January 29, 2012 HARRY TODLER WITH NEW OUTLOOK

SPORTING a new hairdo and outlook on life at age 37, Harry Toddler has shed his Scare Dem Crew persona and lyrics for a more sober and mature image, a move which has surprised even some of his closest dancehall colleagues.

It's not a ruse to sell records by reinventing himself nor is he eyeing the gospel market, Toddler, the hit-making brain behind Scare Dem, undoubtedly the hypest and hottest dancehall crew from the mid-1990s to around 2000, is simply seeing life from a more responsible perspective as he approaches midlife.

"I do have a new image, a new look. It's a change of heart, how I feel. It's not like I was forced or influenced. I followed my heart. I chose to do it based on how I feel and the type of music I want to get out to people," said Toddler who, for years was part of the hot Scare Dem quartet comprising Elephant Man, Nitty Kutchie, and Boom Dandimite.

Gone is the bleached-out hair which earned him the moniker, 'Blonde Ras', along with lyrics he now deems not fitting the new man he has become.

"I don't think the Scare Dem image will get the message across to do the type of work I want to do," said Toddler, who stakes claim to have written some of Scare Dem's biggest hits such as Bad Man Nuh DressLike Girl, Dance The Angel, Beer Gal Waan Wi, Watch Yu Friends Yu Keep and Certain Bwoy.

Instead, included in Toddler's latest releases are a Dennis Brown remake, Loving You, and Give I Strength, a far cry from the loud, in-your-face style which dominated Scare Dem material and saw the group on the verge of international breakthrough.

"I am looking at where I am coming from and the kind of music that's going on right now, I can't see myself being a part of it," he said.

"All of my friends are mature and they have kids. The kids they have are embracing the music. I see them liking a song and I know it's not good for them," Toddler explained with sincerity.

"I grew up loving songs that people like Beres does, the Dennis Browns, they live in my heart. I looked into myself and said I want to do some of the music they did, that people can say Toddler did some great songs. That's what I am working for, winning the people's hearts."

In Give I Strength, Toddler's Scare Dem style is unrecognisable as he singjays, 'Mi hear a knock pon mi window, just rise an a puff mi indica, helicopter a shine light, police a look fi gun, like ducta a hunt fi passenger, if mi did live a Norbrook, dat wouldn't gwaan, mi would a wake up to corn flakes and Lucky Charm, but a true inna the ghetto me born, every day mi get up mi hear man a beat corn.'

"It's something some youth wake up to every day," he said. "I just wanted to bring the message across that that is how some youths have to live every day."

Toddler and his former Scare Dem crew members certainly understand the way of life he describes in Give I Strength.

broke down to four

Originally a group of friends originating from the Waltham Park and Seaview Gardens areas of St Andrew, Scare Dem, Toddler said, was formed at the famed King Jammys Studio in Waterhouse with "six or seven members which broke down to four".

"Angel Doolas, Determine, Daily Bread, and Bramwell were there. It started like that but Toddler, Elephant Man, Boom Dandimite, and Nitty Kutchie put in more work so it broke down to four," Toddler explained.

"Sly of Sly and Robbie saw the talent and made a rhythm. Bulbie and Anthony Red Rose also supported us. The first song was Rap Segment for Taxi label. Sly made a rhythm and from we did that song, the group took off."

Hits such as Rap Segment, Different Gal Every Day, Many Many, Ready or Not (using The Fugees' hook), Scare Dem Rock, Nah Run Back a Nuh Gal and Dun Di Place, made Scare Dem one of dancehall's biggest act alongside the likes of rivals Beenie Man and Bounty Killer.

However, Scare Dem, which was managed at various stages by Bounty Killer, Louise Frazier-Bennett, and Sharon Burke, followed the trademark route of successful groups - explode then implode.

To make matters worse, the group crumbled just as phenomenal as its rise onstage at the first Fully Loaded concert series, which, Toddler said, should have been a celebration of Scare Dem's arrival.

"Elephant Man left after an incident with Nitty Kutchie at Fully Loaded when Elephant Man was boxed. BET was there, Wycliffe, and The Fugees too.

"It should have been a celebration but it turned out to be a big embarrassment. After that, the fans who loved Scare Dem felt sorry for Elephant Man, and from that everyone went their ways," Toddler reminisced.

"It's a lot of stuff was going on in the fa ... who is talking about taking money to do album on the side. It was things like that going on in the family. Everybody went to different managers after the split."

Elephant Man went on to become a major success while Toddler continued recording, scoring a hit with Don't Run In in 2008. However, the other Scare Dem members have basically been off the radar.

However, it's his new releases that Toddler is most proud of.

"I am feeling confident," he said . "I want the people to feel what I am feeling. I want the music to live longer. I want it to rest in people's hearts and souls.

"For Loving You, a cover of Dennis Brown, I used the chorus and put some lyrics to the chorus.

Dennis Brown fan

It's a way-out Dennis Brown, only the real Dennis Brown fan would know where I am coming from.

"I have the guidance of Joseph of Downsound Records and Shauny, an adviser, plus Scatta. Those three people coached me through the change, told me a change is not bad.

"It was shocking to my fans. People would pass me but the face can't change. Everything has changed, my dressing too. People are saying they appreciate it, commenting on how they love it. It lifts me more and they want to listen to my new material.

"I had a ton load of new stuff and they weren't paying attention to them until November 30, last year. I changed image and compiled a new set of songs.

"I started posting them out, giving them out. Jamaican selectors were not even convinced but changed because they were seeing things on the Internet."

He said his change of image was so radical that while at Tifa's Birthday Bash at Sugarman's Beach earlier this year, some of his dancehall colleagues didn't recognize him.

"When they saw me, nobody knew it was me. Cuddly from Ward 21, he was in front of me , looking at me for about 10 minutes before realizing it was me. Everybody was wondering if it was me. Lady Saw was walking past, she knows me forever, and gave me a normal hail.

"When me and the Downsound Crew went over to the Digicel booth, she heard Cuddly saying Toddler has a different look. She was shocked and came back to me, saying, 'Toddler, you look so good'".

As for his old material, Toddler said he hasn't abandoned them altogether and has had to use them to introduce himself on stage shows.

"I don't sing all of it," he said. "I am not focusing on these songs. At certain appearances, you just give them a tease for people to recognise who is on stage, like at the GT Taylor show I opened with Don't Run In.

What about his old friends - Bounty Killer, Nitty Kutchie, Boom Dandimite, and Elephant Man, is there any chance of a Scare Dem reunion?

"A Scare Dem Reunion? I don't think it will happen because it has gone into hate now. Members don't even like each other anymore," he said.

However, Bounty Killer, he said, will always be his friend.

"We found Bounty and Bounty found us. Harry Toddler was at Jammy's first. When I knew Bounty, he was Bounty Hunter. We were at a spot and somebody wanted to kill Bounty Hunter for the name 'Bounty Hunter' because a different deejay had the name.

"When it happened, I was there. Bounty built us and we built Bounty. The vibes we carried around Bounty, it made him Bounty. He looked and said these youth were a great help, so he formed the Scare Dem Crew, just like how he discovered Mavado, Addi, and ANG. Up to this day, he's still doing that.

Bounty and I are friends, we curse we fight, but we're still friends."

December 30, 2011 – Kingston Jamaica – It’s all over the internet so we figured we needed to make sure we put it on our website – check out these videos including exclusive behind the scenes footage of Toya, Specialist, G Warren and DSR founder Josef Bogdanovich from STING 2011.

SPECIALIST INCLUDING HIS BATTLE WITH HURRICANE AT STING 2011:

TOYA INCLUDING TONS OF BEHIND THE SCENES FOOTAGE FROM STING 2011:

December 29, 2011 – KINGSTON JAMAICA – and it keeps getting better and better for DSR artist Specialist who has just hit NUMBER ONE on the HYPE TV TOP 20 MUSIC CHART for the VERY FIRST TIME. “Just like Jamaican athletes – we here at MusicSkins are long distance runners going the distance for our artists,” explains a very happy Josef Bogdanovich – the leader of the DownSound Force which includes Toya, Harry Toddler, G Warren and of course Specialist.

SPECIALIST HIT’S #1 ON HYPE TV TOP 20 MUSIC CHART FOR THE FIRST TIME 
To view the chart follow the link below
http://www.hypetvmusicchart.blogspot.com

December 28, 2011 – Spanish Town Jamaica – Ok OK so we are a little late getting this one on the website but it is already getting the YOUTUBE love – check out Specialist’s second DSR video GALLIS ANTHEM which hails in TOTAL RESPECT and APPRECIATION his greatest fans – high school girls. Nothing controversial here – just straight out these girls love Specialist and he respects them for staying in school, having some fun but only age APPROPRIATE FUN. SPECIALIST LOVES ALL HIS JAMAICAN FANS! BLESS.

December 28, 2011 – KINGSTON JAMAICA – LATEST NEWS – And of course ANOTHER great video from the DSR Force – this one features Specialist, Toya, G Warren, Harry Toddler and MOTION- and of course all the beautiful women of Jamaican Dance Hall – THE VSOP RIDDEM MEDDELY – ROCKS – get it on ITUNES.

DECEMBER 26, 2011 – JAMAICA – STING 2011: 
As the year winds down the biggest musical event for Jamaica – the annual Sting Music Festival was the back drop of Down Sound History in the making. Check out these photos of DSR artist and 2011 Kings and Queens of the Dance Hall runner up– Specialist vs. Hurricane the 2011 winner of Kings and Queens where Specialist simply killed it winning the crowd in minutes. And check out Specialist’s outfit…..wow. DSR artist Toya gave one of her best performances of her career at Sting 2011 with flaming red hair and a costume she designed exclusively for her clothing line TOYANIC, Toya is clearly a force to be reckoned with worldwide and the aftermath will be mad crazy.

Toya Live:

December 25, 2011 MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM JAMAICA: Check out these pictures from the GT Taylor Christmas Extravaganza, photos by Robbie G cp 2011.

December 9, 2011: MusicSkins – the leader in vinyl skins with cool images for over 350 consumer electronic devices has a mad blogging machine going. DownSound artist Specialist was just interviewed so check out this link and go to http://www.musicskins.com/specialist to order your Specialist skin for your phone, lap top, gaming console, IPAD and more fresh for the holidays. 
http://blog.musicskins.com/specialist-jamaican-idol/

December 8, 2011 Kingston, Jamaica - This just in – Specialist’s Street Hustle just keeps holding its own and is now number 2
Check out this link!

http://www.hypetvmusicchart.blogspot.com/

December 1, 2011 - Kingston Jamaica
The DownSound Records Report. 

Currently, Di Artist, Harry Toddler is number 4 on the African Chart (Give I Strength) and his video is in the top 6 on various Jamaican video charts.

Toya is number 2 on the VSX chart from Hype TV Jamaica with her current single from the VSOP Riddim entitled “You A Life.” Earlier in the Summer, Toya recorded the popular collaboration with Beanie Man, entitled One Man Woman which sustained on the top of FIWI Choice for some 8 weeks in top positions. Always in demand for live performance - Toya is scheduled to perform at Sting 2012, GT Taylor’s Xmas Extravaganza and Supa Fun Day in Kingston on New Years Day.

New Comer Specialist is riding high with Street Hustle (phone Card) still on the top 5 of all Jamaican charts, in the Top 10 on the New York Chart and in the top 5 in the UK chart. His new single from the VSOP Riddim is looking like a hit as well with heavy airplay in Jamaica and strong video airplay as well. Digicel believes in this young artist so much that Specialist continues to perform at numerous Digicel shows throughout the island as well as appearing at various charity events through the holiday season. Specialist also has some big shows coming up including Sting, Christmas Extravaganza, Supa Fun Day on New Years Day and many other regional shows.

And of course for the DownSound Force, Foota Hype a heavy weight selector, has been signed by DSR to boost street activity for the company and give the selector a more hands on management approach to his career. “I’m ready to step up my game”, says Foota Hype, “ and I look forward to working with the DownSound Force. I’m ready to take it to da whorl!” DownSound has already been working with legendary selector Sky Juice for a number of years and “with Foota Hype it’s just a natural progression”, explains company CEO, Josef Bogdanovich.

2011 has been a big year for DownSound building its Producer team with its signing of powerhouse producer Skatta Burrell and new comer Peter “Shady” Harrison. “There is no shortage of talent coming out of the DSR house – ton’s of musicians in the studio making lots great songs, 2011 has been great and 2012 is gonna be bigger” promises Skatta.

November 26, 2011 - HARRY TODDLER IS MOVING UP!
 The news on DownSound Artists Harry Toddler just keeps getting better and more interesting – as Toddler gains recognition in Africa. The new MTV Base Chart is out: Harry Toddler's 'Give I Strength' is up one spot to #6: http://www.mtvbase.com/shows/official-dancehall-chart/. Toddler also featured in the #1 Video "Certain Law" with Mr. Vegas. Apparently MTV fans in Africa are digging Toddler.

November 11, 2011 – Kingston Jamaica – SPECIALIST TOUR UPDATES

November 10 Montego Bay Sam Sharp Square
November 11 Kingston Constant Spring Market 
November 12 St. Catherine Linstead Market
November 18 St. Catherine Hellshire Beach
November 19 Clarendon Acropolis Plaza
November 24 St. Ann, St Mary Total Gas Station, KFC - Port Maria
November 25 Westmoreland White House Beach
November 25 RETV School Tour
November 26 Manchester Mandeville?Santa Cruz Market
November 26 Discovery Bay Reggae Fever
November 27 Kingston JCDC Song Festival
December 17 Los Angeles, CA Club date LOCATION TBD

November 6, 2011 – United Kingdom CHART ACTION THIS WEEK Specialist enters the UK charts at #8:

Chris Coxson Reggae Chart Show on New style Radio Uk Every Sunday 4pm -6pm Log onto  www.newstyleradio.org.uk  to listen live to New Style Radio 98.7 FM Birmingham UK to Birmingham’s only Black legal Afro Caribbean Radio Station  also Thursday 8pm to 6pm for the all the latest and best in reggae music

REGGAE CHART TOP 20 - November 7th  till November 21st 2011

TW  LW  TITLE ARTIST LABEL

1      1    Got to Love…….Sean Paul ft Alexis Jordan…..Stargate

2      3    This love is over ……Jah Dore........heartcour records

3      2    One By One – Laza Morgan-Mavado…elektra

4      6    What’s wrong with the picture…. Sizzla….Breadback

5      5    Dancehall duppy .......Tony Matterhorn ...Notnice

6      9    JPS……..Assasin…….boardhouse

7      7    Summer time….. Vybz kartel……addjahiem

8      15  Street Hustle (phone card)..Specialist….downsound

November 5, 2011 HYPE TOP 20 – No Stopping DSR artist Specialist.  SEE IF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS MAKE THE CUT ON THIS WEEK HYPE TV TOP 20 MUSIC CHART FOR NOV. 4^TH – OURS DID!

To view the chart follow the link below
http://www.hypetvmusicchart.blogspot.com

November 5, 2011 – Kingston Jamaica

November 4^th – November 10th, 2011

TW LW WOC ARTISTE - TITLE - LABEL - Peak Position

01 01 11 Popcaan – Raving – Tads Records - 2wks@1
02 03 13 Tony Matterhorn – Dancehall Duppy – Inna Di House/CD Master – U1
03 04 09 Da’Ville – When I’M With You – Tads Records- U1
04 02 18 Jahvinci – In My Lfe – Notnice/Cory Todd Records - 2wks@1– D2
05 06 11 Tiana Ft. Konshens– Gyal Mi Love You – Fams House Studio- U1
06 07 09 Khago – Blood A Boil – TJ Records- U1
07 08 06 I-Octane – Nah Wash (Too Licky licky) – Cash Flow – U1
08 05 13 Mavado – Delilha – Masion Records -pp@#2– D3
09 10 06 Specialist – Street Hustle – DownSound Records– U1
10 09 18 VYbz Kartel – Summer Time – Tads Records - 2wks@1– D1
11 11 17 Crisopolis – Distant Love – RPR/Music Prod. -pp@#6– NM
12 14 04 Denno – Tek Mi Life – Frenz For Real Records- U2
13 12 21 Beenie Man – Inna The Go Go Club – MD Music/Mario C - 3wks@1– D1
14 17 03 Prodigal Son – Love Me Like This – Radikal Yawd- U3
15 13 19 Princess Rebel Ft. Beenie Man – Emergency – Buss Out Prod. -pp@#5 – D2
16 NE 01 Assassin – JPS – Board House Records
17 15 22 I-Octane – Badmind Fi The Year – Cash Flow -pp@#3– D2
18 16 25 Assassin – Talk How Mi Feel – Dj Frass Records - 2wks@1– D2
19 NE 01 Popcaan – Only Man She Want – Sounique Records
20 18 24 Beenie Man – Nah Talk Too Long – Seanizzle -pp@#2– D2

November 4, 2011 – KINGSTON JAMAICA: JAMAICA RADIO CONTINUES TO SHOW THE LOVE FOR ITS OWN WITH SPECIALIST – 2 weeks in a row - STREET HUSTLE AT NUMBER 1 THAT’s ONE #1

Here’s the Chart that says it all:


JAMAICA MUSIC COUNTDOWN
By Richie B, host – “HOT MIX” on Hot 102FM
Nov 4 - 10, 2011

TOP 25 DANCE HALL SINGLES
TW LW WOC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL
01 1 13 Street Hustle (phone card, banana chips, cash fi gold) – Specialist – Downsound Records (2wks@#1) NM

October 31, 2011 KINGSTON, JAMIACA – the shows just keep coming in for DSR’s artist Specialist – MARK YOUR CALENDARS - the latest is..

Specialist UTECH PARTY University of Technology, Kingston Nov 21

October 30, 2011 – Kingston, Jamaica. Tour dates for Harry Toddler, Toya and Down Sound Record’s newest signing Specialist are piling up – check out all the updates on their tour pages here on the DSR site. And Happy Halloween to everyone who gets a little crazy on October 31, 2011.



Harry Toddler:
Christmas Extravaganza Black River, Jamaica December 25, 2011
Supa Fun Day Ocho Rios, Jamaica January 1, 2012

Toya:
Christmas Extravaganza Black River, Jamaica December 25, 2011
Sting Portmore, Jamaica December 26, 2011
Supa Fun Day Ocho Rios, Jamaica January 1, 2012

Specialist:
School Party Kingston, Jamaica November 5, 2011
Big Show Port Antonio, Jamaica December 25, 2011
Christmas Extravaganza Black River, Jamaica December 25, 2011
Sting Portmore, Jamaica December 26, 2011
Supa Fun Day Ocho Rios, Jamaica January 1, 2012

October 26, 2011, KINGSTON, JAMAICA – Two new videos from Downsounds Iconic army of artists – Toya’s You a Life, her first video shot in America in beautiful South Florida and Harry Toddler’s poetic tribute to the hard life of Kingston Jamaica entitled Give I Strength where all the DSR FORCE is in session including visual appearances by Specialist, G Warren and Temperature supporting one of Jamaica’s greatest – Toddler the Blond Ras himself.

October 24, 2011 - Kingston Jamaica - NEWS BRIEF

DownSound Records initiates next phase of promotion for new music from JA. 

With the release of new sensation Specialist’s hot single Street Hustle, DownSound Records is now expanding it’s marketing push overseas. “It is important to recognize that artists are not getting the type of exposure outside of Jamaica they should. Even with technology and internet a more hands on approach is needed to establish an overseas network including media, radio and street promotions, says the founder and head of DownSound Records Josef "Maggio" Bogdanovich.

Both DSR’s senior staff producer Skatta Burrell and Bogdanovich visited New York City last week  to continue building DSR’s fan awareness for its artists in New York.

Saturday DSR took Specialist’s hot single Street Hustle to the next level releasing a new remix.  The street buzz is very strong and Caribbean based New York radio stations are deeply committed to DSR and Specialist’s success.   “The company expects to thoroughly establish this single and artist in the New York base area and moving out to the Tri State all the way down the east coast by year end”, says Specialist’s producer Skatta Burrell.

Concurrently, DSR continues to actively develop its artist roster including DSR’s own fem fatal the always popular Jamaican based Toya who DSR’s video direct Mr. B says is next up on the block.   Miss Toya’s single with Beenie Man – One Man Woman continues to see Jamaican and East Coast chart action proving again that DSR certainly is a powerful Jamaican voice around the world music scene.

Sept 25, 2011 – KINGSTON JAMAICA - SPECIALIST AND DOWNSOUND RECORDS CUT A DEAL WITH DIGICEL, SPECIALIST TO PROVIDE SPECIAL VERSION OF STREET HUSTLE FOR DIGICEL AD CAMPAIGN AND COMMIT TO MANY LIVE PERFORMANCES FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS!

Sept 19, 2011 DownSound Records Upgrades Studio
In sharp contrast to the talk of a second recession frustrating the American market with the trickle down effect filtering down into various Caribbean countries DownSound Records is refurbishing their current studio with a Pro Tools system and converting their Dub Studio into a fully integrated recording and TV facility. “The future looks bright for DSR” according to Company boss, Josef, “Pep” Bogdanovich.  “ I see opportunity in this doom and gloom environment. Production is poppin’ with Skatta working his magic and all our artists are stepping up, adding a new wave of energy to The Force.”

Sept 19, 2011 Specialist Hits Number 1 On FIWI Choice
DownSound recording artist Specialist continues his quest for being the hottest new artist in Jamaica right now. His smash hit song, Street Hustle, is playing continuously all over the island and now is in the poll position on FIWI Choice. He is #2 on ER, #2 on Hit List and in the top ten on Ritchie B’s Countdown. For the past month Specialist has done interviews on ER, Hit List, On Stage, Hot 102, Ron Muchette on Irie FM and the list just continues to grow. His video is in constant rotation and is approaching some 30,000 page views from various sites as popularity continues to swoon. He is already being labeled the Voice of The New Generation and the future looks bright. 

August 8, 2011
Popular Jamaican TV show, Rising Stars, is asking contestants to sing and perform on 2 current popular tunes. 1. Mavado's Deliah and 2. Toya's combination tune with Beenie Man, One Man Woman. Currently DownSound artist, Toya is number 1 on Fiwi Choice. She has also entered New York Reggae charts last week. Toya, the Boss Lady is slowly rising to the top.

July 30, 2011
One Man Woman Expanding Chart Activity
Toya's combination with Beenie Man continues to gain momentum both in the Jamaican market and now has entered the New York Reggae Chart at number 30. Her video is also gaining in page views topping 28,000 page views and sitting on the top of Hit List for the second straight week. After two weeks on Fiwi Choice Toya sits on the number 2 position up from #19 the previous week. Toya debut on Sumfest last Thursday was impressive as she delivered a tight international styled set. She will also be performing in Montego Bay and in Ocho Rios the following night.

July 24, 2011
Toya's Tops Hit List For Second Week
Toya's first combination tune, One Man Woman, with Beenie Man remains at the top of Jamaica's Hitlist for it's second straight week. Toya also performed at Sumfest 2011 on Dancehall night delivering a tight set. She performed Hot Like a Fire, Tek Gal Man, Got What Man Want, Boss Lady and True Blessings. One Man Woman has also entered FiWi Chloice Top 10 this week.

July 5, 2011

Toya taped the main segment on E MIX which airs on TVJ, Saturday June 10 at 8:30 pm. This segment is in connection with her Sumfest preparation and her presence on the Spirited Riddim featuring her new tune Love Like This. Also taped was Josef Bogdanovich, CEO of DownSound who gave various insights into the Spirited Riddim project and DSR’s increased momentum in the international and local Dancehall scene. “Things are heating up nicely for the summer for Toya,” said Bogdanovich. “I believe that the local music fraternity and fans abroad will now get a taste of the kind of vision and performer Toya has become in her career so far.”

July 2011 - NEW TOYA AND BEANIE MAN VIDEO - ONE MAN WOMAN

Two new HD videos hit You Tube from DownSound Records.
Tempricher’s How Does It Feel new video was released to You Tube July 4^th. It is the first video from Tempricher in HD chronicling life in St. Elizebeth, Jamaica and how he grew up. It’s a song that gives tribute to his Mother who recently became single mom because her husband died last year. “I don’t believe there has been a Mama tune from an artist where you see the Mother herself give this kind of emotional and very real performance. “Life can be tough in the Jamaican countryside and this video shows just how good a son this youth Tempricher is,” said Director Mr. B.

June 2011 - TOYA AND THE DOWNSOUND CREW BLOW THE EME AWARDS AWAY INCLUDED IN THE AUDIENCE EVE, LADY SAW and JULIAN TOSH: 
Toya was definitely an evening favorite and her story is well told in this video posted on YOUTUBE

May 25 Seems like there is no end in site for top artists fighting for top position on The Rock. Mavado and associates were jailed over the weekend for ruffling up promoter at a concert held in Ocho Rios. Evidently the show was a joint venture between promoter and Mavado where the promoter at the end of the day refused to split the proceeds. A fight allegedly broke out and promoter called the cops and put the artist in jail.

A few days before Vibes Kartel split from his business partner, Corey Todd. Together they have a partnership with Kingston hot spot, The Building, where upcoming Best Of The Best live remote with Kartel has been advertised to take place Memorial Day weekend coming up.

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Meanwhile Alliance Boss, Bounty Killer is keeping his nose clean with his new single, A Piece Of Me, getting wicked airplay. A video of the tune will go into production soon.

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Riff between CORY TODD and Vybes Kartel have escalated into what might turn into a Jamaican blood bath. Defunct Vybes Kartel business partner Cory Todd has just completed an interview for  Jamaican, On Stage, personality Winford Williams detailing his side of the Vybes Kartel/Cory Todd recent split. Todd made it clear that Kartel has threatened his life and he wants it to be known that Kartel is responsible if such action does take place. Todd went on to impressively outline what he did for the career of Kartel since he split The Alliance two years ago stating that Kartel is really a sham of a person and will not go far without Todd’s guidance. He further stated that Kartel is not the same person he met in the beginning of their relationship. Winford Williams juxtaposed previous footage of Kartel in previous interviews saying the opposite of Todd. Ie.. Kartel owns The New Kingston nightclub The Building, etc. Todd also made it be known that Vybes Rum is now officially out of business.  The question now is will the bleached out Wonderkin, Vybes Kartel continue to excel in his continuous chart topping assault on local and international charts or will Corry Todd bring out a new rum drink and develop another artist to replace The Teacha. Stay tuned.

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June 2011 - DownSound Records and BFM Digital Ink new Distribution Deal. 
DSR’s American Partner Laura Lavi-Jones has inked a deal between DSR and BFM digital for distribution and marketing services. Label head Josef Bogdanovich says, “We are very pleased to take DSR to the next level with Steve Corn and his company BFM digital. Our mission is to bring authentic Jamaican Dance Hall and Reggae Music to the world while keeping it real at home here in the Caribbean. BFM will distribute and market the entire DownSound crew including the Boss Lady of Dance Hall – Toya, top Dance Hall artist Harry Toddler, rasta reggae artist Fanton Mojah, unique multifaceted Tempricher, underground Jamaican favorite Lolli, and DSR’s own crooner, lady’s man G Warren.