BACKAYARD Magazine

1ST ANNUAL JADE BENEFIT EVENT

Jamaica’s Drive to Educate Inc. (JADE) - a non-profit organization based in the United States that strives to support education in Jamaica at its infant and primary levels (Ages 2-12) is having its 1st Annual JADE Benefit Event, come out and show your support for the kids. PRINCE GEORGE TEA ROOM 28TH STREET BTWN 5TH AND MADISON, NYC, New York

USAIN BOLT STORMING INTO NEW YORK ON JUNE 12

The reigning triple-Olympic Champion (100m, 200m and 4x100m) and triple-World Champion Usain "Lighting" Bolt will compete in the 100 meters at the adidas Grand Prix in New York City on June 12th. The adidas Grand Prix, formerly known as the Reebok Grand Prix, will be the fifth stop on the inaugural IAAF Diamond League circuit and will be held at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. Fans can purchase an option, through OptionIt.com, for an adidas Grand Prix ticket. Concerned about resellers and scalping, organizers believe this alliance with OptionIt will allow fans who are likely to purchase tickets to buy an option to hold those seats until an assigned date, when they can then exercise their option and purchase their reserved ticket at face value. Tickets are available for sale as of February 15th. Visit www.adidasgrandprix.com for more information.

Jeneil Williams covers LOVE magazine

20 year old Jamaican model Jeneil Williams covers LOVE magazine alongside other top industry models such as runway veteran Naomi Campbell.

Jeneil Williams's Career Highlights
2005 - Wins Caribbean Model Search
2006 - Signs with New York Models
2006 - David Sims photographs Williams for Benetton
2006 - Models for Bloomingdales catalog
JUL 2008 - Featured in Italian Vogue as a newcomer
FEB 2009 - Opens the fall Diesel show in New York; also walks for L'Wren Scott, Richard Chai, and Zero + Maria Cornejo
MAR 2009 - Walks the fall Lanvin show in Paris
SEP 2009 - Appears in Teen Vogue editorial, photographed by Daniel Jackson
SEP 2009 - Opens the spring Paul Smith show in London

Source: NYMag,com

Rebel Salute 2010

So the BACKAYARD world tour has this time touched down at the Port Kaiser Sports Club in St. Elizabeth on Saturday 16th February. And we were treated to a show which year to year, one of the most consistently well run events in Jamaican entertainment, here are some pics that illustrate the good time had by all.
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DENYQUE is sounding "OH SO GOOD" for 2010

Jamaica's Youth View Awards 2010 nominated Favourite New Artiste of 2009, DENYQUE is fresh and out with a new single produced by Equiknoxx Music on their Kamera Trick Riddim entitled "Oh So Good". Local media and fans are touting the 20 year old DENYQUE as the next big Caribbean export since Rihanna.

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Shaggy and Friends

It is now 2010 and with it comes the express line of events to cover. And by far one of the most anticipated shows, of this January period at least, is the “Dare to Care” concert promoted by Shaggy and friends.
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Capleton, the fire continues

I, like most of you, was wondering during the last couple of years during this new dance hop, or is it hip hall, phase that our music seems to have evolved to ‘Where is the fireman?’. Where was King Shango? Dancehall aficionados would know that from the mid 90s to the early 2000s, Capleton was on most if not all of dancehall’s most popular riddims sometimes even twice.

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Photos by : Dwayne Watkins

Bolt Action

The highly anticipated Bolt Action mix courtesy of Aidonia (J.O.P) in association with Federation Sound, Equiknoxx and Business Class has finally dropped. This one is definately worth a listen ladies and gents' and to top it off you can download it for free.

Follow the link to download .
Lil Joe - Naw Nuh Mercy Mixtape Coming Soon.

The Equiknoxx Music executive produced mixtape "Lil Joe - Naw Nuh Mercy" will boast a compilation of 35 tracks from the artiste and will feature collaborations with Aidonia, Chino and Leena Star.

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THE HARDER THEY COME

Direct from London's west end, the musical based on the 1970’S cult film that transformed reggae music and singer Jimmy Cliff into an international sensation.

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VOTE Courtney John "Lucky Man" on MTV U

Vote for Courtney John's video for "Lucky Man" on MTV U.

VOTE: www.mtvu.com

WATCH VIDEO: www.mtvu.com

This is what MTV Freshman Staff Member Lindsay had to say about "Lucky Man":

I’m really enjoying this sound at the moment, especially as fall is upon us here in NYC and I am feeling nostalgic for the summer. Reggae is a great way to imagine the warmth of sun and sand again, as this genre always seems to carry that association. And as Courtney John is attempting to recapture times gone by, the whole package particularly suits my current mood. For certain, it’s so smooth and sweet that it’s easy to swallow hook, line and sinker. A pleasant delight on the ears.

Spielberg to Produce Film Based on Piracy in 17th Century Jamaica

Award winning director Steven Spielberg is set to produce a film adaptation of a novel published by Michael Crichton entitled Pirate Latitudes. The book is set on the coast of Jamaica in 17th century and is essentially a pirating adventure story. Spielberg has directed adaptations of Crichton's work previously, this includes mega movie hits such as Jurassic Park and it's sequel The Lost World. It is yet to be announced if the movie will be actually shot in Jamaica but check back for updates on this project.
"Shotta Culture"

Kingston, Jamaica born Spragga Benz is the subject of Shotta Culture - A documentary about the life of this influential dancehall artist and the unforgiving streets he came from. Born into a large family of modest means, Shotta Culture chronicles Spragga’s rise to fame, as he overcomes personal obstacles, political strife and violence to become one of Jamaica’s most influential artists. Shotta Culture also explores the 2008 murder of Spragga’s son, Carlton Grant, Jr. at the hands of police. Providing never before seen interviews with witnesses and candid discussions of the ongoing violence claiming the lives of Jamaica’s youth.

Directors: Fatima A. Curry, Cess Silvera

For more information visit: www.shottaculture.com
iTunes & Island Records launch Special Reggae Promotion

If you're a lover of classic reggae straight from the islands, and is one of those people whose always on the lookout for rare collectibles. then check this out

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