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Author, music producer, former manager and older brother of Dancehall artist ‘Popcaan’ are just a few titles attached to multifaceted Demonie Wilson. Better known as ‘Squidell’ to many, his name has recently been a hot topic as the release of his book ‘Essential Notes: A Glimpse into the reality of the music industry’’ has created a buzz, sparking some necessary conversations around the reality of the music business and the pitfalls to avoid.
The thought provoking read provides a ‘backstage pass’, allowing fans, listeners and consumers to experience life ‘beyond the spotlight’, Squidell says. ‘Moreover, it serves as a handbook for those aspiring to pursue a music career, aiming to guide them through the perils that wait in the industry’. Released May 28th 2024, ‘Essential Notes’ consists of 13 chapters of compartmentalisation of the industry, told as testimonies from real experiences through the lens of the author and others within it.Â
A Jamaican native, Squidell was raised in a family oriented environment and although he had an exciting curiosity for the music industry, he was a relentless and avid reader of literature. As he entered the music business, working alongside his brother ‘Popcaan’, he became quite conscious of some of the findings and lessons during his professional journey and began to reflect and document them. Known to family and friends as the go-to person for advice, he pondered on the idea of translating that information into a book before deciding to turn the idea into a reality.Â
Within the book, he addresses the complexities of fame, expectations, the system, family and friend dynamics, social media within the music industry and mental health, to name a few. Providing a very layered and nuanced presentation, Squidell renders perspective with much food for thought.
With the success of the book, Squidell has recently had his published book accepted onto the curriculum and it is officially studied within mainstream schools across Jamaica. He says ‘My book Essential Notes has been added to the UWI curriculum and is also available at the Mona bookshop, that’s a great accomplishment’. ‘Essential Notes’ can be purchased on Amazon and is due to be distributed in many other stores within the Caribbean soon.Â
SOURCE: @ceeinlivincolour
Chloe Bernard
With the clocks having just gone back, it is becoming greyer and darker than ever in London. Before we know it winter will be in full swing with whispers of Mariah Carey on each and every corner. One thing about Caribbean people is that we love festivities no matter what time of year it is.
The successful takeover of Drumsheds—a 15,000-capacity venue no less—by City Splash reminds us that we can come together to bask in Caribbean culture en masse come rain or shine. We’ll brave the bitter cold to catch a vibe inside.
The curated lineup included dancehall maestro Konshens (recently interviewed by Mr Wondah for WorlMag), new gen, viral hitmaker Teejay, and modern-day reggae royalty Protoje performing under the same roof. Singing his classic each offering a different lens of Jamaican music to the crowd.
Beyond the headliners, DJs, collectives and sound crews shelled it down in the venue’s smaller rooms and between the performances. From Heartless Crew to Rampage, familiar names, faces, and sound systems that have formed the backdrop of Black British ravers over the last few decades also took to the decks.
If you’ve never been to Drumsheds before, it’s a huge, expansive space that makes you feel like you’ve been transported to some kind of futuristic world. The metal rods holding the structures in place are just about visible, glimmering in the darkness. Drumsheds used to be the home of Ikea, so the building still wears that recognisable brand of blue on the outside walls. Broadwick, the team behind Printworks London and Depot Mayfield in Manchester, transformed the gigantic, industrial-looking warehouse into a massive dance venue.
The high-end lighting, smoke, special effects and decked out sound systems in each room invite you to get lost in the music. At the City Splash Indoor Festival, rhythms produced by people islands in the Caribbean and the African continent bounced off the warehouse dance hall. It was a time-bending experience.
Though, I can’t say that partying that space was entirely positive. The chain of portable toilet facilities and outdoor food stands in the freezing cold make it known that Drumsheds caters to the masses. Rocking to old school dancehall in what was essentially deep space made me really think about what came before.
In what ways do we experience music like other generations in the shebeens of the past? What parts of the culture have we managed to preserve and how can we re-introduce those elements back into the spaces we occupy? (If we should try to do that all).
For me, there was something impersonal about that space. Dancing with my partner, throwing my hands up and down with my sister and the energy of my friends masked it for a moment, but that sensation returned in spells. Perhaps it’s something to do with the lack of visual branding and decor, the absence of flags or something else. Either way, I believe that music should move your spirit and while my spirit didn’t take to everything about City Splash Indoor Festival, I’m not saying I wouldn’t go back. I just want more.
Not just more bouyon, soca and dancehall queens (although that would be welcome, especially given the male-dominated artist lineup). I want DJs to pull out deep cuts from the archives. I want more rooms exploring different cultures across the islands regardless of language. I want to cry of joy and laughter, echoing the sound of people playing dominoes back a yard. Overall, I just want deeper connections for my people living in this country. That’s not asking for too much.
Article by:Â Kaeshelle Rianne
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.Â
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.Â
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’.Â
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.Â
SOURCE: @ceeinlivincolour
Chloe Bernard
