Mavado, “Nine Life”

A few weeks back, my twitter was a buzz over a new Di Genius produced Mavado track that was set to drop on the HOT 97 Bobby Konders and Jabba show at 10:15pm. Following a new trend in dancehall promotion where tracks and riddims are selectively chosen to be premiered on international radio (eg. Genesis or Money Tree Riddim), for the first time, the hype actually had me curious enough to log in for the live stream. Mavado’s “Nine Life” dropped in right next to “Hold Yuh” (eh if I remember correctly), another tune that’s had international success, and it was quintessential Mavado survival-of-the-fittest epic. This is a “blat blat blat” song.

Vybz Kartel’s “Clarks II” has been blowing up on every street corner of Kingston lately. A track that was primarily launched to greatness through a home-style music video of Popcaan and Vybz chillin in the yard showcasing their (bootleg?) Clarks. The songs success has bridged the watery gap between Jamaica and the international music scene with a small bang, but primarily sticks to home base. It is also a “blat blat blat” song, but with a more standard “pop” style lyricism.

I’m not comparing the two songs to pit Vado vs. Vybz. That is not my intention and I think we’re all trying to move past that right now, including the artists themselves. This question relates more to their popularity and about how songs build (how far they reach, how long they last, how much airplay they get). Right now the biggest song from a Jamaican artist is Gyptian’s “Hold Yuh.” It is everywhere: Jamaica, Australia, South Africa, New York. “Hold Yuh” is not a “blat blat blat” song, it is a “wine” song. [*] VP Records launched it through a network of selectors who, in turn, slipped it in just right and because the song is solid, it nuh gweh.

It’s my understanding that Mavado’s “Nine Life” has the potential to blow up and outlive the popularity of Vybz’ “Clarks II” because of its selective build. Though it hasn’t reached its pinnacle, it is gaining steam. But the only real way of knowing if promoting dancehall through exclusives and premieres extends a song’s shelf life, is to just wait it out. So, in the mean time, listen to “Nine Life” below and get it through ITunes here.

Mavado, “Nine Life”

* [ED NOTE] Much of this credit should also be given to digital distributor Johnny Wonder– a man I speak of often on this blog– who blasted “Hold Yuh” to selectors and helped it gain momentum in the dancehall sphere.

UPDATES

IYYAA. Last two weeks been a bit of a blur so the blog experienced serious neglect as I rallied together the other three corners of my life. So hush, I didn’t fall out of love with dancehall as ma boy Felipe suggested, that never gonna leave me.

NEXT. My FADER GenF article on Stacious dropped into stores all over the U.S this week. For those of us “abroad,” you can download the entire issue with Icons Shabba Ranks and Siouxsie Sioux at thefader.com. Talking with Stacious for the interview was mad easy. That woman is sharp as a knife and quick as a bandit. Best of wishes to her in her global pursuits this year. Eddie Stats also just posted a new track from Stacious on his Ghetto Palms mix this week. Selector Stats unloaded the second round of tunes from the Money Tree Riddim (aka New Money Riddim) for your listening pleasure.

LAST. I’m premiering the new T’NEZ Turn Mi Life Around Mixtape on theFader.com today so keep an eye out for it. Some good chunes off the Chimney Records/DJ Blackspyda produced mixtape, including a remix of “Rain A Fall” over Yung Berg and Casha’s “The Business.”

Stay tuned while I brew up some more goodness.

Busy Signal and Akane, “Hold Me”

What is it about the approach of summer that makes Pop music so enticing? Everyone seems to disconnect from their troubles and submerge themselves in the candy sweet liquor of synthy beats, simple lyricism and anecdotes about getting the girl. This track is from the forthcoming “Di Genius” produced Akane album. Her saccharine sweet voice plays off Busy’s bubbling intonation perfectly in “Hold Me”, making for a light-hearted sound that is one-part dancehall, one-part NY Z100. Between this track and his latest Soca hits, it seems Busy is on a serious mission to master multiple genres this year. (via Alliance Fi Life)

Demarco ft. Craig “Show It” Official Video

New video for the baby-maker jam, “Show It,” from Jamaican crooner, Demarco.
(via TuffChin)

Ricky Blaze Feat Ron Browz, “I Feel Free” KINGDOM REMIX

New York DJ/House connoisseur/producer, Kingdom, just dropped a remix of the Ricky Blaze ft. Ron Browz hit, “I Feel Free” as a teaser for his new “Club Infinity” party starting this Saturday at NYC’s Webster Hall. Not a stranger to dancehall, Kingdom asked on DJ/producer Dre Skull who collaborated with Vybz Kartel last year.

Since the mood’s changed in dancehall and reggae as of late– less free handouts and more official publications of singles and mixtapes– I decided the blog should be a little more conscious of the effort and only make mp3’s available from legitimate sources (like promoters, producers, artists ect.) Kingdom made the track available on his website for download but you can also listen to it here.

Ricky Blaze ft Ron Browz,”I Feel Free” (Kingdome Remix)