DUANE STEPHENSON - PROFILE:
Singer: Duane Stephenson
Job: Singer & Songwriter
Location: Jamaica
Genre: Reggae
Biography:
It is often said that the roots of a tree determine the quality of the fruit. Roots Reggae performing artist Duane Stephenson, is dangerously roots whose fruits are consumed everyday through his fans located in all corners of the earth. With a charisma that magnetizes audience, this humanitarian is positively changing the world with his brand of Roots Reggae. From the gritty shanties of August Town, Jamaica, to halls of state performing for Presidents, Duane’s appeal is delivered as he sings for change to social ills, and a relief to the suffering of the voiceless.
A graduate of the internationally acclaimed Cathi Levy’s Little People and Teen Players School, and the former lead singer of the successful, seven member adolescent group, To-Isis (known for the hit single “Ghetto Pain”), Duane is an artiste who is defined by his music. Unafraid to tackle challenging topics, Duane skillfully curves his lyrics and melodies, and in so doing, creates a picture that everyone can understand and relate to, and will collectively move all to change the elements that are wrong.
Duane’s debut offering to the world was the critically acclaimed “From August Town,” which was the title of both the blockbuster single and the full-length album, produced by saxophonist extraordinaire, Dean Fraser. The album received incredible attention in Jamaica, across the Caribbean, and around the world that Billboard Magazine listed it as one of six albums responsible for “collectively galvanizing a roots reggae revival” with “lyrics that convey romantic longings and the anguish of ghetto realities with equal conviction.” Pitchfork.com cited the album as “undoubtedly a highlight of not just 2008, but perhaps the past few years.”
Duane’s sophomore album, “Black Gold,” adhered to the standard set with From August Town, released on the VP Records imprint, and was nominated for the 2010 Album of the Year Award at Jamaica’s EME (Excellence in Music & Entertainment) Awards. In the fall of 2010, Duane teamed up with The Wailers, led by Aston “Family Man” Barrett, performing as a special guest on tours throughout North and South America. What’s more, Duane shared equal billing with KyMani Marley, Big Mountain, Pato Banton and The Wailers for the One Life Tour. Duane was introduced to the Wailers through their work with the UN World Food Programme and collaborated with them on a track entitled “A Step for Mankind” which has become the anthem for global hunger eradication.
In October 2010, Duane was invited by the World Food Programme to honour Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, at the George McGovern Leadership Award Ceremony as part of his work to raise awareness on the need for more action in addressing the issue of world hunger. That was the second time that Duane was honoring a Clinton; earlier in his career he was a part of a group that had performed for then U.S. President, Bill Clinton.
Having toured the world, performing at many large festivals (‘Rotterdam Reggae Festival’ in The Netherlands, ‘Rockers Rockers Rockers’ in France, Sierra Nevada, ‘World Music Festival’ in the United States) and several intimate and interactive venues, Duane has blazed trails in South and Central America which was recognized at the 2013 Linkage Awards for which he received the Outstanding Achievement in Music honor.
Duane’s third album, Dangerously Roots will be released late September 2014. In its pre-release, it has received critical acclaim from industry greats such as David Rodigan from the UK, Tony Carr from Washington DC, Delroy G from Toronto, and DJ Norie from New York. Listening sessions with fans have made it clear that Dangerously Roots is collectors’ items because of uplifting songs such as “Rasta For I,” and the tribute to Bunny Wailer in the song “Cool Runnings,” a 2014 take on the 1981 classic.
Noted producers on the album include Dean Fraser, Phillip “Winta” James, Clive Hunt, Christopher Birch, and Donovan Germaine from Penthouse Records. This collection of producers, and Duane’s tapestry of lyrics, makes Dangerously Roots an album that tells a story, and feeds the people good fruit from dangerous roots!
DUANE STEPHENSON - OFFICIAL DISCOGRAPHY:
1) Albums:
.2007 - From August Town
.2010 - Black Gold
.2014 - Dangerously Roots: Journey From August Town
2) EPs:
.2011 - Return "Special" - [Vizion Sounds Records]
.2014 - Soon As We Rise - [Kingston Songs]
.2015 - Special Edition - [FM Records]
3) Singles:
[Partial]:
.2007 - Fairy Tale / August Town - [Cannon Production]
.2007 - Give A Helping Hand - [No Doubt Records]
.2008 - More Than Words - [Jamplified Records]
.2009 - 24 Hours - [No Doubt Records]
.2009 - Crying Out - [No Doubt Records]
.2009 - That Love - [Joe Frasier]
.2010 - Return - [Vizion Sounds]
.2011 - Better Tomorrow - [Duane Stephenson]
.2014 - Rastafari Way (Mackeehan & Duane Stephenson) - [Frankie Music/21st Hapilos Digital]
.2014 - Giving a Helping Hand - [Kingston Songs]
.2014 - Nature Boy - [Kingston Songs]
.2014 - Marijuana - [Kingston Songs]
.2014 - Herbs Man (Gyptian Feat. Duane Stephenson) - [Kingston Songs]
.2018 - Love Her - [Frankie Music/VPAL Music]
4) Compilation/Best of:
.2016 - Pure Diamond Collection - [Bogalusa Records]
.2016 - Togetherness Duane Stephenson & I Wayne - [KS Digital]
Duane Stephenson - Discography:
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Albums:
.2007 - From August Town
(Original Press):
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Tracks:
1) Ghetto Pain. 2) Misty Morning. 3) Love Inna Di City [Feat. Anthony B & Mystic Routes]. 4) Fairy Tale. 5) Cottage In Negril. 6) Exhale [Feat. Tarrus Riley]. 7) I Don't Need Your Love. 8) Without You. 9) August Town. 10) Chant Love. 11) Mr. B. 12) Heaven Will Rise Up. 13) One Great World [Feat. Rochelle Bradshaw]. 14) Dream Weaver. 15) Fool For You.
[Label: VP Records (Cd: 2007)(Digital Release: 2007)]
Buy Cd at VP Records
Buy Digital Release at iTunes - GooglePlay - Amazon
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.2010 - Black Gold
(Original Press):
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Tracks:
1) Nah Play. 2) Fire In Me. 3) Truth Is [Feat. Mutabaruka]. 4) Deception. 5) Suffer's Heights (Rockers Version). 6) Woman. 7) Black Gold. 8) Jah Works. 9) Rescue Me [Feat. Gramps Morgan]. 10) Stay At Home [Feat. Queen Ifrica]. 11) More. 12) Cycle Goes On. 13) Soon As We Rise [Feat. Ras Shiloh]. 14) Members Only. 15) Suffer's Heigts (Ballad Version).
[Label: VP Records (Cd: 2010)(Digital Release: 2010)]
Buy Cd at VP Records
Buy Digital Release at iTunes - GooglePlay - Amazon
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.2014 - Dangerously Roots: Journey From August Town
(Original Press):
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Tracks:
1) Rasta For-I. 2) Good Good Love. 3) Nah Play. 4) Mutabaruka Intro. 5) Jah Reign. 6) Cool Runnings. 7) Julene [Feat. I-Octane]. 8) Simply Beautiful. 9) London Bridge. 10) House Of Lies [Feat. Lutan Fyah]. 11) Come Right In. 12) Ghetto Religion [Feat. Tarrus Riley]. 13) Dance For Me. 14) Sorry Babylon. 15) Run For Your Life. 16) Mutabaruka Outro.
[Label: VP Records (Cd: 2014)(Digital Release: 2014)]
Buy Cd at VP Records
Buy Digital Release at iTunes - GooglePlay - Amazon
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DUANE STEPHENSON - CONTACTS:
Youtube Channel
Website: www.duanestephensonreggae.com
For bookings and information please contact:
www.duanestephensonreggae.com
For press/media inquiries please contact:
www.duanestephensonreggae.com
Duane Stephenson "Cool Runnings" - (Official Video)
Duane Stephenson "To The Lord" - (Official Video)
Duane Stephenson "Think Twice" - (Official Video)
Duane Stephenson "Rasta For I" - (Official Video)
Duane Stephenson ft. Gramps Morgan "Rescue Me" - (Official Video)
Duane Stephenson ft. Roger Robin "Cottage In Negril" - (Official Video)
Duane Stephenson- EPK 2014 (Electronic Press Kit)
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In This Page.....Duane Stephenson
Photos by VP Records
Biography by VP Records
Discography by Marco Weststar
A huge thank you to Joy Ellington from VP Records
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