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Introducing: Ken Da Beat Maker

On the daily grind producing Guyanese music

Ken Da Beat MakerThose in the local music fraternity may have heard of Ken Andrew Taylor, a sound engineer who works out of the Brutal Recording Studios. This mad, sick, creative kid called Ken Da Beat Maker is quietly making his positive input to ensure that Guyanese music is kept in production motion.
He is a sound engineer like many others but somewhat quite different because he does his work in and out of studio.

Out of studio he ensures that artistes are heard with sound clarity but in studio his work is more technical as ‘da beat maker’ and a music producer combined.

His first love is Computer programming but about two years ago that took second place when he got into the swing of “in studio” music production, in a major way.
Exciting and refreshing are words he uses to describe his job where he always gets to try new things daily learning even more as he grows. He says “I hope to make a huge impact in the development of Guyanese music eventually”.
At age 25, his work has seen him involved in studio productions for quite a few Guyanese artistes such as Sophia star boy, Mystic, Star Guyana Queen Lisa Punch, International artiste Natural Black, the ‘Ah de real thing Jory and the now England-based Hip Hop artiste  Don Gialiani.

His magical fingers have touched many tracks that are heard on 98.1 FM for all these artistes including ILaman, Brains, Mr. Tcri$, Et Tu Brutus, Malo and Jomo among others on the local and international music circuit.

He’s extremely proud of having done live engineering on stage for countless international artistes when they come to Guyana for shows.

Priding himself in being a “real Guyanese, not a fake Guyanese,” he grew up in Roxanne Burnham Gardens, before moving to Kitty. His life’s Philosophy is: Try to make the best decision when you are given the option. He’s influenced by producers such as Timbaland, Dr. Dre and a few others.

Ken believes that the local music industry, despite many obstacles in its way, is making progress and trusts that his talent and the love for what he does continues to contribute greatly and makes a positive impact.

Taylor encourages artiste to be more “out-there” because it’s how people get to know you and know your work. Ken doesn’t plan on leaving the scene anytime soon so look out for great things ahead.

Entertainer: Is Sound engineering what you always wanted to do?

Ken: Music was never my first choice. Years ago I wanted to do Computer programming.

But I believe that Guyanese music can and will eventually hit main stream so here I am.  I wouldn’t be wasting my time behind it if I thought I couldn’t get there. The local music industry is struggling at present but I am certain we will make it we just have to keep focused and make every song better than the last.

Entertainment: What keeps you going and what do you use for inspiration?

KEN: International music gives me that kick to jump up and go build a track or aim to get a certain sound in the studio. Plus the less stressed I am the more creative I am so I try my best to be happy.

What would you like to see happening for sound engineers in Guyana?
KEN: I don’t have many complaints on my part. I like a challenge so I’m looking forward to the hurdles. I’ll jump them.

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Guyanese Song Bird Yonette Hooper

From GT to NY and back

Yonette HooperMusic lovers who know Guyanese history would reflect on the “good old” 1960’s when Eddie Hooper’s crooning abilities saw many relationships blooming way beyond ‘Passing Memories’ through his musical genes that have flowed to his children. One of them is the popular Cid Hooper of ‘We linking fame’ and her siblings.

The Hooper name has its place in history as proof that the Guyanese music industry, though a sleeping giant, will one day awaken.

One of the many Hooper children, Yonette, is keeping the family’s musical abilities current and Guyanese will get a chance to experience her in action on Saturday April 17, next, at Thirst Park, then again on April 25 at the National Cultural Centre for the Guyana Music awards.

At present headlining her own band MYSTIKAL VYBES out of NEW YORK, with her new album TUNE-UP soon to hit the streets, she says that she believes that the Guyanese music industry is on the precipice of rebirth.

Her achievements are many, including placing second in the Miami Soca Monarch 2006 and over all ‘winner’ of the female Category.

To many she is best described as a ‘Guyanese to the bone’ singer, song writer and above all a Dynamic Entertainer.

Also known as Mystique, her musical career began during her period of studying in Leeds, Yorkshire, United Kingdom where her Major was Health Science.

The former female lead singer for Cannon Balls band out of Guyana, De Untouchables and the G/T Ninja out of New York, was also the former Band Leader Of Triad Cross Over All Girls Front Band out of New York.

She is at present the female lead singer for “D”NuCFN Band based in Jamaica, Queens, New York and does her stuff accompanied by a very talented Piano Player called MIDAS. Together they are dubbed MYSTIQUE & MIDAS: a super combination.

She sees herself as a “singer with a difference,” having been in the arena for quite some time, performing with a number of well known groups in the Caribbean arena.

She also did her share of opening acts for well known Jamaican, Barbadian and Trinidadian artistes.   Still doing what she loves, she has and still tours Canada, England, Barbados, Trinidad, Suriname and the USA.

“I’m very serious with my music, and once I hit the stage I’ve been told that I have keep hearts pulsating,” she says.

Her new single is ‘Rudeness’ and she sure is promising Guyanese music lovers some of that when she touches down next month for the historical Guyana Musical splash followed by the Guyana Artistic Music awards.

Simply put, Mystique lives for music, and in some loving way she has created her own world which makes her happy to be who she is; an entertainer and a true lover of the art. Putting it mildly she says, “Sometimes it’s not all about how much money one can make from this business, but its how you threat it that makes you inspirationally rich and everything else follows”.

She just thanks God for blessing her with such a great gift.

Music flows through her veins from her father Eddie Hooper who is best known for some of Guyana’s most popular songs like Take Warning, Passing Memories, Where are Your Friends Now, Sweetest Black Man and LiL Gal among other hits.

He also played guitar with Tom Charles and the Syncopators back in the days and also served as a lead singer in the band.

He passed away in 1996 in the USA.

Yonnette and her older sister were introduced to the stage by their father as children headlining the children Broadcast to Schools programme on Guyanese radio back in the days. They also performed with him on his many cross country tours in their home land.

During her stay in England, she was involved with a group called The Mandelas.

Her music coach was Ms Geraldine Connor, who predicted that one day she (Yonnette) will be a very good singer, known to the world.

When asked about the group, ‘Mandelas’, her reply was, we toured the United Kingdom as a musical group entertaining every age, colour and race.

She also performed with the Kuffdem group that included actors from across the Caribbean.

On completion of her Btec Health Science at Thomas Danby College in the UK, she attended Leeds Metropolatan University to under take her BSc Honors in computer science, after leaving England in 1995, the road she took was Music: which is in her heart, body, soul and mind.

By Mondale Smith

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Liquid Honey ignites fire to win preliminary round of Miss Bootilicious 2010

Liquid HoneyThe excitement was electric and the vibes were purely pulsating last Saturday when the twelve ‘Bootilicious Ladies’ faced off at the Club Ice Sports Bar for the 2010 Miss Bootilicious title.
Though it was just the preliminary round from which four contestants were eliminated, the ladies each tried to outdo the other with ultra sexy choreography, and some definitely taught the female audience new tricks on enticing and keeping their male partners, entertained, satisfied and overjoyed at home.
After the steamy show of ‘ultra sexiness’, it was ‘Liquid Honey’ who copped the top spot, followed by ‘Venom’ and ‘Ultra Slim’, and ‘Miss Licklicious’ who both placed third. In fifth position was the sweet sexy ‘Sugar Momma’, followed by ‘Miss Boombastic’, ‘Miss Volcano’ and ‘Superwoman’ all of who will go to the semi-finals in this month-end at ‘Club Sky Seven’, 8 Pere Street, Kitty.
‘Electra’, and ‘Lady Pressure’ were also eliminated from the first round. The eight semi-finalists will be performing at the ‘Co-co-cobanna Nightclub’ on Saturday night to the delight of many Berbicians.
After an electrifying opening introduction by the MC, Promoter and Pageant Coordinator, Alex Wayne, things kicked off with delegate #1, Exciting Estaleen who failed to please the crowd with her luke-warm presentation. She made way for the suave ‘Juicy Fruit’ whose sauciness worked well with the audience but somehow failed with the judges since she too was eliminated.
Next to come was a crowd favourite ‘ Ultra Slim’ who displeased her fans with an almost vague presentation which lacked her usual sexiness. Some said she was distracted by her mother who was present in the audience, and has been hounding her down like a ‘scary god-mother’ since the contest began.
Miss Boombastic represented for the ‘big girls’ and taught the audience many innovative ways in which a ‘big curvy woman’ can still be sexy and creative. ‘Miss Volcano’ who entered the completion only a few days before show night dazzled the audience with some indeed provocative moves as she seduced her school teacher whose intention was to teach arithmetic. Much more was expected from ‘Miss Liculicious’ who seemed distracted, but she has noted that the others will have to look out for steamy surprises coming their way in the next round.
‘Sugar Momma’; seemed ‘stuck up’ and did not deliver her ‘horny nectar’ like she did at rehearsals and many said she was very nervous on stage.
Each contestant displayed sexy choreography as they enticed, controlled, seduced or ‘made a mess’ of the rippled male models who appeared on stage. Mark well the men had a few surprises of their own too.
The climax of the show was centered on performances by the first and second place winners, ‘Liquid Honey’ and ‘Venom’ who battled fiercely for the title. Many believe that ‘Venom’ should have won since her moves were sizzling and sensual, not to mention her mind boggling choreography with two males on stage.
She was all coy, then dominant, then sexily manipulative, before flowing nicely in the moods of sophisticate, irresistible, pulsating and most have been a mouth watering morsel for the male audience.
‘Liquid Honey’ a professional exotic dancer was suave and used her stage experience to her advantage. Her moves were electric and throbbing as she played havoc with the minds of the audience. The ministrations of her male model ‘Fabian’ who acted the role of a man caught in the feverish throes of ecstasy while being dominated by his seductress, most have been the factor that sealed the deal for the two who left the stage to resounding applause. The models and contestants were all trained by the Promoter, Alex Wayne who is a professional runway model, dancer and vocalist.
‘Miss Bootilicious Rewind’ will kick off at Club Sky Seven at a date to be announced in the near future.

Go to www.guyanalive.com for Miss Bootilicious Pics

By Alex Wayne

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About Cyborg Mad@Work

Mixtape CoverIn an industry of many talents but dominated by few comes a musical storm – Cyborg. Born and raised in the rough and tumble ghettos of Albouystown – Georgetown, Guyana Keith Sandiford quickly earned the name Cyborg from his gifted ability to quickly create lyrics on the spot. Son of local (Guyana) reggae artist Sangie, it was a natural fit that Cyborg would one day find himself at the centre of a group of youths singing and deejaying at his school. Realizing his artistic gift to thrill audiences, Cyborg made it his mission to nourish his talents and bring them to the stage for the world.

Upon immigrating to Toronto, Ontario Canada, Cyborg began performing songs by his favourite reggae artist with local sound system – Baseline Sound- (1998). Cyborg then was steadily working in the studio writing and producing his original music. In 2001 Cyborg release his first recorded single -“Plan to Make Millions”- marking the start of his vinyl career. The great response to his work would soon lead to the first of many professional showcases and appearances on national and international stages. From 2001 to the present Cyborg has been performing on many major shows including The Canada Explosion Show, the Toronto Reggae Festival, The Montreal Reggae Festival as well as the “St Mary Mi Come From” show in Jamaica and the Guyana Artistic Awards Show.

During this time, he has also been very active in the community performing at many local shows and community events raising awareness. He has performed alongside such greats as Barrington Levy, Ninja Man, Beenie Man, Sizzla, Jah Cure, Chuck Fender and others. Truly an international artist, Cyborg is destined for greatness. Coining the term “Mad@Work” Cyborg is doing just that. A new mix tape, just released in 2010, features his original works and shows his expanding views on life and diversity. For more information and all the latest info and work from Cyborg check him out at: www.myspace.com/cyborgmadatwork or www.youtube.com/cyborgmadworks

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Guyana Artistic Music Awards

Zebulun De Counselor is coming home

ZebulanThe artiste Zebulun De Counselor might not be among the more popular names announced, following a selection on local radio but it certainly is a name getting recognition internationally in the reggae and culture music realm.

In fact, he is a 2010 New Jersey Reggae Music Awards winner and has confirmed that he will be among the Guyanese artistes in the diaspora heading home as a nominee at the upcoming Guyana Artistic Music Awards slated for April 25 at the National Cultural Centre.

Zebulun De Counselor has been writing and performing music for over 16 years. Born and raised in Guyana, he moved to the United States in 1989 where he spent a few years in the sound system business on Jah Legacy Sound.

Soon after, Zebulun returned to his first love; recording music. He joined up with Sharp Edge Studio, then RockStar Studio out of New Jersey and produced multiple singles.

The first was “Give Praises” which was featured on the Onward Riddim. Artists such as Capleton, Richie Spice and Les were also featured on the album. Zebulun’s “Give Praises” was added into rotation after about a month on the streets.

“When you cold girl” was the second single to hit the airwaves, this song gave him a sudden surge of popularity around the tri-state area (NYC, NJ, CT). Without the support of a major record label its hard to penetrate the Jamaican market. However, “Give Praise” is the single that is breaking international waters. Although it has taken more than a decade to reach this level, Zebulun never lost his faith that it would happen. “Righteous music is positive music, at the end of the day righteousness stands” he is quoted as saying.

With his love for Rastafari and life itself, Zebulun’s future looks bright. To date, Zebulun has about 25 singles and each one has found a place in the hearts of the people who love Zebulun’s music.

By Mondale Smith

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Guyanese Donna Makeda on a Musical Mission

Heads home for GAMA

Donna MakedaWhen the curtain is raised on April 25 at the National Cultural Centre to honour Guyanese artistes at home and in the Diaspora, Canada-based Guyanese artiste, Donna Makeda, will be among the lot.

This very conscious, positive vibes, reggae queen in her own right is among the nominees who will perform for the GAMA and is promising Guyana a taste of quality reggae that is “culturally uplifting”.

“I live overseas but Guyana is and always will be home. I feel honoured to be heading back there this year to be part of the historical music awards. I believe that this is a step in the right direction for artistes to network and work together for the common good of all Guyanese artistes,” she said.

Dubbed by those in the ‘Culture Music know’ in Canada “a definite musical force to be reckoned with,” Makeda was among the lot honoured with crystals at the inaugural GAMA 2008 event in Canada.

With about three albums in her repertoire, some of her singles include “Don’t you break my Heart” done on the Old Fashion Love rhythm produced by Mr. Cooper and Ras Vibes Records and “Need Some Money” which climbed the charts on Galaxie Reggae.

Another “Hold On” done in 2007 was mixed in Kingston Jamaica by the legendary Dr. Marshall of Anchor Studio.

The single “Need Some Money” was written and produced by Prince Everald and the rhythm courtesy of African Star.

Donna, though not as popular in Guyana, is no-one hit wonder. Internationally, she also received honours from the Toronto International Reggae Music Awards for “Roots & Culture” Album of the Year and on that occasion the album was for her album “Jah Ah De Rulah”. All told she has more than 14 awards to date.

Because of her musical abilities, she performed at the Calgary International Reggae Festival and created quite an impact on the 6000-strong audience with her dynamic and impressive showcase.

In August 2004, this entertainer with her talented dance cast ‘The Caribbean Dance Theatre’, created quite a stir that was much pleasing to the audience.

Her performance was referred to as “a storybook’ and “dreamlike” by the viewers, who said that it was the most memorable performance they had ever seen.  Donna received the Consul General’s Award at the Guyana Awards as she was honoured for her steadfast commitment and service to the Guyanese community. She also walked away with the 2004 Female Dancehall DJ of The Year Award at the 20th Canadian Reggae Music Awards.

Donna’s other awards include: “Top Reggae Newcomer” 1993, “Top Reggae Dancehall DJ (female) 1995, 1996 and 1999 and 2003 and “Top Reggae Music Video (for her video “Jah Great Woman”) in 1995 from the Canadian Reggae Music Awards.  And “Arts & Entertainment Award” for her contribution to the Arts from her home country – Guyana in 2000, and an “Artistic Award of Excellence” from the Inter-City Multicultural School of Excellence Reading Club in 2001.

Donna released a 12-track album titled “Jah Ah De Rulah” which includes songs like “Come Into My Life” featuring Prince Everald, a slamming, conscious track. It also included the hit single “Make Love, Not War” featuring Roger B, “In My House” featuring Negus Morris of the Heptones, the ever popular “Folk Song Medley” and ‘Sweet Victory’ (groundation dub).

She has done opening acts for internationally renowned artistes such as Capleton, Coco Tea, Marcia Griffiths, Sister Carol, Culture, Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Michael Rose, Cutty Ranks, Yami Bolo, Anthony B, George Nooks and Louie Culture.

Donna has performed extensively in Canada in places like Toronto, Brantford, Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal and Calgary, also internationally in Barbados, Guyana, New York and Jamaica.

Her song “Sweet Victory” was Number One on the reggae charts in Miami for eight weeks while “South Africa” (from her CD “Who Can Endure” released 1998) followed closely at #2. “Jah Great Woman” also enjoyed much airplay and was #1 in Miami for six weeks.

The “Jah Great Woman” music video, which was done with the help of Videofact, was on high rotation on Much Music and played in Jamaica, Barbados and New York on selected programmes.  Donna signed a licensing deal with Amiata Records in Italy for the remix of her song “Life Story” and also was involved in many stage plays where she performed as an actress, dancer and singer.

She also starred in a Documentary film titled “Roots Daughters” alongside Judy Mowatt and that film is constantly being aired on television throughout the world. She also released two music videos such as “Who Can Endure” and “Make Love Not War”.

Since 1993, this multi-talented, untiring artist has released two full length CD’s titled “Who Can Endure” and “Jah Ah De Rulah”, two cassette-albums (Who Can Endure & Sweet Victory), two vinyl-singles (Sweet Victory & Jah Ah De Rulah & Wonder Weed), one vinyl-album (for Who Can Endure), two compilation CDs with Canadian Music Week and four CD singles (Just Hurry, Money Crazy, Make Love Not War and Family Medley – Part 1). Donna has appeared live numerous times on City TV’s Breakfast Television, Entertainment News, Clip Trip, The Scene, Lunch Television, Rogers Cable 10, Soul in the City and Da Mix (Canada).

This Guyanese born dread locked sing-jay is also a graduate of Trebas Institute where she received her diploma in Recorded Music Production and Multimedia and also is the proud owner of her own music label “DONNA MAKEDA MUSIC” and a quarterly music magazine called “REGGAEXCLUSIVE Entertainment News” which recently won two awards for “Top Reggae Magazine”.

Donna started singing and performing 25 years ago. Her foundation in music came from the church, which she attended when she was a little girl.  Donna started out as a dancer; she was trained in Afro-Caribbean Dance, Modern Dance, Folk Dance, Kathak and Classical Ballet.  At age 16, she opened her own dance and aerobics school: “Burning Flame International” Dance Troupe.

By the time Donna got to Canada, she had already been performing extensively throughout Guyana with her dance troupe.  Singing at that time was just a fun thing for her.

Upon sighting Rastafari, Donna took her music more seriously and began writing lyrics and practicing on sound systems, singing at various stage shows and winning many competitions.

Without a doubt, her voice is her wealth; her intellect a cultural strength, and her stage presence is an expression of royal heritage.

By Mondale Smith

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Peter Ram, X2 for Bartica Regatta

While Guyana has had its fare share of  Barbados Soca sensation, Peter Ram and Guyana’s very own X2(Adrian Dutchin and Jumo), over the years those looking for  another live serving can head to Bartica over the Easter weekend.

The artistes are carded to perform as part of the Easter Regatta offerings in Bartica at the Stelling Square. They are also touted to be additions to the many hip happenings such as the regatta boat races and beach and street jams.

Last week, the delegates were sashed by their official sponsors in Bartica. This week we present the final three vying for the coveted Miss Bartica Regatta crown in the beach pageant competition.

Delegate # 7

Nikita HenrySPONSORED BY SHERLOCK DOUGLAS & ASSOCIATE

Name: Nikita Henry

D.O.B: April 8, 1992

Age: 18

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Career Goal: Nurse

Hobbies: Sports, Dancing, Meeting people of interest.

A graduate of the St. John the Baptist Primary and the Bartica Secondary School, this diva born under the zodiac sign of Taurus spends most of her time perfecting her dancing abilities.

Nikita also likes reading and gets lost easily in a good romance novel but sometimes finds time for socialising.

Like most of the contestants she is a first timer to pageantry. Her reason for entering is to showcase that she has the necessary qualities, including charm, intelligence and charisma to walk away which the crown.


Delegate # 8

Jessica Mc KenzieSPONSORED BY GUYTRAN MINING

Name: Jessica Mc Kenzie

D.O.B: 9th November, 1991

Age: 18

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Career Goal: Cosmetologist

Hobbies: Singing, Doing Household Chores

A graduate of St. Anthony’s Primary School and the Bartica Secondary School this beautiful, bubbly and saucy teen describes herself as a people person who enjoys socialising.

She draws her inspiration from her mother and her “ever encouraging friends”. When this Scorpio beauty believes in a healthy lifestyle and as such often goes jogging to keep fit. She also enjoys participating in sporting activities and has still not grown away from school events.

Despite not having any previous pageant experience she believes that her self confidence is just enough make her win the Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant and sees entering this pageant as a stepping stone for better opportunities to come. Jessica platform for the pageant is alcohol abuse amongst teenagers in her community.

Delegate #9

Annece Rose HicksSPONSORED BY ATKINSON’S TRADING

Name: Annece Rose Hicks

D.O.B: 2nd February, 1993

Age: 17

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Career Goal: Nurse

Hobbies: Singing and meeting people

This former Holy Name Primary, Bartica Secondary School and Three Miles Secondary student who graduated with five subjects at CXC sees herself as alluring.

She first came to prominence when she sang at the 2009 GT&T Jingle competition and placed among the top ten.  Annece describes herself as a ‘day to day’ person and says that family is her strength.

She appreciates life’s little things, is a nature lover who believes that God created everything for a reason and with a purpose. Annece enjoys singing and unlike the rest of delegates she is no stranger to pageantry.

She is the reigning Miss Amerindian Heritage Region Seven Queen and her platform is “Women in pageantry”.

This Aquarius born beauty is aspiring to be a nurse and believes that she has all the right qualities to be crowned the 2010 Bartica Beauty ambassador.

By Mondale Smith

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Miss Caribbean World Pageant

Miss Guyana “will put best foot forward” at Miss Caribbean World  Pageant

Imarah in BVIAs at Wednesday, of an original pool of 20 beauties, 14 have arrived in the British Virgin Islands ahead of tomorrow’s Miss Caribbean World Pageant. Guyana is represented in the bunch. In a Platinum News entertainment story Alecia Hamm, the show’s organiser is quoted as saying that “right now they are having some serious fun”.

She also described them as a lively bunch and reported that some of the six others are experiencing financial difficulties.

Last year, Miss Dominica’s Marah Walter copped the crown from a bevy of 18 beauties and this year Miss Dominica is among the 14 contestants enjoying their stay on the islands. The others are from Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, BVI, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Kitts, St Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, USA and USVI. The BVI is represented by Miss Josefina Nunez.

Last Saturday Miss Guyana World 2010 Imarah Radix as well as the other contestants to the pageant arrived in the British Virgin Islands and was treated to a welcome reception by the Premier Hon. Ralph T. O´Neal Sunday evening at the Maria´s by the Sea.

They dined and savoured some of the delectable indigenous dishes of the BVI and rocked to music provided by the Lashing Dogs sounds.

Reports in the BVI Platinum News indicate that that some of the contestants, including host Miss BVI Josephina Nunez, dubbed the experience as providing opportunities to share and cross diverse cultures.

Miss Guyana who sparked the most comments on the Platinum News site for listing Scuba diving as a hobby is reportedly a stand out for her personality and her ability to think on her feet and is reportedly among the more eloquent of the bunch.

On Monday the delegates toured the Virgin Gorda and on Tuesday they were part of live television interviews.

On Wednesday they toured Tortola then participate in the Queen’s Baton Relay activity at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. Yesterday the ladies attended the high school athletics meet, then they swim with the dolphins and visited the UP Cineplex. A Motorcade is carded for today followed by a reception to be held by the Governor and it is where the personal interviews will be done.

Tomorrow the beauties are scheduled to appear on ZBVI radio’s Teen Talk programme while the pageant is scheduled to take place at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex starting at 19:00hrs. However, in the event the complex is not ready the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall (Cultural Centre) will be the best alternative.

The sports complex has been without electricity for more than two weeks now. “As far as I was told they are rectifying the problem. It’s a government thing, there’s nothing I can do,” Hamm is reported as stating in a Platinum News report.

Besides that, Hamm said everything else is going smoothly for show, while thanking the individuals and businesses who chipped in despite the recession. “We had some persons who were willing to work with us.”

Contestants will compete in swimwear, costumes, talent, evening wear, and for the first time a question and answer segment.

Miss BVI according to the Platinum News report is confident that she will win the pageant as she has ” been preparing since in January, going to the gym, personal training and so on.” Miss St. Lucia Glenda Kimberlyn Abbott at the function who like the other delegates are already enjoying the BVI, urged persons to come out and support the delegates as they display talent, intelligence and beauty.

Miss USA Meagan Small is a US-born Jamaican who is representing the Caribbean diaspora in the USA.

Miss Guyana Radix said the BVI is great and expressed love for the sand and water. Responding to questions about her love for scuba diving, Radix said that she does not scuba dive in Guyana, but has travelled to many countries such as Egypt, Thailand and the Margarita Islands where she does scuba diving.

Imarah who has advanced in scuba diving said “I have done five specialties in scuba diving. I do it while on vacation, I don´t scuba dive in Guyana,” the Platinum news quotes her as saying.

She said that she is prepared to put her best foot forward on tomorrow nigh and is feeling right at home with her Guyanese chaperon. She said reported that Guyanese residing in the BVI are very supportive and they are promising to attend the pageant in their numbers with Guyana flags to root for her.

The contestants were part of a photo shoot in the Virgin Gorda which Imarah dubs as one of several wonderful experiences she has had since arriving in the BVI.

She assures that she intends to do her best to represent Guyana and describes the other contestants as very friendly. Her roommate is Ms Anguilla and according to her “we are getting along very well…it’s as if we have known each other for years”.

Of the trip thus far Imarah said she’s really enjoying the culture and sights of the BVI while discovering ‘nature’s little secret’ and sharing the beauty and culture of Guyana with the contestants.

By Mondale Smith

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It’s Miss Bootilicious night at Club Ice

ContestantsMuch buzz has been circulating about the 2010 Miss Bootilicious Pageant, and sheer sexiness is expected when the event kicks off tomorrow at the Club Ice Sports Bar (formerly Blue Iguana Nightclub).

To date, twelve ultra sexy ladies are gearing for a steamy face-off on show night and there are some definite hotties, who are expected to blaze a trail at the venue.

Miss Bombastic has upped her act and plans to teach the Guyanese ladies a few tricks about keeping their spouses entertained and not distracted.

Much is expected from Miss ‘Lickulicious’ who is expected to take the queen’s title, but she will have to fight off the sensual creativity of Miss Ultra Slim who many has decided already has the most sexy choreography.

These two ladies will have hot competition from Liquid Honey who is an exotic dancer and performs such provocative choreography, its bound to play havoc with the male senses.

Sugar Momma has improved during rehearsals and has created a showpiece so dazzling, that housewives will now have new ideas to keep their husbands entertained always and never distracted by hustlers.

Lady Pressure who weighs almost two hundred pounds has indicated that after the show her Guyanese sisters will acknowledge that the ‘Big Mommas’ can be just as sexy and captivating as the ‘Ultra Slim Divas’.

Lady Electra, the most flexible and energetic of the lot, plans to take things to a screeching crescendo but she will have to make room for the pulsating creativity of  ‘Venom’ whose bag of tricks includes enticing two rippled and astoundingly handsome male models at the same time.

While the show is expected to explode with ‘sensual static electricity’, the promoters yesterday indicated that the event is not a ‘striptease’ show as many seems to believe but is indeed a new sexy concept that will showcase ‘ultra sexiness’ as the contestants not only model sexy lingerie but execute some of the stirring and mind boggling sensual choreographies with the help of twelve young men.

Contestants will not be judged on their beauty or intelligence but instead on their presentation during their introduction, their ultra sexiness and of course the audience response.

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Canadian soul singer Melanie Fiona travels in time

Melanie FionaMelanie Fiona travels through time in her music. Play her records, and you’re trans-ported back to the DayGlo days of mod ’60s soul, a time when snappy Motown songs ruled the charts and shiny go-go boots defined the fashion.

While many modern stars have gone for retro-soul sounds over the past decade – from Lauryn Hill to Maxwell – Fiona aims for something more bright, poppy and pruned. Luckily, her connection to history hasn’t stopped her from climbing steadily on today’s charts. Her debut CD, “The Bridge,” has seen building sales over the past few months, slowly inching its way into the Top 30 in the last few weeks, goosed by a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

This week, the 26-year-old Canadian singer (born Melanie Fiona Hallim) played the Garden, opening for another star with an eye on soul history, Alicia Keys. Which makes one wonder.

How did a girl from Canada – born to Guyanese parents – get that vintage, finger-popping sound?

My parents were big music lovers and played soul music all the time. They loved the Supremes, the Ronettes and Sam Cooke, along with music from their West Indian heritage. My dad also played guitar in a band, and my mom sang all the time in the house.

Do you think your sound has brought you an older audience than it otherwise might?

Yes. I feel like I have an old soul anyway. Older audiences are hard to win over. They’re very specific in their tastes and critical of new music. But my music seems to have spoken to both generations.

You got a Grammy nomination this year before many people even heard of you. Did that make a difference?

It made a big difference. Now whenever anybody mentions me, they talk about me as a “Grammy-nominated artist.”

Your album uses a lot of prominent samples of classics: The first single, “Give It to Me Right,” is based on the Zombies’ “Time of the Season.” But you’ve also got bits of Frankie Avalon’s “Venus,” Martha and the Vandellas’ “Jimmy Mack” and Eddie Holman’s “Hey There Lonely Girl.”

Were you ever self-conscious about using so many older hits in your music?

I feel this album is a tribute to my influences. It’s also a kind of history lesson. A song like “Time of the Season,” people know it, but they may have forgotten where they know it from. This helps put the spotlight back on these artists.

It’s interesting that your breakthrough hit in America, “It Kills Me,” is the most contemporary-sounding number.

I knew that song would shift the market to the urban listener and appeal to people here. In Europe, it’s more open. They just like music. They don’t care where it comes from. In America, it’s more segmented by radio formats.

When did your parents come to Canada from Guyana – and why?

They came in the late ’70s, before I was born. They wanted a better life. Canada had the good health-care system and educational system. It was a privilege for me to grow up there. But it was hard, at first, for my parents. They came from the tropics to a cold country. They had never seen snow before. At first, my dad worked as a janitor. My parents came a long way. Now my dad works in finance. My mom is in banking.

Your first break came from the Caribbean side of your musical influences. You got a Jamaican-styled song on the “Reggae Gold” series. Why didn’t you stick with reggae?

If I had done a reggae album, I would be known as a reggae artist. And I didn’t want to be pigeonholed. Basing the music on soul was a good foundation to be more diverse. I could mix it with rock, R&B or anything.

How did you get your record deal with Universal?

I had a deal with a production company, and for five years we developed what I would do. Steve Rifkind at Universal had a commitment to keeping the sound as it was. Another label might have tried to change me. Steve was on the same page.

Why did you call the album “The Bridge”?

Because we were bridging cultures, genres, generations and ethnicities.

What do you say to those who find your music too retro?

Retro can be a crutch. I don’t want to be seen as going only where music has already been. I’m also about where music is going next.(www.nydailynews.com)

By Jim Farber