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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.

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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.

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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.