Reggae News From the Office of Shelah Moody
September 25, 2014
Media Contact:
Rani Shelah Moody
(415) 312-8689
Booking:
Albert "Pretty” Cooke
tourNentertainmment
TOURNENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS CONSCIOUS REGGAE ARTISTS I WAYNE AND BLACK AM I ON TOUR THIS FALL
For Immediate Release:
Sept. 24, Oakland, CA—TourNentertainment is proud to announce the I & I U.S. Tour 2014, featuring two of Jamaica’s hottest roots/reggae performers, acclaimed reggae/dancehall singer I Wayne and Ghetto Youths International protégée Black Am I. The two fiery Rastafarian performers represent the past, present and future of reggae music.
The I & I U.S. Tour 2014 kicks off in southern California on Oct. 22 and wraps up in Jacksonville, FL, on Nov. 29.
I WAYNE BIO
I Wayne is a DJ’s dream. His VP Records produced hits, “Can’t Satisfy Her” “Living in Love” and “Lava Ground” have moved the masses with intoxicating beats and militant lyrics while inspiring love and romance in the dancehall. Throughout his career, I Wayne has demonstrated the ability to touch people at large scale music festivals as well as intimate night spots.
Born Cliffroy Taylor in Portmore, JA, I Wayne was raised by his aunt and her husband, legendary keyboardist Ansell Collins, known for his work with Jimmy Cliff and other artists. I Wayne remembers singing along while Collins played the keyboards. According to the singer, his moniker, I Wayne, derived from his childhood nickname, Dwayne, given to him by his parents.
In Rastafarian culture, I & I represents the oneness between the human and the divine.
I Wayne is also known for his expansive vocal range, which can soar from low tenor to falsetto.
“I would classify myself as a chanter, a singer and a singjay,” said I Wayne. “I don’t limit myself. Sometimes, I blend the three styles on one riddim to create a new sound. I can blend reggae with R&B.”
With his chart topping, soul-infused dancehall anthem, “Can’t Satisfy Her,” I Wayne brought to light the rampant sexual exploitation of women in Jamaica. Partially based on news reports and actual events that took place in his community, “Can’t Satisfy Her” tells the tragic tale of a young woman who went into prostitution to escape poverty and lack of opportunity.
As a photogenic artist with a huge female fan base, I Wayne does not consider himself a reggae sex symbol per se. But he feels that it important to create a balance between being hard core and sensual in his music.
“With females, you know, you have to put some of the harsh vibes aside and deal with it calm,” said I Wayne. “You haffi move like the lava.”
According to I Wayne, his hit politically charged hit, “Lava Ground” is a metaphor for the power of nature and the Most High, and warns people against committing injustice.
“I’m just reminding people that the lava; it’s nature; it’s more powerful than the gun and the knife,” said I-Wayne.
I Wayne glorifies the regenerative power of volcano, which can cause mass destruction when spewing fire, but is also a fertile ground for vegetation; lava rocks can also be turned into beautiful glass and gems.
On the I & I U.S. Tour 2014, I Wayne is looking forward to going back on the road, sharing his energy with his fans and generating new ideas.
BLACK AM I BIO
Rising star Black Am I is a protégée of Damian Marley and Ghetto Youths International. In the summer of 2014, Black Am I performed as one of the opening acts for Damian Marley, performing at large scale music events such as the California Roots Music and Arts Festival in Monterey, CA.
Along with embarking on the I & I U.S. Tour 2014, Black Am I will perform with Shaggy, Etana, Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Tarrus Riley and other reggae greats on the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, hosted by Damian Marley, from Oct. 20-25.
Black Am I was born Owen Davis on Nov. 17, 1984 in Nine Miles, JA, the birthplace of reggae icon Bob Marley. In honor of Robert Nesta Marley, Black Am Ireceived the nickname I-Nesta from his father. He began writing lyrics at age 16 and recorded his first demo CD in 2005. He derived his moniker from his song “Black Am I” the first track he recorded for Ghetto Youths International. The song promotes black pride, solidarity and self-determination.
“The song says that I am black and I won’t be doing certain things like bleaching my skin; and I will stick to my roots and culture,” said Black Am I.
Other notable tracks by Black Am I include “Modern Day Freedom,” and “Sound System.”
Vocally, Black Am I considers himself a singjay; his influences include, naturally, Bob Marley as well as fiery roots reggae artists such as Damian Marley, Tarrus Riley Sizzla Kolonji, Jah Mason and Jah Cure.
“I’ve always wanted to do music could inspire people and could have the kind of impact that Bob Marley’s music has,” said Black Am I. “My message to the youth is to take life serious, and make sure that you know that education is the key. Do what you love and love what you do, and do it to the best of your ability.”
ABOUT TOURNENTERTAINMENT
TourNentertainment, a “meeting place for artists, bands and promoters,” was founded by Albert “Pretty” Cooke, Tressa Wells and Alreca Smith. Cooke, an AR agent, also works as tour manager for P. Diddy, Stephen and Damian Marley, Michael Franti and Spearhead and others.
“The first part of our name says it all-TOUR,” said Cooke. “We book tours. We are focused on cutting wasteful spending, from which neither the artists or the promoters benefit. By being on tour, bands are more accessible. More people hear and see them perform. They have opportunity to sell their records and other merchandise that brings in additional income and keep promotion. Promoters are encouraged to stay in the business of bringing good music to the masses while the bands and artists have the opportunity to deliver their music and other wares. We are the meeting point between the point of origin of music and the point of consumption; our mission is to satisfy the souls and soothe the savage beasts of music lovers and promoters.”
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I WAYNE/BLACK AM I TOUR CONFIRMED DATES AND VENUES
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WORLDBEAT CULTURE CENTER
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SAN DIEGO, CA
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22-Oct
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NEW PARISH
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OAKLAND, CA
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23-Oct
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MOE'S ALLEY
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SANTA CRUZ, CA
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25-Oct
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ZODIAC
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PETALUMA, CA
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26-Oct
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MATEEL CENTER
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REDWAY, CA
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27-Oct
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NECTOR LOUNGE
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SEATTLE, WA
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28-Oct
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JAZZ BONES
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TACOMA, WA
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29-Oct
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HAWTHORNE THEATER
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PORTLAND, OR
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30-Oct
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FOX THEATER
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BOULDER, CO
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2-Nov
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BLUEBIRD
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DENVER, CO
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3-Nov
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BELLY UP
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ASPEN, CO
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4-Nov
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THE STATE ROOM
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT
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6-Nov
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BOTTLENECK
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LAWRENCE, KS
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8-Nov
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JUANITAS
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LITTLE ROCK, AR
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9-Nov
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RECORD BAR
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KANSAS CITY, MO
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12-Nov
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POOR DAVID'S
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DALLAS, TX
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14-Nov
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CANTINA
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AUSTIN, TX
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15-Nov
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CLUB 47
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HUNTSVILLE, AL
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16-Nov
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MOJOES
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JOLIET, IL
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17-Nov
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THE POUR HOUSE
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RALEIGH, NC
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18-Nov
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CANAL CLUB
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RICHMOND, VA
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19-Nov
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WILD HARE
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CHICAGO, IL
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20-Nov
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ALBANY MANOR
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BROOKLYN, NY
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21-Nov
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BB KINGS
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NEW YORK, NY
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23-Nov
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CLUB FETE
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PROVIDENCE, RI
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26-Nov
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REVOLUTION
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FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
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28-Nov
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FREEBIRD
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JACKSONVILLE, FL
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29-Nov
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