ARTIST BIOS
_heic.png)
ROTIMI
A contemporary R&B and Afrobeats artist, Rotimi released two digital mixtapes, titled The Resume (March 8, 2011) While You Wait (November 30, 2011). His videos have been featured on international and U.S. based entertainment media including MTV, MTV Base, and VH1 Soul. Rotimi has performed on stage, opening for Jennifer Hudson, T.I., Estelle, and NERD; he also performed on BET's show 106 and Park and appeared in R&B singer Keyshia Cole's music video "Trust and Believe" as Cole's unfaithful boyfriend.
Rotimi garnered music placement with "I'm the One" on the first episode of Boss. In 2015, American rapper and executive producer of Power, 50 Cent signed Rotimi to his label, G-Unit Records. He also released his first G-Unit single "Lotto" featuring 50 Cent. In 2016, Rotimi released "Doin it", a single from his 5-track project, Summer Bangerz. In 2017 he released his debut EP called Jeep Music Vol. 1. In 2019, he released a single titled "Love Riddim" which has garnered attention from both old fans and newly made ones. He also released the smash hit, "In My Bed". In 2023, he released the song "Bestie. We are excited to see what comes next for Rotimi!
GRAMPS MORGAN
Roy "Gramps" Morgan (born July 7, 1976) is a Jamaican-American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, producer, record executive, and entrepreneur. Gramps was born in Brooklyn, New York, but was raised partially in Springfield, Massachusetts. He is the son of well-known reggae artist Denroy Morgan, and member of Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage. Most of his brothers and sisters are also in the music business.
Gramps Morgan has flourished as a successful solo artist and created his own label, Dada Son Entertainment. Gramps has toured and performed with the likes of India.Arie, Buju Banton, John Legend, Tarrus Riley, and Kymani Marley. In 2009, Gramps released his debut solo album entitled 2 Sides of My Heart, Vol. 1, which earned him a number awards. He was also featured on the India.Arie song "Therapy" that charted in the United States. His second solo album, Reggae Music Lives, was released in 2012. Again, Gramps featured on an India.Arie album entitled Songversation. Gramps continues to expand his vocal diversity with upcoming music in a variety of genres recording from all parts of the world.
In 2020, Gramps Morgan released several solo singles including "Runaway Bay" and "People Like You." The latter was nominated in 2021 for three International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) in the categories of Best Song, Best Crossover Song and Best Gospel Song, and won the award for Best Gospel Song. Gramps Morgan was also nominated for Best Male Vocalist.
In August 2021, Gramps Morgan released his third solo album, Positive Vibration, produced by Canadian Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Johnny Reid. The album features guest appearances by India.Arie, Shaggy, Lybran, Denroy Morgan and Jemere Morgan.
ALAINE
In 2005 "No Ordinary Love" was her breakthrough single. She has released several hits including 'Deeper', 'Dreaming of You', 'Sacrifice', 'Rise in Love', 'Born To Win', 'Bye, Bye, Bye', and 'You are Me'. Her debut album, titled Sacrifice, was released in early 2008. Her album, titled Luv A Dub, was released in Japan in August 2009. Ten of Hearts was released in 2015.
She has performed all over the world, garnering huge followings in many East African countries. She has had success collaborating with the who's who of reggae music including Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Beenie Man and many others. She co-wrote the hit songs 'Gimmie Likkle One Drop' and 'Wanty Wanty' with Tarrus Riley and wrote the hit song 'Tight Skirt' for Samantha J. She also wrote the hit song 'Automatic' for the queen of reggae music, Marcia Griffiths.
The first song she independently produced and released, 'You Are Me', was inspired by the incursion that took place in Jamaica's Tivoli Gardens. Alaine draws attention to the fact that we are all one and if we treat each other the way we treat ourselves, a lot of the world's ills could be healed.
Alaine recently released a new video for her hit song 'You Give Me Hope'. She is a resident judge on Jamaica's number one reality talent search show 'Digicel Rising Stars'. Her upbeat personality and beautiful energy has cemented her in the hearts of Jamaicans and many fans worldwide. Her acting and comedic abilities have been getting increased exposure on her instagram page as she displays her creative abilities acting and singing as a variety of different characters.
TANTO METRO & DEVONTE
Tanto Metro (born Mark Wolfe in Kingston, Jamaica) acquired his stage name from working on the Metromedia sound system. He moved on to become part of Patrick Roberts' Shocking Vibes organization and released the solo album Ratings in 1995 which featured guest appearances from Beenie Man and Dean Fraser. He subsequently established a working partnership with tenor-voiced singer Devonte (born Wayne Passley), and the duo had a major hit in Jamaica in 1997 with "Everyone Falls in Love", which was followed by an album of the same name produced by Donovan Germain for penthouse Records. The single and album also sold well in the United States and Canada (the album topped the Billboard Top Reggae Albums Chart and the single reached number 6 in the Canadian singles chart), leading to a deal with Epic Records. The duo were compared to the similar duo of Chaka Demus and Pliers.
The duo's second album, The Beat Goes On, was released in 2001 by VP Records in Jamaica and Universal in the US. The album reached number 4 on Billboard's Top Reggae Albums Chart in 2002. A single from the album, "Give It to Her", reached number 85 in the Billboard Hot 100. Beenie Man again guested and the duo repaid the compliment on his 2002 album Tropical Storm.
The duo released Musically Inclined in 2006, with a guest appearances from Courtney Melody and Morgan Heritage.
A quiet period for the duo followed, although a compilation in VP/Greensleeves Most Wanted series was released in 2009. In 2008, Japanese musician Miliyah Kato released "Kono Mama Zutto Asa Made", a song that sampled "Everyone Falls in Love", which despite being a single B side became a hit in Japan, and was certified gold by the RIAJ.
They returned with the single "Already Know" in 2013, a Sly and Robbie-produced single. The album Request was scheduled to be released later that year but never did. The album Sly and Robbie Presents Tanto Metro and Devonte followed in June 2015.
MOTTO
Lashely 'Motto' Winter is a soca artist from Saint Lucia who is one of the leading artists in the Dennery-Soca genre. A native of Grace, Vieux Fort Motto migrated to the US in 2012 where he currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.
A self taught musician/producer, Motto explains that “I was not following music, I was just doing it for leisure, I was studying school.” Motto earned a Bachelors in Mass Communication with a concentration in video production from Barton College in North Carolina.
Motto first gained attention with riddims he produced including the Pim Pim Riddim, which featured soca powerhouses such as Machel Montano and "Party Lit" by Motto and Lyrikal.
.jpg)
DIA TOTI
DiaToti's deep love for music shines through in her ability to sing in any African language. As a gifted vocalist, songwriter, and dancer, DiaToti masterfully blends African music, accentuating it with the distinctive rhythms of Congolese sounds. Whether she's performing for a cozy gathering or a grand audience, she ensures every listener feels the vibrant pulse of Africa. Born in the vibrant countryside of the Democratic Republic of Congo and moving to the USA at 12, DiaToti's musical inspirations are rooted in her early life experiences. She channels the rich African storytelling tradition, invoking genuine emotions with every tune. DiaToti has collaborated with many renowned African artists, contributing to promotions and stage productions in the Twin Cities. But her talents extend beyond the stage. With a bachelor’s degree in international business/business administration, she's an entrepreneur with a heart, working closely with social impact nonprofits. Her initiatives focus on youth empowerment, mental health awareness, and community engagement. With DiaToti, you're not just a spectator; your part of a musical journey. Embrace an experience where every note brings peace, happiness, and inspiration.
SOUND OF FUJUN
Sound of Fujun has been bringing the hottest music to the Twin Cities since 2003. The first Caribbean DJ from Minnesota to go global, he broadcasts to avid fans via soundoffujun.podomatic.com. "Fujun" comes from his Trinidadian roots, spelled as it is pronounced back home. His ability to fuse music- dancehall, hip hop, reggae, soca, afrobeats - keeps the vibe fresh and fans wanting more. He performs regularly at Jamaica Pimento Kitchen Rum Bar and will be performing at the official Bayfront Reggae & World Music Festival after party held at Spurs on First and Aces. Check out this year's Bayfront Reggae & World Music podcast.