptian on the concert, and who have great hits individually, it has just reached boiling point!

Till I find a place-The movie Premiers in Guyana

While some would think twice before they even consider it would you take someone into your home…a friend even? May be after viewing the soon to be released Guyanese movie you will be thinking differently.

Probably the lone most recent all Guyanese cast movie produced in recent times, ‘Till I Find A Place’ was filmed in Guyana and will be premiering in Guyana next week first at the National Cultural Center from June  23- 27. The movie will then be premiered at Lichas Hall Linden on July 10, Berbice: New Amsterdam on July 3 at Skeldon on July 4, and in Essequibo on July 11.

Film director and lead actor Mahadeo  Shivraj said the movie shot on location in Guyana and is based on an adaptation of Guyanese playwright Ronald Hollingsworth’s popular stage play, “Till Ah Find A Place”. The original play was written in 1991 and was re-written for movie by Shivraj.

He said “after acting in the play in Guyana I had directed it five times in NY and was an actor in it six times.”

The end result was him asking Ronald Holingsworth to make it into a movie and after filming in 2007 it was edited in 2009.  Some nine songs were also recorded for the movie and were done exclusively by Guyanese.

The movie’s Synopsis

Dave and Sonia lived in Georgetown and all was well until Sonia’s friend Donna makes an appearance at their home claiming that her house had been demolished in a storm. The time was 3 o’clock that morning.

She is accepted by Sonia against the wishes of her husband and was offered abode until she could find a place of her own.  Dave never liked Sonia because of a rumor that she was responsible for his wife believing that he was having an affair with another woman.

One can but imagine the fire and brimstone that may follow when Sonia (the Wife) had to leave temporary for the USA and Donna (the Friend) is left alone in the home with Dave (the Husband). As the events there after unravel patrons to the premier are guaranteed to be kept at the edge of your seats.

Unlike in other locally filmed movies where actors were imported to play lead roles all told it’s an all Guyanese cast of eight actors representing the realities of infidelity.

The cat and dog scenario grows when the husband, against the guest staying over get ahead of himself.  It becomes overbearing and the man decides tomorrow never comes and as is often the case much to the frustration of the husband. Heaven knows what happens when their hands accidentally meet. Will passion follow of a cuss out and bloody disaster?

The actors include Mahadeo Shivraj who plays the angry husband caught in a web of deceit, jealousy, intrigue and passion.

Rajan Tiwari and Andre Wiltshire are Dave’s Friends who are oblivious to the under currents while Linden Jumbie Jones is the guest’s boy friend who will live or die at the hands of an angry Dave and Donna is right in the middle of the cook up.

Cameo appearances will be played by Neaz Subhan, Petal Burnett, Kassia De Santos and Bibi Kadir.

Shivraj said “Its Guyanese, it’s as real as it gets and is rated 16 for a viewing audience aged years and older.”

This movie produced by Mahadeo Shivraj and stealth Productions with promotion from The Dramatic Arts Academy was filmed in 2007 and was edited in 2009.

Singers on the sound track include DJ Dutty Flex, Nadeer Bacchus, Rick Ramdehol, Eve Blazin and Rory Jagdeo while background music is produced by Avirodh Sharma.  Shivraj said after the movie premiers it goes to NY, Canada, Florida and all other places.

By Mondale Smith

The University of Guyana Guild of Graduates, Ontario

As part of the Calendar of Events to celebrate the 44th Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence, the University of Guyana Guild of Graduates, Ontario (UGGGO) will be hosting a talk and video presentation on “The Life and Cultural Practices of the Amerindian People of Guyana” by Lal Balkarran, together with an exhibition of books by Guyanese writers in Toronto.

This event will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2010, from 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the Malvern Library, 30 Sewells Road, Toronto, ON, M1B 3G5.

Mr. Balkaran is the author of several books including An Encyclopaedia of the Guyanese Amerindians, A Photographic Journey and Photographic Scenes of Amerindian Life, and A Photo-journal of the Guyanese Amerindians . He has lived and worked among the Amerindians of Guyana and brings first-hand knowledge to the topic.

Authors interested in displaying their books should contact Ed Yhap 905-470-9648, or Jeanette Singh 416-446-6490, or Harry Hergash 416-626-2897 by June 5, 2010.

EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Directions
Closest major intersection: Sheppard Ave. East and Neilson Rd. Located one block east of Neilson Rd. on the north side of Sewells Rd. (part of the Malvern Community Centre).

Parking
Free -Community Centre.

Public Transit

TTC buses #131, 132 & 133 from Scarborough Town Centre.

Sonia Noel, three models for FWTT

ModelCEO of GFW Sonia Noel will again represent Guyana at Fashion Week of Trinidad and Tobago which promises to be even bigger and better than before. FWTT provides a strategic and essential platform for merchandising and branding for Caribbean designers living in the Caribbean and the diaspora.

Rosemary Stone, Public Relations director of Fashion Week Trinidad and Tobago (FWTT) is excited about Mariska’s Designs  participation in this year’s spectacular nine day fashion festival and said  “This year we are increasing our scope – six days in Trinidad and three in Tobago.” FWTT3 kicks-off in Tobago on May 29 with a gala networking party hosted by the Tobago House of Assembly and the Tourism Development Company Limited at Coco Reef Tobago.

All told there are more than fifty designers chocked full of fashion forward options to be presented through seven identifiable Caribbean brands such as Tobago style, Resort Caribbean, cutting edge Caribbean,  cosquelle couture – trini swimwear,  nouveau Caribbean,  new world style and haute Caribbean.

Sonia Noel, in FWTT three year history will be presenting on Resort Caribbean and New World style themes and she expressed her elation at being one of the select designers to showcase in both Tobago and Trinidad.

Last year Noel’s collection was dubbed HYBRID that paid homage to vegetation and the undergrowth of the forest. The colours lilac mauve and purple represent the beautiful colours that are sometimes lost in the undergrowth.Melissa Payne  who was very impressive in the show stopper for that collection.

She goes under the label Mariska’s designs but she will be launching a Sonia Noel resort and leather sandals  line in Tobago on the 31 st May.Different  types  of cotton is utilise for this line and it is free fitting and flowing  resort dresses that you can also dress up depending on the occasion.Her versatile rap dresses which can be worn more than six ways will also be featured  in this collection.The leather footwear  line will feature slippers and sandals embellish with various types of stones.

Noel will showcase in Trinidad her new black and white collection of which she is well known for  and because for her concern for breast  cancer she will also be showing a collection of mainly pink ensemble.

The collection will showcase various shades of pink and designed with zips and button to give it that creative edge.

In addition to Sonia’s participation Guyana’s top cat walk diva Meleesa Payne as well as Guyana Model Search winners, Jumain Victor and Yolanda Kerr will strutt their stuff on the catwalks. They wing out to the twin islands for shows slated for June 2 – 6.

Guyanese singer Bliss set to launch collaborative single

Corner features HD band member

Tiffany IsaacsWe’ve seen her in Steve’s Jewellery, and countless GT and T television advertisements as a flirtatious beauty and she’s proven to be a real diva on the local catwalks for major shows such as Guyana Fashion Weekend and The Accolade Genesis fashion rhythm. Now she’s on to the next one in search of her place in the local music industry as fierce singer looking for a spot on the international music circuit.

Born Tiffany Isaacs this 20-year-old eye candy with smooth dark chocolate skin is not just a beauty of face but also of voice bursting with melody.

She sees herself as possibly being a hit maker if given the opportunity to do so. To prove that she can sing she has already completed four songs including Bad Girl featuring Young S, Hustle over here with Galliani, Fall on the envy rhythm and want me back that crosses between the RnB, Groovy and Dance hall genres.

Now she’s about to add yet another song to the Guyanese music repertoire. Fresh back from a recording stint in Trinidad with UMI Macano an HD band member she has completed a collaboration titled ‘Corner’ and it is to be distributed to all local radio Deejays.

Called Bliss, the artiste during an interview on the BTV2 Caribbean Music Box programme expressed the hope that the song once distributed to local Deejays next week, would enjoy some favourable radio airplay. It is also being launched in Trinidad next week on several radio stations.

Like  most of the local  artistes  this budding  hit maker is calling  for more respect for the local  music industry and it stakeholders  and  for unity  among  music producers and  singers. ” I believe that Guyanese music can go somewhere if we stop  fighting among ourselves and  encourage  each other>>>I also believe that some more attention should be given to some sort of legislation to ensure that musicians  and artistes  in general  are protected   through  the implementation of relevant copy rights legislation.”

By Mondale Smith

Lisa says “look out for the Punch”

Lisa PunchThe little girl with a big voice who brought down the National Cultural Center several years ago with Whitney Houston’s ‘I’ll Always Love you’ in record pitch is set to have her voice heard musically again.  Lisa Punch offering an update on what has been unfolding said “music wise I am working with Brutal Recording studios and I have been doing my music.”  In fact she has a new single out called ‘secret admirer’ and soon the video will be out for that song. Since Star Guyana she says that she’s been focused on school “because without an education I can’t go nowhere in terms of being successful.” She’s still in school and is also doing music. Lisa is advising persons who supported her at star Guyana and all other music enthusiasts to “look out for me because I am coming at u with a big PUNCH soon.” Aside from being focused on education and music Lisa recently began hosting the Hard Vibes television talk show on Btv2. That show thus far has been focused on girl talk regarding issues that effect and affect women but it is not limited to women.

In 2006 Lisa out performed some of Guyana’s best amateur talents at the national cultural center in dance, drama and singing to take home the U mobile Star Guyana crown. She remains the winner to date as there is yet to be another competition.  She is often used as a lead singer in the Bishops High school all girls’ choir.

A singer, dancer and an actress who is very friendly Lisa said above all things “I love the Lord and my family”. Her favorite quote is “You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to break him down”.

On her facebook page she states: I’m blessed, young, energetic, talented, amazing and above all an inspiration. I am who I am and your opinion is neither desired, nor required”. Lisa’s voice was the one that sang the CARIFESTA X theme  when Guyana hosted the event in 2008.

By Mondale Smith

Launch of Wildfire Entertainment

WildFire EntertainmentJust about two and a half years ago, Jonathan Beepat conceptualized the company Wildfire Productions. The aim was to create an entertainment and media production company to improve the quality of output from both fields. Now, the company has grown to a stage where it has garnered enough support and able to become separate entities with different clients under each.

Our entertainment unit has faced trials but was able to overcome them, manage and develop. Our group is a very tight knit one and it is with this unity and trust we are able to survive and continue. Since 2007 we have managed and effectively executed 11 local concerts, 2 concerts in Canada, over 15 sports events (dating from 2002), 3 VIP parties, and 1 school show. The team is led by Jonathan Beepat as the CEO and Creative Director who holds a Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) in Business Management; VP of operations Jermaine Softley, who holds a diploma in Business Management and Telecommunications and Event managers Vijay Panday, Warren Williams and Andrew Sukrah.

Wildfire Entertainment (W.E.) is focused strictly on entertainment. The creative acronym W.E. was specifically created to compliment our company Wildfire Entertainment, because it is a company that is for you, for me, jus fuh we. We are not merely promoters like other entities, W.E. are event managers. When we put on an event, many are involved – emcees, artists, sound systems, individual promoters, entertainment websites, security firms, bartenders, porters, and most importantly, fans and patrons. Hence the reason it is called W.E., because many of us are involved. Our intention is also to use part

of our profits from each event to help benefit our society in some way, whether it is a donation to a school, or installing a needed item in a community. The contribution will always depend on the success of the specific W.E. event. Our services for Wildfire Entertainment include artist management, artist promotion, music distribution, Concert hosting, Event management and planning, international artist booking, and music production among other things.
Since its inception, W.E. has been recognized by major corporations and hired to manage their events. Some of our prestigious clients include Digicel where we managed D’Bimmer Flex events in summer 2009 when Digicel gave away 2 BMW’s. More recently W.E. was contracted by the ICC World 2020 cricket to create the concept and manage the party stand for the cricket held in Guyana.
We are not affiliated with any company and we work with all. Our services are available to anyone or corporation who wishes to have quality events planned, managed and executed.

All through the world event management is a serious business and now we feel we have enough resources and experience to develop on this niche market and give Guyana a reliable and effective event planning Entertainment Company. Since Wildfire Entertainment is aimed at giving people quality and reliable events, involving so many different entities and people for an event, contributing to the non-partying community after events, we feel our slogan fits well when we say… “IS A W.E. TING!”

Timeka Marshall to premiere ‘One More Day’ Video on Sunday May 23 on HJTV

Timeka Marshall Video ShootGuyanese songstress Timeka Marshall who copped the title of Best female Reggae/Dancehall artiste at the recently concluded Guyana Artistic Music Awards is set to release her fifth video for her new release ‘One More Day’ an inspirational song which has been receiving great reviews nationwide.

The video directed by Marshall’s manager Kerwin Bollers and produced by Artistic Marketing was shot on location at Guyana’s Brickdam Cathedral of Immaculate Conception and is quite momentous since it is the singer’s first ‘locally-produced’ music video.

Bollers explained that the location was especially appropriate since it perfectly exhibited the video’s theme and it is also one of the few architectural-wonders among the masses of Guyanese buildings.
The reggae track which has been described by many as having a ‘gospel ‘ sound; generally speaks about assessing the important things in life and paying reverence to god for health and strength. Marshall explained that the song holds special sentiment since she acquired its inspiration from observing the struggle of a close friend whose mother was terminally ill. She was extremely traumatized by the incident and realized that people sometimes ask pray for the less important things in life when in fact they should pray for health, strength and spiritual direction.

Several local celebrities and entertainment-personalities including Celeste David, Miss Guyana World 2009 Imarah Radix, 2010 Junior Calypso Monarch Tenecia DeFreitas and Soca diva Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts are featured in this video.
This will be the fifth addition to Timeka’s repertoire of videos which include recent hits ‘Separate’,All Night’, ‘Hush’ a collaboration with Jamaican reggae megastar Peetah Morgan and ‘Feel Fah’ featuring Dancehall Superstar Busy Signal.

The General public is advised to tune in to Hits and Jams Television HJTV on Sunday May 23 for the video’s premiere at 13:00hrs and a rebroadcast at 19:00hrs.