It's a well-known fact that celebrating carnival teaches you a lot about yourself while understanding and accepting other cultures, so I added it to my bucket list. One year, during carnival season I want to be dipped in glitter and feathers while wearing a sexy handmade masquerade costume; jumping, waving and celebrating life. This is the real deal. If I'm going to do this, I'm going to do this right!
Since I really want to do this the proper way, I will spend some time doing the necessary research. I want to know the difference between dancing in a carnival and being a part of mas. What is the true meaning of carnival? I want to learn more about the atmosphere, the art, the steel pans, the talent and the craft behind the creation of such a worldwide movement.
Thanks to TOCS, one of our valued readers here at TheWickedestTime.com; I am able to answer some of my questions related around Carnival. He introduced me to a website, Mama Dats Mas that's packed with useful information, art, interviews and interesting perspective in support of the performance art project in the United Kingdom.
If carnival is something of interest to you, I encourage you to check out Mama Dats Mas to learn more about it and while you're there, learn how you can become involved.
Have you ever been apart of MAS? Share your experience in the comment field below.
Tell a fren fi tell a fren fi tell a Fashionista about Color Blocking Revamped, the BIRTHDAY EDITION! Brought to you by Bare Gyal Monday's in association with Ye' Ye'. Monday, July 30th, 2012 at Starz Banquet Hall. Located at 231-36 Merrick Blvd in Queens, NY. Step out your hottest trends ready to rip the runways! Music by some of dancehall's finest; DJ POW, Joel T JAM KAM, SHARKEY SUPERFORCE and KING MIDAS. Photography by Skipdaline.com. Admission is $10 before 1am and $20 thereafter so come out early to party late!
The summer time is my favorite season, not only for the warm breeze and the beach days but I can always look forward to seeing my main man, Beres Hammond, perform during his annual summer tour.
Ever year, he hits up just about every city you could think of and even make it over to Europe to entice his foreign fans.
Beres Hammond makes my heart skip a beat. His music has kissed the cheek of women everywhere and he is the true definition of the term "Cool and Deadly"; his voice is like velvet and his music is timeless, he seems so down to earth and his impact is indescribable.
Every time I see Beres Hammond perform live, it feels like the very first time. I never get tired of it, I never get bored, instead I love him more and more and more. I would go and see him again TOMORROW if I had the chance.
My mother is also a devout fan. I remember when she took me to Madison Square Garden to see Beres perform alongside Buju Banton. Let me remind you that Madison Square Garden has 20,000 seats and every single one of them were sold out. She still reminisces about seeing him for the first time in Jamaica when she was about 15 years old, back when he FIRST came out into the music scene. Even then, his performances were breathtaking and he's only getting better with age.
The drive to North Carolina was about 4 hours and it was worth it! The event took place at the Lincoln Theater right in the financial district of Raleigh. As much as I hate standing in lines, it was great to see so many people lined up outside patiently waiting for Beres Hammond's performance.
The crowd was a grand mix of all races and backgrounds but I was especially impressed by the fact that people of other cultures made their way to the concert singing Beres Hammonds lyrics, word for word.
Beres Hammond is well known for giving a phenomenal show. You will always get your moneys worth when coming out to see a Beres Hammond performance. He performs for hours straight crooning to his fans, he always arrive with his backup singers plus a live band which really let you FEEL the music. The energy is amazing; it flows through the air and seeps into your pores. The crowd is smiling and dancing because everyone came out to have a great time.
Beres is the BOSS! Of course, we already know this but to see people come out on stage just to roll up his sleeve gives you an idea. And the ladies, the young ones and the mature ones make their way to the very front of the stage just to get a feel of Beres; rubbing his legs and some of them were BOLD by allowing their hands to roam in unforeseen places... I think he liked it LOL!
Any time you get a chance to see Beres Hammond perform live, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! It will always be the sweetest treat you can ever give yourself.
"I feel good, when you're wrapped up in my arms, singing to a reggae song, FEEL GOOD! FEEL GOOOOOD!"
1. STAY AWAY FROM DRAMATIC PEOPLE - You know those people who love to be in the middle of mix up? It may seem interesting at first but before you know it, their drama will surely become YOUR drama.
2. STOP TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE BEHIND THEIR BACK - You never really know where someone's true loyalty lies. The person you're running your mouth off to may tell the somebody you're talking about.
3. KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF THINGS AND PEOPLE THAT DON'T BELONG TO YOU! - We as humans are territorial, we don't really like to come back and find out that our special thing or special person is missing so if you don't want any problems, I suggest you leave other people's property alone.
4. DON'T FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE - If you are approached by someone who is trying to draw you out into the battlefield, remember that we are adults. Be the bigger person and learn to walk away to diffuse the situation.
5. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS - Stop putting yourself where you do not belong, especially if no one asked you to be there.
6. LEARN TO KEEP YOUR PERSONAL BUSINESS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS... PERSONAL!! - Everything in your life is not meant for everyone in your life to know. Some will use this information against you!
7. BECOME FINANCIALLY SOUND - Folks always feel the need to get in your business when you owe them money. They want to know what you've been spending your money on and how dare you buy new shoes when you could be paying back your debt. The process of ducking & dodging bill collectors can be quite taxing.
8. START A HOBBY - If you were busy adding culture to your life you wouldn't have time to chit chat on the phone nitpicking in foolish affairs.
9. TRY YOGA - Relaxation at it's finest and your man would appreciate your flexibility. It is also a great way to calm down and center yourself away from negativity.
10. DON'T BELIEVE THE "HE SAY, SHE SAY" - Have you ever played "TELEPHONE" as a child? It's where a group of people would whisper a secret in a person's ear and pass the message down the line whispering ear to ear. The last person usually gets a dramatically different message than what you started with. It shows us how easily messages can be corrupted without noticing. The same goes with "He say, she say" everyone has their own version of the story so don't get hype off of what Anthony's baby mama's cousin's sister told her hairdresser about you.
Konshens is surely becoming one of the most sought out artists in the dancehall regime and I'm loving it! His style, his swagga and lyrics have the people going wild at parties and his videos are starting a bubbling trend.
These days a dance can't start until you put on two tunes from Konshens and your city nah seh nutt'n if Konshens nuh deh pon di summer line up! It was only a few months ago when Konshens dropped his album "Mental Maintenance" but it looks like the music just keeps pouring out because here he is again with a 30 track mixtape entitled, "Gal Kin Ketch A FYAH!" to keep you in the loop. He even included his song, "Different" to the mix and trust me that one drives me a little crazy! :P
Konshens to di WORLD! To download this mixtape, click here!
In a recent release, Serani announces his "ALL BUSINESS, NOTHING PERSONAL" explanation stating that he is no longer a part of the musical crew DASECA. He's parting ways with the group with the notion that the separation will lead to growth, not only for himself but for the remaining two members of Daseca, Craig and David Harrisingh.
Serani states,
"I'm one of the founding members, Daseca has been around for 11 years and I recognize that my partners Craig and David, have grown substantially. I wanted to give them room to spread their wings. They are talented brothers and very good friends of mine. I'm not saying that it's going to be a split for good and at this point if people want to continue to get top-quality work from all of us, then this is best. If they [Daseca] send me a rhythm, I'll voice on it. The name DASECA means unity. That is the meaning we assign to it. If they need me, I'll be there and if I need them I know they'll be there."
With his newly found free time, Serani will focus his attention to the creation of his own label named ROCKSTONE MEDIA.
A few years ago Christopher Ellis came out with a song with Stephen Marley and Jah Cure entitled, "End of Time" which was a unique remake of the Alton Ellis international hit, "You Make Me So Happy". Ever since the day I heard it, I've been a fan of Christopher Ellis. I've admired his voice and how he converted his father's hit without simply doing a "cover". I like the creativity of it all. The final product is what I call perfection!
I even love his British accent, there was another time where I saw live footage of him performing alongside Gappy Ranks and it was such a cool performance, I wish I was there. So it's only natural that I took the opportunity to learn more about him by checking out this documentary called, "YARD STYLE" which features him in a more "up close & personal" view rather than the on-stage perspective.
Here you're able to learn a little bit about the man behind the music.
