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Meagan Simone will be performing at the 5th Annual Virginia Reggae Awards. She will be the first female solo artist to performs at the awards since it started 5 years ago.

Meagan Simone will be performing at the 5th Annual Virginia Reggae Awards. She will be the first female solo artist to performs at the awards since it started 5 years ago. Meagan is also nominated for the new artist award. The Awards will be held on Sat 12th May 2012. Check Out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6Tdh-YImAI

Willpower (Will Bowditch) will be performing at the 5th Annual Virginia Reggae Awards. Will is nominated in the new artist category. The Awards will be held on Sat 12th May 2012. Check Out Will http://www.reverbnation.com/willitsbowditch

More Artist to come

Meagan Simone will be performing at the 5th Annual Virginia Reggae Awards. She will be the first female solo artist to performs at the awards since it started 5 years ago.

Meagan Simone will be performing at the 5th Annual Virginia Reggae Awards. She will be the first female solo artist to performs at the awards since it started 5 years ago. Meagan is also nominated for the new artist award. The Awards will be held on Sat 12th May 2012. Check Out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6Tdh-YImAI

Willpower (Will Bowditch) will be performing at the 5th Annual Virginia Reggae Awards. Will is nominated in the new artist category. The Awards will be held on Sat 12th May 2012. Check Out Will http://www.reverbnation.com/willitsbowditch

More Artist to come

Thank you for participating in phase one of the
V.R.A’s, but it’s not over as yet.

Thank you for participating in phase one of the
V.R.A’s, but it’s not over as yet.

Vote Now at http://virginiareggaeawards.com

Promoter's Award
Quiva Productions
Mega blast
Lion Heart promotions

Producer's Award
Boogie  – Baby Girl
Chris Peanut Whitley- Mighty Jahshua
S.G. Lewis – New Roots

Sound System Award
DJ Bad Joe
Love People
Jr Mixx

Va. Reggae Ambassador Award
Ever-G
Tuff Lion
Ras Attitude

Favorite Song Award
Ras Puma – When the morning comes
Dub City Renegades – Fyah
Crucial Elements – Spark it up

Favorite Album Award
Dub City Renegades – Self-Titled
Natures Child – The First Supper
The Ambassador – New Roots

Favorite Band Award
Natures Child
Dub City Renegades
United Souls

Media award
TheDubSide.com
Slam Video Magazine
Sam McDonald (Daily Press)

New Artist Award
Mighty Joshua
Meagan Simone
WillPower

Favorite Artist Award
Ever G
Ras Attitude
Akshan 

It may have been frigid and drizzling outside, but January 21, 2012 sparked a fire inside of the legendary Hampton Coliseum – a fire that has the ability to spread for years to come.

By: Jeremy Sanchez

It may have been frigid and drizzling outside, but January 21, 2012 sparked a fire inside of the legendary Hampton Coliseum – a fire that has the ability to spread for years to come. The first ever Hampton Reggae Festival brought local and international acts to fans from across Virginia, for a reggae party that was an experience to cherish. Bands often unite for a good show, but rarely does such a large musical family unite in a spirit of togetherness. As performer Ras Puma said during a talk with the audience, this festival was more of a family reunion than a simple day of music, and those who shared in the day’s vibrations were bathed in love.

The talent ran deep and wide, featuring more than just the main-stage highlights. The first of the day’s mix of music came from the Hampton City Schools Steel Drum Ensemble. It was inspiring to see that the Hampton Public School System backs such a group! Their young hands skillfully drummed out a list of recognizable tunes, one of their more notable being Bob Marley’s “One Love” – a perfect selection to fit the event’s irie meditation.

A sample of the talent appearing on the multiple side stages included the World Drummers drum circle with Arthur Lopez, a “Tribute to Vinyl” DJ set with DJ Barry and the Conscious Brothers (other DJs woven between the bands included DJ Jerseygoodas and regional heavyweight DJ Badjoe), a reggae karaoke session featuring some of the crowd giving their best efforts on the microphone, and a set by Willits Bowditch (also appearing on the main stage) with his acoustic guitar-driven songs. There was no lack of entertainment (including an indoor skate park!) and delicious ital food; all one had to do was take a few steps and something was sure to keep them smiling.
The main stage was witness to the finest talent Virginia’s reggae scene has to offer. Performing under the name of Royal Nyabinghi Drummers, first on stage was a collective of some of the region’s well-known musicians in an inspirational binghi session to get everyone’s hearts pumping. Royal Nyabinghi Drums are hand made by two of the group’s key performers, Young Lion and Gene Selah.

The bands flowed heavy, and they kept the crowd’s collective feet shuffling. Virginia’s best offered its blessings through undeniably talented groups. Antero displayed musical diversity in its creative arrangements, Crucial Elements’ vocal harmonies were elegant and thoughtful, Session Rockers dropped some of the day’s thickest dubs, and United Souls brought the party to the venue. A chain of singers performing under the name of Three the Hard Way (Ever-G, Ton A Hope, Junior Blessings) exploded in a show of diversity, and Nature’s Child displayed concise talent that ended in a crowd sing-a-long of Bob Marley’s “One Love”.

Once they took the stage for a blessed set of performances, Stable Roots never left, starting off with a talent showcase featuring four artists in succession: Mighty Joshua (an undeniably skilled vocalist), Ever-G (his talent earning him a second appearance on stage), Ras Puma (a lyrically uplifting man who never disappoints and who tours with musical giants, Thievery Corporation), and Corey Harris (an internationally-known blues and reggae pillar).In a show of endurance, the Stable Roots band never stumbled, and their time on stage was topped with reggae talent of legendary proportion. The day’s three crowd-pleasing capstone sets included the world-renowned crooning talent of The Itals’ Keith Porter, the long-lived energetic ferocity of The Meditations, and Culture’s enduring flame, as kept alive by Kenyatta Hill.

Made a reality by the collaborative minds of the Buckroe Beach Reggae Community, Virginia Reggae, Hampton Pipe and Tobacco, and the operators of the Hampton Coliseum, the first Hampton Reggae Festival went down without any complications. As the festival grows and word of mouth spreads, the future can only get bigger and brighter. No matter how large this spirited festival is destined to become, the first one only comes around once, and those who battled through freezing rain to find a spot on the dance floor can rejoice for their efforts. They were a part of something bigger than themselves, something that rings eternal. They were a part of a family united for a day, and the world rarely sprouts anything as beautiful or more destined to bear future fruit.

Today is the official start of the the 5th annual Virginia Reggae Awards season. Please support the Reggae music and talents coming out of Virginia.

Today is the official start of the the 5th annual Virginia Reggae Awards season. Please support the Reggae music and talents coming out of Virginia.
The Virginia Reggae Awards is a two part process. Part one is the submission stage.

Over the next few weeks and months we will be posting information and asking for your support in various fields.
We hope that with your help we can make our artist feel love from their home base.

Visit http://www.virginiareggaeawards.com/ to submit or vote.
IRIE!!!

Here’s a call to bands trying to live a life that they love. All I can do for a band is offer humble suggestions, but there are a few ingredients that I’ve seen help bands stay alive and employed in this tough way of life.

By: Jeremy Sanchez

Here’s a call to bands trying to live a life that they love. All I can do for a band is offer humble suggestions, but there are a few ingredients that I’ve seen help bands stay alive and employed in this tough way of life. I’ve seen these ingredients work for bands, and I’ve seen the absence of these ingredients make bands fade into memory. None of these guarantees success, but they seem to be some basic building blocks for grabbing a good foothold on the climb up the mountain of growth and achievement.

Step one isn’t a suggestion; it’s a rule that seems obvious enough. Partner with highly talented people. There’s no way around this rule, and most self-respecting bands feel as though they’ve been lucky enough to find these kinds of exceptional partners. I’m not saying people should avoid playing an instrument/singing simply because they aren’t skilled enough for the big stage. All people should have a creative outlet, but some of us should just play alongside our friends because we feel the need to be in the rhythm; there doesn’t have to be an audience to love playing. Becoming a professional musician requires developing a trained set of skills; some are just more naturally gifted than others, as in all things.

Now, on to things often overlooked. Step two is as important as step one; make music with people you love. Otherwise, when times get tough (small turnouts, broken equipment, cancelled gigs) it’s going to be that much harder to fight on to play another day. You must feel and live as a family unit. Take care of one another, and play passionately.

Step three hurts; gig as often as possible, and be driven to play for the simple joy of playing with the guarantee of little to no money, for a long time… Sometimes you’re just going to have to play for exposure. Being in a band isn’t an easy way to make a living (everyone would do it) so you have to expect to give a lot more than you’re going to get back, at least for a while. Most bands have to go through this struggle for longer than they can bare, but building an obsessive and supportive fan base requires focused passion, effort, and time.

Step four is a step that many bands fail to make a habit, and it’s so necessary if you want to keep people coming to your shows; practice until you cannot get your songs out of your head. This is a good way to wrap up my short list of suggestions, because it’s as much of a foundational requirement as the first rule. You should wake up dreaming of those songs you want your audience to make a part of their lives; practice so much that you dream of practicing. If you’re not dedicated, how can anyone else be expected to crave your efforts.

Please, don’t take my words as preachy. I’m certainly no expert. In this line of discussion, who is? I’m just a man who loves to be around living and breathing music. I just want worthy bands to succeed and to play until they no longer have the means to continue. Too many bands die because their lottery numbers don’t hit soon enough. Living a life fueled by one’s desires should be about more than making a quick dollar or playing to packed houses. Living a life fueled by one’s desires is about being lucky enough to share one’s efforts with those willing to love you for them. If that’s not enough to keep you playing, you’re likely to wear thin long before the doors of monetary success are going to open wide. Play because that’s what you’re driven to do, and hope that time sees fit to bless your hard work.

On sat the 12 of November, I had a short conversation with Dutch B. It was a happy but sad. I do not if any of you are aware of his situation so I will take this time to give you an idea.

On sat the 12 of November, I had a short conversation with Dutch B. It was a happy but sad one. I do not know if you are aware of his situation so I will take this time to give you an idea.

During the early hours of June 10th, 2010, Dutch B was picked up at his home and is currently being held by I.C.E at a facility in New Mexico. He was picked up based on an unfortunate situation that had transpired over fifteen (15) years ago. He paid the price for that error and accepted his punishment after which he stood as a role model to many and has not ran afoul of the law since.

On behalf Mr Bailey, his family and friends and especially his children, we ask that anyone who can do anything to rectify the situation to please stand up and do so immediately! Dutch B served in the United States Armed Forces honorably. He is a Gulf War Veteran and was part of the effort to bring democracy to the Middle East. He defended the American way of life and its people. Now, he needs the american people to help him to stay in the country he loves and served.

He has served the Caribbean and Reggae communities in the media as a radio DJ at 88.1 Fm’s Reggae extravaganza, on 91.1 WNSB and as a DJ at many venues around Hampton Roads. Dutch B is one of the people who set the table from which many of us now eat as entertainers in the musical field.

We all know Dutch B to be a caring, helpful member of our society, so we must do everything within our rights to make sure that he is treated fairly and consequently be allowed to return to his family and community as soon as possible. We trust that one of you or all of us as a group can expedite this process. Let us keep him in our thoughts as we act on his behalf.

Dutch be has asked that I give you his love and in return he ask that we remember his good deeds! He is only allowed one(1) hour of each day to go out and see the sun, something which most of us take for granted. I hope you can find that soft spot within yourselves to do something for Dutch B.

Please call or write your Congressmen, tv stations, radio stations, newspapers or anyone that will listen on behalf of Howard Dean Bailey aka Dutch B. I and team Virginia Reggae have taken this step to alert you his friends!

By Seko Blackstarliner

Below is his district representative:
J. Randy Forbes
Chesapeake District Office
505 Independence Parkway, Suite 104
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 382 – 0080
(757) 382 – 0780 (fax)
Hours of Operation: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday
Chesapeake District Office Staff
Serving Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Isle of Wight County.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity (January 21, 2012, from 12 AM until 9:30 PM) to be a part of the first Hampton Reggae Festival!

Don’t miss out on your opportunity (January 21, 2012, from 12 AM until 9:30 PM) to be a part of the first Hampton Reggae Festival! Hampton, Virginia’s celebrated Hampton Coliseum will be in an irie mood during this all-ages, family-friendly event. The Buckroe Beach Reggae Festival committee, teamed with Virginia Reggae, is excited to be in this notable venue, offering a range of musical entertainment that represents the best of both international and regional talent.

Featured artists include Culture (with Kenyatta and Albert), The Meditations, The Itals, Stable Roots (featuring a showcase with Ras Puma), Corey Harris, Ever G, Mighty Joshua, Iron Lion, Little Hero, Session Rockers, Nature’s Child, United Souls Band, Crucial Elements, and Antero. DJs (Conscious Brothers, DJ Badjoe, DJ JerseyGoodas, Trendsetters, Surge P) will also be in the house to keep the massive moving. Come and be a part of this unforgettable experience, in a spirit of family, as Virginia’s reggae community joins with world-renowned reggae legends to inspire your dancing feet and to prove that Virginia knows how to throw a funky reggae party.

Article written by Jeremy Sanchez

The first Virginia Reggae Run took place at Sandy Bottom Nature Park and was a grand success! Family and friends of all ages showed up bright and early and ready to run/walk on what turned out to be a “just right” kind of day.

The first Virginia Reggae Run took place at Sandy Bottom Nature Park and was a grand success! Family and friends of all ages showed up bright and early and ready to run/walk on what turned out to be a “just right” kind of day.
Registration began at seven a.m. everyone who registed recieved a 2011 Virginia Reggae Rub T-shirts and a goodie bag. Goodie bags were filled with healthy snacks, a seven day free gym memberships, CD donations from various Virginia artist such as Ever-G, USB, Jaewar, DJ Phil just to name a few.

The run/walk began at eight a.m. sharp with females ages sixteen plus.
The race started off to the sounds of Nyabingi drumming, lots of cheering, and marathon runner Michele Harden leading the way. Everyone also received a medal of completion upon crossing the finish line.

We were enhanced with knowledge of a proper raw and vegan way of life from Karen Cooper founder & CEO of GuRaw. Zumba instructors Frenchy, Nadia & Lora dazzled us with twist, turns and jumps. There was drumming and dance by Urban Sound Entertainment. An acappella performance from Virginia Reggae Award’s favorite artist of the year Ever-G. A Trader Joe recycled bag filled with a load of healty treats raffled off and so much more that you will just have to be there next year to see.

It was a great event with an awesome turn out; irie vibes, smiling faces, and youths everywhere ready for a new start in health.

Reggae music is one of the only genres of music where healthy lifestyles is promoted. Virginia Reggae has teamed up with West Indies United in an effort to keep fitness in focus as part of the reggae message by staging this 1 mile run/ walk event.

Reggae music is one of the only genres of music where healthy lifestyles is promoted. Virginia Reggae has teamed up with West Indies United in an effort to keep fitness in focus as part of the reggae message by staging this 1 mile run/ walk event.

We are one of many organizations who are taking up the get fit challenge. We hope that, The Virginia Reggae Run and 1 mile fun walk will encourages everyone to join in this effort to get our families, friends and our communities fit and healthy!

Please sign up to participate. We are also seeking volunteers, sponsors and donors!

http://virginiareggaerun.com/