Tag: Old School

DYCR "Misunderstanding" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Dancehall #SpokenWord #DubPoetry #Music #13thStreetPromotions #DYCR #Misunderstanding #GeorgeWBush #USA #Immigration #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: DYCR – Misunderstanding (2004)

Posted on by swadedavillain

They can ban the music everywhere else, but on this Blog, we provide a platform. Today is Oldies Sunday! Today’s selection will make you think, will have you in awe, and will make you laugh. Today, we go back in time to check out Dub Poet DYCR’s “Misunderstanding“.

Produced by Black & White for DownSound Records and released in 2004 on the “Invasion Riddim“, DYCR shows us that misunderstanding can be dangerous when the wrong person’s involved. Released during the tenure of US President George W. Bush at the White House, DYCR goes into a story of a Farmer named Joe who lived a simple life. Never bothered to modernize himself, he was far removed from all the technological advances that we have all been accustomed to, even avoided reading the news. Despite all of that, he was able to sustain himself in the countryside, only coming to the town for supplies. One day, Joe got word that his family wanted to file papers in order for him to travel and live in the United States, which turned into something exciting for Joe. The happy moment soon turned into a serious, and a rather hilarious one that you have to tune in to learn about.

DYCR’s clever lyricism and straight-forward delivery made “Misunderstanding” one of his best pieces of work. “Misunderstanding” showed listeners that clarity is very important in conversation, and ignorance can make things go very left. “Misunderstanding” was a part of a run of singles from DYCR that found him traveling near and far performing his works, solidifying his space as one of the top acts in Jamaica during the early 2000s.

Since the release of “Misunderstanding”, DYCR went on to release more singles, and two albums. He is still active, spreading his work through Social Media, and performing wherever he is summoned. “Misunderstanding” remains one of DYCR’s most memorable releases.

Thank You DYCR For This Classic!

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

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: DYCR – Misunderstanding (2004)” →

Eddy Grant "Gimme Hope Jo'Anna" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Guyana #UK #SouthAfrica #Music WorldBeat #13thStreetPromotions #EddyGrant #Apartheid #1988 #Africa #Caribbean #Yoplait #DonaldTrump #NationalParty #FileUnderRock #BarefootSoldier

OLDIES SUNDAY: @Eddy_Grant – Gimme Hope Jo’Anna (1988)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Today, we give thanks for the progress we have made as a people, especially People Of Colour. While we have had our share of slip ups, we’ve made historic moves, and changed lives for better overall. Today on Oldies Sunday, we want to recognize a contribution to positive change. Today, we highlight Guyanese-born Recording Artist/Producer/Musician Eddy Grant and his track, “Gimme Hope Jo’Anna“.

A self-produced track that was released in 1988 through Parlophone/EMI, “Gimme Hope Jo’Anna” found Eddy Grant doing his part in promoting change for Black people and other people of colour. Released during the Apartheid era in South Africa (an Institutionalized racial segregation that existed there from 1948 to the 1990s), Eddy Grant cleverly penned lyrics speaking out for the end of Apartheid, making references to Archbishop Desmond Tutu who fought against it, highlighting the South African cities of Durban, Soweto, Province of the Transvaal, and personifying Johannesburg, the largest South African city that was symbolic of the National Party government that fostered Apartheid.

“Gimme Hope Jo’Anna” was not intended to be a hit single for Eddy Grant who returned to music after a brief hiatus, but it became an anti-Apartheid anthem that expressed change in South Africa, and brought International attention to South Africa. It enjoyed chart success in Europe, became popular in the UK, and was soon banned by the National Party (they later removed the ban to use it during their campaign for the 1994 South Africa general election). Despite its ban, “Gimme Hope” already did what needed to be done, contributing to the end of the racial segregation in the early 1990s. The track was included in Eddy Grant’s 1988 “File Under Rock” and 1990’s “Barefoot Soldier” albums, and is one of the most important songs of its time. The track was also performed in various parts of the world including India as it represented a different message, it was performed for the late Nelson Mandela for his 90th birthday, and was referenced in various sporting moments. “Gimme Hope Jo’Anna” was a part of more controversy in the early 2000s when an adopted version was used in a promotional campaign for Yoplait. The track also found popularity on Social Media platform TikTok.

Since the release of “Gimme Hope Jo’Anna”, Eddy Grant released more music. Now living in Barbados since the 1980s, he runs the Blue Wave Studio, introduced a new genre of music called “Ringbang“, pursued other businesses, received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Guyana, and even sued Donald Trump for the unauthourized use of his hit single “Electric Avenue” for a campaign. Eddy Grant has enjoyed a successful music career, with “Gimme Hope Jo’Anna” being one of his most important songs.

Thank You Eddy Grant For This Classic!

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

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: @Eddy_Grant – Gimme Hope Jo’Anna (1988)” →

Burning Flames "Swing Engine" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Antigua #Soca #Musid #13thStreetPromotions #BurningFlames #SwingEngine #SwingingEngine #OldiesSunday #Oldies #1994 #Caribbean #Klatye

OLDIES SUNDAY: Burning Flames – Swing Engine (1994)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Somewhere out there, there’s some Soca Music blaring through some speakers. For today’s Oldies Sunday selection, we’re taking a trip to Antigua. We highlight Soca Band Burning Flames’ “Swing Engine“.

Produced and arranged by Burning Flames Productions and released in 1994, “Swing Engine” was made for the ladies who knew how to dazzle and hypnotize, and were built for speed with what they got! A song that showcased a new era of modern Soca Music in the Caribbean, Burning Flames’ “Swing Engine” quickly became a hit for the band. The song’s cleverly written lyrics, heavy production, and storytelling elements made it a classic, and is still in heavy rotation today. “Swing Engine” or sometimes called “Swinging Engine” was featured on Burning Flames’ 1994 album, “Klatye“. “Swing Engine” has also been covered by School bands around the Caribbean, most recently by a Cadet Band in Manchester, Jamaica.

Since the release of “Swing Engine”, Burning Flames went on to make more hits, score more album releases, and influenced future generations of Soca Artist before going through lineup changes over the years. No matter what the band did, “Swing Engine” is still one of the band’s biggest singles.

Thank You Burning Flames For This Classic!

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

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: Burning Flames – Swing Engine (1994)” →

Determine "Rappin Up Rhymes" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Dancehall #Music #13thStreetPromotions #Determine #RappinUpRhymes #NineNightRiddim #SteelyandClevie #Oldies #OldiesSunday #Caribbean #2001

OLDIES SUNDAY: Determine – Rappin Up Rhymes (2001)

Posted on by swadedavillain

It may be a wet weekend thanks to a couple Tropical Storms throughout the Caribbean, but we’re giving thanks for life, and praying for those who are battling the bad Weather. We hope you all have been staying safe in your own way. We’re bringing a different vibe on today’s Oldies Sunday. Today’s selection comes from Reggae/Dancehall Artist Determine with the track, “Rappin Up Rhymes“.

Produced by Steely & Clevie on the “Nine Night Riddim” and released in 2001 through Studio 2000, Determine stepped out on a song that showcased his unique flow, and his ability to control any Riddim that was thrown his way. Determine had a few hits in the 90s, and he presented himself as an Artist that stood out no matter what. “Rappin Up Rhymes” was just one of his many examples, and the track was a hit. In promotion of “Rappin Up Rhymes”, a music video directed by Llewellyn O’Reggio was released. The video found Determine chilling with the ladies at the River, interacting with many people in his hometown of Portland including his fellow Rastafarian brethren, and we see an appearance from members of his family including a young Runkus. Determine is still an active member in the Jamaican music scene, and many of his fans still remember “Rappin Up Rhymes” and his previous releases.

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

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: Determine – Rappin Up Rhymes (2001)” →

Brick & Lace "Love Is Wicked" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Dancehall #DancehallPop #PopMusic #13thStreetPromotions #BrickandLace #LoveIsWicked #TikTok #Nyanda #Nyla #2007 #Caribbean #Music #Sims2 #BratzMovie #Nyla #LoveIsWickedChallenge

OLDIES SUNDAY: Brick & Lace – Love Is Wicked (2007)

Posted on by swadedavillain

For today’s Oldies Sunday selection, we go back to a time when Trucker Hats were back in style, Von Dutch was a brand people were familiar with, Jamaica was trending Internationally thanks to a few great Jamaican Artists, and this Jamaican girl group were on the verge of blowing up overseas. That girl group originally consisted of sisters Nailah, Nyanda, and Tasha Thorbourne, but was later reduced to just Nailah and Nyanda, and they were called, “Brick & Lace“! Today, we check out “Love Is Wicked“.

Produced by Steven “Lenky” Marsden on the “Diwali Riddim“ and released in 2007, Brick & Lace spoke about a love that despite being everything they wanted and they’d give their all for it, that person that gave the love never belonged to them, and has resulted in hurt. The song’s upbeat production made it a danceable one, and the hook was very catchy. The deliveries on “Love Is Wicked” stood out thanks to Nailah’s singing and Nyanda’s singjaying, and it quickly became a hit in Jamaica, and parts of the world.

“Love Is Wicked” successfully crossed over to the International market, and was featured in the soundtrack to “Bratz: The Movie“, got featured on “Jimmy Kimmel Live“, was included in the soundtrack for the “Sims 2” video game, and has enjoyed a number of remixes. Brick & Lace capitalized off the success of “Love Is Wicked” with a debut album of the same name which was released in 2007.

Since the release of “Love Is Wicked”, Brick & Lace went on to release a few more singles while being signed to Akon’s Kon Live label, formed a songwriting team with sisters Tasha and Candace called Bloodline, launched solo careers (Nailah goes by “Nyla” while Nyanda used her name), and the duo is currently enjoying TikTok love as “Love Is Wicked” has been gaining viral success since 2021, and grew even more thanks to TikToker Cynesse. Will the Thorbourne sisters return to the scene as a duo? Who knows, but “Love Is Wicked” remains a classic.

Thank You Brick & Lace For This Classic!

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

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: Brick & Lace – Love Is Wicked (2007)” →

Elephant Man - "Chaka Chaka Dance" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Dancehall #Music #13thStreetPromotions #ElephantMan #September11 #ChakaChakaDance #ChakaChaka #ChakaChakaRiddim #Oldies #2004 #OldiesSunday #FireLinks #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: Elephant Man – Chaka Chaka Dance (2004)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Today, we celebrate the Birthday of a Jamaican Music legend by the name of Elephant Man! For close to 30 years, Elephant Man has been giving you hits, brought an energy like no other, and has influenced many. For today’s Oldies Sunday selection, we highlight one of his dance hits, “Chaka Chaka Dance“!

Produced by Fire Links and released in 2004 on the “Chaka Chaka Riddim“, Elephant Man stepped out with a new song to promote the new dance called, “Chaka Chaka“. Having a knack for remixing popular songs and making them his own, Elephant Man borrowed the cadence from Eric “Monty” Morris’ “Sammy Dead” for “Chaka Chaka Dance”. With the line “Dance to di Riddim, Chaka Chaka…“, we were in for a fun time packed with high energy, and a workout. “Chaka Chaka Dance” was a hit for Elephant Man, appearing on charts in Jamaica and parts of the Caribbean. The single was further promoted with a Music Video directed by Llewellyn “BigDaddyLeo” O’Reggio, which was filmed during a staging of the weekly “Weddy Weddy” street dance event in Kingston, and featured many of the popular Jamaican Dancers.

Since the success of “Chaka Chaka”, Elephant Man continued to enjoy a more successful music career that is still very active. With a ton of hits to his name, “Chaka Chaka Dance” is high on the list for some.

Thank You Elephant Man For This Classic!

CHECK OUT OUR ELEPHANT MAN PLAYLIST!

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

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: Elephant Man – Chaka Chaka Dance (2004)” →