His music career took an eventful turn when he met fellow aspiring artist Shaggy in a New York recording studio in 1988. Eventually the two recorded the dancehall hit “Big Up” which garnered serious industry and popular interest in the duo.  Rayvon’s silky smooth vocals added the perfect accent to Shaggy’s toasting. Rayvon and Shaggy continued to collaborate as Shaggy rose to enormous popularity throughout the world.

Their stellar collaborations include many hits. But it was “Angel” – the most played single of 2001- featuring Rayvon’s irresitible voice that finally took Rayvon on a journey to #1. His contribution was certainly critical to the success of Shaggy’s “Hot Shot” album which sold over 10 million copies.  Rayvon’s “No Guns, No Murder”, was a massive summer hit which in turn led to the solo album “Hear My Cry” released by Virgin Records.

Today, when Rayvon is not recording or touring with Shaggy, he can be found working in the studio creating new music and writing new hits. His new single, “Back It Up”, was just released on his recently launched label GTC (Get That Cheddar) and is sure to be Rayvon favorite!  Check out Rayvon’s interview with Pat McKay of Sirius/XM Radio’s “The Joint” to learn more.

Whether as a solo artist or as part of Reggae’s top-selling duo, Rayvon is an artist who will always give fans the thrills they want and the excellence they have come to expect. Look for Rayvon on tour with Shaggy in 2010!

For more information on Rayvon check out his link on Jack Russell Music.

Dub music evolved from reggae in the 1960s as a re-imagined version of a popular track. Typically, the vocals were removed and sound effects added, including echo, reverberation, amplified percussion and extra bass.  Dub tracks were initially released as b-sides to popular hits, functioning as a creative outlet for DJs and producers. In the early 80s, Mad Professor was a major force in popularizing the dub genre.

Through the 80s and 90s, Ariwa fostered the careers of Aquizim, Jah Shaka, John McLean, the Robotics, Peter Culture and Johnny Clarke. The Mad Professor produced major singles for Pato Banton and Sandra Cross, and Macka B’s 1986 album ‘Sign of the Times’ was a breakthrough success. The Professor also released collaborations with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and a five-album series, ‘Black Liberation Dub.’ As his reputation grew, he was solicited to remix albums for popular rock and alternative acts, including 1995’s critically acclaimed ‘No Protection,’—a remixed version of UK trip-hop group Massive Attack’s ‘Protection.’ He has since collaborated with The Orb, Sade, Jamiroquai, Rancid, Depeche Mode, Perry Farrell, and the Beastie Boys, amongst others.  Mad Professor’s music has also been featured in “The Wire”.

Mad Professor and the Ariwa artists have built an extensive following frequently touring the world over. Mad Professor continues to record and perform throughout the world as well as foster and collaborate with new talents, including his son “Joe Ariwa”!

To see the Mad Professor in action, watch the video below, enjoy!

His father was the front man of Culture, the legendary vocal trio whose 1997 record “Two Sevens Clash” helped define the roots reggae genre. Over the course of a prolific career spanning more than three decades, Joseph Hill’s music broadened the appeal of reggae, boasting particularly large fan bases in Africa and the UK.

Kenyatta’s debut album, Pass the Torch, was recorded in Jamaica and produced by Lynford “Fatta” Marshall, whom Kenyatta calls “one of the best engineers in Jamaica. This is my first album and I wanted someone who was going to push me to the limit. He was definitely that person.” The album’s first single, “Daddy,” is a poignant tribute to Joseph backed by a masterful roster of musicians, including Sly Dunbar, Dean Fraser and Sky Juice.  Since it’s release, Pass the Torch has been hailed as “extraordinary” by the Chicago Sun-Times, the poignant lyrics and refined vocals having “moved [them] to tears.”

“Daddy” Video

Kenyatta has stepped in to carry on the wonderful sound of “Culture” as their lead singer and recently toured with reggae staple Beres Hammond.
Kennyatta’s MySpace page.

Nas and Marley felt that their album alone was not a large enough forum to explore the many connections between hip-hop and reggae which extend far beyond their often overlapping listening audiences.    They’ve put together a documentary and a discussion panel moderated by MTV’s Sway, which includes Kool Herc, Rakim, Daddy U-Roy, King Jammy, Jeff Chang, Pat McKay, Waterflow and DJ Red Alert.  You can be sure the story will be told!

Click here to watch the EPK.  Or click to listen to  “As We Enter” – (clip) by Nas and Damian Marley

Peter Gabriel quickly recognized Chyna’s vocal talents and selected her to accompany his tour.  She has also been handpicked to tour and record with musical greats Pete Townsend, Seal, Eric Clapton and others. Chyna’s own album “Sexy Baal-ed” (Jamaican patois for “Sexy Baldhead”), a fusion of Reggae, R&B and Hip-Hop featuring Elephant Man, was a remarkable underground hit, catching the eye of her new producer, the legendary General Lee.   Chyna’s funky house club hit “You Know That I Love You” mixed by NYC DJ staple Danny Krivit, embodies yet another example of Chyna’s versatility as compared to her inspirational ballad “When God Made Love” featured here on our Artist of the Week Player.

Chyna, a high priestess of stilettos, suffered a debilitating back injury due to her prolonged wearing of glamour height heels. As a means to recover from this injury she began studying the Alexander Technique, a system of posture realignment.  This led to her development of the renowned phenomenon “Mastering the Art of Walking in High Heels” the first ever technique of its kind, teaching correct posture and balance to today’s Jimmy Choo generation. In her new book, Walking in Stilettos,  inspired by her diverse rock and roll background, Chyna injects a refreshing electricity into classical Alexander Technique.  Her London workshops have been well attended and received much press coverage from Glamour to the Financial Times!  No worries if you can’t make it to London to study with Chyna, you can purchase Chyna’s new book 

Visit Chyna’s Website to view all that is Chyna Whyne (music, videos, photo gallery, posters and more).  Be sure to listen to some of Chyna’s tracks featured here this week!

Although the group spent a few years apart, they reunited at the encouragement of Doctor Dread of RAS Records. He was an admirer of the group’s early work, and citing Marcus Garvey’s belief that “unity is strength,” encouraged the group to work together again. This began the long history of releases on RAS, which received worldwide notoriety and launched an international tour schedule to reach their far reaching and loyal fan base.  Their powerful live performances are not easily forgotten.

Highlights include the reunion album Strength of My Life, which paired them with legendary backing band the Roots Radics, and found both their sound and message as strong and relevant as ever. A number of albums, including Praises, IV and On the Rock were accompanied by full-length dub sets.

In 2007, Israel Vibration (currently comprised of Skelly & Wiss) released Stamina on Doctor Dread’s newest label, Tafari Records. They continue to tour the world, performing over 100 concerts per year to capacity crowds, and headlining many of the biggest reggae festivals. Below are two videos from this release to enjoy!

Sadiki’s debut album, “Morning’s Come” was released in Japan in November of 2007. Within weeks of its release “Morning’s Come” hit the #1 spot for reggae releases at HMV record stores throughout Japan.  Through his travels Sadiki has shared the stage with Buju Banton, Gyptian, Bascom X, Shaggy, Wayne Wonder, Maxi Priest, Marcia Griffiths, K-Ci & Jo Jo, Beenie Man, Gerald Levert, Kelly Price among others.

Sadiki, a native of Jamaica moved to Chicago’s northside in 1987 and has been influenced by Hip-Hop, R&B, reggaeton and everything in between.  He’s best described as a soulful, reggae infused, R&B singer.  His vocal range and lyrical skills combine the best of both worlds.

To learn more about Sadiki check out his artist page or if you would like to purchase Morning’s Come or other Sadiki tunes check out CD Baby.

Tunecore – Last week we mentioned ReverbNation as tool for artists to reach fans and this week we are highlighting Tunecore.  Tunecore is a service where you can sell your works digitally to your choice of stores/sites.  This service charges a small fee for uploading your songs.  Tunecore is a great choice if you’re looking for an easy to use and effective digital sales platform.

A surprise to many, mostly because he has been known for his true roots tunes, Bunny wrote “The Electric Slide (Boogie)”, originally performed by Marcia Griffiths.  The song provided the soundtrack to what became a dance craze in the late 80’s and remains popular today.

Bunny’s talents and interests do not end with music.  He has been a tireless advocate of education and has been instrumental in building a Rastafarian school in Kingston, Jamaica.  At the end of the “Roots, Rock, Reggae” Tour where he performed alongside Stephen and Ziggy Marley, Bunny treated the entire tour entourage to a true Jamaican feast, “Bunny Style”.  He is a phenomenal chef as this photo attests!  Photo Credit: Asher

Go to Bunny’s Artist Page and to Listen To More of Bunny’s Music