::: INTERVIEWS & LIVE AUDIO @ MontrealDancehall.com......Montreal's Premiere Dancehall Reggae Site

Ambition never ends with the first hit song. The pursuit of excellence is the driving force behind reggae artist Bescenta, who is a rare combination of intensity, quiet confidence and humility. He is a man who has the courage of his convictions, and who is sticking steadfastly to his mission of universal peace and love in the world.

Born Bryden Bescenta Craig Wilkins on April 12, 1975, he grew up in the Salisbury Plain area, close to Stony Hill in St. Andrew. He attended Almond Hill All Age, then Oberlin High, before graduating from St. Andrew Technical High School (S.T.A.T.H.S) in Kingston. Immediately after high school, he learned the electrician trade, and to support himself, even did odd jobs like painting houses.

“I can even wire a house, and install lights if it come to the test. I am a pretty good electrician,” he said. “However, it has always been about the music, while I was in high school, I was hunting for the truth in music, but when I got out in the real world, I knew I had to make a living, so I didn’t watch the type of work I was doing, as long as when weekend come, mi ting put together,” he said.

However, eventually, the influence of music began to exert itself in his life, and he began to record his first songs with Peter ‘Sweetness’ Nembhard on Auntie Boom Records. At that time, he had formed a group called Cornerstone with two other men where he sang the lead vocals. Together, they did a couple of projects but these failed to generate much publicity or record sales.

Eventually, in 2001, Bescenta met with producer ‘Computer’ Paul Henton, and they formed a successful partnership.

Now, the ‘World Is in Trouble’ is a song carved in reggae oak: solid. With Bescenta’s rich vocals and lyrical stylings, the song became an anthem for residents of the island’s tough inner city areas, and its end-of-days theme became a stirring call for action and change to arrest the killings and violence that afflict Bescenta’s homeland. The song enjoyed a lot of airplay during the Summer of 2004 during the annual Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Popular Song contest, and eventually finished second overall.

“It was not about winning, the money or the forward, it was the message of love and non-violence that I was trying to convey to the people, and I really wanted them to hear me, so I went with a current, an energy, and it worked, because the people dem love it, a video was done, the children saw it, and the song just tek the road,” he said.

The song stayed at the pole position on the Roots FM chart, and won a free music video, and created a big buzz on Bescenta, catapulting him into the limelight in no uncertain terms, and he has not looked back since.

Bescenta’s star has begun to shine brilliantly with his new focused and efficient management structure led by his manager, X-ray and engineer, Ricky Genius.

He has signed with Vertex Records exclusively, and since 2005, he has recorded songs such as the popular ‘Can You Handle It?’ with an accompanying video. That single entered the New York reggae charts, and also did well in Mexico. Other standout singles include ‘Cell’ which enjoyed heavy rotation, and lately, ‘Universal Love’ has captivated the hearts and minds of reggae fans, so much so that song is climbing up the B-mobile MegaJamz chart. The song is also doing well in Japan, and Europe. Other singles which were recently released are ‘AIDS’, a social commentary on the ravages of the deadly immuno-deficiency disease, and ‘Don’t Be a Fool’.

“Vertex is the mainstream behind my career right now, X-ray is making things happen, my team is working hard, but I have to give thanks to the fans who have supported me, and most of all, to the divine one, the Creator,” he said.

He performed a tour of Europe in November 2005 with Papa Pedro Entertainment where he did a series of successful gigs in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Germany and other European countries.

"While in Germany, I even did a single for the renowned Pow Pow Movements. The tour itself was a good experience for me and I learned a lot, helping me to prepare for other tours in the future and how to pace myself as a performer," he said.

Since joining up with Vertex, Bescenta has been earning rave reviews performing on a number of shows such as Hype In The Park, Orientation, Sting 2005, Blazay and Reggae Jamboree. In March 2006, there are plans to release his debut album, 'Words of Wisdom', after which he will be going on a two month tour to help promote the album overseas.

"It all begins with the work, you have to be willing to read more, elevate yourself, and put in the positive work. A lot of people take on to reggae, and if we mislead them, they will burn out, so if we just keep at it, we can double our fan base, positive works is needed and it is my responsibility to provide it," he said.

Even his mother, who he calls 'Mama Daff' is pleased with the evolution of her son from aspiring singer to seasoned artist with a strong moral conviction.

"I can always go home and say, 'mama, listen this', it is always clean, that is my responsibility, to always do things positive. I read a lot, right now, I am reading the African Proverbs, and the Ible, only by seeking knowledge can you share the message with the people."

Check out Bescenta live in Montreal on Saturday May 16th, 2009 at the E.B. Club Lounge alongside Terry Linen, Singing P, Kya Kindu, Kes and many more. Tickets available at most West Indian Outlets.

GARFIELD SPENCE known musically as Konshens, has surfaced his solo career on the music scene in 2008 and in one year has recorded approximately thirty tracks, and has had several hits on the local charts such as “Winner”, “This Means Money”, with underground favorites such as “Ghetto Youths afi Buss”, “Rasta Imposter”, “Don’t waste you Talent and “Mi Madda” …just to name a few.

Konshens has accomplished a feet, with which only a selected few new artist can pride themselves, that of being nominated for various awards such as best song, best video, best new artist and best lyricist/ most conscious artist of the year (2008) by bodies such as Stone Love Awards, The Star, The Excellence in Music an Entertainment (EME’s) awards, HYPE TV video awards, RE TV music videos awards, and more recently the IWRAMA awards. He has been dubbed Best New Artist, by Stone Love Awards and the highly reputable EME awards.

The year 2009 is the sophomore year for Konshens, and February served as a month of serious significance to him and all black people the world over, as the month is proclaimed and celebrated locally and internationally as Black History and Reggae Month was undoubtedly, the perfect avenue for the message of his new single “ YOUNG BLACK AND POWERFULL”, produced by Young Veterans Production, the lyrical message and content strikes a blow, as the unanimously nominated best new artist of 2008, challenges young Jamaicans and the wider society as well as the world, to rise to their potential as leaders and manifest their dreams, as did Martin Luther King, Malcom X and now in our day President Obama.

Stepping just three months into the new year, Konshens already is hard at work, he is most excited about his embarkment on the release of the his collaboration with Taurus Riley a single called “Good girl Gone Bad” on the Russian Label, he informs that plans are in the works for a video production, but in the same breathe is very tight lipped, as to the location and concept of the video. Other projects in the works is a single in which Demarco features Konshens, the track “Paper Chasing” on the Star Kutt Label, as well as collaboration with biological and musical half Delus- of the Group Sojah, a track called “She’s Happy” produced by Frank Entertainment.

Konshens has also has plans in the very near future, which includes the launch of his own site called www.konshens.net this site will be an exclusive medium, by which fans can access all the information on Konshens music, career movements and appearances, and as such interact with him. With these four exciting projects /singles and prospects of videos in the works, Konshens can be called the man with a mission, a mission to show Jamaicans and the world, that he is here, and is here to stay.

January 4th, 19 "eighty-sum'n" was a memorable day in Jamaican music history. This was the day that a famous female artist of the eighties (Shirley McLean) and a renown radio personality (Owen “O.B” Brown) brought a bouncing baby boy into the world, and they called him Gavin. From birth, Gavin has been submerged in and surrounded by music as not only his parents but many of his relatives and family friends have all been intimately involved in the music fraternity. Commercially, the UK based Me&You were the most successful of the lot, as they rose to the top echelon of the British charts in the 1980s.

A proud resident of East Kingston, Gavin spent the better part of 16 years living in Rollington Town before moving to the calmer Harbour View area. This kind of upbringing (with the good, bad, ugly and indifferent), backed by a solid academic foundation, has allowed him to pen and deliver different socio-economic elements of Jamaican life with so much clarity and conviction whilst making it entertaining at the same time.

Gavin began showing much musical promise from as early as age 5 when he began playing the drums at an advanced/semiprofessional level at the Jamaica School of Music under the tutelage of Sparrow Martin, Carl Ayton (who he later worked with) and many others. He began honing his stage craft in 1991 as a solo act by performing at school concerts, barbeques, etc. In 1995, Gavin made his first recording and landed his first live radio interview with top Jamaican disk jock Richie B.

The subsequent years saw Gavin emerging as a profound writer/lyricist and at one point; he was even playing the guitar. However, it wasn’t until 1998/99 that Gavin began making deliberate and intentional steps towards being a successful full-time artist and adopted “Gavinchi” as a moniker/stage name. Gavinchi's first three recordings were in rotation on all of Jamaica’s major radio stations and one of them (“Michelle” which features Reggae Icon Edi Fitzroy) has earned him two live performances on national television in Jamaica.

To date, Gavinchi has graced top notch websites such as wireimage.com and dailyceleb.com; he's formed alliances with D&G, Ting and The LRG Clothing Company, been interviewed by several major media houses such as BET, BBC, CNN, TimeWarner, RJR, IrieFM & RETv, made several red carpet appearances (including the Soul Train and BET Awards), performed at various colleges, universities, festivals and events in and around the Kingston Metropolitan Region, various parts of Canada's East Coast, The U.S West Coast plus Hawaii and is also slated to move on to several parts of Europe shortly. He has headlined and sold out venues previously packed by legends such as The Beatles, Willie Nelson, Kool And The Gang, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Eek-A-Mouse and Pato Baton plus performed alongside the likes of Ernie Smith, Jr. Marvin, Fully Fullwood, Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, Baby Cham, Barrington Levy, New Zealand's Katch A Fire, Hawaii's Ooklah da Moc & B.U.B.z and many others. He has worked with Grammy Award Winning and Multi-Platinum Songwriter/ Producer Dany Tomas; some of Jamaica’s finest musical talents, such as Sly Dunbar, Robbie Lyn, Dwight Pinkney, Steve Golding, Keith Francis, Gibby Morrison, Charmaine Bowman, among others. His style, although eclectic, is always unmistakably Dancehall at its core. Gavinchi has given birth to a new genre of Music; Sub Stancehall Music and is it's first valiant representative. Sub Stancehall is Dancehall music with Substance, not mere rhymes and punchlines which has now become commonplace. The true substance of Authentic Reggae Music is alive and well in all his songs.

We are all witnessing the rise of a new era and Gavinchi is its focal point. Ladies and gentlemen, the future is here; as a matter of fact, Gavinchi is the past and future wrapped up in our beautiful present. What we are seeing here is that 1 with God is a majority; as all of Gavinchi's efforts and accomplishments thus far were all possible because of close friends and family(Phenix Records), hard work, perseverance and Divine Intervention. Time is the master and ultimate test of all that is; so it will undoubtedly prove how great Gavinchi is.

Male singing group, LUST, is back on top of the charts. The group's impressive reading of Air Supply's 1985 nugget Just As I Am, has already taken pole position in Jamaica as well as on the Canadian Reggae charts.

Singing Melody, one of the members of LUST (the other members are Lukie D, Thriller U, and Tony Curtis), told the Jamaica Gleaner that the decision to update the Air Supply track happened based on a suggestion by Lukie D. "It was Lukie D's idea because he is a fan of Air Supply. He found the song and invited us to sing it. We knew the song would have taken off the way it did because we had great confidence in it," said Melody.

LUST has been knocking on the doors of stardom ever since the group came to fore in 1997. Their debut single Sweetness of Your Love spent multiple weeks at the top of the local charts and earned the group several awards the following year at the now defunct Jamaica Music Industry Awards.

Melody pointed out that LUST plans to maintain the pace that was set by the success of Just As I Am. "LUST was on top back then and we were concentrating on our individual careers for a while and that caused the impact of the group to wane a bit. Now we are back on top and that is exactly where we intend to stay," he said.

A follow-up single to Just As I Am has already been earmarked for release. Melody, who refused to divulge details about the song, said a video for the track will be done shortly. The group is currently being pursued for several performances in the Caribbean and North America. The group will next perform in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Jamaican Reggae Artist Mikey Dangerous has been exploding on to the international music scene! With a unique and powerful voice Mikey Dangerous has been known to captivate his audiences with his unforgettable enchanting voice, flow, lyrical finesse, along with an arsenal of deadly material. His performances and recordings are versatile, ranging from Roots and Culture to booty shaking club hits. His voice has been featured on a variety recordings and hit singles that have made their way around the world! Having dedicated endless amount of time to developing his style and lyrical skills, Mikey Dangerous is recognized as a solid, talented, multifaceted performing and recording artist.

Mikey Dangerous has toured with artists such as The Beatnuts, and has been featured at many special events like Summer Sizzle where he crossed boundaries having been the only dancehall reggae artist to be featured along side artists like Ciara, Lil JON, Ying Yang twins, Fat Joe, and more. He has also appeared on festivals in the Caribbean such as Barbados reggae splash (www.barbadosreggaesplash), he's since been invited to perform in the Caribbean, Europe, and across North America. Dangerous has been featured at the Montreal Tropical Festival, The Montreal International Reggae Festival in 2005, 2006, and in 2007 was featured as a HEADLINER at the Festival. (Watch a live clip on www.youtube.com, just search for MIKEY DANGEROUS). Or Click the LINK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrJO4mVTsAo

Along with an impressive performance history, Mikey Dangerous also has an impressive catalogue of recordings. His first single to be released was on The Young Lions label entitled: 'Rasta don't dwell', released on 45rpm 7".The song was later released on a compilation which was titled after the single (Rasta don't dwell). After his first release, Mikey continued working on a variety of recordings including his first single on the King of Kings Label. The King of Kings Label later released another six singles on 45 rpm 7" starting with a song entitled 'Gal yuh a di wife'. Subsequently, Mikey Dangerous was requested for collaborations with numerous artists such as platinum selling hip hop group Dubmatique. *His next single: "Performance Drive, on the King of Kings label appeared on "the Millennium Dancehall Style Vol. 1 compilation" This compilation was released in 1998 by VP Records and distributed by Walboomers Music. *****For full details about past releases, please visit www.sonicbids.com/mikeydangerous

As one of reggae’s most profound song beams, Etana seems bent on making 2007 her own. Constantly on the move the Warrior Love singer has been bubbling on several local Radio and TV Top 10 charts in Jamaica and worldwide. With her can't water down and dilute single Roots now in full swing after being released some month ago, the empress is currently ranked # 1 on two major charts with more than 22 weeks of rotation in total.

Click here to listen to her past interview at Sting live in Jamaica

Click here to listen the MontrealDancehall.com drop from Etana

LIVE ARTIST INTERVIEWS

Wordsmith Jeffrey Campbell aka Assassin returns with his second album from VP Records called, 'Gully Sit'n' a collection of dancehall tracks inspired by the streets of Jamaica. Assassin's new album includes recent hits and current dancehall burners, 'Don't Make We Hold You', 'Beep Out', and 'No Boring Gal'. Album producers include Dave Kelly, Don Corleon, and Stephen McGregor so you know de ting official! Straight! From: VP Records .

Recently the MontrealDancehall.com crew linked up in Kingston, Jamaica at the Solid Agency with the man of the hour: MAVADO as he speaks about his new release CD: GANGSTA FOR LIFE - The Symphony of David Brooks. This album features his main hits such as: "Amazing Grace"; "Dying" and many more.

I recently had the chance to catch up with Turbulence while he was in Canada on tour. Turbulence is someone who comes across as an individual that is humble, conscious and open to discuss his views.

Riding the airwaves with hits like, Notorious, Name and Number, Ital Stew 06 has been a year where Turbulence has been touring the world and reaping the rewards of his work. Hear what he has to say about his latest album (and would you believe it's his 13th album!) X Girlfriend, his hopes for the upcoming year, and views on Sasha his other X girlfriend.

While Cham has recently enjoyed much success with his recent Album and single, Ghetto Story he isn't a new kid on the block. Dancehall lovers will remember when he first came on the scene with hits such as, Galong Gal, Hotti Hotti Crew, Babylon Bwoy and collaborations like Tables will Turn with Foxy Brown.

Atlantic signed Baby Cham, and dropped the "Baby" from his name and now is in full swing promoting this versatile and pretty boy Cham. I recently as he was in Toronto, ON for Caribana and promoting the release of his new CD, Ghetto Story. Take a listen to the exclusive interview with Cham as he talks about the re-mix collaboration with Alicia Keys, his new album, which artists he admires, and his views on the industry

Tanya Stevens interview as she discusses her position with other's in the business, her impression of the state of dancehall, her goals for the future, and what Rebelution is really all about. Listen to this up close and personal interview backstage at the Montreal Reggae Festival. Tanya talks about why she doesn't want to be known as a woman artist, but simply and artist, and how the struggles and uphill battles have made her a better and pushed her harder.

Nitty Kutchie is well known for being a dub DJ as he is constantly cutting dubs. Hits like "Ghetto Soldier", "Jah Deliver Me" along with lots of collaborations with artists like Bounty Killa, and Angel Doolas, and Sizzla Kutchie is proven himself as a solid artist. Outside of Exodus Studio in Kingston, JA I had the chance to talk with Kutchie, and he didn't hold anything back. Listen as he talks about his new album and gives us an exclusive preview of a recording with him and Sizzla

Gyptian was recognized as the best new artist in reggae during 2005; his first hit single Serious Times made him turn from a young unknown artist to one of the most sought after performers'. Gyptian showed us that he wasn't just a one hit wonder, as he followed up with tunes like Mama and Beautiful Lady. It was a pleasure to sit in on a recording as Gyptian lay down the tracks for a new single at Stanley Stevens studio in Red Hills, JA. Check out the exclusive interview with Gyptian

Junior X literally blew onto the scene with this. Going from a relative unknown to dropping to one of the bigger roots tunes of the last few with “Plead My Cause”. As soon as those violins hit in and Junior talks about oppression, you know this is going to be enormous. I caught up with Junior X in Half Way Tree, and here for yourself what he has to say about being the new kid on the block, and what he sees for himself.

Mr. Vegas catapulted to the top of the Jamaican charts in 1997 with the dancehall boomshots "Heads High" and "Nike Air", his distinctive vocals fusing melodious singing with precision deejaying (rapping). Since then he has built an international fan base with hit singles like "Pull Up", "Tamale" and "Hot Gal Today" but it is on his latest CD "Constant Spring" that Mr. Vegas' spectacular sing-jay approach and cleverly crafted lyrics dazzle
with the intensity of an evening in, well, Las Vegas.

Formally known as "Snagga Puss" basically, the same shape and form for the last decade, but in that period he has switched from being Jamaica's most promising rapper, as Dicky Ranks, to dancehall deejay Snagga Puss, a character based on the Yogi Bear character Snaggle Puss. Snagga has toured extensively with Shocking Vibes, but here what he has to say about his most recent change in image, yet once again

With hits like Telephone Ting, The LetterBaby Song, Bellevue, Kiprich aka Kippo has distinguished himself with his comical lyrics and versatile style. He has toured the world as the opening act for Elephant Man and now firmly stands on his own with his recent album release "Outta Road. Here for yourself what Kiprich has to say about his challenges, the reality of "badmind" and his focus for the future.

Recently at RJR Radio station in Kingston, JA I had the chance to talk to Macka Diamond and Blacker, who have one of the top tunes in dancehall, Bun Him. Listen to the interview with Macka Diamond and the challenges she has faced as a women in a male dominated business, while Blacker talks about how they decided to collaborate, his perspective on their success, andplans for '06

Warrior King's first attempt at radio came in the late '90s with the Coco Tea-produced single "Nuff a Dem a Evil" with fellow DJ Little Blacks. The duo participated in numerous festivals and community events before Dyer, who was christened Warrior King by Frisco Kid, hit it big with the single "Virtuous Woman." HIs follow up single "Hold the Faith" got solid airplay on radio across the globe. Warrior King is a man that comes across as very humble, knowledgeable, and loving. His determination will only be an asset as this artist continues to make music

My Gawwwwwwwwwwd; if you have heard this expression on a CD, commercials, or at your local barber shop, Twins of Twins are the ones that coined this popular phrase. Identical twins they have been in the business for several years, DJing and for their animated impersonations of well known Jamaican and international personalities, including Mutabaruka, Bounty Killa, Ninja, Michael Jackson, etc. Click on PLAY and listen to Twins and Twins history and what is to come on there upcoming release

MontrealDancehall.com Dubplate service:

Laugh Till Yuh Boss Fire Yuh Backside!!!: (Parental advisory/Explicit content)

Feature	Clip
Kiss Mi Rass	Click here for the clip
Phone Sex Talk	Click here for the clip
Mr. Brown... Can I speak to Ahmmm???	Click here for the clip

MontrealDancehall.com featured drops:

Artists	Track / Drop
14K	Click here for the drop
Swatch International Part I	Click here for the drop
Swatch International Part II	Click here for the drop
Warrior King	Click here for the drop
Snagga Puss	Click here for the drop
Predator	Click here for the drop
Passion	Click here for the drop
Mr. Lex	Click here for the drop
Jagwa	Click here for the drop
Galaxy P	Click here for the drop
Fanton Mojah	Click here for the drop
Determine	Click here for the drop
Danny English	Click here for the drop
Chrisinti	Click here for the drop
Boscom X	Click here for the drop
Devonte	Click here for the drop
Capleton	Click here for the drop
Blessed (Toronto)	Click here for the drop
Daville 1	Click here for drop 1
Daville 2	Click here for drop 2
Daville 3	Click here for drop 3
Cocoa Tea	Click here for the drop
Gabriel	Click here for the drop
Richie Stevens	Click here for the drop
Jah Cuttah (Montreal)	Click here for the drop
Bobby Konda (Massive B)	Click here for the drop
BabyCham	Click here for the drop
David Rodigan	Click here for the drop
Shinehead	Click here for the drop
Capleton	Click here for the drop
Tika D (Toronto)	Click here for the drop
Mawga K (Montreal)	Click here for the drop
Mawga K (Montreal)	Click here for the drop
Mr. Easy	Click here for the drop
	more coming real soon...