Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces. It is also used in some police forces such as the New York State Police, New Jersey State Police and several others.

When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. It is considered the most junior of the field ranks. In some militaries, notably France, the rank is referred to as commandant, while in others it is known as captain-major. It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures.

When used in hyphenated or combined fashion, the term can also imply seniority at other levels of rank, including general-major or major general, denoting a mid-level general officer, and sergeant major, denoting the most senior NCO of a military unit.

It can also be used with a hyphen to denote the leader of a military band such as in pipe-major or drum-major.

Links to major ranks by country[link]

• Major (Canada)
• Maggiore (Italy)
• Majuri (Finland)
• Major (Germany)
• Tagmatarchis (Greece)
• Majoras (Lithuania)
• Majoor (the Netherlands)
• Major (Poland)
• Major (Sri Lanka)
• Major (Sweden)
• Major (United Kingdom)
• Major (United States)

Army major insignia[link]

• Australian-Army-MAJ.gif

  Australia

• 

  Belgium

• 

  Brazil

• CA-Army-OF3.gif

  Canada

• 

  Colombia

• 

  Egypt

• 

  Estonia

• 

  Germany

• 

  Greece

• 

  Hungary

• IFRmajor.PNG

  Iceland

• 

  India

• 

  Italy

• 

  Netherlands

• Major Pak Army.jpg

  Pakistan

• 

  Poland

• 

  Romania

• 

  Russia

• SL-Army-OF3 Major.PNG

  Sri Lanka

• ROCA-MAJ.jpg

  Republic of China

• 

  United Kingdom

• 

  U.S.

Air Force major insignia[link]

• 

  Brazil

• 

  Denmark

• 

  Italy

• RNAF Maj.svg

  Netherlands

• 

  Poland

• 

  U.S.

Links to ranks equivalent to major by country[link]

• Jagran (جګړن) (Afghanistan)
• 少校 (Shaoxiao) (PR China)
• Bojnik (Croatia)
• Ra'Ed (راىد) (Egypt and most Arab League member countries)
• Commandant (France)
• Tagmatarchis (Ταγματάρχης) (Greece & Cyprus)
• Őrnagy (Hungary)
• Commandant (Ireland)
• Rav seren (רב סרן) (Israel)
• Mayor (Indonesia)
• Shousa (Japan)
• 소좌 (North Korea)
• 소령 (South Korea)
• Mejar (Malaysia)
• Sturmbannführer (Schutzstaffel and paramilitary organisations of Nazi Germany)
• Comandante (Spain)
• 少校 (Shaohsiao) (Republic of China/Taiwan)
• Binbaşı (Turkey)
• Thiếu Tá (Vietnam)
• Major (Serbia)

• 

  Croatia (Bojnik)

See also[link]

• Comparative military ranks

References[link]

External links[link]

• Etymology on line

Major Lazer
Major Lazer performing at Sasquatch 2011
Background information
Genres	Dancehall, reggae fusion, reggae, hip hop, electro house, daggering
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Downton, Mad Decent, Interscope
Associated acts	Diplo, Switch
Members
Diplo
Past members
Switch

Major Lazer is a musical project by DJ/Producer Diplo. Formerly a collaboration along with DJ/Producer Switch, they parted ways in late 2011.

Background[link]

Switch (left) and Diplo are the producers behind Major Lazer.

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.^[1] 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.^[2] This is the first release to come out of the label partnership between Downtown Records and Diplo's label Mad Decent.^[3] Major Lazer ended a US tour last summer.^[4] 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.^[5] 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^[6] 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 performed at the 2011 Outside Lands festival in San Francisco.

A mixtape with La Roux entitled "Lazerproof" was made available for free download on May 26.^[7] 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 previously included hype man Skerrit Bwoy^[8] although Skerrit Bwoy left the group in 2012 to pursue religion.

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

Switch has left the collaborative effort due to "creative differences" as claimed by Diplo. He departed in late 2011. Diplo is now the sole producer behind the project.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do (2009)
• TBA (2012)

EPs[link]

• Lazers Never Die (EP) (2010)
• Original Don (EP) (2011)

Mixtapes[link]

• Major Lazer Essential Mix (available as podcast) (2009)
• Lazerproof (with La Roux) (2010)
• Major Lazer Summer Mix (available as podcast) (2010)

Singles[link]

• "Hold The Line" (2009)
• "Zumbie" (2009)
• "Pon de Floor" ft Vybz Kartel (2009) 125 UK
• "Keep It Goin' Louder" (2009)
• "Jump Up" (2009)
• "Original Don" (2011)
• "Get Free" (2012)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Major Lazer on Myspace
• Major Lazer on Twitter
• Major Lazer's channel on YouTube

"Pon de Floor" is a song by Major Lazer, a collaborative musical project composed of the American DJ Diplo and the British DJ Switch. The single 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 charts in the United Kingdom 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[link]

"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.^[1] "Pon de Floor" is a dancehall^[2] and funk carioca song.^[3] The song uses a rapid marching snare drums beat and synth riffs.^[4][5] Its hook is a chopped-up vocal line,^[6][7] and according to Josh Heller of Drowned in Sound Kartel's input is "laughing and occasionally shouting 'Major Lazer!'".^[8]

Reception[link]

John Bush of Allmusic lauded the production of "Pon de Floor" and named it a tour de force.^[9] NME's Pete Cashmore called the song "shitfacedly loopy",^[3] while Andy Freivogel from Dusted Magazine noted it as one of the best tracks from Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do.^[5] "Pon de Floor" is used during the video game DJ Hero 2.^[10] "Pon de Floor" entered the UK Singles Chart of 17 April 2010 at number 187.^[11] It later peaked at number 125.^[12]

Music video and live performance[link]

The music video for "Pon de Floor" was directed by Eric Wareheim, and shows people dry humping against a cartoon background depicting suburbia.^[13] It incorporates daggering choreography.^[14] 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."^[15] Major Lazer performed "Pon de Floor" at the Go! music festival at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore in September 2010.^[16]

Cover versions[link]

"Pon de Floor" was sampled in Chiddy Bang's "Shooter", a song on his mini-mixtape, Air Swell (2010).^[17] In 2011, Beyoncé Knowles released "Run the World (Girls)", which contains a sample of "Pon de Floor".^[18] "Run the World" was produced by Switch and The-Dream, and co-produced by Knowles and Shea Taylor.^[18]

Track listing[link]

Release history[link]

References[link]

Vybz Kartel
Background information
Birth name	Adidja Palmer
Born	(1976-01-07) 7 January 1976 (age 36) Kingston, Jamaica
Origin	Portmore, Jamaica
Genres	Reggae, Dancehall, Reggae fusion
Occupations	Deejay, songwriter, entrepreneur, lyricist, producer
Years active	2000–present
Labels	Adidjaheim Records
Associated acts	Beenie Man, Aidonia, Elephant Man, Ninjaman, The Alliance, Portmore Empire, Major Lazer & Popcaan, Kano, Vanessa Bling
Website	www.vybzkartel.co.uk

Adidja Palmer (born 7 January 1976)- ^[1][2][3] better known as Vybz Kartel, is a Jamaican dancehall artist, songwriter and businessman. He has many nicknames, including: Addi, The Teacher, World Boss, Kartel, Vybz, Gaza General and Gaza Don.

Biography[link]

Adidja Palmer began his career as a teenager in 1993 with his first recording "Love Fat Woman", released on Alvin Reid's label "One Heart", using the moniker "Adi Banton", a homage to Buju Banton.^[4] 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".^[5]

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.^[6] While Kartel's manager initially blamed Ninjaman for the fracas,^[6] Kartel himself quickly apologised to Ninjaman and Sting organizers for the fracas.^[7] Four days after the incident, the two artists appeared before the press to announce a settlement of their differences and to end any animosity.^[8]

He established his own label Adidjahiem/Notnice Records with his business partner and producer Ainsley "Notnice" Morris.^[9] In 2010, he released his album Pon Di Gaza 2.0 on Adidjahiem/Notnice Records in collaboration with Tads Record Inc.^[10] In Spring 2011, Vybz Kartel released an album entitled 'Kingston Story' with Brooklyn hip hop/electro producer Dre Skull.^[11]

Kartel has worked on collaborations and remixes with hip hop and R&B musicians Jay-Z, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, M.I.A, Pharrell, Kardinal Offishall, Akon, Jim Jones, Lil Wayne and Eminem.

In 2009 he had succeeded internationally with his hit song featuring a popular female Jamaican Deejay 'Spice' - "Ramping Shop" debuting on the Billboard Top 100 Singles charts,^[12] and "Dollar Sign" being in regular rotation on urban radio stations in the US.^[13] 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.^[14] "Clarks" was also featured on the TV series So You Think You Can Dance Canada,^[15] and on a CNN segment on dancehall dance.^[16] MTV's Vice Guide to Dancehall featured Kartel at his weekly dance party, Street Vybz Thursday.^[17]

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. Members of the group as of 2011 were: Popcaan, Shawn Storm, Sheba, Gaza Indu, Tommy Lee, Singing Maxwell, Singa Blinga, Lenny Mattic. Former members include Lisa Hype,^[18] Gaza Kim,^[19] Black Ryno,^[20] Jah Vinci, Dosa Medicine and Merital Family^[21].

Feud with Mavado[link]

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.^[22] 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.^[23] In a police-overseen press conference in March 2007, both Mavado and Vybz Kartel publicly announced an end to hostilities and apologized to fans.^[24]

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".^[25][26] 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.^[27][28]

On 8 December 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.^[29] The two had performed together on-stage the previous night in a sign of goodwill at the West Kingston Jamboree, a concert promoted by drug lord^[30] Christopher "Dudus" Coke.^[23] 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.^[31]

Business[link]

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.^[32] The rum is officially distributed by Vybz Distillers Limited. The same year, he also released his own condom line, Daggering Condoms.^[33] Kartel's goal for 2011 is to release his own shoe line named Addi's, as well as his own line of "cake soap".^[34]

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.^[35]

Vybz Kartel has also hosted his own reality television show "Teacha's Pet" on CVM Jamaica broadcast channel, the first reality television show hosted by a dancehall artist in Jamaica. The premise of "Teacha's Pet" finds 20 women living in a Kingston house vying for the artist's affection; the show's lascivious content elicited condemnation of its sponsor, telecommunications company LIME. The show came to a halt with the artist's arrest on murder charges in September 2011.

Controversies[link]

Whitening[link]

Vybz Kartel's Skin before and after he bleached his skin

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.^[36][37] The Blue Power Group, Jamaican manufacturer of the popular cake soap (or "blue soap"), has refuted claims it changes skin color.^[38] Kartel then stated the soap used to lighten his skin was his own brand, which he intends to release on the local market.^[34]

Airwave Ban[link]

In September 2011 the National Communications Network of Guyana banned Vybz Kartel from the airwaves—the first such action against a specific artist. His music contained "obscene lyrics" and brought "nothing positive" to the entertainment industry, said NCN spokesman Martin Goolsarran (Wednesday, Sept 21st) after a week of internal debate. He said NCN was reviewing the lyrics of other musicians and could ban them as well. In fact the government had no problem with Kartel, its Tourism Ministry inviting him to an August music festival, but he angered it and Guyanese promoters when he failed to show up.^[39]

Murder charge[link]

Vybz Kartel being arrested in October 2011

On 29 September 2011, Kartel was arrested by police. Jamaica's Major Investigation Taskforce (MIT) charged him with murder, conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of a firearm. The deceased was Barrington 'Bossie' Burton, a 27-year-old businessman and music promoter based in the Kingston suburb of Portmore. They first visited Kingston's Norbrook community where the DJ resides, then went to a property on Swallowfield Avenue in Kingston's Havendale area. That residence was the scene of a fire several weeks ago; a scorched computer hard-drive and several boxes were removed. They then drove to Portmore to a home purportedly owned by Kartel's mother, where a number of items were similarly confiscated. Kartel was detained for the weekend in relation to a partially burned, decomposing body found inside the Swallowfield Avenue home.^[40]

Kartel was granted bail for the Burton murder 23 March 2012 for JD$3,000,000, but currently remains jailed in connection on a second murder, of one Clive 'Lizzard' Williams.^[41]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• 2003: Up 2 Di Time
• 2004: More Up 2 Di Time
• 2005: J.M.T.
• 2009: Most Wanted
• 2010: Pon di Gaza 2.0
• 2011: Kingston Story

Singles[link]

Guest appearances[link]

Awards[link]

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,^[43] VIBE and UK MOBO awards, although his 2004 UK MOBO award nomination was withdrawn amidst controversy over homophobic content of his lyrics.^[44]

• 2003
  • Stone Love's 30th Anniversary
    • DJ of the Year 2005

• 2008
  • CUMA (Caribbean Urban Music Awards)

• 2009
  • EME Awards^[45]
    • Male DJ of the Year
    • Lyricist/Songwriter of the Year
    • Song of the Year (Romping Shop ft. Spice)

• 2010
  • EME Awards^[46]

References[link]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Pitchfork Media	[2]
Rolling Stone	[3]

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[link]

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

Charts[link]

Album - Billboard (North America)

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Song facts[link]

• "Jesus on the Radio" - When the band plays the song live, they often play it "unplugged", without any instruments or microphones plugged in.^[4]

• "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[link]

• The Meowstro Sings - Guster's Keep It Together

References[link]