Mash Explosion February 27 at the National Park
The stage is being set for Guyana to experience a true Mash explosion reggae and Dance Hall style through the credible promoting abilities of Seven star entertainment and Vizion Sounds promotions.
Come February after the soca hype is concluded fans of dance hall and reggae vibes are encouraged to head to the National Park on February 27 for the official ‘Mash Explosion’ concert.
Headed Guyana’s way for the show are Anthony B and Baby Cham. Anthony B touches down on Thursday February 25 and will be making several appearances on television and radio before the concert while Baby Cham arrives on February 26 on a morning flight out Miami. he yoo will also be making several appearances before heading to the National Park the following night to perform.
This concert is our way of ensuring that persons get a chance to be inspired and offer a different kind of stress relief after all the soca party sessions. It’s the start of many more promotions with major international artistes, one of the coordinators assures.
Also on the cards to perform on February 27 is Jamaican Digicel rising star Benetto as well as DJ Gold teeth.
Additionally the local line up will include Alabama of dem don’t care fame, Treyon Garrett out of First Born, and culture/ reggae artistes Fire Fred.
Who is Anthony B?
Draped in the rich colours of African cloth, his trademark staff in hand, and his dreadlocks wrapped regally on his head, Anthony B embodies all that it is spiritual and proactive about Reggae music. This artiste has been steadfast in his mission to represent the poor and oppressed, using sharp lyrics to confront political injustices and bring the issues of the people to the forefront. In the process, he has raised the quality of performance standards and lyrical content for the industry, through the release of 13 albums, over 1000 singles and appearances on over 100 albums in the last 14 years.
Anthony B’s musical journey started in the church, back when he was still called Keith Anthony Blair in Clark’s Town, Trelawney. In this part of rural Jamaica, Anthony B was immersed in the thunderous chants and rhythms of Revivalism and the Seventh Day Adventist church where he honed his soon-to-be signature vocals. In his formative years, the artiste also cleaved to the music of Otis Redding and the incomparable Peter Tosh.
In 1992, Anthony B left his home-town and set out to make his fateful mark on Kingston’s music scene. He rebuked the trend of girl and gun lyrics popular at that time and remained faithful to words of spiritual consciousness and social conviction. He started working with singer Little Devon, who introduced him to Richard “Bell” Bello, of Star Trail Records, producer for Garnet Silk and Everton Blender. Bell saw the talent of the youngster and shared his commitment to conscious music. The partnership produced a slew of records and releases, such as “Repentance time”, “Fire pon Rome”, “One Thing”, “A De Man”, “Rumour” and “Raid di Barn”. Anthony B followed up with critically acclaimed albums such as “Real Revolutionary”, “Universal Struggle”, “7 Seals”, “Black Star” and “Untouchable”. He also struck out on his own to start his own label, Born Fire Records in 2002. He produced 3 albums independently; Street Knowledge, That’s Life and Life over Death. In addition he released two collaboration albums “Too Strong” with Sizzla and “Three Wise Men” with Sizzla and Luciano.
Anthony B’s latest hit singles include “Sleeping in the Rain”, “Satisfaction”, “Bad From Long Time”, and “Teaser” and come from his highly-anticipated 13th album, “Life Over Death”. In January 2009, Anthony is set to release yet another album with Greensleeves Records. The album, “Rise” produced by Frenchy Maximum Sound, continues Anthony’s legacy as he proves himself to be one of Reggae’s most prolific and engaging artistes, an electrifying performer whose music grips the public social conscience.
Baby Cham
No stranger to Guyana Cham born Damian Beckett on February 24, 1977 is a Grammy Award-nominated Jamaican recording artist, most well known for his 2006 single “Ghetto Story” from his major label debut album of the same name, a song which led to multiple “story” songs by other artists in a similar vein.
He is currently signed to Atlantic Records, and was previously known as Baby Cham, until 2005. He is still called “Baby Cham” by his Jamaican fans and fans from around the world.
The Miami New Times referred to Cham’s 2000 debut album Wow…The Story as “the most anticipated album in years from any reggae artist,” and a Washington Post review of a live Cham concert in 2006 described him as “the man who may be the next Sean Paul — a dancehall artist who crosses over to the U.S. hip-hop market.”
Throughout his career, Cham has collaborated with many hip-hop and R&B artists such as Foxy Brown, Alicia Keys, Carl Thomas, Shawn Mims, Akon, and T-Pain.
After being among the nominees for her first regional honour Guyanese singer Timeka Marshall last week walked away with out the award that would have dubbed her the best new female artiste at the Jamaica Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards EME. But Guyana can still boast of sealing it first awards at the Jamaica EME non-the-less through Melanie Fiona a Canadian born to Guyanese parents but Guyana can be gratified that some one who prides her self in identifying with her roots Guyana can celebrate. She along with India Arie was bestowed with the International friend of Reggae Awards at the EME. Melanie Fiona recently completed a tour with Kanye West and is fast becoming a talking point in the R&B music circuit.
‘Ah de real thing’ may soon be ringing out on radio in dance halls and homes nationwide as Jory gears to release his first mix-tape at the Mash weekend. His adviser, Kerwin Bollers, of Hits and Jams, said that the quiet but talented sing-jay will give another side of his persona lyrically and through some professionally snapped photos out of the Aubrey Photo Studios.
The team’s first stop was the Digicel camp in the company’s paring lot where costume designers were busying themselves with final touches to the individual creations such as a giant size hibiscus flower, the mammoth honey Bee and the wings of the Humming bird. Contracted designer Olympia Sunnaram reported that all the full costumes numbering more than 100 are completed and that the main focus at present is on the completion of the large individuals from each section.
The next stop was the Ansa Mcal’s Carib beer mash camp on Robb Street which is also being headed by Sonoram. There camp workers were busy cutting cardboard head pieces as ell as pasting and shaping other materials to create a sea of mostly yellow and blue costumes accentuated by sequins and Guyana flags as well as Carib signatures.