Fantra Zine Note: This piece on STALAG 20, 21 & 22 - The Next Generation was written by Jesse I Nonneman who is a radio jock, journalist and sound system owner in Australia. It was published both in Jamaica in X-News, and in a Sidney - Australia newspaper... When D.I.A produced Stalag 20, 21 & 22 – The Next Generation, this other New York based reggae label in Jamaica, Queens tried every thing to smother the project. They put out a hurried similar one-dimensional project that sounded like a dubplate. They did all kind of fuckry... They even went as far as telling Hot97 in NYC not to play D.I.A Records’ recordings. Even for the X-News article, the general belief still is, the striation through the article and poorly printed words one could barely read, was intentional. And guess what – D.I.A’s ad (1/3 page) was the only ad on that page. That "likkle" one-stop got nervous because D.I.A was doing things the right way on the next levels. The remarkable thing is, D.I.A was recording and developing reggae acts but there was no intention to build D.I.A Records as a “reggae” label. Currently D.I.A can sell and is selling punk, reggae (ska, dancehall, dub, etc.), funk, hiphop (urban & alt.), metal, alt. rock, etc. No hype -- D.I.A is in the same mix as Volcom and Silverback. And it does not matter how much that one-stop label (in Jamaica, Queens – NYC) spend on purchasing hurry-come-up compilations from reggae-related alternative bamds -- some of whom D.I.A has a long association with, that label will never have the indelible universal identity and credibility across the face of muzik as D.I.A. D.I.A is not niche into one corner. It took years of paying dues that included physical fights, hard work and kicking in doors to obtain and maintain this alternative/underground identity. Word to the wise – no pop-like artist, band or reggae label can get up one day and decide to infiltrate or win over the alternative or underground muzik consumers and fans. They cannot be bought. You have to build and earn the respect of these fans and consumers one by one. Man D.I.A (Diverse Intensified Audio) is naturally a rockstar, but reggae is naturally at the core 2!! It is the Global Rock Revolution. And regarding Stalag 20, 21 & 22, it still stands strong!!
Below is the piece printed in X-News.
STALAG 20, 21 & 22
For many, Winston Riley’s Stalag which is known as Stagalag is the riddim that defines reggae. While the sound of reggae has changed drastically over the years, no matter what the current style, Stalag will always fit in. From the early pioneers such as Big Youth, through the bold dancehall singers the likes of Tenor Saw, through the current crop of dancehall vocalists, Stalag holds the swing everytime.Consequently, it is a riddim that never goes away. Nevertheless, 200 saw something of a hyper interest in the classic Stalag, with several producers coming out with their own interpretations with two Stalag bass one-riddim albums hitting the market. However it was the new label, DIA (Diverse Intensified Audio) Records, that got to the party first with their Stalag 20, 21 & 22: Next Generation which was named in tribute to Winston Riley’s original album, Stalag 17, 18, 19.
DIA’s compilation is as refreshing as they took a more adventurous path that saw them record several og Jamaica’s current dancehall artistes of a harder hip hop influenced recut.
Gruff voiced Junior Demus kicks the set off in a style with the tuff ‘Good over Evil,’ before the long underrated Merciless/War Head storms in on ‘Gimmie Back De Dayz.’ From there on in we really do come to the next generation with new names such as Leju, Egg & Bread and Kandi Slyk (Candy Slick). The shared the
stage with recent chart riders Ce’Cile, Danny English, Mad Anju, Hawkeye, Chico, Mr. Vegas and Elephant Man. The latter two artists particularly steal the show, both sounding inspired and coming with cuts that rated among their all-time best.Elephant Man is in perfect form on ‘Never Bow’ and he is given a mix of the same standard, with plenty of room for his trademark echo style to ring clear. Mr. Vegas reaches new heights on the positive and uplifting party tune ‘Push Em Up,’ a cut that should be able to move any reggae or hip hop dance floor in the world.
Stunning new female singer ‘Hot Gal’ and ‘No Watch Gal,’ as does Danny English who growls for the girls on ‘Turn On,’ before slowing down the groove a fraction for “No,’ a combination with the dynamic Kandi Slyk.
Stalag 20, 21 & 22 is the album that truly takes us into the new millennium, proving a great introduction to the latest generation of dancehall artists direct from Kingston, Jamaica while sounding as timeless as ever over the immortal Stagalag.
Fantra Zine Note: You know, it is not a great mystery why Lee Perry burned Black Ark Studio to the ground. Scratch figured it out and left Jamaica for a reason. And D.I.A will continue to rep the "defiant stand-firm attitude" of artists like
D.I.A (aint no CIA).
D.I.A's Jamaican roots run deep. Shoutz to Kyril Walker, David Chin and Kevin Jackson!!!Again --
Light-years Ahead!!! Not miles.
Ghetto Muzik TV . D.I.A Records (III) - Myspace . Street Ragz Clothing
Email contact: Fantra-Zine@DIA-Inc.com
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JAMAICANS TRAIL BLAZE!! There are a few Jamaicans who have ventured out of bounds to clear a path for themselves: Marcus Garvey (founding father of the civil rights movement in USA), Claude McKay (poet), Solomon Goodrich (Civil Rights Activist/core member of CORE -- Congress Of Racial Equality), Don Taylor (Gong's [Bob Marley] manager), Kool Herc (the undisputed founding father of Hiphop), and 
Tennyson "Jimmy" Smith (great visual artist)... Tennyson "Jimmy" Smith for example, blazed his own path in the high-end level of the visual arts world without regrets. Taking the conventional path (9 to 5) with titles was never an aspiration of Jimmy's. It took 14 years for Jimmy to develop his sketching and painting skills to become probably the greatest visual artist (painter and illustrator) to come out of Jamaica. His persistence had him working with Marvel Comic. Jimmy also painted and illustrated Gong's "Rastaman Vibration" and "Uprising" covers; Peter Tosh's "No Nuclear War" cover; and he was commissioned by Neville Garrick to paint and illustrate Gong's "Tale Of The Tuff Gong" graphic novel trilogy Iron, Lion and Zion. Jimmy passed away in 2010. He left a great body of work that will continue to appreciate. That is just how it is for especially visual artists... Read about Jimmy here.
Speaking of "GONG." Ahh hoo clear de path fi Snoop Dogg coming to JA an' reincarnated 'im as the new Bob Marley. Dat tihs was ridiculous man. So from that flash-in-the-pan moment -- it was decided not to call GONG by his government. His breddrens and people named him GONG so GONG he will be.And you wanna tell me there are world-classproducers like Willie Lindo, Mikey Bennet and Cordell "Scatta" Burrel in Jamaica an' two Disney-type hyped-up
producers came there and had Snoop laying down some Jah-Fake-An lyrics on the classic "Archibella" riddim. Better yet -- Srtiker Lee would have done a better job producing that song. Plus they could have at least get Ken Boothe to lay down the chorus. But that is how it is... Others are alwayz taking Jamaican Music and culture and call it their own. Other folks are alwayz taking Jamaican Music and culture and call it their own. Someone made a a good living. I remembered talking to one kid in Oregon - USA -- he was totally convinced Matisyahu invented reggae...NE wayz -- GONG's STAR SHINES BRIGHT LIKE SIRIUS! Check out this home-grown audiovisual Ghetto Muzik TV Youtube clip about Gong's star on Hollywood Walk Of fame.
Some FANTRA ZINE Pieces: Jimi Hendrix . Lee SCRATCH Perry . Lucky Dube . Bobby Culture . Jr. Demus . Ziggy Marley . Bronx River Center (BX - NYC) Classic Graffiti . HR of Bad Brains: HR [throat] and brother Earl Hudson [drums] are 1/2 Jamaicans. 'Longside Daryl Jennifer [bass] and Gary "Doc" Miller [guitar] the two brothers are one-half of the best lightening and thunder hardcore punk rock band ever -- the Bad Brains. From 311 to No Doubt, HR is a well revered rock star legend who ranks in the same category as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Jim Morrison of the Doors and Janis Joplyn. Fantra Zine . FZMA Newsletter . Ghetto Muzik TV . Global Rock Radio (GRR) .
Street Ragz (Clothing) . Street Ragz Clothing Summer Collection
Email contact: Fantra-Zine@DIA-Inc.com
D.I.A RECORDS Classic Releases
"OUT OF BOUNDS" by HR of Bad Brains.
All Media Guide Review of "Out Of Bounds"."OUT OF BOUNDS" CD available on ITUNES, AMAZON MP3, EMUSIC, GOOGLE PLAY, RHOPSODY, SPOTIFY
as well as via PAYPAL orders: Cost -- $49.99. FREE Shipping & Handling in U.S.A.Overseas add an additional $15. USD for shipping.):
"HR IN DUBB" (EP) by HR (Human Rights) of Bad Brains.
"HR IN DUB" CD available on ITUNES, AMAZON MP3. EMUSIC, GOOGLE PLAY and SPOTIFY. "HR IN DUBB" will be live on RHOPSODY soon.
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The immortal STALAG 20, 21 & 22 -- THE NEXT GENERATION featuring Elephant Man, Mr. Vegas, Junior Demus, Ce'Cele, Merciless, Danny English, Egg 'n' Bread, Hawkeye, Chico and more... (Reggae-Dancehall super artists). Project was mixed by Cordel "Scatta" Burrell.
All Media Guide Review of "Stalag 20, 21 & 22 - The Next Generation".
Available on AMAZON MP3, iTunes, GOOGLE PLAY, RHAPSODY and SPOTIFY:
and
CD orders via PayPal: Cost -- $49.99. FREE Shipping & Handling in U.S.A. Overseas add an additional $15. USD for shipping): ________________
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(Various Artists)
Inverted Paradox (Various Artists) album is available on:
as well as via PAYPAL orders: Cost -- $44.99. FREE Shipping & Handling in U.S.A.Overseas add an additional $15. USD for shipping.):