Ville Ventures Online May Issue 2015

Chief Editor : Ancil Harris Editor : Neicy Designer : Clifton Harris

@2015 Ville Ventures Online

Black Land is a story of a detective’s journey to survive in a broken world. In 2018 a civil war broke out in Trinidad which claim the lives of thousands of people and eventually the Prime Minister. As a final strike, America send a bomb in the heart of Port Of Spain, which send shock waves throughout the entire country.

Everything around became black, the only color could be seen is red. After the attack, a few government ministers remain trying to restore back the country to its natural state.

But a large group of people know as the “resistance” is determined to rebuild Trinidad and Tobago the way they see fit.

Detective Steven is now caught in the middle between government officials and the resistance.

Written and Directed by : Ancil Harris Starring : Vechenko Noel, Chimere Prince, Chantal James, Neicy Visual effects by : Ancil Harris Additional effects by: Cirus Media Music scores by : Ricardo Dixon and Vechenko Noel Black Land is a 10 part mini-series produced by Ville Ventures Films LTD

Royal Family of Reggae, Morgan Heritage, have released their newest album, Strictly Roots, today. The album, which has been available for pre-order since March 10th, 2015, has reached #2 on the iTunes Reggae Chart, and the first single, “Perform And Done” has received substantial rotation on commercial radio. The album is available in retail stores nationwide including Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. Purchase Strictly Roots on iTunes, here: http://apple.co/1zzk8II or on Amazon, here: http://amzn.to/1OyYCe8.

The sensational roots reggae quintet, which comprises siblings Peetah Morgan (vocals), Una Morgan (keyboard/vocals), Gramps Morgan (keyboard/vocals), Lukes Morgan (rhythm guitar) and Mr. Mojo Morgan (percussion/vocals), is undoubtedly one of contemporary reggae’s most powerful forces on the global stage. Guided by sheer acumen and a passionate desire to make their already rich musical legacy even more impactful, Morgan Heritage, after much deliberation and contemplation, triumphantly delivers their latest album exclusively on their very own label CTBC (Cool To Be Conscious) Music Group.

Strictly Roots features a wide variety of guest performers including platinum selling pop/ dancehall phenomenon, Shaggy; American reggae and R&B vocalist, J Boog; third generation ambassadors from the Morgan and Marley families, Jemere Morgan and Jo Mersa Marley; reggae sensation, Chronixx; lead singer Eric Rachmany from rock, world and reggae band, Rebelution; and Bobby Lee from the American Grammy-nominated pop reggae band, SOJA. Morgan Heritage recently premiered "Wanna Be Loved” (ft. Eric Rachmany of Rebelution) with ThePier.org. On working with Morgan Heritage, Eric Rachmany of Rebelution told ThePier.org, “It‟s an honor to collaborate with Morgan Heritage. In my eyes they are one of the best Reggae bands of all time. Their style is like no other out there and their story is remarkable. They sent me „Wanna Be Loved‟ and I immediately connected with the concept that each and every one simply wants to be loved for who they are.” In addition, Morgan Heritage previously partnered with Billboard.com to premiere the video for their first single, “Perform And Done,” as well as working with Yahoo! Music to premiere “So Amazing,” the second single off the album.

Regarding the album, Una Morgan states, "We are thankful that the first album we've released as an independent label has been received so well. We hope our independent efforts will be an additional example for others to continue follow."

Morgan Heritage, which has established themselves as the premiere live group on the reggae circuit, is currently on tour in support of Strictly Roots. The tour also features third generation ambassador from the Morgan family, Jemere Morgan, as a special guest. In addition, Oxfam, an international confederation of 17 organizations working together with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries, will be on site for select shows on the Strictly Roots tour. Regarding the partnership, Oxfam’s Outreach Project Manager, Bob Ferguson, added, “Oxfam America is pleased to be joining forces with Morgan Heritage and their fans to help right the wrongs of poverty and injustice. Oxfam believes that music can change the world, and we are looking forward to working with The Royal Family of Reggae to help make some positive and real social change." For more information, please visit www.Oxfam.org.

Throughout 2015, Morgan Heritage will be touring in support of Strictly Roots, which was released on April 21st, 2015. Purchase Strictly Roots on iTunes, here:http:// apple.co/1zzk8II

(HDP Agency | MPR Consulting) - No stranger to the limelight, billboard recording artist iakopo is enjoying a popularity resurgence with his latest reggae hit single "Supernatural". Recorded in Jamaica, the track was produced by international reggae star Gramps Morgan (Morgan Heritage) for his popular Dada Son Entertainment label, and is seeing iakopo making his mark on an intercontinental reggae scene.

The chemistry between both stars in and out of the studio has translated into Gramps inviting iakopo to perform on April 26th, 2015 at one of Morgan Heritage's slated shows on the leg of their acclaimed "Strictly Roots" tour in Oakand, California. In a recent releases to the media Gramps stated "I chose to work with iakopo because I believe he represents something very special and has a very unique sound to his vocals that I found very interesting". iakopo proud and humbled by the honor chimed in with"Gramps and Morgan Heritage are some of the artists that have inspired me, to perform alongside of them is an honor". iakopo has been performing most of his life. He performed at clubs in Apia, the capital of Samoa, when he was just in high school. In 2006, he produced and released his first album “Let Your Light Shine,” which he reveals was inspired by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Sizzla. 2008 brought his next self-produced album “Born to Win.” His songs have topped billboard charts, have been in heavy rotation at major radio stations worldwide. and also ranked in on the Nielsen SoundScan. He is the creator of the live event series “Island Fever,” he talks to us about it and more in our exclusive interview: When did you find your talent?

I started playing the piano when I was 3 years old, I enjoyed making my own little songs when I was young. By 7/8 I was writing my own songs and it flourished when I got a guitar at 13.

When and how did your career begin?

I started performing in high school in Samoa after graduation I moved to Hawaii and was making demos under the name "Keys of Creation". In 2009 I received an offer from Universal Japan and that's when my professional music career begin.

Juliet Robin is the daughter of former Director of Culture Melville Robin and Rosalind Robin. She is a musician, vocalist, composer, arranger, producer, teacher and radio host. She is classically trained in string, woodwind and keyboard instruments and specializes in the violin, clarinet and piano. Juliet has been involved with music from the age of 5. At 15 she performed throughout Europe playing the piano and cuatro as part of the band that accompanied a folk choir and at age 17 she was selected to represent Trinidad on a cultural trip to Venezuela to play the violin with the Caracas Youth Symphony Orchestra. She is the winner of several classes in the Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival, including those for composition.

She has performed as a Keyboardist and Vocalist with several bands including Charlie’s Roots, Chandelier, Dr. Roy Cape, Andre Tankar and Mano Marcellin. She played the clarinet, bass, drums and piano with the female jazz band called The Jazz Triple. She is still a member of the jazz band but recently started her own band. Juliet has also performed as a guest Clarinetist with members of the Police Band in a series of concerts.

Juliet has traveled extensively throughout Europe, North America and the Caribbean either as a member of a band or as a soloist, performing at several festivals and carnivals. She also performed privately for former Miss Universe Lara Dutta.

She has provided musical accompaniment for several artists including David Rudder, Destra Garcia, Machel Montano and many popular Jamaican artists. She has worked on an International level, sharing the stage with artists such as Terry Brock from the band Kansas (the original singer of the song “dust in the wind”) and Jarmo Hoogendijk, Jazz Trumpeter from the Netherlands.

Juliet has held the position of Musical Director and Choir Master at various private schools, preparing children for public performances, competitions and examinations.

Juliet was contacted by Jocelyne Guilbault, Professor of Music, French- and English-speaking Caribbean music, Caribbean diasporas in the Americas, theory and method in popular music studies, aesthetics, cultural politics in musical production and circulation, from the University of California Berkeley, to be included in a book entitled “Fifty Years Of Living Music: Saxophonist and bandleader Roy cape form Trinidad.” Juliet was the only female musician to be featured in this book.

Juliet admits that she is proud of the fact that her father was responsible for introducing and teaching many instruments of the symphony orchestra to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

She is currently the co-host of the Indigenous radio program and was one of the indigenous artists that was recently featured on Indigenous Stars in Concert on Synergy TV. Juliet admits that she is excited because she recorded a pan song for 2015 called “Take it higher” It has been getting a fair amount of airplay. As a result of this, she has been contacted by a few other studio owners who expressed interest in her singing their compositions. The result is that she will be recording a variety of different genres although she is currently working on her Latin Jazz CD, which is her first love. Why is she doing all these different styles? She is insisting that she has nothing against vocalists but she wants people to know that many musicians can do even more than vocalists do but rarely get the opportunity. Also they do not get the respect in every aspect that they deserve.

ArimA Uncensored is a hip hop group that boasts of two successful albums. The group was originally formed in the streets of ArimA, which is the borough that is dubbed “Double A� by its now two members Bonty and Don Druma. Before the group ArimA Uncensored emerged, these two artistes came from two separate walks of life before colliding to form this new explosion of music.

Bonty hails from the Congo, ArimA and started rapping in 1997, after one of his closest friends suggested that they should make an attempt at recording an album. He was also the one responsible for introducing him (Bonty) to Hip Hop. His first two albums listened to were BIG's Life After Death and the Lost Boyz Legal Drug Money and to this day they remain two of his most favourite albums. Bonty, after his first song, automatically realized that he had something special. Bonty, soon after, started working in a factory with his sidekick, still writing in their spare time. And to their surprise they would find two other young cats with some zeal and love for the music, and started the group C4, recording on cassette with tape decks over instrumentals. This was their love, or at least for a while. As time passed by, interests died. Some members left, some simply stopped rhyming, including Bonty. Until one day he came across this rapper by the name of Dillagent. Dilla had heard some of Bonty's work and liked what he heard. Dillagent was a member of an enormously populated crew of dudes by the name of Master Minds. He introduced Bonty to these rappers who automatically felt his style. And just like that, Bonty was now a Master Minds member for some years before realizing that most of them just were not serious. So he decided to form his own thing within ones he felt were more dedicated to the music. So Bonty held a small meeting with Dillagent and Don and they then formed ArimA Uncensored. The name ArimA Uncensored was formed off of two simple reasons. One was the fact that they all hailed from ArimA and the other was that they all had a certain grimy way of lyrical expression.

Dillagent not too long after started recording Soca though. After reasonably decent responses he decided to leave the rap game to divert more time to his Soca career, leaving Bonty and Don to carry on ArimA Uncensored. ArimA Uncensored is now one of the most lyrical, expressive and diverse groups in all of Arima (and Trinidad). Bonty is a humble yet aggressive individual. He is a funny, yet serious cat. He prides himself in how real he is. He spits nothing he or his people have not done or he does not know about. A literally real brother with the love of the Most High in his heart and the knowledge of the streets in is mind

Don Druma hails from Pinto Rd, ArimA and started rapping in 1996 as a street side freestyler in the borough of ArimA, where he met with other rappers from Maloney and formed a group called Phalanx. He was heavily influenced by music from Wu Tang clan and mostly underground artistes around the 90’s golden era of rap. Phalanx recorded many tracks produced by Alan Brizan in the Sound Basin studio in Maraval. He was the youngest in that group so the experience helped him develop into a supreme lyricist. He met Dillagent, who was an original member of ArimA Uncensored, while street rhyming. Dilla of course went on to record Soca music. Because of Don’s love for freestyle battling Dillagent introduced him to the Master Minds crew, who would go around from club to club winning battles and performing. This is where Don met Bonty. This group had over ten members and was headed by Bongles from Laventille After the group disbanded, ArimA Uncensored was born and continued to pursue excellence even in Dillagent’s absence. Don Druma now also partakes in freestyle battles in the Third World Battle League hosted by Keno Nocturn, which can be viewed online.

Java was a later addition to the group. Both Bonty and Don met her in ArimA Her sugar coated, raspy voice contributed to the jazzy feel of the songs she featured on both albums. She is also a rapper and is off the radar for now, as she is pursuing other aspects of life.

ArimA Uncensored’s first album was released in 2009. Named “Double A Means ArimA”, it is a gem that was recorded in several studios and executive produced by Prospec of Prospec Entertainment. Over 500 copies were sold both hand to hand and also at Chromatic’s Highway Records, Curepe, which is now non-existent. The song “Just Another Day” was a hit and its video gained rotation on both Synergy and Tempo. The rap duo also made an appearance on Synergy to promote the video. This can be viewed online. Another video was also done for the track called “Doh Die” featuring Make It Hapn. Another hit track was “Why You Hatin” featuring Java, which received rotation on 94.1 FM and 99.1 FM. The track “Slang Talk” explained Trinidad’s dialect slangs and was a people’s favourite. This album is now only available via the two artistes.

The group’s second album released in 2013, was named “Crossroads to Success (Return of the Kings)”, which is currently a street hit. It has already sold over 1200 copies and the numbers are still climbing. This album is only available through hand to hand sale from the two artistes themselves. The group worked with the same slate of producers from the first album, inclusive of a Mustapha (Kambio Goves). The song “I’m in Love” featuring Java, was aired on 99.1 FM. Other songs which were in rotation on 99.1 FM from this album were “Turn It Off” featuring Java and “Maturity”, which is Bonty’s solo effort on the album that inspired another music video which is well received online. Another well received online video is that of a track titled “Hard Local”. The album definitely shows the group’s maturity in terms of lyrical content and concepts. Even the music sounds more classical and instrumental. The album has a mellower vibe when compared to the first album. The album features other well known acts such as John John and Chromatics among others.

ArimA Uncensored have performed throughout Trinidad and Tobago, so it should be noted that Don Druma can be reached on Facebook to keep you informed on upcoming events. A third album is in the making entitled “Edutainment” because of the merge of enlightening yet entertaining lyrics. In general, ArimA Uncensored’s music is positive, conscious, but yet grimy and street. The two albums make an excellent addition to any music collection.

This group is worthy of checking out.

VILLE VENTURES - ‘ARTISTE OF THE MONTH’ Featuring

Contact Info:

‘WHITNEY CUMMINGS’

#WhitneyCummings (Songbird_Whitney)

What sparked your interest in music? My interest in music began at a very young age, seven. At the time, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion were all hits. I use to mimic their singing and then I started singing in church. I knew from that moment this is what I want to do.

What is your favourite genre of music and why? My favourite genre of music is R&B/ Soul, because I feel it allows me to tap into my own emotions and really express how I feel.

Who are some of your musical roles models and why? My favourite role models are Whitney Houston, Cece Winnans, Mariah Carey, Deborah Cox, Toni Braxton and Tamia, because they have had an influence on helping me develop my own style.

Where do you see yourself musically in the next two (2) years? In the next two years, I hope to release an album & begin touring the world with my team behind me.

What motivates you to keep going, even when you’re faced with obstacles? Even when there are obstacles

One Jam recording artiste Abby Dallas is gearing up to release the music video for her latest single He’s just NOT into You, which has been enjoying strong rotation on radio. The video, which was recently shot in New York, was directed by Frank Blenman and Oxxygen, the same duo that directed the video for Dallas’ highly regarded reggae ballad From My Heart, which has been a fixture on several popular music video programs. According to Abby, “I had a great time on the shoot and right now we are just putting the final touches on the video, which is looking amazing so far.“ Dallas has also been raising her visibility on the live stage. She gave a solid performance at the St. Catherine Jamboree a few weeks ago and followed that up with another strong display at the Montpelier Agricultural Show, which featured Dexta Daps and Demarco, over Easter Weekend. She explained, “People should just expect to hear and see more of Abby Dallas in the coming months as mi a tun up mi thing this year. I have some wicked new songs that we are finalizing to release for the summer so my expectation is that all reggae/ dancehall fans will know my name by the end of summer.”

FASHION101 with Neicy: ‘BRINGING OUT THE FASHIONISTA IN YOU’

By Nekisha Cyrus (NEICY) As Oscar Wilde said it best- “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” So here is this month’s tip to assist you on that journey.

BEING RESPONSIBLEE IS KEY- One of the mistakes we fashionistas tend to make often is shopping outside of our budget, for whatsoever reason, whether we are trying to keep up with our peers, or we simply lack discipline. I am sure we all have our personal list of expenses, some more important than others. So we need to be responsible enough and prioritize. This helps us to ensure that our needs are well taken care of before we focus on our wants. Yes, our image is very important! Especially if you are involved in entertainment like I am.

However, would you rather have the latest pair of shoes at the expense of not paying your school fees or investing in your future? Come on Fashionistas, Be smart! Although expressing ourselves through fashion is a very essential part of our lives, so is being responsible enough for your overall well-being. Ensure that all the crucial areas of your life are being paid attention to. Take care of your business first and when that’s all over- ‘It’s Shopping Time’- treat yourself and have a ball, but prioritise and be responsible enough to separate your wants from your needs J ‘NEICY Official’

Fashion101: STAR Model Treseya Kanesha King (23 years) (Print/Runway/Promotional Model - 4 years)

Fashion101: STAR Model Treseya Kanesha King (23 years) (Print/Runway/Promotional Model - 4 years)