Red Carpet Ready!
Our favorite fashion moments from the Caribbean Heritage Awards in Los Angeles.
IN OTHER ENTERTAINMENT NEWS…
Soca Gold 2021 Features The Queen of Soca
Alison Hinds, the Queen of Soca
VP Records recently released its iconic project, Soca Gold. According to the label, Soca Gold represents the best releases of the genre over the past year.
Celebrating the spirit of Carnival, the compilation features Soca champions Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin, and others. This year’s disc also features South African artist Master KG with his monster hit “Jerusalema” which has been a mainstay on world charts since since its release in January.
The 17-track disc features prominent artists Bunji Garlin, Iwer George, Edwin Yearwood, Fay-Ann Lyons, Patrice, and Alison Hinds. Hinds, known worldwide as the Queen of Soca kicked off the launch of Soca Gold with the release of her song “Go Gal.”
The uptempo song, considered an empowering female anthem joins Soca with an edge of Dancehall. Known for delivering positive messages in her music, “Go Gal” sings of the positive outlook women should have for themselves and each other.
Alison’s launch performance of “Go Gal” was experienced by fans at Angela Yee Day in Brooklyn, New York. About the performance Alison said “it was an honour and a pleasure to perform at Angela Yee day! To perform for so many beautiful people and to have Angela's support has means a lot. Being a part of an initiative that gives back to the community makes me feel good and Angela can call on me anytime for my support in the future.”
Adding to her Angela Yee Day performance, Alison appeared on The Breakfast Club. The Queen of Soca is the first and only Soca artist to appear on the show.
Accompanying the release of “Go Gal” is a music video that presents visuals of strong energetic women celebrating their beauty and rhythm. Hinds will perform at New York’s prestigious SummerStage at the Coney Island Amphitheatre on Wednesday September 15th, 2021.
Bajan DJ and Radio personality DJ Puffy accents this year’s Soca Gold compilation with a mixtape featuring all 17 tracks.
Soca Gold 2021 Tracklist:
1. Jerusalema (feat. Nomcembo Zikode) - Master KG
2. Go Gal - Alison Hinds
3. Private Party - Machel Montano
4. Resilience (Make It Work) - Edwin Yearwood
5. All House Is Road - Bunji Garlin
6. Sleepwalk - Fay-Ann Lyons
7. South Man - Ricardo Drue X Dev
8. Gud Gud (feat. Machel Montano) - Choppi
9. Watch Ova Wi (feat. Trinidad Killa) - Johnelle
10. Single - Jus D
11. Dai Mine - Patrice Roberts
12. Everytime - Edwin Yearwood
13. Blame It (On De Music) - Rupee
14. Hold You (Hold Yuh) Soca Refix - Gyptian
15. Thelma - South South West
16. We Maniac - Bunji Garlin
17. Gimmi Ah Bligh - Iwer George
Japanese, African American singer, Aya, Dubbed Force of Nature
AYA ITO - A native of Tokyo, Japan, Aya is a multi-genre vocalist and songwriter. This Japanese and African American singer has been dubbed a force of nature.
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Chicago – Over 40 thousand saw Aya Ito sing the Star Spangled Banner at the crosstown rival baseball game Cubs vs. Sox last Friday, August 27th Simultaneously, Aya new video for her new song “Something New” received of 500 Thousand views! This is her latest single on Smash Town Records owned by Darnell Johnson of Chicago’s House of Chicken and Waffles.
The song was written with the anticipation of being able to travel again after more than a year of having to stay home, virtual events, rescheduling or canceling family/friend gatherings, etc. Traveling has always been an important part of Aya’s life. Aya’s family lives in Japan and it also brings her much happiness to explore new cities & cultures and to make lifelong friends in parts of the world she has never been.
Blazian Sensation "Aya Ito" is a striking songstress with an incredibly amazing sound. A native of Tokyo, Japan, Aya is a multi-genre vocalist and songwriter. This Japanese and African American singer has been dubbed a force of nature. Aya has fused her talents of singing and playing the guitar and piano, while also incorporating her trilingual abilities (English, Spanish and Japanese) into her art.Aya has toured the US and Japan performing in many venues that have attracted a huge following. For many years, this standout has been wowing crowds with her spirited performances and dynamic sound. Aya has been lauded for her absolute beauty and undeniable talent. In August 2020, she made her television debut on ABC7’s broadcast special of the Bud Billiken Parade. Performing her single, "Don't Take My Life" released by SmashTown Records,
Aya poured her heart out to the world in song while addressing the senseless acts of violence that have plagued this country causing many lives to be taken unjustly. Her life’s work has led Aya to create music that is both profound and honest. In her upcoming album, she embodies soulful sounds over enchanting piano licks. Her neosoul/techno style combined with smooth jazz and an angelic voice, lures the listener into a space of self-discovery, love and freedom. The album is expected to be released in 2021.
RealVibez Caribbean Film Festival set for August 25-27
Television writer/producer, Kellie R Griffin, AMONG featured presenters at the
RealVibez Film Festival
Kellie R Griffin will present at the Writers Workshop - August 25.
Kellie has worked on a number of films, stage plays, and television shows, including serving as head writer on Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne,” running two writers’ rooms in both Atlanta and Los Angeles, simultaneously, for over 100 episodes.
She has also served as co-executive producer on Season 3 of Netflix’s “Fuller House,” Consulting Producer on NBC’s “Crowded,” and Creator of BET’s “Reed Between the Lines,” which premiered to 3.3 million viewers and starred Tracee Ellis Ross and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
More recently, Kellie’s work includes writing and developing “Karma’s World,” an animated children’s series for Netflix, created by rapper/actor Ludacris, writing for Nickelodeon’s “The Loud House,” and co-writing a pilot for Disney Channel with actress Raven-Symoné.
Kellie resides in Los Angeles, where she is developing her own animated series, “Just Your Average Family,” and writing her first book, which is guidebook for new writers - “The WRITE Book: A Shitload of Information for Television and Film Writers and Other Industry Peeps.”
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Check out highlights from our exclusive interview with Danielle Lee-Ziaidie of Blue Mahoe Capitals as she chats with myKEEtv about the film festival.
RealVibez Film Festival Events & Dates
RealVibez Film Fest_PT1 - Promoting Caribbean Culture to the World
RealVibez Film Fest_PT2 - Foundation of the Festival
RealVibez Film Fest_PT3 - Highlighting Sports & Entertainment
RealVibez Film Fest_PT4 - Entry Requirements for the Festival
RealVibez Film Fest_PT5 - Ambassador & Venue for the Film Fest.
Snoop Dogg and Michael Harris to be Honored at The Black Business Association’s “Virtual Salute to Black Music”
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Snoop Dogg and Michael Harris Honored at The Black Business Association’s “Virtual Salute to Black Music”
Los Angeles, CA — Rap/Hip-Hop Music icon & Philanthropist, Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus and Businessman/Philanthropist Michael Harris are this year’s honorees for the Black Business Association (BBA),“Virtual Salute to Black Music Awards” on Thursday, June 24, 2020 at 5:30 - 7 PM. The BBA is the oldest ethnic business organization in the State of California and will host its Annual event held in recognition of Black Music Appreciation Month.
The BBA is excited to announce it will honor Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus, with the “Lifetime Legacy Award”, and Michael Harris, with the “Business Pioneer Legends Award”. We will also honor Nipsey Hussle posthumously with the “Distinguished Business Advocate Award”.
In keeping with the event theme, “The Business behind the Music”, the (BBA) recognizes the honorees for their contributions of these esteemed honorees in the advancement of African-Americans in the music Industry. Now, more than ever the (BBA) recognizes that in light of the current Black Lives Matter Movement; there is an even greater imperative, to acknowledge those that help to propel Black Lives into success. Among past Honorees are; Clarence Avant, Berry Gordy, Dick Griffey, Smokey Robinson, Siedah Garrett, Janet Jackso, and Jheryl Busby to name a few.
