Mixx Master Prince Chops it Up with CVWA

Mixx Master Prince
Photo Courtesy of Tunnelz of Vision
Photography

Anyone who has been around the Jacksonville reggae scene for any length of time has inevitably crossed paths with deejay, promoter, and entrepreneur Mixx Master Prince.  Whether he is spinning at De Real Ting, Eveready, or any number of other venues, or running his Northside music shop, Prince has made a notable name for himself among reggae fans, artists, and business owners.  Recently, he took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for CVWA.

CVWA:  Tell us a little bit about yourself.  How did you get started as a deejay?

MMP:  My name is Mixx Master Prince, Prince Foster, born 1974 in Kingston, Jamaica.  I moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1982 and to Jacksonville in 2001.  I've been playing music all my life and started playing professionally in 1989.  I've worked at De Real Ting Cafe at 128 W. Adams  St. for the last twelve years and also worked on Cool Runnings and Danger Zone Sound.

CVWA:  Who/what are some of your favorite artists/songs to both listen to and spin?

MMP: My favorite artists are Bob Marley and Bounty Killer.  My favorite song right now is 123 by Alkaline.

CVWA:  Give us a little history about your shop, Prince Music World, and your new venue, Reggae Boyz.

MMP:  I own Prince Music World/Mixx Master Prince One Stop Shop, at 8933 Lem Turner Road.  I've been in business for over nine years.  I'm about to open up a sports bar called Reggae Boyz at 101-1 48th St. (inside the Winn Dixie Plaza on Main Street).  I'm also working on a reggae internet station to broadcast about our community.

Prince Music World
8933 Lem Turner Road
Jacksonville, FL 32208

CVWA:  What would be your dream show to promote/deejay for?

MMP:  My dream show would be Jah Cure live inside Plush.  He has never been here before.

CVWA:  How can we keep in contact with you?

MMP:   Email:  Princemixxmastaprinceonestopshop@gmail.com or  mixmasterprince@msn.com
www.facebook.com/mixmasterprince

Free Download-Dub Rockers Mixtape Vol. 1

courtesy of VP Records/With Love PR

VP Records has collaborated with the Vans team, famous for their shoe line popular among skaters, to produce the Dub Rockers Mixtape Vol. 1.

DJ Juan Love, who actually was a professional skater and whose real name is John Cardiel, produced the mixtape and has an inspiring story of his own.  In 2003, after a terrible car accident, doctors predicted that he might never walk again.  He used reggae music as part of his recovery and began DJing.  Today he is a brand ambassador for Vans, a professional DJ, and a judge of both skating contests and DJing events worldwide.

The mixtape has 21 tracks and features mixes of the latest music by reggae heavy hitters including Alborosie, Morgan Heritage, Luciano, Beres Hammond, Alpha Blondy, and Tarrus Riley.

You can stream or download the mixtape for free at the VP Records SoundCloud page by clicking on this link:

Dub Rockers Mixtape Vol. 1

Tracklist:

1. Java (Prince Polo Remix) - The RBC featuring Augustus Pablo & Tommy McCook
2. Lighter's Up - Snoop Lion featuring Mavado & Popcaan
3. Change - Natty featuring Alborosie & Busy Signal
4. The Gold (Dubmatix Double Dutch Remix) - John Brown's Body & Peetah Morgan
5. In My Arms Riddim - Fat Eyes
6. Easy To Love - Maxi Priest
7. In My Arms - Beres Hammond
8. Never Be Alone Again - Nikesha Lindo
9. Never Be Alone Again Instrumental - Fat Eyes
10. I'm Not Crazy - Don Carlos
11. Long Time Ago - Eek-A-Mouse
12. Heartland - Stick Figure
13. Dawn of Time - Tribal Seeds
14. Here Come the Kings - Morgan Heritage
15. Rebel/Worldwide Rebellion - Tarrus Riley/Captain Sinbad
16. Stop Fight Reggae - Anthony B
17. By Jah Will - Luciano
18. Super Powers - Alpha Blondy 
19. Positive - Fortunate Youth
20. Smoking Bomb Bud - J. Boog & Fiji
21. Ska Militia - Sacto Storytellers

Video of the Day: Morgan Heritage - Ends Nah Meet

This is a powerful video from Morgan Heritage, off of Here Come the Kings, their first studio album in five years.  Produced by Maximilian Shelton, the vocals and instrumentals show why the group is true reggae royalty.

Video of the Day: Thunder & Lightning - Sgt Remo

Jacksonville reggae artist Sgt. Remo is back at it with the release of his latest video, "Thunder and Lightning", from his Life is for Living EP.  To find out more about this up-and-coming singer, check out his interview on this blog.

Alborosie Releases Sound the System LP on Greensleeves Records

Sicilian-born reggae singer Alborosie released his self-produced album Sound the System in North America on Greensleeves Records September 30.  Available in Europe since July, the album continues the singer's mission to produce top-quality riddims and conscious lyrics that promote his Rastafarian beliefs.  A tour is scheduled beginning February 2014, with dates and locations to be announced.

Highlights of the album include a guest appearance by Ky-mani Marley for a remake of "Zion Train", as well as a special collaboration with the iconic group The Abyssinians, who sing in Amharic on "Give Thanks", paying homage to Ethiopia, the country dear to the hearts of Rastas everywhere.  Alborosie also shows that he can more than hold his own among the dancehall crew with tracks like "Rock the Dancehall" and "Who Run the Dance".

Alberto D' Ascola was born in the town of Marsala in Sicily. In his teens he moved to Milan, where he eventually joined the band Reggae National Tickets.  Touring with the band through Europe and eventually Jamaica completely changed his life.  He relocated to Jamrock and started working at Gee Jam Studios in Portland.  Over a decade later, he is still going strong and leaving a lasting imprint on the roots reggae scene.

photo courtesy of With Love PR

Sound the System Track Listing (Greensleeves Records)

1.  Intro
2. Play Fool (To Catch Wise)
3. Rock the Dancehall
4. Zion Train (featuring Ky-mani Marley)
5. To Whom It May Concern
6. Who Run the Dance
7. Goodbye (featuring Nina Zilli)
8. U Got to Be Mine
9. Love is the Way
10. There is a Place (featuring Kemar)
11. Positiveness
12. Don't Pressure It
13. Warrior (featuring Nature)
14. Give Thanks (featuring The Abyssinians)
15. Shut U Mouth
16. Outro

Video of the Day: Tessanne Chin - Hide Away

Today's video of the day is "Hide Away" by Kingston, Jamaica native Tessanne Chin. She is actually a contestant on this season's The Voice.  Though most Americans don't know who she is, including the four judges on the show, reggae fans know how amazing her voice is.  "Hide Away" was on the Reggae Gold 2007 compilation.  Love this tune!

Tickets on Sale for "Welcome to Jamrock" Reggae Cruise

The "Pearl" courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Lines

On Wednesday, September 11, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley announced the first annual "Welcome to Jamrock" Reggae Cruise.  Departing from Miami, Florida on October 20, 2014, the cruise will make stops in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, returning to Miami on October 25.

Confirmed artists for the cruise include Marley brothers Damian, Stephen, and Julian, Shaggy, Jah Cure, Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, Morgan Heritage, Sean Paul, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I, Wayne Marshall, Etana, and Jo Mersa.  In addition, iconic sound systems and DJs' Stone Love, Mighty Crown, Renaissance, and David Rodigan will be on hand to ensure that passengers are never without a moment's entertainment.

The Jamaica Tourist Board has officially endorsed the cruise as a way to bring attention to the beauty that Jamaica has to offer and at the same time providing top-notch entertainment to reggae lovers from across the globe.

Tickets are on sale at the official Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise website, where you can check out the itinerary as well as view the different cabins available.  You can also order by phone at 1-800-248-7471. Payment plans are available with deposits starting at $250 per person.  If you are interested, you need to jump on this now, because the cruise was just announced and some cabins are already sold out according to the site.

"Out in the streets, they call it murderrrr!!!!"  De cruise gwaan be mad mi seh!