Rock The Country

Eagerly asked to check out a new local talent reminiscent of dancehall pioneer Super Cat, producer Jeremy Harding went down to an open mic event in Kingston, Jamaica and unbeknownst to him he would discover the future global star, Sean Paul. Connecting with Paul and offering his advice, Harding began collaborating with him on tracks such as "Baby Girl", it was just the beginning of their strong and long standing relationship as Harding took him under his wing as his manager.

Soon a buzz erupted locally as people began to talk of the future superstar. In 2000 Paul released his debut album "Stage One" through VP Records. The album would be the start of his international career as his music was well received by neighbours in the U.S.

His monumental second release "Dutty Rock" released in 2002 through Atlantic Records would be the catalyst that turned a local star into a global superstar. The album featured the hit tracks "Gimme the Light" and "Get Busy" which navigated thorough freshly fused native Jamaican dancehall with contemporary R&B.

Keeping himself busy, in 2003 featured on several tracks with big artists such as Busta Rhymes, Blu Cantrell, Beenie Man and mostly famously appeared on superstar Beyonce’s number one single “Baby Boy” which further catapulted Paul into the spotlight. His electric and energetic performances provide the perfect party atmosphere enthusing audiences across the world to dance.

In 2005 Paul released his third album eloquently titled “Trinity” which featured “We Be Burnin’”, “Give It Up To Me” (featured in the film Step Up 2) and the smash hit “Temperature” released in 2006 which became a club classic. Later that year Paul was awarded with an American Music Award for “(When You Gonna) When It Up To Me”.

Sean Paul has proved himself to be the master of crossover as throughout his career he has continued to collaborate with artists from a range of different genres including: Joss Stone, Rihanna, Enrique Iglesias, The Saturdays, Major Lazer and Simple Plan.

Originally born in Austin, Texas, Nelly moved to Missouri as a result of his parents’ separation at the age of 7. It was there that he found initial musical success, with the formation of the hip-hop group “St. Lunatics” with his high school friends in 1993.

After achieving moderate local interest with their song “Gimme What U Got” it became apparent to Nelly and the rest of the group, that he was the star of the group, and they encouraged him to push forward with his solo career.

He was finally signed by Universal, despite concerns about his geographical background not being commercially viable, as the majority of well-liked rappers hailed from New York or California at the time.

However Nelly’s debut release Country Grammar in 2000, was fairly successful, with the title track’s popularity helping pull the album to the top of various charts in the US. The album established Nelly’s personal pop-rap style, matched with his southern drawl that made him distinctive in the genre at the time.

Two years later, Nelly released his second full-length album, “Nellyville”, which took the rapper to superstardom. Tracks such as the catchy “Hot In Here” and R&B collaboration jam “Dilemna” with Destiny Child’s Kelly Rowland, established Nelly at the top of the charts around the globe, with the album certified as six times platinum and ranked as the fourth best selling rap album of all time.

Suddenly, Nelly and his trademark plaster were everywhere. His third LP, a “dual” album called Sweat, Suit, was a half Rap, half R&B album, Both albums were released simultaneously in 2004, with the latter featuring the hit single “Over and Over” a surprise joint track with country singer Tim McGraw. The album was yet another commercial triumph for the rapper, cementing his place as one of the true icons of the 2000’s.

Alongside his musical career, Nelly became known for his business acumen, during a time when rappers could seemingly release anything! Nelly’s ventures included, collaboration with Nike for a limited edition sneaker, his own brand of energy drink “Pimp Juice” and a women’s clothing range called “Apple Bottoms.” He also made a name for himself in the acting industry, starring in comedy sports movie “The Longest Yard” with comedians Adam Sandler and Chris Rock.

Growing up in the small rural town of Romeo, north of Detroit, US, Ritchie found a love for hip hop, finding the music and lifestyle to provide an escape from the banality of small town life, creating his own rap music as well as breakdancing. Influenced by Beastie Boys' fusion of rap and rock, Ritchie developed his own style under the name of Kid Rock, eventually gaining a record contract with Jive Records in 1990, after impressing through a support slot performance for Boogie Down Productions. His debut album, "Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast" arrived shortly after, which was heavily indebted to Beastie Boys "License to Ill," achieving notoriety through the profanity-heavy single, "Yodelin' in the Valley." Kid Rock toured with Too Short and Ice Cube following the album's release, although Jive Records dropped him from their roster shortly after.

A move to Brooklyn, US, helped to reignite his career, signing to Continuum for 1993's "The Polyfuze Method," which moved towards a harder rock sound. The release received mixed reviews yet gave Ritchie the encouragement to continue making music. Another album, "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp," arrived in 1996, with Kid Rock forming a band shortly after, having returned to Detroit, US. The band featured Joseph Calleja (vocals), Kenny Olson (guitar), Jason Krause (guitar), Jimmy Bones (keyboards), Stefanie Eulinberg (drums), Uncle Kracker (DJ/Turntablist) and Misty Love and Shirley Hayden (backing vocals).

With the rise in popularity of Nu-Metal, Kid Rock received interest from Atlantic Records, who decided to sign the artist for his 1998 release, "Devil Without a Cause." Extensive airplay on MTV helped bolster Kid Rock's popularity, becoming a superstar with a Top Five, Multi-Platinum selling album. Ritchie also became famous for his much publicized relationship with Pamela Anderson, receiving significant interest from the tabloid press.

Kid Rock returned in 2001 with "Cocky," featuring the hit single, "Forever." Rock gained a number one album with "Rock N Roll Jesus" in 2007, selling 172,000 copies in its first week. The hit single, "All Summer Long" became a massive success, a mashup of Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic, "Sweet Home Alabama." 2010's "Born Free" also charted well at number five, an album that featured a number of artists, including Bob Seger, Trace Adkins, Zac Brown, Sheryl Crow and T.I. Kid Rock continued to tour relentlessly, not returning to the studio until 2012, for "Rebel Soul."

Williams' early career definitely seemed to centre around his father's music. Williams first performed on stage by singing one of his father's songs when he was eight years old. In 1964, he made his recording debut with 'Long Gone Lonesome Blues', one of his father's many classic songs. Williams provided the singing voice of his father in the 1964 film 'Your Cheatin' Heart' and also recorded an album of duets with his father.

Williams' early career was guided, and to an extent dominated, by his mother, who is widely claimed as being the driving force that led his late father to musical superstar status during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Audrey promoted young Hank Jr. as a Hank Williams tribute act, even to the extent of having stage clothes designed for him that were identical to his father's, and encouraging vocal styles very similar to those of his father.

This all became too much for the young musician who eventually severed the ties with his mother in an attempt to find his own musical voice. By the mid-1970s Williams began to pursue a musical direction that would eventually make him a superstar. At the time of recording a series of moderately successful songs, Williams began a heavy pattern of both drug and alcohol abuse. Upon moving to Alabama, in an attempt to refocus both his creative energy and his troubled personal life, Williams began playing music with Southern rock musicians including Waylon Jennings, Toy Caldwell, and Charlie Daniels.

He has achieved huge commercial success on the US Country charts over his career, most notably a run of six albums released between 1984 and 1988 which all topped the chart. He has had countless wins and nominations at Academy of Country Music and the Grammy Awards.