We had the chance once again to interview the worldwide top celebrity Sean Paul, one of the most famous singers out of Jamaica. He released his album “Live n Livin” last March 2021 produced by his own label Dutty Rock Productions. This album achieved an excellent overall response all over the world and was especially appreciated by reggae and dancehall lovers. The epic album has 16 tracks featuring many Jamaican veteran artists as well as those from the new school: Buju Banton, Bugle, Ward 21, Sotto Bless, Busy Signal, Mutabaruka, Stonebwoy, Masicka, Govana, Intence and many more.
Classe 1993, F.U.L.A., al secolo Oumar Sall, è un italo-senegalese, ultimo di 12 figli. Arriva in Italia a sette mesi con la madre, fuggendo dalla propria patria. Cresce in Calabria, diviso tra la famiglia affidataria e la madre biologica Fatima. Multiformità e Multiculturalismo rappresentano i concetti integranti della sua evoluzione umana e musicale: dalle radici della musica africana agli intenti dei vari cultori Blues, Soul, Reggae, Rap, Jazz, Pop e Rock.“La mia Africa richiama gli aspetti rudimentali della vita, i sentimenti primi e immutabili dell’essere umano, come la gioia e la nostalgia”, dichiara.
Oumar racconta il suo vissuto traducendolo in tematiche oggettive nelle quali ognuno possa riconoscersi e rispecchiarsi. “Nelle mie canzoni si ritrovano spensieratezza consapevole e voglia di rivalsa perenne”, ci spiega.
F.u.l.a. può essere collocato in un ampio movimento culturale ed artistico come quello dell’Afro-Punk. Fra le varie esperienze, ha partecipato all’attivismo nelle università italiane con il “Festival delle Generazioni” ed al programma TV “Siamo Noi” su TV 200 per lo “Ius Soli” nel 2019. Nel 2020 Oumar firma un contratto discografico con l’indie label “La Pop”. Inoltre, prende parte al progetto di crew “Equipe 54” collaborando con alcuni artisti come Tommy Kuti, Yank Real e Slim Gong. 3 mesi fa è uscito il suo singolo ufficiale “Maldafrica”, che ha riscosso un ottimo feedback online.
We interviewed Leighton Paul Walsh, better known by his stage name Walshy Fire via Skype. Grammy Award Winning Jamaican American DJ, MC and producer, Walshy Fire had so many memories to share with us. His musical journey is very long and full of accomplishments. He started with his first sound called Change Disco when he was 18, then he continued to play with Coppershot, Black Chiney and 9 years ago he started his prolific union with the brand Major Lazer. This collaboration made him travel all over the World smashing up every single place. He used a mainstream formula to promote jamaican sonorities and that’s the key of his huge success. Walshy Fire would like to see a different highlight for Jamaican artists internationally like it’s happening right now with his ward Koffee. Not by chance, he got the Grammy to produce her major hit “Toast”.
Gege Vibes team met Sevana during Rototom Sunsplash 2019 after her show on the main stage of the Festival. Sevana has grown a lot in the last year recording some hits like “Nobody’s man”, sharing the stage with some great singers like Protoje, Chronixx and Romain Virgo, traveling all over the world. “It’s a blessing”, she said about her career and she kept repeating it during our interview. Sevana, alongside with Koffee and Lila Ike, is certainly the new wave of this young women’s movement from Jamaica. She also explained how important it is for females in the same business to support each other and not fight each other.
Interviewer: Eugenia Conti Shooting: Andrew Lives Editing: Drummstudio Audio e video owned by: Gege Vibes Magazine Special thanks to: Rototom Radio
Positivity is the main message of Maxi Preacher’s music, new artist from Gambia based in Stockholm (Sweden) but actually living in Napoli (Italy). In the nice locations of La Gaiola Island and Parco Virgiliano, both in Napoli, we interviewed this versatile reggae, dancehall and afro-pop singer deepening in his history from Africa to Europe.
Interviewer Eugenia Conti Shooting Andrew Nah Slave EditingP. Raw
“LoveSick” is the new Romain Virgo’s album, released last March 30 2018 and mainly produced by his manager Niko Browne of LifeLine Music. We already knew that Romain was a talent, but it seems that this time he has improved his artistic skills more. The album, composed of 16 tracks, is a nice tribute to the strongest feeling on Earth : the love. The artist from Saint Ann, Jamaica, talks once again about the sentiment that has the strength to move the World. A lot of important jamaican names gave their credits on this project as Donovan Germain of Vp Records, Dean Fraser, Sting International and more.The LoveSick’s track that really makes me crazy is “Still” onSkyscraper Riddim by Richie Stephens. In “Still” the artist asks her partner if she is still in love with him. The meaning of the song is very beautiful because it shows a Romain Virgo able to express the most sensitive part of himself without filters.
TRACKS
Face To Face
Lovesick
Cruise
In This Together
Day In Day Out
Cannot Close My Eyes
Sweet Liar
Unbreakable
Trouble
Hold On
Will You Be There
Now
Still
Heartbeat
Stay With Me
Caress Me
We followed as Gege Vibes Magazine two shows of the European tour of Romain Virgo: on April 1st in Amsterdam during the event Reggaeville Easter Special and on April 8th in East London at Scala. If the album enchanted us, the live concerts were even better. On the stages the sound was a sweet reggae, contaminated with pop and soul. The melodic voice of Romain was accompanied by his very good band. The audience was involved and passionated in a no-stop show of almost two hours. We also really appreciated the voice of the young female artist in open act Sevana, from Kingston.
At the end of the days, what struck me in a positive way are especially the contents of the album’s themes. Romain addresses the “subject” of the love to the fullest singing about the lost and found ones. This topic may seem something obvious and too used in the songs, but I think that in today’s society is a rarity that young artists still compose lyrics like those. Today it seems that everything is about the money, the success based on the fake appearances and the mere fun. Romain, with LoveSick Album, teaches or reminds people that only when we are in love we could see the things with different eyes transforming the everyday routine into something of unique and unrepeatable.
