Caribbean Lifestyle Media-The controversy that surrounds Gaza Kim, more recently known as KYM continues to stir. In previous reports, Kym made statements to Nikki Z that she was beaten by members of the Portmore Empire-Vybz Kartel crew. Kartel quickly responded with a press release condemning the violence against Kim.

A statement was made by Adidjaheim Records, "The Portmore Empire invested a substantial amount of money in the career of singer Kim Hamilton--filming music videos, printing promotional posters and clocking several hours in the studio honing her talent. We're disappointed that she felt the need to issue a press release to the media announcing her departure from the record label, Adidjaheim Records, without first notifying the company".

Yesterday Caribbean Lifestyle Media received a press release late in the evening stating that KYM has officially severed ties with Adidjaheim Records. Via her publicist, KYM stated "Over the last eight to nine months (8-9 months) my career was managed by Addijahem Records. The Management Contract has been terminated and I'm now pursuing independently my career. I'm now focusing on driving my career and past events in my life have only made me stronger and more driven to achieving success. I would like wish my former Management Team all the very best in their endeavours".

What happens when New York cities hottest unsigned hype meets Jamaica's hottest new artist, the answer is simple pure magic. Ricky Blaze and the Holiday King Dong Dong is breaking new ground this week with the release of their blazing hot new collab entitled "So Fly". As mentioned in the intro of the song its appealing to the ladies and with a nice hip hop flow its guaranteed to be a club banger.

No stranger to each others creativity, both Ding and Blaze have collaborated before in the past, this on the hit single "Badman Forward Badman Pull Up" which was produced by Blaze who was also a party promoter / entrepreneur at the time.

"So Fly" comes on the heels of Ding Dongs other hit bound singles including Skip To My Lue, My Cup and Dont Tek Press which have been taking the dancehall circuit by storm. Since joining the booking roster of Solid Agency late last year Ding Dong's career has continued to serge, as the leader of the infamous Ravers Clavers dance crew Ding started off 2010 with performances at major concerts including Shaggy & Friends Charity Show and the Coke Zero Sean Kingston event staged some 2 weeks ago.

On the other hand well known for his pop influenced street anthem "Feel Free" Ricky Blaze has also been making his way up the mainstream ladder with a host of new recording not to mention a highly anticipated mixtape dubbed "Be Myself" which was release in September 2009. Download here

*Courtesy Prism Marketing Consultants

IRISH and CHIN-After thousands of votes were casted by viewers for over a month, the Etana/RETV music video competition came to a remarkable close recently. The competition, which featured Etana's three new videos "August Town," "Free" and "Happy Heart," was the first of it's kind. And from the overwhelming response, the competition went over with a bang. Impressively, votes from through out the Caribbean inundated RETV.

Votes are still being tallied, with no winner determined yet and excitement is building up for the live finale on February 27 at 5:00 PM, which will feature Etana announcing the winning video and calling the competition's winners. Etana's fans are on the edges of their seats as they wait to find out if they will be winners of any of the competition's coveted prizes. Several times a day, after viewing the three videos, fans were prompted to text in and vote for their favorite video. Their texts/votes were then entered into the respective video's pot.

A lucky winner will be selected from each video pot. The voter selected from the third favorite video pot will receive an Ipod loaded with Etana's music. Meanwhile, the voter selected from the second video pot will receive a chic Blackberry Curve. And finally, the voter selected from the first video pot will receive an ultra savvy 13" MacBook. In addition to fans supporting Etana's new videos and music, the prize incentive also played a major role in attracting voters.

"This competition was one of Irish and Chin's unique vehicles of marketing Etana's Music," says Etana's manager Garfield "Chin" Bourne. "I am overjoyed by the response to the competition."

The results of the video competition will be hush hush until the live finale. Not even Etana will know of the winning video until it's announced on air -- that way one can catch her genuine, candid response.

"Although each of the videos is a #1 video to me, I am extremely anxious to see which one my fans chose as their favorite," says Etana.

Everyone who voted should keep their phones on between 5-7 PM on February 27, in case they are a lucky winner. If Etana calls a number and does not get an answer, she will move on and select another number. Viewers will be able to express their excitement live on air.

Caribbean Lifestyle Media would like to take this time to congratulate all the winners of EME awards. Chino who received the "breakthrough artiste of the year", alongside Jah Vinci released a string of hits such as "From Mawning", "Pon yuh Head", and "Protected".

Chino whose correct name is Daniel McGregor says, "I have to say thanks to everyone who helped me to make my success possible. One person can't do it, it takes a lot of belief in yourself and a great team, great fans and media persons and others in the industry who believe in you. So thanks to everyone and for the new year I'm staying focused and coming with a lot of hot new tracks and two albums: one for the US market and the other for Japan."

Spice also won the category of "Female Dancehall Artiste of The Year". Spice Stated,"I was off the island every weekend from the beginning of the year right up until December. People will look on and see artistes travelling and putting out the songs and think that it's easy. No way was it easy doing all that, being a mother and running two businesses, so I am extremely excited and happy about being acknowledged for the hard work I put in and I'm so thankful to everyone. I can't say it enough,"

Artist Tuji "2G" Sanusi of Toronto has released his debut music video "Pleasure" featuring International Reggae artist Beenie Man, and Canadian artist Chris S. The music video shoot took place in Toronto, directed by Mike Portoghese of NE INC, entirely on a green screen backdrop. Post-production FX Effects work took up to 3 months to complete. Overall the stunning video, was well worth the wait!

The track "Pleasure" is off of 2G's upcoming album, entitled "Nollywood Star". Watch video here.

For booking: Tiffany Ford
tiffany@fordpublicity.com
647.297.3148

Hailing from the Island of St Croix, Midnite is one of the most promising roots reggae bands of the millennium. They are vanguards of conscious reggae whose profound and innovative lyrics are sincere and deeply rooted. Their CD recordings and live performances will have reggae and non-reggae listeners open to the messages they bring.

Lead singer Vaughn Benjamin's electrifying voice seems an amalgamation of many great voices in reggae--soulful, chanting, edgy. Vaughn's potent lyrical style and his brother Ron's exquisite keyboards and musical directorship form the nucleus of this musical quintet. Midnite weaves the cultural lyrics of "old school" roots music with modern day experiences to create a unique listening encounter. Reggae - naked and raw is an apt description for Midnite's musical style, in which they forgo the frills of extensive remixes, overdubbing and other musical refinements.

Midnite explodes in live performances with sets that often exceed three hours. Their vigorous, weighty sound, driven by the punchy bass lines creates a vibe that penetrates straight to the heart. These epic musical communions have earned Midnite an enormous following throughout the roots community. This is especially true in St. Croix, Puerto Rico, Brazil, St. Louis and here on the West Coast where they have toured extensively.

By breaking all the rules, Midnite is setting a new standard. Armed with a firm foundation in Jah Rastafari, their natural talents, and a strong and uncompromising musical vision, Midnite champions a unique sound that is on the cutting edge of modern roots music.

Tickets are 25 in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com and there will plenty of tickets at the door!

*Courtesy HASO PRODUCTIONS

Caribbean Lifestyle Media-In recent times, Bugle has been busy doing various tours across North America, United Kingdom, Belize, and Bermuda. The Daseca artiste has remained positive and above all the barrage of insults we saw being exchanged in 2009 in Dancehall.

In 2009, Bugle brought his vision to life with the help of Julia Braham of 1456 Production and Jay Will's Films to bring his last project "Pearly Gates" to your screens. “I like working with Julia and Jay Will because of the creativity that they bring to the table”, commented Bugle, he went on to say that “some of our directors are becoming monotonous”.

Bugle offered some insight into what is going on currently with Dancehall Music, “What will the jerk man do when him cah mek him money at the gate any more? How will the artistes feed their children, how will the promoters send their children to school?” Bugle says that “Negativity cannot benefit dancehall”, that’s not a new sentiment, however he feels that the ‘uptown/downtown’ segregation and feuding between artistes are the driving forces that limited the growth of Dancehall on the world stage in previous years. It is a hope that

AIM, Inc (PR Rep) told us-2010 may see Bugle releasing an album, with exclusive tracks that have already been recorded and never released. With his lyrical prowess and production from some of the industry’s finest this album will definitely be a collector’s item. Fans will have to wait until mid-year though after Bugle executes an extensive tour of Europe, a market he plans to take his music to a lot this year.