Jamaican Hip Hop commanding attention
Kingston, Jamaica: Hip Hop does not readily come to mind when one thinks of music in Jamaica despite the father of the culture being Jamaican-born Clive Campbell aka DJ Kool Herc – a Jamaican immigrant to the Bronx who took the local sound system culture to New York. Jamaicans and their children in the United States have contributed greatly to Hip Hop music as artistes and producers, making it a true product of our diaspora and ‘blood relative’ to Dancehall and Reggae.
While Jamaica has never been known to have its own home-grown Hip Hop artistes, that is slowly changing, and the island’s premier Hip Hop event, Pay Attention, is leading the way. Started in April 2012, Pay Attention has provided a regular party and showcase atmosphere for local Hip Hop practitioners and fans alike. Held almost monthly since its start as a free event, Pay Attention has brought hundreds to its past venues, and now, as a paid event, has a loyal following of scores of people. The event, currently held inside Club Indulge at South Beach Café, was started by a close-knit group of
like-minded individuals, who all wanted to see a space for the local Hip Hop community, which was previously scattered and fragmented. The event’s Public Relations Manager, Raquel Allen, says, “Pay Attention is where people may come and get familiar with what Jamaica has to offer in terms of genuine Hip Hop music. It is also about community-building for us as it serves as a hub for the scene.”
Pay Attention’s Musical Director and Resident DJ, Inztinkz – also one of the scene’s respected producers – points out that one may hear locally-produced Hip Hop in the mix with international Hip Hop, ranging from the ‘old school’ to the ‘underground’ to current hits. Host of the event and local artiste, The Sickest Drama, says “We definitely have seen some of Jamaica’s Hip Hop artistes getting more exposure over the past few years, although the movement has yet to penetrate the mainstream. People like Five Steez and Nomad Carlos have been releasing material and growing their audiences, particularly online and internationally, and they are also an integral part of this event and movement.”
Past performers include Sly Rankin; Hip Hop-fusion band, Acmatic; Reggae-fusion lyricist, Kabaka Pyramid; and upcoming dancehall diva, J Capri. While the event seeks to showcase local Hip Hop acts, it also embraces other local artistes who fuse elements of Hip Hop in their music.
Continue reading “PRESS RELEASE: @PayAttentionJA: August 17, 2013 @SouthBeachCafeJ” →
If you like this post, please share with a friend and help us grow!
With a splash of old school Reggae and Hip Hop comes a new tune from top Jamaican Rapper, Five Steez. Titled “Deadly” and produced by DJ Crooks, Steez brought his lyrical gun to the fight here. Here he spoke on being deadly with his flow, aiming to outshine whoever he spars with, representing the “First Coast” and showing respect to legendary Rappers who were born in Jamaica like Bushwick Bill, Chubb Rock, and Heavy D. What a way to start off the buzz for his upcoming “These Kingston Times” project. This is sure to get lots of spins and people excited with the blend of new school Hip Hop and old school Reggae sounds. Five Steez’s “These Kingston Times” goes online on October 14. Check out the track below and share your thoughts in the comments section.
It’s time to PayAttention in 2014! On January 25, Club Indulge will come alive to the sound of Jamaican Hip Hop. Located at 2 Brompton Road, Kingston and hosted by The Sickest Drama, you’ll be treated to performances by Five Steez, The Rush, K John, and Kabaka Pyramid. Check out the Hype TV promo by Five Steez by checking out the video below and share your thoughts in the comments section.
