Tag: Black History Month

Garifuna Kids "Baila Baila" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Belize #Garifuna #PuntaRock #Music #13thStreetPromotions #GarifunaKids #GarifunaMusic #BailaBaila #RochezBrothersEntertainment #1993 #Caribbean #CentralAmerica #oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool

OLDIES SUNDAY: Garifuna Kids – Baila Baila (1993)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Closing off “Black History Month” on “Oldies Sunday“, we wanted to not only give you a past hit, but introduce to an audience something they haven’t heard before. While Reggae, Soca, Calypso, Reggaeton etc. are signature sounds from the Caribbean/Latin America, we wanted to share some Garifuna Music. The Afro-Indigenous people of Central America and Saint Vincent and The Grenadines introduced it with sounds originating from West Africa, then spread it to countries like Belize and Honduras, and was given the Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity title by UNSECO in 2001. Today, we highlight Belizean group the Garifuna Kids, and their track, “Baila Baila“.

Released through Rochez Brothers Entertainment in 1993, the Garifuna Kids brought great vibes and high energy with “Baila Baila”. The track drew inspiration from Punta Rock (a sub-genre of Garifuna Music), while the production was a mix of traditional Instruments, callbacks, and melodies that had everyone truly dancing. The track quickly caught on shortly after its release, and was featured on the group’s 1993 album of the same name. The country of Belize was home to many Garifuna musicians, and Garifuna Music was one of the sounds that empowered the people. The Garifuna Kids are still an active group, and continue to perform in Belize and other parts of the world, keeping the culture alive in the process. “Baila Baila” remains one of the group’s most memorable songs, and has been getting some recognition over the years on Social Media.

Thank You Garifuna Kids For This Hit!

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Johnny Nash "Hold Me Tight" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #USA #HoustonTexas #Texas #Reggae #Music #13thStreetPromotions #JohnnyNash #HoldMeTight #ReggaeMonth #Caribbean #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool

OLDIES SUNDAY: Johnny Nash – Hold Me Tight (1968)

Posted on by swadedavillain

February is recognized as “Reggae Month” in Jamaica, and in parts of the world. It is also Black History Month, and on “Oldies Sunday“, we’re celebrating Black Music. Today, we highlight History as we go back to the 1960s to check out American Reggae/Pop/Soul Singer Johnny Nash and his track, “Hold Me Tight“.

Co-Produced with Arthur Jenkins and released through JAD Records in 1968, Johnny Nash is making up with him lady through song in “Hold Me Tight”. Nash admits his mistakes throughout the relationship, and realizes that his lady is the right one for him, so he’s going to do all the right things to make the their union better. “Hold Me Tight” created History as being one of the first Rocksteady singles to be performed and released by a non-Jamaican, and it went on to become a top 5 hit in North America (securing a #1 in Canada), and earning a top 5 placement in the UK. It also paved the way for Nash to release even more Reggae/Rocksteady singles. “Hold Me Tight” was used in Commercials for the Score brand, was sampled by Tanya Stephens and Spragga Benz, and covered by the likes of Gregory Isaacs, Eddie Lovette, Anthony Swete, and Anita Harris.

Since the release of “Hold Me Tight”, Johnny Nash continued to release more albums and singles until the early 80s where he seemed to have disappeared from the spotlight. His career enjoyed some resurgence during the 90s, and started singing again in the 2000s. Johnny Nash passed away in October 2020 after his health started to decline for years. “Hold Me Tight” remains one of his most popular singles to date, and a part of Jamaican Music History.

Thank You Johnny Nash For This Classic!

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Lasana Bandele "Storitela" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Reggae #DubPoetry #Music #13thStreetPromotions #LasanaBandele #LivingInShacks #1987 #Storitela #BHM #ReggaeMonth #BlackHistoryMonth #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: Lasana Bandelé – Living In Shacks (1987)

Posted on by swadedavillain

February is recognized as “Black History Month“. The month reflects on the plights of Black people, and celebrates the achievements and innovations by them. It is also recognized as “Reggae Month“, celebrating the global impact the genre has over the past few decades, and will have for generations to come. For today’s “Oldies Sunday” selection, we highlight a musical figure who used his voice to shed light on the struggles his people faced, seeking for better ways. His name is Lasana Bandelé, and the track is called, “Living In Shacks“.

Arranged by Lasana Bandelé and Leebert “Gibby” Morrison and released through Storitela Music in 1987, “Living In Shacks” finds Bandelé doing some Social Commentary. He looks at the destitute conditions many are living in and what they have experienced for centuries,  and calling out those who can help but are caught up in vanity and corruption. Bandelé’s song came with powerful words, and at a time when Black people around the world faced great hardship. “Living In Shacks” earned its respect shortly after its release, and it connected with many around the world thanks to its lyrical content. The song was included in Bandelé’s “Storitela” album that was released in 1989. The music video for “Living In Shacks”, directed by Phase 3 and Dermot Hussey, was premiered on JBC TV (now Television Jamaica/TVJ) as a part of Lasana Bandelé’s “The Storitela” TV Special, and was aired regularly.

Since the release of “Living In Shacks”, Lasana Bandelé continued to share his powerful content over the years. From Poetry to Filmmaking, Bandelé made his voice be heard, and messages connect to many locally and Internationally.

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

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"Jamaica Sings For Thom Bell" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Philadelphia #Music #Playlist #13thStreetPromotions #ThomBell #PhiladelphiaSoul #TheSoundOfPhiladelphia #Caribbean #Spotify

Jamaica Salutes Legendary Songwriter Thom Bell In Our New Playlist!

Posted on by swadedavillain

As we close another Black History Month, we use this last day to honour a Jamaican who helped to shape the musical landscape. His name is Thom Bell, and he is the co-creator of the “Philadelphia Soul” that reigned the 1970s. A Songwriter, Producer, Composer, and Arranger, Thom Bell gave the world classics, and has influenced generations. Today, we salute him with our latest Playlist titled, “Jamaica Sings For Thom Bell“.

Featuring 14 tracks (more would’ve been added if they were available for streaming), we highlight some of the Jamaican Artists who have covered songs that were either written, produced, or arranged by Thom Bell. From John Holt, to Horace Andy, to Boris Gardiner, to Alton Ellis, to Etana, we hear covers of classics by The Delfonics, Deneice Williams, The Stylistics, and more. Listeners can learn something new, or reconnect with songs that affected them in ways when they first heard them in the new Playlist. Soul Music along with R&B sounds have a heavy influence in Jamaican music, so it’s only right that many of the American classics were covered by some of the Jamaican greats. The late Thom Bell gave the world something special, and his work will continue to entertain and inspire. Thank you for everything Thom Bell, rest well.

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

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Burning Spear "Marcus Garvey" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM #BurningSpear #Reggae #MarcusGarvey #LawrenceLindo #JackRuby #Caribbean #Oldies #1974

OLDIES SUNDAY: Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey (1974)

Posted on by swadedavillain

It’s Reggae Month and Black History Month, so we continue to honour those who have made strides in taking the music to another level, and those who have fought for the freedom of Black People. Today’s Oldies Sunday focuses on one of the most important voices in Reggae, and one of the most important Black figures in History. We check out Burning Spear’s “Marcus Garvey“.

Produced by Lawrence Lindo a.k.a. Jack Ruby and released through his Fox label in 1974, Burning Spear made a track to highlight National Hero and Pan-Africanist, Marcus Garvey. Garvey fought for Black Liberation, was a major influence in the Rastafarian movement and the Nation Of Islam, and inspired the Black Power movement. The song spoke of Garvey’s words and teachings coming to pass, while encouraging Black people to stand up and fulfill the prophecies from this great man. The song also made mention of Garvey’s Chauffeur, known as “Bag O’Wire“, who was responsible for betraying Garvey by reporting him to the Authourities. “Marcus Garvey” was the opening track for the 1975 album of the same name, which was been regarded as one of Reggae’s most important albums, and was celebrated as one of the 100 essential Reggae albums by Rough Guides Ltd., and one of the 1001 albums you must listen to before you die by Robert Dimery.

Since the release of “Marcus Garvey”, Burning Spear has went on to become an influential voice in Roots Reggae. With a heavy collection of albums and singles, Spear is also a two-time GRAMMY winner and 12-time nominee, and was active for years until retiring in 2016, and un-retiring in 2022. Celebrate the greats, and continue fighting for true freedom for Black People.

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OLDIES SUNDAY: Brown Sugar – Black Pride (1977)

Posted on by swadedavillain

February is recognized as “Black History Month“. While we recognize the Black man’s rise everyday, we continue to recognize some great Black people in music on Oldies Sunday. Today, we go back in time to check out UK group Brown Sugar with their classic single, “Black Pride“.

Produced by Brownie “T” for Dennis Harris Productions and released through the “Lover’s Rock” label in 1977, the song found members Caron Wheeler, Pauline Catlin, and Carol Simms celebrating Blackness during a time where racism and prejudice were still heavy problems in society. Being proud of the skin you’re in is what Brown Sugar emphasized throughout the Lover’s Rock single, but the message still falls on the deaf ears of many today. “Black Pride” become a successful single for Brown Sugar, and is still played to this day. Though the group broke up and reunited a few times over the years, former member Carol found success with a cover of the single when she embarked on a solo career under the name Kofi years later. Say it loud, “I’m Black and i’m Proud“.

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