Category: Written works

written work from featured poets, authors, etc….

Jamaica, Trinidad and tobago, T&T, Music, Hip Hop, Pop Music, Rap, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, 13thStreetPromo, Jimmy October, Overdose Music Group, Vacation EP, Soca,

GET TO KNOW: @JimmyOctober

Posted on by swadedavillain

The Music scene in the Caribbean is a huge pot filled with blends of various genres, cultures, and ideas. With its fair share of influence on the World, you can detect that on some of your favourite songs out in recent years. The Caribbean is also blessed to have given the World some talented folks who have went on to create huge followings, and churn out hits aplenty. One of the Artists who aims to make a name for himself is Jimmy October from the twin Islands of Trinidad & Tobago. Boasting a sound that stands out, and a swagger that lets you know he’s the next Caribbean Superstar, he has been on the radar of some of your favourites in recent times. After a few delays, we finally got a chance to have a convo with the Artist. From his sound, his latest project, to repping T&T, get to know him in our latest Interview below!

Words By: @SwadeDaVillain

Photos By: @KristonKK

13thStreetPromotions: Jimmy, thanks for having a chat with us at 13thStreetPromotions.com. We’ve finally made that Jamaica/Trinidad link up. For starters, tell us about the Artist named Jimmy October?

Jimmy October: The name was inspired by a couple things. Well firstly I was born on October 9 1994, and I’m pretty connected to the fact that I’m a Libra and the idea of not searching for perfection but for balance. That explains the October. The main reason for the Jimmy is the movie 8 Mile. Eminem played the character Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith Jr. The role of that character really resonated with me because I felt like he was a very regular guy, living a regular life but he had passion. He had raw talent and was determined to be something more. I’m also that regular guy that believes he can use his talents to be something more no matter how much people say its not possible. No matter how much people laughed at the fact that I was crazy for starting to follow this particular dream because they thought it made no sense. I’m Jimmy October.

13thSP: We’ve been hearing your music for quite a while, but tell us how did you get your start? What made you want to pursue a music career?

JO: As basic as this might sound. I’ve loved music from the jump and I’ve only grown to love more.

13thSP: You rap, deejay, sing, produce, and those have caught the attention of many out there. Who have been some of your influences when it comes to creating music?

Continue reading “GET TO KNOW: @JimmyOctober” →

Jamaica, Reggae, Music, Singer, Nickii Kane, Gerrard Harvey, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, Interview, Get To Know, Lila Ike, InDiggNation, Indiggnation Collective, Reggae Music, Manchester, MAndeville, Blog, Caribbean, Jamaica

GET TO KNOW: @LilaIkeJA

Posted on by swadedavillain

While she stands at 5 ft something, she makes a gigantic scene when she lets her notes fly! Lila Ike is an Artist you should be familiar with. While she has been showcasing her talents for a while, the spotlight got a bit bigger when it was announced that she’ll be joining the good folks at Reggae Artist Protoje’s In.digg.nation Collective. You’ve heard her on tracks with Protoje, Koro Fyah, and Royal Blu, but 13th Street Promotions caught up with her recently for a quick “Innerview”! Straight outta Manchester, Jamaica, get to know Lila Ike!

Words By: @SwadeDaVillain 

Photos By: Nickii Kane & Gerrard Harvey

Jamaica, Reggae, Music, Singer, Nickii Kane, Gerrard Harvey, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, Interview, Get To Know, Lila Ike, InDiggNation, Indiggnation Collective, Reggae Music, Manchester, MAndeville, Blog, Caribbean, Jamaica
Photo By: Gerrard Harvey

13thStreetPromo: Hey Lila! Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to rock with us. Many have heard you on tracks like Protoje’s “Flight Plans“, and on your debut single, “Biggest Fan“, but who is the Artist named Lila Ike?

Lila Ike: Thanks for having me. To keep it simple and sweet, Lila Iké is a chill person who just enjoys creating and vibing.

13thSP: When did you discover that you could sing, and when did you decide that you want to pursue a music career?

LI: I discovered I could really sing during my years in Primary School (Elementary School). Realizing how good I was, I decided I wanted to pursue it as a career during my time in University.

Continue reading “GET TO KNOW: @LilaIkeJA” →

Jamaica, Journalism, RJR FM, RJR 94 FM, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, 13thStreetPromo, Dadrian Gordon, Reporter, Get To Know, Interview, Media, DJ, Caribbean,

GET TO KNOW: @MsDadrian

Posted on by swadedavillain

You’ve heard her voice on the Jamaican airwaves, you’ve seen her presenting on Television, you may have seen her during an Outside Broadcast, but do you know Dadrian Gordon? Formerly of Linkz 96 FM, Dadrian has been lending her talents to RJR for quite a while ensuring that news and other happenings get to you in time. A friend of the Blog from a taller time (lol), we finally got a chance to get her out of her busy schedule for an Interview. If you don’t know, now you know!

Words by: @SwadeDaVillain

Jamaica, Journalism, RJR FM, RJR 94 FM, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, 13thStreetPromo, Dadrian Gordon, Reporter, Get To Know, Interview, Media, DJ, Caribbean,

13thStreetPromotions: Hey Dadrian! Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to have a chat with 13th Street Promotions! You’re at times  on the Radio and you sometimes make a Television appearance, but who is Dadrian Gordon?

Dadrian Gordon: Firstly, thanks for the interest and I appreciate the feature. Who is Dadrian? Hmmmm…I am a simple lover or life, love and laughter. I like being surrounded by things and people that add value to my being; that inspires, uplifts, celebrates, supports and teaches. I can be a Drama Queen and in the same breath be an Introvert. I cherish simple treasures; long conversations, listening to music, cooking new dishes, creating art and of course I can’t live without my TV shows. I’m the original Google Chef and Pinterest/HGTV is life. *chuckles*

13thSP: For those who aren’t up to speed, what do you do overall, and where have we heard and seen you work?

 DG: The question is what don’t I do (lol), but i pride myself in being an all rounder. I believe that if your environment permits, you should capitalize on all the available options. With that being said, I’m primarily employed as a News Presenter, however i’m a general Broadcaster at the RJR Gleaner Communications Group. I host my own Radio show on Saturday mornings (9 AM- 1 PM), I sub for E-Prime during Prime Time News (TVJ), I write and produce for selected Newscasts, I host Outside Broadcasts, I voice and produce Commercials, and I present the RJR News Webcast.

Over the years I’ve done Outside Broadcast coverages for a number of Festivals including Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica Jazz & Blues, Denbigh Agricultural Show, Independence Village as well as voice over ads for WIHCON and Red Stripe.

13thSP: How did you get into Media? Was it always your passion to do so?

DG: I’ll credit Northern Caribbean University (NCU) for introducing me to the field. As a Freshman we were/are required to do a career test which serves a guide to our career choices. Based on my interests and personality, it pointed me to Mass Communications though I knew nothing about the field, except that i wanted to sound like Paula Ann Porter Jones (Media Personality). I changed my major from Teaching and it was the best decision. I was surprised as to how natural and uncomplicated the transition was. And as they say, the rest is history.

Continue reading “GET TO KNOW: @MsDadrian” →

Jamaica, Florida, Producer, Beats, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, 13thStreetPromo, Kris Karz, MrKars2, Kngly Studios, Kngly Live, Music, Riddim, Mandeville, Manchester, For The Culture, Caribbean, Get To Know, Interview, Youtube, Video,

GET TO KNOW: @Kris_Karz

Posted on by swadedavillain

The Producer is a very important person when it comes to Music. Without their contributions, many of your favourite songs would have never been heard. No matter how good an Artist is, a Producer helps to direct and develop the talent. Recently we had a chat with Florida based Producer/Recording Artist/Musician, Kris Karz. Known for his “Kngly Live!” series on here, he has also been a part of some tracks featuring some members of the “New Wave” movement (Royal Blu, Kapital Stone, K. Charlz, Leno Banton). If you don’t know, well get to know him below!

Assistance: Dylan Golden

Video: Kngly Studios

Continue reading “GET TO KNOW: @Kris_Karz” →

Jamaica, Red Stripe, Red Stripe Beer, Bikers Roll Out, Bikers, 13thStreetPromotions, 13thStreetPromo, Blog, Caribbean,

@RedStripe Promotes Road Safety At “Bikers Roll Out”!

Posted on by swadedavillain

In a move to expand the scope of its Drink Right initiative, Red Stripe hosted a ‘Bikers Roll Out’, geared at encouraging motorcyclists to not only drink responsibly, but also drive responsibly on the nation’s roads.

The snarling sound of motorcycles could be heard along the Spanish Town Road as close to 100 bikers made their way through the congested Friday afternoon traffic onto Red Stripe’s headquarters. The informative and entertaining programme featured presentations from key partners from the Traffic Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force; the Road Safety Unit in the Ministry of Transport and Mining, and helmet supplier Superior Parts Limited.

Jamaica, Red Stripe, Red Stripe Beer, Bikers Roll Out, Bikers, 13thStreetPromotions, 13thStreetPromo, Blog, Caribbean,
Stacy-Ann Smith, Brand and Corporate Public Relations Manager, Red Stripe in conversation with Acting Senior Superintendent of Police Courtney Coubrie of the Traffic Division. As part of Red Stripe’s Drink Right campaign which is geared towards promoting road safety and encouraging consumers to drink responsibly, the company hosted motorcyclists for an exciting and informative Bikers Roll Out session recently.

Continue reading “@RedStripe Promotes Road Safety At “Bikers Roll Out”!” →

Jamaica, Entrepreneurship, PR, Press Release, WINC, Women Innovators Network, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, WINC Acceleration Program 2017, CGR Jamaica, Women Entrepreneurs, Caribbean,

The WINC Acceleration Program For Women Entrepreneurs Is Now Open For 2017!

Posted on by swadedavillain

Building on the success of its 2016 Acceleration Program, the Women Innovators Network in the Caribbean (WINC) is launching its 2017 program.

The eight-month peer learning program which begins in November 2017 is designed to help growth-oriented women entrepreneurs innovate within their businesses, and have the self-confidence to make the necessary changes to improve their competitiveness and boost their growth.  Participants will benefit from a suite of services including business and personal development, one-to-one mentoring, technical workshops and motivational sessions.

The initiative is part of the Entrepreneurship Program for Innovation in the Caribbean (EPIC), funded by the government of Canada and implemented by the World Bank’s infoDev program for innovation and entrepreneurship. It will be delivered by infoDev-trained and certified facilitators in nine countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Trinidad & Tobago.

InfoDev certified facilitator, A. Cecile Watson, a senior business leader and also an entrepreneur, will lead WINC AP Jamaica for the second time around.  She said:  “The returns, impact and value created by the WINC Acceleration Program may never be totally grasped or measured.  During 2016, we had 11 women entrepreneurs in the Jamaica program who today are still learning, developing and growing together.  We are now a community of women entrepreneurs who are still celebrating our successes, hacking through our challenges, sharing our networks, doing business together and always looking out for each other.”

The Development Bank of Jamaica has signed on as a key sponsor of the Jamaica program.   Milverton Reynolds, managing director said:  “We’ve hosted and had robust discussions with the women entrepreneur graduates of the first WINCAP cohort and we’ve seen how energized they are by the value that the program continues to create for them.  Two of the awardees of the DBJ IGNITE grant in 2016 were amongst the participants.  So we support and encourage endeavours like these which are directly aligned to our MSME strategy, a key contributor to Jamaica’s economic growth plans.”

Jamaica, Entrepreneurship, PR, Press Release, WINC, Women Innovators Network, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, WINC Acceleration Program 2017, CGR Jamaica, Women Entrepreneurs, Caribbean,
Milverton Reynolds (left) Managing Director, DBJ, Chris Zacca, Former Chairman, DBJ; and A. Cecile Watson (standing, fourth from right) join women entrepreneur graduates for a photo op. The event was part of the Gr8Way Influencer Series which fosters support for the women entrepreneurs by connecting them with key Influencers.

Continue reading “The WINC Acceleration Program For Women Entrepreneurs Is Now Open For 2017!” →