Posted on

Sunday is Car and Bike show day

After almost a month’s delay to facilitate auto shops, all is set for a most memorable showcase of Cars, SUVs and Bikes at the Everest ground on Sunday.

Entertainer Kerwin Bollers of the Hits and Jams group is reporting that all is set for what could well become the most mega auto fair and showcase on the local shores.

All told, the seventh annual event will feature cars, bikes and SUVs competing in various categories for tangible prizes as well as bragging rights and trophies.

With two additions, the categories include Cleanest Car and Bike, Best Car, SUV and Bike, Best Antique Car and Bike, Cleanest Sounding Car and SUV, Loudest Car and SUV, Super Car or SUV, and Car Show King and for good measure, there are also prizes for Best Graphic Designer and a CBR burnout clash.

The king walks away with a giant size trophy and other prizes as well as one year of bragging rights.

The show that was carded for last month was postponed according to Entertainer Bollers following requests from some of the contenders of the event. He had earlier:”The body workshops owners asked us to hold because they need some more time to import supplies to dazzle and surprise fans.”  Bollers reiterated that his team remains committed to providing the best quality events to help develop the local entertainment offerings.

The family event takes the format of a fair and will also feature booths in which automobile parts and accessories providers and sellers and well as automobile owners will showcase their toys. The show is sponsored by GT&T and Banks Power Stout and HJ-TV 72.

By – Mondale Smith

Posted on

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

Posted on

Introducing Shatta Youth

Meanwhile Dynamic US based young artiste Shatta Youth (Gibran) is carded to make his local debut at the shows among the line up carded to perform at the shows. The Guyana born kid age 20, discovered his lyrical talents as an adolescent and began singing with friends Randy ‘Lil Slim’ and Sayon ‘Beanz’ but soon realised his unique aptitude for song writing.

As this passion developed over the years and after moving to New York he dedicated his time to honing his talent as a soca, reggae singer and a songwriter. He aspires to someday be like his idols Elvise Presley and Hip Hop Legend Eminem combined.

He got his break after meeting with Avinash Singh of Superstone Productions on the shoot for the hit single “Rum Drinkaz” by Guyanese icons Terry Gajraj and Adrian Dutchin. Shatta Youth has since recorded several hit singles such as “Wine Up On Me” and “Bashment Party” and has preformed along side Chutney/Soca sensations the likes of  Terry Gajraj.

Popularly known as Shatta Youth, he says he will be dishing some youthful vibes as part of the cast.

By – Mondale Smith

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Denise Belfon – The other side of Saucy. Wow!

Trinidad Soca sensation Denise Belfon last performed at the Avalanche in Guyana four years ago but has been vacationing here as she says “on numerous occasions”.

The proud full-figured mother of four says from firsthand experience, she loves the Guyanese hospitality and while some cause stereotyping of the country through negative actions, she still admires the determination of Guyanese and says, “Guyanese people are hard workers and are willing to make sacrifices.”  Expanding she said “given that Trinidad is becoming like the New York of the Caribbean I see Guyana as a natural heaven where the indigenous culture is still evident.”

To her, seeing a horse drawn cart on the road is a classic, as is seeing a father ferrying his children to school on a bicycle. She’s outspoken on issues that put full-figured women in a bad light and is not opposed to instilling values in children as she does to her three daughters and one son.

She began her birthday celebrations on Monday November 23 in the Twin Island Republic and will continue tonight at the Friends.com Expressions party, Duke Lodge as a guest performer.

She is currently vacationing in Guyana with friends and performed at the Duke Lodge as part of her birthday celebrations with friends on Friday night where despite some technical difficulty she proved that she’s worth every bit of the title of being ‘saucy wow.’

Singing professionally since age 19, she is working feverishly to complete her first full fledge album for release by June of 2010. It will feature two of her three daughters Cassandra and Isabella as well as collaborations with Sizzla, Maka Diamond, Ghetto Flex and 10-year-old budding artiste Zebbie.  “I like to deal with youths to encourage them along a positive road.  She says she will be continuing her yearly drive of reaching out to the less fortunate children of Trinidad as part of her birthday celebrations.

From age seven she said she knew she wanted to be star and was always involved in everything to do with the arts.

As long as she is alive, she assures fans that she will be singing to make lives merrier and worthwhile living. Belfon came to prominence as an artiste with hits such as Kaka lay lay, De’ Jammette, Indian man, Garage, Lohtelah, Bicycle Wine, Hard Wuk  and Saucy Baby as well as Panic. To budding artistes and full figured women she said, “Believe in you and love you, and people will see that you are a positive person and it will radiate in your interest”.

Using her self as an example she said, as a mother, I love all of my children and I’m proud of them but I do not spoil them and they respect me for that. I don’t spare the rod and I’m a sticker for education.”

To aspiring artistes she advises that “You need to believe in you, do you and remain determined, developing yourself as is necessary and eventually if it’s God’s will you will succeed in the fullness of time.” She also advised that “even though God has blessed you with talent you will sometimes stumble but that should not deter you. However God has a way of getting your attention especially when you get too caught up in what you need as opposed to what you are seeking after.”

Especially for full-figured woman she said “fat is unhealthy if you let it be that way. We can’t all be like the skinny girl next door, so eat healthy, dress appropriately and carry yourself with respect, caring your body and being full-figured wouldn’t be an unhealthy look.”

“Don’t give up on yourself, you are the size you are for a purpose. Not every one can be the same size I believe that I am special and you should know that you are too.”

By – Mondale Smith

Posted on

Timeka Marshall on a roll…Helps Busy Signal rock Antigua show

Guyanese music lovers locally have not always been kind to Timeka Marshall’s live performances but have recently been enjoying several commendable recorded hits from the artistes. However, if the response from the Antigua based Guyanese can be used as a measuring tool to her development in live performance capabilities, then she’s making waves in person on stage.  Last Friday night Jamaican dancehall/reggae artist Busy Signal rocked the crowd at Paradise Lawn, Antigua and aside from other performers the Guyanese diva sure did help. Reports from the island indicated that Antigua got a piece of Busy at his best and loved every bit of Guyanese singer Timeka Marshall. Hosted by Zugu and Ibis Marshall according to one report attracted a huge Guyanese crowd, and so did Peter Morgan of Morgan Heritage.

The show, dubbed “One More Night”, had a fairly good turnout overall, and was full of entertainment to the end. Timeka Marshall was the first performer for the international acts after the intermission, and according to reports from Antigua she has her Guyanese fans that got into a screaming frenzie with every song. Though fairly new to the international entertainment circuit, Timeka proved a sure force to be reckoned with as an international singing diva in the making. It was her first performance in Antigua, but she did put on a good show nonetheless. The next artist on stage was Peter Morgan who has performed in Antigua several times in one year again rocked the audience with his conscious music. Before his performance, the same way he did in Guyana, he made it clear that he’s been on a solo tour, but is still a dedicated member of the Morgan’s Heritage group. “Forget the rumours,” he said, “to me it’s the best group in the world.

Busy Signal was the main act of the evening entering the stage to hundreds of screaming ladies to the front of the stage. An Antiguan noted that his performance kept the patrons wanting for more.
His most celebrated hit songs were One More Night, and Night Shift, which is a hot club favourite.
As he did in Guyana for the Jamzone Summer Break 2009 Busy fused reggae, R&B and other genres of music to create his original sound.

Posted on

X2 set to launch album with Party

After five years and many singles and winning three Guyana Accolade Music Awards, Times Two (X2) is set to launch their first album on November 14 at the Roraima Duke Lodge, Kingston.

Planned as a mega event dubbed Times Two VIP Party and album Launch, the artistes will perform live some of the songs from the album including ‘Let’s rock’ and ‘Kross-roads’.

The album is titled ‘Kross Roads’ and features fifteen tracks spanning, pop, dance, reggae, dancehall and some soca. The duo‘s manager Burchmore Simon of Kross Kolor Records (KKR) who also produced the album said fans will experience the versatility that has distinguished X2 as star performers.

As a group they won Accolade Music Awards in categories of Video of the Year, Soca Single of the Year and Song of the Year and they are again nominated in several categories for awards at the 2009 event billed for November 21.

Music fans in Guyana and the Diaspora will remember the duo for hits such as Krazy, Tick Tac, Push it back, In Meh Blood, Hands up, Half Wine and I ain’t Leaving. Manager Simon is assuring that the new songs on the album will eclipse the pass hits.

X2 is popular as a duo and as individual entertainers at home and abroad as Adrian Dutchin sings lead with the Caribbean renowned Kross Fyah band while Jumo sings with the world renowned Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, and both perform on stages worldwide.

Dutchin has been outstanding since he left the group ‘Seven’ and became a signed artiste with Kross Kolor Records. His most notable achievement has been the winning of the Carib Soca Monarch three times and is at present undefeated since he has taken some time off from the competition. He has written and performed many popular songs including the immensely popular ‘Impossible’ soca hit.

Jumo Primo aka Rubber Waist, the other half of X2 has been a member of Byron Lee and The Dragonaires for more than six years and has developed a reputation for energetic as well as sensual performances that leave many in “awe” especially those of the female persuasion.
The duo endorses Digicel Guyana and has been supported by a host of other companies.

Posted on

Meleesa Payne cops Miss Tropical Paradise, Jamaica crown

Guyana’s Beauty Queen and runway diva MeLeesa Payne has won yet another international pageant title. On October 10 she proved the best of ten world beauties to cop the crown and the Miss Tropical Paradise title in Jamaica. The 24 year old former Miss Guyana Universe competed against delegates from countries like United States of America, Jamaica, Barbados, Canada and others. Miss America placed second whiel Jamaica placed third.

Her prizes for winning the pageant include a cruise with Jamaican singing sensation Freddie McGregor from Miami to 10 Caribbean islands, a number of trips to and from Jamaica, 2 First class trips to the USA, a pair of earrings and an outfit from Corpa designs.

She also won the prizes of Best Gown and Best Interview at the pageant but while she was poised to compete at eth Miss Earth pageant she will not be going there. Financial difficulties have caused her to cancel plans to compete at the Miss Earth Pageant and as such she will focus on her career in dance. As a professional dancer she said “I disappointed in not getting sponsorship to go to the Miss earth but I preparing for the Classique Dance Company’s Battle of the Sexes show slated for December 5 at the National Cultural Centre.

Posted on

It’s Timeka!!!

‘Many come and go but she’s gonna be around for along long time’ – Petah Morgan

She completed two music videos with Petah Morgan as a singer in one and an actress in other and it seems that Guyanese rising star Timeka Marshall has made quite an impression on lead singer of Morgan Heritage reggae band.

The artiste during his visit to Guyana for the Jamzone Summer Break Weekend dubbed working with Timeka on the Music videos Hush/ Secrets and Golden Brown an honour.  While the local critics have had their say Morgan has concluded that “she’s a hard working young lady with a bright future in this (music) business.” Issuing major credits to Guyana for producing such great talent he said “she’s a total package and is good to go.” These praises come following Busy Signal’s recent commendation of Timeka as a sure Caribbean music seller with time.

He told entertainer too that “Timeka Marshall is a great artiste with much promise.”

Morgan also categorically stated “I’ve seen many come and go but to me Timeka is going to be here for a long time because she’s got the drive, she’s a brilliant entertainer and a brilliant song writer so she has my backing 100 percent on her musical quest.”

The local song bird may have been missing from the many local shows she sure is doing her bit to make her mark for the country in the regional music market. Her most recent release is the explosively sexy music video with Jamaica’s Busy Signal titled ‘Feel Fuh.’ The artiste who believes that music is one of; if not the sweetest things she knows entertainer understands has already recorded an inspirational gospel single that is sure to inspire music lovers. That has not been released just yet but according to an article in the Jamaica Gleaner Timeka has apparently made the land of ‘Wood and Reggae’ her second home in the best interest of her musical development.

Marshall who came to local fame after winning the first ever GT&T Jingle competition is steadfast on her quest to be the hottest singer out of Guyana. The Jamaican Gleaner Newspapers reported and she has confirmed on her FaceBook page that she is set to share the stage with Jamaican dancehall ‘hot head’ Busy Signal and Morgan Heritage’s Peetah Morgan on October 30 in Antigua at the ‘One More Night’ show. Her face book post states “Coming to ANTIGUA on Oct 30th for show called ONE MORE NIGHT feat Busy Signal and Peetah Morgan.” Already Guyanese fans in Antigua are hyped about Marshall’s arrival there.  “Hope when u come here in Antigua, You big up your GT people we will support you a 100%,go girl,” is among the post out of Antigua  in response to the news of  Marshall’s visit to that island.

The Antigua show is being touted as a mega Caribbean party to unfold at the Paradise Lawn.

Marshall is also set to appear at the Dominica Creole Festival along with Morgan Heritage with whom she released the hit singles “Secrets and Hush”.

According to the Jamaica Gleaner article Marshall’s trek across the Caribbean is a labour of love.

While she underwent training in Barbados, the 20-year-old singer, is also diligently working in studio with noted musicians and producers such as Busy Signal, Shane Brown, Stephen McGregor and Peetah Morgan.

“Jamaica is the music capital of the Caribbean right now,” she says.

Peetah Morgan’s support of Marshall’s talent did not stop at the video collaboration of their singles Secrets and Hush, but was the catalyst for the collaboration with Busy Signal titled Feel Fah.

Dubbed as a “saucy and seductive maverick,” Marshall recently shot the video to the single, produced by JukeBoxx’s Shane Brown, which is enjoying heavy rotation in Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana.

This is on the heels of completing the music video for her sultry Stephen McGregor-produced single; All Night Director Jay Will was responsible for the concept and direction of the video.

During his recent visit to Guyana for the Jamzone Reggae concert Petah Morgan said Timeka
Featured on The Basia show

After spending time in Barbados honing her talent, recently Timeka accepted the invitation to visit Trinidad and share her most recent work with Ms. Basia before heading off to Jamaica where she is based to get back in the studio.

Host Alicia Powell interviewed the young singer as a featured guest and it was aired on Friday October 9. Timeka also used the opportunity to launch her latest music video for the single ‘Feel Fah’ featuring Busy Signal.

By Mondale Smith

Posted on

No more sidelining of local talent

Get ready for a Local theatre revolution

After pooling together their time, resources and talents a group of actors, comedians and one business minded couple have completed successful auditions to ensure that the Guyanese theatre gets new life and is also recorded for posterity.  The Mori Jvon team includes business entrepreneurs Ron Morrison and his wife Olive Gopaul with support from a board of directors inclusive of Steve DeSouza, Henry Rodney, Pastor Timothy King, Howard Lorrimer and Russel Lancaster.

Rodney is the creative director while Lancaster is the production manager. On the team also is costume designer/ dance instructor Clive Prowel as well as Granny Ivelaw.

The group is guaranteeing that as of November 7 this year, theatre in Guyana will begin a road to total revolution.

Business man Ron Morrison and his wife former Miss Guyana Olive Gopsaul told entertainer that they are getting ready to launch Mori J’Von comedy jams on November 7 at the National Cultural Centre from 20:00hrs for special invitees.

Last Saturday they held auditions for actors and comedians and the turn out according to Morrison was most encouraging. “We were not surprised that in excess of 75 people came out to auditions at Theatre Guild.” Of the lot only forty have made the shortlist for what the promoters are promising will be the best thing in recent Guyanese entertainment. Without disrespecting international comedy shows such as Oliver and Bashment Granny Morrison says they have their place  but we believe that Guyana has its own pool of equally if not more talented actors, comedians, singers and dancers and  so our plan is to give local a chance to shine and earn in the process. “Rehearsal begins today at the Girl’s Guide Pavilion in preparations for the launch and I assure Guyana that this is going to be a comedy revolution because we are tired of the imported stuff,” Morrison told entertainer.  The show once started will be filmed monthly before a live audience at National Cultural Centre as a totally private venture.

Morison said the show will feature a rotating line-up of stand-up comedians and actors in short comedy sketches, music, dance and poetry.

He made it clear that all actors are being paid and will be signing contracts from November 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. Dealing above board the directors will be paid in excess of $100,000 monthly while the actors will receive professional fees in volumes of between $10,000 and $30,000 per appearance.  The show will be filmed and goes into syndication by December 1 for rebroadcast nationwide. Morrison says the idea is being considered for the shows like Bashment Granny and Oliver to be broadcasted out of Guyana on one of the regional channels.

Veteran Comedian Habeek Khan will be receiving a life time achievement award at the launching of the show a fund will be set up in his honour to ensure that he is supported financially based on public financial donations of appreciation for his contribution to Guyanese theatre and comedy.