Drenz Fashion makes changes for the future!

Richie Drenz has made changes to one of Jamaica's trendiest urban fashion line, Drenz Fashion.

Most clothing stamp their established year on their apparels, the year is usually a date in the past which represents their founding year, however, Richie Drenz, being a designer who always strives to be different, is now stamping the year 2079 on his apparels.

He explains that this new date is a date in the future when he himself will no longer exist and that is when the true life of the brand will begin. The life of the brand will no longer exist through him but has a life of its own on this date, this special year that he chose is 100 years after his birthdate.

barcode logo

Drenz Fashion barcode logo is known and embraced across various fashion niches. The company itself is now embracing its barcode representation even more than ever.

Since the brand is already a brand fabricated on the future, hence the barcode logo, they have decided to make the barcode a more dominant part of most of their designs.

blackberry edition

This month their major focus product will be a BlackBerry barcode design that is dubbed the BlackBerry edition of their barcode logo. There is also another twist to the line. This time more focus will be on female teens and even expanding to dresses in the very near future.

Now, they are out with their original slogan - 'Feel the Rush' and in with a new one - 'Only the Brave will live their Dreams'.

They selected this slogan because they believe that all their moves to be different are just merely a dream and even a bit scary to pursue, but if you are a brave dreamer, and only if you are brave enough to pursue your dream will you live your dream.

THE JAMAICA STAR

Wiz Khalifa has struck gold!

Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa has struck gold with his latest single "Black & Yellow." The track, which hit #1 on iTunes' Hip-Hop chart, has sold over 500,000 copies since its release in September. Last night, Wiz debuted the official remix to "Black & Yellow" featuring Snoop Dogg, Juicy J and T-Pain. The news caps off a productive yeahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifr for Wiz Khalifa, who recently finished his nationwide "Waken Baken Tour." Wiz is currently in the studio putting the final touches on his upcoming debut for Atlantic Records, which is slated to drop in Spring of 2011.

ALLHIPHOP.COM

Chino success in Japan, phenomenal!

Reggae and Dancehall artiste Chino McGregor's phenomenal success in the Japan market cannot be underscored.

In what has been deemed a fledgling music industry, Chino's From Mawning (Never Change) was and continues to be the number one purchased and downloaded track/ringtone on Japan's most established ringtone site, Reggae Zion.

From Mawning, which was released on Chino's sophomore Japan album, Never Change, in the summer of this year, outranked all Japanese artistes' tracks and went on to become the site's best-seller of the year - a rarity in the region. The site is now in discussions with Chino to make their theme song for the upcoming year. In previous years, only Japanese artistes have had this courtesy extended to them.

Chino, known for tracks like, Protected, Ruff It Up, Pon Yuh Head, Must Come Back and others said, "I can't say anything more than bless up to the Almighty, the fans, friends and even the naysayers. Myself and those at Big Ship are always in the studio exploring and trying to put out quality music for the fans, not only in Jamaica but for the other markets. So I'm very happy that they've been not only accepting but also supportive of quality reggae music. Thanks again to the fans, industry persons, media and everyone."

The hit, From Mawning and a number of outstanding tracks featured on the album were produced by ace-producer, Stephen 'Di Genius' McGregor. Upon its debut, Never Change was introduced at the number seven spot and later that day was in the second spot on the iTunes reggae chart.

In addition, Chino has re-released the reggae single, Handwritings featuring Dennis Brown, originally featured on his debut album, Unstoppable. The track and other previously unreleased singles will be featured on Chino's upcoming US album scheduled for release in March 2011. The album will be distributed by VP Records.

THE JAMAICA STAR

Jay-Z's Hotel!

Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z has scrapped plans for a Manhattan hotel. The rapper had plans to open the J Hotel, after the group bought a space at Tenth Avenue and West 21st street in December of 2007 for $66 million. According to reports, Jay-Z turnehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifd the mortgage back to the lenders for $52 million. The project also ran into troubles when Jay-Z filed a $3.7 million lawsuit against Highland Capital Management. Jay-Z claimed that he attempted to return the mortgage to Highland when the value of the property began to fall, and that the company's unresponsiveness cost him millions of dollars.

ALLHIPHOP.COM

Lady Saw opens studio - Artiste eager to produce Vybz Kartel!

Dancehall artiste Lady Saw says her studio will be up and running soon and she is eager to work with Vybz Kartel.

Speaking with THE WEEKEND STAR recently, Lady Saw, whose real name is Marion Hall, said her studio is finally complete and she will start working in it by Monday.

"The studio is finished but I had one problem. By moving Pro Tools back and forth I think something went wrong with the power part. Right now, I'm ready to go back in and deal with the thing like a real producer," she said, noting that she will be working with female artistes like Kris Kelli, Sashell and Temptress.

She said the studio, which is built by Paul Broomfield, is big enough to record at least two people at once and can also accommodate live recordings.

This is not the first time that she will be working in a studio as a producer, as she worked with several artistes on the 'Summer Bounce' rhythm that was made by Jam 2 and Stephen McGregor. She produced artistes like Elephant Man, Vegas, Ce'Cile, Papa Pimp, Assassin, Vybz Kartel and Beenie Man.

However, she is very eager to work with Vybz Kartel again.

"I'm looking forward to working with him cause him a di sickest thing, him hot. I was watching him work and he was like a genius. I really admire him as an artiste," said Lady Saw, who has her own label, Diva Records.

THE JAMAICA STAR

50 Cent Invests In 3D Sunglasses Company!

Rap star 50 Cent is expanding his business portfolio with an investment in a new company that creates "digital performance eyewear."

According to FastCompany.com, 50's latest business deal involves an optical company named Gunnar Optiks.

The company specializes creating that are optimized for a sharper digital experience, in addition to reducing headaches, tired and/or dried eyes from viewing LCD screen for extended amounts of time.

Additionally, the company develops fashionable, stylish 3D eyewear, which will retail between $70-$200, like the rest of the entire collection.

50 Cent became involved with Gunnar after turning down an endorsement deal, in favor of a stake in the company.

FastCompany revealed that 50 Cent also has a say in the business direction of Gunnar Optiks as well.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

The rapper's investment in Gunnar Optiks comes as manufacturers attempt to boost sales of 3D television, which currently has a slow adoption rate.

ALLHIPHOP.COM

As tour winds down Martin misses home!

On tour in Europe for almost two months now Chris Martin is missing home. Most of all he misses the sun. "It's something you take for granted but sometimes you go weeks without seeing the sun," he said from Munster, Germany, Wednesday night just hours after his latest performance before a sold-out venue. "Here in Munster right now it's minus eight degrees."

Martin has about seven shows left before he returns home in just over a week's time in time for Christmas. And while Europe has been cold, the performances, he says, have been hot.

resounding success

The former Digicel Rising Star, who has built a solid career over the past five years, reveals that his tour with German reggae star Gentleman has been a resounding success. "It's been wonderful. We have been getting much love. To the Top (the song on which he collaborates with Gentleman) is a big song here," he tells THE WEEKEND STAR.

Just months after having a successful run at Reggae Sumfest, Martin travelled to Europe in late October for a nine-city, 22-show tour with Gentleman with no expectations.

"I was just looking forward to singing." What he found were audiences who willingly embraced him and his music. "Songs that you thought you could sing straight through, you have to 'pull up'," he explained. The audiences responded differently. Some were vibrant while others were more passive, but at the end of each show people from the audience would approach him telling him they loved the show, and that they enjoyed the experience.

While on tour, his eyes were also opened to how much of a star Gentleman is. According to Martin, he has always known that the German reggae singer was a force but he had no idea how much of a force he is.

"I always held him at a very high standard but seeing (the way audiences responded to Gentleman) you have to give him even more respect," he said. "My respect is now double. His performances were always on point, he is very professional and he has shown me nothing but love. We have a nice synergy when we are performing on stage."

However, after two months away the diminutive but well-muscled entertainer says he is eager to get home to be with his family and friends. "I miss home," he said.

THE JAMAICA STAR

Beenie feels Kartel dissed him!

Controversial deejay Beenie Man raised eyebrows when he aired his grievances against fellow deejay Vybz Kartel on Nationwide 90 FM's 'Ragashanti Live!' yesterday.

On the programme, the deejay discussed in length his correction of Kartel's Dancehall Hero with his song Father God HelpThem, both on the 'Dancehall EFX' rhythm.

According to Beenie, while Kartel did not call his name in his song, he feels that lyrics in the song is directed at him. The deejay also commented on the ways in which he feels disrespected by various actions of Kartel.

According to Beenie, while he has supported Kartel since 2002 as his deejay, Kartel has not been supportive of him. He told the host of the programme, Ragashanti, 'The King of Mix-up', that; "I have never heard Kartel endorse nutten bout Beenie Man, any Kartel fans can tell yuh dis."

He added, "all di support mi support Vybz Kartel, he has never supported me. Di stage show mi have up a stadium mi pay Kartel $900,000. Dat him charge me and him nah come fi less than dat. And di night we short him $20,000 and him wouldn't leave the venue till him get the $20,000. Seriously no joke ting and a me sey Gaza Mi Sey, and dat is di biggest song all ova di world and me support Kartel all ova di world."

Beenie outlined other ways in which he feels disrespected by Kartel explaining an incident that took place between Kartel and disc-jock ZJ Liquid in which a BlackBerry broadcast message was sent out throwing words at the disc-jock and Beenie over their use of the words 'oh' and 'awoh' - phrases that were made popular by Kartel.

He added that he had contacted Kartel to voice with him on the song Gaza Mi Sey and was told by Kartel to voice with young deejay Popcaan instead. The deejay also said that Kartel's reference to himself in a radio advertisement as the 'new King of the Dancehall', a title he claims is reserved for him, is an obvious attempt to disrespect him.

Beenie said, "I just feel sey him (Kartel) nuh have no honour to nobody. Him honour himself and dats it. Him nuh respect nobody as far as I see it."

He also admitted to being very offended by the content of Dancehall Hero, "me respect him as a deejay, I don't know him as a person. I know him as a artiste. Dis song I found to be disrespectful to the whole entire dancehall world."

Another issue which Beenie has with Kartel is his recent comment in THE STAR that Sting would be a flop this year attracting no more than 50 people without the presence of the Gully and the Gaza heads performing on the show.

"Dats disrespect to di whole entire dancehall industry. You are not God, you are not the man that make music. Music was here before you and when you gone a go still deh yah. The worse Sting was last year and Kartel close it and Mavado did de pon it too. Good, blessing. I wasn't on it," Beenie said.

When contacted Kartel was aware of the interview. He said: "As I said in the song, "call up me name jus fi get a forward and dem think 'bout Addi more than them woman", should sum up my sentiments. And in closing I would like to quote another line from Dancehall Hero - "Me nuh member nuh DJ bwoy"."

Beenie emphasised, however, that his song, Father God Help Them, is not a counteraction nor is there a feud between himself and Kartel and encouraged fans not to take it personally. He said, "there's no feud or no drama
, it cyaan happen. I do not deal wid badness and I do not push badness to people."

THE JAMAICA STAR