MAGNUM KINGS AND QUEENS OF DANCEHALL NINTH LIVE SHOW

MAGNUM KINGS AND QUEENS OF DANCEHALL FINAL LIVE SHOW

MAGNUM KINGS AND QUEENS OF DANCEHALL EIGTH LIVE SHOW

MAGNUM KINGS AND QUEENS OF DANCEHALL EIGTH LIVE SHOW

MAGNUM KINGS AND QUEENS IS STILL A HIT

MAGNUM KINGS AND QUEENS IS STILL A HIT

With the onslaught on dancehall from all angles both internationally and locally Magnum Kings and Queens has emerged as a shining light...

Showers of blessing had postponed the April 17 staging of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall but last Saturday’s show (April 24) at Weekenz Bistro and Bar made up for the absence of the show.

With the twists and turns of the competition, the immense talent showcased on the Magnum stage and the fact than any contestant is at risk of going home, the competition is always exciting and has viewers gripped from start to finish. Jamaica has supported Magnum Kings and Queens over that last three seasons and Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall is still a hit! One patron puts it aptly: “Every week a jus Magnum. Mi caan miss it. Tanto Blacks have mi, Chozenn and Juggla have di place a way and di woman dem a do dem ting, dis a di biggest ting fi dancehall right now”.

With the onslaught on Dancehall from all angles both international and locally Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall has emerged as a shining light, a beacon of hope showing that real authentic Dancehall can be palatable to all those who love talent and music. So says Executive Producer for the show, Mark Kenny: “What we have tried to do this year is improve the quality of the product. The contestants know that they are an example and the whole world is watching so they have to act accordingly”.

Continuing, Mark Kenny maintained that the reason the show is such a big hit is that it appeals to the fundamental tenets that make dancehall what it is: “The show is a combination of all that is good in Dancehall, all the things that have made the world gravitate to the genre all these decades, there is fashion, comedy, wicked lyrics, clashing and swagga, all done in a clean and authentic manner. And importantly, original music works all the time.”

The excitement is not diminished as every week each contestant tries to outdo the other. There is now a tet-a-tet between Chozenn, Tanto Blacks and Juggla. These artistes have shown that throwing words can be done in a wholesome way with lyrics that could stand up on any Dancehall stage, devastating their opponent. Press Fyah also brings another aspect of Dancehall to the Magnum stage and has shown that positive music can move a crowd and has received numerous forwards at Weekendz for his heart tugging lyrics and gritty artistry.

The ladies are not to be outdone as Mysterious and Reggae Queen have maintained a level of lyrical dexterity that mirrors some of the best female protagonists on the Dancehall’s big stage. The ladies too have thrown words at each other and shown that there is a place for women in the genre, a place they have claimed as they seek to be the inheritors of the great legacy that has been created by the likes of Lady Saw, Tanya Stephens, Ce’Cile and other international Dancehall stars.

Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall Judge and veteran Dancehall producer, Scatta Burrell, believes that the competition continues to be a major hit because it resonates with a people who yearn for authentic clean lyrics that they can rock to and rail for: “The show shows that you don’t have to be dirty to be wicked and I believe that is what has made the show so popular on the streets. You can’t walk through Half Way Tree and not hear someone talking about their favourite contestant and sometimes evens school kids are singing the songs. This is what dancehall is about, connecting with the people on the street and I am happy that our decision to only allow clean authentic lyrics mixed with the amazing talent of Jamaicans is paying off. The people have spoken, Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall is still a hit!”

With only a few weeks left before the crowning of the 2010 Magnum King and Queen of Dancehall and with the shock exit of Gibralta, it is now clear that anyone can go home. So vote now and vote plenty. Watch the show on TVJ every Saturday night at 9:30pm and see why Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall is still a hit.

DIGICEL RISING STARS KINGSTON: A MEGA AFFAIR

On Saturday April 24, Waterloo Road stood still as over 500 contestants converged at the Girl Guides Headquarters for what would be an exciting talent filled day.

From as early as 7AM Digicel Rising Stars hopefuls congregated at the gates of the venue; some practicing what they hoped would be their vocal ticket to the studio finals of the 2010 season of Digicel Rising Stars. There were several repeats from other auditions as well as some contestants who are seasonal attendees but overall a majority of the contestants were fresh talent ready for their chance at stardom and hoping to get called back for Sunday.

The two day affair was hosted by two of the six Digicel Rising Stars' Host hopefuls. On Saturday Terry Karelle-Reid did the honours and she was very humbled by the tremendous talent she saw at the Girl Guides Headquarters: “The audition was absolutely fantastic!! The production crew was vibrant and motivating. They truly created a comfortable atmosphere for me. I thought that I would be a lot more nervous but in no time I was dancing, singing and ‘vibing’. I met some very talented and unforgettable participants!! In my opinion this could easily be the best bunch ever!. I also had the chance to speak to a few, calm their nerves and make new friends. Win or lose, I don't regret auditioning and getting this far.
It was an absolutely memorable experience. And I thank my family and friends for the support. I wish the other 5 fierce, fly and fabulous ladies all the best.

Day two of the auditions were held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston. The Judges had decided to call back over 150 talented individuals and the audition room was filled with the sounds of youthful talent.

Lady Rennae who hosted the second leg of the Kingston and St Andrew Digicel Rising Stars' auditions was overwhelmed by the concentration of so much talent in one place. She was also confident of her chances at being the 2010 Digicel Rising Stars' Host: “I feel positive, god is my ‘backative’ and I feel pretty confident. I am going to campaign hard and be very visible to ensure that I have a good chance at realising this dream. I love the mission of Digicel Rising Stars and today there was some great talent here. I am looking forward to the live shows as I know Jamaica will once again be pleased to see these young people show that they have what it takes to shine.”

Series producer, Sharon Schroeter, was very excited by what she saw in Kingston and St Andrew. She explained that she has seen several contestants who embody what a Digicel Rising Star should be: “Kingston and St Andrew was great. We had lots of good talent and we got a good turnout to the point where we had 150 Call Backs. The judges were impressed with what they saw and once again Kingston and St Andrew has delivered. There were also a lot of new faces and young people who were so promising but I don’t know if the Rising Star will come from Kingston as there are several people from other auditions who have a really good chance of winning."

She was also impressed with the performances of the Host hopefuls: “I have been watching the girls; they are all very good and talented and they have already started to campaign for the spot so we know it’s game on. There are six very talented women and I know that whichever one wins, Digicel Rising Stars will be in good hands”.

Sharon also revealed that among the many surprise changes for this years show is the Judges’ Save. She explained that the Judges get to save a contestant who they believe did not deserve to be voted out. She would not reveal any of the other surprises in store but maintained that viewers would be wowed by the new look of Digicel Rising Stars.

The 2010 audition shows for Digicel Rising Stars’ seventh season will debut on TVJ at 8pm on Sunday June 6 with a review of the 2009 Digicel Rising Stars season. On Sunday June 13, viewers will a chance get to see contestants from May Pen and Portmore as well as Host hopefuls Kemesha Bolton and Cameka McRae. The auditions for Montego Bay and Ocho Rios follow on Sunday June 20 hosted by Deidre James and Julie Malcolm with Kingston and St Andrew’s auditions premiering on TVJ on Sunday June 27 with Terri-karelle-Reid and Lady Rennae.

The voting will soon begin so watch TVJ and read The Star for constant updates on the Caribbean’s number one talent show, Digicel Rising Stars.

MAGNUM KINGS AND QUEENS OF DANCEHALL SIXTH LIVE SHOW