With the entire season at stake, Tessanne Chin had one last opportunity to prove that she was indeed The Voice.

After months of intense preparation and incredible performances and with only Will Champlin and Jacquie Lee standing in the way of her victory, Tessanne dominated the final live performance show last night.

For last night’s show, Team Christina Aguilera and Team Adam Levine’s remaining acts sang one new song, a duet with their coach, and reprised the blind audition song they previously sang that gave them a true moment in the competition.

Her performance of Try was gorgeously done and may even have been better this time around. Coach Adam Levine opined that Tessanne nailed it once again and that she was one of the biggest singers not only on the show, but overall and quite deserving of winning the competition.

“Everything you do just draws me in. Your ability is extraordinary and I revel in it all the time. I think the talent you have is exceedingly rare. You are one of the most genuine and loving people I have ever met,” Levine stated.

There was also a light moment as a fan tweeted to Adam if he had picked up the Jamaican accent from spending time with Tessanne. “No mon” he jokingly replied.

The seductive duet with Adam created a social media firestorm. Both clad in black and white, the duo delivered an emotional rendition of The Beatles Let It Be. Adam sprinkled nothing but soul with the guitar he used during the performance. The duo also added a reggae vibe to the song much to the delight of fans.

“Tessanne you and Adam won The Voice beautiful duet hands down.”, “Such a beautiful spirit, I loved it.”, “U got my vote”, “Adam and Tessanne’s duet was the best of all three.” and “Tessanne is the most talented” were just some of the tweets making the social media rounds.

Even British journalist Piers Morgan joined in with a Jamaicanised tweet of “Beat dem bad Tessanne.”

For her final performance of the night, Tessanne once again left the audience speechless. Her rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing was flawless, effortless and amazing.

“I have no thoughts right now, just emotions. I keep being thrown off kilter by how you do this. That song was almost impossible to replicate and each time we have to ask where is the ceiling for Tessanne. You continuously blow me away. I know in my mind and in my heart you are the winner of this show,” Adam stated.

			Influential releases ‘suffer’
Influential   Job Hill Records reggae singer, Influential, knows what it means to suffer. He knows what it means to suffer for your art, having lost his wife and young family through a heart-wrenching divorce. When he landed his first hit song, Road Hog, he lost his salaried job with a Christian music organisation he had been working with when they said he “wasn’t doing gospel. yuh doing reggae music, and this rasta thing is not going to work”. “Years later, my wife divorce me because of reggae music. mi see divorce papers come to me, and I have to sign them because mi love her, but I have to let her go so she can live her life. I miss my little young family, but a reggae music mi say a mi greatest passion. mi bleed fi it, mi struggle for it, and mi no really mek no money yet, but mi a spread the message still,” he said. He taps into that wellspring of pain for his hot new single, Suffer. The track was produced by Oneil ‘Clarkie’ Clarke and Duke ‘Nicko’ Miller for Hitmatic Records/Silly Walks Production. The video for the project has been bankrolled by Job Hill Records, which has inked a management deal with Influential. “Right now, a Job Hill Records a mek the ting click. The video will be released later this week, and mi just have to give thanks to Mama Elise and DJ Wayne, who a play the Suffer song,” he said. Influential is not shy about sharing his experiences on record. “The song is based on a personal experience. Yes, life is hard, but at times, it seems it is even harder in this music business that we are in, but no matter what the struggle, one has to soldier on and show perseverance. One cannot give in too easy because the goal could just be around the corner,” he said. The 29-year-old has been knocking on the doors of stardom for some time now. Born Richard Powell, he is originally from Manchester. His passion for music developed from a young age. His father was involved in music, having played the banjo and the guitar professionally for years. Influential’s foray into music was inevitable. He made his recording debut in 2005 with the track Drugs And Guns, which was produced by Richard Foster aka Brother Richie from the Platinum Force label. He ignited the imagination of the public with Road Hog, which criticised the reckless drivers who often cause carnage on Jamaican roads. “That song launched me to the world. With Sonny Spoon and I Wayne, I travelled the world, but I was not able to really earn a lot as a young artiste, but now I am more seasoned in the music, and I have a good management structure, so big things are in store for Influential,” he said. Other great songs such as Cancer, Black Flag, Summary, One To Love You, Love Idiot, and Principle show that he is able to tackle a variety of topics and is not afraid of social commentary. “Music must be a medium to convey major emotions. I believe that the message is everything. I am not criticising the catchy songs, but you need solid songs that can reflect the continuing black struggle,” Influential said. He can be contacted (876) 779-6532 for bookings.     We Are Massiv., returns to Base Kingston … With Pop Up Shop featuring Major Lazer colab   Jason Panton   Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire On Thursday December, 19, 2013, from 4 p.m.- 9p.m., lifestyle brand We Are Massiv. returns to Kingston, Jamaica, for another Pop Up Shop, but this time, featuring an exclusive collaboration with electronic dancehall DJ project, Major Lazer. “After the success of the first Pop Up Shop with Live from Kingston, Jamaicans grew hungry for another one. With the timing of the Major Lazer and Skrillex show and the collaboration with Massiv., it makes for the perfect time to Pop Up again at Base Kingston,” says Jason Panton, co-owner of Base Kingston and long-time contributor with We Are Massiv. “Major Lazer was one of the first and longest-running supporters of our brand, so it was only a matter of time that we collaborate, and what better way than a show in Jamaica,” says Nathan Amar, founder and creative director of We Are Massiv. Fans of the brand can expect an awesome collaboration with Major Lazer called No Bad Mind, as well as a debut of limited number of pieces from We Are Massiv.’s ‘M.’, collection. Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire and Jillionaire will also be at the Pop Up Shop. Base Kingston, located at Shop #11, Upper Manor Park Plaza, is the first retail outlet for We Are Massiv., and is the only retail location for the clothing line in Jamaica.     Music is finally paying off for Chyna Nicole   Chyna Nicole It has been 20 years in the making, but for new female reggae sensation Chyna Nicole, the wait has been worth the while. The ever-smiling songbird, real name Tania Williams, has had a colourful career before fully becoming a recording artiste as she once served as a radio personality on ZIP 103 FM. She also worked at various media outlets in New York, namely Showtime Networks, WNET, VP Records, and Westwood Radio One. However, since signing a management deal with Fitzroy Francis’ Mightyful13 Records in April of this year, Chyna Nicole’s career has blossomed into something sweet, giving her confidence of a bright future in music. Her first release, Take Me To The Moon, which was produced by her label, Nico Star Records and Francis, went number five on the New York Top 30, No. 2 on the Tropical TV/World Beat Top 10 Reggae, and number one on the WUMDFM93 Top 10 reggae charts, respectively. debut album Her debut album, 20 Years in the Making & Readyfor the World, has been number one for the past two months on the New York Reverbnation Top 10 and at 20 on the Foundation Radio Network Top 20 reggae album charts. The album, produced by various producers including Francis, was released on her label in September. Chyna Nicole, has also performed impressively at the Vermont Reggae Fest and the Caribbean Billboard TV 21st anniversary show in New York, respectively. Chyna Nicole holds down a major in radio-TV-film from Howard University, but it is forming notes when in a music boothe that gives her the most fulfilment. “Music is the way of life. There is nothing one can do without music. It stands second to none in my life,” said Chyna Nicole, who also worked as an announcer on Irie FM. Chyna Nicole was also featured on Mightyful13 Records’ tribute album, which was a remix of Cool Operator with Andrew Bees on the Operator2013 Rhythm Velocity, in honour of reggae legends Delroy Wilson and Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee.   Merry draw for Trooper, Coppershot Mel Cooke, STAR Writer           Magnum All-Star Clash held at the Famous Nightclub in Portmore last Thursday. – Anthony Minott Sound Trooper and Coppershot battled to a satisfactory draw for all involved last Thursday in the first of two main clashes in the Magnum All-Star $1,000,000 Face Off. For, as Ricky Trooper pointed out, neither of them could win the league format sound system battle anyway – that was to be decided later when Flava Unit and Redd Heat squared off. However, playing strictly for fun, Sound Trooper and Coppershot still put on a very good show. Maybe not having much to lose contributed to a more relaxed atmosphere, Trooper apologising for his on-stage outburst the week before. Going second in the opening juggling round, Trooper had fun, smiling, dancing and dropping tunes on the way to taking the opening round convincingly, scoring three points on all three judges’ scorecards, Coppershot taking two points for two judges and one and a half for the third. And Trooper went on to take all the rounds up to the climatic dub-for-dub, when Coppershot stormed back to draw level, the face-off ending with both contestants on 44.5 points. However, what was striking about Trooper was not only his winning the rounds, but how the command with which he spoke in introducing the songs, especially in the second (Challenge) and third (45) rounds.   Sting concert The sound systems were asked to play three songs from three artistes booked for this year’s Sting concert. Going first, Coppershot played Ninja Man’s Murder Dem, Super Cat’s Ghetto Red Hot and Sizzla’s No Time to Gaze. Ricky Trooper was caustic as he replied. “Yu see Cutty (Coppershot’s selector), dem no really know da suppen ya. Dis a one a de wicked deejay whe mash up dis. Him deejay pon Jaro, Stereomars,” Trooper said, going on to credit producers Steelie and Clevie before the rhythm dropped and Burru Banton chanted “hey hey” to the audience’s delight. “Cutty, yu a likkle bway. Yu a uptown sound. A Kilamanjaro mi used to play, bad man sound,” Trooper said. “I gwine teach yu again. “Early ’90s, Ninja Man a run de place, Shabba a run de place, one ugly deejay come bout ya,” he said in introducing Major Mackerel’s Pretty Looks Done. Again Famous went into a frenzy. He went into his personal history for the last selection of the round, saying that when he was in New York some time ago, a certain deejay advised him to go home in order to get his break. It was more than advice – it was an order, as the entertainer said “Trooper, yu can go home two way, a plane seat or a box. Mi say deejay, mi wi tek de plane seat.” And with that he played Suuper Cat’s Don Dada.   custom-built Trooper’s ‘teachings’ continued in the 45 round, but he did not have it all his way. In the dub-for-dub, Coppershot opened with a Sean Paul dub, custom-built for Trooper, to be off to a good start. Trooper paid his respects to Sean Paul, but said he had swallowed Super Cat and Junior Cat’s voices, before delivering his response. Coppershot had a Ninja dub in its arsenal and Trooper asked Mackerel to respond on record. That proved to be the turning point, as Coppershot replied with a stringer Major Mackerel, asking “whe yu head a do unda deh?” Still, Trooper had a response. “Mi a bad man. Mi no eat dem suppen deh. Cutty a uptown yu come from. A uptown people originate eating,” Trooper said, to laughter. And so they went, back and forth throughout the dub for dub, ending up finally in a draw which they both seemed satisfied with. “I am very happy,” Trooper told the judges. “I can’t win and Cutty can’t win. We draw tonight, we even. Thank you, judges.”    Magnum All-Star Clash held at the Famous Nightclub in Portmore last Thursday. – Anthony Minott Drama group wins 11 awards in barbados   Team Jamaica poses with their awards from the Caribbean Schools’ Drama Festival in Barbados. – Contributed The Jamaican production of ‘Wi Love Wi Self’, directed by Akeem Mignott, walked away with 11 major awards, including that of Best Overall Performance, at the recently concluded Caribbean Schools’ Drama Festival held in Christ Church, Barbados. The young Jamaican thespians also received awards for Best Ensemble acting, Most Creative presentation and Best Set Design. Outstanding Actress award went to Mandie Salmon of Jamaica while Mignott won the award for Outstanding Director. Eleven students from several local high schools across the island represented Jamaica at the Caribbean Festival (December 8-15) with participants from seven other countries including: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Barbados, Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Jamaican delegation included six students from Ardenne High School (Jomo Dixon, Darian Reid, Johnique Francis, Chantae Martin, Jonathan Dwyer and Jadon-John Barton-Williams) as well as students from Munro College (Mandie Salmon) Mona High (Teona Wesley), Black River High (Jevone Andy) and Waterford High (Oleta Livermore and Raheem Wallace). workshops While in Barbados, the Jamaican contingent also performed for students at the Alexandra School in the Saint Peter district and participated in cultural workshops and a Caribbean Youth Forum on Caribbean Single Market Initiative and Theatre Arts in the region. The 2013 Caribbean Schools’ Drama Festival was organised by the Barbados Association of Drama Educators. The Jamaican delegation was led by playwright Aston Cooke, who serves as facilitator of the Jamaica Youth Theatre, and the trip to the festival was made possible by sponsorship from the CHASE Fund.   LIME Portmore Christmas fun Day   Even Santa Claus was impressed by the amount of credit Sherie Rowe-Hayes (centre) had on her LIME handset as she collected a brand-new Huawei 210 from Courtney Bell, community projects manager, LIME. Highlights from the LIME Portmore Christmas fun day held on Sunday, December 8. The telecommunications company hosted a Christmas fun day for the children of the Portmore community at the Bridgeport High School.   (Contributed photos)   Stephen Miller, sponsorship manager, LIME, showed off his hooping skills as he, too, indulged in some of the fun activities at the LIME Christmas Fun Day.   Female patron of the LIME Portmore Christmas Fun Day, Kadie Mundel, tries her hand at the ring toss challenge. Scores of families turned out at the Bridgeport High School recently.   Britaneke Campbell seemed pleased upon visiting Santa Claus’s booth at the LIME Portmore Christmas Fun Day.   Kevin Brooks, two-time winner of the basketball challenge at the LIME Portmore Christmas fun day, collecting a gift basket from Stephen Miller, sponsorship manager, LIME.   LIME’s Sponsorship Manager, Stephen Miller, poses with young talent Little Ice after his performance of his LIME jingle for patrons of the LIME Portmore Christmas Fun Day.     Future Fambo delivers at Mavado’s birthday bash   From left, DJ Kenny, Fambo, and promotions guru, Andrew Powell. – Contributed It was a performance that many never expected. Dancehall artiste Future Fambo delivered an exciting performance at Mavado’s birthday bash on Saturday night at the Famous nightclub in Portmore, St Catherine. Fambo earned one of the biggest forwards of the night when he shot on stage with the chart- topping hit Rum And Redbull. He upped the ante when he delivered the inescapable Drunken Dance, This Life (featuring Mavado) andNever Sober. With his campaign now in high gear, Fambo is ready to take his share of the pie on the music scene. He recently released the singles Live Tonight, which was produced by Not Nice Records; and Children Are The Future. Fambo, who shot on to the musical radar in the early 1990s as a member of Courtney Cole’s Roof International label, has scored a number of hits over the years. These include Kung Fu, China Mi Live, and WTF (Swaggin, featuring Wayne Marshall and Tifa).

While the #TeamTessanne parties continued across the corporate area, the songbird inched one step closer to winning the NBC hit talent show, The Voice.

Tessanne’s participation on the show has certainly brought about an atmosphere of camaraderie and togetherness.

While fans were anxious to hear which song Tessanne would perform this week, they were made to wait a tad bit longer as Tessanne closed out the night with a mind-blowing and moving performance of Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Channelling her emotions into delivering an awesome rendition of the Simon and garfunkel’s hit song, Tessanne’s performance was punctuated by enthusiastic applause and cheers from the show’s live audience. Tessanne sister Tami Chynn and her mother were in the audience cheering her on also.

Tessanne’s angelic voice warmly embraced the live audience and captured the attention of the millions of fans around the world. She could no longer hold back the tears as she listened to the comments from the judges.

“I’ve never been speechless on the show before. I’m so amazed by what happened. That was the most flawless and graceful performance I have ever seen on the show,” coach Adam Levine stated after a standing ovation.

Even rival coach Blake Shelton had to agree. “It’s hard to argue with anything Adam said. I’m a big fan of yours. You are an incredible singer and I’m happy for you,” Shelton opined.

Social media also weighed in on Tessanne’s performance.

“Tessanne is the only one who has never had a bad night! Talent dash weh pon she!!! Sas Christ!!”

“In AWE … speechless!!!! #teamtessanne all the way … it dun now! Tessanne Chin is The Voice”

Only three of the five contestants will continue after tomorrow’s double elimination results show.

The single was produced by Super Cat’s Wild Apache Productions and will be marketed by DSR’s marketing arm, Contractor’s Marketing.

Since it was released last week on local radio, Reggaematic has literally lit up the airwaves on both Irie and Zip FMs.

The single has its usual Super Cat bravado, which also expresses his love for reggae music. It was also produced on a crossover dancehall-hip hop beat in which the veteran, born William Maragh, has featured on many occasions.

In 2001, Super Cat collaborated with India Irie on her hit song, Video, as well as with Jadakiss and The Neptunes for Don Of Dons in 2003. Last year, his song, Dance Inna New York, was sampled for Nas’ single The Don, from the rapper’s album, Life Is Good, with Cat adding the vocals to it.

The slick-talking Super Cat is back with Reggaematic in an attempt to make another huge statement in music. The single, according to its marketing personnel, Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards, has all the right ingredients to make it big worldwide. As such, he feels honoured to be handed the task of helping to promote it.

“Any Super Cat is bombshell. He has been doing it for decades. For this, I am very pleased to be asked to be a part of the promotion for the rerelease of Reggaematic, which I believe will reach far if it gets that push,” he said.

DSR’s CEO Joseph Bogdonavich echoed Contractor’s sentiment, adding that the track can be another of Super Cat’s crossover successes. “It is a nice track with the potential to be a huge crossover hit. We will give it the attention it deserves,” Bogdonavich said.

Downsound Records to give song new push

‘It is a nice track with the potential to be a huge crossover hit. We will give it the attention it deserves.’

The single was produced by Super Cat’s Wild Apache Productions and will be marketed by DSR’s marketing arm, Contractor’s Marketing.

Since it was released last week on local radio, Reggaematic has literally lit up the airwaves on both Irie and Zip FMs.

The single has its usual Super Cat bravado, which also expresses his love for reggae music. It was also produced on a crossover dancehall-hip hop beat in which the veteran, born William Maragh, has featured on many occasions.

In 2001, Super Cat collaborated with India Irie on her hit song, Video, as well as with Jadakiss and The Neptunes for Don Of Dons in 2003. Last year, his song, Dance Inna New York, was sampled for Nas’ single The Don, from the rapper’s album, Life Is Good, with Cat adding the vocals to it.

The slick-talking Super Cat is back with Reggaematic in an attempt to make another huge statement in music. The single, according to its marketing personnel, Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards, has all the right ingredients to make it big worldwide. As such, he feels honoured to be handed the task of helping to promote it.

“Any Super Cat is bombshell. He has been doing it for decades. For this, I am very pleased to be asked to be a part of the promotion for the rerelease of Reggaematic, which I believe will reach far if it gets that push,” he said.

DSR’s CEO Joseph Bogdonavich echoed Contractor’s sentiment, adding that the track can be another of Super Cat’s crossover successes. “It is a nice track with the potential to be a huge crossover hit. We will give it the attention it deserves,” Bogdonavich said.

Downsound Records to give song new push

‘It is a nice track with the potential to be a huge crossover hit. We will give it the attention it deserves.’

			Bolt supports Tessanne on The Voice
Davina Henry, Staff Reporter Tessanne Chin Opening the two-hour completion with a rendition of Say It, Just Say It, the top 10 once again showed their vocal prowess and once again thrilled the judges, the audience and those at home. With only eight guaranteed a spot to go through, all contestants brought their A- game. After Team Blake’s Austin Jenckes belted out Your Love, fans were treated to a special guest appearance by the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt. Showing his support for Tessanne, Bolt told host Carson Daly that the support in Jamaica for the songbird has been ‘crazy’. “We’re just trying to figure out a way to vote. Everybody (in Jamaica) is watching right now,” Bolt said. Shortly after Tessanne tweeted “OMG, just died!!! Usain Bolt I am speechless!!! Thank you!! With fans of Tessanne now becoming accustomed to her performing later down in the show, they were not disappointed when she finally took to the stage. After announcing that her journey on The Voice is like someone “gift wrapped an opportunity and gave it to me.” Performing a rendition of Gladys Knight and the Pips’ If I Were Your Woman, it was a sassy and confident Tessanne that belted out the song. “I don’t believe anyone’s ever done that song on the show and I know you have your apprehensions … But this song just solidified your presence on the show as a major contender. You are a wonderful human being and I love you,” her coach Adam Levine said. While asking her more of Tessanne’s Jamaican accent, Christina Aguilera told Tessanne that she has a voice that can do so much. “I want to hear more moments like this. I would love to hear more songs where I can hear different dimensions of you.” Tessanne has had success in the past with songs such as My Kind of Love and Many Rivers to Cross. Fans can vote for Tessanne by logging on to www.thevoice.com or by buying her performance on The Voice on iTunes. Each song purchased adds five votes to Chin’s tally. Votes may also be cast by calling 1855-864-2306 Viewers of The Voice can also keep Tessanne on The Voice through Ttwitter. After the 10 finalists perform and viewers cast their votes, fans on Twitter will be able to save one of the three lowest vote-getters from elimination during Tuesday’s live results show, with the results announced later in the programme. Flava Unit leans on Portmore for first win Two of the young women that were in the huge audience A section of the audience at the Magnum All-Stars face-off at the Famous Nightclub in Portmore. Scott Wilson of HITZ FM poses with a Magnum girl during Thursday’s event. Flava Unit’s selector Badda Bling. A patron strikes a pose for the camera. During his set, a Bredda Hype selector makes a point to his opponent from the Flava Unit sound system. Bredda Hype selectors were outstanding during their rounds. Even after the exciting tussle between Elephant Man and KipRich during last Thursday’s Magnum All-Star $1,000,000 Face Off, the encounter between Bredda Hype and Flava Unit still managed to lift energy levels in a near-full Famous Nightclub. Although Flava Unit’s eventual winning margin was wide – 53 to Bredda Hype’s 42 – the two played equal part in a musical battle of almost epic proportions. Bredda Hype, who had lost an earlier face-off with Ricky Trooper, began the night in fashion befitting someone who did not intend to lose. The selecting duo was imperious in that first round, dubbed The Juggling Round. Flava Unit had no answer. It was not until the second round that the Portmore sound began to come into its own. That second battle, The Challenge Round, brings something different to the table each week. This time around, the sound systems were instructed to play a combination between a singer and a deejay. Flava Unit, playing second, had responded with Leroy Smart and Baby Wayne claiming, “mi know mi fren’ different from mi enemy dem”, Pinchers and Bounty Killer Riding west and the remake of Barrington Levy’s Murdererfeaturing Beenie Man. This was after Bredda Hype’s selections had included Alaine and I-Octane, TOK and Bounty Killer, and Reparation, done by Vybz Kartel and Gaza Slim. While Bredda Hype was still riding on the wave of his brilliant juggling in the first round, his second featured songs just couldn’t match the stature of those from Flava Unit. Bredda Hype duly lost the second round. When it was time for the 45 round, again Bredda Hype was slated to play first. Bredda Hype’s selector came out with Ninja Man’s Murder Dem. The damage had already been done, however, as questions from the selecting team about the judging had turned the tide of the crowd. Flava Unit, credit to them for doing so, chose that round to put some theatrics into the face-off, Badda Bling handing out tomato and escallion to members of the audience before pulling Super Cat’s Vineyard Style. It was the first of a Super Cat double, as Don Dada followed, and there was an especially humorous moment as a bundle of escallion was tossed back on stage, then in turn hurled from the stage to near the middle of the audience, two ladies dressed to the hilt neatly sidestepping the seasoning as it fell. “This is my place!” Badda Bling declared before dropping Bounty Killer’s Lodge to the pleasure of the home crowd support that had showed from early with the vuvuzelas sounding at the mention of the sound system’s name, as well as a large Flava Unit banner of the type seen largely at stage shows held aloft in the venue. The dub-for-dub round also went to Flava Unit, handing Bredda Hype the group’s second loss of the tournament, though much credit should go to the team for an impressive showing.   Patrons live the At Conroy Samuels’ birthday bash     Life of a Star at High House, in Old Harbour, St Catherine, recently.A plethora of big-ups belted over the microphone constantly as one of St Catherine’s biggest promoters, Conroy Samuels, celebrated another milestone on earth at his third annual birthday event held at High House in Old Harbour, St Catherine, recently. Not that it was a detractor; it was actually one of high points of the event, and for Samuels, who would have felt honored hearing so many well wishes at a rapid pace. The rains came sporadically, testing the mettle of what seemed to be loyal patrons determined to have a good time. The rains could not breach their resilience so it was up to selectors Gary Chucks, Mad Ras, Richie Feelings, Chub and Fire Wayne to repay their loyalty with quality entertainment. None of the four aforementioned selectors failed at their responsibilities as, with an eager-to-be-thrilled audience, they created an atmosphere of fun and frolic which later went into complete frenzy. The party was dubbed Life of a Star and as such, it challenged the patrons to attire at their elegant best or most other cases, raunchiest. Right after the early-morning drizzle, deejay Deablo, a protégé to Aidonia, delivered a brief yet entertaining performance. Samuels, who founded Overdose Entertainment, said he could not have asked for a better outcome of the event. “I am very pleased and I must heartily thank all those who stayed when the rain began. Everything went according to plan and I am already thinking of bettering this, come next year,” he said.   Anthony Clarke, 2012 Tastee winner. – ContributedThe journey began in March with the first of four auditions interspersed with four road shows ending in September. Since then, the 32 selectees have been undergoing intense grooming sessions in Montego Bay and Kingston, aimed at honing their talents for Thursday’s semi-finals at the Tastee car park, Cross Roads. Contestants will showcase their talents before judges Queen Ifrica, Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper and Kerry-Ann Lawrence, this, with a view of making it into the December 12 grand finals. prizes The winner is set to take home $1 million, second place $500,000 and third place $150,000. Sponsored this year by Tastee, Pepsi, T- Shirt Express and Kosmo Tours, the 34-year-old talent contest is noted for outstanding semi-final and grand-final performances. Based on improvements made since grooming commenced on September 16, the judges will be hard-pressed to eliminate over 20 persons, in order to get the top 10 for December’s grand finals. The semi-finals will begin at 5:30 p.m., with giveaways by MC Elva, while the competition is set to begin at 6 p.m.   Ginjah on a musical high GinjahThe music video for his latest single, Sweet Killer, recently topped the Fi Wi Choice Top 10 Countdown. “It’s a nice feeling to have a hit single. I am happy that the song and its video is doing so well. Sometimes you can’t predict which song is going to hit, you just have to do good music and let the people decide. It is clear that the people have made this song and its video a hit. I am truly grateful to all the people who are supporting my music,” said Ginjah. Sweet Killer is also doing well on several other charts, including the Hit List Reggae Chart on CVM TV where it is in the number three position. Ginjah has been very busy in the studios lately, recording for various producers such as Wee Pow of Stone Love, DJ Frass, Mr G and Jungle Josh from California. “Right now Sweet Killer is hot and I am not going to sit back and let the momentum die. So far, I have recorded several new tracks for producers like Wee Pow from Stone Love, DJ Frass, Goofy and Jungle Josh, he’s producing my album. So the fans are going to get a lot of new music from Ginjah over the next few months.” Also on the cards for Ginjah are a number of overseas engagements. “I have a lot of foreign shows coming up, and my management team is also negotiating tours with promoters in Europe, Japan and Africa. I have toured some of those places before and the demand for me to return is growing, so I will be very busy on the road over the next few months,” he said.         Nadera ready to dominate music world NaderaCanada-based dancehall/reggae artiste Nadera is ready to dominate the music world. The sassy female singjay is a very versatile artiste. Before entering the music arena, Nadera made a name for herself as an actress performing in theatrical productions in Canada such as the Reggae musical, and Sound Clash. After her appearance in Sound Clash 2009, she was signed by independent record label Phylani Music. Since then, she has steadily improved in her recording career under the guidance of popular Canadian reggae singer/producer Tony Anthony. To date, her most popular songs are Tit For Tat and Cheater’s Loss. The talented beauty, who hails from Kingston, is eager to make her mark on the local music scene. “I have performed on shows in Canada and my music is out there all over the place. But one of my greatest desires is to make a serious impact on the Jamaican music scene. That is very important to me because Jamaica is where I’m from and I want to connect with my fellow Jamaicans musically. It’s also very important to have a name in Jamaica as a dancehall/reggae act,” said Nadera. Nadera recently released her debut album titled Nadera. The 15-track album features production work from Mafia Mckoy of Blaqk Sheep Productions and Kevon Dixon of Blue Sky Productions. According to Nadera, “My album is a very good album, all the songs on it are good. I expect it to do well and help me to move further up the musical ladder.” The album was executively produced by Tony Anthony for Phylani Music.