D'Angel forgives Beenie - Couple appears to be working on relationship!

After making several public appearances together in recent times, D'Angel says she has forgiven her husband Beenie Man and plans to leave their marriage in God's hands.

The two were recently spotted at the Guinness premiere of The Expendables at the Carib theatre on Friday night. They hugged and walked closely, taking pictures for their fans, and the media, at intervals.

And it was just last month that the couple performed together at Reggae Sumfest.

Despite what was a very bitter, public break-up in 2007, after getting married in 2006, the two seem to be on good terms and D'Angel says she has forgiven him for what transpired between them.

"Most definitely! 'Cause, if God has forgiven us for our sins, who am I not to forgive him. I am stronger now and I am very focused. I have moved on from the past and I have forgiven him," she told THE STAR.

She added, "If I forgive him, that don't make me a stupid woman. I have learnt from it and I am stronger. I have overcome. I can battle any weather. I am like the Rock of Gibraltar."

As for working on their marriage, D'Angel was reluctant to say much.

"Where our personal life is concerned, I would rather not comment. Where the marriage is concerned, we leave that in God's hands. Marriages always have ups and downs," she told THE STAR.

"Regardless of what happened in the past, we have to look beyond that. Me and Moses as husband and wife is something that we have to work on outside of the media," she added.

And not only do they share a marriage, but D'Angel said they also share a child, who she wants to set an example for. In addition, she says she is a role model to many teenagers and women.

"At the end of the day, we entertain and we do music. So we have to set examples," she said, noting that she has to live up to the brands that she represents like Coke Zero, Digicel and Access Financial Services.

D'Angel also noted that they have been making public appearances since 2008. However, she said: "Being with Moses in public, I am not doing it for recognition or hype. I am not looking for no success or fame as a result of this. If every artiste a call peace now, why can't we?"

In the meantime, she said You Are My First, which she did with Beenie Man is doing well. So, too, is her other single Come Over. D'Angel is also set to release another track called Yes Mi Know, which features Beenie Man, in the near future.

THE JAMAICA STAR

50 Cent's G-Unit Records Inks Distribution Deal With EMI!

It's official: 50 Cent's G-Unit has inked a deal with EMI Label Services to market, promote and distribute releases from the popular New York-based record label.

The first release under the new deal with be Lloyd Banks' third solo album H.F.M. 2 (Hunger For More 2), which is slated for a November 23rd, release date.

Lloyd Banks' release will be followed by Tony Yayo's untitled follow-up to his 2008 solo debut Thoughts of a Predicate Felon.

Yayo's album, which will include the single "Pass the Patron," will land in stores in early 2011.

“It’s refreshing to see the EMI staff excited about my project, they have the passion and energy I haven’t seen in while," Lloyd Banks told AllHipHop.com in a statement today (August 13th).

Mike Harris, executive Vice President and General Manager for EMI Label Services, was excited to welcome G-Unit, one of Hip-Hop's best known brands, to the label.

“G-Unit is a huge force," Harris stated. "Lloyd Banks knows how to deliver a lyrical punch and his single has already generated huge anticipation for the album.. Tony Yayo is a totally unique talent, and ‘Pass the Patron’ already has the Hip-Hop world buzzing about his album coming out next year.”

For weeks, fans speculated where G-Unit might end up, with most of the chatter hinting to a deal with Def Jam, where former G-Unit Records President Sha Money XL serves as Executive Vice President.

With the move to EMI, G-Unit Records is no longer under the Interscope/Universal umbrella of record labels.

“The EMI staff is creative and willing to think outside the box," Tony Yayo explained to AllHipHop.com in a statement. "They are fans of my music and career. I’m looking forward to marketing and promoting my upcoming album with them.”

ALLHIPHOP.COM

Jade Lee Makes Music links in Singapore!

ade Lee is known as a visionary in the business of entertainment and Music in Jamaica. She is best known for her involvement in the success story of multi-platinum recording artiste Sean-Paul.

More recently Lee has taken on the management role of veteran songstress Nadine Sutherland and upcoming female dancehall-pop artiste Denyque Dontre. Lee visited Singapore to open discussions with promoters and hoteliers about bringing Jamaican musicians to perform on showcases there.

She explained that Singapore gets an average of half million tourists in and out per day, and, with a population of 4.5 million has one of the most vibrant economies in Asia.

She sparked the interest of some of the largest hotel chains in the region and will begin scouting for Jamaican acts that fits the bill upon her return to Jamaica in mid-August.

ONE876ENTERTAINMENT.COM

Jay-Z Teams With Nike For Limited Edition Sneaks!

Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z has teamed with Nike to create a limited edition sneaker for charity.

Only five pairs of Nike's "All Black Everythings" are being made in conjunction with the World Basketball Festival, which is taking place in New York from August 12th-22nd.

Each pair represents one of the five countries playing in the event and according to organizers, Jay-Z is the only other person in the world with each one of the five exclusive sneakers.

Nike donated the custom pairs to be auctioned off to benefit Jay-Z's nonprofit, The Shawn Carter Foundation.


Tonight (August 12th), Jay-Z will hit the stage at Radio City Music Hall to launch the World Basketball Festival.



"We're excited to bring together the international prestige of Jay-Z and the USA Team on stage at famed Radio City Music Hall to open the first World Basketball Festival. This will be a historic night," said Trevor Edwards, Nike VP Global Brand and Category Management. "We're also honored to collaborate with Jay-Z on limited edition Air Force 1's that celebrate the countries participating in this inaugural event."

The price for the shoes have already skyrocketed, with bids reaching over $1,000 U.S. dollars as of press time.

ALLHIPHOP.COM

Hyper says career on the rise - still recovering after controversial pictures!

Controversial Dancehall Artiste Lisa Hyper says her musical career has been steadily rising, especially in light of recent success with Nuh Stress Mi Out, a collaboration with veteran dancehall artiste Beenie Man.

The artiste, who is steadily recovering from the impact of the controversial pictures that were circulating with her image in 2009, says that her determination is what keeps her afloat. "I always pray and never lose faith and that always give me the persistence to carry on." She said.

The artiste who has been sidelined by some members of the music industry
since the controversy, says that Beenie Man is a good person, and keeps it strictly business and musical. "Beenie Man gives positive energy and he is all about the music, and nothing will get in the way when it comes to music," she said.

Nuh Stress Mi Out, produced by Sankofa productions, is the third collaboration effort between both artistes, after singles like Nuh Kill Mi and I Am Burning which were released before gaining limited success, according to Lisa Hyper.

great responses

However, Hyper believes that this song will be more successful than the other two due to the great responses she has been getting so far.

"Wi a get good airplay fi di single and people on the streets a tell mi sey dem love it," she said. According to the artiste, a video will be made soon for the single because she intends to go all out with the promotions this time around.

Lisa Hyper, who made it mainstream as a member of the Portmore Empire, says that she met Bennie Man before being fully established.

"Beenie's studio is in Oakland and I was spending sometime there, so I took a walk up there and that's how we met. I deejayed for him and he liked it and we recorded the song Nuh Kill Mi," she recalled.

According to Hyper, the song Nuh Stress Mi Out came about when Beenie Man approached her manager Nuffy and told him that he had a song, and she would be the perfect person to feature in it. Following that development, the link was made and the single was recorded.

The 21-year-old artiste says that her summer is mostly used for rebuilding, and the rest the year is going to be very hectic, starting with her birthday bash in November. She also has a tour lined up for Canada and some other shows overseas.

"The response overseas is great, dem love mi, people come to my shows more than once just to see me perform," she said.

Another new single is also on the way for Hyper called Tell Dem Fi Clear Out on the Clear Out rhythm, and a video release for her group 21 Bad Gal called A Our Time.

THE JAMAICA STAR

I-Octane making musical strides!

Reggae's fastest rising cultural artiste, Byiome 'I-Octane' Muir, is poised to take his career to another level. The artiste boldly staked his claim on Dancehall Night at the recent Reggae Sumfest with a memorable performance and has consistently followed through since, entertaining his fans and silencing all detractors.

Quite in demand leading up to and during the Independence season, the reggae act, who has been chosen by telecoms giant, Digicel, as one of the faces of the Next Generation, performed at Eclipse Summer Invasion in Westmoreland, Mandela Park in St Andrew, Ocho Rios Seafood Festival, the annual Denbigh celebrationsin Clarendon, the Independence show at Ken's Wildflower in Portmore andManchester Fiesta in that parish.

It was at the recent Eclipse Summer Invasion in Negril, that I-Octane again set tongues wagging as he delivered what the audience agreed was a 'big' performance. Coming onstage right after Aidonia, I-Octane went straight into a riveting set as he did songs such as Lose A Friend, My Life, Puff It, Mama and Take A Little Time.

All these singles have been enjoying massive play on radio
and in the dancehall, enabling fans of all ages to sing along with I-Octane word-for-word on many of his songs.

Quite happy at the movement of his career, I-Octane, whose ready smile is part of his charm, noted that he is just doing what he does best, "making good music and entertaining fans".

no-nonsense mood.

And entertaining fans is exactly what he did when he performed on General Degree's Manchester Fiesta on August 7. Taking the stage after many of reggae/dancehall's big names, I-Octane, who was called up by Konshens, was in a no-nonsense mood.

"Nuff man come up here looking forward," he declared, "but I bet I can sing one song and get all five forwards," he challenged the hyped up crowd.

I-Octane then unleashed the songPuff It, whose lyrics contain the word 'forward' several times. The crowd loved it.

With the busy Independence season behind him, I-Octane is looking to spread his wings and land on the international circuit in what is anticipated to be a hectic Christmas season.

THE JAMAICA STAR

Gyptian on 'Billionaire' remix - Singer called up for remake of Travie McCoy's hit single!

Reggae Singer Gyptian is poised for more international success, as he recently did a remix of Travie McCoy's popular song Billionaire.

The song is currently at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and it also landed spots on other charts, including Pop Songs, Yahoo Audio, R&B/Hip Hop Songs, Radio Songs, Digital Songs, Japan Hot 100 and Canadian Hot 100.

Gyptian said he recorded his part late last week after being contacted to do the remix.

"Dem send mi di track and mi just do it and boom bang," he told THE STAR.

With a collaboration of this nature, Gyptian said his career will be propelled even further.

"It good inna real life. It is putting it (career) to another level. It is showing the world that the career is growing; new step, new market, new fan base," he said, noting that no official release date has yet been set for the song.

"I am an international act myself. I am out there and getting to another level," he noted.

Although Gyptian is unsure of why he was chosen to do the remix, he says it may be linked to the success of his song Hold Yuh, which is currently at number 37 on Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop chart after spending 22 weeks there. The song also holds spots on other Billboard charts, including Heatseekers Songs, Canadian Hot 100 and Radio Songs.

In April, popular American rapper Nicki Minaj remixed Hold Yuh without Gyptian's knowledge. Despite this, he admitted that he was pleased with what she did with the song.

"From is promo, it a work. The song sexy, I like what she has done wid it, it nice. Di song is on the Billboard charts and maybe wid dis it go up deh to di highest," Gyptian said.

THE JAMAICA STAR

Vybz Kartel and the Empire head to Bahamas this weekend!

Vybz Kartel and the Portmore Empire will be heading to the island of Bahamas this weekend for a show dubbed 'Sebas Birthday Bash' in Nassau.

"The anticipation is incredibly high on the show, people are looking forward to it, especially since the young people in Bahamas are saying Gaza right now. Even on the talk shows, they are discussing aspects of human sexuality and relationships and they are referencing Kartel's songs," Sebas Bastian, the promoter of the event, told one876entertainment.com

Vybz Kartel and the Portmore Empire performed at last weekend's Manchester Fiesta concert at the Kirkvine Sports Complex, and they will be the headliners of the "Gaza Invasion' at Club Jamaica Jamaica on August 28th.

ONE876ENTERTAINMENT.COM