Coordinates	59°13′″N39°54′″N
name	Major Lazer
background	group_or_band
genre	Dancehall, Reggae Fusion, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Electro House, Daggering
years active	2009–present
label	Downtown Records, Mad Decent
associated acts	Diplo, Switch }}

Major Lazer is a collaborative musical project from DJ/Producers Diplo and Switch.

Background

Made up of DJs Diplo and Switch, the two were introduced after working with M.I.A.. The duo's first album ''Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do'' was released on June 16, 2009, on Downtown Records. It was recorded in Jamaica at Tuff Gong Studios. Vocalists such as Santigold, Vybz Kartel, Ward 21, Busy Signal, Nina Sky, Amanda Blank, Mr. Vegas, Turbulence, Mapei, T.O.K, Prince Zimboo, Leftside and others contribute guest vocals to the album, as well as additional production from Afrojack and Crookers. This is the first release to come out of the label partnership between Downtown Records and Diplo's label Mad Decent. Major Lazer ended a US tour last summer. The album's first single was "Hold the Line", the video for which, directed by Ferry Gouw, was nominated for a MTV Video Award in the Breakthrough Video category. "Hold the Line" was also featured in the video game FIFA 10. The track "Zumbie" has a music video that features comedian Andy Milonakis. Music videos for the songs "Pon de Floor" and "Keep It Going Louder" were both directed by Eric Wareheim. Major Lazer performed at the Falls Music & Arts Festival (Lorne, Victoria, Australia) on the December 30, 2009, the Coachella Music Festival in April 2010 they also performed at the Pitchfork Music Festival in July 2010 and the Sasquatch Music Festival on Monday May 30, 2011. Live visuals were created by Pomp&Clout.; Major Lazer recently performed at the 618 Music and Arts festival that took place at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 18, 2011.

A mixtape with La Roux entitled "Lazerproof" was made available for free download on May 26. Diplo posted cover art on his Twitpic. It is the character Major Lazer in War Machine's silver suit, Elly Jackson of La Roux in the signature Iron Man suit, and Whiplash, the villain in the Iron Man 2 movie.

On June 20, 2010, the group released an EP titled "Lazers Never Die". It contained two new songs and three remixes, by Thom Yorke and others.

Major Lazer's live shows usually include hype man Skerrit Bwoy.

Switch provided production for Beyoncé Knowles' "Run the World (Girls)", which sampled "Pon de Floor".

Discography

Albums

''Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do'' (2009)

''Lazers Never Die'' (EP) (2010)

Mixtapes

''Major Lazer Essential Mix'' (available as podcast) (2009)

''Lazerproof'' (with La Roux) (2010)

''Major Lazer Summer Mix'' (available as podcast) (2010)

Singles

"Hold The Line" (2009)

"Zumbie" (2009)

"Pon de Floor" ft Vybz Kartel (2009) 125 UK

"Keep It Going Louder" (2009)

"Jump Up" (2009)

References

External links

Category:Jamaican musicians Category:British DJs Category:Reggae fusion artists Category:Musical groups established in 2009

da:Major Lazer es:Major Lazer fr:Major Lazer

Coordinates	59°13′″N39°54′″N
name	Pon de Floor
cover	Pon de Floor.jpg
artist	Major Lazer featuring Vybz Kartel
album	Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do
format	Digital download, 12-inch single
genre	Dancehall, funk carioca
length	3:33
label	Mad Decent, Downtown Records, V2 Records
writer	Diplo, Switch
producer	Major Lazer, Afrojack
chronology	Major Lazer
last single	"Zumbie"(2009)
this single	"Pon de Floor"(2009)
next single	"Keep It Going Louder"(2009)
misc	}}

"Pon de Floor" is a song by Major Lazer, which is made up of Diplo and Switch. It was released in 2009 by Mad Decent and Downtown Records as the second single from Major Lazer's first studio album, ''Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do'' (2009). The duo wrote the song and produced it with Afrojack, while Vybz Kartel provided its vocals. "Pon de Floor" is a dancehall and funk carioca song and was positively received by music critics. It appeared on the UK Singles Chart in 2010, where it reached number 125. Eric Wareheim directed the music video for "Pon de Floor", which shows people dry humping, and incorporates daggering choreography. The song has been sampled in Chiddy Bang's "Shooter" (2009) and Beyoncé Knowles' "Run the World (Girls)" (2011).

Composition

"Pon de Floor" was written and produced by Major Lazer, made up of Diplo and Switch. It features vocals from Vybz Kartel, and Afrojack provided additional production and mixed the song. "Pon de Floor" is a dancehall and funk carioca song. The song uses a rapid marching snare drums beat and synth riffs. Its hook is a chopped-up vocal line, and according to Josh Heller of Drowned in Sound Kartel's input is "laughing and occasionally shouting 'Major Lazer!'".

Reception

John Bush of Allmusic lauded the production of "Pon de Floor" and named it a tour de force. ''NME'' Pete Cashmore called the song "shitfacedly loopy", while Andy Freivogel from Dusted Magazine noted it as one of the best tracks from ''Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do''. "Pon de Floor" is used during the video game ''DJ Hero 2''. "Pon de Floor" entered the UK Singles Chart of 17 April 2010 at number 187. It later peaked at number 125.

Music video and live performance

The music video for "Pon de Floor" was directed by Eric Wareheim, and shows people dry humping against a cartoon background depicting suburbia. It incorporates daggering choreography. Ted Maider from Consequence of Sound wrote "This song is already fucking whacked, but the video takes it to a whole other level ... 'Pon de Floor' seems equally as offensive as watching porn on hallucinogenic substances." Major Lazer performed "Pon de Floor" at the Go! music festival at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore in September 2010.

Cover versions

"Pon de Floor" was sampled in Chiddy Bang's "Shooter", a song on their mini-mixtape, ''Air Swell'' (2010). In 2011, Beyoncé Knowles released "Run the World (Girls)", which contains a sample of "Pon de Floor". "Run the World" was produced by Switch and The-Dream, and co-produced by Knowles and Shea Taylor. "Pon de Floor" is also used by indie rock band Matt and Kim on their 2011 Block after Block tour for Kim's "Bootie Dance". Kim is held up by the crowd as she dances.

Track listing

12-inch single # "Pon de Floor" – 3:33 # "Pon de Floor" (Drop the Lime Remix) – 4:06 # "Pon de Floor" (Ninjasonik Remix) # "Pon de Floor" (Blue Bear Remix) – 4:15 Digital EP 1 # "Pon de Floor" (radio edit) – 3:05 # "Pon de Floor" (The Streets Remix) – 3:07 # "Pon de Floor" (Drop the Lime Remix) – 4:06 # "Pon de Floor" (Blue Bear Remix) – 4:15 # "Pon de Floor" (Camo UFOs Jungle Edit) – 4:32

Digital EP 2 # "Pon de Floor" – 3:33 # "Pon de Floor" (The Streets Remix) – 3:07 # "Pon de Floor" (Drop the Lime Remix) – 4:06 # "Pon de Floor" (Blue Bear Remix) – 4:15 # "Pon de Floor" (Mike B vs. Nate Day Remix) – 4:32

Release history

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"|Country !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format !scope="col"|Label |- !scope="row"|United States |2009 |12-inch single |rowspan="15"|Mad Decent, Downtown Records, V2 Records |- !scope="row"|Austria |rowspan="14"|19 April 2010 |rowspan="14"|Digital EP 1 |- !scope="row"|Belgium |- !scope="row"|Denmark |- !scope="row"|Finland |- !scope="row"|France |- !scope="row"|Germany |- !scope="row"|Ireland |- !scope="row"|Italy |- !scope="row"|Netherlands |- !scope="row"|Norway |- !scope="row"|Portugal |- !scope="row"|Spain |- !scope="row"|Sweden |- !scope="row"|United Kingdom |- !scope="row"|Australia |rowspan="2"|16 July 2010 |rowspan="2"|Digital EP 2 |rowspan="2"|Downtown Records |- !scope="row"|New Zealand |}

References

Category:2009 singles Category:Dancehall songs Category:Funk songs

Coordinates	59°13′″N39°54′″N
Name	Vybz Kartel
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Adidja Palmer
Alias	Addi Di Teacha, Gaza Emperor, World Boss
Born	January 07, 1976Kingston, Jamaica
Origin	Portmore, Jamaica
Genre	ReggaeDancehallReggae fusion
Occupation	Deejay, Songwriter, Entrepreneur, Lyricist, Producer
Years active	2000–present
Label	Adidjaheim Records, NotNice Production
Associated acts	Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Aidonia Elephant Man, Ninjaman, Alliance, Portmore Empire, Major Lazer & Popcaan, Kano, Vanessa Bling
Website	Vybz Kartel's MySpace

Adidja Palmer (born January 7, 1976), better known as Vybz Kartel, is a Jamaican dancehall artist, songwriter and businessman. He has many nicknames, including Addi the Teacher and Gaza Emperor.

Biography

Adidja Palmer (Addi Teacha) began his career as a teenager in 1993, with his first recording "Love Fat Woman", his first single, released on Alvin Reid's label "One Heart", using the moniker "Adi Banton", a homage to Buju Banton. Palmer was later part of the three-member group "Vybez Cartel", keeping the slightly altered name after group split up, and became a protege of Bounty Killer, for whom he claims to have written nearly 30 songs, including "Gal Clown".

Vybz Kartel rose to prominence in 2003 after a string of hits in Jamaica. The year culminated in a pre-planned on-stage clash with Ninjaman at the annual dancehall festival Sting in Kartel's hometown of Portmore. The clash turned violent when Kartel's crewmembers, as well as Kartel himself, threw punches and assaulted Ninjaman onstage. While Kartel's manager initially blamed Ninjaman for the fracas, Kartel himself quickly apologised to Ninjaman and Sting organizers for the fracas. Four days after the incident, the two artists appeared before the press to announce a settlement of their differences and to end any animosity.

He established his own label Adidjahiem/Notnice Records with his business partner and producer Ainsley "Notnice" Morris. In 2010, he released his album ''Pon Di Gaza 2.0'' on Adidjahiem/Notnice Records in collaboration with Tads Record Inc. In Spring 2011, Kartel is scheduled to release a still-unnamed album with Brooklyn Hip Hop/Electro producer Dre Skull.

Kartel has worked on collaborations and remixes with Hip Hop and R&B; musicians Jay-Z, Rihanna, Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, M.I.A, Pharrell, Kardinal Offishal, Akon, Jim Jones and Eminem.

In 2009 he had two international hits with “Ramping Shop” debuting on the Billboard Top 100 Singles charts, and “Dollar Sign” being in regular rotation on urban radio stations in the US. His 2010 single "Clarks" was one of his biggest international successes, remaining in the top 3 Reggae Singles gaining the most radio plays in North America for 40 weeks. "Clarks" was also featured on the TV series ''So You Think You Can Dance Canada'', and on a CNN segment on Dancehall dance. MTV's ''Vice Guide to Dancehall'' featured Kartel at his weekly dance party, Street Vybz Thursday.

After splitting with Bounty Killer-led Alliance in 2006, Kartel founded the Portmore Empire, a group of Dancehall deejays and singers from his Portmore neighborhood that he signed to his newly founded Adidjahiem/Notnice Records. Current members of the group are: Popcaan, Shawn Storm, Sheba, Indu, Tommy Lee, Singing Maxwell, Singa Blinga, Lenny Mattic. Former members include Lisa Hype, Gaza Kim, Black Ryno, Jah Vinci, Deejay Spice, Doza Medicine and Merital.

Feud with Mavado

Towards the end of 2006, Vybz Kartel left the Alliance. Tensions arose following Kartel's continued association with Bounty Killer's longtime enemy, Beenie Man, including Kartel attending Beenie Man's wedding to Bounty Killer's ex-girlfriend, D'Angel. Vybz Kartel cited his departure as being due to his desire to be a more independent artist. It was reported that Vybz and Bounty Killer performed together ahead of the annual Sting show. Due to Kartel's defection from the Alliance and his 'parring' (fraternising) with Beenie Man, a series of songs and counteraction songs ensued - the main proponents being Kartel and Mavado.

A very public feud between Vybz Kartel and former collaborator Mavado arose towards the end of 2006, stemming from Vybz' much publicized departure from the dancehall conglomerate group, The Alliance. The feud resulted in numerous diss-tracks released, in which each artist dissed the other and their associates over popular dancehall rhythms. In a police-overseen press conference in March 2007, both Mavado and Vybz Kartel publicly announced an end to hostilities and apologized to fans.

However, by the summer of 2008, tensions flared with a renewal of "diss tracks" from each artist, and a lyrical clash between the two at Sting 2008 left mixed views as to the "winner". Most of 2009 saw a continuation of the public feud, which dominated Jamaican media and, to a certain extent, Jamaican culture, with the two artists' factions, ''Gaza'' (Kartel) and ''Gully'' (Mavado), being adopted by Jamaican youth, in some cases leading to street violence.

On December 8, 2009, Kartel and Mavado met with Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding in an attempt to end the feud, which had by that time fueled mob attacks in some of the inner-city neighborhoods of Kingston. The two had performed together on-stage the previous night in a sign of goodwill at the West Kingston Jamboree, a concert promoted by area leader Christopher "Dudus" Coke. After the truce in December 2009, the two artists were scheduled to perform a unity concert March 2010 in Barbados, which was later cancelled by the prime minister of that country.

Business

In 2008, Vybz Kartel launched his own liquor line Street Vybz Rum. He hosts a weekly dance party Street Vybz Thursday, at the Building, Kingston nightclub he manages with Street Vybz Rum business partner Corey Todd. The rum is officially distributed by Vybz Distillers Limited. The same year, he also released his own condom line, Daggering Condoms. Kartel's goal for 2011 is to release his own shoe line named Addi's, as well as his own line of "cake soap".

When his singles "Clarks", "Clarks 2 (Clarks Again)" and "Clarks 3 (Wear Weh Yuh Have)" featured the British shoe brand Clarks in 2010, its sales numbers and prices in Jamaica increased considerably.

Controversy

Kartel has come under controversy over perceived skin whitening, or "bleaching", leading him to claim to the use of "cake soap" to lighten his skin. The Blue Power Group, Jamaican manufacturer of the popular cake soap (or "blue soap") has refuted claims it changes skin colour. Kartel then stated the soap used to lighten his skin was his own brand, which he intends to release on the local market.

Awards

Kartel has had several collaborations with international hip hop and pop stars. He has released two albums for the UK/US based label Greensleeves Records. He was also nominated for the Source, VIBE and UK MOBO awards, although his 2004 UK MOBO award nomination was withdrawn amidst controversy over allegedly homophobic content of his lyrics.

2003

* Stone Love's 30th Anniversary

** DJ of the Year

2008

* CUMA (Caribbean Urban Music Awards)

2009

EME Awards

** Male DJ of the Year

** Lyricist/Songwriter of the Year

** Song of the Year (Romping Shop ft. Spice)

2010

EME Awards

** Male DJ of the Year

** Lyricist/Songwriter of the Year

** Recording Artist of the Year

WBLS Caribbean Artiste of the Year

Nominated by the MOBO Awards and Soul Train Awards for Reggae Artist of the Year.

References

External links

The Kartel Business - A look at Vybz Kartel as an Entrepreneur

Vybz Kartel, one of the baddest DJs

Vibes Kartel| Vybz Kartel| Fastest Growing Dancehall Artist in the Caribbean

Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:People from Kingston, Jamaica Category:Dancehall musicians Category:Reggae fusion artists Category:Jamaican reggae musicians

da:Vybz Kartel de:Vybz Kartel fr:Vybz Kartel it:Vybz Kartel ht:Vybz Kartel

Coordinates	59°13′″N39°54′″N
name	Keep It Together
type	Album
artist	Guster
cover	Keepittogether.jpg
released	June 24, 2003
recorded	2001—2003
genre	Alternative rock
length	48:44
label	Palm, Reprise
producer	Roger Moutenot and Ron Aniello
last album	''WBR Sessions''(2003)
this album	''Keep It Together''(2003)
next album	''Live 09/04/03 Knoxville, TN''(2003) }}

''Keep It Together'' is an album by the band Guster released in June 2003. The album was recorded from 2001 to 2003 in Bearsville, New York, New York City, Burbank, California, and Shokan, New York. This is the first album by Guster that features Brian Rosenworcel on kit drums instead of hand percussion. ''Keep It Together'' went through several working titles, including ''Bitch Magic'', ''Olympia Dukakis'' and ''Come Downstairs & Say Hello''.

Joe Pisapia contributed guest vocals on "Jesus on the Radio." Just months after the release of the album, he became the new member of the band.

The song "I Hope Tomorrow Is Like Today" features Ben Kweller on vocals.

Track listing

#"Diane" – 3:46 #"Careful" – 3:42 #"Amsterdam" – 3:37 #"Backyard" – 2:55 #"Homecoming King" – 3:37 #"Ramona" – 3:06 #"Jesus on the Radio" – 2:17 #"Keep It Together" – 3:43 #"Come Downstairs and Say Hello" – 5:16 #"Red Oyster Cult" – 3:27 #"Long Way Down" – 4:34 #"I Hope Tomorrow Is Like Today" – 3:22 #"Silence" – 0:30 #"Two at a Time" (hidden track – 4:57)

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

! Year	! Chart	! Position
2003	The Billboard Top 200

Singles - Billboard (North America)

! Year	! Single	! Chart	! Position
		Adult Top 40
	Adult Top 40

Song facts

"Jesus on the Radio" - When the band plays the song live, they often play it "unplugged", without any instruments or microphones plugged in.

"Keep It Together" - The song can be heard at the end of the Season 1 The O.C. episode The Rescue.

"I Hope Tomorrow Is Like Today" - The song can be heard during the film Wedding Crashers, when John and Jeremy "break up".

See also

The Meowstro Sings - Guster's Keep It Together

References

Category:Guster albums Category:2003 albums

pt:Keep it Together

Coordinates	59°13′″N39°54′″N
Name	Nina Sky
Background	group_or_band
Birth date	March 13, 1984
Birth place	Queens, New York, United States
Genre	Hip-hop, Reggaeton, R&B;, Dance-pop
Years active	2004–present
Label	Universal (2004–2007)Polo Grounds / J (2007–present)
Website	www.ninaskyhigh.com
Associated acts	Major Lazer, Belly, The Alchemist, Tony Touch, Rick Ross, Prima J, Kenza Farah, Creep
Current members	Nicole AlbinoNatalie Albino }}

Nina Sky is an American musical duo composed of identical twins Nicole and Natalie Albino (born March 13, 1984).

Early life and career

Albino's parents moved to New York from Puerto Rico and were divorced when the girls were younger. They were born in Queens and grew up in Astoria, New York. In a place called Marine Terrace

Because their stepfather worked as a DJ, the twins were influenced by different types of music. When the sisters were only 7 years old, they wrote their first song, "Sisters", and by the time they were 10, they already knew that they wanted to become singers.

The twins' parents were very supportive of their daughters' ambitions. Their stepfather even gave them guitar and drum lessons. They were taken to auditions and, on some occasions, they even performed on some showcases. The sisters wanted to devise a name of their own. In using the first two syllables of their names ("Ni" and "Na"), they came up with Nina. They then added Sky, which for them represented "the sky's the limit".

2004–2006: ''Nina Sky''

In 2004, The Jettsonz introduced the girls to Cipha Sounds, a hip hop DJ under the Star Trak label owned by The Neptunes (Pharrell and Chad Hugo). Cipha Sounds was impressed when he heard the girls sing and suggested that they use the "Coolie Dance" riddim. The twins then proceeded to write "Move Ya Body" (along with The Jettsonz, who also produced the record), mixing Caribbean, R&B;, and pop rhythms. Eventually, a demo of the song was made. The demo fell into the hands of Eddie O'Loughlin, the president of Next Plateau Entertainment (which is a division of Universal Records). O'Loughlin signed the twins to a contract and they started working on their debut album.

The single "Move Ya Body" was released on April 27, 2004 and reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Urban music and rhythmic top 40 stations quickly added the song to their play lists, sending the song up the charts. By July 17, "Move Ya Body" had gone to the top 5 on both sides of the Atlantic and had also reached the top 5 of a world combined R&B; chart based on the US, UK, Germany, France and Australia. The song had also reached the top 50 of the Australian charts. On June 29, 2004 they released their first self-titled album, featuring Betty Wright.

The twins, Natalie and Nicole continued to work and promote their music. They have contributed to the reggaeton movement with songs such as "Oye Mi Canto", and "Más Maíz" with artist and producer N.O.R.E. They were also featured artist on Sean Paul's song "Connection" from his album "The Trinity"

2007–present: second album and ''The Other Side''

Nina Sky collaborated with French singer Kenza Farah for the song "Celle Qu'Il Te Faut", and was released in both French and English versions. The video was shot in New York.

Nina Sky was recording on their second studio album, ''Starting Today''. The album was originally due on July 27, 2007. Producers include Stereotypes, Bruno & Phil, Neo da Matrix, Ryan Leslie, Salaam Remi, and more. Guests include Rick Ross and others that have yet to be announced. In late 2007, Nina Sky left their label, Universal, and signed with Polo Grounds Music/J Records.

Nina Sky have also put together remixes of popular songs including J. Holiday's "Bed," Elliott Yamin's "Wait For You" , Cassidy's "My Drink n My 2 Step, and The-Dream's I Love Your Girl" They have also worked with Brooklyn MC Red Cafe on his street album ''The Co-Op'', and The Alchemist on his song "Key To The City"

Nina Sky recently appeared on Major Lazer's album, Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do. They are currently in a battle with their record company Polo Grounds Records, over the release of their new album "Starting Today". They have said they want to be released from their contract with the label because the label no longer supports them.

The duo independently released an 8 track EP for digital download in August, entitled "The Other Side", which features production from DJ Yonny, Salaam Remi, Kidz in the Hall & many more. A video for the lead-single, "You Ain't Got It (Funk That)" was also released. In early 2011 they worked with Creep on their song 'You'. On May 16, they released the music video on their official website.

They have recently confirmed that a new EP is in the works.

Discography

''Nina Sky'' (2004)

''The Other Side'' (2010)

''Nina Sky's Second EP'' (2011)

See also

List of famous Puerto Ricans

List of twins

References

External links

Official Website

Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:American female singers Category:Puerto Rican singers Category:Duos Category:Girl groups Category:Identical twins Category:People from Queens Category:American musicians of Puerto Rican descent Category:Sibling duos

de:Nina Sky es:Nina Sky fr:Nina Sky it:Nina Sky sw:Nina Sky pl:Nina Sky fi:Nina Sky