Quad under new management!

The Quad in New Kingston is now under new management and there are plans to completely transform the venue.

When contacted, Dane Chin said he and Emery Meghoo were now the new general managers of the club.

"I am the new face of the club. All the previous managers are no longer here. We have taken it over to give it a facelift, a new brand, a new vibe, a new look, bring up back the premium service, the service that people used to get in the past," Chin told THE STAR.

a new vibe

Chin added, "We have a 10-year track record in promotions and events coordinations. We were called in to take over the club to rebrand and give it a new vibe. We didn't buy it. We were contracted under Nite Time Promotions to run the club."

This contract took effect on July 1 and already changes are being made to the club.

Chin said the club will continue to go by the name Quad, but eventually Oxygen and Voodoo lounges will get name changes. He said Christopher's Jazz Café will now be known as Christopher's Jazz Lounge and Bar.

"In the meantime, we are working with the name Quad but we are coming with new concepts and themes for the club. The Oxygen and Voodoo lounges have also been renovated," Chin said.

new contract

The new general manager said they have also signed a new contract with Darren and Omar Virtue to host Blitz Tuesdays for the next two months. There will also be live music on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Christopher's which will be followed by The Mix with Alric and Boyd.

In addition, he said there would also be an escort service from the car park to the club, better service, as well as improvements in the lighting, music, air conditioning and general comfort.

Chin said he will be targeting young professionals and college students to go to Christopher's. There, he said, people will be given a 20 per cent discount on drinks between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays.

JAMAICA STAR

Chevaughn to kick off North American Tour!

After scoring the biggest hit of 2009 with the summer anthem Holiday featuring Ding Dong, on the Notice Production label, Chevaughn is once again poised as a top contender to clinch this summer's title, teaming up with Bugle and Razz & Biggy for the high-energy song titled Summer Break.

However, with the recent release of a 10-track self-titled mixtape, three new videos and several singles including Beauty Queen on Digicel's Next Generation rhythm CD compilation, Chevaughn will have to postpone the celebrations as he makes final preparation to leave the island this week for a North American tour with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and music icon Jimmy Cliff, who is also the headliner for the six-week assignment.

The tour will see them making a thorough sweep of Canada and the Unites States of America, before returning home late August.

"It is a great honour and a privilege for any entertainer to tour with someone like Jimmy Cliff, he is an icon in this business and we, as the next generation of recording artistes, can learn so much from his wealth of knowledge and experience. These six weeks I will not just go there as Chevaughn the artiste, but as an ambassador for our music and Jamaica, land we love"

On his return, there will be no time to rest. Chevaughn is expected to join fellow band members C-Sharp for a European tour accompanied by reggae royalty, Rita Marley.

JAMAICA STAR

Featured dj this week- DJ CHUNGY!

Born August 22nd, Troy Salmon (Dj Chungy) grew up to become one of the top DJ's in Jamaica and 2nd place Heineken Green Synergy Winner for 2K9, bringing more than just MUSIC but also STYLE, CHARISMA & TRICKS. Being Skilled on both CD's and VINYL turntables mixed with 6 years experience. He is our featured DJ for this week:

QUESTION: What inspired you to enter the world of music?

ANSWER: what inspired me to enter the world of music, well from an early age i always loved music, collecting cds and starting my collection. The physical aspect of being in high school when I started playing music for class events and such

QUESTION: Name some of the people you look up to in the industry?

ANSWER: people I look up to in the industry are...arif cooper, arif to me is one a the best in the business, collin hinds, very skill on the turntables, stone love, black love and basically all djs who share the art and are good at it.

QUESTION: You were placed second in Heineken Green Synergy for 2K9-How was that experience?

ANSWER: heineken green synergy experience for me was GREAT it was rough but great. The competition really helped to boost my popularity and also to showcase what I can do around a set a turntables. Got to meet sum ppl that I look up to and had always wanted to meet, made a lot a friends in the music business and also the knowledge and experience I gain from all of this...its amazing.

QUESTION: Do you think the competition help individuals who want to enter the industry?

ANSWER: yes the competition does help those who want to enter the industry it gives them a chance to show what they can do.

QUESTION: What are your plans for summer?

ANSWER: my plans for the summer...well party party party lol got few more shows coming up and u know seh ATI in the mix to doah.

QUESTION: Do you have any current mixtape out or working on?

ANSWER: yea i got one currently out from around late June 'stress relief concept x mixtape' thats doing good and I have another one working on to release sometime in July.

QUESTION: What are the changes you would like to see in the music industry?

ANSWER: changes I would like to see in the industry well, I would love to see everybody helping one another up the ladder instead of pushing them down, need to see more unity.

You can CLICK HERE to download his current mixtape
‘Stress Relief Concept X Mixtape’

BOOKING INFO:
>> (876) 421 7774
>> (876) 254 1883
E-MAIL: chungy4lyfe@yahoo.com

Protoje plans to bring it to Reggae Sumfest!

It has been less than a year since fast-rising reggae artiste Protoje dropped his first official single. Two singles and two music videos later, the talented artiste, who hails from the parish of St Elizabeth, is being hailed by many industry insiders as an artiste to watch.

Protoje's roots-influenced sound, along with his easy-going swagger, has caught the attention of many reggae fans, locally and overseas.

On Friday, July 22nd, Protoje will perform on the biggest event of his career when he makes his debut appearance at Reggae Sumfest 2010 on International Night 1.

"I feel very excited, because I have been going to Sumfest since I was a child. I have seen so many artistes at Sumfest that have inspired me a lot, so it will be an honour to perform on the festival," he said.

serious mark

Protoje also hinted that he intends to make a serious mark on the event, saying: "I am gonna give the Sumfest crowd some good music, dub and root vibes, dem thing deh. I and my band have been performing a lot over the last 12 months, and the people seem to love what we have been doing. So I am looking to bring more of the same good music and dub vibes to the Sumfest crowd, I know they will love it."

Protoje is currently busy in the studio completing his debut album under the guidance of ace producer Donovan 'Don Corleon' Bennett.

JAMAICA STAR

Drake donates $2 Million... to help Mavado build learning centre in Cassava Piece!

Singjay Mavado and international superstar Drake are in the midst of building a learning center in Cassava Piece.

When THE WEEKEND STAR spoke with Mavado's manager Julian Jones-Griffith he explained that two weeks ago Drake donated US$25,000 (JA$2.15 million) towards the building of the library. The popular rapper shot the video for his latest single Find Our Love in Jamaica in April. The rapper also visited the island prior to that for vacation.

Jones-Griffith explained: "Basically Mavado and Drake shot some scenes in Cassava Piece and struck up an immediate rapport with the people there. He thought they showed him a lot of love and he was very down to earth with them and wanted to do something positive."

The idea for the learning center which includes a computer lab and a library, according to Jones-Griffith, was one Mavado had plans for so Drake decided to assist the project.

When THE WEEKEND STAR spoke to Drake he commented: "I had a great time when I was in Jamaica and the people of Cassava Piece showed me a lot of love. I just wanted to show back some love by helping out with Mavado's project on the Gullyside. It's a very positive move and something I am very happy to be a part of. Education is the key to life so to be able to assist in that process is very fulfilling."

Two weeks ago Drake gave Mavado his contribution and since then construction has started in Cassava Piece. Jones-Griffith added: "Obviously it's going to take more than what Drake gave so Mavado has contributed to it and pledges to put more towards it." Tentatively the name for the library is 'Drake and Mavado Peace Center'.

Mavado said: "I was born and grow inna Cassava Piece so mi always a look to impact di community in a positive way. We recently helped create peace between rival communities dat is going good, so we want to do sumpten new. We have been planning it for a while, when Drake was here it came up an he wanted to do sumpten to help and we mek di arrangements."

He added: "We're grateful for his contribution, it's a great gesture, he is not even a Jamaican, so for him to do dis and help build a foundation of knowledge and learning in our community is, yuh nuh, appreciated. Odda successful Jamaicans should tek a leaf out of Drake's book and gi back to di communities from weh dem born and grow."

For Mavado and his team they are looking to Corporate Jamaica to assist in the project. Jones-Griffith said: "We're reaching out to Corporate Jamaica which is always talking about transforming the garrison so it's time for them to put their money where their mouth is. LIME has already pledged to give us free Internet connection and we appreciate that."

The learning centre will be free of cost to persons from Cassava Piece as Jones-Griffith explained: "It's a community project not a business venture. People from the community are contributing to it from the ground up and are very happy about it."

Mavado has turned a peaceful leaf of late with a number of socially-conscious musical releases of late including: Messiah, Change Right Now and Can't Believe.


JAMAICA STAR

Singer Etana is married!

Reggae singer is now a married woman.

Rumors have been circulating for weeks that the singer recently got married.

Yesterday when contacted by THE WEEKEND STAR, Etana confirmed that she had found her "warrior love".

The singer, who's real name is Shauna McKenzie, however, stated: "I do not want to talk about that right now."

According to the singer, she is focused on her second album titled Free Expressions which is scheduled for release in September. Free Expressions is the follow-up to her 2008 released The Strong One, and will feature her recent singles August Town, Heart Broken and Happy Heart.

She told THE WEEKEND STAR about her album saying: "It is what it is, free expressions, thoughts that were on my mind. This one has no particular theme, I'm not thinking about going reggae or anything like that, it's just me expressing myself."

JAMAICA STAR

Jay-Z, Russian Billionaire and NJ Nets Make Bid On LeBron James!

Mogul Jay-Z, the Nets billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov, and coach Avery Johnson all made a presentation and pitch to LeBron James to woo the basketball sensation to the New Jersey Nets.

The trio, along with several other team officials, made a 90-minute pitch to the two-time NBA MVP. James officially became a free agent at 12:01 today.

The Associated Press offered a detailed account of the meeting, but reports have sprouted in various media outlets.

"Prokhorov left with a few members of the Nets' entourage at 12:43 p.m. Lagging a few minutes behind them was Jay-Z, a close friend of James, who was sitting in the back seat of a black sedan leaving the garage as the Knicks' motorcade - 2 sedans and 2 SUVs - pulled in," the AP wrote.

Sources with AllHipHop.com revealed that Jay-Z may have had a private, albeit brief, meeting with James. Avery Johnson reportedly stated the meeting "went well."

The sentiment echoed the New York Knicks views of their meeting right after the Nets.

"I think it went well,'' New York coach Mike D'Antoni told The Associated Press. "But obviously everyone that gets the chance to talk to him will probably say same the same thing."

James is expected to meet with the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers tomorrow.

ALLHIPHOP.COM

Usher to pull females to Sumfest!

After trying for years, Summerfest Productions can finally boast that R&B superstar Usher Raymond will be performing on the Reggae Sumfest stage.

"We have been trying to get him for about four years but this time we were lucky. It was very difficult 'cause normally these people have tours in the summer and it is not easy for them to break it to come to a one night in Jamaica, but we were able to get him to come for one night," Robert Russell, chairman of Summerfest Productions, told THE STAR.

He admitted that it was very expensive to get Usher on the show but it will not change the ticket prices.

Russell is also very confident that Usher will bring people to the show and give an exceptional performance when he performs on international night 2 on July 24 at Catherine Hall, St James.

"Usher is going to mash up the stage. Every girl that I have spoken to is telling me that they are coming to Sumfest. And, I am sure that when the girls come the boys will come with them too," he said.

"Usher is able to crossover from the young people to the older people 'cause everybody loves his music and he has a wonderful selection and he is such a good performer," he added.

With a state of emergency and curfews imposed on sections of the island and recent unrest in Kingston and St Andrew being top news around the world last month, Russell believes Usher will bring good attention to the island.

"I think he is really going to put Jamaica on the stage this summer for Sumfest. This is what we wanted to do. We wanted to showcase Jamaica 'cause you know we have been getting some bad publicity. But now that we have announced the line-up, we are getting all types of emails. People are booking their airline seats and hotels because they are coming to see a Jamaica that is open for business," Russell told THE STAR.

JAMAICA STAR