Serani, “Polka Dot” MP3
- story Peter Macia
A superstar in the FADERverse, Serani just released his new, long-awaited No Games album and it, along with new albums from Sean Paul and Vybz Kartel, built a small brick wall on the Billboard charts, selling a collective NOT THAT MUCH recently. To this we say to the music buying public, is the new Weezer album really that good? Cuz y’all scarfed that up like it could pay your mortgage. We’re biased as hell because we’ve been playing some of these songs during memorable times over the last two years, but even if we hadn’t, it’s about to get brick outside for the next few months and this album is end-to-end heaters for the ramping shop, people, and it only costs a few bucks. Go get it and enjoy the Brasco bonus cut below with Serani on the hook.
Download: Serani, “Polka Dot”
Brasco f. Serani, “Money Train”
Ghetto Palms 69: New Serani / Daseca Riddims
- story Eddie "Stats" Houghton
- photo Martei Korley (F57)
No 69 jokes, please. Badman arithmetic only goes up to 68-and-I’ll-owe-you-one. Just by pure coincidence though, this edition of Ghetto Palms does happen to be kind of a ladies night special. But that’s only because after a brief summer hibernation, production trio Daseca are back on the set with a vengeance—and when Serani and co. are not working out their Anger Management issues on a Bounty Killer affiliated project, they can kill a lover’s tune like nobody else.
It’s. It’s New Seraaani. R Six Riddim + “Skip To My Luu” MP3
- story Peter Macia
Serani’s moment in New York was summer 2008, with “Doh,” “No Games” and “She Loves Me” all on constant rotation on both pirate stations and Hot97, and he’s been trying to get an album filled with that same music out for a while now. Hopefully, that will still happen, but for everyone who’s already ready for some new Serani/Daseca emotional dancehall, here is Serani’s version on Daseca’s new R Six riddim and a random joint that also has dancer-turned-deejay, best named Ding Dong. Both are absurdly upbeat and perfect for the doggy days of summer.
Download: Serani, “I Don’t Say I Love You”
Download: Serani f. Ding Dong, Razzy & Biggy, “Skip To Ma Luu”
Serani, “When It’s Cold” MP3
Though “No Games” is a definite banger, Serani’s been riding on it for over a year now, with sparse bits of good new stuff and some “No Games” dance mixes which were decidedly not that popping. But here he jumped on the School Bell riddim (read more about that here in Eddie Stats’ Ghetto Palms column and charms/croons his way across another sampling of lady-crack, as he is wont to do. Shout out to our Assistant Style Editor Ms. Erin Hansen, who interviewed Serani for FADER TV back in March, and who is leaving us for the frondy wilds of Kingston as of today. We will miss her so dearly. Serani take care of our girl!
Download: Serani, “When It’s Cold”
Video: Serani, “No Games”
- story THE FADER
The new cut for Serani’s NYC-ubiquitous “No Games” expands the boundaries of green screen: He and his female companion are clearly on an “island,” but because of the neutral glow of a digital sun, and the perfect fronds of electro-purple palm trees, it could be ANY “island.” Jamaica, sure, but what about Trini? Guam? Maui? The Island from Lost? It’s a simple video, its props are spare, but its neutral location speaks to the universality of the song. And the breakdancing dude is but a silhouette, not the asshole who’s gonna try to come interrupt your attempt at hollering. The genius of cinema!
FADER TV: Serani Interview
- story THE FADER
We’ve been blasting Serani’s “No Games” single in the office again lately since we learned his album will finally be released Stateside this spring. He and the Daseca crew are longtime FADER favorites, so when Serani rolled through our office a few weeks back we had to get him on FADER TV talking about future summer jams and his signature R&B-branded dancehall that gives ladies a certain something to fantasize about on the dancefloor. The interview got a little sexy, but also took a political turn as Serani talked about the present broadcasting controversy in Jamaica. After you get riled up hearing him talk about it, make your way to the community debate in Brooklyn tonight given by the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music at the Billy Holiday Theatre between 6:30pm and 9:30pm. More information here.
Ghetto Palms: New Serani / Day Rave Riddim / Ragga Soca / Kwaito / Mad Different Stuff
- story THE FADER
Every week resident FADER selector Eddie STATS runs through dancehall riddims and other artifacts from the ghetto archipelago.
Ok, it’s official. My collection of micro-genres has splintered into such tiny factions that they are starting to melt together into one Ghetto Palms
macro-genre. Which is just another way to say I love it when dudes speed up dancehall into ravers, pitch down house into kwaito and split the difference with ragga soca. All in the same week!
Freeload: Bugle, “Doh Be No” (Tear Up Jeans Riddim) + Corduroy Riddim
- story THE FADER
Out of the many good versions on the Tear Up Jeans riddim, we have selected Bugle’s because it is the best and also the most creative with it’s instrumental embellishments. Why is that important? It’s not really, but since Tear Up Jeans is basically a redo of the Corduroy riddim from 1994, we demand CHANGE. If you need more, other FADER faves, Serani and Voicemail kinda kill it on “Iz This Real” and “Booty Call”, respectfully. And if you really really need more, find Mad Cobra and Beenie’s Corduroy versions.
Download: Bugle, “Doh Be No” (Tear Up Jeans Riddim)
Mad Cobra, “More Them Talk” (Corduroy Riddim)
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posted on Jun 4, 2008 in MP3 / STREAMS tags Beenie Man, Bugle, caribbean, freeload, Mad Cobra, Serani
Video: Serani & Bugle At The Shortwood Teachers College
- story THE FADER
There are precious few things that can cheer us up on a rainy New York Monday morning, but one of them is Serani and Bugle performing their hits on a tiny stage for about 75 students at the Shortwood Teachers College in Kingston. No rushing the stage, future educators of Jamaica.
Freeload: Serani, “Doh”/”Stinkin’ Rich”
- story THE FADER
Walk down the right block in New York and you’ll find a car parked with some Tonka-looking stereo system sitting on the roof blasting Daseca tunes from sunrise to sunset. As far as we can tell corners are the new cafe. Currently, Serani (the ’se’ in Daseca) is making a run on Mavado for most rewinds with “Doh” and “Stinkin’ Rich,” and now that the sun is out and morning temps are drifting into the 60s, dudes are taking their time before heading on to work or whatever, catching some rays, having a beer (not us, no way!). Also, not coincidentally, Serani is artist of the month for April in Montego Bay’s weekly paper. Just saying.
Download: Serani f. Bugle, “Doh”
Download: Serani, “Stinkin’ Rich”
