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Simone Harris, Karl Williams & Webster McDonald To Appear On @AkibaAbakaArts & Raw Management Agency’s Weekly Talk Series!


“10 Weeks In Jamaica: Theatre Conversations from Jamaica to the World!” is a lively series of weekly discussions  with Jamaica’s leading theatre artists exploring the histories and memories of–and visions for–the Jamaican stage. Produced by Boston-based international theatre production company Akiba Abaka Arts, in partnership with Kingston, Jamaica-based talent agency and production company RAW Management, the series aims to connect Jamaican theatre artists with a global platform of theatre makers looking to gain new knowledge, share best practices around progressive theatre-making, and engage members of the greater Caribbean Diaspora longing for familiar stories of home.

“10 Weeks in Jamaica” weekly conversations can be streamed live each Sunday at 4 PM; previous episodes of the series featuring Oliver Samuels O.D., Dr. Brian Heap, Dr. Deborah Hickling-Gordon, and Fae Ellington are available for on-demand viewing on the Akiba Abaka Arts YouTube page here.

   The next conversation on Sunday, December 20 at 4 PM is Queer NARRATIVES FROM THE JAMAICAN STAGE and brings together a mix of theater practitioners, academicians and playwrights with Jamaican backgrounds including: Karl Williams, an award-winning actor, director and playwright who serves as Deputy Chair of the Speech, Communications and Theatre Arts Department at Borough of the Borough of Manhattan Community College/City University of New York; Webster McDonald, a Jamaican theatre practitioner and educator who is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Theater and Dance at the University of Kansas; and Simone Harris, a Maroon activist, queer dance artist and business consultant. The conversation is moderated by Jamaican-American theater entrepreneur, actress and director Akiba Abaka.

Upcoming programs in the series include:

Sunday, December 27, 4PM EST

LEADERS OF A NEW STAGE

Speakers: Evone Walters, Andrew Barracks and Rayon McLean

Sunday, January 3, 4PM EST

AFRO-FUTURISM AND THE JAMAICAN STAGE

Speakers: Tanya Batson Savage and Michael Holgate

Check out previous episodes below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

Continue reading “Simone Harris, Karl Williams & Webster McDonald To Appear On @AkibaAbakaArts & Raw Management Agency’s Weekly Talk Series!”

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Justice The Artiste Steps Out With The “We Want Justice!” EP


2020 saw many artists stepping out of their comfort zone, or even making their debut. Overall, many of them provided great music for us to enjoy. Justice The Artiste tries to find a balance between making music that he loves, and keeping his Christian faith intact. Representing the new crop of Jamaican Christian acts who step away from the norm, we get to hear his new project, the “We Want Justice!EP.

Featuring 4 tracks and a guest appearance by regular collaborator Kyxgston, Justice The Artiste gives listeners a dose of Christian Hip Hop with lyrics filled with motivation, spirituality, positivity, a little social commentary, and all around good vibes. Backed by some great production that borrows from Trap, Pop, and Dancehall influences, WWJ promises to be an entertaining listen, nothing like you’ve heard before, and will have you wanting to hear more.

Check out the EP below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

Continue reading “Justice The Artiste Steps Out With The “We Want Justice!” EP”

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OLDIES SUNDAY (Christmas): Singing Francine – Hurray Hurrah (1979)


In recognition of the Christmas season, we’re highlighting a few Christmas songs for the month of December on Oldies Sunday! Last week we visited Haiti, this week we stopped by Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago to check out the legendary Singing Francine’sHurray Hurrah“!

Arranged by Pelham Goddard and released through M&H Productions in 1979, Singing Francine shares the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, and highlights his importance to all of us. Over beautiful production, Singing Francine gives us a lively song that will make everyone join in clapping and singing. The track was featured on her 1979 “From Christmas…To Carnival Vol. 1” album, and her 1981 “Christmas Is Love” album. One of the Queens of Calypso with the great Calypso Rose, Singing Francine has brought joy and a lot of entertainment to anyone within earshot of her voice for many decades. “Hurray Hurrah” is one of her many Christmas releases, and is still played in various parts of the Caribbean.

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY (Christmas): Singing Francine – Hurray Hurrah (1979)”

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Get To Know Producer @SOSDynamikz In Our Latest Short Film!


On the Blog, we highlight, promote, and celebrate some of the Caribbean’s best creative talent. We’ve helped many from “Day one“, and we’ve watched their growth over the years to becoming a household name and more. GRAMMY winning Producer SOS Dynamikz is one of those talents we’ve seen build his way up long before this Blog was even created. Today on his birthday (December 12), we highlight him in our new Short Film, “SOS Dynamikz“!

Shot at his home in Manchester (Jamaica), we caught SOS Dynamikz getting into his production zone while we give you tidbits of information on him. He even shared the creative process behind Koffee’sBlazin” featuring Jane Macgizmo that was featured on Koffee’s GRAMMY winning “Rapture” EP. If you’re new to SOS Dynamikz, this is a great opportunity to know about him. If you’re a fan, we give you an inside look on the method to SOS’ madness (lol).

Check out the video below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

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.@ItsTheTifa Shares A Few Choice Words On “C.S.M.”!


As the saying goes, “Mouth cut cross way fi talk“. Everybody has something to say whether it’s right or wrong. Recording Artist Tifa can attest to people having a lot to say about her in her lengthy career, and sometimes she ignores it. Today however, she’s here to clap back with her latest single, “C.S.M.“.

Produced by Suku and Dre Day and released through Ineffable Records, Tifa shares a few choice words for those who have the most to say about her. She has faced many challenges as a female Dancehall artist, but has built her way up to becoming one of the legendary voices over time. If you don’t like her, listen to the chorus. If you can’t stand her, listen to the chorus. Accompanying the single is a music video directed by Facey Shot It, and it finds Tifa rocking a few costumes including a devil suit, shooting money out of a gun, and just having fun throughout the video while letting her haters know what’s up. Shout out to the Dancer Khaja J. who was featured in the video too! Don’t let the haters get you down today!

EARLY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TIFA! (12/12)

Check out “C.S.M.” below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

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.@NaomiCowan Covers @MariahCarey’s “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)”


The Christmas season is one that brings people together, and a lil more love is shown. Unfortunately for this year, Covid 19 made sure we don’t get to be around many of those we love. It’s also a time where many loved ones are missed, whether family members or close friends who passed away, someone missing that significant other for one reason or another, or just a situation where a loved one is unable to be present. For the sad times however, we just have to celebrate as if they’re still around. Recording Artist Naomi Cowan knows a thing or two about this, and today she covers a classic on her latest release.

Taking us back to 1994, Naomi Cowan covers Mariah Carey’s classic, “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)“. Featuring production from Tessellated and CircaEleven, Naomi gives us a beautiful take on the Carey hit with her signature vocals. Accompanying the track is a visualizer directed by JP Williams and shot at Stush in the Bush in St. Ann. The original track was the second single released from Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas” album, which features the timeless classic, “All I Want For Christmas Is You“. If you’re missing someone during the holiday season, let Naomi’s lovely vocals put you at ease.

Check out the visualizer below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

Continue reading “.@NaomiCowan Covers @MariahCarey’s “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)””