JAMAICA READY FOR DIGICEL DEAL OR NO DEAL

The streets have been a-buzz since news that one of the world’s most popular TV shows will premiere on local TV tonight. Digicel Deal or No Deal which was launched in velvet rope fashion at the Fiction Lounge in Kingston last Tuesday will premiere on TVJ at 8pm tonight.

Popular in over 135 countries around the world, from Asia to the Americas, the successful Deal or No Deal format has now been licensed to TVJ through NewComm: the production outfit that has brought Digicel Rising Stars and Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall to Jamaican audiences.

The first ever Deal or No Deal premiered on Dutch TV in 2001. The show was tremendously successful and the owners, Endemol, sought to spread this success worldwide. The show then moved to Australia where it again became a hit. Fast forward to 2009 and the Deal or no Deal franchise has popular variations in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, England, Germany, India, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa and the USA. Deal or No Deal is a true international sensation and tonight Jamaicans will get their chance to see their countrymen deal for big money.

“The secret to the success of the show,” says Deal or No Deal creator Dick de Rijk, “lies in the well-balanced combination of both mathematical elements, such as risk taking, and psychological elements, such as intuition. This unique game structure seems to appeal to everyone, whether it’s presented as a giant prime time show or as a stripped daily edition, like in France or Italy.”

Digicel Deal or No Deal will see series host Simon Crosskill interact with Jamaican contestants as they try to outsmart the antagonistic Banker to go home with a top cash prize. Each week, the game of odds and chance unfolds when a contestant is confronted with 26 Jamaican beauties holding 26 sealed briefcases full of varying amounts of cash – ranging from a measly $1 to a whopping $1 Million. Without knowing the amount in each briefcase, the contestant picks one – his/hers to keep, if he/she chooses – until its unsealing at game's end.

The risk element kicks in when the player must then instinctively eliminate the remaining 25 cases – which are opened and the amount of cash inside revealed. Who's holding the jackpot? Does the player's box contain a stingy sum or an absolute fortune? Nobody knows. The pressure mounts in each round, after a pre-determined number of cases are opened. As each one is opened, the likelihood of the player having a high value in their own case decreases or increases. Now, an unseen opponent, The Banker, offers the player an amount of money in exchange for his/her case – prompting Simon to ask the all-important question – Deal or No Deal? Does the player strike a deal with The Banker, or does he keep playing? The contestant knows that as long as the big cash case hasn't been opened, The Banker's offers will only get higher and higher. As he continues to play, fewer cases will remain and so he will receive even more offers from The Banker. What if he/she accidentally opens the jackpot case? In that instance, The Banker's offer drops dramatically. But what if the jackpot is in the player's own case? Is the player cool enough to go all the way and find out, or does he/she play it safe and make a deal?

One of the most intriguing characters on Digicel Deal or No Deal is The Banker. The mysterious Banker is never clearly seen on-screen but wields power over the money. His role is to make cash offers to buy the contestant's chosen case rather than allowing them to continue and risk them winning much more. Digicel Blackberry Smartphones are The Banker's choice of communication which he uses to speak to the host. Simon is the only person who will hear what The Banker says and relays this information to the contestant. The Banker believes that he knows more about money matters than anyone else and at times will make disparaging comments about the choices made by the contestants. Digicel Deal or No Deal would not be the same without the all-knowing Banker. His whimsical wisecracks and snippets of wisdom all combine to make his deals ever more tantalizing.

Digicel Deal or No Deal is the ultimate family show which will have viewers on the edge of their seats trying to figure out which case has the one million dollars. Game shows are now incredibly successful worldwide, providing wholesome family friendly entertainment; Jamaica now has its chance to take part is this phenomena. Digicel Deal or No Deal is the first international game show to be made for Jamaican TV by a Jamaican production crew.

"For years Jamaicans have been watching reruns of US and UK game shows and we saw the need to bring quality, locally produced interactive programming to the Jamaican audience. We know that Jamaican's have an eye for quality and will be well pleased with the level of top quality local production that has gone into Digicel Deal or No Deal." - Mike Hogan, NewComm.

Sponsored by Digicel, RIM Blackberry, ATL, Coca Cola, Wata, Ocean Spray Wata, Bigga, KFC, Pizza Hut and General Accident, Digicel Deal or No Deal with Host Simon Crosskill premieres tonight on TVJ at 8PM. The new game show can be seen every Wednesday at 8PM with repeats on Thursdays at 11:30PM and Mondays at 12noon.

IKAYA HAS THE GOODS

“…the artiste has been making a name for herself in the music industry and recently collaborated with Merciless on his hit single Amber Alert”.

Outaroad Records, the entertainment outfit that pledges to bring forward the next generation of Dancehall stars has recently signed the ultra-talented Ikaya to their roster. The artiste who at a very young age already has a wealth of experience in the music industry is poised to be dancehall’s next big thing.

For those who don’t know Ikaya debuted on Capelton’s Fire on Skatta Burrells Martial Arts Riddim in the early 2000’s. Since then the artiste has slowly been making a name for herself in the music industry and recently collaborated with Merciless on his hit single Amber Alert.

With Skatta at the helm of Outaroad Record’s production house, Ikaya has at her disposal one of the most acclaimed producer’s in the industry today

Now Ikaya is set to debut her own video for her fast rising single Good Up on the Bad Intentions Riddim also produced by Skatta. The song is about girl power and pulls Ikaya out of her shell and places her on a bad dancehall Riddim.

The artiste who is known for her soulful vocal sings find, this new flavor exciting: “I am very diverse musically and I feel very comfortable doing hardcore dancehall as well as smooth reggae”

Good Up has been doing well on the radio waves with heavy rotation on local and international stations. This video for Good Up is a top quality production which was directed by Rick Ellwood of Dancehall Queen and 'Me An Mi Kru' fame. The video is set for release this week and will act as Akaya’s clarion call.

Watch out for more info on Ikaya as she continues to blaze a trail in the music.

Listen Good-Up Here: HERE

This Week on Digicel Rising Stars

Digicel Rising Stars took us back in time this week, to a period where the music was easy, the vocals were hot, and the moves were cool.

This week the final eight put on quite a show for the most part, leaving the audience audibly happy, but the judges were a bit harder to please. Joining Anthony Miller and Clyde McKenzie as a guest judge was Jamaica’s own song bird, Karen Smith who was clearly impressed with the raw talent on offer. Popular Jamaica reggae artist of the retro era Flourgon, also joined the show, bringing the right amount of Reggae nostalgia to the Chill Room. He not only acted as Kiki’s co-host, but dropped a few samples of his more famous songs.

Outstanding Performances

Sandy Smith, who had a rocky start, has been gradually improving with each passing week. This week she again impressed the judges with her rendition of Dedicated by the Chirelles, showing her self-professed “Hunger” for the competition. Karen commended her stating: “I liked it, especially when you played with the last part.” Miller agreed, saying: “The voice, the performance was a good match... good for you.” Clyde then brought up the rear of the positive comments with: “We saw the hunger!”

Brown Sugar also managed to please both the audience and the judges with her naughty, blues version of I Am A Woman. After receiving some less than pleasing comments last week, Brown Sugar brought her all on Sunday night and reaped the benefits, leaving with all the judges on her side. Even ‘Killer Miller’ had only positive words when he commented: “Easily the bravest selection tonight...and you’re naughty rendition of it was rock on solid.”

Fashion

Kiki schooled the contestants in retro fashion this week, with her Dashiki dress and fluffy afro stealing the show! While Yendi’s rainbow infused strapless mini dress wasn’t from the retro time period itself, all the colours it contained, along with fuchsia gladiator pumps, and bright chunky jewellery brought a real psychedelic feel to the stage. One contestant who learnt the fashion lesson was Brown Sugar, whose yellow mini dress consisted of a bustier top, and a layered black chiffon and crimped yellow skirt. Her yellow, white and bronze open toed platforms along with blonde afro completed her funky look!

Moments held it down for the guys in their Disco style suits; with orange shirts, black jackets and black jeans with orange seams.

Notable Judges Comments

Diva Adena, known for her amazing vocals, gave a rather disappointing performance last week.Her performance this week of Honey Comb’s Want Ads, though much better, was still half a bar short of what we are used to. The Diva admitted after the show that she had been struggling all week with a sore throat. Though the audience, obviously impressed with her performance did not pick up on this, somehow the judges did. Miller started by stating: “I wanted to say that like your complexion, your performance was flawless, but there were some problems”. He continued: “you were struggling in parts... you should have chosen a different song”.

Angele, however brought the house down with his performance of James Brown’s I Feel Good. His creative dance moves had both the audience and Karen impressed. However, unfortunately for him, Miller and Clyde were a lot slower to take the bait. He went on to receive one of Anthony Miller’s classic scorchers: “There is an impression that people have that you are a good looking light weight, and your performance tonight did nothing to dispel that.” He then concluded “good moves, thin voice.” Clyde agreed with Miller, stating: “The dancing was better than the singing. This may be your last hurrah!”

The most caustic comment of the night went to Princess Tia, whose rendition of Diana Ross’I’m Coming Out, though done to the satisfaction of the audience, was a major turn off for Miller. ‘Killer Miller’ went to work when he told her: “The question is, are you coming or going? I like oldies, but that wasn’t nostalgic, that was decrepit. It sounded like you were singing out of a coffin.”

Audience Comments

The audience seemed impressed with this week’s show, with one member stating: “last week did boring, but it look like dem back on track this week!”. Another patron quipped: “This seems like it’s going to be a very stiff competition, because all of those left have strong voices, except Angele. But the voters seem to be doing well this year, weeding out all of those who don’t deserve it, first Dennilee, then Krissy and Winston, so hopefully they won’t disappoint in sending him home.”

BIG PRIZES IN STORE FOR 2009 DIGICEL RISING STAR VOTERS

Though the winner of this year’s Digicel Rising Stars will be going home with a cash prize of $1 million, they will definitely not be the only winners.

For the sixth season of the show, the first place winner will take home $1Million in cash, as well as the opportunity to produce and record a single, as well as a music video, while second and third place winners will take home $600,000 and $400,000 respectively. Though they may sound like the real big winners, Digicel Rising Stars has saved some really great prizes for you, the precious voters, without whom the show simply would not be possible.

Prizes for voters this season are separated into three different levels, so the more you vote, the better your prizes.

Jus Nuff

Prizes in the “Jus Nuff” category go to voters who call in or text one to five times per week. Thefive weekly winners in this category will each receive aPepsi lunch bag, a $400 KFC meal voucher, and$400 Digicel call credit.

Little More

Three weekly winnerswilling to spend a little bit more time and credit, and therefore falling into the “Little More” category, will be rewarded for their six to 15 weekly votes with a Pepsi beach ball, aKFC My Pod radio and$1,000 Digicel call credit!

D’Ultimate

And what is to become of theone lucky weekly winner in the “Ultimate” crew? For showing your favourite Digicel Rising Star support more than 15 times in that week, you will receive a Sony Ericsson W302 cell phone courtesy of none other than Digicel, aSamsung digital cameracourtesy of KFC and Pepsi,$15,000 Digicel call credit, and a $10,000 NCB gift voucher. As a potential “Ultimate” winner, are you satisfied with these amazing prizes so far? Because Rising Stars is not done yet. In addition to those prizes you will also receive a weekend for two at the very central Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, as well as a trip for two to Fort Lauderdale,Florida courtesy of Air Jamaica.

With all the great prizes being offered to voters this season, it is almost hard to believe that all you have to do to qualify is vote. With the dawning of each new week comes a new opportunity for you to be a winner in a different category, making this the best season so far for Digicel Rising Stars voters.

The Producer of the show, Sharon Schroeter agrees: “The prizes this season are definitely better. This time you have the chance to win all the prizes in a category instead of just one, as before.

“D'Ultimate winner will take home the camera, cell phone, credit, voucher, hotel room, airline tickets, everything.”

With so many prizes just waiting to be won, voting should already be second nature. Besides, your favourite Digicel Rising Star is depending on your vote to win, and you do want to see them make it to the top, don’t you?

THIS WEEK ON DIGICEL RISING STARS

Though the King of Pop is gone, his memory still lives on, as contestants brought their all to the stage in the best overall performance of the season, thus far.

Sunday’s Performance show of Digicel Rising Stars was dedicated to the memory of the King of Pop, the late Michael Jackson. Those who saw the show would agree that the contestants would have made the King proud with either their soulful, heartfelt performances, or their energetic crowd rocking display in true Michael Jackson fashion.

Kiki joined the show this week, in the very hot, redesigned Chill Room, which has a 1950’s diner appeal, candy cane swirls and all. Though having a guest judge this early in the season is a rarity, Miss “And So!” D’Angel joined the show this week, replacing Nadine Sutherland and held her own alongside Anthony Miller and Clyde McKenzie. Backup singers were also introduced to this week’s performances, ensuring that each rendition fulfilled its maximum potential.

Outstanding Performances

The Top Ten made it clear to the audience this week that they had no intention of going home. Even the usually very abrasive Miller commented mid show that he was giving out too many complements for the evening. Though all the potential Digicel Rising Stars were shining brightly, some were able to outshine their competition, namely Angele Smith, Stacheal Smith, and no longer holding Diva-to-be status, the newly ordained Fluffy Diva, Adena Myrie.

Performing Jackson’s edgier Dirty Diana, Angele had the audience in a frenzy with his slick dance moves, impersonating Jackson’s moves right down to the waist gyrations that had the female audience members going crazy. Stacheal on the other hand, brought back the life and the funk to the Jackson 5’s Want You Back, a performance that redeemed her from last week’s mediocre display, and brought her back seriously into the competition. Anthony agreed, stating “Before, what we were getting was fancy dance steps, I’m getting a real sense of somebody’s vocals, and I like it.”

Adena outshone her competition again this week, with her extraordinary vocals, leaving the audience in an uproar after her rendition of Never Can Say Goodbye. Seeming still in awe, Miller had just one thing to say, “Simply put, you have the best voice in the competition.”

Fashion

Though most contestants this week were seen sporting either a white or black glove, MJ’s style was carried through, even to Angele’s zipper jacket and pantsuit, white socks and black shoes, and Brown Sugar’s red jumpsuit complete with gold tasselled epaulettes. Princess Tia, another contestant following the MJ fashion train, performed Man in the Mirror in a shiny, gold, square shouldered, narrow waisted jacket and skinny jeans, accompanied by a black velvet hat with a gold rim, and a pair of gold, stiletto, open-toed sandals.

Sandy brought an edgier look to the stage during her performance of Black or White, and though her black corseted dress with layers above the knee skirt was a hit, her half boot, round-toe, laced pumps were a miss, along with Crissy’s fur jacket and boots combo.

Notable Judges Comments

Moments performed on par with last week’s performance, using the song The Girl is Mine to leave the audience more than satisfied, and the judges happy, namely Clyde, who showed his liking for their performance, saying “You’re bad, you’re bad, you know it!”

However, Princess Tia’s performance got mixed reactions from the judges. While Clyde agreed with D’Angel, who thought Tia’s performance was lacking, stating that she “could have put more into it, more passion”, miraculously, Killer Miller disagreed, stating “She did well. She had a minute to make her magic, and she made her magic work.”

But Dennilee, received a unanimous negative front from the judges again this week, after her performance of Heal the World. Anthony practised even more tough love with Dennilee this week, as he told her rather irritably “I took that performance the least seriously of the evening.”

Audience Comments

Judging by the constant applause, and occasional screams and whistles that came from the audience, it was made clear that not only did they fully enjoy the show, but most were huge Michael Jackson fans.

One audience member, so taken up with the show stated: “Dis much betta dan weh BET di have fi Micheal, Digicel Rising Stars to di World!”

While another audience member who was so impressed with Diva Adena’s performance last week that she had to come and see her live simply said: “I was blown away!”

Stay tuned this Friday on TVJ to see which eight will continue to the next round of Digicel Rising Stars Season 6, and don’t forget to vote!

ARIF COOPER AND SANJAY MAKE THE 'RELATIONSHIPS' RHYTHM A HIT

SupaCoop’s latest, laid back Relationships Riddim is the perfect reggae follow up to Guardian Angel.

Arif 'SupaCoop' Cooper is at it again with another one of his righteous, laid back reggae rhythm. The Relationships Rhythm, SupaCoop’s latest release is the reggae follow up to the widely popular Guardian Angel Riddim released only a few years ago. Though not yet formerly released, the rhythm was serviced to radio this month.

Relationships, like its name suggests, has the smooth, rock away vibe that makes it the ideal base for the love songs that occupy most of the rhythm. Sanjay, who was on the previous Guardian Angel Rhythm with the popular track, Man of My word, is back carrying the same feel good vibe and lyrics with his song Slipping Away.

Slipping Away describes the all too well known feeling of despair upon realising a relationship is near its end. Adding a necessary human element to Sanjay in the eyes of his listeners’, it paints him as a dynamic artist who can not only display the emotional strength of a man of his word, but one that can also show his vulnerable side. He is neither afraid to express his love, nor is he afraid to speak on looming heart break.

"On this rhythm, Sanjay has once again been able to tap into real emotions of relationships, although this time on the melancholy side, just as he was able to on the Guardian Angel, but in a way that shows his musical growth and maturity as a vocalist and as an artiste" stated producer SuperCoop.

The Relationships Rhythm carries some big names such as Sean Paul with his Hold My Hand a simple, sweet song about trusting the one you love, which rides the rhythm so well that they too go hand in hand. Also on the Relationships rhythm are the likes of Collie Budz with Now She’s Gone, J-Status featuring Shontelle with Pieces, TOK with Single Mom (Keep your head up), Daville with Just Another Day along with I-Wayne with his conscious tune What Will They Do.

The Relationships Rhythm, which promises to be another one of Cooper’s major successes, was described by Sanjay as being able to “tap into the common human emotion that tends to makes songs successful, just like Guardian Angel did. It’s a very good follow up”.

Slipping Away will be the first song on the Relationships Rhythm to have a video début. Directed by Benjamin Harrison of Machine Man Inc, the video which was shot in Tribeca, New York is in the final stages of post production.

Download Sanjay's new track here: Slipping Away

For more information on Sanjay click here: Sanjay Music

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This Week on Digicel Rising Stars

This week’s contestants all left something memorable after coming to the stage; whether it was their soulful voices, ability to hit every note, audience charged energy, or their fabulous outfits.

Monday July 6 Kingston, Jamaica: If you missed Sunday night’s Digicel Rising Stars performances, you missed a great deal. Sunday’s show had the last seven contestants who are vying for the final five spots left in the Digicel Rising Stars’ Top Ten. Though this week’s line up was once again dominated by the women, the fans of the two male performances made up a large chunk of the crowd. Spurred on by their lovely and vivacious host, Yendi Phillipps, each contestant brought their ‘A’ game with some showing their true Star potential, while others, as Anthony Miller put it fell as “flat as a pancake.”

Outstanding Performances
This week’s contestants all left something memorable after coming to the stage; whether it was their soulful voices, ability to hit every note, audience charged energy, or their fabulous outfits. Two performances however stood out above the rest, leaving the audience in a satisfied frenzy. The first was by Andre and Fabian, members of the male duo ‘Moments’, with the song Muriel. Moments not only achieved perfect harmony in their rendition, but also had the right steps to complement their performance. The audience agreed fully with judge Clyde McKenzie, who congratulated them, saying: “you guys really captured the moment.”

Diva-to-be Adena Myrie gave the second breathtaking performance of the evening. Her goose-bump inducing, soulful rendition of Gladys Knight’s Midnight Train to Georgia left not only the audience, but also the judges in awe. Even the extremely critical Anthony admitted: “that was the best performance I have seen tonight.”

Fashion
The contestants not only displayed their talent in song, but following in Yendi’s stylish footsteps, their great sense of fashion. Yendi dazzled in a beautiful cream, layered ruffle chiffon dress, which showed off her long, sleek legs and tasseled animal print stilettos. The contestants came in at a close second, with Sandy Smith, the vocal replica of Celine Dion, wearing a gorgeous above-the-knee fuchsia dress, with what appeared to be a brown chiffon belt and train. Another contestant, Stacheal Smith, also glowed, with a black one strap mini dress which appeared to be the sister to Yendi’s.

Moments represented for the guys, appearing very dapper in a combination of red shirts with a black vest and tie and of course, square toed shoes.

Notable Judges Comments
While some contestants pleased both the judges and the audience, others fell short. Though the first contestant, Donielle Goddard, performed Whitney Houston’s You’ll Never Stand Alone to the satisfaction of the audience and judge Nadine Sutherland, who said: “you did not disappoint, you had it girl, you had it!”

Killer Miller without hesitation quipped that her performance was “competent, but overall bland.”

This was not the only variation between the judges’ comments, as Stacheal Smith who performed I Can’t Help Myself by Four Tops was at first complemented on her sense of musical maturity by Nadine, but shot down from a high by Miller, who opined: “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch is an upbeat and exciting song, but you did not display that. That was as flat as a pancake.”

The harshest comment of the night came when Killer Miller struck again at the expense of Dennilee West when he scorched: “I honestly don’t see you as a Rising Star”. A comment the killer claimed was an effort at tough love after her attempt of The Shirelles Will You Love Me Tomorrow.

Audience Comments
The audience appeared to have fully enjoyed the show, with most audience members coming to support at least one of the contestants. One contestant who seemed to have had more luck with the audience than the Judges was Jeremy Campbell, who, after his performance of a medley on the “Love Bump Riddim” got a mere passing mark from the judges; most of the audience however cheered loudly. While some members of the audience agreed with the judges, with one member stating: “Him can sing still, but him want a likkle more vybes,” a greater majority believed that: ”Campbell should be a name in every household in the world, he is the next Rising Star.”

Stay tuned this Friday on TVJ when Jamaica will chose which five of these contestants will make it to the top ten joining Angelle, Brown Sugar, Stratdon, Crissy & Winston and Princess Tiana.