Kingston, JA/New York, NY, June 10, 2006: Dancehall artists Bling Dawg , Vybz Kartel, and Wayne Marshall—collectively known as Tristate—are ready to take a stand with the ‘Poor People’s Governor,’ legendary deejay Bounty Killer, against poverty in Jamaica’s eastern parish of St. Thomas on August 26 th.
Part of an all star line up that includes newly signed Bad Boy recording artist Elephant Man, Busy Signal, Mavado, Idonia, Ce’Cile, Wayne Wonder, Richie Stephens, Alozade, and Capleton, alongside Hip Hop’s Terror Squad diva Remy Ma and turntable scientist Green Lantern from the U.S., Tristate will be performing at Goodyear Oval for the revival of Saddle to the East, Bounty’s signature charity stage show returning after a five-year hiatus.
Saddle to the East 2006 is a collaboration between the ‘Five Star General’ and Upliftment Jamaica, a not-for-profit organization providing education, health, housing, and other necessary services for disadvantaged communities in Jamaica, namely St. Thomas, one of the island’s most rural and impoverished parishes. Proceeds from the show will go toward Upliftment’s education programs to improve academic training and structure, furnish teaching materials and supplies, and re-build playgrounds in St. Thomas ‘s under-funded schools.
“It is a very good gesture on behalf of Killer to align the show with Gary Foster and Upliftment Jamaica,” states Wayne Mitchell, better known by his stage name Wayne Marshall. “We have always endorsed Upliftment and now it is great that we can have an event with them, to directly contribute to their cause. Kudos to Killer for making that link.”
Marshall is particularly psyched about the highly anticipated event, looking forward to a stage show which he predicts will be one of the principal concerts for 2006.
” St. Thomas needs to be ready for the musical onslaught of one of the biggest shows for the year,” exclaims Marshall. “As the concept suggests, this year we will literally be saddling to the most eastern parish and giving the fans one of the most explosive packages in Dancehall.”
He adds, “on behalf of the Tristate, we want everybody to know we will all be saddling to the East with the ‘Warlord.'”
Marshall and his fellow Tristate deejays will also be performing in the tri-State area for the New York launch of Saddle to the East on August 20th in the Bronx . Presented by Alliance Promotions, the Saddle to the East Launch Party features the Five Star General Bounty Killer, Idonia, Mavado, and Marlon Binns, in addition to tri-fold lyrical massacre of Marshall, Kartel, and Bling Dawg.
ABOUT SADDLE TO THE EAST
Bounty Killer, whose given name is Rodney Price, has been dominating the dancehall scene since the 90’s with a unique rapid-fire delivery and hard-hitting tunes like “Coppershot,” “Anytime,” and “Look.” His 1996 album My Xperience spent 6 months at the top of the Billboard Reggae Chart and 2 months on the Billboard Top Albums Chart. In 2001, he reached number 5 on Billboard Top 200 with “Hey Baby” which he recorded with rock/punk band No Doubt. He initiated Saddle to the East in 1999 in an effort to rally the entertainment sector to give back to the community. Originally held during Christmas season, the moderately priced show gives less fortunate populations the opportunity to see the biggest and best names in Jamaican music, while the proceeds are donated to schools and charities in the country’s inner-city communities.
ABOUT UPLIFTMENT JAMAICA
Upliftment Jamaica is a U.S. non-profit organization with a base in the rural community of White Horses in St. Thomas , Jamaica. Founded in 1999 by Gary Foster and three childhood friends—Nigel Paris, Clayton Balliston, Rainford Grant, and the late Kirk Green– UJ empowers children and adults throughout the island of Jamaica through annual and year-round programs in the areas of health, education, and workforce development. UJ operates a basic school, community technology center, a children’s library, and several athletic programs. For more information on Upliftment Jamaica, go to www.upliftmentjamaica.org .
Raine Martin, RCJ Media
347-312-4120
[email protected]
