AFRICA meets JAMAICA tour through RHYTHM...

AFRICA meets JAMAICA tour through RHYTHM
~ two music legends sharing the stage.

ZAGGA!!!  You can now bring world-class drummer and percussionist TONY "RUPTION" WILLIAMS from the legendary reggae band, THIRD WORLD, and the legendary Senegalese West African musician MAMADOU DIOP to your venues, clubs, festivals, concerts, private events, schools, cities etc.  It's official!!!

*Interested parties should contact Mamadou@mamadou.com for more information.

TONY "RUPTION" WILLIAMS is a well-accomplished drummer and percussionist on an international scale, having toured the globe as a member of THIRD WORLD since the late 1990's.  Prior to that, Ruption brought his intensity and skilled musical precision on international tours with Jimmy Cliff and his Oneness Band, as well as Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and Julian "JuJu" Marley.  

Ruption's talents have been showcased on several album recordings with Third World, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Maurice Gordon, and Algerian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Khaled. Of particular note, Ruption performed on several tracks of the music soundtrack for Steven Seagal's movie "Marked For Death", including the hit song "John Crow".  Most recently in June 2015, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and Ghetto Youths International produced the latest THIRD WORLD single, YIMMASGAN (Let HIM Be Praised) which features Ruption playing the African talking drum.

MAMADOU DIOP presents a world-class cultural experience. The sound is a guitar and drum led groove that includes the rhythms of high-life, juju, rumba, samba, salsa, and reggae blended with authentic Senegalese ethnic rhythms. MAMADOU DIOP has introduced his unique style of music throughout the New England area and beyond. Every audience he performs for instantly understands and reacts with joyous dance.

Tony Ruption Williams

Mamadou - Dembe

Feel the beat...

*Stay up to date with the AFRICA meets JAMAICA tour through RHYTHM page on Facebook.

YIM MAS GAN (Let HIM be praised)...new THIRD WORLD video/single released...

Bless up.

We wanted to take this moment to share with you the premiere of THIRD WORLD's new video/single, YIM MAS GAN, produced by Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley.  Check out Zaggaville's own TONY RUPTION on drums and percussion.  This song is a cover of The Abyssinians' 1974 original.  Let JAH be praised...




*Get the single on iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/yimmasgan-single/id1004166446

*Read more here:  Yahoo Music - Yim Mas Gan

*Get your official RUPTION merchandise, including a limited quantity of autographed souvenirs, at the ZAGGAVILLE store (www.zaggaville.com).  New items coming soon!!

Zagga!

SPOTLIGHT on Caribbean American Author, BELLE ANTOINETTE...

It is with great pleasure that we shine the spotlight on this young, Caribbean American author, Belle Antoinette.  Her new novel, REMAINS, hits the stores this week in both paperback and eBook editions.  We always encourage and support those who choose to pursue a positive path in life, especially when it is in the Arts.  So this week, we sat down with Belle Antoinette for a little one-to-one.  Here's what she had to say...

1.  Greetings.  Could you please introduce yourself?

   My name is Belle Antoinette, author of the paranormal romance novel, REMAINS.  I am Black. Specifically, Caribbean American. My parents and most of my siblings were born and raised on an island called Montserrat. I was born in Boston, MA. I've been writing and drawing since I was a little girl. I didn't attend art school like I wanted to but I designed the cover for my book. 

2.  Can you please share what growing up in Boston was like for you as a Caribbean American?

    Growing up in America with West Indian parents was difficult. My family had stricter rules and it was a completely different culture than that of my friends at school. The biggest challenge for me was trying to fit in. I pronounced some words differently and had the tiniest hint of an accent. I wasn’t that familiar with most slang. I was really self-conscious about standing out. On the plus side however, I love the music, food, and overall happiness of my heritage. I wouldn’t trade my family for the world.

3.  What stereotype did you encounter most frequently?

     The biggest stereotype I’ve seen is the idea that everyone who has dreadlocks smokes weed. Or rather, that's all there is to them. As a result of these misconceptions, there's a lot of negative connotations that go with having dreads instead of it being viewed as something unique and cultural. So you have a lot of people who don't belong to the culture appropriating it and making a mockery of it. 

4.  Your new novel, REMAINS, debuted this week.  Can you tell us what inspired you to write this book?

    Honestly, my complete lack of interest in the literature I was reading my last year of college is what inspired me. I was bored. I felt like I was reading the same pretentious story about some young (usually wealthy) boy at the turn of the century who was bored with life and all the privileges he was born with. It was just the same story with a different title, sometimes in a different era but still practically the same. I wanted to read something different. Sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal...anything that could keep my interest. I was finding it hard to focus and so I started writing my own dialogue instead of taking notes. 

5.  What did you learn about yourself throughout the process of writing REMAINS?

   I learned the importance of timeliness. I wrote the entire first book out of order and it was a nightmare organizing it. I also learned that I needed to write a paranormal story with a Woman-of-Color as the main protagonist in order to have any peace. I guess it's been bugging me for years without me realizing it. 

6.  What message you would like your audience to take away with them after reading REMAINS?

    I didn't really write it with a specific message in mind, but I guess I would say not to put yourself in a box when writing. If it's a story about a girl, she doesn't have to be obsessed with love. If it's a story about a boy, he doesn't have to be cold and detached. Most importantly, there is more than one race in the world. You can write about characters who don't look, speak, and think like you. Be inclusive because there are tons of readers out there who want to see themselves in characters but are continually ignored and erased from their favorite stories. 

7.  Do you have any advice to share with others, especially young people who are striving to pursue a writing career?

   My advice is to write about something you love. I feel like if you enjoy what you are writing, it will translate on paper. Also, don't let anyone make you feel embarrassed about what you like. I used to hide the fact that my favorite genres aren't Romance or Classic Literature because those are the genres "smart people" enjoy. But I prefer Harry Potter over Jay Gatsby any day. That's just how it is. 

8.  Where can we purchase our copy of REMAINS?

     

    REMAINS is available for purchase in paperback on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  For those who prefer eBooks, you can find it in the iTunes store and on Amazon.  Thank you kindly for your support.

*Amazon 

http://www.amazon.com/Remains-Belle-Antoinette-ebook/dp/B00VQIHWAG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429805150&sr=8-1&keywords=belle+antoinette

*Barnes & Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/remains-belle-antoinette/1121788040?ean=9781941541531

*Itunes

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/remains/id985657949?mt=11

9.  Where can we find you on social media?

    

    You can follow me on Twitter, Facebook or my blogs (links provided below).  I look forward to connecting with all of you. 

*Twitter

https://twitter.com/UnbelievaBelle

*Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RemainsTrilogy

*Blogs

http://belleantoinettewrites.tumblr.com/

http://www.belleantoinette.com/blog/

Zaggin' to AFRICA...

A contingent of nearly 70 exponents of reggae music will leave Kingston, New York, Atlanta and Miami later this week for Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire in West Africa, to participate in the inaugural staging of the Abi-Reggae International Music Festival and Conference, set to take place from April 9 to 12.

The combination of a reggae festival and a music and cultural conference is being described as groundbreaking, and the first of its kind on the continent of Africa. The razzle-dazzle four-day event will be headlined by A-list Jamaican acts THIRD WORLD, Morgan Heritage, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt of the I-Threes, and Ky-Mani Marley.  They will be joined onstage by Alpha Blondy and other regional West African stars. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Read more here.

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*RUPTION is truly honoured to be a part of the Jamaican contingent for this four-day reggae festival in  West Africa.  Bonafide #ReggaeAmbassadors - spreading JAH message to all corners of the earth. Guidance. 

Bless up!   

Zaggaville

Zildjian Scholarship...due JUNE 5, 2015

RUPTION performs Live using Zildjian cymbals
and his Signature Series 5A acorn drumsticks

Are you a passionate, full-time, music student?  If so, listen up!  The Kerope Zildjian Scholarship was created to provide an opportunity for students who are serious about the art of percussion and furthering their musicianship. 

Kerope Zildjian was a third generation Zildjian family craftsman who created the infamous “K Zildjian” cymbals. These cymbals are well known for their impeccable resonance, thinness and durability. Click here to learn more about the Zildjian Family history.

The 2015 Kerope Zildjian Scholarship Competition winner will receive the following:

• A $5000 college tuition award.

• An all-expense paid trip to Zildjian’s world headquarters to hand select a variety of complimentary cymbals.

• A one year membership to the Percussive Arts Society

To apply, the Zildjian Scholarship applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• The Kerope Zildjian Scholarship Competition is open to all undergraduate music students worldwide. 

• You must be enrolled for undergraduate full-time study at a college or university for the Fall 2015 semester.

• Previous Kerope Zildjian Scholarship Competition winners are not eligible.

• To be considered for the scholarship, applications must be postmarked by June 5, 2015.

For details on the rules and completing the application process, please click here.

Do not miss out on this opportunity, apply today!

Bless up!

Zaggaville

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*OPENING SOON (4/20) - visit the ZAGGAVILLE store for your official RUPTION merchandise and other one-of-a-kind gifts, including the RUPTION Signature Series 5A acorn drumsticks. 

*A portion of the proceeds from each sale will benefit the Montego Bay Boys and Girls' Club, where RUPTION invests his spare time teaching youths the art of drumming and percussion.

*follow RUPTION on Facebook.

*Enter to win - FREE Autographed RUPTION poster giveaway.

"TONY RUPTION" Poster Giveaway...

To share the joy and anticipation of the Grand Opening of the ZAGGAVILLE online store on April 20, 2015, we are giving away a FREE AUTOGRAPHED 12" x 18" (30.48 x 45.72 cm) "TONY RUPTION" POSTER to one randomly-selected fan.  

This copyrighted image of RUPTION was captured during Third World's performance at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in South Africa (2012). As the photographer, our bredren, Otis J. Gore describes what he witnessed that night: "Ruption stepped out from behind his drum kit and started playing a steady rhythm on his djembe. It stopped me dead in my tracks. ... What I saw, was mesmerizing... raw... primal... honest... colorful."   

To enter the drawing for this autographed poster, please leave a comment on this post on or before Saturday April 18, 2015.  

For an additional chance to win, you can share this announcement on your Facebook Timeline. 

The winner will be announced on April 20, 2015.  Could it be you???

ZAGGA!

*OPENING SOON (4/20) - visit the ZAGGAVILLE store for your official RUPTION merchandise and other one-of-a-kind gifts. 

*A portion of the proceeds from each sale will benefit the Montego Bay Boys and Girls' Club, where RUPTION invests his spare time teaching youths the art of drumming and percussion.

*follow RUPTION on Facebook.

meet the Artiste: TONY "RUPTION"...

TONY "RUPTION" WILLIAMS is a well-accomplished drummer and percussionist on an international scale, having toured the globe as a member of the legendary reggae band "Third World" since the late 1990's. Prior to that, Ruption brought his intensity and skilled  musical precision on international tours with Jimmy Cliff and his Oneness Band, as well as Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and Julian "Juju" Marley. 

Ruption's talents has been showcased on several album recordings with Third World, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Maurice Gordon and international artiste Khaled. Notably, Ruption performed on several tracks of the music soundtrack for Steven Seagal's movie "Marked For Death", including the hit song "John Crow".

Over the years, Ruption has been fortunate to collaborate with many high profile singers and performers from a wide genre of music including, but not limited to, Stevie Wonder, Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, Everton Blender, Tony Rebel, Capleton, Spragga Benz, Merciless, Alton Ellis, Cocoa Tea, Derrick Morgan and Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru. 

Despite his busy schedule, Ruption continues to volunteer his time teaching youths the art of drumming and percussion at the Montego Bay Boys and Girls Club.  He also remains available for collaboration on independent projects and workshops.

Zagga.

*follow RUPTION on Facebook.

*visit the ZAGGAVILLE store for your official RUPTION merchandise as well as other one-of-a-kind gifts and collector's items.  A portion of the proceeds from each sale will benefit the Montego Bay Boys and Girls' Club.