Grammy award-winning reggae band Inner Circle is one of the acts appearing at this year’s Reggae Riddums festival at Marconi Meadows June 12-14. Inner Circle has released several hit records over the years but is recognized by many for their hit Bad Boys. The song was used as the musical theme for the movie Bad Boys starring Will Smith and the theme song for the television show COPS. Joining Inner Circle will be O.J. Ekemode & The Nigeria All-Stars, Irie Dawtas, Early Brooks, UAG Band, Cyril Neville & The Uptown All-Stars and others. Organizers of Reggae Riddums say they are expecting more than 30,000 people to turn out for a weekend of great music, authentic island foods and crafts. For more information call (504) 367-1313.
If you’re a true fan of local rap music, then there’s a new CD in stores now that you’ve got to add to your music collection. The Greatest Rap Hits From Down South New Orleans features music by the late Pimp Daddy, Cheeky Blakk, Warren Mayes, Partners-N-Crime, DJ Jubilee, Ricky B., and others.
Money Talks Records releases the first single from its debut artist this month. “Money Walks” is the first single from Versatile’s upcoming album due out late summer. Versatile was discovered at Amateur Night at Whispers 2000, a weekly promotion that awards cash and record contracts. “It’s impressive to see an African-American male at his age (20) with a positive attitude and a positive message to give,” says Billye Rucker, Marketing Director for Money Talks Records. Audrie Lawton, the label’s Special Projects Manager, says fans will be equally impressed with Versatile’s charisma and on stage presence. “It’s fun to see someone with so much energy and an artist that truly entertains his crowd,” she says. You can join Versatile for a record release party at Whispers 2000 on June 17.
Money Talks Records along with Bounce Magazine sponsor Amateur Night every Wednesday. Auditions for Amateur Night are on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Whispers 2000 (8700 Lake Forest Blvd.). First place each week wins $100 and a spot in the finals. The grand prize winner every eight weeks wins cash and a record contract with Money Talks Records. Money Talks Records is always looking for new talent. Demo tapes can be mailed to 8700 Lake Forest Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70127.
As a member of the rap group Murder Incorporated, Crazy (Michael Barius Wilson) along with Alamo and Legend Man released two albums on Hard Head Records. Then in 1996, the president of Hard Head Records, Roderick Smith, was murdered, a tragedy that deeply affected the members of the group who were close friends with Smith. Years later, the group is still intact, but members are also doing solo projects. The latest is an album by Crazy called I Shed Tears For The World on Ruff Era Records. Crazy gets serious on songs like “Neglectin’ Me,” which focuses on child abuse, and gives his fans music to party to on cuts like “Chopper.” This month, he’ll shoot the video for “Pray For Me,” which features Edward West, Vice-President of Ruff Era Records, on background vocals. Crazy, who admits he was microphone-shy before, says fans will hear a noticeable difference on this CD. “My voice is more mature. I’m more comfortable on the mic now.”
They’ve been together less than a year, but already Soul Remedy has created an underground buzz at coffee houses and clubs around town. Their music combines the best of Afro-Cuban, reggae, jazz and hip-hop music. “If you took Erykah Badu, The Roots and The Fugees and mixed it all together, you’d have us,” says group member Terence “T-Rose” Rosemore. Their live shows are more than just your everyday band gigs—they’re a cultural experience reminiscent of the ’70s. There’s music, art, candles, incense and an open mic portion of the show that showcases poets and other performers. DJ Sadir gets the party started mixing old-school funk and hip-hop before the band takes the stage. Shortly afterwards, Marla B. Smith, Jules “Iya Ra” Ford, Roderick “Bass Heavy” Tillman and Rosemore are on stage jammin’ music for the soul. The band recorded their first demo tape at the Mermaid Lounge and plans to release an EP early summer or late fall on S.A.G.E. Records. You can catch them every Wednesday at the Dragon’s Den. In the fall they’ll host a series of music workshops at area schools.
He’s one of the youngest rappers on the local rap scene, but you wouldn’t know it listening to his music. That’s because A.K.’s lyrics tell his real life story, a story of violence and death. At age seven, he lost his father. He grew up with a sick mom, had a cousin who was murdered, and watched friends get caught up in the drug game. “My rap is reality rap,” says A.K. “It’s everything you see on the news every day.” A.K. kicked off the release of his album Adolescent Kingpin Bout Dat Drama on BabyGirl Records with a party at Peaches Records. His second CD Thug Poetry is due out late ’98 or early ’99.
Westbank rapper Code 6 is on a mission to bring all the wards together with his latest release Let’s Go Get ‘Em. The CD is a mix of gangsta rap with a little taste of bounce. It’s Code 6’s third release on Ice Mike Entertainment, the label owned by local producer Ice Mike. Tre-8, Nickle Bag and Joe Blakk are just a few of the artists featured on the project. Code 6 says his previous releases were unsuccessful due to limited promotion, but he believes things will be different with this CD. “This project has a lot more promotion behind it,” he says. “That’s what it takes to put this project where it needs to be to put me further into the game.” The album was produced by Ice Mike and recorded at Ice House Studios.
Southern Style Entertainment is releasing the single “Makin’ Cheddar” by T. Lethal from his upcoming album Fire Rhymes. The album deals with the harsh realities of street life, but the messages are positive. “You don’t have to sell drugs just to survive,” says T. Lethal. “You can do other things besides that.” T. Lethal, who has been writing raps since he was 15, plans to write and produce movies, produce other artists and eventually start his own record label.
