Andre Villa has eyes set on Grammy nomination for new afrobeat project

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Cover art for the Jamaica Meets Afrobeat album

US-based Jamaican producer, Andre Villa, has his eyes set on receiving a Grammy nomination for his recently released afrobeat project titled Jamaica Meets Afrobeat which consists of various artists on the Emotions Riddim. The rhythm compilation was released on August 23, 2024 under his Onscope Records label and features some of dancehall’s biggest superstars such as Erup, Mr. Easy, IQ, Tatik and more.

While it is not time for Jamaica Meets Afrobeatto be up for Grammy consideration just yet, Villa is hopeful as the reception from fans have been tremendous so far.

“This is my first time venturing with an afrobeat project. It is such a phenomenal work of art. Every single artist who is featured on this project is unique and very creative,” said Villa.

The producer also believes that this 8-track album will open doors for other upcoming producers coming out of Jamaica as well.

He says, “This project means so much to me, because it’s for my country Jamaica. I am honored to showcase the diversity of these reggae/dancehall artists into another genre.”

Jamaica Meets Afrobeat has also created history by being the first of its kind with Villa being the first local producer to release an afrobreat rhythm album.

“I’m so grateful to be creating history as the first Jamaican producer to release an afrobeat juggling album with various artists,” said Villa.

Jamaica Meets Afrobeat is currently available on all major media platforms.

Jamaica Meets Afrobeat by Various Artists

https://onerpm.link/628755671240

@onscoperecords

Source: @LesleyOdyssey

Three Dancehall albums make the iTunes Top 4 Reggae Albums Chart

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Lesley Hayles

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Spice posts her latest album at number 1 on iTunes

Fans of dancehall woke up to the news on Friday morning (August 9) that 3 albums are in the Top 4 of the iTunes Reggae Chart. At number 4 is self-proclaimed King of Dancehall Vybz Kartel with First Week Out, then Flawless Victory by Bay-C from T.O.K and Xyclone at number 3, and of course the queen herself Spice, with her latest album Mirror 25, tops it off at number 1 ahead of the late great Bob Marley.

The shocker for most is Bay-C and Xyclone’s Flawless Victory, which was at number 1 before Spice’s Mirror 25 dethroned it, but what most don’t know is that it was at the top of the chart for a whopping 22 weeks since its release on March 1. Flawless Victory was also 33 overall on the iTunes Albums chart in the US. Several singles from the 6-track album also charted, most notably “Wull Heap”. It features Zagga and was produced by the only female producer on the album, the US-based fashion designer/author/actress/host Jenelle Alexia from A’Legends Productions. “Wull Heap” peaked at number 2 proving that dancehall is still very much alive and well.

Other songs from Flawless Victory that charted are “Get Inna The Groove”, “Tight” featuring ShellChapo and the title track “Flawless Victory” all in the top 10 at numbers 4, 5 and 6 respectively. The album was produced by Xyclone’s Ejor Media Group and Bomb Rush Records, home of Bay-C.

Xyclone and Bay-C are on a worldwide Flawless Victory tour, having been to England and several countries in Europe, Jamaica, the United States including the recently concluded Reggae on the River festival in California where Bay-C celebrated his birthday and The Gambia, Xyclone’s first time in Africa, just prior to that.

Jenelle Alexia, producer of “Wull Heap”, has just showcased her clothing line, A’Legends, to the prestigious audience at the Unorthodox Fashion Show in Philadelphia last month and is gearing up next for the Back To School Supplies Drive, a charity event being held in Orange, New Jersey on August 17 by Dr MichelleG from Get With The Fix Radio. Alexia is also going to make a cameo appearance in the upcoming movie Unbelievable which stars dancehall icon Spragga Benz. No official date is set yet but Unbelievable will premiere in the US and Jamaica sometime in October.

Source: @LesleyOdyssey