Do you own Airpods? Neat lil things aren’t they? In promotion of one of Apple’s most popular devices, they released a Commercial today called “Bounce“. While they show off the versatility of the “pods”, we’re treated to the sounds of Recording Artist/Producer Tessellated (featured in one of our Producers to know articles) whose 2016 “I Learn’t Some Jazz Today” was the Commercial’s soundtrack! Featuring a sample of Jamaican born/US based Masego’s “YOU GON’ LEARN SOME JAZZ TODAY“, it’s only right you enjoy hearing this through your Airpods. For those unfamiliar, Tessellated was one of the featured acts on the popular single, “Pine & Ginger“!
Congrats to Tessellated and his team, hear the “TrapHouseJazz” sound by checking out the video below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.
Grammy nominated Recording Artist Etana recently kicked off her US summer Tour in promotion of her latest album, “Reggae Forever“. From April 13 to August 3, Etana brings the hits to stops including Texas, New York, Florida, and California. Over the Memorial Day Weekend (May 26), she made a stop in Massachusetts at the Surfside Salisbury Beach. Opening for the Reggae Artist was upcoming Recording Artist, Rhiya Luna!
With her set lasting an hour, Rhiya Luna treated the audience to some classic Reggae and R&B hits, and a few of her original compostions showcasing her diversity. With DJ Garfield’s assistance, Rhiya kicked things off with Bob Marley’s “Is This Love“, and included the Sam Cooke classic “Bring It On Home To Me” before closing with her tracks “Really Like You“, and the soon to be released “Me & I“. She was well received by those in attendance as some danced and assisted in performing with her on stage.
The inaugural international leg of the Charles Chocolates Dancin’ Dynamites was a pulsating and energetic one from the opening performance to the closing curtains when South American group Colombian Xtreme Dancers hoisted their winning trophy after kicking the competitiveness up a few octaves.
With four countries being represented, the teams, Jamaican Coolers (re-branded from Too Kool who won the national finale), Cuban Triple Threat, St. Lucian Onyx and Colombian Xtreme Dancers were amped up about vying for top honours, and a $500,000 grand prize. The stakes were high, and the anticipation of the imminent showdown had the audience on the edge of their seats.
Cuban Triple Threat got the show on the road, followed swiftly by St. Lucian Onyx, but the moment the Columbian Xtreme Dancers stepped centerstage, there was a sense that the audience was in for an unforgettable experience. Through brilliantly executed stunts, flips, tosses, and dazzling dance moves, the audience was hooked on all the captivating Colombian team had to offer. A few standing ovations and two dance clashes later, the judges’ announcement confirmed what some audience members were already chanting – Colombian Xtreme Dancers had won.
“We feel really good, we feel really comfortable being here,” said an out-of-breath Juliana Echeverry, one of the members of the team, after accepting the winning trophy. “We want to thank Dancin’ Dynamites for the opportunity and we are looking forward to coming back and giving Jamaica yet another beautiful performance.”
Competition judges Kerry-Ann Henry and Orville Hall weighed in on the finale with exceptional reviews on the Mad & Mean Season 14 themed staging. “It was very exciting. I really appreciated that all the teams brought their A-game. They represented their country not only in terms of the music and the costumes but in their energy, choreographically, as well with their movement, but the energy, that was on point,”Kerry-Ann commented. “I think it’s important for people to carry the energy of their country. All the dances and performances were of a high standard and I appreciate it.”
Hall shared similar sentiments, “The season was already on a high but tonight really topped everything.This international component, I hope it’s something that the organizers definitely keep. This was my 14th year and it feel like mi a start from scratch again with the excitement weh mi a feel about it,” he said. “I know the Jamaicans would have had competition, I’ve been to Colombia and seen them dance and seen how passionate they are about it, just like Jamaicans, so I know it would have been a tough fight. It’s really the best team that came out on top.”
Have you been watching any films lately? If so, have you seen the new Netflix movie, “See You Yesterday“? Directed by Stefon Bristol and produced by Spike Lee, the movie finds two best friends, CJ and Sebastian, (Eden Duncan-Smith and Dante Crichlow respectively) building Time Machines in an effort to reverse the unjustly death of CJ’s brother. While the Film aims to give you a lil Sci Fi fun, you might hear some familiar music in it. As a part of the Film’s soundtrack, the late Tenor Saw’s 1985 hit, “Ring The Alarm“, and Dawn Penn’s 1994 hit, “You Don’t Love Me (No No No)” were featured! “Ring The Alarm” was featured on the “Stalag Riddim” and released through Winston Riley’s Techniques label while “You Don’t Love Me” was a Dancehall remake of Dawn Penn’s 1967 single.
With extraordinary energy and moves that packed tonnes of explosive force, the long-running Charles Chocolates Dancin’ Dynamites wrapped the national legof its fourteenth season last Sunday with resilient crowd pleasers Too Kool being crowned the 2019 national champions, copping the coveted first-place title and over $1.5M in cash and prizes.
‘Mad and Mean’ was the theme and promise for this season, and the dance crew comprising Shawn Corrodus, Damoya Grant and Michael Thompson thrilled the live audience and television viewers islandwide as they showcased their winning moves to the intersecting rhythms of the West African Afrobeat musical genre.
“It was a very complicated competition,” Damoya Grant, the group’s only female member, shared. “It was very stressful, but words can’t express our [happiness to] win, and we’re more than ready for next week when we take on the international dancers.”
Competition judge Orville shares the stage in showcasing dancehall moves from years past with show competitors from previous years.
Having earned bragging rights of emerging as national champions after a week of public voting leading up to part one the finale staging, the crew will advance to part two of the finale on Sunday, May 19 where they will face off against dancers from Colombia, Cuba, and St. Lucia at the Jamaica College auditorium.
Too Kool, New Era and Legend Squad, who each placed first, second and third respectively,performed prepared and impromptu routines with the latter guided by an exciting judges’challenge, where the teams created routines on spot.
As the news spread across Braeton on Saturday (May 4) that the semi-finalists for the Charles Chocolates Dancin’ Dynamites Competition were about to embark on a showdown in the Braeton Gully – an unlikely location in Portmore – the excitement reached fever pitch, and residents came out in numbers to witness the never before seen display. Detouring from the usual Jamaica College auditorium venue, the Charles Chocolates team weaved a twist in the ‘Mad and Mean’ themed competition, bringing the semi-final show to its Sunshine City home base. The event pulled out scores of fans as the news spread that this was not a typical Saturday afternoon. “It’s a wonderful feeling to see such a great turnout from the community today. When we decided to take the semi-finals here, the idea was to create an immersive experience for our most discerning fans on our home ground, and I’m so happy to see the that everyone is having a fantastic time,” said Roxanne Brown, Brand Manager, Charles Chocolates.
Roxanne Brown, Brand Manager, Charles Chocolates, shares lens time with some members from the Code X dance group. Code X emerged as the winner of two intense round of clashes walking away with a $16,000 cash prize and bragging rights at the Charles Chocolates Dancin’ Dynamites semi-final.
As the air buzzed with excitement, dancers from Legend Squad, Too Kool Dancers, Code X, and New Era, prepared to wow the expectant audience. With DJ Tropical of Hitz 92, and DJ Niney from Di Unit in Portmore at the turntables unleashing a string of pulsating beats, a six a side football competition, a host of activities to keep everyone busy, and the anticipation of the eventual showdown; the energy was palpable. Code X emerged as the winners of two intense round of clashes walking away with a $16,000 cash prize and bragging rights. New Era held their own, winning the prize for the Perfect Catch performance and a host of compliments from the judges. “You (New Era) performed like you were in the community and heard there was a dance competition and you just come out and kill it, andstill kept the moves clean and the energy high all throughout!” exclaimed season judge Kerry-Annwhen describing New Era’s performance.
Only three of the dance groups will move on to the first of two exhilarating finals which will be held this Sunday, May 12, 2019. In the first finals, the local teams will compete for the top honoursand the Charles Chocolates Dancin’ Dynamites title. The second finale, which will be held on Sunday, May 19, will see the winner of the local finals will facing-off against teams from Colombia, Cuba and St. Lucia for the ultimate title. Both showdowns will be held at the Jamaica College auditorium in Kingston.
Guest artiste, Gully Bop serenades Roxanne Brown, Brand Manager of Charles Chocolates at the Dancin’ Dynamites ‘Mad and Mean’ semi-final at the Braeton Gully, Portmore.
In keeping with the gully theme at the Braeton semi-final, entertainment was provided by guest artiste Gully Bop who performed a high energy set as he worked the crowd into a frenzy. Cheerleading group, Cheerzone, was also on hand to heighten the excitement, holding the intent gaze of the spellbound audience that soaked up their awe-inducing stunts, seamless routines and incredible dance moves.
