Music industry mourns loss of Legendary music Producer ‘Quincy Jones’
The twenty- eight time Grammy award winning recipient peacefully passed away at his LA home on 3rd November 2024 at the age of 91, where he was surrounded by family and his publicist who broke the news.
Revered as one of the most iconic producers/ musicians throughout the generations, with a career spanning well over 5 decades, Quincy Jones has become a staple in the industry as his musical injections and influences continue to create an impact.
With his early career beginning in Seattle as a trumpet player aged 16, backing a then young talent ‘Ray Charles’, Jones started to create a name for himself as a musician amongst the Jazz circuits.
Jones later went on to collaborate with the likes of Frank Sinatra in 1958, followed by creating for prominent musical figures Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin, to name a few. But his biggest musical moment arrived when he collaborated with King of Pop ‘Micheal Jackson’ on the ‘Off The Wall’ Album in 1979 as the lead producer. After meeting during the production of the adaptation of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ ‘The Wiz’ was created, with Micheal Jackson acting as one of the lead characters and Jones creating the songs. The two developed a magical working relationship that later saw them produce Micheal’s 1982 monumental album ‘Thriller’ following ‘Off The Wall’.
With much continued success, Jones began producing scores for film and television. His musical credits can be found on the classic soundtrack to film ‘The Colour Purple’ 1985.
As the Chairman and CEO of ‘Quincy Jones Entertainment’, he went on to produce the most successful African American led sitcom of the 90’s ‘The Fresh Prince Of Bel- Air’, which aired between 1990- 1996 and catapulted the career of budding actor/rapper ‘Will Smith’.
Quincy Jones ventured into the world of publishing also and founded the highly successful Hip Hop magazine ‘Vibe’ in 1993. Throughout the years he went on to tapping into other ventures whilst still creating music and producing scores for the movie musical adaptation of ‘The Colour Purple in 2023.
Jones’s musical and cultural contributions are undeniable and his legacy continues to live through his family, work and those who are inspired by it.
SOURCE: @ceeinlivincolour
Chloe Bernard
DANCEHALL ROYALTY SET FOR UK APPEARANCE AS ‘LEGENDS OF LEGENDS’ CONCERT DRAWS NEAR
The OVO Wembley arena in London will host one of Reggae and Dancehall’s biggest and most prominent concerts on Sunday 17th November 2024 as three of Jamaica’s most iconic artists take the stage for the ‘Legends of Legends’ show.
Reaching remarkable heights of success individually as solo artists, the trio have teamed up this time for an unforgettable night of musical electricity, accompanied by a full live band onstage.
It is expected that the legends will be performing some of their most iconic and culturally relevant songs, which are regarded as part of the fabric of the evolving sounds of Jamaican music.
Kingston’s Grammy award winning Reggae/ Dancehall songwriter and musician ‘Beenie Man’ the self- proclaimed ‘King of Dancehall’ and known for popular songs such as ‘Girls Dem Sugar’ and ‘Who Am I’ rose to fame in the early 1990s following his pivotal performance at Sunsplash, despite an earlier musical pursuit, recording his first ever single ‘Too Fancy’ as an eight year old DJ. Beenie Man’s consistency and commercial success has seen him collaborate with artists such as Janet Jackson and Mya, allowing his rooted Jamaican sound to cross over internationally.
The ‘War Lord’, better known as Mr Bounty Killer has cultivated a sound and a style that has commanded respect and dominated the dances and airwaves for decades. His powerful and energetic stage presence and classic anthems ‘Benz and Bimma’ and ‘Anytime’ are cemented as reputable songs of the culture and Killer continues to acquire the recognition from many as a pioneer of Jamaican music.
Celebrated for his internationally revered 2006 single ‘Ghetto Story’ Cham, formerly known as Baby Cham has had a long-standing career in music and watched it catapult following the release. His clever lyrical ability and melodic flow can be heard on many songs following his long list of collaborations with the likes of Alicia Keys, Foxy Brown, Damien Marley, and Akon, to name a few. Cham’s distinctive tone and charismatic persona are why he has maintained a long-standing career and level of prominence amongst his peers.
The ‘Legends of Legends’ concert is bound to be an extraordinary night of nostalgia, adrenaline, musical excellence, and pure enjoyment. Fans and lovers of Reggae/ Dancehall will not want to miss this one.
https://www.ovoarena.co.uk/events/detail/legends-of-legends
Source: @ceeinlivincolour
Chloe Bernard
Epik Jones first UK Producer to top iTunes album Charts
Epik Jones – first UK producer to top iTunes Charts
By Lesley Hayles | October 15, 2024
UK-based St Thomas native Epik Jones has exceeded expectations by being the first Jamaican producer to hit both the US and UK iTunes Charts last Friday, October 11. Coincidentally, the day was recently coronated as Paul Bogle Day, a freedom fighter and national hero of Jamaica who is also from the parish of St Thomas.
Another St Thomas native had also taken a top 10 spot on the US charts. Dancehall superstar Popcaan’s last album ‘Great Is He’ still holds relevance on the iTunes chart after its release almost 2 years ago, moving up to number 7 on the same day. It is newcomer Epik Jones, however, who is making headlines with his achievement.
Originally from Albion, St Thomas & a former KC old boy, Epik debuted at number 1 on US iTunes Charts and number 2 on the UK iTunes Chart early Friday morning with his latest project ‘Now That’s Epik’. A DJ and producer who is now based in London, Epik’s album placed number 72 overall on the UK music charts. It features 16 dancehall tracks from various artists including Xyclone, Bay-C from TOK, Konshens, Spice, Tony Matterhorn, Smoodface, afrobeat superstar Shatta Wale and many more.
‘Now That’s Epik’ starts off with an Epik poem he wrote titled “Cry of a Black Boy”, then goes on to include Xyclone’s “Meck It Clap (Remix)” featuring Konshens and “Drip” featuring Bay-C, Shatta Wale’s “Dancehall Girl (Global Remix)” featuring Ishawna and Lisa Mercedes and “Cash Life (The Baddest) [Remix]” featuring Trillary Banks, and 2 versions of Spice’s hit song “Cool It”. All tracks topped the singles chart as well and the album itself has amassed almost 3 million streams on Spotify already.
Now That’s Epik – Epik Jones
https://onerpm.link/nowthatsepik
@epikjones
@epikmusicgroup
@ejormediagroup
Source: @LesleyOdyssey
Kavan presents Kings and Queens 2024
Kabaka Pyramid’s show at London’s O2 Academy Islington 2024
Kabaka Pyramid’s show at the O2 Academy Islington on Sunday, October 6, 2024, was a night filled with vibes and intimate energy, capturing the essence of reggae with a modern twist. Before Kabaka took the stage, the crowd was already buzzing thanks to Seanie B, the Remix Kid, and BBC 1Xtra’s DJ. He set the tone by spinning classic reggae tracks from legends like Gregory Isaacs, Bob Marley, Garnet Silk, and others, not leaving out the current crop of reggae stars like Lila Ike, Protoje, and more. This warm-up was a nostalgic tribute, taking the audience on a journey through reggae’s golden years and creating an atmosphere of unity and excitement.
When Kabaka Pyramid finally hit the stage, the energy in the room skyrocketed. Backed by his band, The Bebble Rockers, he delivered a tight set that combined his conscious lyrics with infectious reggae beats. Songs from his Grammy-winning album The Kalling and other hits like “Well Done” and “Red, Gold, and Green” had the crowd swaying and singing along.
A standout moment came when the music unexpectedly cut out mid-performance. Instead of missing a beat, Kabaka freestyled effortlessly, using the technical glitch as an opportunity to showcase his lyrical skills and keep the crowd hyped. His quick improvisation drew cheers and solidified his status as a true performer who knows how to handle any situation.
The night ended on a high note, with Kabaka taking the time to connect with fans, posing for pictures and making sure everyone left with a memorable experience. This personal touch, combined with the intimate venue, made the concert feel like a special gathering rather than just another show. Kabaka Pyramid’s ability to merge old-school reggae vibes with a modern, socially conscious message left the audience inspired and full of positive energy.
