Tag: Spice

‘A Letter To Reggae Sumfest – Job Well Done” – UrbanIslandz.Com

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By Posted on July 31, 2019 in 2019, News

A Letter To Reggae Sumfest – Job Well Done
by J.D. Smith  July 27, 2019

Dear Sumfest,

It was a pleasure to have seen you again after a year of your absence. How we longed to see you, and when you finally arrived what joy you brought to us. Dancehall Night brought us the Spice, The Koffee and even a little Chronixx to get us by. Beenie Manand Bounty Killer had us rocking through the night with their legendary friendly fight. Govana did the most, Aidonia brought it over the top, Jahvillani was flagrant, Agent Sasco once again proved he was top notch!

Dexta Daps, as usual, had the ladies magic, Elephant Man and Munga Honorableproved they still have it. I didn’t even blink in an effort not to miss, despite that even at 8 am I didn’t see the 6IX. Just like that dancehall night was over leaving thrilling memories on which to reminisce, but wait, there was one night to go still.

Night two, aka Reggae Night, was an upgrade from the beautiful night before. Chris Martin sang his “Cheaters Prayer,” Romain “Bellowed,” and Beres “Roared” with the ladies hanging to his every note. Protoje was a master, Lila Ike’s introduction seemingly assured she belonged in front of the crowd. Jah 9 was mystical, Dalton Harris thrilled us with his range and sought clarity, and Etana “The Strong One” echoed her quality. Buju Banton was left for last, and the Gargamel blasted his vocals across the venue as fans craved more of the songs on the legends musical menu, needless to say, he delivered.

Then there was nothing to look forward to, and our short time together has again passed, no more sound clash, or Sumfest Street Dance no more standing aghast at talented Jamaicans taking the stage apart. Thank you Downsound and Joe Bogdanovich for investing in our Jamaican talents.

So it’s until next year again and no doubt I will miss you. See you again soon.

Yours Sincerely.

J.D. Smith
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First Round of Artists Announced for Reggae Sumfest 2019

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By Posted on March 6, 2019 in 2019, News

Downsound Entertainment & Reggae Sumfest Are Proud to Announce the First Round of Artists for Reggae Sumfest 2019

“Spice Talks About Her Black Panther Inspired Performance at Sumfest ” — VH1

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By Posted on July 26, 2018 in 2018, News

Spice Talks About Her Black Panther Inspired Performance at Sumfest and What Her Life Is Like After Her First Season of Love & Hip Hop

“When I go to the airport the officers know me now, which is weird.”

by  7/25/2018Spice has been the Queen of Dancehall in Jamaica for years but after her debut on Love & Hip Hop Atlanta season seven, the icon is ready to dominate the U.S. charts, too. Spice recently dominated the stage at the Red Stripe Sumfest 2018 (Jamiaca’s biggest reggae and dancehall festival) where she took the stage as Lupita’s N’youngo’s character, Nakia, from Black Panther complete with an all-female army.

The Queen of Dancehall then changed into a “Spicier” look when she performed her new single “Under Fire” and an amazing Dancehall remix of Ella Mai’s hit song “Boo’d Up.” Spice’s performance didn’t happen without any hiccups though–in the middle of the set, police and the Fire Marshall rushed the stage because of the use of fire torches. The Queen of Dancehall addressed them off stage during her wardrobe change, leaving the audience to believe it was a part of her elaborate set.

VH1.com got a chance to speak with Spice after the show, for her take on the performance and to catch up on life after her first season of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta.

Avant Garde Media

Why did you decide to go with a Wakanda theme for your performance? 
Spice: I chose that theme because I am a strong black woman, [and] being the Queen of Dancehall, I wanted to represent for the Black culture.

What happened with the police on stage during your Sumfest performance? 
I felt disrespected by the officer and the Fire Marshall for interrupting my performance. I really wanted to deliver a good show and I feel like it was being sabotaged [and targeted] as a woman in the business. I was watching the performances from everyone else [at Sumfest] and there wasn’t anything happening when the artist before me was on stage, so I felt sabotaged and cornered. I’m outnumbered. I think [there were] only three women performing at the entire festival.

Avant Garde Media

It was still an amazing performance, regardless of the drama. What new music are you working on? 
I have my new song called “Under Fire” [which] I’m about to shoot the music video for [and] people are anticipating it because it’s the hottest dancehall song right now. I [also] just released a video for “Tik Tak” which that got 4 million views in a month.

On the Love & Hip Hop Atlanta season seven reunion, you said you made up with Tokyo Vanity, and mentioned that you ladies are working on music together?
You know what? Since the reunion we haven’t really spoken, so I don’t want to really elaborate too much, on what we’re working on. I think when we see each other again we’ll meet in the studio and plan, but we’re definitely cool, we have a nice vibe, she’s really cool and very fun to be around.What’s the status of you and Tommie’s relationship? 
We don’t speak. It’s done.

So now that your first season of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta has wrapped, do you notice any change in performing in Jamaica now that you’re on National television? =
I wouldn’t say that! I would be ungrateful if I said that because I’ve always received love in my country–all the time, major love. So I wouldn’t say [after being on] Love & Hip Hop anything in Jamaica has changed. Outside of the U.S., yes, because even when I go to the airport the officers know me now, which is weird. So, in America, yes my fan-base is growing. It’s time to get big in America now.

 

“Spice Channeled Her Inner Wakandan To Put On An Epic Battle At Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest” –VH1

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By Posted on July 24, 2018 in 2018, News

Spice Channeled Her Inner Wakandan To Put On An Epic Battle At Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest

Spice is coming for America’s headtop.

by  24h ago

You know Spice has every mon grab a gyal with her tun up tunes. Why would this have been any different?

This past weekend, the Dancehall Queen shut down the stage in her homeland during the 2018 Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica. Her performance ’fit debuted Black Panther pride as the Love & Hip Hop Atlanta breakout star donned a costume that would even have Killmonger going, “OK, I see you sis.”

Posed up with her dancers, Spice captioned:

Wakanda forever. They say i’m black so i came out in my Black Panther theme 🤣 Proud of the skin i’m in representing like a strong black woman. How did you like my Lupita look ?

Do you think Nakia would be proud or nah?

No Weaves, No Wigs: Check Out These VH1 Stars Rocking Their Natural Hair

She let off a banger while rocking her natural hair and talking about the rumors that the people dem talk about.

People know more about me than I know about my own self. “Dem say mi do my breast but if mi take off mi brassiere tonight this drop dung flat” 🤣🤣🤣 @busysignal_turf mi did haffie flip this 🤪🤣 Cause “a nuff a dem stay so

Then a battle went down where Spice performed her waistline off, wining her body to the tune to see who can take it best.

And in an epic pyro moment, the fire department really was about to soon come when the artist added literal “more fire” to her set.

This isn’t the Spice we we’re used to. Whether rocking her smurfette blue hair or a natural due, Spice always delivers. #BlackandaForever.

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“Spice gives Wakanda performance at Sumfest” — Jamaica STAR

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By Posted on July 24, 2018 in 2018, News

Spice gives Wakanda performance at Sumfest

Adrian Frater
July 21, 2018
Adrian Frater Dancehall Queen Spice performing at Sumfest on dancehall night.

SPICE, whose  flavouring of the dancehall space has made her one of the most anticipated acts at Reggae Sumfest each year, pulled off yet another gem Friday night as she used the theme from the Black Panther movie to deliver a fascinating Wakanda surprise on Night One of the annual music festival.

Clad in African regalia, Spice made her entrance on at throne which was being carried by two lanky males, all clad in full black.

“Yuh si Black Panther inna movie and tonight you going to see him inna dancehall ,” stated Spice as she descended her throne spitting lyric of a sexual nature while  ‘bigging up’ the alluring power of the black woman.

Her dancers,  Team Spice complemented her lyrics with the thought-provoking dance moves, which grabbed the full attention of the fans.

“This is what I really like about Spice. Every year she comes here, she puts on a show,” said Tangie Williams, who was full of praise for the artiste’s stellar performance.


Spice gets a Wakanda wuk at Sumfest 2018.
Courtesy of @reggaesumfest

However, it was not all smooth sailing for the raunchy Spice who at one stage got militant after a stage security tried to block a man from entering the stage. She had earlier withstood the challenge from two members of her clan, and a ‘little man’ who came on the stage to challenge her.

Ironically she had called for a big, thick strong man. She said it “come in like sin” to take on the dwarf, but with a little help from one of Team Spice’s dancers. he was able to get up high enough to teach Spice a lesson.

Spice, having given the dwarf his props, soon called another man onstage but he was blocked security personnel.

“A wah do dah security bwoy yah,” she belted before leaving the stage to get her man, who she said promised to teach her a lesson.

“Every year me have the same kind a problem with these security,” an angry Spice was overheard telling the stage manager Worrell King. “All of my people have on their green armbands so there is no reason for anyone to be blocking them.”

After the matter was sorted out, Spice returned to centre-stage with a muscular man and he gave her what she was looking for.

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“Curvy Diva, Kim Nain ready for new Sumfest role” – Jamaica Star

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By Posted on July 6, 2018 in 2018, News

Curvy Diva, Kim Nain ready for new Sumfest roles Stephanie Lyew

July 06, 2018
Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett
For the past two years, Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett has played the role of host for the Reggae Sumfest Beach Party. This year, the ‘Lifestyle’ singer will add performing on the main stage on dancehall night to her list of duties for the festival.

“To know that I have put in the work for the last year as a recording artiste and to see that my hard work has paid off that I am now recognised as a female dancehall artiste on one of the biggest stages for reggae music is a wonderful feeling,” she said.

There is no pressure, she says, in having to host the beach party and prepare to deliver a set a few days later.

“All my roles tie together in entertainment. it depends on what is required of me at a particular time or specific occasion. I am humbled that I am very diverse and can play so many roles,” she said.

Curvy Diva is hoping that from the Reggae Sumfest performance, more persons will recognise that she is serious about her role as an artiste and her fan base will be increasesd, especially at the international level.

Meanwhile, Kim Nain, who once took on the role as backup vocalist for Tifa at a previous staging of Reggae Sumfest, says she is now preparing to get the full experience of the festival.

“Although I will be somewhere in the earlier segment of dancehall night performances, it will add to everything that makes it a great show each year and my personal journey,” Kim Nain said.

Kim Nain and Curvy Diva are excited to be two of the five females representing for local women in the industry on Dancehall Night. Kim Nain has been spending more than four hours each day rehearsing for the festival.

“It has been a long time coming because I never had the time to put my full focus on my music before 2015,” she said.

According to Curvy Diva, the females of dancehall are under-represented not only on the stages of big festivals like Reggae Sumfest, but in the industry.

“I would love to see more females stepping up and out representing the industry overall like so many talented females who already paved the way,” Curvy Diva said.

Spice, Press Kay and Tosh Alexander the other female artistes mentioned on event flyers to perform on dancehall night.

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Dancehall Diva Spice Will See You LIVE at Reggae Sumfest 2018

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By Posted on May 31, 2018 in 2018, News

Spice to close Dancehall night?

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By Posted on May 16, 2018 in 2018, News

Spice to close Dancehall night?

by

Sherita Grizzle
May 14, 2018
Her scorching performance at Reggae Sumfest last year sparked debate on whether dancehall’s leading lady, Spice, was now the new Queen of Dancehall.

She impressed local and international media alike with her engaging set, with Vogue being among the first in the international sphere to place the dancehall crown on her head.

Fast-forward a year later and Reggae Sumfest organisers are considering Spice as this year’s closer on Dancehall Night.

Speaking with the STAR on the possibility, Reggae Sumfest’s Joe Bogdanovich described the ‘Queen of Stage’ as a phenomenal act who always brings something special to Sumfest.

“I believe Spice is a brilliant artiste whose performance gets better every year, and that in itself is phenomenal,” he said. “She is dynamic and a force to be reckoned with, one who isn’t hard to work with, and that’s why we keep bringing her back each year. Everything always runs so smoothly with Spice and you can always expect her to come with something spectacular.”

Bogdanovich admitted that when he booked Spice for the show, he wasn’t thinking of her for the closing act, but said as the show nears, he’s seeing more and more how fitting it would be to have her bring the curtains down on Dancehall Night 2018. “It’s a great idea, and we’re definitely going to reach out.

“We wouldn’t be surprised if she accepted because we have a good relationship, and Spice is one of those artistes who understand show business and what this would mean,” he said.

“Spice is at the peak of her career. She’s up there with the women who have made their mark on dancehall and she continues to represent the culture on an international level. She’s definitely up there with Lady Saw, who was one of the best to do it (close the show) over the years.”

PROVE THEIR WORTH

Speaking on that moment back in 2015 when Lady Saw closed the show, Bogdanovich expressed the need for more women to be given the opportunity to prove their worth on platforms such as Reggae Sumfest.

“I don’t have an answer for why more women haven’t been given that chance (to close the show), but I can say that the one woman who has did a phenomenal job, and I have no doubt that if Spice accepts, she will also give an outstanding performance. When given the chance, the women have always risen to the occasion. Spice is one such artiste, so regardless of where she performs, morning, noon or night, she’ll kill it,” he said.

Bogdanovich also explained the process behind getting an entertainer to close Sumfest’s dancehall night. He revealed that he has had encounters over the years that made him realise there are too many artistes who put money before culture. He said he has made it his point of duty to ensure that whoever closes Sumfest’s Dancehall Night understands that it is less about the money and more about the music.

“I’m trying to get people to understand the importance of Jamaican music. We should embrace culture like the rest of the world does and support each other and not price ourselves out of the music,” he said, pointing out that closing dancehall night on the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ should be seen as a great opportunity for any artiste.

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