The Best of the Best International Music Festival (BOTB) continues to buzz with an explosive lineup showcasing the very best in urban entertainment, and this year the excitement grows as some of the hottest names in music are set the take the stage during Memorial Day weekend, on May 30 in Bicentennial Park in Miami, Florida. Music mogul Diddy is tapped as the official host of the concert event of the year, which also features DJ Khaled, Gucci Mane in his first major performance of the year, alongside blazing Caribbean acts including Serani, Gyptian and Machel Montano, plus many surprise guest stars and MORE ARTISTS TO BE ADDED IN THE COMING WEEKS.
BOTB ALWAYS DELIVERS
Now in its fourth year, show promoter JBJ Entertainment sets the bar for the ultimate showcase of urban music and each year they deliver. This edition is gearing up to be no different as none other than Diddy is set to host the show, with his surprise friends in tow, along with DJ Khaled and his stable of friends also for the ride. Last year's show boasted stunning appearances from Diddy, Flo Rida, Brisco and Ace Hood, and there is no way to predict which celebs will grace the stage come May.
"I'll be there promoting my new album Victory, a sizzling collaboration effort with my friends," declares superstar radio jock DJ Khaled. "I'm bringing all my friends with me to Best of the Best so make sure you don't miss what's sure to be the best concert this summer because as you know, we the best!"
Diddy will also be promoting his latest album, Last Train To Paris, which is scheduled for release in June. Like Khaled, he is also scheduled to appear with his friends. And with the likes of Miami's own Rick Ross on his current radio hit, "Angels," there is no telling who the Bad Boy CEO will have join him on stage.
CARIBBEAN MUSIC SHINES
This massive showcase also features the best sounds in Caribbean entertainment today, including dancehall stars Serani and Gyptian, both of whom currently have radio smashes on mainstream radio. Serani has been enjoying a massive crossover following his breakout hit, "No Games," and now Gyptian joins with his current Billboard coup, "Hold Yuh."
Joining them will be the internationally renowned 'King of Soca,' Machel Montano, who recently shared the stage with Beyonce during Trinidad's Carnival, and has already performed to a sold-out crowd in South Florida this year. His performance in Fort Lauderdale in March was enjoyed by Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade and actress Gabrielle Union, just to name a few of the stars that turned out to bask in sounds of Caribbean music.
They will be joined by a solid lineup of more Caribbean sensations including Mr. Vegas, Baby Cham, Ding Dong, Demarco, Lady Saw, Tony Matterhorn and reggae star Anthony B, just to name a few. And after all that, show promoters reveal they will be adding even more artists to the lineup as we inch closer to show time.
BOTB EXPANDS TO FOUR DAYS
The festival also expands from a one-day event to four days of fun-filled fiestas for all journeying to Miami for the holiday weekend, thus renaming it Best of the Best weekend. The Best of the Best Weekend runs from Friday, May 28 to Monday, May 31. It kicks off on May 28 with the BOTB Official Welcome Party at the Opium Nightclub at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida.
On Friday, sun seekers can head to the BOTB All White Pool Party at the ravishing Deauville Beach Resort in South Beach. On Sunday, where else to be in Miami but at Bicentennial Park for the Best of the Best Concert, followed by the BOTB Official After Party at Bongos Nightclub at the American Airlines Arena. Then if that's not enough, join the musical clash at the New York Vs. Miami showdown at the magnificent Mansion nightclub in Miami Beach.
TICKET/PRESS DETAILS
The BOTB concert takes place at Bicentennial Park, located at 1075 Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami. Park gates open at 1:00 pm and show time is set for 1:30pm sharp.
For further information on each event and to purchase tickets, log on to www.bestofthebestconcert.com or call 1-305-438-9488, or also visit www.ticketmaster.com.
New York City's Moka Nightclub is playing no games when it comes to hosting the official album release party for dancehall star Serani. Making it a FREE event, Moka invites everyone to come celebrate this Friday, November 6, 2009 in Queens, New York.
Serani dropped his debut album No Games worldwide on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 on the Universal Republic imprint. The album has spurned two commercial hits, "No Games" and "She Loves Me," both which have made a decent showing on radio, with "No Games" becoming a Billboard mainstay.
Serani is definitely the man ofthe hour as a headliner of the Metro PCS/Hot 97 5 Boro Takeover Tour
On March 20th, he will be at Amazura in Queens with Buju Banton and Elephant Man. Though I lived in Texas which has no Metro PCS (that I am aware of,) as Dominicans would say,it was making ding dang in Florida. Of course there is a significant Caribbean population in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area. I am sure that that is the basis for using these West Indian / Urban artists for their New York launch.
The Metro PCS Tour stops at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey, on March 25th, where Serani will be joined by Alliance colleague Mavado, as well as Akon, Busta Rhymes and Estelle.
MetroPCS, Hot97Performing at Maracas in NYC.....
It's, it's it's Serani
working the fans dem
With PR staff fromFox Inc. (Michelle Naraine and Shelly Dookhie) . thanks for the pics!
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Christina Milian and music producer/singer The Dream (Terius Nash) Wednesday at his Love vs. Money listening party in New York City.
Though rumoured to be a couple she is known to be dating Dre (from producing group Cool & Dre).
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Rihanna at the Ford Ampitheatre in Tampa FL for the VH1 Pepsi Smash concert, part of Super Bow 43 activities.
Photo source
Here she is on stage....
Wayne Brady and his daughter Maile Masaka spotted in L.A
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Cute!
STORY IN LOCAL PAPER
sourceST. CROIX - The men who police said are responsible for the Jan. 5, armed robbery of Jamaican reggae artist Craig "Serani" Marsh, were advised of their rights in V.I. Superior Court on St. Croix on Friday morning.
Richard Motta, 50, of Little Hospital Street, Christiansted, and Gregory "DJ Avalanche" Hodge, 29, of Tutu High-rise, St. Thomas, remain in jail unable to post bail on charges of first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence and grand larceny.
Motta was arrested at 5 p.m. Wednesday at St. Thomas' King Airport as he attempted to leave the territory. Motta was detected by Customs and Enforcement Officers as a person with an outstanding warrant issued by Superior Court Judge Julio Brady.
Hodge, who works as a disc jockey at FM 105.1, was arrested shortly after he ended his shift at 10 a.m. Thursday.
A 14-count information has been filed charging both men with the crimes and with aiding and abetting each other in the crimes.
According to an affidavit filed in Superior Court by Police Detective Jeffrey Nesbitt, Marsh told police that he had just finished a performance in the Crucian Christmas Festival Village and was dropped off along with two other people by the promoter on the street outside the Best Western Hotel.
As they approached the room, Marsh said, two masked men pointed a gun at them and demanded their money and jewelry. The men took his King Link gold chain and pendant, valued at about $5,000, as well as two cellular phones.
Police said Marsh's companion, who is not named but is described as Marsh's manager in the affidavit, said the gunmen took a $5,000 chain from him and $9,700 in cash.
The third victim (now I wonder if that was the mystery woman in the letter sent to The Lime?)said that as they were dropped off and walked to the room, two men who she recognized as Hodge and Motta, walked past them in the opposite direction, and as they proceeded to the room they turned around just as Motta was pulling a mask over his face and then the two men proceeded to rob them.
She said that while robbing them, Motta threatened to murder Marsh but was discouraged by Hodge and the two left.
All three victims picked the two men out of a photo array produced by police.
Police said no one was injured in the robbery.
Police reported over the past weeks that hey were aggressively following up on leads and secured the warrants for the two men. They said more arrests may be pending.
Bail for Hodge and Motta was set at $135,000 each, and both remain jailed pending a bail hearing at 9 a.m. today.
Hodge has no known criminal record in the territory, but Motta has an extensive criminal history with more than 25 arrests during the last 30 years. He previously has been charged with crimes including assault, murder, robbery, gun possession, weapon possession, grand larceny, rape and vehicle tampering and trespassing.
STORY ON LOCAL RADIO
I also caught this video on YouTube making mention of this issue on local TV. As far as I can tell, the guy thinks it's much ado about nothing. Judge for yourself.
Aight guys well you know they say there are three sides to every story: your side, my side and the truth. Well I don't know what the deal is with this one. I have not recieved any official statements from any involved party, but I did get this email from a St. Croix resident who was pretty peeved that the promoters were faulted for the incident. As I said this is NOT AN OFFICIAL report so its up to you to make your own deductions about it. Will keep you posted as information presents itself.
Subject: As to Serani being rob on ur blog.
This is fuck up how they blame the promoters. The promoters of this show have a very good reputation with artist they bring down. Serani and his manager wouldn’t mention what they did to this promoter the week before this show right? Well im gonna let the public to know what is being left out. On December 27 2008 Serani was to perform on st.croix. Over 1000 people to see his performance but to their disappointment Serani was a NO SHOW. There was no communication with his manager Julian. No one return a phone call until the next day saying that Serani missed his flight. Remember now STINGS was on the 26th. So to my understanding he over slept. But the 27th show on st.Croix was of no important to them so they needed to not communicate with no one.. People behind the scenes know bad and arrogant his manger Julian is.. Because of his NO SHOW the community was in out rage saying Serani is a bluff and he rob their money. The promoter now had to rebook Serani for the 5th of January and give a FREE show to the public just to maintain his GOOD NAME AS a promoter. Some people feel offended of this FREE show because of the first one some had to pay to see him perform. NOW lets get down to the NITTY GRITTY that Serani is NOT telling his manager Julian. After the performance on the 5th he ran behind the stage. There was a groupie gyal who wanted desperately to meet Serani and just touch his hands. The road manager FOX told the promoter let the gyal in the car because Serani wanted her to spend the night with him. As to the road manager and serani wishes it was granted. When the promoter Drop them off their room I guess its when it all took place. Guess what serani the gyal you choose to spend the night with was a prostitute and the community was in out rage with you. So please back off of the promoter who treated you nothing but love. AS your friends such as Demarco and Dr.Evil how they got treated down here from the same humble promoter. Stop being in denial and let your people in Jamaica know that you pick up a prostitute to spend the night with.......Oh maybe you leaving this part out because you don’t want your girl to know...
Several Jamaican news sources have stated that Serani and his manager have been robbed at gunpoint. This occured over the weekend in St.Croix.
According to a DASECA (the production group behind many of his hits...he is one of the producers BTW) rep"We believe that the promoter set them up. They were robbed inside the hotel while they were on their way to their rooms. They were held at gunpoint and robbed, everything gone, the money from the show the night before in
That is jacked up man. I just recently posted about his success on Billboard with his HOT track "No Games". At least he has his life. You can always make another hit record and make back the money. So Serani just say thank God that you alive to see this new year and go home to your family.
Doh worry when you come to DA we will treat you right!
photo source
Dancehall artist Serani's smash hit "No Games" has made it on the Billboard Charts in get this the Hot RnB/Hip-Hop Singles Chart. The top five songs on the chart are "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" Beyonce, "Live Your Life" T.I feat. Rihanna, "Chopped 'N' Skrewed" T-Pain feat. Ludacris, "Miss Independent" Ne-Yo and "Trading Places" Usher.
So he is in some great company, some might say in quantity not quality. Regardless, I love the song. I can't hear it and sit down. Doh mention if I just get to my destination and it comes on. Yeah, I'll be rocking it in the car. lol. Some of you know you do it to. so don't front.
Anyways the song is produced by Linton "TJ" White and is featured on the Unfinished Business Riddim. Apart from the Singles chart it debuted at #53 on the Hot RnB/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. TJ also has another track on that same riddim on Billboard as well, and that is Mavado's "I'm So Special" which re-entered the charts and #53.
This past Saturday, Stone Love celebrated their anniversary as well as dolled out awards to several artists in the industry.
The coveted titles of Deejay of the Year Male and Female went to Vybz Kartel and D'Angel respectively, while Mavado was named Singjay of the Year.Best New Artiste, Male and Female went to Konshens and Pamputae respectively. The award for Singer of the Year wnt to Etana (Femaile) and Serani (Male), and Stone Love selector, Diamond was named Employee of the Year.
It was interesting to note that there was no award for Song of the Year. Not too sure the reason. Some reggae tunes I enjoyed this year include: Etana "Don't Forget", Tarrus Riley "Far Away", Richie Stephens "Come to Jamaica", Gyptian "I can Feel Your Pain", Tifa "Bottom of De Barrell", Busy Signal "Tic-Toc", Serani "No Games", Mavado "I'm So Special", ya...I could go one and on as you can see my list is all encompassing, sometimes I just like the beat and the melody ....those are just a few of the songs I'm digging. I could go on and on..
