Peachfuzz, "Your Girl's Favorite Party," has a new home and we're celebrating the return of the iconic hip-hop and R&B club-night with Wayne Wonder on Friday November 22nd.
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Although dancehall Reggae deejays (rappers) must be lyrically tough, unleashing rapid-fire guns in the ghetto rhymes and inflated sexual boastings, Reggae dancehall singers can attain great popularity sensitively cooing about a new found love, melodically lamenting a love gone wrong and emotionally conveying other oh-so tender concerns. The sensual, honeyed vocals of Wayne Wonder have made him a consistent hit maker with both extraordinary songs for lovers and the streets since the late 80s.
Born Von Wayne Charles on July 26 in Buff Bay, Portland, Wayne s initial singing inspiration came from attending Sunday school, where singing was compulsory, and from his mother who sang in church. As a child Wayne and his family moved all over eastern Kingston, living in areas such as Dunkirk, Franklin Town and Rae Town, home of the weekly Sunday night Reggae/R&B oldies street dance. The exposure to vintage 45's at these dances would provide Wayne with a richer, more soulful vocal approach to a Reggae rhythm track than many of his contemporaries. It was at secondary school where Wayne's thoughtfulness and philosophical nature led to the acquisition of the nickname Wonder; young Wayne sang at school, at home, at church and for his friends and wherever he sang, he was encouraged to pursue his craft professionally.
Much of the pre-production work was done in Wayne's home studio in the US, as well as recording tracks in Jamaica. Wayne wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on No Holding Back and the album featured the same superlative vocal and songwriting standards his fans have come to expect from him over the years. Wonder's career exploded globally in 2003 when his album No Holding Back and the single "No Letting Go" were released on the major label, Atlantic Records. The smooth single dominated Urban and Pop radio (reaching #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop chart) in America and the album, No Holding Back received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album, a MOBO Award in the UK, three BMI Urban awards, and a live performance on NBC Television's "Saturday Night Live." The follow-up single and video "Bounce Along" reached #12 on the UK pop charts. His inspired version of "Hold Me Now" (originally recorded by the Thompson Twins) appeared on the 2004's successful 50 First Dates (starring Adam Sandler / Drew Barrymore) movie soundtrack and was produced by No Doubt's Tony Kanal with a video directed by Gil Green for Madonna's Maverick Records label. Wayne also anchored the hit track "Anything Goes" (w/ CNN: Capone & N.O.R.E and Lexxus) for the Def Jamaica compilation which received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album.
These songs among so many of Wayne's bonafide hits were crowd favorites as he headlined an extensive world tour with his Entourage Band in 2004-05 performing in N. America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa Wayne has been working tirelessly in the studio completing tracks for his upcoming album "Foreva" to be released on Singso/VP Records September, 25th, 2007. He is writing and producing many of the tracks and collaborations with producers Tony Kelly and Don Corleone. Corleone and Wonder's hit song "I Still Believe" on the Seasons rhythm is huge hit on the top of the worldwide reggae charts, while the Kelly produced "Gonna Love U" is gaining momentum in the underground clubs and charts in the core market. I just want to do good songs," Wayne concludes. "I'm keeping the mainstream recognition in mind but adding my creative flow to it because I want people to know that Wayne Wonder is not limited. Once I finish an album, I'll hit the road and tour. I got a good band together and I really feel pleased. I can go out there now and really represent myself."