The 4th annual staging of the Youth View Awards (YVA) took place last evening at the National Indoor Sports Centre to a full house of some of the islands biggest names in the music industry, the award show is organized and coordinated by an Elegant Affair a special events team headed by its captain Ms. Karen Clarke. YVA is an award show that allowed for the youth of the nation to vote for who they believe has showed and contributed to the continuation of the music and entertainment industry in Jamaica. This has nothing to do with chart hits or selling records it only has to do with what the “Young, Hot, and Hype” generation has to say.

The evening was kicked off with the voice of entertainment personality Lady Rennae welcoming all those in attendance as the YVA dancers opened the show with an energetic performance making way for nights host DJ Bambino and Rocsi. They two blended well on stage as there chemistry was evident a first in a long four years for the award show to find such a personality match. The show got underway with the Gaza camp (Vybz Kartel) taking home the first award of the night for favorite music video.

The 2011 YVA was an historic one in many ways as it was the first the organizers introduced many elements of the show like a swag lounge as well as changing the format for presenting the awards not to mention the arrival of YVA nominee and multiply time winner Vybz Kartel who went away with five of his six awards as dancer Ding Dong copped the award show Young Hot and Hype male of the year taking that away from the Gaza camp.

The production of the YVA as usual was one to be congratulated as with all productions glitches will happen so for the late start of the event and audio problems as well as the seating no one, with a history in event production or lack there of can be harsh on the YVA team from the moments of sloppy work. However there were no glitches in the fashion statements made this year at the YVA as no one missed a step well not everyone was red carpet ready. This years celebrity best dressed females would have to be given to recording artiste Tami Chynn, Cecile, Ikeya, as well as personality Yendi Phillips and Sashon Burton(Scorpio 21) while the males were Prodigal Son, Kevin(Voicemail), Zj Liquid, Ravers Clavers Dancers, Jay Will who all stood out of the crowd without being overly flamboyant. Others made their statements like Dexter Pottinger and Lady Rennae who wore one of her signature designs for the night. As well as local designer Kerry Ann Clarke and GWhizz.

The nights top performances went to Munga, RichieLoop ft D-Major, Ikeya and Tifa who all gave a powerful set with the top male being RichieLoop and the female being Ikeya. The nights worst performance would have to be given to song bird Raine Seville who gave tribute to reggae music legend Bob Marley in a very inappropriate attire and performance to salute someone who has contributed so much to Jamaican music. Table talks during her set was that “she a try the Rihanna thing”. Other performers were Denyque, Cecile, Trevor Off Key, Taheera, Vybz Kartel and the YVA nation dancers.

This 4th staging of the Youth View Awards was indeed intense as it was a roller coaster ride as high and low moments were throughout the ceremony, however the YVA 2011 ended and a great note with the closing performance from Tifa who not only showed her versatility but brought acrobatics and energy to the stage. The award show has only left us wanting more for 2012 and indeed it seems to be promising.

The name Yahdie Conscious is becoming largely popular within the international fashion circles as well as a household name in Jamaica. The brand that is managed by Jaye-Ann Oconnor and James Black two 20+ year old women with a vision for international success and her eyes on all the major fashion catwalks from the Caribbean to Europe and back to her small island of Jamaica. Yahdie Conscious is a funky and edgy brand, and was originally only a t-shirt brand has evolved into so much more. YC does it all now, from t-shirts to dresses. Although managed by Miss Black the brand ‘YC’ emerged from the hearts of two young females and friends, James Black (JB) and Ms.Jaye, self taught designers from Kingston, Jamaica who share a genuine love for fashion and also their country. It is truly an innovative brand that manages to stay on top of the trends around the world while also blazing a trail of original and unique designs. The YC brand is a 100% female as they seek to capitalize on the fashionable woman of the modern, The line is influenced by their exciting and colourful culture as well as the relaxed atmosphere of their Caribbean home. The fashions of the Jamaican dancehall scene and outside influences such as; Japanese Street fashion and Punk Rock have all been blended in their designs.

With the brand under her belt this innovative designer has spread her wings with other business ventures still fashion related in creating her latest sensation HEADBANDS BY JB as well as become a part of the blog world in the creation of her popular blog (JBSTYLEZONE) which was nominated in the recent Jamaica Blog Awards in the fashion category, James Black (JB) is indeed a woman with a vision and is setting the trend for woman to come. With fashion as her passion she has also dipped her feet in the modeling world being a model for international designer Romero Bryan as well as been the lead girl in several music videos where she appeared alongside names like Shaggy, Konshens and others. She has no intention of stopping anytime soon with the recent launch of her new line under the YC brand “StarGyal” it only proves that this fashion princess will not allow her star to fade. As we continue to watch her progress we can only applaud her many strides she has made thus far and continue to wish her the many successes to come.

BLOG: http://jbstylezone.blogspot.com

Article by Kemar Daswell

The Jamaican music industry has done it yet again with international diamond-selling reggae artiste Shaggy and singer Alaine coming together for their collaboration “For Your Eyes Only”. The track produced by Tony ‘CD’ Kelly one of music’s top hit makers. His sound has been instrumental in creating hit songs for popular dancehall/reggae artists like Sean Paul, Shaggy, Wayne Wonder, Super Cat, and Beenie Man to name a few. He has also done work with artists like DMX, Foxy Brown, Cypress Hill, Capone & Noreaga, Scarface, and Nokio of Dru Hill. The song “For Your Eyes Only” released by the K-Licious label was indeed created for the international market with sounds that captivated everyone’s ears with orgasmic musical pleasure.?

The video directed by international video director Jason “JAYWILL” Williams saw the video being shot in studio and produced by Carleene Samuels. The video without a doubt is as appealing to the eyes as is to the ears with styling by Stanley & Empress Boutique(S&E), Camesha Powell of POSHE and upcoming stylist Kathy, the images translated well on film. From the start, the style of the video could have been seen and its nothing to the imagination that the concept was planned out well. Alaine was styled by Stanley & Empress Boutique(S&E) and Kathy. While the rest of the cast was styled by local designer Camesha Powell. When asked what it was like to style Alaine, Nadia Stanley of S&E was eager to share her experience working with the songbird as she stated, “It was great, S&E along with Kathy with help from Alaine searched for the right artistic looks for the video, and through the styling she stood out like the star she is,” she further gleed with pleasure to add "the video was artistic, abstract and futuristic all at the same time."

The video was launched last Thursday to much anticipation from the general public for the simulcast that would have taken place on major media networks in Jamaica. The launch itself was not to be overlooked as LIME Jamaica used the opportunity the launched their latest product mobile TV, that is also featured in the music video. Indeed another great production by the Jamaican entertainment fraternity and another A grade project from Jay Will.

Jamaica, the land of reggae and dancehall, is home to numerous music houses as there are churches per square mile. Jamaica seems to have a recording studio at every corner, and at every stop light, the new Vybz Kartel and Aidonia wanna-bes are eager to share their new lyrics with any ear willing to listen. This is a tradition that seems not to be dying anytime soon.

The latest addition to the craze seems to be the Scikron Entertainment Group, a related entity to the popular Big Yard Studios, where only the best producers and experienced sound engineers can be found. It’s without apology that the environment is suited for the making of chart-topping hits, which has been so since its inception on the local music industry scene. Scikron Entertainment is home to popular artistes such as Christopher Martin, Richie Loop, D-Major, D-Lynx, and Iceman just to name a few. Every day, young talents seek to become members of the fast-rising and successful entertainment group. Its names mentioned that have soared the recording house to the top of the charts with hits like “My Cup” by Richie Loop, “Come where you going” by Chris Martin and “Formula" by D-Major just to give an idea of the quality that comes out of Scikron on a daily basis.

Scikron Entertainment recently launched the now-popular Fusion Riddim, which was produced in October 2009 but all the tracks on the rhythm have finally been completed to be released on Scikron Entertainment Label. Those tracks include Gentleman and Christopher Martin "To the Top", which sits atop the iTunes Charts in Europe and has facilitated Christopher's most successful musical international recognition to date. It also features tracks by D-Major, Cecile, Voicemail, Iceman, Red Fox, Sanjay, D-Lynx, DJ Liquid and Richie Loop ft Fambo. The label also introduced new family member Ajrenalin to the world with this single "All I Really Know" which features Richie Loop. The Scikron team, headed by executive producer and C.E.O. Robert Livingston, is excited about the projects, and each time asked to talk about the label Livingston can only glee with excitement as he said with the release of “My Cup” by Richie Loop, "Scikron intends to only release hits and singles that will do well on both the international and local markets."

Scikron Entertainment group is indeed on a journey of success. With just a few buckles already attached to their belt, they are fast becoming heavy weights leaving the light weights behind. As the year comes to an end with the Fusion Riddim, only 2011 will tell.