It takes time to build a Pyramid

It takes time to build a Pyramid

In order to do anything great you have to have a wide base.

Now, that is one truth that cannot be disputed however the
real trick it seems is acquiring that base in order build something worthwhile.
Pyramid Entertainment Management Inc is one company which has used this method
with great success. Started in 2003 by Santia Bradshaw and
Jerome Hamilton, Pyramid specializes in artiste management and bookings for
artistes from various genres which include soca, reggae and alternative music.

Pyramid is not only concerned with the development of the Bajan culture but the culture of the wider Caribbean, as they were the ones responsible for hosting the
Barbados Music seminars in 2006 and 2007, in Barbados, specifically aimed at artiste development, innovations and other issues which affect the regional music industry.

More recently, Pyramid has through several ventures in 2007
made significant moves to promote the many artistes on their roster. Early in
the year, the Pyramid company launched the Pyramid Music Group, a music content
label which has the added responsibility of producing music videos and
entertainment programmes. The group’s first video production was the
incredibly successful Woman By My Side by Pyramid artiste Peter Ram.
Since then their production credits have included: Beautiful Surprise
by Philip 7, From this Day on by Kitorah, Soca Junkie by Mr.
Dale, Pumpin by Peter Ram, Nah Going Home by Biggie Irie, Caan
Wait and Girls Gone Wild by Lil Rick. The last five soca videos
were actually done by Jamaican video director Jay Will who chaired the
promotional tools / media workshop at the music seminar in February, 2007.

Pyramid also, with the help of Sesame Flyers International,
created the Pyramid music truck specifically for the 2007 New York Labour Day
parade. Based on the overwhelming success of that venture for the 2008
edition of the T & T carnival, Pyramid Entertainment with the help of the
mas band Tribe unveiled the Pyramid "All Star" music truck. This
again proved to be a brilliant move by the group as their truck was one of the
stars of the T & T carnival with many observers, regional and international
flocking to the "All Star" truck for a chance to be near the truck’s
featured artistes: Biggie Irie, Mr. Dale, Peter Ram and Trinidadian guests Bunji
Garlin and his wife Faye-Ann Lyons.

The Pyramid group has also erected a 20’ X 8’ double sided
billboard on the east/west corridor of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway which
reads “From Carnival to Crop Over" and features images of four of the
Barbadian superstars on the Pyramid roster, Biggie Irie, Lil Rick, Mr. Dale and
Peter Ram. This is a move that could not only help these artistes but the
general festival culture of Barbados as even the visitors to the island will be
made aware of these artistes and their music.

Overall, Pyramid Entertainment Management Inc has shown itself
to be a company which is probably the only one of its kind in Barbados and the
Caribbean. Never before has a regional company tried to innovate the concept of
artiste promotion and development in this way both within the region and beyond.
Pyramid seems to be clearly determined to use the base they have created for
their artistes to springboard the culture of the Caribbean to the international
success it has been denied for years. I for one hope they succeed.

Marley Brothers Shine at Smile Jamaica

Marley Brothers Shine at Smile Jamaica

The Marley Brothers delivered a spirited and lively set at the historic combined
Smile Jamaica-Africa Unite concert. The long night into the morning was marked
by countless notable performances in honour of Bob Marley and his vision.

A feel of eager anticipation gripped the crowd that gathered
at the beach minutes to the 8pm scheduled show time as images of Bob Marley and
Rastafari on flags floated in the wind bringing a mystic touch to the venue.
Crowds trailed in throughout the night awaiting the best in International and
local acts. 2 Face Idibia from Eastern Nigeria soulfully hailed his African
Queens as he expressed his deep love for Jamaica and Bob Marley.

Veteran Bunny Wailer gave one of his most energetic and
appreciated performances in a while blazing with his older hits. It was when
American soul crooner John Legend took the stage that the venue came together as
one to hear Legend wow the crowd. Women flocked to Legend’s glowing white
appearance like moth to a flame as he melodically sand Save Room, Ordinary
People, Stay With You and more even inviting one lucky lady on stage as he
serenaded her. Legend’s skills on the piano were not lost as well with a huge
grand piano placed in the centre of the stage as teased the keys.

After a slight break Barbadian singer turned pop icon Rihanna
looked daring in a short green and gold number. Rihanna looked ecstatic to be on
the Jamaican stage as she caressed the mic, flipped her short hair and gave a
little whine now and again. Rihanna entered on stage to her rendition of Bob
Marley’s Is This Love before going into tracks from her Good Girl
Gone Bad album. Singing Breaking Dishes and Shut Up and Drive
Rihanna went into her International hit song with Jay Z Umbrella that
did not fail in having audiences singing along.

While the concert was going good an extremely long band change
had some patrons filing out of the venue having seen the two International acts.
Close to an hour later Ziggy Marley embraced the Jamaican stage after a
five-year absence. Ziggy was in his element playing his guitar and singing songs
from his Melody Makers days to his latest solo effort Love Is My Religion.

Some patrons were well into Ziggy’s performance while others
rocked and some obviously wanted the show to continue. Ziggy gave more than half
an hour’s worth of songs before making way for his brothers at minutes to 5am.
Ky-mani, Stephen, Julian and Damian then hit the stage as patrons again moved
towards the stage. Singing songs from their father such as War, Roots Rock
Reggae and others the brothers were excellent.

It was when Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley took over the mic
that the venue exploded with energy. Damian and Stephen got together for Traffic
Jam, Beautiful and The Mission that had hands flying in
the air. He also touched on Pimper’s Paradise and Welcome
to Jamrock before welcoming Mykal Rose on stage for their song Shoot
Out. The energy on stage at this point was explosive as they wined down and
droves of patrons left the venue after the Marley’s performance.

For those that stayed after 6am there were more surprises from
spectacular artistes. The showings from the remaining artistes were short with
many performing about three tracks each. Elephant Man performed to recorded
tracks, with Chris Brown as his surprise guest. A smiling Brown took off his
shirt to showcase his toned body to the pleasure of the women. Short but
electrifying stints then followed from Spragga Benz, Etana, Lutan Fyah, Richie
Spice and Tarrus Riley who mixed Bob Marley’s music into his song Backbiter.

Sizzla gave a more extended showing at the end, combining with
Capleton to close off the concert. As Bob’s legend continues, Smile Jamaica
will return on February 28, 2009.