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

T.I. 'Might Feel Disappointed' In Album Debut, DJ Drama Says!

T.I. is sitting behind bars, but if the rapper can take any solace from his situation, it's that his latest effort No Mercy had a strong debut, landing at #4 on next week's Billboard 200.

But T.I. associate DJ Drama, thinks the rapper probably has mixed feelings about the news that his album pushed nearly 160,000 units last week.

"Tip is the type of guy that, I'm sure, no matter how high it debuted, he might feel disappointed, because he's not here, [and he might] feel like he could have done better," Drama told MTV News. "If it does whatever numbers it does, with him being here, it might have done double that. I think this [release] is the toughest one for him. I been a part of his career for the last 10 years, and I seen him in and out of legal problems. But I think this one is a little bit different. Hopefully, this one is the most life-changing one for him. I listened to the album, and I watched it being made, and it's some quality work. You know, at the end of the day, it's about the music. And he still comes with that music.

"But I don't think he's sitting there celebrating and thinking, 'Oh, we did a good number,' or, 'We debuted high,' " Drama added. "He's probably thinking to himself, 'Damn, I could have done a lot better if I was in a better position by being home to work.' "

Currently, Tip is serving an 11-month sentence for violation his probation, stemming from his arrest in Los Angeles in September.

The rapper and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, were pulled over for a traffic violation and police discovered drugs in the vehicle. T.I. was let go without being charged in the incident and traveled back to Atlanta, where he later faced the same judge that sentenced him to one year and one day in prison on weapons charges.

MTV.COM

Kartel set to deliver!

Vybz Kartel is promising to deliver an outstanding performance for this Sunday's Red Stripe Bold Concert (RSB) set for Knutsford Boulevard.

Kartel, easily one of Jamaica's standout modern-era entertainers, is among several acts including Cham, Lady Saw, Tarrus Riley and I-Octane who are down to perform at the concert that signals the start of Red Stripe Bold's Stand Out campaign.

The Stand Out Campaign, that begins with this Sunday's concert, is RSB's latest drive to become a standout brand. Red Stripe Bold is forging alliances with some of the top acts in the dancehall to create an experience for their consumers that will be enjoyable and exciting in many ways.

That is exactly what Kartel plans to do this Sunday. "I plan to give the fans a solid 45-minute set," he tells THE STAR. "No 'pull up dat, after a few seconds in each song, but rather a complete two-to-three-minute journey into each lyric which is seldom seen in dancehall performances. Just clean, tolerant lyrics, so fans can come out and bring the students to the see the teacher. Oh!"

corporate giants

Kartel, who has several achievements notched on his musical résumé, including leaving the Alliance to start his own 'Empire' and Adidjahiem Records. He is also part-owner of Unlimited Daggerin', a company that produced Street Vybz Rum and Daggerin' Condoms. The recording artiste says he embraces working with corporate giants Red Stripe Bold. "Kartel has no problem working with corporate," he says. "I consider myself a good, corporate citizen."

Some other outstanding local entertainment entities will also be on hand to help provide great entertainment. So fans can also look forward to music, courtesy of Liquid, Renaissance and Coppershot.

Sunday's concert is to be followed by the Absinthe and Renaissance Christmas parties and a New Year's Eve Party in Montego Bay.

THE JAMAICA STAR

T.I. Says 'No Mercy' Is His Most 'Intimate" Album!

T.I. penned a letter to his fans from behind bars at the Forrest City, Arkansas, on the day his seventh album No Mercy hit stores.

In an upbeat letter, the Atlanta rapper said that No Mercy is the most "intimate" installment of his life story.

"I must admit it takes a lot to go through as much as I have and still keep the love in your heart and in your art," the imprisoned rapper said. "But at the end of the day, if that's what it takes to produce the music that keeps the world of hip-hop evolving on it's axis....Then even the lowest of the lows of my life was all worth it."

No Mercy features an all-star cast of Hip-Hop artists and includes cameos by Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Young Dro, Drake, Pharrell, Eminem and others.

"Thanks again for your prayers, your time and attention," T.I. said. "And remember....It does'nt [sic] matter how long it'll be before the next time you see me. What matters is that I'll be a better man before that time comes. The longer I sit, the smarter I get."

According to T.I., he is hard at work on a new untitled project, which said he planned on unveiling in the coming months.

ALLHIPHOP.COM

No Mavado for Sting!

After not being on the poster
or mentioned at the launch, it was confirmed yesterday that dancehall artiste Mavado will not be making an appearance at this year's Sting.

Speaking with THE STAR, Mavado's manager
Julian Jones-Griffith said, "He's definitely not doing it."

Sting's promoter Isaiah Laing also confirmed this.

"He won't be on the show. I spoke to his manager and he said he would get back to me and he didn't, so we went ahead with the show," he said.

WON'T BE CLASHING

Laing explained that any void left by Mavado will be filled by other artistes on the line-up.

"We have the likes of Sizzla right in the slot there. We don't think it will make a big difference. They (Mavado and Vybz Kartel) won't be clashing and them by themselves won't pull a thousand people," Laing told THE STAR.

The promoter said there would be other crowd pullers like the Beenie Man and Bounty Killer collaboration, Sizzla, I-Octane and Khago.

"The entire 13 warriors are gonna sell the show. No one person can't do it. This is Sting. This show is going to be huge 'cause we have so much to sell the show. Every angle you look at, it's going to be real excitement," he said, noting that Lady Saw would also be making an appearance after a seven-year absence.

Stressing performances this year, Laing said there would also be a bonus cash award for the artiste who gives the best performance.

"There's going to be a Sting award for the best performer, and it will be in the form of cash for both male and female," Laing said.

THE JAMAICA STAR

Blak Ryno changes name to "RYNO"!

Now fully recovered from a motorbike accident that occurred over the Heroes weekend, Dancehall recording artiste Blak Ryno has decided it’s time to unfold a new chapter in his life with the aim of returning to the apex of dancehall


The artiste whose given name is Romane Anderson after being summoned to bed rest by his doctors a few weeks ago, used the time and did some career restructuring including a new management team accompanied by a name change. The moniker ‘Ryno The Stinger’ which he currently dons has been truncated to simply ‘Ryno’.

According to Ryno “After speaking to my management team the decision was taken to change my name to just Ryno. Right now a music and positivity me a deal with and people ah say the Stinger thing a beat me, originally me use the name because my friend dem use to say me lyrics dem a sting, but is like the streets have a different meaning for the word, so since a music me a pree me just a try shed anything that not positive from around me.”

When asked if people would like the new name he added, “Well them always a call me Ryno from long time so is not even nothing new but if them want to call me Blak Ryno same way that cool, but a just Ryno me a work wid from now”.

Meanwhile, with the New Year fast approaching the ‘Wine N Dip’ singer has been booked for a number of shows in the Bahamas, Dominica and other Caribbean territories ahead of his confirmed appearance on the greatest one night show on earth ‘Sting’ on December 26th at Jam World, Portmore, St. Catherine.

Ryno is also gearing to shoot another video for his latest collaborative effort titled ‘Seh Dem A Friend’ with new protégé Kaliba and is also featured on hitmakers Notice Production ‘Red N Black’ compilation with a track entitled ‘Money Me A Pree’.

ONE876ENTERTAINMENT.COM

Drake Calls Grammy Nods 'A Dream Come True'!

Drake recently revealed his reaction to being nominated for four Grammy awards and according to the Canadian MC, the opportunity to win one of the awards is “a dream come true.” He can still vividly remember thinking about getting a Grammy nod early on in his career when he was an actor on Degrassi and now it is close to being a reality.

“It’s always, to get any type of Grammy accolade or anything, it’s cliche but it’s a dream come true in the literal sense, that you having between sleeping and waking up,” said Drake while talking to GlobalGrind.

“That time spent I used to think about being on the stage and being able to thank the people that have done so much for me in my life. And I remember the first time I went to the Grammy Awards and I looked at the set up of it at The Kodak Theater and it was like man, this is very similar to the dream I’ve been having since the Degrassi days.”

Adding, “I knew it was a night I could let the people know -- the people in my life know -- how much they have done [for] me. To have four opportunities to have that chance is incredible.”

The Young Money rapper is up for Best Rap Album for Thank Me Later, Best New Artist, Best Rap Solo Performance for Over and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for Fancy with T.I. and Swizz Beatz.

In other news, Drake is scheduled to host the 2011 Juno Awards in his hometown of Toronto, Canada next year.

YORAPS.COM

Busy year ahead for Gully Squad!

Members of the Gully Squad are anxiously anticipating the upcoming Christmas season as they have a number of shows lined up. In addition, they say 2011 will be their time to shine.

The show count for the group is so many that member Flexx says he is not sure how he is going to manage the workload.

"A one whole heap a show line up for the Christmas, enuh. Yuh done know a Hapilos Entertainment, alongside Solid Agency, a deal wid the management. Wi have a show in Guyana the 31st, after that, inna the new year, mi have about 12 shows in the United States. Mi new song on Chrome's new Dancehall Effects rhythm a go mad the place too," said Flexxx.

doing the work

He continued, "Yuh know seh Mavado big show cancel and the visa trouble weh him a guh through, so a just we a bring the music to the people, in a sense, then. We just doing the work, getting it out there. Yuh zeeeet!"

Another member, Savage, also gave similar comments saying, "The squad up to crazy things, enuh. Mi have a new song out, Mi Nah. Da song deh tun up loud inna the road, a crazy feedback. A just because man humble more while, mek mi nuh really out deh yet. But this Christmas name 'Gully Christmas', a ours it. Nuff show wi have fi work, mi cyan complain because a music mi do, nuff work inna it."

When contacted, a busy Chase Cross, who was just about to head into the studio to record a song for DJ Frass, told THE STAR, "Right about now, mi a mek plans fi shoot the video for Can't Stop Us, on DJ Frass' Gully Bomb rhythm. An mi a go a England with Mavado in about two weeks time."

Adding, "When we come back, the whole Gully Squad have a show on December 26 weh Mavado a set up. We ago close off the year wid a show inna Guyana, and bring in the new year wid some new song weh wi just voice fi Stephen, Frass and Jordan dem. 2011 a go see the Gully Squad a guh haad," he added.

The Gully Squad consists of Mavado, Kibaki, Chase Cross, Flexxx, Savage, 3 Star, Stacious and Crymist.

THE JAMAICA STAR

Rihanna, Em, Nicki Top Brand New Billboard Social Networking Chart!

Rapper Eminem, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna have all landed at the top of the Social 50, a brand new chart being introduced by Billboard in its print and online editions, ranking the most popular artists on several prominent social networks.

The new Social 50 uses a formula that blends the artists' popularity based on their weekly addition of friends, fans and followers, based on song plays through MySpace.com, YouTube.com, Twitter.com and iLike.com.

According to Billboard, the data is collected by Next Big Sound, a company that tracks music being shared on the social networks.

The chart also uses a "unique metric that measures the ration of page views-to-fans/friend on YouTube.com and MySpace.com.

"The Social 50 provides a weekly snapshot of the artists with whom music fans engage with the most in the social arena, which in today's world is a significant validation of their investment in an act," said Billboard director of charts Silvio Pietroluongo. "The chart is a logical complement to Billboard's other popularity rankings."

Rihanna toped the chart by leading in new friends, fans and followers for the week, while Justin Bieber landed at #2, Eminem is sitting at #3, #4 is Lady Gaga and newcomer Nicki Minaj landed out the list at #5.

"The volume of online activity that top artists now receive is too big to ignore," added Next Big Sound CEO, Alex White. "We are thrilled that social music activity now receives the same emphasis as the music charts for which Billboard is synonymous."

ALLHIPHOP.COM

Vybz Kartel and Tads partnership reaps major sales!

Tads Records is offering music fans the ultimate Dancehall experience — a compilation of the year's biggest street anthems and radio bangers from high-riding deejay Vybz Kartel.

Mixed by popular Jamaican radio disc jock DJ Wayne, Clarks: De Mixtape Raw is slated to hit iTunes and other digital outlets on Friday, December 10th.

Starting off the year with the release of Pon Di Gaza 2.0, Vybz Kartel's successful double album that was released in February, Tads is looking to cap off 2010 with an EP of singles from Kartel's catalogue of radio favourites from 2010, including Clarks — the ode to the British shoe giant that has become a staple in Hip Hop and Dancehall fashion with styles such as Wallabees and Desert Boots. Clarks remained among the top three Reggae singles garnering the most radio airplay overseas for nearly 35 weeks.

ONE876ENTERTAINMENT.COM

Short break for Stulla Wednesday!

Last week marked the last Stulla Wednesday at the New Quad in New Kingston. After only two months in existence, singjay Mavado yesterday announced that he will be putting his popular weekly event on a short break while he finds a new location for the event.

In a release sent to THE STAR, Mavado was quoted as saying, "We would like to thank Quad for partnering with us on the Stulla Wednesdays venture. It's been a great success since its launch, but it's time to move on to new pastures. As soon as we secure a new venue for Stulla we will let all of our many fans and patrons know. Stulla is a brand and we intend to keep giving the fans what they need. And you can look out for Stulla Tonic Wine in 2011."

Stulla Wednesdays saw stars such as Shaggy, Bounty Killer, Beenie, Cham, Sizzla, Elephant Man, Damian and Stephen Marley, Chino, Chase Cross, Flexxx, Chi Ching Ching, Stacious and many more turn out every week for the authentic dancehall vibes at Stulla Wednesdays.

Boom Boom, Swatch International, Arif Cooper and the Fresh Team are the event's resident sound systems, and Mavado assures they will also be present at the new location.

"Boom Boom, Arif and Swatch, as well as the special guests we had passing through every week, really created a unique vibe and energy," said Mavado. "They were all very entertaining and the feedback from the patrons was great, the balance of music was perfect and we will be bringing the package with us to Stulla's new home."

Bass Odyssey, Gary Chucks, ZJ Ice and many more top-tier selectors also made successful appearances at Stulla Wednesdays. Special guests will also continue to appear weekly at the new Stulla Wednesdays.

THE JAMAICA STAR

Kanye Lands Fourth Straight #1 Album, Nicki Minaj #2!

Kanye West has landed his fourth straight #1 album, as his latest release My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy has landed at the top of Billboard's Top 200 Chart this week.

According to Nielsen SoundScan data, West moved 496,000 copies of his latest release, besting the rap star's previous offering 808s & Heartbreak, which moved about 450,000 copies during its first week on the stores in 2008.

West's 496,000 units also give the eclectic rap star the fourth-biggest first week opener of 2010.

On the digital side, Kanye' album sold 224,000 copies through iTunes and AmazonMp3.

Young Money's latest artist Nicki Minaj landed in second place, moving over 375,000 copies of her album Pink Friday, putting her in the pantheon of rap royalty.

Nicki's 375,000 units is the second-best opening week for a female rapper in Billboard

Only Lauryn Hill has done better, when she sold 423,000 of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998.
history.

ALLHIPHOP.COM

Jay-Z's 40/40 Club Announces Airport Partnership!

Jay-Z and Delaware North Companies revealed a new joint venture. The rap mogul and the global leader in hospitality management and food services have entered into an agreement to open the 40/40 Club in select airports across The United States.

The 40/40 Club is an upscale sports bar, lounge and restaurant owned by Jay-Z and business partners, Juan and Desiree Perez. Its doors first opened in 2003 on West 25th Street in New York. A second location opened shortly after in Atlantic City with more plans of expansion.

“The 40/40 Club is all about creating first-class experiences for guests who want to relax and watch their favorite games,” stated Desiree Perez. “We want to see our club grow, and to bring those experiences to travelers. A partnership with Delaware North will do just that.”

Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues exceeding $2 billion annually. They manage hospitality and food services at marquee locations such as the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, Delaware North-owned TD Garden in Boston, Los Angeles International Airport, Kennedy Space Center and Yosemite National Park.

Robert Stanton, Vice President of business development for Delaware North said, “We are thrilled to partner with the 40/40 Club, to bring a stylish sports bar and lounge to airports across the country. From the personalized, one-of-a-kind jerseys on the wall, to every sports game you can think of on the television screens, the club will bring a new experience that we are sure travelers will welcome.”

YORAPS.COM