DANCEHALL artiste Chino has signed an endorsement deal with Mother's Enterprise to promote the company's popular Power Patty product. The deal will see Chino, whose real name is Daniel McGregor, participating in various promotional and advertising campaigns which will seek to tap into the company's youth market.

"It's a feeling of accomplishment endorsing a company like Mother's which I have grown to recognise as a staple in Jamaica's food market since I was a child," said Chino. "I am looking forward to this relationship with them. I will be representing them to the fullest, just as how they have been representing and endorsing me."

 Chino is the second dancehall artiste to be affiliated with the Mother's brand. More than 10 years ago, Kip Rich was featured in an advertising campaign for the company.

Lisa Hyper for Ocho Rios Police Youth Club fund-raiser

DJ Lisa Hyper will be lending her talents to help the Ocho Rios Police Youth Club raise funds for a number of charity ventures.

She will be one of the featured acts at the club's annual fun day on July 9 at the Priory Beach, St Ann's Bay.

"When they approached me I thought it would be a good idea to give my services because the proceeds from the event will go towards feeding the homeless in and around the town of Ocho Rios; treats to the children's ward at the St Ann's Bay Hospital; and towards various educational and environmental projects," Lisa Hyper said in a release.

Gramps Morgan, Kymani Marley for month-long Reggae Revolution tour

REGGAE crooner Gramps Morgan, son of Denroy Morgan, patriarch of Morgan Heritage, and Kymani Marley, son of reggae legend Robert Nesta Marley, announced recently that their North American tour, dubbed the 'Reggae Revolution Tour' will open on Thursday, July 7 in Whistler, British Columbia.

The month-long tour will make stops in Vancouver, Victoria, Spokane, Seattle, Bellingham and Portland, Oregon, and will include two heritage festivals — the 27th Annual Reggae on the River in Northern California where Gramps and Kymani will share the stage with Tony Rebel, Bushman and Queen Ifrica; and the 12th Annual Ska Festival in Victoria — a popular three-day celebration of ska, reggae, dub and punk music.

The tour will conclude on the US West coast in California, with dates in Solana Beach, Santa Barbara and West Hollywood on July 19-21 respectively.

Prior to the North American tour, Gramps will headline the fifth annual Reggae Music Achievement Awards, which honours the top talents in reggae at Toronto's Jamaican Canadian Centre on June 4.

The next day he is scheduled to head to New York to join Grammy Award-winning artiste Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley, Freddie McGregor and other top reggae acts at the historic 'Reggae 4 Japan' benefit concert, to support the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Effort of the American Red Cross at York College Performing Arts Centre in Queens.

"I have been to the beautiful country of Japan. It was on one of my most memorable tours with Morgan Heritage," said Gramps. "So when my long-time friend Chin called and asked if I was available, I was naturally inclined to participate in this benefit concert. I believe it is critical that we as entertainers give when we can, whether it is our time, money or talent. I am looking forward to working with all the great artistes on the 'Reggae 4 Japan' event to raise funds that will go towards assisting Japan in its rebuilding efforts."

Lazah Current drops A Better Tomorrow

REGGAE singer Lazah Current believes he is on the verge of a musical breakthrough. The Manchester native, who once plied his trade on the Canadian music scene as a member of Messenjah reggae band, is currently making great strides as a solo artiste, both locally and abroad.

He recently returned to Jamaica from Canada to begin promotion of his sophomore album, A Better Tomorrow. The 15-track set was produced by Anthony 'Bassy' Hibbert of Guerrilla Music Productions, a local music production company based in Gordon Town, St Andrew.

A Better Tomorrow was officially released and launched in Toronto, Canada on May 13, 2011 at Lula's Lounge.

Lazah Current, whose real name is Hal Duggan, is also enjoying much attention on the local airwaves with a track from the album titled Lately, which is currently in the number six position on the Jamaica Music Countdown Reggae chart. The supporting video for Lately was shot in New York over a week ago and is currently being edited for release.

Dolla Koin ready to print money

UPCOMING deejay Dolla Koin shot a video for his new single, Jeans And Heels earlier this week, and the rookie is upbeat because, he says, he is getting buzz around the project.

"Right now, I am getting a lot of positive feedback on Facebook and on the entertainment websites to the Jeans And Heels song," he is quoted in a news release. "People are loving its summer vibe."

The Portmore-based deejay says he will be officially launching the project at an event called 'The Launching of Dolla Koin' on June 18 at Club Aphrodisiac in the Portmore Town Centre.