Jamaica Akiba Abaka Raw Management Agency 10 Weeks In Jamaica Theatre 13thStreetPromotions 13thStreetPromo Caribbean Oliver Samuels Fae Ellington Shebada Simone Harris Karl Williams Webster McDonald

.@AkibaAbakaArts Partners With Jamaica’s Raw Management Agency For 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.

Each week the series explores a different theme based on the history of Jamaican theatre, and contemporary narratives presented on the Jamaican stage. It runs through January 3, 2021, with the next conversation on Sunday, November 15 at 4 PM titled JAMAICAN ROOTS THEATRE, THEN AND NOW featuring three of the country’s best-know actors: Keith ‘Shebada’ Ramsay, Maylynne Lowe and Volier ‘Maffie’ Johnson. 

Upcoming programs in the series include:

Sunday, November 22, 4PM EST

THE BUSINESS OF THE JAMAICAN STAGE (JAMBIZ)

Speakers: Lenford Salmon and Glen “Titus” Campbell

Sunday, November 29, 4PM EST

DANCEHALL REGGAE AND THE NETTLEFORD EFFECT

Speakers: Orville Hall, Marlon Simms and Neila Ebanks

Sunday, December 6, 4PM EST

JAMAICAN PLAYWRIGHTS ANSWER GEORGE BERNARD SHAW (PART 1)

Speakers: David Tulloch and Fabian Thomas 

Sunday, December 13, 4PM EST

JAMAICAN PLAYWRIGHTS ANSWER GEORGE BERNARD SHAW (PART 2)

Speakers: Dahlia Harris and Amba Chevannes

Sunday, December 20, 4PM EST

QUEER NARRATIVES FROM THE JAMAICAN STAGE

Speakers: Karl Williams and Webster McDonald

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 “.@AkibaAbakaArts Partners With Jamaica’s Raw Management Agency For Weekly Talk Series!”

Jamaica, Dancehall, Reggae, Gospel Music, Dub Music, Music, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, 13thStreetPromo, Dale Virgo, D.A. Jay, Ch4se, Ghana, Ghana Music, Gypsy Dread, Start A Fire, Closer, Caribbean, Dale Dizzle Virgo, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, AWAL, Distribution Deal

.@DZLRecords Links Distribution Deal With @AWAL


Kingston based Record label DZL Records has been one of the institutions that has released quality music over the years. Founded by Producer Dale “Dizzle” Virgo, the label has been behind the releases of hit singles by Christopher Martin, Jahvinci, Chronixx, Kim Nain, Delando Colley, Ce’cile, and many others. The label looks to take things to another level with their recent partnership with International Music Distributor, AWAL.

Short for “Artist Without A Label”, AWAL is considered an alternative to the traditional music label. A division of Kobalt Music Publishing, AWAL provides global music distribution, A&R services, Promotions, Public Relations, and many others, and is at the forefront of technology, empowering artists, and driving transparency across the industry. DZL Records is one of the first Jamaican Record labels to take advantage of this partnership, and “Goodie Goodie” by Scantana is the first release through it.

DZL Records has been enjoying a successful 2020 thanks to their many music releases. Singles that have been circulating include Starr Dane’s “Talk Dem A Talk”, Laty Kim’s “Gi State”, Ce’cile’s “Occupied”, Delando Colley’s “Blaze It Up” featuring Dale Virgo, and Starr Dane’s “Urgency (State Of Emergency)” featuring Dale Virgo and Scantana. On the production side, Dale Virgo lent his sound to Bounty Killa and Agent Sasco’s “Freedom”, Tanaania’s “Boss” featuring Ce’cile, and handled mixing and mastering for Popcaan’s long awaited “Fixtape” project. In addition to music releases this year, DZL Records launched their “Riddim Saturdays” online series, and looks to cover more ground with their “Upful Vibes” Podcast series which is currently streaming on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

For updates on upcoming releases and more, visit DZLRecords.com, and follow the label on Twitter and Facebook at @DZLRecords, and on Instagram at @DZLRecords876.

Continue reading “.@DZLRecords Links Distribution Deal With @AWAL”

Jamaica Dadrian Gordon GumRoad Media Practitioner Media Radio TV 13thStreetPromotions 13thStreetPromo Caribbean

Media Practitioner @MsDadrian Launches Online Media Training Course


Jamaican News Presenter/Radio & Television Host Dadrian Gordon has been a voice that you can’t miss in Jamaican Media for the past several years. Whether you hear her delivering the news or hosting a programme on Radio Jamaica 94 FM, presenting on Television Jamaica (TVJ) and Jamaica News Network (JNN), or adding her lovely voice to some of your favourite ads, she has been working her way up to becoming a Media stalwart. With over a decade worth of experience, she has decided to dabble into another field, teaching.

Recently, she collaborated with Gumroad.com to launch an online course dedicated to Voice & Speech, Diction, and Presentation. Titled the “4 P’s Of Presentation“, Dadrian Gordon provides students quick and easy ways to develop their skills for Media whether their interests are in Radio, Television, or even Internet Media. Reasonably priced, the course is easily accessible during the Covid 19 pandemic, as many are unable to attend physical classes. When asked about her decision to play her part in Online learning, she shared that it was the recommendation from a few peers to venture into that field as she learnt over the years that she’s a role model to many, and the course is one of the ways she wants to impart her knowledge, and give back to the communities who have supported her career.

In our 2017 Interview with her, she shared that prior to studying Media, her passion was in teaching, but life had other plans for her. Being in Media is a blessing for Dadrian Gordon, and she looks forward to developing young (and old) minds through her new initiative. Dadrian Gordon’s “4 P’s Of Presentation” is available on Gumroad.com/MsDadrian. To stay up to date with Dadrian Gordon, follow her on Twitter at @MsDadrian, and on Instagram at @IAmMsDadrian. Be sure to catch her on the airwaves and on your TV screen on Radio Jamaica 94FM, and TVJ respectively.

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

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Jamaica Dancehall Reggae UK Music 13thStreetPromotions 13thStreetPromo Leno Banton Blvk H3ro UB40 Bigga Baggariddim Caribbean

.@BlvkH3ro, @LenoBanton To Appear On @UB40Official’s Upcoming Album!


Jamaica’s newest generation of creatives continue to make a mark on the music scene. Whether they’re breaking barriers or making historical moves, the world is tuned in and ready to give its support. Two of those creatives making big moves are Blvk H3ro, and Leno Banton as they’ve joined the legendary UK Reggae band UB40 on their 21st studio album, “Bigga Baggariddim“.

While reports of the collaborations came about from as early as 2018, UB40 gave fans a taste of what’s to come through their recent “UBZoomy” livestreams. UB40, whose hits include “Kingston Town“, “Red Red Wine“, and “Can’t Help Falling In Love“, have previously collaborated with Jamaican acts like Lady Saw, Maxi Priest, Dillinger, Kabaka Pyramid, and Inner Circle in addition to covering many more. This marks Leno Banton’s first collaboration with the band, and the second for Blvk H3ro as he previously appeared on the Dub version of their “For The Many” album in 2019. Banton, who recently released “Brown Sugar” and appeared on Wavy Jones’Sine Energy” EP, is gearing up to release more singles for the rest of 2020, and is working on a full length project. Blvk H3ro on the other hand, has been staying very busy throughout the year as he released various singles, collaborated with the likes of Wavy Jones, Wayne J, Skillibeng, King Izem, and Di Ruption, and is working on a follow up to his 2019 debut album, “The Immortal Steppa“.

Check out Leno Banton and Blvk H3ro’s appearances on UB40’s “UBZoomy” below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

Continue reading “.@BlvkH3ro, @LenoBanton To Appear On @UB40Official’s Upcoming Album!”

Jamaica, Dancehall, Reggae, Hip Hop, Music, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, 13thStreetPromo, The Apollo Series, Jamaica Music Conference, TheJMCEffect, Caribbean, Music Event, Conference, Music, Caribbean, The Apollo Series, DJ Kool Herc, Kool Herc

“The Apollo Series” Expands Reach & Honours Hip Hop Icon With @TheJMCEffect Partnership!


The Apollo Series, the open stage and artist showcase which has made its mark on Kingston’s live music scene over the past two years, has now partnered with the Jamaica Music Conference (JMC), which seeks to connect music professionals. The JMC team will be present at The Apollo Series on February 8 at The Haven to interact with artistes while the conference, which takes place February 13 – 16, will feature The Apollo Showcase on its opening night at Dub Garden, 10A West King’s House Road, Kingston 10.

The Apollo Showcase will serve as a welcome of sorts for JMC’s special guest of honour, DJ Kool Herc, the Jamaica-born man credited as Hip Hop’s forefather. In appropriate fashion, The Apollo Series has curated a 30-minute showcase that will highlight some of the best local Hip Hop talent to have graced its stage. Five Steez, The Sickest Drama and Inztinkz of the Kingston and New York-based collective The Council is slated to appear, with a feature from Dizzy the Ill One.

“We see the JMC as an essential forum, filling the gap of formal knowledge sharing in the country’s music landscape,” says organiser of The Apollo Series and head of A.C.T.I.O.N. Jamaica, Simon the Writer. “We feel there is a perfect synergy between our two events and this is further strengthened by the proximity in our dates and our mutual affiliation with Reggae Month.”
Simon the Writer said when presented with the opportunity to curate a showcase, The Apollo Series team could not pass up on the opportunity. “We feature all kinds of talent on our platform and that includes local Hip Hop artistes, so it was a no-brainer for us to present a set suitable for a guest of honour such as DJ Kool Herc.”

JMC Chief Executive Officer Kwasi Bonsu says, “We’re elated to have The Apollo Showcase as a part of our conference. They have been doing a lot of groundwork in exposing artistes and I know they will have a strong and unique presentation for our audience.”

The Apollo Showcase is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. after the official welcome event on Thursday, February 13. The conference, which will continue through to Saturday at the Courtleigh Hotel, will feature other showcases, panels and events geared towards sharing best practices in the music industry. The JMC closes on Sunday, February 16, with the Itopia Life Beach Day at Wickie Wackie Beach.

Continue reading ““The Apollo Series” Expands Reach & Honours Hip Hop Icon With @TheJMCEffect Partnership!”

Power Season 6

Sister Nancy’s Classic “Bam Bam” Featured In New @Power_STARZ Episode!


Still tuned in to the final season of the Starz hit show, “Power“? Still wondering who shot Ghost? Anyway, while checking out episode 14, we noticed a familiar sound in the first scene. It was nothing but Jamaican Icon Sister Nancy’s 1982 classic, “Bam Bam“! Produced by Winston Riley, this song did so much for the music culture as Sister Nancy was regarded as the 1st Female Dancehall Artist, and the first to tour internationally as one. We’ve featured “Bam Bam” a few times on here, so check out this link for more content. Salute Sister Nancy!

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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