dancehall

Beenie Man Statement

The Producers of Big Day Out have decided not to proceed with the proposed engagement of Jamaican Reggae performer Beenie Man for the Jan 2010 show.

Although aware of the controversial nature of Beenie Man and his previous lyrics that have caused offence with the Gay and Lesbian and wider community, the Producers understood that the artist had renounced these sentiments and no longer expresses those views.

Notwithstanding claims of a commitment to the Reggae Compassionate Act which he signed in 2007 and a promise of adherence to peaceful and humanistic values for the dates here by Beenie Man, the depth of feeling and hurt amongst these groups has convinced us that for us to proceed with his Big Day Out appearances was, and would continue to be, divisive amongst our audience members and would mar the enjoyment of the event for many.

For this reason we have decided not to proceed.







Wayne Wonder and Razor B Live in Concert in Toronto!

Wayne Wonder

OG Entertainment, home to Canadian Dancehall artist Razor B, announces their first concert of the fall called ‘Never Forget’ featuring veteran Reggae artist Wayne Wonder.

Performing on October 4, 2009 at Frequency Nightclub in downtown Toronto, Razor B and Wayne Wonder will give Reggae and Dancehall fans a smooth combination of old and new material. Razor B, a relative newcomer to Dancehall, has a number of songs receiving favourable response in Jamaica, and around the world. Songs like Watch Ya, Show Us The Way and Believe featuring Spice are in medium rotation on all major radio stations including Zip FM, Irie FM, and Hot 102FM.

When asked about the music he makes, Razor B said "good music doesn't have an expiry date; generations will listen and love it. I have listened to Bob Marley, Beres Hammond, Sanchez, Buju Banton and Wayne Wonder for years now, and now my kids are listening to these artists. That's the kind of music I want to make."

Wayne Wonder, Reggae’s young veteran, has a catalogue of hits including No Letting Go, Anything Goes, and his latest song Stay Close on the Beauty Riddim. This new single was released on Wayne’s Singso Records label in association with TJ Records, and is doing well in Canada and internationally.







The Government of Grenada has denied performance work permits to popular Jamaican Dancehall Artist Adija Palmer aka Vybz Kartel, and his band. Kartel, whose controversial lyrics have brought him lots of media attention both in and out of Jamaica, was scheduled to perform a “rap-it-up” concert in Grenville St. Andrews on Sat. May 2nd 2009, where his popular Daggering condom was to be officially launched.

Vybz Kartel, who is well known for his hard hitting ghetto lyrics and rival showdowns with popular Artist Mavado, has been leaning towards more positive messages in his songs, with emphasis on respecting Women and Mothers and making Money. Vybz Kartel’s recent release “Mama” has taken the charts by storm, and the Artist will be doing several performances in the Caribbean, to include neighboring Trinidad and Tobago on May 8th 2009.

No reason was given by the Ministry of Labour in Grenada for the refusal of the work permits, but the sensitive issue of censorship or freedom of expression may have been at the forefront. The promoter of the event Dexter Tillock is claiming thousand of dollars in losses and is now seeking legal advice, since neither himself nor the Artists were aware of the Government’s blacklisting.
Vybz Kartel last performed in Grenada Dec. 5th 2008 to a sold out audience.