Star Studded Affair: Kashu "From Campaign to Champagne" Album Launch

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

From Campaign to Champagne album launch is a milestone that is set along the career path of neo-roots Reggae artiste Kashu.   It is every artiste dream to drop a debut album although not much emphasis is placed on such achievement in Jamaica. The enthusiasm, anticipation and expectation of fans that comes with the release of albums in genres such as pop, country and hip-hop is engulfed by a numb, callous reaction from the most ardent Jamaican music fan. But such was not the case for Kashu last Saturday night; Mama Kashu was there to share the joy with her son as well as a strong following of Clarendonians, who has thrown their full support behind one of their stars, Kashu.

 

The parish of Clarendon, the third largest and located south of Jamaica, embodies a rich history that surrounds the foundation of Reggae music. Blue Beat, Ska and Reggae artiste Millie Small was the first artiste to emerge successfully from the parish and gain international status.  In 1964, Millie Small hit the UK Singles and US Billboard Hot 100 charts as well as sold over 600,000 copies of her cover version of  My Boy Lollipop.  There were also the Clarendonians with members Ernest Wilson, Peter Austin and Freddie McGregor rocking genres ska, rock steady, and reggae and accredited for helping to define the 'rude boy' era of ska.  Other artistes who hails from the parish includes, Internationally acclaimed Barrington Levy, Cocoa Tea and head of the musically inclined family, Derrick Morgan and his Morgan Heritage clan, I-Octane and Kashu formerly Cashew Man following their footsteps.

It could very well be a support system in Clarendon that molded and shaped these artistes.  

The very same support system that stands one hundred per cent solid behind their new found loves Kashu when he launched his album. Moby's May Pen complex was packed to capacity as the event, the launch of Kashu's debut album and hosted by Reggae's rocking radio Irie FM's DJ Amber, began at 9:00pm.  Performances from Dancehall's money diva, Macka Diamond, reggae crooners Hezron and Noddy Virtue as well as Exco Levi, Ras Shiloh, Loyal Flames, Jemineye, Israel Yadalfi, Dezi Boyd and others set off the night's proceeding and paved the way for the man of the moment.

Exco Levi

 

When Kashu hit the stage he was met with all the love and appreciation of a super star, enough to muster a tiny drop of tear in the back of his eye.  As he belted out lyrics from his 15 track album the crowd sang with him the ones they knew and listened intently to the new ones.  Kashu was on point with each delivery and in good form working the stage as he delivered tracks such as 'The System,' Nutten Naw Gwaan,' 'Mama,' Campaign to Champagne,' 'Mi Amor,' 'Have You Ever,' 'Somebody's Child,' 'No Beaty Beaty' and 'Higher Levels' to close the show.  Patrons satisfied and still excited after his performance, rushed to purchase copies of the album after the show.

It was an historic moment not only for Kashu but also for Clarendon's musical history.  From Campaign to Champagne became the first album that was officially launched in the parish despite the many greats it has produced making a substantial contribution to its rich musical heritage. The effort must have left an indelible mark on those who witnessed, inspired many young aspiring reggae artistes and captured the essence of greater things to come in the future for the parish and another of its sons, KASHU. 

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Copyright 2013 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..

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Kashu to launch his debut album "From Campaign to Champagne," in Clarendon

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Moby's Records Label will launch neo-roots, Reggae singjay Kashu, debut album entitled "From Campaign to Champagne," January 31, 2013 at Moby's Entertainment complex in Clarendon.  The 15 track album is a compilation of Reggae, Dancehall and Reggae fused with Hip-Hop, R&B, Reggaeton and Pop genres, 14 of the 15 tracks are produced by Moby's Ryan Singh and Christopher Plummer and a single by Big Dreams.  Reflective of his musical journey, take a moment and watch Kashu as he walks you through the path that took him "From Campaign to Champagne."

The release of 'From Campaign to Champagne' is highly anticipated especially by Kashu's Clarendon Fans.  As the intensity in the Moby's camp heightens and preparation for its  first official album launch get under way, Manager Ryan Singh disclosed that this launch marks the epitome of a successful future for both Kashu and Moby's.  

The Parish of Clarendon has over the years produced some of Jamaica's most potent Reggae artistes in the genre's 50 years of existence.  Ryan Singh and his Moby's Record label intend to unearth and introduce to the world, some of many young, talented Clarendonians who are budding with pride and potential in the parish seemingly, churning Reggae 'mill.' He advises music lovers to take note of the birth places of the artistes emerging from the shores of Jamaica and note the great ones before to understand how important it is to provide a launch pad for developing talents in his parish.  Singh is not speaking his thoughts aloud but had put in effect, a successful Moby's Talent Search series last November which concluded December 27th, 2012 in the parish and promises to commence a new edition this year.

The release of Kashu's debut album will be an important milestone not only for him but those in his parish who aspire to achieve what he has and more.  Irie FM's radio jock DJ Amber will host the launch while there will be guest appearances by Kashu's colleagues/fellow artistes Noddy Virtue, Hezron and label mates Israel Yadalfi and Jemineye all backed by Moby's band.  The campaign has ended, at least for now; it's time to pop some champagne.

Kashu and Moby's Records acknowledges and thank, all media that have supported his work over the years especially web-zines Caribbean E Magazine, The Afro News, West Indian Culture, Daily Motion, All African Cafe, Jamaicans.com, Global Reggae Festival Guide. Rab Entertainment News, The Jamaican Star, Gleaner and Observer as well as all radio, television or cable channels (too many to list) that have shared his music with audiences across the globe

Copyright 2013 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..

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Reggae Recording Artiste Kashu Takes His Career to a 'Higher Level

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

A highly motivated Kashu, reggae recording artiste, has come out forcibly on a new Moby’s produced single entitled “Higher Levels” on the Going Hard rhythm.  We need not say much about this track as the song and video says it all. 

 Since working with Manager Ryan Singh one get the impression that Kashu is more relaxed and comfortable recording his music these days. Watch video 

 He recently released a Dancehall track on a remix of Korean overnight star, Psy's Gangnam Style rhythm track called 'Size Nuh Matter' and now 'Higher Levels' in a hip-hop fused type of rhythm.  Kashu singing from his heart declared that his focus now is not about getting a big break any more, "me nuh waan buss again" instead he has set his sight on travelling to the United States, Europe and the rest of the world to show off his craft, "the whole world a go see" he sang.  

Kashu is definitely feeling the love from the fans and made it known which is why he sings, "blessings a fall like rain me sey."  Looking forward to a promising 2013, the fashionable rastafarian, reggae artiste is humbled by what is to come, while a cautious Manager Ryan Singh disclosed, "we are not ready to go public with what we know about 2013 travelling plans for Kashu but what we are prepared to say is that next year looks good for him"

In the mean time Kashu bounces on the 'Go Hard' rhythm like a happy boy who has received a well deserved prize and he rocks it well.

 

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Kashu Talks About His Life and Music

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Neo-roots, reggae sing-jay Kashu is among the core group of new blood to emerge out of the Jamaican Reggae industry.   This artiste dream is to create a sense of satisfaction in persons listening to his music.  Formerly known as 'Cashew Man,' Kashu hails from the parish of Clarendon, home of other well-known and respected Jamaican Reggae stalwarts such as Everton Blender, Freddie McGregor and Cocoa Tea, in a district known as Toll Gate.  His career propelled in 2001, after winning an island-wide talent search competition called, "Reggae Trail."  Since then, his music has impacted the lives of music lovers across regions where Reggae music is popular and has earned him performances not only across Jamaica but internationally.

Multi-talented and noticeably fashion conscious, this Rastafarian artiste spends much of his time engaged in other artistic, sporting and constructive activities.  An ardent lover of football or soccer, Kashu is a former member of the Vere Technical High, national high schools Dacosta Cup team.  He is also a certified Construction Engineer and has made a cameo appearance in the movie, "Out the Gate" featuring popular local actors Paul Campbell and Oliver Samuels.  

 

Smitten by his pleasant personally and impressed with his versatility N.I.P asked Kashu about himself and his music. Check out how he responded below:- 

N.I.P.: Hey how are you?

I'm great, and you?

 

I'm doing well and feeling good speaking to you can I ask you a few questions
Sure..

We have heard a lot about you but really want to ask simply questions like, what is your favorite dish?

Steamed fish and steamed bammy

 

What is your most comfortable dress code as a Rastafarian?

I am very dynamic in the way I dress, so I just go with how I feel on any given day.

 

What are your favourite music genres?

Reggae/Dancehall, R&B

 

In what regions are you aware, your music most penetrates?

Europe, North America, Africa, Canada the Caribbean and beyond.

 

What are your best fatherhood moments?

Getting my kids together and spending quality time with them

 

What are your most treasured memories in music?

The very first time I travelled abroad to perform 

 

Which international Reggae artiste who is not Jamaican do you enjoy listening to most?

Gentleman

What is your greatest music desire?

My greatest desire in music is to cement a place among the music icons and be considered a music legend by the end of my career.

 

You have performed across Jamaica as well as Long Beach California and Massachusetts in United States, Sundance Festival in the Netherlands and a performance in France, which of these performances is most memorable and why?

My most memorable performance was in the Netherlands at the Sundance Festival. Why? The crowd's reaction and how they received me was a pleasant surprise.

 

What have been your most memorable 'fan moment'?

After my performance in France, some fans approached me with several lyrics from my songs and repeated one of my slogans (Hakuna Matata) that was cool.

 

For persons who have never heard about you or those who would like to follow you, stream or download your music where can they go?

Fans, friends and well-wishers can follow me twitter, Facebook and iTunes

 

Thanks Kashu, good luck with your career and we will continue to enjoy listening to tracks such as Double Love, Da Case Deh and The System and encourage 

 

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