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Jesse Royal Drops First Single Ahead of EP Release. It Features Romain Virgo.

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Following his nomination for a GRAMMY with his last full album (2021’s ROYAL), Jesse Royal returns with this powerful, rousing track speaking about ways to fight for justice, uplift his community, and move forward.

This is the first new song from Jesse (besides features on other artists’ tunes) since ROYAL began his next cycle of releases, which will culminate in a new EP later this year.

He is joined on “Hope” by superstar Romain Virgo, whose 2015 reggae version of Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” topped the charts in numerous Caribbean countries, and whose 2018 album, Lovesick, hit number one on the Billboard reggae chart. The combination of both singers over a propulsive track produced by Sean Alaric provides one of the most powerful singles you will hear this year. 

“My thing is that we are blessed in excess as a little nation [Jamaica] that has caused a huge impact on the world, from music to culture to respecting the herb,” explains Jesse about his thinking behind the track. “This song is just a reminder that we don’t need too much government interference – we just need ‘hope.’ The opportunity to think big and dream big, because it’s necessary on a broader scale for the world. A confident Jamaica to me means a happier world,” he said.

Since his GRAMMY-nomination, Royal has stayed busy on many fronts while working on new music all along. He is an ambassador for Digicel in Jamaica, regularly doing community outreach for the company; he appeared on Protoje’s single “Family,” as well as on songs with Zac Jone$, Konshens, and Kabaka Pyramid’s GRAMMY-winning album The Kalling. Meanwhile, Jesse has continued building up his touring, especially within the US, where he did very successful shows in 2022 with Protoje and Lila Ike, as well as appearances at major festivals like California Roots, Cali Vibes, and Reggae Rise Up. In fact, this single arrives just as Jesse is embarking on some early summer touring, including his own headlining shows in New York City, Chicago, Burlington (VT), and others; festival appearances at Cali Roots and Dry Diggings, and supporting Stephen Marley on four shows. He is also playing Wolf Trap outside of Washington DC with Protoje, SOJA, and special guest J Boog. 

Fans are now encouraged to get ready for Jesse Royal coming at ‘em in 2023, bringing plenty “Hope” as he comes through.

Tour Dates:

MAY 27 @ California Roots Festival 2023 in Monterey, CA
JUN 02 @ Do Division 2023 in Chicago, IL
JUN 05 @ Ocean Mist in South Kingstown, RI
JUN 07 @ Higher Ground in South Burlington, VT
JUN 08 @ Bernie’s Beach Bar in Hampton Beach, NH
JUN 10 @ Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA w/ Soja and Protoje 
JUN 11 @ SOB’s in New York City, NY
JUL 08 @ The Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA
JUL 26 @ Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, MA
JUL 26 @ Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, MA *
JUL 27 @ Indian Ranch in Webster, MA *
JUL 28 @ South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, MA *
JUL 29 @ The Clubhouse in East Hampton, NY *
JUL 30 @ Brooklyn Steel in Brooklyn, NY *
AUG 25 @ Dry Diggings Festival in Auburn, CA

* w/ Stephen Marley 

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Caribbean Buzz

Guyana and T&T take aim at Vybz Kartel’s song ‘Good Like Jesus.’

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Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel has sparked a wave of controversy in Guyana ahead of his upcoming performance at the highly anticipated Baderation concert on Saturday, May 24. The uproar centers around his track Good Like Jesus, which the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has slammed as “blasphemous and deeply offensive.”

In a strongly worded statement released Wednesday, the ERC called for the song to be banned from airplay and public performance in Guyana. The commission claims the lyrics, which include explicit references to female anatomy and religious imagery, are “profoundly disrespectful to Christian religious sensibilities.”

The ERC expressed concern over what it sees as a direct affront to the Christian faith, particularly to depictions of Jesus Christ, a figure central to the beliefs of many Guyanese.  “Such content undermines the values of reverence, respect, and harmony that underpin Guyana’s multicultural society,” the statement read.

As Kartel’s performance draws near, it’s unclear whether the backlash will impact the show or spark wider protests. Still, the controversy has thrust the outspoken artist—and his provocative lyrics—back into the spotlight. In Trinidad and Tobago last week, there was social uproar after news emerged that the artiste would be restricted from specific interviews and additions to his itinerary which included meeting with community leaders, ahead of a May 31st appearance at the Queen’s Park Savannah. The public outrage was further exacerbated when a media release outlined measures being considered by the Minister of Defense, Wayne Sturge, which highlighted that due to mounting public concern surrounding Vybz Kartel’s lyrical content, entry to the event may be restricted to those 18-years-old and over. Additionally, the media release also referenced the single highlighted by Guyana’s Ethnic Relations Commission, noting that performance of that song, also faces the possibility of performance restriction.

Minister Sturge said the decision-making process involved balancing the artiste’s right to freedom of expression with national security concerns, the public interest, and the protection of children.

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Caribbean Buzz

Vybz Kartel Quiets Noise Surrounding Upcoming Visit to Trinidad and Tobago.

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In a concise and very intentional move, Jamaican dancehall artiste, Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer has reassured fans over Trinidad and Tobago’s government’s decision to limit his movements when he visits later this month. The artiste is carded to perform at a major concert event on May 31st at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

The show, which was originally set for Carnival Friday in T&T, was postponed and fans have since been eagerly anticipating seeing the prominent dancehall entertainer.

Over the past 24 hours, news headlines swirled inciting negative feedback from several quarters. It came following a premature revelation that efforts to secure permission from the new Defense Ministry, headed by Minister Wayne Sturge, for the artiste to appear on midday and early morning interviews, as well as other youth-centered engagements, were denied, limiting the promotional team’s itinerary for the artiste.

Today, in his response on the matter, Vybz Kartel said there is no problem with him performing in T&T. He placed the blame on the promoter’s effort to fill his itinerary.

Since his release from prison, the artiste has moved out of the Caribbean and is now residing in the US state of Florida. He recently performed in Barbados, this following sold out shows at Barclay’s Centre in New York on April 11th and 12th.

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