JAMBALLAZ
Paterson, New Jersey, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2001 | INDIE
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NEW Jersey RegHop duo Jamballaz believe they broke new ground during their recent visit to Jamaica. They filmed a music video and made a number of promotional appearances on radio and television.
"We had a great time in Jamaica, were warmly received at all the media houses we visited. We also visited several popular night spots in Kingston and [an] the north coast to promote our music. The vibes was excellent," said Jamballaz member Joel "Joel T" Topey.
He and colleague Christopher "Don Ice" Smith visited the island in December to promote their forthcoming album Town Clock.
A video for their new single, The Realest, was filmed in Port Royal.
"I’m sure that we’ve made some new fans in Jamaica. The people over there love the RegHop vibes. We’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback about the trip to Jamaica via social media," said Joel T.
He and Don Ice are from Ocho Rios. They formed Jamballaz in New Jersey, where they migrated to, in 2005.
Their blend of reggae and hip hop is heard on the EP RegHop Kings, which was released in 2015. - Jamaica Observer
Musical duo Jamballaz is pleased with the response it received during its recent visit to Jamaica. The New Jersey-based duo, comprised of Jamaican-born Christopher 'Don Ice' Smith and Joel 'Joel T' Topey, visited the island last month to promote their forthcoming album, titled 'Town Clock'.
During the promotional run, they did interviews on several radio and television stations, and they embraced the reaction.
"We had a great time in Jamaica. We were warmly received at all the media houses we visited. We all also visited several popular night spots in Kingston and the north coast to promote our music. The vibes was excellent," said Joel T.
"I'm sure that we've made some new fans in Jamaica. The people over there love the reghop vibes. We've been getting a lot of positive feedback about the trip to Jamaica via social media."
While in Jamaica, Jamballaz also shot the video for new single, titled The Realest. The video was filmed in Port Royal under the direction of Extreme Arts.
"We had very good time working with the Extreme Arts team on this video shoot," Don Ice told THE WEEKEND STAR. "Jamaica is a very beautiful place. We got some great scenes. The video is currently being edited, and I can't wait to see the finished product." - The STAR
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Humility and dedication have carried many of the world’s most beloved performers from modest beginnings to iconic levels of fame.
And while success can often push those two intangibles aside, the great ones remember the struggle upwards, drawing on it to find balance.
Having endured their share of hardships, the Jamaican-born members of JamBallaz understand that balance and are using it to bring an even
greater message to the people: Think Big.
JamBallaz combine the soothing Caribbean rhythms of the late Bob Marley with the varied pop sensibilities of stars like Sean Paul and Akon.
The group was able to establish a significant following in Jamaica, helped by steady radio spins on the famed Irie FM. But after reaching a point where
they felt they’d done all they could in their homeland, the group decided to make the move to America. JamBallaz left the island nation in the summer of
2005, settled in Paterson, NJ and immediately cut their first mixtape, “United Rudeboyz of America,” with Pyramid Sound Studios.
The project became a runaway hit in Jamaica, but the buzz didn’t quite translate to the A&R;’s
and industry ears stateside. This just provided fuel for the fire.
Over the next few years, the group continued to push forward, battling financial setbacks, bogus contracts and almost every other challenge an
independent group could face. JamBallaz remained steadfast and continued to work, however, driven purely by their passion for music.
They formed a new philosophy to “create music for everyone,” believing no one should be left out of enjoying their songs, and
dedicated a second mixtape, “ExtraTerrestrial,” to that new ideal. They worked to perfect their process, as well, opting to formulate verses
in their heads and then allowing their natural freestyle abilities to take over while recording. This “puzzle-piece” approach
was a unique experience and positioned them for new chapters.
With confidence high and their buzz continuing to build in the streets, the mentality of the group is more
focused than ever. They’ve always had an unwavering belief in themselves, and, combined with the lessons of their homeland and a raw, uncompromising
dedication to music, have complete a new EP entitled “RegHop”. Their work has grown to new dynamics in a way that places them in a new lane only
best described as RegHop.They have spent their every waking moment using their determination to create such a
quality of art it attaches itself to its listeners infusing their sense to
another musical level the world needs.
“All of us came to America to show that through hard work, you can accomplish a dream,” Ice said in a recent interview. “We know who JamBallaz are, we know
where we came from. My brother and I are more than what people see and hear; all of us are, and people should believe that! That’s the heart of our music.
Everyone needs to dream in color, to see a larger picture. I’ve always said big men think big, and small men think small. We are not small men.”- Don Ice
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