Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Sean Kingston tried to keep his performance as Jamaican as possible, with a spin on the turntables while showing his love for Jamaica at the Coca-Cola Presents Sean Kingston in Concert at the National Golf Academy on Saturday night.

Coming on after 1 a.m., Sean Kingston performed in Kingston for the first time as he gave the crowd his hit songs, breaking to big up the country, the performers, Big Ship, Haiti, the Gully and the Gaza, as he said, “nowhere nice like Jamaica.” Coming onstage to Mi Love, Kingston received a slew of cheers from the packed venue as he kept his hit songs coming like Face Drop, Take You There, Beautiful Girls declaring that he wanted a beautiful Jamaican girl, and ending with Fire Burnin’. In between songs Sean kept the vibe going, calling up Beenie Man, who he declared a friend and someone he admired, who gave the crowd pieces of his songs such as Woman A Call Mi.

Kingston showed his knowledge of current music in a face-off with his Trinidadian/Canadian disc jock as Kingston got forwards and cheers for songs such as Assassin’s Hands Up Inna Di Air, Serani’s Skip to ma Luu and Stephen McGregor’s Cyaa Friend Again. Declaring a moment of silence for Haiti, Kingston expressed his joy that Jamaica thus far had been spared any natural disasters and urged patrons to support their neighbouring island.

It was after 3 a.m. on Sunday morning when a disgruntled Elephant Man, after having his set cut short by police officers, unapologetically announced that fellow deejay and unscheduled performer Beenie Man had “mashed up” the Coca-Cola Presents Sean Kingston in Concert.

Receiving boos from the disgruntled audience for ‘dissing’ the self-styled King of the Dancehall, Elephant Man made his way offstage after just getting the energy started in his shortened set. After being called up by Sean Kingston earlier in the night, Beenie Man made his way back onstage for a short stint begging scheduled performer, DeMarco, “five minutes” to give his fans a taste of ‘the doctor’. DeMarco obliged, cutting in here and there for a few lines of his own songs and to showcase his own dance moves. Beenie Man ended up taking longer than his ‘five minutes’. At the abrupt end of the show as emcee Miss Kitty thanked the packed venue for showing, persons in the crowd lively debated Beenie’s performance for the night, often favouring the deejay for showing up and performing unexpectedly.

 strong vibe

Prior to its the unexpected ending, Sean Kingston in Concert was a well-organised and well-attended event that saw more interesting than forgettable performances for the night. Dominated by young artistes after 9 p.m., acts such as G Whizz and Tessanne Chin alongside surprise act Shaggy performing their duet Hold Me got some responses for their effort. Voicemail soon brought a dancing vibe as the younger crowd members bawled out “bembe” along side the trio, who kept a strong vibe. Laden soon followed, deejaying more of his song than usual with Gal Over Gun, Working Hard and had hands waving for Time to Shine. QQ gave a surprisingly mature performance, showing promise for the future, as he came out in a Michael Jackson-style outfit and had fans screaming at the front of the stage. Singing his R&B song, security had to come to his rescue at one point as fans tried to grab the young singjay while he ’stookied’ and ‘rum-rammed’.

the boo-bird 

 
Elephant Man during his shortened set at Coke Zero Concert, held at LIME Golf Academy, New Kingston on Saturday night. Elephant Man was later booed after he blamed Beenie Man’s extended performance for his abbreviated stint. – Winston Sill

Elephant Man wasn’t the only person to be bitten by the boo-bird for the night. Emcee Supa Hype received a solid one as well. After re-entering the stage, he asked fans to scream if they liked QQ. The audience complied. He then proceeded to ‘big up’ LA Lewis in the VIP area and asked fans to scream for the graffiti artiste. However, instead of shouting their approval, he was given a sound booing. Miss Kitty soon took over emceeing duties, bringing on Alaine next who danced and did her set followed by Tifa, who received a strong forward from welcoming fans. Fans sang along to Bottom of the Barrel, as the female deejay showed off her quick lyrics before going into Spell It Out. D’Angel looked enticing in a red body suit as she hailed her husband in the building and blazed onstage. Executing a quick wardrobe change, she soon made way for Chino who made time for new songs such as Phone Gallis on the Boops rhythm. He slowed it down for Ruff It Up as he took a seat onstage and played his guitar. Bringing out ‘the captain’, Chino made way for his father Freddie McGregor to get in a line or two as the crowd sang along to Push Come to Shove.

Etana, Shady Squad and Mystic all had the crowd warmed up as shortly after 1 a.m. the man of the night Sean Kingston made his way onstage as those sitting down, stood at attention for the international act. Coming to Mi Love, Kingston had a lot to say throughout his first performance in Kingston. In a disc jock showdown with his DJ NAZ, Kingston showed that he was in touch with new music, playing Assassin’s Hand Up Inna Di Air, Serani’s Skip to ma Luu and Stephen McGregor’s Cyaa Friend Again before bigging up the Big Ship. The deejay was all business with hits such as Take You There, Beautiful Girls and Fire Burnin.

While all eyes will be on Canada’s athletes competing for Olympic gold next month, a lot of ears in Vancouver will be treated to the best of New Brunswick music.

More than 20 of New Brunswick musicians have been financed by the province’s Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport to perform at Atlantic Canada House and Place de la Francophonie from Feb. 13 to 28.

The selected English and francophone artists span every genre and region. The roster includes Fredericton’s world-renowned soprano Measha Brueggergosman, but no artist is more fitting than her aptly named hometown compatriots, The Olympic Symphonium.

“On the list of things you want to do, it’s one of the ones you wouldn’t even think of putting on the list,” says Symphonium guitarist and vocalist Nick Cobham. “When it comes about that it’s happening it’s pretty exciting.”

The group probably wishes it had seen this possibility coming. They’ve already received a call from the Olympic administration, and may have to change their name because the word Olympic is trademarked.

“A few years ago, we even talked about that and that somewhere in the future it could come back and bite us. We’re not sure what’s going to happen there. I think it’s pretty appropriate that we’re playing there and hopefully they won’t be too mad about our name.”

Name issues aside, Cobham is excited about the opportunity and hopes to see at least one athletic event. Saint John chanteuse Jessica Rhaye is also staying a few days after her showcase to possibly catch an event and take in the atmosphere.

“I don’t have an athletic bone in me. I like to swim, that’s about it,” says Rhaye. “I will be telling people I’m going to the Olympics and they look at me funny, because I don’t look sporty. So, it is an interesting way to be involved with the Olympics.”

The news that they would be playing in Vancouver on behalf of New Brunswick came as an early Christmas present for the selected artists. But they’ve had to keep mum for the past month.

Marc Chouinard was entrusted by the province with choosing the musicians. As general manager of the Capitol Theatre in Moncton, he says he was used to programming and choosing from the wealth of New Brunswick musicians.

“We’re bringing the best image possible for our province to Vancouver,” says Chouinard. “I think we’ve got something original. We’re not just programming two or three artists, we’re putting on a show of what we do best in New Brunswick.”

The showcase will put the province’s Acadian heritage on the world’s stage. Acclaimed multi-instrumentalist group Ode a l’Acadie, considers it a “huge chance.”

“It’s a responsibility we have, but also a privilege, to share that part of who we are with the rest of the world,” says Monique Poirier, an artistic director and member of Ode. “We’ll certainly be choosing songs that best represent the Acadian spirit and culture.”

Country musician and Sussex native Julian Austin, who is now based in Alberta, shares Ode a l’Acadie’s sense of pride in his home province.

“I’m very honoured,” says Austin, “especially during the Olympics. It’s going to be such a proud time for all Canadians, and I’m going to give it 120 per cent.”

For Fredericton’s DJ Nasty Naz, who was born and raised in Trinidad, his selection goes to show what can happen if you work hard.

“I tell people this all the time, when I moved here it forced me to really do what I’m doing right now. I would not have gotten those opportunities in Trinidad,” says Naz “This can be your New York. This can be your L.A. You just have to have that mental ability to drive and succeed.”

Naz couldn’t believe it when he got the phone call at his Fredericton restaurant inviting him to Vancouver.

“I thought they were joking. I was expecting Ashton Kutcher to be on the other line “¦ I didn’t know whether to jump for joy or think it was a hoax.”

Named Atlantic Canada’s Top DJ, Naz has performed with the Black Eyed Peas, Akon and The Pussycat Dolls. He’s also reggae superstar Sean Kingston’s official DJ and will be heading in a week around the world to play the Grammys, Dubai, New Zealand and the NBA all-star game. But even with that international schedule, Naz is most looking forward to the Olympics.

“It definitely obviously makes me excited. I’ve done many shows with different artists -Akon, Sean Kingston, Black Eyed Peas, etc. But to tell my kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, I was part of that Olympics in 2010? That’s a big thing.”

David Myles

DJ Bones

DJ Nasty Naz

Edith Butler

George Belliveau

Grand Theft Bus

Hubert Francis

Jean François Breau

Jessica Rhaye

Julian Austin

Julie Doiron

Lisa LeBlanc

Matt Anderson

Measha Brueggergosman

Mindy Ward

Ode A l’Acadie

Pascal Lejeune

Radio Radio

Ryan LeBlanc

Samantha Robichaud

The Olympic Symphonium

VJ Pan

DJ Nasty Naz’s professional career in the music industry as a tour chef, tour hype man and a tour DJ has allowed him to work with artists like the Black Eyed Peas, The Game, Akon, Wyclef, Danny Fernandes and Sean Paul, to name a few. This attitude of continuously being on the grind has pitched this Trinidadian-born entrepreneur into a class of his own, with not only being a top DJ in the East Coast, but to having an award winning restaurant in Fredericton “Caribbean Flavas.

His skills in the kitchen have allowed him to cater for a number of groups, including Akon, Sean Kingston, Girlicious, Hedley, The Trews, and even rock and roll legend, Leonard Cohen. DJ Nasty Naz Flava of the Week will be a weekly column where Naz takes readers inside his world of cooking, performing and rubbing elbows with the stars. For more information on DJ Nasty Naz, visit www.djnastynaz.com, Join the “fan page” www.facebook.com/djnastynaz, Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/djnastynaz.

Or, to taste d’island life, visit Caribbean Flavas on 123 York St, Fredericton.

I’m back, I’m back, I’m back and what a feeling to be back home in Fredericton.

Las Vegas was absolutely AMAZING. Last year I was there with the family, and I had the opportunity to spin at club Pure, with another fellow DJ, in attendance was the infamous Paris Hilton and Kevin Federline, which was cool and all.

BUT, THIS year I had to fly back out because I was invited by an Elite Core DJ crew, largest in the US actually. They have been following my path for about three years now, and finally decided to sign me to their group, which consists of Top Models, Video Vixens, Top Producers like Akon, Swiss Beats and Cool and Dre and of course Top DJ’s like Clinton Sparks (top DJ for the likes of Britney Spears), and DJ Jam Master Jay (RIP) (DJ for legendary group – Run DMC) etc. It consists of DJ’s around the world and I was THE ONLY CANADIAN DJ in attendance.

It started off with a bang, where I was picked up by my cousin who is a house DJ in Vegas. He took me straight to the host hotel, The Stratosphere. We drove up, and my jaw literally dropped, because I am not one for heights, but this is second highest building compared to the CN Tower. It has their version of “the tower of terror” and some crazy amusement park rides ON THE ROOF of the 120-floor hotel. Great Naz, I can already feel my heart getting ready to stop.

After checking in, I was taken to my room, and the madness started! My other DJ’s realized I was there and we all had lunch on the roof top pool, with varying artists performing for our entertainment. A stretched Hummer took us all out to the Madalay Hotel, for an event hosted by our fellow DJ Clinton Sparks. In one word, let’s just say it was NUTS. Now 6 a.m. and the crew and I are now walking into the hotel (some are stumbling in) but with the time difference it’s 11 a.m. Ha, most people are at work by now.

We gotta get up at 10 a.m. for a breakfast meeting, which seemed like a blink away. We then had a few hours to relax then we were all taken by another limo to the Palms Hotel. Our good friend 50 Cent, or as some of you may know him as “Fiddy” booked out the entire 300-seat theater for us, AND the concession stand! He had a private movie premiere for us, and was absolutely amazing. It was about the Legendary DJ – Jam Master Jay – two turntables and a microphone and 50’s Before I self Distruct. It was very sad though, but absolutley amazing!!! Despite all the “gangsta” talk he (fiddy) has, he’s a real nice dude.

Later that night we hit the town again, where we were not only bumping to some old school joints, we also ripped up the club at the Palms with some new Flava.

The TOP-REVOLVING restaurant which is now the highest point west of the Mississippi, was reserved by Diddy for us the next day; some of you may know him as Puff Daddy. The view was absolutely breath-taking, the décor tres gorgeous and the food delicious. Only at a breakfast with Diddy, would everyone be drinking CIROC VODKA. And yes, Naz, drinks OJ (with extra pulp of course). I’m a gangsta like that.

But seriously, I couldn’t believe I was sitting right next to him and HE was having brunch with us, talking about his new album Dirty Money and just chillin.

The minute he met me, he pretty much jumped on me, and was super excited to see me. He picked me up off the ground. He was VERY impressed to know of the many things I have been doing out here in Canada. He heard about my column in [here], my Radio Shows, my TV stuff, my DJ Nasty Naz Clothing, even about my award-wining restaurant – Caribbean Flavas. Of course the Paparazzi were there, taking a million and one pictures, which was pretty cool. Some of his other friends and artists were also there including Danity Kane, Ray J (Brandy’s Brother) and Cassie. They were all nice, but of course my highlight was being able to chill with Diddy. While giving that “diddy swagger” smile, he said he was definitely up for staying in touch. One item Diddy ordered for us to eat was some wicked Strawberry Crepes. So even though I was in DJ mode, I had to chat it up with the executive chef to find out his recipe.

Ingredients

- 1 lb sliced strawberries

- Vanilla extract, whole butter and lemon juice (1 Tbsp each)

- 1 lb sour cream and cream cheese

- Crepes

- Granulated sugar

Directions

- This is a great brunch dish and super easy to make. Basically you have to combine the cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla extract and about 30 grams of sugar. Beat it until it’s a smooth consistency.

- Use about three tablespoons to fill each crepe, and then roll it around the filling.

- In a saucepan, melt and cook the butter and the sugar and add the strawberries and lemon juice at the end, to coat it. Bring to a boil and let thicken.

- Place the crepes on the plate and then spoon the strawberry syrupy goodness over them. You may garnish with fresh strawberries and even blueberries on the plate.

Your breakfast crepe with some OJ (extra pulp), without the Ciroc vodka, is a great way to start your day, if you wanna be like Diddy, and for me, well, movies with Fiddy and Breakfast with Diddy, is all in a days work.

His Crazy Caribbean Style defintly shines through his music selection, his energy, his accent and his swagger with tha ladies! DJ Nasty Naz’s professional career in the music industry as a Tour Chef, Tour Hypeman and a Tour DJ has allowed him to work with artists like the Black Eye Peas, The Game, Akon, Wyclef, Danny Fernandes and Sean Paul to name a few. This attitude of continuously being on his grind has pitched this Trinidadian born entrepreneur into a class of his own, with being a DJ for many top artists, having an award winning restaurant – Caribbean Flavas AND hosting his own radio show which airs on many different stations throughout, which happens to be called – Cool Runnings!

Ofcourse it was only fitting for Big Apple and the management team of Joey Stylez to get together with DJ Nasty Naz to offer him a spot to be Joey’s OFFICIAL TOUR DJ. Joey and Naz will be on Tour with Mr. 305 himself – Pitbull. For more info on DJ Nasty Naz and where they will be Touring and breaking into new markets with Joey Stylez you can check out www.djnastynaz.com or www.facebook.com/djnastynaz

By the time they get to university, most people think they know what career path they would like to take. But life is a tricky thing and no matter how many plans you make, you can still end up somewhere different down the road.

When Naz Ali started his business career at the University of New Brunswick’s BBA program in Trinidad and Tobago, he dreamed of becoming a Pediatrician or Marine Biologist. Little did he know he would go on to become a successful restaurateur and internationally known DJ.

Back in Trinidad and Tobago he had already started out being a DJ at various shows and this career forced him to come up with an interesting and unique stage name, and so “Nasty Naz” was born! 

Naz decided he would bring his music and culture to the Canadian Maritimes and he moved to Fredericton in 2003, after being offered a scholarship to study business at UNB. He earned an MBA degree and managed to turn his underdog business plan, which he created for an entrepreneurship class, into a successful restaurant. Caribbean Flavas is an award winning restaurant located in Fredericton, owned and operated by Naz and his family.

Naz received a lot of media attention last year when he was invited by the famous singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, to become his personal chef during his Atlantic tour. Naz catered to Cohen and his crew for their entire stay in the Maritimes.

Naz’s dual career has him working 18-hour days, but he’s not complaining. He loves the crazy hours he keeps. Naz says that his two jobs are really more like six. Other than being a DJ and chef, he is also a radio and television personality, artist promoter, production director, marketing promotions manager, and more. He has also worked on tour with artists such as the Black Eyed Peas, Akon, Snoop Dog and Sean Paul.

Russell Simmons, Naz’s mentor and a music and fashion industry mogul, said that Naz was, “highly motivated, a born winner, full of resilience and faith”.  To this day, that memory still makes Naz’s jaw drop. He continuously works hard to stay true to Simmons’ statements.

In Salisha Baboolal’s interview with Naz for the April, 2009 issue of Caribbean Belle magazine, Naz said that whatever path you go down and where ever it leads you “be true to yourself. Find your groove and stick to it; stand your ground and be strong. Sometime’s others won’t see your idea or vision but it’s yours. No one can take that from you – ever! It’s your job to make people see it and believe in you”.  Naz is an inspiration to finding and following your dream.

Even with the little downtime Naz has, he still has time to connect with his fans on the DJ Nasty Naz fan page on Facebook. If you would like to learn more about Naz and the people he has worked with you can visit his website, www.djnastynaz.com.

The tour was booked by JBizz Entertainment and consists of 3 dates:
Feb 6th – Nicky Zees – Fredricton, New Brunswick
Feb 7th – Club Hypnotiq – St.Catharines, Ontario
Feb 14th – Time Supper Club, Montreal, Quebec

The tour also features local opening act Farahri and Trinidadian born DJ sensation Nasty Naz.  Naz, who is based in Eastern Canada has been pulling triple duty as DJ , Hype man and Catering for Farenheit with his Award Winning Restaurant – Caribbean Flavas.

www.myspace.com/farenheitmusic
www.mysticurchin.us
www.caribbeanflavas.ca                                                                                                                           www.djnastynaz.com