Uplifting Reggae.......Lift Up Your Head (Everton Blender)

There are days when we just need to hear a song with a very powerful and positive message to keep us going on the sometimes rough road of life. This song speaks volumes on staying focused in life, having self confidence,living honestly and proudly and not feeding into the negativity around us.
Everton Blender is a Reggae Artist that always produces songs that help us to deal with the challenges of life.


Whatever our challenges are, it is important for us to keep the big picture in mind and not get distracted by the difficulties that life throws on us every now and then. Things work out for the best in the end most times........ And when they don't? Well we still have to keep strong and keep going to overcome the next obstacle that's waiting for us down the road.

Uplifting Reggae ...... You Can Get It If You really want (Jimmy Cliff)

Lately I've been feeling very apprehensive about what the future holds for me. Basically I'm about to quit my job and pack up and move to a different state. I have no definite plans at this moment other than this will be my last summer in New York. I will definitely miss living in New York but I'm ready to experience to joys of living somewhere where its warm year round. However, the possibility of being unemployed for an extended period of time scares me to death....

I have been listening to a lot of uplifting reggae songs lately to keep my spirits high and remain optimistic. This one of my favorite uplifting reggae songs.



You Can Get It If You really want by Jimmy Cliff always makes me feel better after listening to it. It is a simple song with simple lyrics but the message is very strong.I hope everyone who listens to this song remembers it whenever they are going through a difficult time cause.......YOU CAN GET IT IF YOU REALLY WANT.........lol.......whatever "it" is for you.

Cottage In Negril - Duane Stephenson

This song is beautiful. It reminds me of my teenage years growing up in Negril. Young and in love.....those were the sweet old days. I am a bit young to be nostalgic about the good old days but music, reggae music especially has that ability to instantly take you back to moments in your life. This one takes me back to when I felt invincible, when I saw my life as full of possibilities and when I felt that love and relationships were so simple......





Check Duane Stephenson out on youtube....... His latest album is called August own. It is one of those rare ones where every song is actually very good. One that you should definitely purchase.Album of hits!Check him out on myspace. Add Him as a friend to see when he will be performing in your area.
http://www.myspace.com/duanestephenson

Reggae in Pop Culture Series......Bad Boys (Inner Circle)

I heard this song yesterday at the Reebok Grand Prix just as Tyson Gay ran that superb 200m race. Lol..... couldn't help thinking about Usain Bolt as the song played. He would have definitely beat Tyson Gay......

Anyways back to the music. Bad Boys is one of those reggae songs you probably heard before and might have not known that it was a reggae song. The song was first released in Jamaica in the 1980's and then re-released in the early 90's in the US.



Inner Circle - Bad Boys

If you like the video and want to know more about Inner Circle check out their website for more samples of their music, pictures, videos and a terrific bio about the group.
http://innercircle-reggae.com/

My all time favorite song from this group is a very fun, upbeat pop sounding song. every time I watch the video I just want to be partying in Jamaica Spring Break style (beautiful beach, beautiful weather, great music and some sweet rum punch). Here is the link to the video on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kfTuNdku3A

Number 1 (Tide Is High) by Kardinal and Keri Hilson is a Reggae Cover

So this song is very hot. Everyone loves it and the video is great.

Well it is a reggae cover. The original version, "Tide Is High" was written by John Holt and performed by The Paragons with John Holt as lead singer in 1967. This is one of those songs that perfectly illustrates the universal appeal that reggae music has on people. Its been decades since the first release and the lyrics are still relevant to us today. How many songs can we say that about? This recent cover by Kardinal is not the first for this song. It has been covered many times over the years. Chances are that you heard the 1980 cover by Blondie or the pop version by Atomic Kitten in 2002.

Well check out the original version. Couldn't find actual live footage, but I will definitely add a live video later if I find one. This song is reggae in its early years. More specifically called Rock Steady.

Buju Banton challenges Bob Marley

At his recent album release party for 'Rasta Got Soul', Buju Banton sent out this bold statement to the world. “You know they say that the greatest musician in Jamaica is Bob Marley. I don't believe that because we have greater musicians to come. Bob was the most promoted, and well promoted, and we have to appreciate that because it’s our culture. But don't kill our culture… Enough is enough.”

It seems that I along with the rest of the world disagree with Buju's statement.

Enough is apparently not enough. Everywhere I go people equate reggae music with Bob Marley. He has been dead for over twenty years and still has the top selling reggae album worldwide. His song 'One Love' was declared song of the century by the BBC and Time magazine called 'Exodus' album of the millennium.

Well established. Bob Marley is the king of reggae. As for Buju Banton, well he is a talented artist who produces tons of great music. I love his stuff. Here's one of my favourites 'Destiny'. Check him out on youtube.