All posts by Reggae Report Archive

ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, Yard Report

Meet Stephen “The Genius” McGregor

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Stephen “The Genius” McGregor
Teen-age Son of Reggae Pioneer Freddie McGregor Hailed as The Riddim Prince!

by M. Peggy Quattro
January 7, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA  –  The latest in a series of McGregor-produced creations to have artists lining up is McGregor’s hot new Bee Hive rhythm. Already adding their voices to his latest production are Busy Signal, his brother Chino McGregor, Elephant Man, Anthony B, Beenie Man, Singing Sweet, and Lady Saw.

At 18 years old, Stephen McGregor has taken a firm grip on handling the state of Reggae today. From the age of five, when he released his first song, the self-penned “School Done Rule,” which stressed the importance of staying in school, the young McGregor was on his way to stardom. By age 10, he was playing guitar, bass, piano, drums, and violin. At age 12, he moved from in front of the mic to behind the board, and began churning out rhythms (aka riddims) professionally. Continue reading →

ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, World A'Reggae, Yard Report

Shaggy – A 2008 Interview

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SHAGGY – From Boombastic to Intoxicating!

Interview and Photos by Jan Salzman

January 8, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Shaggy is Jamaica’s only living Diamond-plus selling recording artist. He received the coveted Grammy Award for the 1996 hit albumBoombastic, and his CD Hot Shot went multiple-platinum when released in 2000. Hot Shot includes the massive hit singles “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel.”haggy is Jamaica’s only living Diamond-plus selling recording artist. He received the coveted Grammy Award for the 1996 hit albumBoombastic, and his CD Hot Shot went multiple-platinum when released in 2000. Hot Shot includes the massive hit singles “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel.”

Shaggy is very devoted to his music, always striving to out do his previous efforts, as you will hear when you give a listen to his new CD Intoxication on VP Records. You definitely should go and get this CD if you like to dance!

ReggaeReport.com had the opportunity to attend his CD release party in November 2007 at the Hard Rock Café inside Universal City Walk, Universal City, CA. He also delivered a one-hour performance on the Walk, located outside of the Café. We caught up with Shaggy by phone the next day. He is a very warm, friendly person and a fantastic entertainer. Here is our conversation: Continue reading →

ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, USA Reggae, World A'Reggae

Ky-mani Marley Interview 2008

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KY-MANI MARLEY “Just Allow Me to Be Me”

Interview and photos by Jan Salzman

January 17, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Ky-Mani Marley was born February 26, 1976, to Jamaican table tennis champion Anita Belnavis and Reggae legend Bob Marley, in Falmouth, Jamaica. Ky-mani is an East African term meaning adventurous traveler. Ky-mani was only five years old when his father died and shortly thereafter, he moved to Miami with his mother. He grew up in the Magic City’s inner city, hence the amalgamation of musical styles represented on Radio, his newest CD release with the Vox Music Group. Radio shot up the charts and held the #1 slot on Billboard’s Top Reggae Albums chart for two weeks running.

With a starring role in two movies, One Love (2002) and Shottas (2006), it is clear that Ky-mani loves not only music. He is a multi-faceted individual who is making his own mark on the media of today. His reality show, Living the Life of Marley, featured on BETJ-TV, is another avenue of his expression. He also garnered a Grammy nomination in 2002 for his Reggae album Many More Roads.

Ky-mani has been on tour with rock group Van Halen since September 2007, and has been headlining his own shows when not performing with the rock legends. We had a chance to catch up with Ky-mani after a show and record signing at Amoeba Records in Hollywood, CA on Nov. 26, 2007. Here is our wonderful conversation with the genuine and kind Ky-mani Marley: Continue reading →

ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, Reviews -CD/DVD/Book

Stephen Marley – Mind Control CD Review

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Stephen Marley’s MIND CONTROL

GHETTO YOUTHS/UNIVERSAL-REPUBLIC
by M. Peggy Quattro

This debut album from Stephen “Ragga” Marley was well worth the wait. Nominated for the Reggae Grammy, to be presented on February 10, 2008, in Los Angeles, CA, Mind Control set the new standard in modern Reggae production.

Three-plus years in the making, we waited as Stephen produced Grammy-winning albums for his brother Damian. Now it is Stephen’s time to shine. I cannot stop talking about this CD. It is a fresh collection of new Reggae together with old-school, Hip-Hop, Latin and R&B, with a little Blues, Country and Roots thrown in. Each song takes you on a musical journey into the life and mind of Stephen Marley.

From the haunting intro of “Mind Control,” Stephen leads you down the road of mental slavery. With a call to free ourselves of this suppression, Stephen follows the path set up by his mentor and father. He says he did not sit down to write a political song; but what he depicts is what he sees, and if itís political, so be it. Continue reading →