Rebel Salute Launch at the Wyndham Hotel was "Blazing"

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Rebel Salute Launch

By: Yackeisha Weir - Robinson

The Wyndham Hotel was buzzing with activities in high anticipation for the launch of the 19^th year of rebel salute – An annual event that showcases reggae music in its most authentic form. The primary essence of this event is to create an act of musical and international cohesion among lovers of reggae music.

This event is unique in the sense that it integrates health and wellness among patrons- its

Profanity free-

Meat free –with the exception of fish

Alcohol free-

Patrons will be allowed to indulge themselves in the Rastafarian cuisine with a rebel flavor.

The night kicked off with a burning performance from the youthful group Raging Fyah that blazed in the Wyndham ball room.

Members of the audience were quite engaged in the night performance as they sang and rocked to the beat and actively participated in the quiz segment, that determined if they were keen listeners and in touch with the presenters and sponsors. The presenters included:

Jamaica 50 secretariat-

Jamaica reggae industry association-

Grizzles entertainment-

Pepsi-

Jampro-

Jamaica tourist Board-

Grace Food

MANDVILLE POLICE


"If God is standing by my side then why should I be afraid of the pestilence that walketh by night" Guest Speaker, Professor Verene Shepherd ; used Tony Rebel song to connect with her audience, taking the audience on a musical history of how reggae music impacted on her life and implored the audience to continue producing and supporting  good quality music.

Tony Rebel the man with a vision highlighted the fact that he has listened to the music of the upcoming artiste that will be performing and was proud to mention that he had the innate ability to identify good artiste over the years such as  Garnette  Silk and Romaine Virgo.

The performers slated for the show are diverse and patrons who are lovers, soon to be lovers, social commentators,culturist will be rocking the night away to good ,clean high caliber music that encapsulates the various genre of reggae music.

The night  sizzling performers include :

Iba Mahr,Edi Fitzroy, C-Sharp, Raging Fyah, Jah 9, Mikey Spice, Pessoa, Jah Cutta

The performances were an irie moment of déjà vu of next Saturday in St.Elizabeth at Port Kaiser Sport Complex .

See you there ……………

Pesso

Jah 9

C-Sharp

Jah Cutta

Members of the audience

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Tony Rebel brings his sizzle to Harbourfront

Monday, August 3, 2009

In the ever-changing music business, veteran reggae artists like Tony Rebel have to be in a constant state of renaissance to remain relevant.

Rebel will step onstage tonight for a free show at the Harbourfront Centre's Island Soul music festival to prove to fans that he can still deliver the same sizzling performances that broke him into the business during the early 1990s.

"The foundation principles of music don't change," Rebel said from Paris. "Once you make a good song, regardless of which era, it will never die. It is always pleasant to the ears."

The 47-year-old is well-known for reggae anthems like "If Jah (Is Standing By My Side)," "Fresh Vegetable" and "Nazarite Vow" and is notable for being one of the few existing Rastafarian cultural deejays that sprung up during the 1990s ragga era. Rebel said he tends to mix some old-school styles with new age beats, to create social-commentary tracks like "Another Bill Again," his complaint about the cost of living which made waves this year in Jamaica.

"As an artist you have to look at what's happening around you so that you can be current," he said. "I use my experience with what I am learning now to sound different."

Rebel last performed in Toronto at Island Soul in 2006 to more than 5,000 people. Dalton Higgins, Harbourfront's music programmer, said Rebel's versatility earned him a second showing. "He's a foundation artist who appeals to a multi-generational audience," Higgins said.

The Star caught up with Rebel while he took a break from shooting a cameo in a video in Paris with Bob Sinclar, a renowned French record producer, remixer and house music DJ. The video also features a vocal performance from reggae artist Queen Ifrica, who is managed by Rebel's own Flames Productions.

In the last decade Rebel has evolved into a multifaceted reggae personality, adding a number of impressive titles to his resume, including producer of, Rebel Salute, one of Jamaica's biggest one night reggae shows, attracting 30,000 patrons annually. Artists performing on the show are mandated to preach a message of peace love and unity to the audience.

Rebel has also been an outspoken advocate for peace in Jamaica's most violent and poverty stricken inner city communities. He is also the president of the UNICEF-sponsored Artists Against AIDS organization, raising awareness about the effects of the deadly disease on the Caribbean. His work earned him the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government in 2002.

As the head of Flames Production he has been busy launching the career of his protegee: up-and-coming reggae talent Queen Ifrica, who has been creating waves as a female reggae artist in the male dominating business. The title track from her debut album "Montego Bay" is making moves on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts.

For all the accolades that come with his name, making hard hitting socially conscious music is what Rebel is most respected for. His last album I Rebel was distributed by upstart label, Island Entertainment. Rebel said although the record didn't do as well as he wanted, it was a another step to gaining full independence for his work.

"You have more control over your work," he said. "You realize sometimes that a lot of these major companies hardly do anything for you."

He said in the last five years the internet has made it easier for Jamaican artists to promote themselves to the global market, via the likes of Facebook and MySpace. Rebel said not being on a major label can still affect the outreach of his work, but it doesn't change the quality that's expected. "I've been doing songs that I think can live up to the standards. What I do is make sure that I change to what is changing." He is currently working on a new album.

Rebel observes a strict exercise regime, disciplined vegetarian diet and doesn't smoke. "The greatest thing you can do is to preserve the gift of health," he said.

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Jason Miller: TheStar Staff Reporter

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Sean Paul, Freddie McGregor, Mr Vegas headline Irie Jamboree

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Sean Paul, Queen Ifrica, Freddie McGregor and Mr Vegas headline Irie Jamboree

*International dancehall artiste Sean Paul, Queen Ifrica, Freddie McGregor, Mr. Vegas, Assassin, Laden, Tony Rebel, Spice and Chino are among the reggae/dancehall acts confirmed for Irie Jamboree - North America’s premier reggae festival organizers announced recently. The event takes place on Labor Day Sunday, September 6 in Queens, New York.

Bobby Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam Radio, co-producers of the event said that “Sean Paul’s appearance will help the festival attract not only traditional reggae/dancehall lovers but mainstream fans who have now embraced music from the islands. He has established himself as the top artiste from the Caribbean and has consistently demonstrated his ability to score international hit songs, having done so with Deport Them, Hot Gal Today, Gimmie the Light, Get Busy, Like Glue, Temperature, We Be Burning, Baby Boy and Come Over” Clarke noted.

One significant change that will be instituted by Team Irie Jamboree this year, is the moving of the event to an outdoor facility at York College on Guy R Brewer, located a few miles from Roy Wilkins Park, home of the event for the past six years.

“We really believe that we have found a home at York," said Steven Williams, CEO of Black Emperor Entertainment, co-producers of the event. "Roy Wilkins has been a great venue for us however we could not ignored complaints from patrons about the lack of substantial park which is the main reason for the move” Williams said.

York College has a municipal park in close proximity and is just minutes from the NY Subway and Long Island Railroad which will greatly improve accessibility for many patrons who use mass transit to get and from the event annual.

“Our goal is to make the whole Irie Jamboree experience a memorable one for patrons and with this calculated move, we are one step closer to achieving our ultimate goal” Williams reiterated.

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