World Music Views
World Music Views
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Brooklyn New York's Barclays Center is set to host a landmark moment in dancehall history as Vybz Kartel headlines Reggae Fest on April 11 and 12, marking his first return concert in the United States in 20 years. The event, led by prominent promoter CJ Milan, has already generated significant momentum, with tickets selling out rapidly upon release.
Milan, who secured Kartel as the first solo headliner for Reggaefest, a party event that started in Manhattan and now travels across the U.S., opens up about the significance of the booking. “Usually, I like to put something for everybody, but Kartel is a generational (artist). You can rock out with him.”
The journey to finalizing the show started with Milan's ambition and he record of staging successful reggae events in New York City. “First of all, nobody could get in contact with Kartel,” Milan revealed in an exclusive interview with World Music Views. “I called every manager, and then I got frustrated. When I get frustrated, I do it myself.”
Taking matters into her own hands, Milan connected with veteran dancehall producer Skatta Burrell, who is also Kartel's road manager, a move that expedited the process. “It went really fast,” she said. “Then a couple of people (from Kartel's team) came down for Massive.”
She recalled a pivotal moment in negotiations when producer TJ Records sought clarity on logistics. “TJ was asking me questions about certain things and said, ‘How soon can you get to Jamaica?’ I said I need three days.”
Determined to present a compelling case, Milan went to the studio, curated a Kartel mix, and synchronized it with footage from her last Barclays Center show, crafting a persuasive presentation.
In an exclusive interview with World Music Views, dancehall legend Vybz Kartel opened up about his highly anticipated performance at the Freedom Street concert set for December 31, promising fans an unforgettable experience. Known for his dynamic persona and lyrical mastery spanning two decades, Kartel detailed his plans, which include a series of wardrobe changes and performances that span his entire career. Fans will witness the evolution of Kartel, from the early days of the “Teacher” to his current status as the “World Boss.”
The History Of Reggaetón, Reggae and Dancehall as told by Maxine Isis Stowe, the former Columbia Records executive, sits at the intersection of Reggaetón, Reggae and Dancehall. She played a pivotal role in signing acts like Shy Guy singer Diana King, who she had a similar vision for her as Rihanna achieved, if only Diana could have let go off the small island influences and assimilate her sound more into American pop and sing more like fellow Sony artist Mariah Carey.
“When I saw Rihanna break through, I thought that was what I had in mind for Diana. I would say that Diana’s reluctance to be fully Americanized was her limitation because her voice was big enough, but culturally she couldn’t let go,” Stowe said.
She is also known for her significant contributions to the development of dancehall in the 90s and early 2000s in the US, serving as A&R and executive producer for several chart-topping hits and albums, resulting in over 5 million in album and single sales. This includes Ini Kamoze’s “Here Comes The Hotstepper,” Mad Cobra’s “Flex,” “Bad Boys Soundtrack,” “Cool Runnings Soundtrack,” "Chant Down Babylon" album by Bob Marley, Half Way Tree by Damian Marley and more projects that have achieved Platinum and Gold status in the US.