#sevana siren

[masoupe]

- vol 58 - YOU DON’T FUCK UP THE FINAL CRY FOR THE MAIN BEIGE DADDY

XXANNY - griddy nutcracker ETHAN BORTNICK - engravings DEV LEMONS - autopilot ZEE MACHINE - habit LEWIS TAYLOR - final hour SEVANA - lowe mi DOUNIA - f.ck me eyes CLAUDE FONTAINE - cry for another SERPENTWITHFEET - you don’t own me / canopy EMMA DONOVAN & THE PUTBACKS - my goodness KHRUANGBIN + LEON BRIDGES - B-side ORIANE LACAILLE + PIERS FACCINI - ode au doute KING MALA - she calls me daddy SIRENS OF LESBOS - cobra LEAH KATE - fuck up the friendship ROSSE - main character KIRBY - coconut oil KAINA - apple MYSIE - gin + juice COCO O. + CTM + YDEGIRL - beige barley

[fred-the-curator]

I just listened to this little gem and it deserves to be shared with other ears Mango Uploaded by Sevana Siren via SoundCloud https://ift.tt/vhcu0iQ Make the community vibrate: a like, a share, or even a comment can transform our cultural mosaic together. 🔊❤️

[saracellosoficial]

🎶📽️ Me @saracellos . . Conheça pedaços de mim. Um desastre de fofura em pessoa . Uma bomba explosiva. Muito corajosa/medrosa ao mesmo tempo . Mas eu sou calminha , eu sou reclamona tbm, en fim...doida Nasci no dia 24 de outubro , gosto de paçoca e chocolate. Banana com aveia ,leite e granola. . Gosto de ouvir atualmente Sara Tavares ,Sevana Siren , Michele Morrone , Doja Cat e umas musicas específicas . Eu não tenho um estilo fixo , sou muito aleatória com tudo . #eu #me #meueu #fy #foryou (em Brasil) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp3Rj6WPCS-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[timeismusic]

the soulful,

Sevana.

photos by Yoram Savion

[nofashiondread]

The unbelievable Sevana Siren. Shot by Wade Rhoden for Quaint Revolt.

[jamaicaismyplayground]

Sevana Siren

[disyahreggaemusic]

PROTOJE BLXXDCLXXT TOUR UK @ THE 02 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE, May 12 2017

“Now if you check the situation / a blood money run the nation…” (Protoje)

Former BBC Television Centre and iconic Grade II Listed building - The O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, was the ideal setting to host Protoje and his protege Sevana for the last show of their spectacularly successful ‘BLXXDCLXXT’ tour in the UK.

Located in the culturally diverse borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, it’s worth mentioning that rock legends such as the late David Bowie and The Rolling Stones have also played to audiences on its legendary stage. So why not Jamaica’s very own legend in the making?

The venue which has a capacity of 2,000, recently underwent major refurbishment and the acoustics benefitted from this upgrade too. So this would undoubtedly have a positive impact on the listening experience.

Thankfully, unlike the last time I saw Protoje on stage at David Rodigans ‘Ram Jam’ in 2015 - this show started on schedule.

Inside, Becca Dudley was first up on stage building up the vibes with a selection of reggae and dancehall tracks (DeadlyLDN / MTV UK / Deadly Radio 3 ) from 7pm.

Dressed appropriately in a bright red Adidas tracksuit, the tiny Becca D held her own on the huge stage for around an hour in front of a growing and lively audience.

Next up was the soulful and stunningly beautiful vocalist - Sevana. Sevana released her self titled six track EP ( Indiggnation / Overstand Entertainment) almost a year ago in July of 2016 so I was really looking forward to seeing how she translated the energy of those tracks to the patrons in the now packed venue.

Sevana was greeted by a warm and enthusiastic reception from the crowd as she stepped on to the stage so naturally - as if it was what she was born to do.

As a fan of the music, it can be a real struggle to separate work from pleasure especially when there is an artiste as captivating in persona and vocals as Sevana commanding the venue. So when she invited us into a call and response for ‘Chant it ‘ I had to put down my gear and join in the collective chorus when she said:

“I’m gonna ask you to say two things, just two things: Chant and It”

But for me, the standout track for the evening and my own personal favourite was the Protoje / Winta James produced track ‘Carry You’ which she reminded the audience was written in honour of her younger brother.

“Won’t have to say how far I’ll go / all I will do is just show you / don’t worry, I’ll carry you on my shoulder / I will be your soldier /

Sevana revealed a deep rooted vulnerability and sensitivity in this song and in the way she performed it and I have to admit - I once again had to pause for a while from photographing and absorb the moment.

Her soulful set lasted for around half an hour and had to make way for BBC Radio 1 Xtra DJ - Seani B and his legendary bashment party vibes.

“Do you know where the music comes from? If you have a love and respect for Jamaica - lemme see you put your hands in the airrr…”

Selecting vintage tracks from Bob Marley to lovers rock by Dennis Brown (big up his daughter Marla B who was rocking out in the audience) all the way through to Buju Banton Chronixx and Jr Gong - the man had the crowd dancing on their feet and belting out lyric after lyric to each song. It was a vibe.

Like clockwork, the set lasted for just about half an hour and by the now the crowd were hyped for the arrival for the headline act, the man himself - Protoje aka Diggy British.

“I’ve been told -Protoje is five minutes away from getting on this stage…!”

Seani B’s announcement sent the crowd into a frenzy of excitement as the stage crew hurriedly cleared away the decks and table from the stage.

There was such a buildup of tension, as press and fans searched the stage to catch the first glimpse of whether Diggy would enter from the left or right. I have a little trick that has never failed me that lets me know where an artiste will appear from. But hey - it’s a secret - no telling!

As I expected - Protoje burst from the right of the stage like a volcanic eruption and the fans erupted along with him.

From top to toe Proto was dripping in what I believe is his signature style: cap, glasses, trenchcoat and desert boots (Clarks maybe - I’m not sure. Wasn’t THAT close!)

Bouncing around the stage with the dynamic energy and genuine engagement with his band, Proto slowed it down and took us on a meditative journey reinforcing his faith with the now familiar chant from Eight Year Affair:

“Every morning I rise / Peace to my mind / when I hail Ras Ta Fari…”

With a catalogue spanning from his first album Ancient Future right up to his recent EP Royalty Free, Diggy pulled out hit after hit and the fans sang along word for word to every single track.

Surprise of the evening was when he brought Sevana back on stage which drove the crowd into a frenzy especially when they sang ‘Sudden Flight’ off of the 'Ancient Future’ album.

Unfortunately due to very strict restrictions, no more photography was allowed after three songs; press had to clear the pit and all my camera gear had to be confiscated until after the show was done. But you know - rules are rules and we have to respect them if we accept them

On a positive note, I was able to join in the audience and take in the clean, sharp vocals from Protoje’s newest signing - the freckle faced fireball that is Lila Ike or Lil’ AK as I like to call her. Because she can fire off lyrics like a real machine gun trust me.

Think Leno Banton, Royal Blu, Blvk H3r0 when you think of vocalists like Lila. Young, fresh and energetic with a strong retro dancehall and hip-hop influence.

Fans of Lila will be familiar with her tracks like ‘Sensimelia’ or the Foresta (German music producer)  produced track ‘Believe’ which is a stunning duet with Royal Blu. Incidentally, it is also the first track from his upcoming EP which he is working on with that producer. And of course ‘Flight Plans’ off the ‘Royalty Free’ EP.

However, it was all about promoting Ike’s new track (released on iTunes 14.05.2017) - ‘Biggest Fan’  - a heartfelt, but not soppy ode to her mother.

Lila Ike (official artwork by Nickii Kane)

In true modern day fashion, I finished watching the show on Instagram Live while I was on the train and was able to catch him singing his new track titled ‘Blood Money’  - a politically charged social commentary on the oppression faced by the majority of Jamaican people and a call to action against insidious political and corporate corruption.

“Now if you check the situation / a blood money run the nation / come take a look inna Jamaica / injustice in the place now / if what you see nuh really faze yuh / then you a the problem whe’ we face to…”

Proto really pulled this show out of the bag and it was a joy to see all the creative connects on the stage which really resonated with the audience.

We wish him and his team all the best as they continue on to Jamaica and then on to another tour of the United States before coming back to these shores for the some of the big summer festivals. I can’t wait…

Please visit www.protoje.com for all tour dates also www.sevanasiren.com and Lila Ike on Facebook.

Words and Photographs:  lizzy brown. / @iameyeandi / www.eyeandiphotography.com / dis yah reggae music

[tripped2hard]

Love The Way - SoundCloud

Listen to Love The Way by Sevana Siren on #SoundCloud

[touchytopix]

Black Hypocrisy

“I was told I would reach further

If the colour of mi skin was lighter

And I was made to feel inferior

Cah society seh brown girls prettier- Spice, Black Hypocrisy

Huawei To the World

I got my first smartphone when I was sixteen. I know that might be really late for the rest of the world but Tanto Blacks was not my uncle or anything. Like all other good things, my smartphone took time.

It was a low-end pink Huawei about half the current size of my palm.

That time, I thought I had the world in my hands. I didn’t just have access to images and videos from every location in the global community, I found girls that looked like me; flat nose, mini afro, and glowing dark skin. That indescribable feeling bubbled within my chest for a few peaceful years until Spice brought me back to reality.

I was seated at lunch with my girls when my friend Sasha (that one friend who was always on her phone) cried out, "nosah, look pon Spice!” I reached for my old Huawei instantly, logged into Instagram, and typed her name frantically in the search bar. There she was, white as a Kardashian with blonde hair and grey eyes. I was disheartened; I could not believe that she had to go to that extent to be recognized. Even after she revealed that it was just a publicity stunt, I was still uncomfortable with the idea.

Instagram was flooded with pretty dark-skinned girls who scored big deals with major brands in almost every industry. I thought we were finally resolving our issues and moving past the shade divide. The naïve child who suffered from colorism was still hoping that our society would change but, I was wrong. My fears were materialized when I learned from Sevana Siren (another dark-skinned artiste) that she experienced colorism in Jamaica multiple times. She went on to describe it as a "condescending force" that plagues Jamaica. She also stated that it was as if people were surprised to discover that she had dark skin and was beautiful with it and so, she was often sexualized for having smooth chocolate skin.

Hershey's Appeal

I call it the Hershey's appeal.

The chocolate-skinned woman on Instagram or any other social media platform is seen as an exotic specimen that brands are trying to score to make their company seem like one big all-inclusive hotel. Yet, they don't have our shade in the make-up bag on set, and they are very exact on what hair color or clothes suit our skin tone when we can slay anything. Of course, we are moving towards a new dispensation, and doors are opening at the pace of butter ackees, but be careful.

I agree with Spice though; society is very hypocritical. However, lighting your skin tone is like taking the enemy's knife and piercing your own back with it. I know, this unequal system will make your nappy strands fall out of your head, but stay calm. We are not the angry black woman that they expect us to be.

Little Black girl, you are brilliant and capable. It is okay to leave a brand in the rearview mirror of your Benz if you ever feel violated. If they don't have your shade in the bag, build it, brand it, and boss up. We are valid and beautiful; let us act accordingly.

[freio]

Bit Too Shy by Sevana Siren First official single from Sevana. Produced by Winta James and Oje Ollivierre Mastered by Chris Athens Art by Yannick Reid and Nickii Kane

[withbellzon]

Convinced Sevana made this with me in mind 😍🥭

[timeismusic]

Sevana

don’t want no sometime love.