REIGNING DIGICEL RISING STAR DEBUTS VIDEO

Last Friday, Television Jamaica’s Entertainment Report premiered Cameal Davis’ debut video for her single Believe...

When Digicel Rising Stars host Yendi Phillips announced Cameal Davis as the 2008 Rising Star, Davis would walk away not only with the title, but lots of goodies that only come with being the winner of Jamaica’s most popular talent competition and television show... one of which is a music video.

Last Friday, Television Jamaica’s Entertainment Report premiered Cameal Davis’ debut video for her single Believe, which was written and recorded by Davis under the watchful eye and guidance of experienced producer Norman ‘Bulupus’ Bryan.

The video which was produced by Kimala 'Lala' Bennett has been making the rounds on the internet' garnering numerous hits on the popular video broadcasting service YouTube has Davis, the first female winner of the competition very excited.

“It was so exciting for me. It’s a dream come true. The concept was off the chain, and everyone came together to make the video come alive” an ecstatic Davis said. The young songstress gushed as she relayed behind the scenes stories.

“It was just too much fun. The set and the crew were just amazing, it’s my video so I had to put my all into it, and I just had such a great time.”

The song, Davis says, is just about encouraging people, she opined: “to believe they have the power and the ability within to accomplish whatever they want to. Look at me, I won Digicel Rising Stars! We all have it in us to make our dreams come true, and it won’t be easy, but it’s worth it. You just have to, Believe.”

Meanwhile, Davis is encouraging all the persons who are planning to audition for Digicel Rising Stars to bring their “A-game”.

“You only get one chance to impress the judges, and you just have to believe in yourself, go out there, and do your best. Do something fresh, something different, and don’t be afraid of the judges” Said the reigning Digicel Rising Star.

Watch Cameal's Believe here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyDVx7cP5IE

NERVES HIT MAGNUM KINGS AND QUEENS OF DANCEHALL CONTESTANTS

“Every artiste will face moments like these in their career and the true test will be how they are able to bounce back” 

Last week’s Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall show was a true depiction of the difficulty associated with making it in the dancehall world as several of the nights favourites stumbled on their lyrics. 

This prompted Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall Judge Skatta to comment:

“This is what real dancehall is live, when you come on stage you have to be prepared and ready for anything”

Catching up with Skatta after the show he continued: “You can never predict what will happen on the stage and the contestants have to be prepared. This is the nature of dancehall and I feel good that a show like Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall can give the people a real feel at home of what it takes to become a real artiste”. 

Poor and Boasy, one of the contestants who had trouble with his lyrics was quite apologetic to his fans while at the same time vowing to come back better than he did on Saturday. “Is a learning experience every week, mi jus have to go back to di drawing board an mek sure seh mi fans dem an di people who a watch mi no disappointed again”. Commented the Street boy turned Magnum prince. 

Nazine also had to rewind his In Love tune and come again as he could not seem to remember his lyrics. The crowd favourite is pledging to come hard this week in an effort to redeem himself. He asserts: “I am coming fully prepared this week even though we never rehearse the tune last week we coming to teck it’ back this week cause the people dem a depend on we fi give dem some positive music” 

Celebrity also had an attack of nerves on the Magnum Stage last Saturday while belting out her number Ambitious Woman. The princess, speaking to Fancy Cat backstage was still confident while at the same time seeking the forgiveness of the viewing public.

Assistant Producer of the hit show Sanjay Ramanand in not surprised that so many of the contestants seems to have gotten week Kneed. He comments: “Every artiste will face moments like these in their career and the true test will be how they are able to bounce back”.

Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall continues to bring authentic Jamaican talent to the Jamaican stage. Every week brings a new level of excitement and quality entertainment. Watch this Saturday live on TVJ at 9 p.m. for more.

BACCHANAL JAMAICA & DIGICEL READY FOR CARNIVAL 2009!

 Bacchanal Jamaica and Digicel wishes to advise the public that their carnival parade will be taking place as scheduled on the streets of Kingston on April 19^th, 2009.

 

Thursday, April 9 – Kingston, Jamaica: Coming off last Friday’s ‘Moulin Rouge’ fete at the Mas Camp, Bacchanal Jamaica is showing no signs of slowing down before the big road march on Sunday April 19.

 

Bacchanal Jamaica along with Digicel ups the tempo of the carnival vibe starting this Saturday, April 11^th with Beach J’ouvert at James Bond Beach and continuing the fun next week Wednesday with Soca @ De Sandbar at Lime Quay, and Bacchanal J’ouvert on April 17^th at the Mas Camp.

 

Bacchanal Jamaica and Digicel wishes to advise the public that their carnival parade will be taking place on the streets of Kingston on April 19^th, 2009.

 

The carnival parade titled “Bacchanal Gone Hollywood” will begin at 10am on Mona Road and will follow the same route as last year, ending at the Mas Camp. Band preparations have been finalized and spectators are invited to come out and view Bacchanal Jamaica’s grand carnival extravaganza.

 

Hitting the road strong, Bacchanal Jamaica boasts nine costume sections and live entertainment including Trinidadian group Imij & Co., DJ Smoke from Renaissance, DJ Omar C from Sparkles, DJ Billy and Trinidad’s very own DJ Private Ryan.

 

Digicel’s Sponsorships and Event Manager, Tahnida Nunes says Digicel is excited about the grand Carnival finale: “The bigger, better beat continues this Easter weekend with Beach J’Ouvert which promises to be filled with high energy and exciting action, just before soca diva Destra turns up the heat inside Mas Camp once again for Bacchanal J’Ouvert, the perfect kick start into the last hurrah – the big road march on April 19. And as always with Digicel there is more. Patrons will also have a chance to win more prizes from Digicel at both Beach and Bacchanal J’ouvert.”

 

With more fun, more fete and more soca, Bacchanal Jamaica along with Digicel are strong and ready to give Jamaica a Carnival in 2009!

 

MAGNUM CONTESTANTS CAMPAIGN FOR SURVIVAL

 

As we draw closer to the finals of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall 2009 the contestants in the competition are literally being forced to come up with strategies to ensure that they remain in the competition each week. 

Tiki, who advanced from the May Pen auditions of her campaigning strategy. She revealed: “It’s a competition, persons are going to have their favourite and there is no question about that, you just need to campaign to stay in the competition.” The sensual performer then proceeded to reveal some of what she did. She continued: “I walk around May Pen weekly promoting myself carrying boxes for contributions, I also have a Fish Fry during the week and deliver the food to supporters by singing, I even use it as a ground to test possible songs for the competition”

He has a cool and calm style that is almost entrancing, but Nazine like Tiki is securing his stay in the competition by effective campaigning. According to the prince who advanced from the Portmore auditions his most notable strategy is ‘Nazine Thursdays’. He revealed: “I have this party at Church Road, Bog Walk on Thursdays; it’s a excellent thing that gives you this club vibe in a lawn setting...it mad”. The enigmatic Nazine divulged some more of his strategies: “I do some school appearances too and I leave tin cans for contributions to assist with votes especially at my past school Bog Walk High where the support is great.”
The ‘so simple’ one Mr. Kruger is seeking to take the crown to Montego Bay. Mr. Kruger reveals his strategy: “One thing you find is that MoBay people really support talent and once you good they will endorse you”. Mr. Kruger agreed that his lisp seems to help; “but I don’t leave it up to that alone, so I walk into stores in Mobay as well as around town letting people know who I am.” However, Mr. Kruger was quick to note that he doesn’t have a static campaign strategy; “my campaign strategies aren’t static and every week some friends and I brainstorm as to what we will do.”

Keeping it in Montego Bay, Destiny said: “my campaigning includes walking in Mobay and seeking contributions to help get the votes because performing at Weekenz can’t be all. She continued: “other contestants are equally as good as you”. The contestant also notes that she has in place a Fish Fry almost every week; however she wasn’t able to get that done last week because of rain. “Outside of that every Sunday we have a car wash out on the highway by Ironshore” She went further: “This is a huge support because it gives me opportunity to interact with the fans and perhaps catch some of the persons you wouldn’t normally see.”

As for Ryan Campbell who goes by the initials RC things are shaping up for him. He confirmed: “There is a mad thing that we have out in Old Harbour call ‘RC Thursday’s’ at the Stereo Vibe Club, it’s the hottest thing bout the place and that’s the thing I using for promotion, there are also town appearances, last week we were in Mandeville and this week we looking at coming Kingston because I hear the Kingston people want to see me” Gave a confident RC.

Poor & Boasy, the contestant with the impressive story of being a ‘street youth’ who made it to the top ten, says his campaign is in the streets where he still washes windshields. “More time people just tell me that they like what I doing and that is me they voting for ...plus the other youths them tell people bout me still,” said Poor & Boasy.

The other contestants left in the competition: Sasha-Lee and Tesha note that they have been making similar moves. Tesha feels that it is speaking with the voting public in the streets that really has kept them in the competition, since it gives them a feeling as to what the voting public wants them to do. Sasha-Lee shares the same sentiment as both; while expressing that she is to step up her campaigning by approaching some businesses for sponsorship.
Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall continues to be Jamaica’s top choice and as the show intensifies watch TVJ every Saturday night for the showdown.