Jamaican Hip Hop saw a new year over the weekend thanks to the first staging of Pay Attention. Held at Club Indulge and hosted by The Sickest Drama, patrons were treated to the musical endeavors of The Rush, K John, Five Steez and Kabaka Pyramid. The night began with a mix of new and old school Hip Hop provided by Fatalic, Inztinkz and Deadline for the patrons followed by Break Dancers showing another element to the Hip Hop culture. First up to perform was The Rush. Accompanied by a guitarist for his introduction, Rush kicked off his set with verses from his songs along with feature verses from Sons of Liberty songs. Accompanied by his Sons of Liberty brethren later, they all showed that #DatGang was there to make noise and get the people moving. After raising the energry levels, The Rush made way for the next performer, K John of the Gamblino Money Gang. Starting off his set with the National Anthem, he dropped lyrics about Kingston life and what you can find in Jamaica. K John, who was accompanied by his GMG brother for a song, also dropped lyrics about his love for marijuana and requesting its legalization, and the Gamblino life all while having the patrons paying full attention and following every command.
Starting his performance in the crowd was the next performer, Five Steez. Steez ran through a couple of his singles from his “War For Peace” album including a remix of “Slaving On The Plantation“. In respect to those who’ve followed his music for years, Steez also performed one of his songs off his “Momentum Vol. 1” mixtape to much delight from the audience. Before closing his set, Five Steez performed a song that will be featured on his upcoming project, “These Kingston Times“. The final performance of the night came from Bebble Rock founder, Kabaka Pyramid. With an arsenal of lyrics, Kabaka ran through many of his songs before letting the people know that he grew up on Hip Hop music and respected lyricism. Acknowledging Canibus, Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and Spragga Benz as influences, Kabaka continued his set with some of his songs over old school hip hop instrumentals which had the crowd in a frenzy. With appearances by Koro Fyah and Shanique Marie, Kabaka had the audience’s attention until the final minute where he recited a very lyrical verse and demanded someone to challenge it. Challengers included The Sickest Drama who performed an unknown amount of bars (Let’s say 200 bars), King Biggs from Sons Of Liberty, Femcee Ice Creame, and Rseenal who have all impressed with their lyrical prowess. Highlights of the night? The Sickest Drama’s performances between sets, Rseenal’s performances, SOL bringing energy to the stage, Breakdancers, Five Steez’s “5 4 3 2 1”, and Kabaka throwing up the Wu-Tang Clan “W” before performing over old school Hip Hop beats and reciting some of the original lyrics to the beats. Check out pics and videos from the event below and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Continue reading “PICS: @PayAttentionJA – January 25, 2014 at @SouthBeachCafeJ”
Starting the new year on a high note is Tommy Lee Sparta with his new single. Titled “Free Your Mind” and produced by Head Concussion Records, we hear Captain Sparta encouraging the ladies to free their minds and release their stress when they’re around him…just don’t tell his wife! Not a bad effort from Tommy Lee as he took on a high tempo beat which gives it a pop sound. It also has a hook that can quickly catch on. I can picture this song getting many plays in nightclubs and I wouldn’t mind hearing him on more beats like these. Check out the song below and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Today’s new music comes from Denyque and the “World Boss” Vybz Kartel. Titled “Revenge” and produced by AdidJahiem Records, we hear Denyque letting Kartel know that she’s tired of his lies and deceit so she’s going to do her own thing in an act of revenge. Kartel on the other hand explains what happened between him and a few ladies and says she’s his “Today and Tomorrow” while the others mean nothing. A good effort from these two as they play the “Two can play that game” scenario. What goes around comes around. Check out the song below and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Today’s new music comes from the dynamic duo of Twin of Twins. Titled “Tessanne“, the twins revisit the sound bite from Tessanne Chin on The Voice where she highlighted that Jamaica has the worst roads. With this in mind, the twins asks Tessanne to address all the other problems that country is facing. With her new star power already affecting the country (the budget for new roads was found just hours after her comment was made), it wouldn’t hurt if Tessanne heard this and did her thing. Love this song and the twins never failed so far. Check out the song below and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Looks like we’ll be getting more Gaza songs for 2014! Today’s new music comes from Vybz Kartel and Gaza Slim. Titled “Wickedest Ride” and produced by So Unique Records and Simon Howden, we hear Kartel speaking on being with many women but is giving it up to the one girl that never left his side despite hurting her. Gaza Slim handles the chorus by letting him know that he gives her the best loving and she’ll be loyal because other women will come and go. Is this another hit by the duo? To be honest they always fit when doing collaborations but I do think the chorus could’ve been mixed better. Check out the song below and share your thoughts in the comments section.