YARDVIBEZ MAGAZINE & PROMOTION

Every great army must have a leader. For the southern Rap movement, Bigga Rankin sits at the head of the round table. A destiny which has taken over two decades to manifest, Bigga Rankin is one of the most decorated record breakers in the music industry. His journey began in the early 80s, where Bigga electrified the Reggae clubs of Chicago with his influential voice and magnetic energy. These characteristics soon expanded into the realm of R&B and Hip Hop when Bigga moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1986. The founder and CEO of Cool Runnings DJs would forever leave his mark on the city as the #1 club promoter and radio personality. But local stardom wasn’t enough. Eventually he would be called to duty all across the U.S., even spreading his street gospel to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Island of Curacao.Thousands of fans have danced to Bigga Rankin’s shows during BET’s Spring Bling, Black College Reunion (Daytona), Florida Football Classic (Orlando), Come Together Day (Jacksonville), Memorial Day Weekend in Miami, several Super Bowl events, and many more.He’s toured with Rap music’s biggest names including T.I., Young Jeezy, Juvenile, 8Ball & MJG, Lil Wayne, Trick Daddy, Lil John, Notorious B.I.G., Rick Ross, Wayne Wonder, and a host of others. Bigga Rankin’s trendsetting ear gave way to one of the most powerful mixtape explosions in the south: the Real Nigga Radio mixtape series.

To date, RNR mixtapes have birthed a host of classic projects, including The Best of Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane’s Trap Money and From Zone 6 to Duval, Lil KeKe & Blood Raw’s My Testimony, 5 Deadly Venoms featuring Rich Boy, Plies, Yo Gotti, Trae, and Lil Boosie. But it was Yo Gotti’s Cocaine Muzik that catapulted Bigga Rankin to the top of the mixtape hosting chain. In just five days of being released, the project amassed over 10,000 downloads and continues growing to this day.As VP of the Hittmenn DJs, President of Slip-N-Slide Streets, CORE DJ member, Real Nigga Radio CEO, and several other affiliations, Bigga holds a lot of power in his hands. Not only does he use his credentials to break artists he believes in, he also gives back to the up-and-comers during his annual Diamond Awards (formerly known as The Ghetto Grammys).

 A highly anticipated ceremony, the Diamond Awards recognizes not only the biggest celebrities in the South, but also the people behind them. A proven A&R both regionally and nationally, Bigga Rankin has been awarded countless accolades including Ozone Magazines Entertainer of the Decade (2000), Upstart Record Pool’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2001), TJs DJs Tastemaker Award (2003), Seagrams Gin DJ of the Year (2004), Hood Magazine’s On-The-Grind Award (2005), Florida Entertainment Summit’s Record Breaker of the Year (2005), and TJs DJs Hustler Award (April, 2006). He’s graced the cover of OZONE Magazine twice, and has also appeared in The Source Magazine, Hood Magazine, The Hole, and several other publications.Though he has a resume many would consider beyond complete, there is still one goal Bigga Rankin has yet to attain: releasing a platinum artist. In 2008, Bigga Rankin was given the opportunity to achieve his dream when he was made the President of Big Spenda Entertainment. The Miami label is home to Papa Duck and Rarebreed, proven artists that Bigga stands behind 100%.With a lifetime of achievements behind him, and a legion of loyal soldiers, Bigga Rankin continues to conquer new territory. It is a legacy in the making, one of a true leader.

 

Marion "Lady Saw" Hall, born 12th of July in Saint Mary, Jamaica, is known primarily as gThe Queen of the Dancehall". She is the first female deejay to win a Grammy Award and to be certified a triple-platinum artist. She is also the first woman to headline dancehall shows outside her native Jamaica. Marion was born in the summer of 1972 in Galina, parish of Saint Mary... 
At the age of 15, she took the name Lady Saw after the famous Jamaican Deejay Tenor Saw, whose style she is said to emulate. She quit a sewing job at The Free Zone on the outskirts of Kingston to pursue music full time. Similar to other Jamaican artists, Lady Saw started her career on local sound systems. Lady Saw is an artist with the abilities to deliver the goods and did so from day one till present! She is, and has for the last 15   years been the number one femaledancehall star. Following her release from VP Records, Marion formed her own independent label called, Divas Records! Now in a partner-ship with Toasting Music, she will be releasing her newest album entitled, gMy Wayh on September 7, 2010.  Addition-ally, Saw is currently working on a project featuring works from her alter ego eMarion Hallf which will be released in 2011.  Look out for both of these projects because the Queen is back and she means business! Saw is mother to three adopted children, two sons and one daughter and her favorite activities include cooking, gardening, and taking care of her children. Dancehall Queen, Lady Saw (Marion Hall), has announced the release of her first album since 2007, "My Way," due out on September 7th, 2010 through new partnership with Toasting Music, alongside her label Diva Records, distributed by Fontana/Universal. Jamaican-born Reggae singer and "Queen of Dancehall," Lady Saw was the first female DJ to win a Grammy Award, and the first female to be certified triple platinum as a result of her work on No Doubtfs "Underneath It All" in 2003 after reaching #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Saw also received gold certification for her work "Smile" with Vitamin C. Previous releases "Lover Girl," "Give Me A Reason," and "Passion," paved the way for her best-selling album, "Raw, the Best of Lady Saw" in 1998, which received four and a half stars by AMG.

My friends call me Shugga , because Im just cool with it, laughs Cherman James, the 23 year-old Fire Raq Productions recording artist. Now its just shugga cherm. Born July 10, 1985 in Jamaica, Shuggas native dancehall and reggae music has provided a solid foundation for his future career objective: joining the ranks amongst the worlds best dancehall artists. Like that of many artists, Shuggas childhood was steeped in music. I’ve always been drawn to music I always knew I had to be in this; be in it as an artist or producer... I want to be in this I dont ever want to leave it, passionately states Shugga. Raised in a large closely-knit family, Shugga was first introduced to music by his uncle, who played bass guitar in a band. While his first love was soccer, his passions soon turned to dancehall reggae. Shugga is inspired most by those closest to him namely his brother and friends, but the likes of Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Sizzla, Buju Banton and Capleton have provided musical inspiration and current influences include crossover reggae sensations Damian Marley and Sean Paul. Shugga began honing his skills as a dancehall artist over 6 years ago, when he started deejaying at local parties in Brooklyn; a craft he continues to develop. Thus far, Shugga has not only recorded several solo tracks, including Push it Up, but hes also recorded tracks such as Girl You Too Bad, with reggae artist Half Pint and Sotti Records , hip-hop diva Dia as well as Bad Man with Wu-Tang Clan affiliate, Killah Priest. Shugga is tremendously serious about his work and his sincerity is projected in his music. My style is Undefined ... theres no limit I take it to them straight, boldly states Shugga. Self-described as being severely creative, Shugga capitalizes on his precise knowledge of other reggae artists technique. Listening to their music, isolating and assimilating the nuances of their style, Shugga has contrived a highly original and innovative signature sound. Wanting to be totally involved in the production of his work, Shugga does some of the leg work himself. I look for beats that fit me, or Ill just make my own, states Sugga. Whether hes recording at home or at Sotti Studios, Shugga writes his own lyrics and creates his own beats, which he passes to producer and CEO of Sotti Records, Fabrizio Sotti to perfect. When asked how he feels about reggaes current heat makers, Shugga humbly states, Sean Paul and Elephant Man took it to another level. Theyve opened doors and whatever doors they open, I can go in.

 A new artist has emerged on the reggae seen. This artist is " Ryan Conscious ". Ryan is a native of Jacksonville Florida a city with a vast cultural mix. Starting out involved in the Hip Hop culture Ryan wrote his first rap song at age 12. Performed his first show at age 13 at a talent show at school. In early 1995 Ryan recorded his first song " Everlasting " which was a big local hit. Later that year Ryan took a trip to Jamaica with a youth group from his church. This was a turning point for Ryan after being exposed to the culture it stuck with him.  Ryan took many other trips to Jamaica and fell in love with Reggae, and the Island Culture. On one of these trips Ryan reasoned with a Rasta Elder which gave him the name
" Conscious " and the name stuck. Ryan recently returned to music scene after a 10 year break from other business endeavors. And started to write and perform music again. Ryan is working on many new tracks off his upcoming album. Ryan seems to amaze the skeptics with his music and live performances. Look out for more singles and video releases from this talented conscious artist.