Digicel's Rising Stars delivers again

Digicel's Rising Stars competition has done it once again, proving that it's the premier talent competition in Jamaica, if not the Caribbean. It consistently exposes new talent to the world and delivers great entertainment while enhancing the quality of local reality TV programming.

Jamaica recently stopped to watch the live broadcast of the season finale, and it was one that was filled with excitement and drama. The finalists - Romain "The Rum Ram King" Virgo and Jodian Pantry - both gave excellent performances. Romain wowed the studio audience and his wider fan base with serious message songs and soul wailing love tunes, while Jodian's deliveries were creatively innovative and filled with vocal agility. The two rose to the challenge as they sung their hearts out for the coveted Rising Star title.

After Jamaicans across the nation voted and anticipation began to mount, it was almost sheer pandemonium inside TVJ's studio and Mas Camp after party venue when hostess Denise Hunt announced Romain as the winner of the five-month long competition.

The 17 year old crooner from St. Ann, the youngest ever Rising Stars winner, said his road to winning was really hard and he "never expected to reach this far in the competition".

"Rising Stars has given me the exposure that no other reality TV show has ever done. Normally, you wouldn't get such an opportunity unless you go out there and pay your money…but to be involved in something as big as this, I really appreciate that."

Now one of Jamaica's youngest millionaires, Romain plans to use his winnings of $1 million, to help further his career and education in music. Additionally, he has won the opportunity to record two songs with Greensleeves and make a music video. The title sponsors have also presented him with a new Sony Ericsson phone, plus $100,000 in call credit.

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Tarrus Riley -
Singing from the heart

For some people, it's the hardest thing to put words together, let alone create a catchy melody all on their own. For others like Tarrus Riley, such things come naturally.

From the tender age of thirteen, he has been a part of the music business. Singing from his heart, Tarrus has grown into his own over the years and has risen above the mediocrity that plagues the industry today. As a burgeoning talent with a fresh sound, he put one of the most successful albums of 2007.

He is definitely a breath of fresh air in reggae music. His sophomore album 'Parables', released by Cannon Productions/VP Records, is filled with songs that boast catchy melodies mixed with clever word play. 'She's Royal', 'Beware' and the cover of John Legend's 'Stay With You' have easily crept their way into the souls of music lovers across the globe.

Despite the new found recognition, Tarrus is unfazed by the fame. Being the son of roots reggae singer Jimmy Riley has more than prepared him for the limelight.

"Me inna the music business from me about 13, so mi used to being on stage…I'm not afraid of fame because it comes with the territory and I'm not doing a bad thing. We're not famous for being thieves or robbers…it's because we do good music and spread a good message," he said calmly, folding his arms in front of him.

The messages in his music are real and from his heart. A 'heartist' is what he calls himself and he explained its significance to Buzzz.

"I sing from my heart, so I'm not just an artiste alone. It's a heart kind of vibe so that's why the expression is so strong and permanent. I'm a 'heartist'…I sing from my heart and not for the charts."

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Carol Gonzalez -
From the Bench to the Stage

When Carol Gonzalez took the stage at the recent launch of her album, "The Music In Me", she wore an outfit clearly designed to remind of her days as a resident magistrate, while firmly cementing the change to entertainer.

She was dressed in a red, diaphanous pantsuit that showed a bit of cleavage and a robe made from the same material. A silver-coloured belt encircled her waist and her wrists and ears were ornamented by more jewellery of similar shade.

Sitting down with her some time later, she was no less of a siren, even though she was dressed much more casually. Some think she is crazy. Some call her that. After all, what sane person leaves a comfortable job on the bench - a privileged, coveted job as a resident magistrate - for the uncertainties and stress of making a living on the stage in the capricious world of entertainment?

Carol Gonzalez, that's who. As to why…it's simple.

"The question is, how could I stand being away [from music] for so long? I hadn't sung for years and then I sang at a charity thing. I discovered then that I couldn't live without music but I couldn't do the two. Whenever I wanted to sing, I needed the permission of the Chief Justice. I realised that I was just living…just to earn. I didn't want to do that," said the statuesque Gonzalez, as she relaxed at her studio on Roosevelt Avenue, St. Andrew.

"I realised that I was living in black and white or grey. Now I'm living in colour, now I'm glad to wake up…before, I was just existing," she further explained.

This beautiful songstress started singing right out of fifth form at St. Hugh's High School. Her passion took her on the cabaret circuit on the North Coast, which was followed by a failed move to New York City. On her return home, Gonzalez's academic path led her to law and she was called to the bar in 1991 and to the bench in 1998.

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Pahrebel with a cause

In a market saturated by mediocrity comes a young man that stands out for all the right reasons. Blessed with lyrics, common sense and the gift to understand the industry in which he operates, Pahrebel is an artist who has arrived just in time to show Jamaica and the world that quality is not just a catch phrase that is being bandied about loosely.

Born Ryan Myles in Buckscommon, Clarendon, Pahrebel (a unique Jamaican take on the word ‘parable’) is, as his name suggests, intent on conveying relevant messages with positive meanings. For him, the name represents a wholesome personality.

“I’ve always had a passion for music. I grew up in the church and through music you can create a difference…you can inspire men to embrace peace and social consciousness.”

The 24-year-old artist’s pursuit of a musical career started in his teens back in 1998, when he and some friends formed the group KRUSH. However, the untimely death of the group’s leader resulted in the remaining members parting ways and Pahrebel emerged as solo artist.

Describing his signature sounds as conscious and spiritual, Pahrebel states that his message is one of social harmony. With musical inspirations like Sizzla, Bob Marley, Luciano and Garnett Silk, he has taken on the role of watchdog for the people.

“If you listen to my music, it relates to things that affect us as a people. Therefore, it helps to uplift Jamaica and by extension the world. Through my music, I would like to stamp out the violence and the garrison living…on stage I seek to do this 110 per cent every time.”

To date, several of his songs have been favourably received by the listening public. ‘Rootsman’, ‘Lift Up Jamaica’, ‘Garrison University’ and ‘Jah Give Me The Strength’ have been the most popular ones so far. ‘Rootsman’, a song about natural herbs and bedroom performance, has also gotten its fair share of airplay.

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