XLR8R - PON DI WIRE

Published: August 13, 2008

Written by: Tomas Palermo

St. Lucia roots singer Taj Weekes drops his anticipated second album, Deidem, August 12 on Jatta. On the album, the gentled-voiced vocalist–who’s been compared to Bob Marley and Garnett Silk–expresses thoughts on climate change, the crisis in Darfur, and devotes an acoustic number to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Pon Di Wire Top Ten Reggae Tracks

1. Taj Weekes & Adowa “Dark Clouds” (Jatta)
2. Morgan Heritage & Busy Signal “Run Dem Weh” (Juke Boxx)
3. K-Salaam & Beatnik feat. Trey Songz & Buju Banton “Street Life” (VP)
4. Bugle “What Goes Around” (Daseca)
5. Junior Reid “Never Let You Go” (promo download)
6. Busy Signal “Unknown Number” (VP)
7. Tarrus Riley “Marcus Teaching” (Cannon)
8. Mavado “Money Changer” (Juke Boxx)
9. Camar “She Loves The Flava” (promo download)
10. Mr. Vegas “Mus Come A Road” (Irish & Chin)

Taj Weekes & Adowa's video for Hollow Display, the latest single from the newly released album DEIDEM, is now attracting attention from viewers on YouTube and Vimeo, among other sites. Filmed on location in St. Lucia, the response has been enthusiastic garnering comments such as "Beautiful work!! Lovely... keep movin on up!!" and "I love it, so beautiful." Follow the links below to view the video or go to the Video page to enjoy it on this site.

Play it on YouTube  :  Play it on Vimeo  :  Play it on MySpace   Enjoy!! 

February 2008

In advance of the release of DEIDEM, a new single entitled Hollow Display will be released next month on the internet and to major radio stations in the States and abroad. Weekes will be on location in St. Lucia at the end of February to shoot the music video for Hollow Display, which is planned for release in April.

DEIDEM is set for release throughout Europe in April, followed by nationwide release in the States soon after. Currently the DEIDEM promo, which includes the singles Orphans Cry, For Today and SIPPI a.k.a Louisiana, is available online at DiGStation.

January 2008 

The ICCP has named Taj Weekes a Goodwill Ambassador in light of his positive contributions to the Caribbean community through his not-for-profit organization, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) and his uplifting socially conscious music. Taj will utilize his talents and influence to bring awareness to issues that affect the Caribbean such as HIV/AIDS, global warming, and poverty. Several of the songs from the new album DEIDEM, including Orphans Cry, Dark Clouds and Louisiana, call attention to these issues.

Taj and the ICCP will be working with the World Association of Former United Nations Interns & Fellows (WAFUNIF), a division of the United Nations, to implement programs such as soccer clinics, HIV/AIDS awareness forums and agricultural initiatives through art, music and cultural events. The first project of the collaboration is a soccer program which will launch in St. Lucia, delivering soccer balls, equipment, cleats and uniforms to underprivileged, at-risk and orphaned children throughout the Caribbean. The initial goal is to bring 500 soccer balls to St. Lucia in the spring. Taj Weekes & Adowa will be collecting soccer balls, t-shirts, sneakers, cleats and more. If you would like to contribute to this cause, please contact TOCO at toco@tajandadowa.com.

The ICCP is a not-for-profit organization mobilizing Caribbean professionals worldwide in a mission to share knowledge, resources and expertise through collaboration, partnerships and individual initiatives for the benefit of the Caribbean people and nations. For more information on the ICCP, go to www.iccp2002.org.