Afro Hair & Beauty Show Feature 2015

XXXXXXXXXXX 00-00, 2012 THE VOICE | 19

Cheerleaders all the way

LIFE & STYLE

OMI

Afro Hair & Beauty Live returns this weekend

Nigerian star Patoranking: reggae with an African twist

Sportswomen stepped out for the #BeAGameChanger Awards

+++

Ladies’ night

Reggae meets afrobeats

Hair-raising event

20 � TTHHEE VVOOIICCEE MAY 21 - 27, 2015

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NOTABLE NAMES from the world of women’s sport last week attended the Women’s Sport Trust

#BeAGameChanger Awards to recognise those individuals and organisations doing the most to progress

women’s sport. Held at the Rambert Dance Company on London’s South Bank, the ceremony was

attended by the likes of world and Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu, history-making boxer

Nicola Adams and rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi.

ROOM WITHA VIEW: Attendees at

last week’s event.

TOP TRIO: Former athletesConnie Henry (left),

Jeanette Kwakye (centre)and celebrity publicist

Diahanne Rhiney (right).

IT’S A KNOCKOUT: British boxer Nicola Adams, andthe first woman to win an Olympic boxing title at the London2012 Olympic Games, collects her award from John Treharne,

CEO of The Gym Group.

OOuutt aanndd aabboouutt

ON TOP OF THEWORLD: Katie

Brazier from the FAand rugby World

Cup winner MaggieAlphonsi (right) atthe WST awards

ceremony.

PRESS PALS: TheVoice’s sports editor,Rodney Hinds, with

broadcaster Clare Balding(right).

Supported by Sleek

MAY 21 - 27, 2015 TTHHEE VVOOIICCEE � 21

EEnntteerrttaaiinnmmeenntt

The stars were out in force for the recent Billboard Music Awards in Las VegasMAN OF THE

MOMENT:Ludacris

hosted theevent

BIKER CHIC:Tracee EllisRoss

CURVACEOUS:Mariah Carey

ALL EYES ONME: Dencia

SLICK: 50 Cent

MODEL BEHAVIOUR:Jourdan DunnRISQÉ:

JenniferLopez

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...


CCoovveerr ssttoorryy

BY NADINE WHITE

Omi initially burstonto the musicscene in 2012with ska/islandpop single

Cheerleader, which enjoyedwidespread airplay and criticalacclaim. The accompanyingmusic video garnered over onemillion views on YouTube withindays of its release.

More recently, an EDM (elec-tronic dance music) remix byGerman DJ Felix Jaehn has cat-apulted Omi to transatlanticheights.

The song has been streamedover 200 million times onSpotify and hit the number onespot in over 15 countries world-wide.

What’s more, Cheerleaderhas gone four times platinum inAustralia; five times platinum inSweden; and two times plat-inum in Denmark, where herecently performed as a gueston their version of The X Factor.

During a recent promotionaltour of the UK, it was revealedthat Cheerleader has sold over600,000 copies here in Britain,officially making it a platinumselling record. The song alsotopped the Official Top 40 sin-gles chart for three consecutiveweeks.

Of this achievement, Omisays: “I'm really excited. This issomething some can onlydream of and I'm so grateful.”

Before trailblazing interna-tional charts and stadiums, Omi– real name Omar Pasley –grew up in the countrysideparish of Clarendon, Jamaicabefore relocating to the buzzingcapital of Kingston as a youngadult.

“I had a good upbringing,”he reflects. “My parents instilledthe best ethics in me to take methrough life. My father was ahuge inspiration to me beforehe died, especially artistically,and remains so”.

Many people will not knowthat the singer’s late father,Kenroy ‘Jah Ken’ Pasley, was an

exceptionally gifted visual artistand musician who died whenOmi was just nine years old.Clearly, artistic flair is in hisgenes, leading him to bedubbed the ‘new don of urbanpop.’

One of the latest in a long lineof Jamaican artists who havesuccessfully broken into theinternational market, Omi’s suc-cess is testament to the island’swell-known saying, ‘we’re likklebut we tallawah’ (we’re small,but mighty).

With that said, the 28-year-oldis rarely seen on the local per-formance circuit in his countryof birth, but perhaps this is, inpart, down to the distinct lack oflive music venues therein.

Thankfully, this didn’t prohibitthe talented singer from enjoy-ing success. Under the guid-ance of revered talent guruClifton 'Specialist' Dillon – whowas responsible for launchingthe careers of reggae luminar-ies including Shabba Ranksand Patra – Omi began his pro-fessional music journey.

Now, he is signed to UltraMusic, a subsidiary label ofSony Records and is gearing upto embark on an extensiveEuropean summer tour.

“This is the first time that I’llbe performing with my ownband so it’s definitely a new,exciting experience that I’mlooking forward to.”

As with all hit songs, there isalways a sense of pressure forthe artist to deliver an equallysuccessful follow-up single, inorder to solidify their place inthe music scene. At themoment, Omi and his team arein the process of choosing a fol-low-up hit, which could beanother golden nugget from hisback catalogue.

And with Omi being a prolificsongwriter, who has pennedother fan favourites such asFireworks and Standing On AllThrees, he has plenty of mate-rial to choose from.

“People approach me all thetime, saying that they love someof my other material.”

US pop starlet MeghanTrainor has declared that she’sa huge fan of Omi and herecently confirmed that he is intalks with the All About The Basshitmaker about a possible col-laboration.

“Recently we were in dia-logue and I’m really looking for-ward to working with her,” Omiconfirms.

Always in music-mode, Omistruggles to find an answerwhen asked what he does in hisspare time. After a long pause,he chuckled before saying: “I’malways working, non-stop. I amtruly in my element at this timeand genuinely enjoy what I do.”

Jet setting all over the worldas one of music’s hottest artistsseems exciting and is bound tobe packed with all sorts of privi-leges. Yet, Omi can only speakof one perk that comes with thejob, which is “being able tomake music that people canenjoy”.

Still, the road to success isseldom without the odd bumpalong the way and when thegoing gets tough, Omi drawsstrength from his musical pas-sion.

“I am encouraged by stayingtrue to the creativity and the artthat made the world notice mein the first place. I think that, nomatter who you are, you shouldalways try your best to allowyourself to re-enter that initialspace. That’s exactly what I do.”

With plans to release a much-anticipated album in early 2016,the world is an oyster for hum-ble Omi.

Whilst many artists affection-ately create nicknames for theirlegions of fans, like Beyoncéand her ‘Beyhive’ and MariahCarey’s ‘Lambs’, Omi describeshimself as “a fan of my fans,”elaborating: “I really do attributea lot of this success to the loveand dedication they've shown.”

Cheerleader is out now, avail-able on iTunes. For more infor-mation on Omi, visitwww.omimusiconline.com

The Jamaican singer on enjoying global stardom thanks to his smash hit, Cheerleader

THREE CHEERS FOR OMIURBAN POPDON: Omi

REGGAE NEWSBeres Hammond and Bunny Wailer UK tour

REGGAE giants Beres Hammond (right) and BunnyWailer and (far right) will perform a series of showsacross the UK this July.

Hammond will play a solo gig at the O2 Academy inLeeds, before being joined by Wailer for joint-headlineshows in Bristol, Liverpool, London and Birmingham.

Arguably reggae’s most revered singer, Hammond’ssoulful vocals have laced a plethora of hits includingWhat One Dance Can Do and I Feel Good. With a career spanning over 40 years, the celebratedvocalist is considered by many as the ultimate lovers rock singer.

As the only living member of renowned reggae trio The Wailers, Bunny Wailer’s careerstretches back over 50 years. Rising to fame along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, as part ofreggae’s most famous group, Wailer and his bandmates scored success with their groundbreak-ing albums Catch A Fire and Burnin’.

He released his debut solo album Blackheart Man in 1976 and since then, Wailer has releasedover 30 albums and won three Grammy Awards.

Beres Hammond and Bunny Wailer will perform in the UK from July 11-18, at numerous venues.For full details, visit www.ticketweb.co.uk

More Life @ O2 Academy BBrriixxttoonnI OCTANE and Macka Diamond (right) areamongst the stars that will perform atMore Life music event this weekend.

The reggae stars will be joined byUK artist Ms Dynamite for a uniquemusic experience.

Described as a live culture eventlike no other, the one-day show willbring together strong dancehallbasslines and reggae melodies, foran exciting extravaganza of sounds.

Celebrated for his roots reggae out-put, I Octane is one of reggae’s mostpopular contemporary acts, famed forhits including Mama You Alone and MyLife.

Macka Diamond burst onto the reg-gae scene in 2003 and has since found

favour with her fiery delivery and songs suchas Bun Him and Dye Dye.

Well known for infusing dancehall influencesin her music, Mercury Music Prize winner

Ms Dynamite found fame with hitsincluding Boooo and Neva Soft.

As if this wasn’t enough, MoreLife will also feature two of theworld’s most famous sound sys-tems: legendary Jamaican collec-tive Stone Love and Japan’s cele-brated sound Mighty Crown.

Expect great music and goodvibes at this exciting live event.

At O2 Academy Brixton, Londonon May 2ß4. For more information,visit www.o2academybrixton.co.uk


MMuussiicc

Nigerian star Patoranking is the first African artist to sign to international reggae label, VP Records

BY DAVINA HAMILTON

LOYAL Voice readers may remembertwo articles we carried back in 2011,which lightheartedly pitted dancehallmusic against Afrobeats.

The first feature, written by a former colleague,argued that Afrobeats’ growing popularity wasleaving dancehall in the shade. The follow up arti-cle, penned by my good self, argued in favour ofreggae’s unfailing popularity and its worldwideinfluence.

Since then, we’ve seen musical movements,which have attempted to bring both genrestogether, perhaps most notably the collaborationbetween dancehall star Sean Paul and Afrobeatshero Fuse ODG, who teamed up for the 2014 sin-gle Dangerous Love.

With the appreciation for Afrobeats steadilygrowing amongst traditional dancehall-lovers,now is, perhaps, the perfect time for Africandancehall artist Patoranking to make his bid forglobal stardom.

He’s already well on his way, having earnedcritical acclaim thanks to singles includingAlubarika, Murda (a collaboration with Nigeriansinger Seyi Shay) and the 2014 hit Girlie O, theremix of which featured Afrobeats star TiwaSavage.

Now, with the release of his latest singleDaniella Whine, Patoranking looks set to take hispopularity to higher heights.

Hailing from Nigeria, the talented sing-jay(singer and deejay) delivers dancehall with dis-tinctive African music undertones, as demon-strated on his infectious new single.

Staying true to his Nigerian roots, Patorankingshot the video for Daniella Whine in Lagos and hepays homage to both his homeland and the birth-place of reggae, courtesy of a Nigerian flag and aJamaican flag that stand side by side in the video.

Additionally, he delivers his lyrics in Jamaicanpatois, but gives shout outs at the end of the songto Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa andGhana – as well as Jamaica.

Blending a gruff deejay delivery with a sweetsinging style, Patoranking could perhaps belikened musically to dancehall hero Vybz Kartel.And watching the energetic artist in action in thevideo – donning numerous gold rings, a sheep-skin coat, three-quarter length trousers and shoeswith no socks – style-wise, he could be dubbedNigeria’s answer to Shabba Ranks of yesteryear.

But Patoranking is quite clear that he’s notattempting to be an imitation of anybody.

“I try to do my own sound, never forgettingwhere I’m from, so that my people can under-stand what I’m saying,” he says of his musicalstyle. “I’m a reggae artist but I do have touches ofAfrobeats [in my music] as well.”

With reggae music’s best-known artists hailingfrom Jamaica, Patoranking’s Nigerian heritageserves as his unique selling point. But has beinga non-Jamaican proved a hindrance for him?

“No, that hasn’t been a problem,” he says.“There are so many talented reggae artists whoaren’t from Jamaica. Collie Buddz is just oneexample. He’s from Bermuda, but he still does histhing. Music has no boundaries and no limits. IfJamaicans can dance to a hip-hop song that isfrom America, I’m sure they can dance to one thatis from Africa.

“Everybody knows that reggae is from Jamaicaand everybody knows that Jamaicans are [origi-nally] from the Motherland; West Africa. So this[my music] is almost like reggae tracing its roots.”

Well, his formula has proved hugely successfulso far, earning the skilled singer a solid fanbasethroughout Africa and America.

“We’re still trying to break into the Caribbeanmarket,” he admits. “But I’m sure it will happen.With God by my side and the support of VPRecords, I think it will happen.”

Indeed, if anybody knows the Jamaican reggaemarket, it’s VP Records. The world’s largest dis-tributor of reggae music, the popular label, whichcelebrated its 35th anniversary last year, cast itsmusical net further afield by signing Patorankingfor a distribution deal earlier this year.

It was a landmark move, which saw the starbecome the first African dancehall artist to sign adistribution deal with the label.

“Everything’s been going great,”Patoranking said of the partnership.“It’s going well and every day somethingis happening.”

Asked what inspired his love of reggae,the singer explained: “I don’t come from amusical family, but music has always beenwhat I wanted to do. When I was growingup, I had a neighbour who only listened toreggae. So through my neighbour, I got toknow the music of Peter Tosh, Bob Marleyand many others.

“When I was in school we had thismiming competition where you couldmime songs. I always wanted to stand outand my way of standing out was by doingsomething different. So I paid atten-tion to reggae songs and when I per-formed them in school, the girls lovedit!

“Reggae artists are like messen-gers,” he continues. “And the musicitself just has its own aura. When you’re ina club and reggae comes on, the whole atmos-phere just changes.”

Who are some of his favourite reggae artists?“Of course, the late Bob Marley – he’s my gen-

eral. I also listen to Busy Signal, Mavado, BountyKiller – there are so many artists I love.”

Considering where he sees himself in fiveyears, the ambitious singer says: “I see myself asone of the biggest artists in the world. I see myselfbringing through talent from different parts ofAfrica – and sipping coffee on one of the islands!

“But right now, I’m just so happy and I thankGod for everything that is happening in mycareer.”

Daniella Whine is out now on VP Records

REGGAE TO DI WORLD! Other non-Jamaican reggae acts

PRESSUREBUSSPIPEHailing from:St. Thomas,US VirginIslandsSongs: Love &Affection,Crazy Love

ALBOROSIEHailing from:

ItalySongs:

Herbalist,Kingston Town

THE GREENHailing from: HawaiiSongs: Love I, Wake Up

COLLIEBUDDZHailingfrom:BermudaSongs:Blind To You,ComeAround

GENTLEMANHailing from:GermanySongs: Send APrayer, Intoxication

ACKEE & SALTFISHHailing from: JapanAlbums: Nah Tek Back, Stilla Struggle

THE VOICE POLL

DDoo yyoouu tthhiinnkk NNiiggeerr iiaannrreeggggaaee aarrtt iissttPPaattoorraannkkiinngg wwii ll ll eennjjooyyssuucccceessss ddeessppii ttee nnoottbbeeiinngg JJaammaaiiccaann??

Yes, there are plenty ofsuccessful non-Jamaicanreggae artists

Yes, because his music isgood

No, there is still a prejudicethat exists against non-Jamaican reggae artists

25%

50%

25%

ON THE RISE:Patoranking

GOT THE MOVES: Patoranking in thevideo for his single Daniella Whine

REGGAE MUSIC FROM THE MOTHERLAND


BY DAVINA HAMILTON

CROWDS will onceagain descendupon Islington’sBusiness DesignCentre for the

annual spectacular that is AfroHair & Beauty Live.

Now in its 34th year, the two-day event will take place thisBank Holiday weekend, show-casing the very best hair andbeauty products for women ofcolour.

Over the years, the exhibitionhas evolved, offering a moreholistic approach to the needsof black British women. It’s adevelopment that the event’sorganiser Grace Kelly is proudto see.

“The exhibition has gone frombeing about purely hair andbeauty and become more aboutlifestyle,” Kelly explains. “It’sabout our skin, the clothes wewear, the jewellery we wear andso on. We’ve got a lot of fashionat the show this year, so peoplewill be able to get a lot of afro-centric items.

“We’re unique individuals andthere’s no other platform out there

that caters for us in this way.”Recognising the rise of

women opting to wear their hairnaturally, the exhibition nowboasts more productsdesigned for a variety of naturalhair types.

“There are more productsavailable for natural hair now, sowhatever your hair type is, therewill be a product to suit you,”says Kelly.

“Once upon a time, therewere a lot of natural hair prod-ucts, but they were really moresuitable for mixed race hair.

“Now, there are more prod-ucts available across the board,so whether you have very tightcurls or a more loose curl,there’ll be something for you.”

A truly unique event, AfroHair & Beauty Live 2015 willfeature a Fantasy Hair compe-tition, where mind-blowing haircreations will be displayed; theWAHL Battle of the Barbers willsee competitors literally goinghead to head to claim the titleof ultimate barber; and atten-dees can engage in panel dis-cussions, where hair andbeauty questions will beanswered.

Additionally, visitors canenjoy seminar presentations,sample and purchase productsnot yet in stores and interactwith representatives from a hostof companies, as well asengage in one-on-one sessionswith hair and skin care profes-sionals.

“It’s really the Mecca of hair,beauty and fashion for blackwomen,” Kelly concludes. “Youcan find your perfect founda-tion, your perfect skincare prod-ucts.

“We have a woman who hasdesigned a skincare rangespecifically for women of colour,as we have skin issues thatnon-black women don’t tend tohave.

“This event is about whatmakes us who we are as blackwomen and obviously, it’s notjust about what we put in ourhair. It’s a lifestyle event thatoffers something for us all asblack women.”

Afro Hair & Beauty Live takesplace at the Business DesignCentre, London N1 on May 24and 25. For more information,visit www.afrohairshow.com

Afro Hair & Beauty Live returns for its 34th year, catering for the lifestyle needs of black women

AAffrroo HHaaiirr && BBeeaauuttyy

IT’S NOT JUST HAIR, IT’S LIFESTYLE

ROCK THERUNWAY: A fashionshow inaction

PASSION FORFASHION:Roooi designson display

WORLD OFCURLS: A stylistshows offhis skills


AAffrroo HHaaiirr && BBeeaauuttyyIT’S GOOD TO TALK:A panel discussiongets underway

GOT THE MOVES:Dancers show offtheir moves

HAIR RAISING: Astriking creation

BY RYKESHA HUDSON

THE secret to Jamaica's fountain of youthmight just be a bottle of Fountain Pimento Oil.

Travelling across the globe in search of thebest natural healing products, Sandra Gustardhas combined some of the world's finestingredients into an elixir that she’s sure willsoothe the soul.

The former south Londoner is returning tothe UK, after moving to New York 18 yearsago, to launch her organic ‘healing’ oil range,following successful launches in the US,Australia and Jamaica.

During a trip to Jamaica in 2008, Gustarddiscovered the healing benefits of the island’shot mineral springs and the popular spice,pimento.

Suffering from a herniated disc and pinchednerve after two car accidents, the business-woman visited Bath Fountain in the parish ofSt Thomas. The mineral bath is said to healpain by using the boiling hot water that spewsfrom between the rocks.

“I was dying to go there,” Gustard told Life& Style. “So I had the bath and got a wickedmassage from one of the dreads, who usedpimento oil. I felt better immediately.”

On her return home to New York, theLondon-born entrepreneur came up with theidea of launching Fountain Pimento Oil forpeople suffering from arthritis and other rheu-matic ailments. Her range also includes hairfood, bath salts and body butter.

Pimento, which is also known as allspice insome countries, has long since been recog-nised as having many health benefits and isused for a multitude of ailments.

Indigenous to the Caribbean islands,pimento is believed to be the only spice whichis grown solely in the western hemisphere.

On the importance of sourcing organicproducts from Jamaica for her products,Gustard said: “All of our grannies, aunts andmums boiled teas or rubbed us down with tra-ditional stuff that they grew up with backhome.

“We scoffed atthem because theytasted or smelt horri-ble. Now we knowthat the alternativemedicines for someailments are muchbetter and safer forus, and if they neverharmed our forefa-thers, it won't hurt useither.”

When Gustardfirst broughtFountain PimentoOil out, she would give free massages atnursing homes and churches.

“Now, through word of mouth and promo-tion, we have customers all over the world,from Dubai, through to Australia, and theUSA,” she said proudly. “I am now ready tointroduce it to Europe, starting with my home,the UK.”

Sandra Gustard will launch her range at AfroHair & Beauty Live. Her stall (stand 112) willalso offer free mini massages and samples

THE POWER OF PIMENTOBusinesswoman Sandra Gustard will launch her healing pimento oil line at Afro Hair & Beauty Live

OIL ONTROUBLED

WATER:Sandra

Gustard’s(pictured

below)pimento oil

CLASSIFIED| THE VOICE MAY 21-27, 2015 26

24 – 25 May 2015

Business Design Centre52 Upper StreetLondon N1 0QH

www.afrohairshow.comTickets £12 at the door, £10 in advance

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Afro Hair & Beauty Show Feature 2015

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