Bushman returns to Reggae Spotlight with Peter Tosh Tribute

It has often been said that absence makes the heart grow fond, and the statement couldn’t be more true than when it is applied to Dwight Duncan, who is better known to reggae fans and aficionados across the globe as Bushman.

The St. Thomas, Jamaican native with the booming baritone voice has spent much of his time away from the spotlight since he released his critically acclaimed LP, Signs (2004). However, Bushman has officially returned to iTunes and record store shelves near you with an impressive musical tribute to the Mystic Man, Peter Tosh, whom he has courted numerous comparisons to over the course of his career. The new LP, released on VP Records, is entitled Bushman Sings the Bush Doctor and it features guest appearances by Tarrus Riley and Buju Banton.

Bushman managed to take some time out from his busy schedule to discuss his new project, the socio-economic aftershocks following last year’s earthquake in Haiti, and where to find some high grade marijuana with Fast Food for Thought. Whether you’re a smoker, or not, you’re about to get lifted.


Hey Bushman, I remember that I was first exposed to your music with your album Signs, which came out in 2004, and from then I’ve been a fan of your work. But I’ve always said that it seems difficult to find new music from you over the years. You don’t seem to be releasing much new music. Is that your personal preference?

Yeah, it was kind of personal. After the album Signs it took me some time to really deal with the situation. I thought that the album could have taken to the world much more than it did. It was a great work. People have disagreements but I am happy to be presenting this new project to the people.

The new album features guest appearances from Tarrus Riley and Buju, but I know that Peter Tosh has two sons who are also recording artists. Did you reach out to any of them for this project?

Yes, I reached out to Andrew, but I don’t know Tosh1. I reached out to Andrew, and we spoke more than once. Within the time that I was ready to record I couldn’t get a hold of Andrew. Like myself, Andrew is as stable as the water in a river. We can be here today, and then tomorrow we’re in another part of the world.

I had the chance to work with him at The High Times Cannabis Cup in Holland. Cannabis Cup is a marijuana contest that they have in Holland every 10 years or so. All of the best herb planters in Holland come together to determine whose herb production is the best. Over there marijuana is almost legal [Editor’s Note: it is illegal to possess and sell marijuana in Holland, but its government normally does not prosecute individuals over the age of 18 who smoke it]. You need to go there if you smoke, bredrin. Awesome! Cannabis sativa! Yeah mon!

[laughing] Actually, I don’t, but I’ll pass the word along to some people who might. Sly Dunbar, whom you worked with on this album, collaborated with Peter Tosh. Did he have any interesting stories about Peter to share with you?


Yeah and even Copeland Forbes, who managed Luciano, had stories. Copeland was Tosh’s manager at one time. He talked about when Peter was in Africa and learned to speak Swahili, which is widely spoken over there. He also talked about how Peter had problems going through airports. Peter was a no nonsense man; he was very stern, so because of that, he often had problems with the cops.

Word! If you know anything about Peter Tosh’s history, you know that he didn’t have the best relationship with the police.

Yeah mon!

A lot of people had a problem with him because of what he represented. He was very militant, and didn’t take any b.s from anyone. He was a stepping razor in the truest sense. But to digress a little bit, I want to know how you feel about the direction of reggae music today. Is it progressing? Is it stagnant? What are your thoughts?


Well the entire market is suffering, no matter what the genre of music is, but reggae is very low right now and it’s not rising. At one time five to eleven people would come together to make music. Nowadays, you have one man sitting down in front of a machine putting the drums together and playing the guitar from a digital synthesizer. That’s not how reggae was created originally. Reggae is created with 10 different minds, or six or seven different minds. They may have different styles and characters, but they have one thing in common and that is a passion for the music. So when you listen to the drum, you find seh the drum has its own character. The guitar has its own character—but they are both playing in one unity. That is what makes reggae music so organic and so spiritual. It’s the product of a collaborative effort.

It’s been over a year since the earthquake that hit Haiti, and it seems to me that many people have all but forgotten about the island. What are your thoughts on Haiti’s situation?


I was watching CNN the other day and this man, and I don’t remember his name, was saying that people come forward saying “donate this to Haiti,” or “donate that to Haiti” but nothing is happening to really help the people in Haiti! A man went down there with six thousands U.S. dollars and set up a place for about one hundred children who were homeless. So you do the math. If even $50,000 dollars was spent, there must be a drastic change. So where is all of the money going? I feel like the cults of capitalism are sweeping it all in.

What should fans expect from your new album?

Just more great music. For touring updates log on to http://www.burningbushesmusic.com/. Also look for Bushman on Twitter. Respect!

Etana explores her Freedom of Speech with new Sophomore Effort

The freedom of expression, which serves as the very foundation for all other freedoms, has never been adequate compensation for those individuals who lack talent. Fortunately for genuine lovers of great music, reggae songbird, Etana, is no such individual. The vivacious vocalist is exercising her unalienable right to mouth melodies of passion and meaning on her highly anticipated sophomore album, Free Expressions, which is scheduled for a February release.

The new project comes hot on the heels of Etana’s new digital EP, Free, which serves as a delightful appetizer for what promises to be a musically sumptuous main course meal. In the midst of promoting her new album, the petite poet from August Town Jamaica took time out of her busy schedule to participate in an exclusive interview with Fast Food for Thought. Here she discusses her two loves, which are music and life.

The title of your second album is “Free Expressions.” Has free expression been easy or difficult to come by for you?

It hasn’t been hard at all. Most of the songs on this album came about through inspiration. I think that there was a time where I’ve been like “Oh gosh, I can’t write these lyrics,” but this time they just came to me naturally.

How does this new album differ from your critically acclaimed debut?

The debut album was me introducing myself to the world. I also think that it was heavily fused with different genres of music. There was some R&B, there was also a world music vibe going on. It was me showing you that I’m multi-talented. This album is more deeply rooted in reggae, or rather, reggae soul to me. There is some soulful music on this new album. The message in the music is always there, but I think that I’m more deeply rooted in reggae this time around with some soulful music.

There are many talented singers, but not all of them write their own music. Twelve of the fourteen cuts on this new LP were written by you. So as a singer who actually writes her own music, what do you love most about writing?

You get to say what you like exactly the way your heart feels it. The words that I sing come from some place deep inside of me. It comes from a place that I can’t touch physically, and I think that that is the most beautiful thing about it.

One of the things that I’ve always noticed listening to your music is that you’re categorized as a reggae artist but your music defies classification into any genre. Are you aware of that?

I’ve heard that a couple of times. I’m happy that I can express my music the way I feel it. That’s why I call my music reggae soul, because it reflects how I feel deep down in my soul. It’s nice to work with a different beat, a different rhythm—the world is colorful. You might have the reggae drumbeat and timpani mixed with a country vibe, or take some sounds from African music and incorporate it into a reggae sound. Music should reflect our world. It’s a world mixed with all kinds of spices, colors, languages and people.

That sounds like a wise approach you have to your music, because you’re broadening your audience by feeding them what they already know they like, while at the same time exposing them to something that might be totally new. You’re helping people to expand their musical tastes which is always a good thing. In your music video for “Happy Heart,” which is a very vivid, very colorful video by the way, there was a white woman ordering your love interest around. Was she portraying Annie Palmer, the white plantation owner of Rose Hall in Jamaica?

Yes she was.


Ah! See, I just wanted to confirm that because the music video brought me to that page out of Jamaica’s history book. Did you initially have the support of your family when you decided that you wanted to pursue a career as a recording artist?


Uh….no.
What was that experience like for you?

Well, sometimes I do things that my family, relatives, or even the average man in the street might say “Okay, now she’s crazy.” My mom would say to me “You can’t believe in America. You can’t do this right now because you have a lot of things ahead of you.” But now I think that they’ve come to respect and appreciate what I do and the way that I’m doing it.

That’s beautiful Etana. What originally was your mom’s vision for you?

She wanted me to be a doctor.

Well she must be very proud of you now, because not only have you made a name for yourself, but you’re happy and the art that you put out pretty much speaks for itself. Do you own an iPod or an MP3 player?

Of course (laughs)


Well hey, I didn’t want to assume (laughs). You could’ve been the last woman besides my mom who prefers to use a discman. Are there any songs on your playlist that you’re embarrassed about?


No! (Laughs). I like Lil’ Wayne’s stuff. I like Ludacris’ “How Low Can You Go.” Growing up I loved Lady Saw. I listen to everything.


So you’re eclectic?

Yeah man!

Is there any genre of music that you can’t stand?

None in particular. I hate when people really think they’re doing something and it’s just trash.


Obviously, there are many people who know and love your music, but they don’t necessarily know you personally. Do you have any talents that you think might surprise them?

I do hair.


Yeah? When did you start and what are some of the things you can do with hair?

I’ve been doing it since high school. I can do micro braids, weaving, stuff like that.

That’s tight. So with regards to your new album, what should fans expect?


They should expect growth, not only in the lyrics, but in the recitation. There are a lot of vibes, lots of energy.


Any thoughts on the cholera outbreak in Haiti?



Retribution. Listen to that song. I think you’ll like it.

A Beautiful Mind: Miss Jamaica U.S., Diane Johnson, gets Up Close and Personal

Physical beauty is often the first gift that Mother Nature bestows upon a woman. Yet because Mother Nature is the consummate Indian Giver, it is often the first one that she takes back. If you spoke to the reigning Miss. Jamaica US, Diane Johnson, 24, she would tell you that true beauty is not found in the inviting smile on a pretty face, but in the genuine warmth that emanates from a tender and compassionate heart.


“True beauty comes from within, when a person can be gentle, understanding, kind, courteous, and honest,” says the mocha latte stunner from Montego Bay, Jamaica. “True Beauty exists when all the glamour, makeup and suits are removed. When the hair is let down the person is the same.”

Johnson has given her time and energy to several charitable causes, including Jampact, Women of Excellence Strength and Tenacity (WEST) and Mustard Seed Communities. The benevolent beauty queen recently opened up to Fast Food for Thought and shared her candid thoughts on a variety of subjects ranging from business advice for young women to maternity and more.


As the winner of a beauty pageant, one might assume that you are very good at answering questions. But have you ever been asked a question where you felt like you were challenged to find a legitimate answer?


Along the way I’ve been asked many questions of things I am familiar and unfamiliar with. If I am familiar I usually share my perspective or what I have heard or learnt about it. If I am unfamiliar I usually pose the question back in order to then learn more about the topic or issue. Life is all about learning.


Do you remember the question?


No

You have been involved with many non-profit organizations. One of them is Mustard Seed Communities, which provides assistance to disabled children in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, and Jamaica. Tell me about your role in the organization, and explain what makes their work important to you?


I have had just the minor role of fundraising in November of last year. It was in collaboration with Morvia Reid-Williams of Kahnami creations. We both share a passion for charity and children. I was also passionate about talking about the organization with everyone who crossed my path and still continue to do so in order to hopefully garner much support for them.


Would you allow everyone on the planet to hear your private thoughts for a day if it guaranteed that you could raise one million dollars for your favorite cause?


Yes, I honestly would. My thoughts are usually comprised of self examination and trying to see how to make the world a better place through my talents. That is my job, seeing through the eyes of understanding and compassion and I feel inspired to show people how to do the same.


Did you have both parents in the household growing up?


Yes.

How did it affect your upbringing?


It made me well-rounded and balanced and I have a lot of great examples of love and charity. I also have a strong spiritual and family base.


What is the most understated piece of advice that young women are given?


Business, Money management and investment.


Please explain.


Well, I find culturally that that info is usually discussed around men. While males are being taught about being domestic and taking care of their families and raise children. How often will a daughter be included in a discussion with her father about his business? Usually the son is in the mix. We usually have to go seek the information for ourselves.


If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose and why?


Wow! ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition .On the show they find deserving people who just don’t have the resources, ability or time to fix those serious issues without their help.


To be eligible, a family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives. Seeing how life pays them back is amazing and being a part of making that dream come true for them would be an absolute honor.


You can select one person from history and ask them a question to which they must give an honest answer. Who would you select, and what question would you ask them?


I would choose Billie holiday. I would ask her how it felt to be an almost “passable” woman in that time of racial tension too black to be white, too white to be black. It is tension that still exists today.

Would you be willing to become extremely ugly in your physical appearance if it meant that you could live to be any age that you wanted?


I think it’s more valuable to have a short quality life being able to look approachable, than a long life where your physical appearance makes it difficult for you to be deemed approachable and hence make your efforts effective in touching someone else’s life.

If you could personally witness any event in world history, what would it be?

Jamaica’s Independence. Just to be apart of the celebration and see firsthand what that time was like culturally and socially.

You have just discovered that your wonderful three-year-old child is not yours. There was a mix up at the hospital after you gave birth. Would you want to exchange the child if you knew that you could get your biological child back?

Although I would have formed a strong bond with this child for three years the first seven years of life are the formative years and so I would want my biological child back knowing I have the opportunity to be able to spend time making the bond and return the other child back to their parents. If possible I would still hope that both families would be allowed to remain in the childrens’ life.


What do you love most about Jamaica?


I love the nature, the people, our resilience, the way things can be hard and we can find enjoyment in the smallest things. I love the way we find time for each other, the way that life doesn’t seem as stressful at the end of the day as it does here. I love our music, culture our food and festivities. I also love our dialect, our way of expressing ourselves in the phrases and dances we come up with ever so often. There is always more to discover there. It’s just a colorful and dynamic place to live and be and a wonderful place to have been born and grow up.

What do you dislike most about Jamaica?

There are challenges I wish we didn’t have in Jamaica, such as the crime, our aggressive nature to each other. I think that sometimes we seem to examine our problems in an insular way rather than look at other places for solutions. We don’t need to re-invent the wheel, because somewhere else people are having similar problems. They’ve invested in implementing things to make a change. We need to seek exposure so that our creativity won’t be stifled. If other people can see the gems in their cultures and invest in them, why aren’t we set up to do the same? Give us vision lest we perish.

What projects will you be involved in over the next few months?


Well, I am starting my own business which involves teaching clients about beauty and self esteem, empowering and training women as leaders and in business. It will be based on the principles of God First, family second, and career third.  These are the steps to a balanced life. Outside of that I am a part of the Braata folk singers whose mission is to promote Jamaican folk music throughout the Tri-state area and beyond. I'm also a part of Women of Excellence, Strength, and Tenacity (WEST) which is a group of young professional women who are involved in youth development and other community service events.



What are your long-term career goals?



I hope to go back and do my masters in the design.

The New Vibe: Cherine Anderson gives Dancehall the Soul it's been Missing

Jamaican film aficionados will remember Cherine Anderson as Tanya, the mature and often outspoken daughter of the feisty street vendor turned dancehall queen, Marcia, (Audrey Reid) in the movie, Dancehall Queen (1997). Anderson also starred in the film One Love (2003) which earned her an MTV2/Urbanworld Film Festival award for Best Actress in a Feature Film. In 2007 she grabbed a role in MTV Tempo’s interactive drama, Choices, which kept her name in discussions concerning Jamaica’s rising film stars.

One might assume that an accomplished acting career would be enough for Anderson, but like Oliver Twist with the empty bowl, all she wants is more. This explains why the talented thespian from the Rockfort section of East Kingston is blazing new trails in the dancehall music biz. Her soulful vocals have been featured on official remixes for Madonna (“Give It 2 Me”), Britney Spears (“Pieces of Me”) and Paul McCartney (“Nod Your Head”).

If dedication and originality fuels career success for an artist, then Anderson is a young woman who is definitely going places. And don’t let her catalogue of official remixes fool you. She has some musical treats in store for her melanin-rich listeners as well. Anderson is currently working on her debut LP, Kingston State of Mind, and if her latest single “Talk If Yuh Talking” serves as any indication of what is to come, then reggae music fans will have something special to look forward to. Fast Food for Thought talked to the ever-touring Jamaican songbird about her upcoming album and decision to study abroad in Tokyo, Japan.


Your acting in the movie Dancehall Queen was superb. What do you like most about your character Tanya?

Tanya was a strong character. I loved that I could play a role that brought attention to the struggles faced by some young women in many countries. I enjoyed that Tanya won in the end. She became the model of hope for her family, She was the source and inspiration of strength.


You have a strong background in acting, but right now you’re focusing on your music career. What precipitated the switch in focus?

I’ve always loved entertainment, hence my reason for choosing to pursue acting and singing. I love communicating through song and film. They are both just a passion of mine.

How would you describe your music?

It’s the people’s music. It’s fun, sexy, rebellious, conscious, intellectual at times, energetic and very soulful, better yet soul-filled.


I’ve read articles where you’ve referred to your music as dancehall-soul. What’s the difference between dancehall-soul and traditional reggae music?

Good question. I call my music “Dancehall Soul.” Dancehall Soul is where street meets sweet. The music is a fusion of all of the different genres that have influenced my writing and sound in general. I’ve pulled from soul, gospel, r&b, country, a little rock and even jazz, but the sound is anchored in dancehall and reggae. Dancehall soul is a different energy, it isn't limited to a specific tempo or subject matter.

It’s vibrant, it’s energetic, it’s rebellious, it’s sexy, it’s conscious, it’s youthful and it’s music for the people. No two songs are going to sound exactly the same because it’s fusion. If you listen to “Kingston State of Mind” and then “Gurl’s Anthem”, or flip to “Good Love” you’ll quickly realize that it’s not traditional reggae.

What lead to your decision to study at Keio University in Japan?

I wanted to travel and the possibility of studying a foreign language in the native country of that language was appealing. I was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship so I decided to attended school in Tokyo, Japan for a year.


What was the most interesting thing you learned about Japanese culture?

That's hard. I love the technology and the food. I also loved the fashion scene in Japan. The fashion is very forward but at the same time retro. You’d see girls walking around in outfits that look like they were straight out of the 60’s and 70’s and mixed it with what was current and they would look hot. The traditional Kimono is still worn and the Harajuku scene was also fascinating. The kaiten sushi spots were really cool to me. I wish they had those in Jamaica.


What did you learn about yourself?

I learned that I am adventurous and that I am not scared of challenges.


How did you come up with the title for your new LP?

The title for the LP comes from the song “Kingston State of Mind” which is a single that I wrote and later directed the video for. The song was written and recorded in Kingston, Jamaica. I still live in Kingston and through my observation of some of the realities in the city I chose to address a few things with this song. The majority of my album is being developed in Kingston so the title “Kingston State of Mind” really represents what I have been experiencing around me for the better part of the last two years and seems like a perfect title for the project.

Michael Jackson: Forever Young

In his essay entitled “The Ben Ishmael Tribe: Fugitive Nation of the Old Northwest,” Virginia historian, Hugo Prosper Learning, discusses the history of African Americans in what eventually became the state of Indiana in the late 18th century. Learning wrote about how Black runaway slaves from Kentucky fled to what was then a sprawling wilderness in the Mid West before they interbred with the Pawnee Native Americans whom they encountered there. Upon settling, these so-called former slaves are said to have appointed their own king and queen, known respectively as Ben and Jennie Ishmael. With time, the Ishmael clan cultivated a reputation for being fine artisans, musicians and dancers.

How conceivable is it, how fitting would it be, if Michael Jackson—the seventh of nine children born to Katherine and Joseph Jackson in the town of Gary, Indiana—were a direct descendant of these Moorish prisoners of war? Like those pioneering Moors, who may very well be his forbearers, Michael knew what it felt like to be on the run from smooth criminals for much of his life. For the Ishmaels, the crooks took the form of shotgun-wielding rednecks accompanied by slave-sniffing bloodhounds. For Michael, however, they came in the guise of a hounding news media equipped with electric eyes and flashing cameras to scrutinize his every move.

Since Michael—the Arch Angel of Pop (“Will You Be There,” “Earth Song,”)—died in the City of Angels on June 25th 2009, (the same day as Farrah Fawcett of Charlie’s Angels fame) there have been numerous newspaper and magazine articles indicating that during a brutal bout with prescription drugs, painkillers dealt him a crushing blow. Meanwhile, the internet has been crawling with all sorts of creepy, yet elaborate conspiracy theories to explain the Gloved One’s sudden demise.

By no means am I a knee-jerk debunker of conspiracies. My dedicated study of world history has convinced me that history is, to a great extent, the study of conspiracies. Unfortunately, they are not formerly acknowledged as such until long after the fact. Nevertheless, I am also a firm believer in the idea that sometimes the best explanation for an unfortunate occurrence is also the simplest one.

Michael had long identified with the character Peter Pan from the J.M. Barrie play/novel Peter and Wendy. Like the mythical character in the story, Michael was a magical, yet mischievous individual (close friends and family members say he loved to play practical jokes on people) who never wanted to grow up. The extent to which you identify with something or someone is the extent to which you become that person or thing. Michael identified with a fictional character that never got old, so like his timeless music, he never did. He died at 50, a relatively young age, after living a life that was as fascinating and as riveting as any character’s from a fictional tale. Through his exceptional body of work, Michael has defied death, much like the ghoulish characters who danced alongside him in his music video for “Thriller.”

As a matter of fact, as I type these words Michael is probably dancing with zombies, nimbly moonwalking his way through astral portals of infinity. “For every album that I record, I write like, literally—I’m telling you the truth—I write at least 120 songs every album I do,” said Jackson during a June, 15 2002 speech at his “Killer Thriller Party” where he launched a scathing verbal attack against Tommy Mottola and his then parent company, Sony Music. Whether or not these songs were recorded remains to be seen, but don’t be surprised if MJ has enough posthumous album releases to rival the late Tupac Shakur.

Michael cloaked himself in mythology and in the process he fashioned a fascinating legacy, one that will go unmatched for many generations to come: Over 750 million albums sold worldwide, 8 Grammy Awards in a single year (1984), 13 number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, the biggest recording contract of all time ($890 million). And the clincher? Well, Michael also owns the Guinness Book of World Records distinction of being the man who has given to more charitable organizations (39) than anyone else on the planet. Like his final studio album Invincible, Michael’s resume isn’t Bad. In fact, it’s kind of Off the Wall.

Although Michael may not have been pleased with The Man in the Mirror as evidenced by his numerous plastic surgeries, his critics—particularly those in the Black community—must remember that no Black person on the planet, no matter how enlightened they may be, has completely escaped the noose of Willie Lynch. In spite of it all, Michael did more to promote Black pride in nine minutes than many Blacks will do in a lifetime. When the music video for his single “Remember the Time,” aired on prime time television to millions of viewers across the nation in 1992, it was the first time anyone ever saw the ancient Egyptians as they actually looked on national television. Before that video aired, Micael could do no wrong in the white media’s eyes. After it aired, he couldn’t do anything good.

Michael may have had his share of personal issues, but we all do. Our pathologies are a byproduct of Western civilization So now that his birthday is here, it is important that we acknowledge his flaws while celebrating what defined the man, which is the fact that he is the single greatest entertainer that the modern world has ever known.

Here I Come: Reggaemuffin Shango Trex is Poised for Superstardom

Roots Reggae singer, songwriter and producer, Shango Trex, is a man with a mission. “My style of music is strictly roots reggaemuffin,” says Shango in an interview with WhereItzAt. The jolly dread was given his stage moniker by a Yoruba priest who was impressed with his energy and awesome stage presence. “However, it’s not angry and aggressive. For me it’s all about fun, but not in the same manner that Babylon uses the word to reflect a hedonist’s pursuit of spiritual death and destruction. My music aims to bring everyone closer to Jah. I don’t want people to fear Jah.”

In a time in which hopelessness and depression are at all-time highs, it’s important that entertainers remind us why we insist on persisting beyond all of the doubt and insecurity. Shango does just that on his self-titled LP issued on his very own Stashang Wan Muzik label in collaboration with Ed Robinson’s E2 Recordings. “This is a lover’s rock album,” says Shango. “We’re bringing back authentic, feel-good music that people can hold on to. Weather you love dancehall, roots, or lover’s rock, this is an album that everyone can appreciate.”

On this 12-track disc the righteous Rastaman blends poignant lyrics, live production (courtesy of Ed Robinson) and comely vocals that are sure to satisfy any reggae-starved soul. The LP’s lead single, “Tell Me,” is truly a melodic display of Shango’s amorous passion. Born Dennis Llewellyn to proud Jamaican parents in the parish of Kingston, Shango is a dedicated reggae music artist. When he was just a little boy his love for the music captured his young heart and held his soul hostage. Now he’s held prisoner to a rhythm that won’t let him go.

Shango learned music in what was then the National Cadet Orchestra. The curious singer-to-be took an immediate liking to the bugle and trumpet which he played quite frequently. Their friendship culminated in the formation of a singing group called the Matchmakers. Dexter saw that his comrade had a passion for music and encouraged him to sing. “Singing was something I always wanted to do, but at the time I never really took myself seriously.” However, Shango sharpened his chops singing at St. George’s Anglican Church and Wildman Street Pentecostal Church in central Kingston. Later, while working for the Jamaican Department of Labor, Shango linked up with White Squall, a local reggae band that practiced nearby. He worked closely with Freddie Brown who gave him some helpful voice coaching.

Before long, Shango traveled to West Moreland, Jamaica and joined the Ninja Force Band in 1985. The voice coaching the budding artist received evidently came in handy. In the flash of a lightening bolt Shango emerged as one of the Force’s lead singers. The group toured with some of reggae and dancehall’s great acts. The impressive list reads like a who-is-who of the Jamaican music universe with names like Gregory Isaacs, Professor Nuts and the crowned Prince of Reggae, the late Dennis Emanuel Brown. Shango and Ninja Force were so impressive they were asked to perform at Reggae Sunsplash two years in a row (1988 and 1989).

After touring the globe, Shango settled in Japan where he obtained a record deal as a solo artist with Avex Trax in 1991. Since then, Shango has shared the bill with some prominent Reggae artists, including one of his mentors, Garnett Silk. “Garnett had a away of making everyone around him feel special,” Shango remembers. “He was a good man who made people feel so royal. He wasn’t just a gifted artist, but a humanitarian.”

Through his production company Stashang Wan Muzik Inc—which he founded alongside his Empress Avril Aiken—Shango is intent on spreading love, light and Rastafari through the four corners of the globe. “No matter what obstacles we face in life we must stay strong, stay positive and strive for peace,” Shango explains. “We’re all in the belly of the beast, and the only way for us to attain victory is through a love for life….Rastafari blessing always.”

Shango’s new album can be purchased at Moody’s Records, VP Records, iTunes, CD Baby, Napster, Ruckus, Digi Station, Groupie Tunes.

Checkout Shango Trex on digistation.com and make yourself a new friend by logging to myspace.com/shagotrex

"Love Sex Magick" Ciara ft. Justin Timberlake

Despite Justin Timberlake's presence, this music video has some, uh, nice visuals. It would have been better if she featured me lip-syncing his parts instead. Why you laughing? Nothing is better than Black-on-Black love, especially when it involves Sex Magic.

I didn't realize Ciara was so skinny, though. At least she's flexible. I'm going away for Memorial Day Weekend with Luscious. I wonder if she can fit in my suitcase (just kidding Yummy Bunny, pretend you didn't read that)? Did Ciara really lick Justin Timberlake's ear? That's kinda dangerous. He doesn't know where her tongue has been. Ha ha, just kidding! I like Ciara, I'm just hating because she didn't cast me as her love interest in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTYT-SiZeFo