ISSUE #12 DEC 2014

T R A X ROOTS / ROCK / REGGAE / RESPECT JAH OVA EVIL WELCOME TO OUR WORLD

HEMPRESS SATIVA TUFF LIKE IRON NICOLE MILLER THE GIDEON RAS ICHAEL JAHWAWAH KING DAVID DAHLUH N.E.A.N. SELAH DXL IRIEMAG.COM ISSUE #12 / DECEMBER 2014

“ Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” - Haile Selassie I

Nicholas ‘Nico’ Da Silva Founder/Publisher

IRIEMAG.COM Celebrate 4/20 everyday! Lil J.O.E The Gideon Hempress Sativa Selah

Tuff Like Iron Dahluh DXL Nicole Miller

Jahwawah Ras Ichael N.E.A.N. King David JAM LIL J.O.E

IRIEMAG.COM JAH OVA EVIL LIKKLE JOE aka J.O.E Biography FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL Alty George Nunes, also known as Lil Joe, or J.O.E (an acronym for Jah Ova Evil), was a very influ- ential artiste who made a mark on all the lives he encountered either through his music or with his humble advice. J.O.E. toured with his family’s music & dance group Jah Chil’ren under the guidance of his mother & master dance choreographer Patricia ‘Patsy’ Ricketts and master percussionist Karl ‘Simba’ Messado. The family, in later years, acquired the equipment needed to record their own music. This then paved the way for the family label, Flo Factory, to be born. The label initially worked with artistes such as: Tifa, Angel Smith and O’niel Peart (No-Maddz) to name a few. The label is also responsible for grooming and promoting Chronnix and is now ready to unveil our more current artiste/projects.

Jah Ova Evil himself collaborated with a host of formidable artiste such as: Konshens, Chino and Ky-Mani Marley to name a few. He was also the writer of many songs sung by various artists. Lil Joe himself passed away on February 7, 2011 from medical complications. WEBSITE His family has since renamed the Flo Factory label to Jah Ova Evil Records in loving memory of our jahovaevil.com brother/son. The label now focuses only on recording positive messages in the music recorded.

Irie Mag is honored to dedicate this special issue to the artists and family of Jah Ova Evil Records. IRIEMAG.COM JAM THE GIDEON

IRIEMAG.COM JAH OVA EVIL THE GIDEON

Biography FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL Aijah Nunes aka The Gideon was born in Port Antonio, Jamaica, on September 11th, 1982 along with his identical twin brother Jahnoi ‘Selah’ Nunes. The sons of dancer, choreographer and cultural icon Patricia ‘Patsy’ Ricketts and father Alty George Nunes II, these twins were destined for great things. As early as the age of 5, Aijah was introduced to a wide variety of music through his mother, who was working amongst the most esteemed dance companies at the time. The results help Aijah develop a very eclectic choice of music.

In 1991, at the young age of nine, Aijah and all 8 siblings were invited by various nations to perform a European tour. Arranged by their mother (Patsy Ricketts), renowned percussionist, Karl (Simba) Messado and European agents, they toured under the name ‘Jah Children’, performing at such places as London, Oxford, Wimbledon, Swindon, Scotland, Ireland and many more. The tour was so success- ful that they were invited back for three consecutive years, ending the European tours in 1993.

After their tour ended in 1993, the individuals of group went different ways, most of them ventur- ing into different careers. All but three remained; Aijah, Jahnoi and youngest sibling, Alty Nunes III (Lil Joe), who chose to pursue their musical career to the end. In 1995 the brothers formed a singing group called Encore. Although they never toured overseas as Encore, they were successful on the WEBSITE local live performance scene in the 90’s. jahovaevil.com

In 1998 Aijah and his brothers united with various friends and family and formed Judgement Squad. This was a shift from the genre of music they were known for. Aijah however developed a talent for constructing highly intricate lyrics. ‘The Gideon’ had emerged, with a style and sound like no other. IRIEMAG.COM Two years later in December 2000, the twins were fortunate enough to attain various studio equipment, and so the Flo Factory label was born. This was the perfect opportunity for The Gideon to fine tune his craft. FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL Now after 10 yrs of intense development and preparation, The Gideon is ready to take his place in the musical hall of fame. With diverse singles such as ‘Shorty’s Fly’ ft. Lil Joe, ‘Strength Of A Lion’ and ‘Jah Ova Evil’, this well-seasoned artiste is sure to make a heavy impact on the music fraternity both locally and worldwide.

The Gideon does most of his music productions with his family’s music label Jah Ova Evil Re- cords, which was named after his youngest sib- ling, Alty George Nunes III, who passed away on February 7, 2011 from a brain aneurysm.

Jah Ova Evil Records released The Gideons debut EP, ‘Divine Intervention,’ on February 2013, featuring songs like ‘Beat like a Drum,’ WEBSITE ‘Jah Never Fail I’, and ‘Raggamuffin.’ jahovaevil.com

The Gideon is currently working on his debut album due to be released in 2015. IRIEMAG.COM HEMPRESS SATIVA JAM

IRIEMAG.COM JAH OVA EVIL HEMPRESS SATIVA Biography FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL Kerida Johnson known as Hempress Sativa was born to Rastafarian parents Doris-Ray Johnson and legendary Jamaican Selector/Musician Albert ‘Ilawi Malawi’ Johnson of the Jah Love Sound System. It was her exposure to music at home that sharpened her skills and has manifested today in her expressive writing and delivery. Hempress Sativa commands the attention and respect of her audience based on her fiery performances, with an uncanny ability to keep all listening as they absorb her every word, every rhyme.

Hempress Sativa, who has been performing since the age of 13, with lyrics spiritedly influenced by her Rastafarian culture, as conveyed in her song ‘Judgement’ in which she begins by chanting ‘No More Illusion, Rastafari is real’ …. Her music although generally rooted in traditional reggae rhythms, also at times, crosses genres and may reflect traces of Rhythm and Blues, African and even Hip-Hop influences as evident in the Anthem Jah‘ Have Mi Back’.

Singles such as ‘Get High’ and ‘Children of the Emperor’ have been creating a buzz both locally and internationally, exemplifying her musical agility as a melodic singer and a lyrically skilled Chantress. Hempress Sativa lists her musical favourites as Sade, Sister Carol and Ijahman Levi, to name a few.

WEBSITE Dubbed ‘Hempress Sativa: Your Highness’, she intends on premiering her album to be titled jahovaevil.com ‘UnconqueRebel Lioness’ which is slated for a 2014 release. Hempress Sativa is an extraordinary young talent, propelling Jamaican music into the future while remaining strongly rooted in a traditional foundation that makes her music timeless.

IRIEMAG.COM JAM SELAH

IRIEMAG.COM JAH OVA EVIL SELAH

Biography FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL Jahnoi Nunes aka Selah was born in Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica in 1982. He is in an independent Music Producer/Artist and the Head of Operations at Jah Ova Evil Records. Selah attended Excelsi- or Primary/High School & Community College from 1988-2002.

He is the third born son to Alty George Nunes II and Miss Patricia Judith Maryla ‘Patsy” Ricketts, renowned dancer, choreographer and cultural icon. It was Patsy along with renowned percussionists, Karl ‘Simba’ Messado, who groomed Selah along with his twin brother Aijah Nunes aka The Gideon, their youngest brother, Alty George Nunes III affectionally known as Lil J.O.E aka Jah Ova Evil and his other siblings at a tender age as cultural musical performers know then as Jah Chil’ren.

They would do two consecutive European tours in 1992-1992 performing singles from their recorded musical catalog along with Jamaican cultural drumming, dance and drama.

In later years, Selah’s drive towards music composition and production was fueled by his love for music and the fact that talented artists always seem to find him and his family at 10 1/2 First Ave, Vineyardtown, even before their recording studio and record label, Flo Factory, was established in 2002. WEBSITE jahovaevil.com Selah has since then recorded and helped to groom a wide array of artists in their very young stages; artists who have all made a positive impact both locally and internationally. These artists include: Tifa, Angele Smith, O’niel Peart from dub poets No-Maddz, Cheddar, Micah Shemaiah, Hempress Sativa and Chronixx to name a few. IRIEMAG.COM Since the passing of Selah’s youngest sibling affectionately remembered as Lil J.O.E aka Jah Ova Evil in 2011 from a brain aneurysm, his family have renamed the record label Jah Ova Evil Records and are now working on a seven track debut FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL EP from Selah entitled Sons of Zebulon which features singles such as ‘Haile Jah’, ‘By the Rivers of Babylon’ and more.

Selah is also producing The Gideon’s album along with DXL’s album, a very promising artist from Jah Ova Evil Records, who is making a positive impact in various countries.

WEBSITE jahovaevil.com

IRIEMAG.COM JAH OVA EVIL JAM TUFF LIKE IRON

Biography

Born May 28th, 1986 in NYC, Tuff always had an international spirit and gift to connect with people of many walks of life on a human level. After dropping out of prestigious Columbia University, Tuff chose to follow the path of self-reliance and began her clothing label, Tuff Like Iron, at age 18.

The Tuff Like Iron label gained international attention of the cultural and socially conscious masses and Tuff brought fashion with a message to the streets of the U.S., Jamaica, Trinidad, and even as far as Asia. The clothing line has a far reaching star studded client base including Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Jah9, Jesse Royal and Jah Cure. Tuff Like Iron is already a household name in many regions. Well known WEBSITE for promoting images of cultural heritage and jahovaevil.com pride, the Tuff Like Iron clothing label is known for African prints, provocative images, and the signature crochet tams. IRIEMAG.COM In the summer of 2012, while vending with artist Aijah ‘The Gideon’ Nunes. A trip to Mamayashi at Veggie Meals on Wheels in Jah Ova Evil Records studio in Vineyard Town Kingston, Tuff was first introduced to the sealed the trinity in June of 2013 when the members of the Jah Ova Evil Family including first song, I’m‘ Talking To You,’ was recorded Hempress Sativa, The Gideon, DXL and Selah. by the extremely talented Jahnoi ‘Selah’ Nunes, well known for developing young talents into FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL amazing artists. These gifted twins were brothers to the beloved Alty Nunes aka Lil J.O.E. Jah Ova Evil, and sons of acclaimed Jamaican dancer Patsy Ricketts.

In less than one year Tuff Like Iron music has already made quite the splash. Heavy hitting singles like ‘Talking To You’ and ‘Keep Yuh Head Up’ are already getting attention from DJs and music lovers from California, Canada, New York, Jamaica, Trinidad and even Kenya!

The growing Tuff Like Iron fan base has shown overwhelming support for her newly released video ‘Equal Rights’ shot in Trinidad by the Jamaican-based film company, Nhurdz TV.

The voice and current of Hempress Sativa Tuff’s first live performances were well WEBSITE singing ‘Jah Have Mi Back’ touched her deeply, received in Grass Valley, CA, at the Jah Ova jahovaevil.com and there was something drawing Tuff to Evil 3rd Annual Lil J.O.E. Memorial Concert, these twin brothers like a magnet to steel. and most recently, at the all female showcase Tuff developed a friendship with the recording concert, Womanbition 2014. IRIEMAG.COM JAM DAHLUH

IRIEMAG.COM JAH OVA EVIL DAHLUH

Biography FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL Adrian ‘Dahluh’ Miller, son of Sharon Saunders including Rasta Uprising (2003), a show kept and Perry Miller, was born on August 31, 1984 by Ozzy Love and Fabian Brooks. Dahluh’s in the rocky mountains of St. Andrew. Being performance got the media out of their seats such a determined child, he was always up for and to the front of the stage. This response progress. Growing up, life was an unsettled made the headlines in Starbiz the very next process moving from St. Andrew to Kingston, in day. Back then, Dahluh was one of the lead the heart of the ghetto within Greenwich Town. members of the group formally known as Frass Dem Enterprise, a community corpora- The 90’s was when Dahluh really got into tion. This became a positive step for his caliber music. “The age of eleven was where and when of performance and the group after that, music came to me,” says Dahluh. Growing up starting voicing for numerous producers watching the veterans of street side dancehall such as Bertram Brown, Fabulous Fabian, like ‘Brooks I Slim’, ‘John Wayne’, ‘Dem Tuff’, Joseph Edwards and various music labels. ‘Sandman’, etc. These are some of the old school icons that inspired his style of music; filling his His first debut single, Tapple‘ Scaffle,’ first re- heart full of impetus to pursue performing and leased on Irie FM, getting its airplay. After that, songwriting. His first community performance, Dahluh went into a musical hibernation until WEBSITE a Greenwich Town stage show, was said to be 2013 when he came out of his musical journey jahovaevil.com the cutting edge of New Age Dancehall and to link up with (J.O.E) Jah Ova Evil records old school Reggae with a twist of Hip Hop. under the wing of Jahnoi ‘Selah’ Nunes. With His affirmation was concluded as more shows youth and inspiration still on his side, Dahluh continue through the late 90’s and beyond promises to delve nothing but the ‘Truth’. IRIEMAG.COM JAM DXL

IRIEMAG.COM JAH OVA EVIL DXL

Biography FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL Francini Olando Doyley, more popularly know as DXL, was born on June 6, 1984 in Kingston, Jamaica. He is the son of Winston Doyley and Veronica James. His mother unfortunately passed away on April 2, 2009.

DXL, as a visually artistic youngster, was more into drawing and sketching up to the age of 13. He then developed a passion for putting together witty and effective lyrics as a former student of Clan Carthy High School.

It was then that he realized he could use his talent to entertain people. DXL decided at the age of 18 to pursue a career in the music industry. He started his first recordings with a community based record label called Camaflage Records. Shortly afterwards, he formed another music label called Pressure Dem Records and started composing beats and recordings for other artists.

During the course of these ventures, DXL was tutored by Jahnoi Nunes on how to operate the necessary audio programs such as Fruity Loops, Nuendo and in later years, Pro Tools and Reason, a learning experience which help make DXL a highly effective element in any studio a true asset.

WEBSITE He is currently working on his debut EP to be released on the JAH OVA EVIL label. DXL emerges as jahovaevil.com a fresh new talent straight out of Dunkirk East Kingston. DXL is sure to be one of the most infectious and effective artists to hit the scene.

IRIEMAG.COM JAM NICOLE MILLER

IRIEMAG.COM JAH OVA EVIL NICOLE MILLER

Biography FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL Nicole Miller was born on February 23, 1982, at the Princess Margaret Hospital and raised in Sunning Hill, St. Thomas, by her mother, Veronica Smith and Donovan Miller. Nicole has been exercising her uncanny vocal skills from the tender age of four at the church of the Seventh Day Adventist with accreditation for her musical initiation due to her grandmother, Alice Thomas.

This was furthered strengthened by her father, who himself is a gifted singer and her mother’s eclectic music collection that resonated throughout her household. Through her years at Seaforth High School, Nicole played an intricate role in the choir which won numerous times at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) song competition.

In 1998, at the age of sixteen, Nicole enrolled in the Excelsior Community College Performing Arts program. This allowed her to explore her creativity along with grasping the theoretic side of music. Nicole’s professional career began during her College years when she graced the stages of Jamaica’s most luxurious hotels and also serenaded dignitaries such as local Prime Ministers and the Duke of Edinburgh. In 2006, Nicole Miller delivered a stellar performance at the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival and was thereafter re-invited to the festival.

WEBSITE Nicole has toured the world extensively as a background vocalist with chart topping Reggae artist, jahovaevil.com Richie Spice, dancehall icon, Mr. Vegas and Julian Marley, son of the legendary Robert Nesta Marley.

Nicole Miller is a soulful spirited singer who is more than ready and equipped to take on the music industry with strong gripping lyrics and vocals that can only be described as golden. IRIEMAG.COM JAM JAHWAWAH

IRIEMAG.COM JAH OVA EVIL JAHWAWAH

Biography FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL Julius ‘Jahwawah’ Griffiths was born in Kingston, Jamaica on November 1972. He grew up in a musical environment with his mother being a Promotion Manager for Tuff Gong (Bob Marley’s Record Label). Jahwawah’s musical career started with his high school band, ‘Kollege Krew’. Kollege Krew performed at talent shows, parties and outdoor festivals. The first time Jahwawah toured outside of Jamaica, he was invited to perform at the Nottinghill Carnival in London with Kollege Krew.

After his family moved to London, Jahwawah stayed and formed his first European band, Urban‘ Funk Collective.’ The release of the Chillout compilation in Europe (Switzerland, Germany and Australia) of which Jahwawah was featured went gold in a couple of weeks. And it was Jahwawah’s track that generated a lot of interest as Rockers HiFi asked to remix it, resulting with it going gold in London.

Jahwawah was booked to do several promotional gigs with Chillout, Drum & Bass, Garage DJs and live bands touring for 8 months through Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He was offered a contract by ‘Yo Mama (Germany)/Warner Records’ featuring Ganesha. The single was released and entered in the German Top Charts. During its first week of release, the track was used by Nokia for their advertisement campaign for Africa, Europe and Asia. Jahwawah & Ganesha had a German promotional Tour. They also performed in South Africa and at festivals in Austria and Switzerland. WEBSITE jahovaevil.com In 2005, Jahwawah formed lyrical souls band and Reggae Vibes Sound system. He toured from Jamaica, Germany, Seychelles, Africam and France, with Beenie Man, Ghetto Youths Crew and Kool Savas to name a few. Now comes his 2014 debut with J.O.E. (Jah Ova Evil) Records with over 6 new EP’s. From here, the sky’s the limit for this young prince of Reggae. IRIEMAG.COM JAM RAS ICHAEL

IRIEMAG.COM JAH OVA EVIL RAS ICHAEL

Biography FOLLOW JAH OVA EVIL Michael (Ras Ichael aka Di Ashesheesh) Montague was born in 1985 in Kingston, Jamaica. He is the youngest of five children from his mother, Miss Ruby Smith and his father, Mr. David Montague. Ras Ichael never really got to know his father who passed away when he was just 9 months old.

Growing up with his mother, he loved music. Music seemed to take him to a magical place. All he wanted to do was listen to music from his 4 foot stereo player and dance. He also liked cricket and cooking, something he loved more than anything in the world. He was an active child, always helpful. There were many times where he would cook for his mother.

By the age of 20, he started to sight Rasta. Three years later, he realized that music was the way. He started singing and writing hard, even though people would laugh at him. But he never stopped doing what he loved and that was music. At the age of 25, Ras Ichael begin to gain the attention and response he was craving. Most importantly, his friends and people in the community in general started looking at him differently. Ras Ichael linked up with Jah Ova Evil Records and recorded a couple of songs. He suddenly realized that he was getting positive responses from his listeners. So he continued, pushing hard with his music in an effort to get some air play. After landing a few shows, he got to know producers like Signature Records, Bold Records and Venom Records. He would go WEBSITE on to perform at shows in his community and in places like Bog Walk High School, UWI, Mountain jahovaevil.com View Jambaree, Reggae to Reggae, Jah Ova Evil Concerts and many more.

Be sure to listen out for this vibrant and energetic artist who brings clean music for the world… the artist named Ras Ichael aka De Ashesheesh! IRIEMAG.COM JAM

N.E.A.N. KING DAVID WELCOME TO OUR WORLD

JAH OVA EVIL IRIEMAG.COM IRIE would like to thank the following people who helped make our December 2014 issue a success. Without their efforts, this issue of IRIE would not be possible.

Giovanna Guimarães, Marcielle TetragrammAtom Young, Tuff Like Iron, Jah Ova Evil Records, Heather Cameron and our Reggae Ambassadors... Third World.

Nuff Respect!

IRIEMAG.COM