Over the past few years, World Wide Web has emerged as the new age language. In today’s age and time, people do not have much room to browse through piles of content to extract the desired information. Smallest of the organizations and even startups begin their operations with a website. Website has become as the most crucial and popular client-customer interphase. It is the primary and most frequently visited source of information for all sorts of information required. In order to facilitate information, the website has to be very communicative and uncluttered. It also needs to be regularly updated to ensure greater speed and easy access. All this can be ensured only by hiring a seasoned graphic designer who understands the dynamics of the cyber space and design an emphatic website that can create an impression on the onlooker. With the existence of numerous websites of players operating in the same market space, it is extremely pertinent that your website tends to stand out and has a distinct identity. While certain startups may try to do it themselves or depend on the available templates due to budgetary constraints, there are many benefits of hiring a professional graphic designer. Some of them are:     

A niche corporate look 

These days the look and feel of the website goes on to say a lot about the company and people behind it. Hence, it is very important for the website to bear a professional look. A poorly designed website can disinterest the visitor in one go. And since there are many players operating in the same space, options are limitless. Apart from the look and visual appeal it is very important for the website to be easily navigable. A good graphic designer ensures that the flow and path from one source to the other is smooth. People those who frequent websites too often can easily make out if the website is poorly designed.

A tech-smart website is a great pull

A number of business houses like their websites to be really forward looking. A good graphic designer attempts to make browsing a pleasurable experience. They incorporate smart navigating solutions and design the website in an attractive manner to keep the visitor hooked on till a long time.

Save on resources

Be it money or time spent, a proficient graphic designer saves on both resources. They take less time to accomplish the task of designing a website and with greater artistry. The websites formatted in a proper manner need not require much time and money to update. They can be checked for faults through regular upgrades.

Suit the company needs

As compared to a one-off graphic design agency, an in-house professional designer will be more sensitive towards the needs and expectations of the company. He will ensure that the website adheres and is in sync with the overall thrust and image of the company. This will ensure a greater sense of accuracy and proficiency.

Never mind the extent of documentation done on computers, one cannot rule out the usage of printed documents. Printed documents take care of a number of day to day systems and practices in our lives. Thus, be it your business cards, brochures or contractual documents; hunt for a good printer is something that all companies undertake. Also it caters to the needs of all those who are not computer savvy or prefer reading a physical document rather than scrolling their cursor on the screen. To support them are the numerous printing options available in the market today.

While the traditional methods still prevail at local level, a number of people have turned towards online printing agencies. Just type the search for an online printing firm and what you get is a plethora of options to choose from. These days they stand as one of the most preferred options for printing all sorts of material right from books and brochures to posters, cards and leaflets.

Online printing also helps save time on physically visiting the press and hours of sittings with the designers to finalize the design. Online printing assignments are usually accomplished in lesser time and the use of advanced technologies further makes them cost-effective. Because the printing companies are saving on manpower and time, the printing costs are also kept on the lower side. All these choices make it a favorite with start-ups or smaller enterprises who are working on shrunken budgets.

Online printing is used by a number of companies for designing marketing tools. A good online printer ensures that the products are not only designed as per the needs and expectations of the clients but are also very high on quality and time-saving. There is a marked difference between the finish of a print done by a traditional method as compared to the output of an online printer. Another aspect which makes it useful for marketing documents is the facility of viewing the final product before it is translated into a mass order. An online printer facilitates the client with an exact cut as might appear in the final copy. It gives the customer a chance to make last moment corrections if desired. 

Any kind of documents which goes out generally exudes the image of the organization. Hence it is very important for all the corporate documentation to be very well done and chic. Though there are a number of do-it-yourself options available, wherein small scale entrepreneurs may attempt to use their domestic printer and print materials through ready-made kits. This is a popular practice especially in case of visiting cards. But the outcome is much different. In personalized kits, at times there may be an issue with the type set, design or cutting and trimming of the final product. But just a little added cost can save you all these hassles. Online printing assures a professional image for your printing needs and helps in setting up a formal impression.

Unlike any other printed material a brochure is one of the most emphatic ways to reach out to the target audience. A combination of visual and written content, it communicates effectively and elaborates on the company’s brand philosophy, achievements and offerings. It is one of the most potential tools of marketing. The basic idea of a brochure is to facilitate the end consumer with the desired information. A number of factors go in to make a well-equipped brochure. However, the five most prominent steps are:

• The intent must be clear

Before initiating any kind of work on the brochure, it is very important to understand the objective of the brochure. Sometimes brochures are targeted towards end consumers and at times the information is primarily for trade partners and stakeholders. It is imperative to know the purpose that the brochure is going to serve. A clear knowledge about the target can only decide the content, flow and composition of a brochure. One must ensure that brochure must not only aid the customers as a potential source of information but must also play a catalyst. Certain sections of the brochure must introduce the people behind the firm and also provide for a possible link to be able to reach out to them. Choose a graphic design firm wisely.

• Set your marketing calendar right

Company information is the most intrinsic part of any brochure. The information flow must be designed in sync with the corporate activity calendar. A brochure must not only give a generic overview but also talk about the important activities, events and other initiatives in the pipeline. However, it is extremely crucial to strike a connection. Hence, the information must be strategically packaged so that one input may lead to other.

• Let your design do the talking

Even before one reads the matter written on the brochure, what grabs one’s attention is the overall layout/design of the brochure. It is very essential for a brochure design to be visually appealing. Instead of padding up the entire information into few pages, there must be enough breathing space between visuals and the written text. A cluttered brochure can disinterest the onlooker instantly. The visuals must also comprise certain suitable graphics, which can tell the entire story in one glance.

• Contextualize with great care

The text of the brochure must be easy to comprehend and written in a lucid manner. One should avoid usage of not-so-popular abbreviations as an attempt to decipher is likely to break the connection. Usage of tough or extremely technical language must also be avoided. The text must be in form of snippets and be broken into subheads to enable better understanding. Long and bleeding paragraphs generally put off the readers in no time. Text must be proofread several times to prevent any kind of wrong messaging.

The art of printing has come a long way in terms of technique and available methodology. The choice of a printing company is directly co-related with a number of aspects like the visual-text ratio, preferred base materials, the content of the printing material, the usage and above all the number of copies required.

The scale of the printing i.e. the number of pieces required also stand as a major denominator while deciding for a printing company. The delivery track record of the company and expected time required by the press to complete the assignment and above all your available budget also must be taken into consideration before deciding on a printer. While small printing jobs can be entrusted with the local printers, one must not compromise on the quality and finish when it comes to larger targets.

The primary aspect to be considered while taking on a printing job is to understand the need whether it is a poster, a pamphlet, a magazine, leaflet or news letters. These days one has specialized printers for each vertical, whereas larger printing houses provide all the services under the same umbrella. Now with so many options available in the market, how to zero on a good printer is also a tough call.

Well, at times you can come to know about good resources through word of mouth. This route is rather convenient and safe as you can easily look at the work delivered to another entrepreneur and decide on the quality. You may also learn and gauge the expertise of the printer by learning a number of things from their experience like extent of involvement required, available printing options and cost effectiveness.

One may also explore the cyber space to locate a printer. These days a number of formats like silkscreen printing, thermal printing and digital printing exist in the market amongst other traditional and non-traditional methods available. With a number of printing firms offering these services, going the internet way helps you take a pick as per your own specifications and requirements. One can even opt for online printers. This is being considered as one of the most hassle-free options. Here you can not only place your order online but can also give your specifications. These printers are usually high on quality as compared to the local printers, as it is really tough to sustain clientele over the web and failure in delivering qualitative stuff can dampen the prospects of the company.  

Whatever be the medium of picking on a company, going through a test print is a must. At times there might be some spelling errors or the print may require some last moment changes to make it more appealing and topical. All these aspects can be taken care of by examining the test print which can be procured from the printer through a CD. Once all the above aspects are taken care of and the final prints are ready, make sure that the packaging is done in a proper manner so as to avoid any damage from dust or moisture in the air.

If you are going to design a postcard for your marketing campaign, take the time and do it right. This can make all the difference between making this campaign an effective one or just creating more junk mail in people’s mailboxes. There are several steps you need to follow to make sure that your postcard gives you maximum leverage in grabbing attention and working for you. You could just have a marketing company handle it for you, but if you decide to do it yourself, here are some simple rules to follow.

Tip 1. Make your postcard demand attention

We now live in a time referred to as the ‘attention age’. People have shorter attention spans because there’s so much going on around them. Your first question however is, how do you get their attention. The most common way to do this is through the headline. A powerful headline on your postcard design can work wonders in your marketing efforts. When writing your headline, keep these things in mind:

• Use Powerful Phrase
• Know your target market
• Use a question
• Be controversial
• Pique Their Curiosity
• Promise A Benefit

Tip 2. Use a Nice Large Image on the front

Have you ever heard the term “a picture is worth a thousand words?” You don’t want to clutter the front of your postcard. Use a powerful headline and a large clean image. You can buy royalty free images online. You could also use a graphic design company to create a unique design that will help uphold your brand and separate you from the competition.

Tip 3. Be consistent with your color scheme

I would recommend 2 to 3 color maximum between your background color and your text color combined. Use colors that compliment or go well with each other. Remember that your image might already have multiple colors, so you want to go easy on the background color.

Tip 4. Use the correct size and shape

Postcard design and take many size and shapes. The standard size of a postcard is 4” x 6”, but there are also jumbo postcards like 5” x 7”, 5.5” x 8.5” or 6” x 9” and even larger. When deciding on the size you must keep your advertising budget in mind because a larger card will cost more to mail. Not all postcards are used in direct mail campaigns, however; some are just used for distribution. You can die cut postcards to different shapes also. These are mostly used at trade shows and other events.

Tip 5. Include more detailed information on the back

If you plan to mail your the postcards, you must first find out what’s the mailing criteria for the back of your postcard at your post office. Some post offices won’t mail unless sufficient white space is at the back of the card. You can list more detailed information about your company or whatever you are advertising towards the left of the postcard. Include your logo, company name and contact information also. You could also offer coupons or discounts on the back.
Learn more at Atlanta Printing Company

The first thing I think you should always keep in the forefront of your mind is that your ultimate goal is to build brand awareness. So you need to do things that will place information about your company before your potential customers. That’s what all major companies do.   Obviously if you don’t have the kind of money they do, you are going to do this the best way you can within your budget. You will think about the things that you can leverage to get the most awareness from while considering you budget limitations.  For example, NIKE finds top athletes early and uses them to promote their brand. This is because NIKE knows that millions of people will be watching and researching these athletes. I assume you don’t have NIKE money, so I have listed some low budget things you can do to promote your stores.

1. First thing you should do is to invest in a nice sign on your building. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but professional and large enough for people to see from the street.
2. Make sure you have some business cards with your logo on them. Simple white background with your logo and contact information on it. This is obvious and simple, but it is important. You should always be in a mood to network and give people your cards no matter where you are.
3. Print flyers/postcards with some sort of sale or discount on it. You should go out in the parking area, on the road at a stop light close to your store, another shopping center close by, or wherever you see people going about their business and encourage them to come into your store by placing your postcard into their hands. Let them know verbally to come in and get the discount. Don’t just give them the flyer and say nothing. Make sure to let them know that if they shop today they will get the discount or sale on the flyer.
4. Have a big banner on your storefront that says SALE 70% OFF SOME ITEMS. You can mark down some t-shirt or something to make sure you not false advertising.
5. You must employ people who are not only great at customer service, but also know how to sell. You could have a commission-based system that will encourage your employees to make the sale.
6. Your employees should dress and look uniform. This could be as simple as placing your logo on some t-shirts and have them wear the same color bottom. Remember it’s all about building your brand.
7. Build a website. This will help to expose your company to the whole world. Make sure you have a form on your website that can capture visitors’ contact information when they sign up for something. It could just be a 10% discount coupon that they can print from the website and bring it into the store to redeem. In time you will have 1,000s of people’s contact information to promote your brand to. You should optimize your website so that when people search for items that you offer within your area, they will find you on search engines like Google, Yahoo, and MSN. This is a powerful thing and it doesn’t have to cost you anything if you know what you are doing.
8. Distribute your postcards to all the restaurants, hair salons/barber shops, and other similar places in your area.
9. Put car magnets on your vehicles with your company logo and information.
10. Go into the adjoining neighborhoods and knock on people’s doors. Give them a flyer and tell them to come into your store and get a discount. Remember, you are networking. Actually I would say you are making friends. If people like you, trust me, they will do business with you. I know this method may sound far fetched, but in challenging economic times like these you better be prepared to go the extra mile to beat the competition.
11. Sponsor or put on your own event. You could put on a weekly event. Don’t go all out and put on some large event without proper planning. Start small. Invite your friends, family and have them bring at least two people with them. Do it in a public place where lots of other people attend. They will want to know what’s going on and there you will get your opportunity to network. You could join with someone who already has a weekly event going on, just make sure it’s not a competitor.  Think in terms of events that compliment your business like a fashion show, night clubs parties etc. It would be most effective if you could have the event at your store. Brainstorm and try something unique.
12. You should have a SALE every week! People love sales and this will bring more customers through your doors. Just chose some selected items to put up on sale.
13. GIVE AWAY THINGS! People love FREE and will remember your store. Just make sure your logo and contact information is on it. You could give away some wall calendars with your logo big and bold on it. People keep these all year long.
14. Lastly you should have your own unique shopping bags with your logo on it and contact information. Make sure it has a unique design or color to draw attention.

I certainly hope that you will find at least some of these marketing tactics useful. There are many things you can do to get the word out. Just remember to always be in a networking mood and be ready with business card in hand when you see or meet new people.

Michael Reid

Small Business Pr0motions, Inc.

http://www.BusinessABCPages.com

http://www.DesignsnPrint.com

Advertisers are taking advantage of this great opportunity to create more visibility for their businesses.

There has never been a better time for businesses to be more aggressive in their marketing efforts. It’s a real challenge to find ways to promote your business with a limited budget. BusinessABCpages.com recognizes this and is offering advertisers a great opportunity to promote any local business or service. This website was built specifically to help struggling and also established businesses in their promotional efforts.

There are thousands of categories and well optimized pages so you can rest assured that you will appear in prominent positions in the search engine results. With headers, meta tags, descriptions about your business etc., you can be assured that your business page will be very competitive in search results. Businessabcpages.com is becoming more popular everyday as more and more businesses take advantage of this great opportunity.

This is not just some regular listing. You are advertising your business on a full webpage. It’s like your own website where you include all the information about your business. Timing is everything and this is an opportunity for businesses that has arrived at the right time. Take advantage of it.

Here is what you get from setting up a business page

• A well-optimized webpage with keywords.
• You can upload a logo, images/banners, videos & a full description of your company including coupons, specials, or discounts
• You can update this new business page at anytime with promotional offers or special discounts
• It offers you an additional medium to promote your business
• If you already have a website, it offers you a valuable one-way link to your website which helps you in ranking higher on search engines
• promotes the visibility of your local businesses in higher place in comparison to their competitors who are still employing the ancient methods of advertising
• It strengthens your relationships with the existing buyers, customers and clients by updating valuable information regarding your company online.
• You can acquire the customers of your competitors, as your company will be much more visible and updated attracting and promising the customers of quality services
• You can always remain in the sight and mind of your customers by offering website only coupons and special promotions.
• There are no restrictions regarding the quantity of the content that you can include in the business directory.
• You can also upload your product’s pictures, menu and service records along with your very own business URL
• You can add the business directory’s website address on your business cards so that customers find it very easy to access you and thus avail your services
• You can keep the prospective customers duly informed about your new products, business hours, special offers and discounts
• Our business directory also submits your company’s Internet page to the leading search engines that helps to increase your website’s quality traffic flow
• As increasing number of consumers are availing the facility of the Internet, it is very easy for them to spot your company and seek services

List your business today and be seen by people searching for your services anywhere online. When you list your business on BusinessABCPages.com, your sales will increase as you will provide great customer service and take care of customer needs.

Michael Reid

http://www.BusinessABCPages.com

He did it with so much grace, so much poise and so much confidence. Even before the race started he was dancing and shimmying as if it was a pre race celebration. Usain Bolt is the world fastest man and the whole world is talking about him.

It’s not the fact that he won the race why so many are admiring this man, because if you have been following his progress leading up to thse olimpic games, you would have espected him to win. After all he had just broken the world record a few months ago. Why many people are so shocked is that he is only 21 years old and he is 6 feet 5 inches.

He won the race in 9.69 seconds and he pulled up at the end to start his celebration before the race was even complete. he left up thinking how much faster can this man go. “I didn’t come here to run the world record, because I’m the world record holder.” He said. “I came here to win.” So now this tall jamaican is now in the record books as the fastest man on earth in the 100 meters. This was more of a one mans show however.

His specialty is the 200 meters and he only recently tried out the 100 meters professionaly.

Http//www.businessabcpages.com
http://www.Designsnprint.com

With the economy seemingly headed toward what appears to be a sequel of the Depression of the 1930’s, these are very testing times for many people who are merely trying to live a normal day-to-day life. There are so many negative changes in the economy.  While the price of everything is going up and earnings remain the same, there is a great urge to find other sources of income. The cost of living is not what is used to be, to say the least. With the increasing cost of gas, groceries, mortgages, insurance and almost any necessity imaginable it seems almost impossible to manage without multiple sources of income.

With that being said, here are seven ways to earn extra income that are practical and may work for you:

Find Part-Time Jobs.

It is not hard as you think! Check out your local newspaper, employment websites, Craig’s list or even ask around. Try to find something that you will enjoy doing that won’t be too stressful.  Here are a few part-time jobs with high annual openings and great pay:

                1. Teacher’s Assistant

                2. Receptionist/ Information Clerk

                3. Personal and Home Care Aides

                4. Health Care Aides

                5. Landscaping & Grounds Keeping Workers

                6. Hotel or Motel and Resort Desk Clerks

                7. Producers

                8. Talent Directors

                9. Singers

                10. Graphic Designers

                There are many more out there.

Get Paid To Write.

If you enjoy writing articles, there has never been a better time to get paid for your writing skills. Most people who visit a website are searching for some kind of information. The main challenge most website owners face is to provide accurate, precise, and direct content or information to web users. This is where you come in, to fill this need. You can earn a decent part- time income from Google ad sense for your blogs, paid forums, or websites such as about.com which pay you directly for your articles. You can also write for Academia-Research. As a freelance writer you can also assist customers by developing essays, term papers, thesis, and dissertations that meet customers’ unique needs. There are other companies that need your writing skills as well, such as AdAgency1, Associated Content, Auction Bytes’ just to name a few.   You may also want to consider entering writing contest.

Sell Stuff On EBay.

It’s like selling in the world’s biggest yard sale when you sell stuff on eBay. To be successful you must pay attention to little details in order to separate yourself from the masses. In the game of EBay, it is all about supply and demand.  A helpful hint is to research and find what items are in high demand.  You can start by selling stuff lying around your house that you don’t need, DVDs, CDs etc. Make sure your items stand out, add a picture, and include listing it in the proper categories.

Get Paid For Your Photos.

Do you enjoy photography? Well it’s time to get paid for your excellent photographs. There is a demand for images and pictures of just about anything and people just like you are earning an income every month. Many companies will sell your photographs and share the proceeds with you. All you have to do is take the pictures and upload them and wait for them to be downloaded. The good news is that one great photo can be sold/ downloaded over and over again. Here is a list of places to start selling your images:

                a. 123RF.com

                b. Alamy.com

                c. associatedcontent.com

                d. bigstockphoto.com

                e. canstockphoto.com

                f. citizenimage.com

                g. crestock.com

Get Paid For Your Expertise.

You can offer your services as a freelancer, working from the comfort of your own home. You can have the convenience of setting your own hours and working without supervision. The key to success as a freelancer is to effectively market your self; be disciplined; be persistent; be professional; find focus; and to set and meet deadlines. You can work for people on- or off line. Here is a list of companies who attract thousands of buyers looking for your services:

                Elance

                Freelance.com

                GetAFreelancer

                Guru.com

                HotGigs

                Programmer Meet Designer

                Recycled Paper Greetings

Be a Virtual Office Assistant.

As the internet and its effect on the business community evolves the role of the virtual office assistant is becoming more important.  What you would normally do in a traditional corporate office can now be done in one’s home, in satellite offices, or while traveling. Here is a list of resources to get you connected with clients:

                office88.com

                officedetails.com

                teamdoubleclick.com

                voassistant.com

                virtualassistantjobs.com

Develop and sell a product.

If you are passionate about a unique idea for a product, go for it! The important thing here is to get started.  You would be surprised how things will work in your favor when you start. Allowing your limitations to stop you should not even be an option. Like the old saying goes ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’. I have a good friend who designs children’s clothing and is currently in the process of producing and marketing a clothing line. He is on his way to great things, and you can be as well.

Michael Reid

http://www.submitarticlesforfree.com

http://www.aboutcitybusiness.com

While many may not agree with my selection, these reggae artists have certainly contributed to the reggae fraternity in a major way and should get the respect they deserve. The music that these artists produced will never die, as the impact made are so great that we are still touched by their lyrics and sounds.

1. BOB MARLEY

Bob Marley was born Robert Nesta Marley on Feb. 6, 1945 in Saint Ann, Jamaica. His father, Norval Sinclair Marley, was a white Englishman and his mother, Cedelia Booker, was a black Jamaican. Bob Marley died of cancer in Miami, FL on May 11, 1981. Marley had 12 children, four by his wife Rita, and was a devout Rastafarian.

Bob Marley’s father died when he was 10 years old, and his mother moved with him to Kingston’s Trenchtown neighborhood after his death. As a young teen, he befriended Bunny Wailer, and they learned to play music together. At 14, Marley dropped out of school to learn the welding trade, and spent his spare time jamming with Bunny Wailer and ska musician Joe Higgs.

1. PETER TOSH

Peter Tosh, born Winston Hubert McIntosh (October 9, 1944 – September 11, 1987) was the guitarist in the original Wailing Wailers, a reggae musician, and a trailblazer for the Rastafari movement.

Tosh grew up in the Kingston, Jamaica slum of Trench town. He stood out because of his height at 6 feet, 4 inches. His short-fuse temper and unveiled sarcasm usually kept him in trouble, earning him the nickname Stepping Razor after a song written by Joe Higgs, an early mentor. He began to sing and learn guitar at a young age, inspired by the American stations he could pick up on his radio. After an illustrious career with the Wailers and as a solo musician, he was murdered at his home. Though robbery was officially said to be the motivation behind Tosh’s death, many believe that there were ulterior motives to the killing, citing that nothing was taken from the house.

3.      DENNIS BROWM

Dennis Brown was born Feb 01, 1957 in Kingston, Jamaica. One of Jamaica’s most beloved and prolific artists, the late Dennis Brown has left behind a slew of classic songs and myriad hits, a rich musical legacy born of a career that spanned over 30 years. Born Dennis Emmanuel Brown in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1957, his childhood home virtually destined him to a future in the music industry. He grew up on Orange Street, the heart of the island’s music scene, with most of the major recording studios a mere stone’s throw away. As the stars and future hitmakers paraded by day and music pumped out of the studios, the child could not help but be entranced.

4.      JIMMY CLIFF

Jimmy Cliff OM (born James Chambers, 1 April 1948, Somerton District in St. James, Jamaica) is a Jamaican SKA and reggae musician, best known among mainstream audiences for songs like “Sittin’ in Limbo”, “You Can Get It If You Really Want It”, “Many Rivers to Cross” from The Harder They Come, a film soundtrack which helped popularise reggae across the world, and for a cover of “I Can See Clearly Now” from the film “Cool Runnings.”

5.      Sizzla

Sizzla was born Miguel Collins on April 17, 1976, and was raised in the August Town area of Kingston by devout Rastafarian parents. After honing his vocal skills, he landed a gig with the Caveman Hi-Fi sound system, where he first made a name for himself as a performer. He cut his first single for the small Zagalou label in 1995, and soon moved on to Bobby “Digital” Dixon’s Digital B imprint. However, he didn’t manage a breakout success until saxophonist Dean Fraser recommended him to producer Philip “Fatis” Burrell. Sizzla released a series of singles on Burrell’s Xterminator label, including “Judgement Morning,” “Life’s Road,” “Blaspheme,” “We Uh Fear,” “I’m Not Sure,” and the Shadowman duet “The Gun.” His first LP, Burning Up, appeared on Xterminator later in 1995, and he toured extensively alongside Luciano and Mikey General. Unlike kindred spirits Capleton and Buju Banton, Sizzla’s early material was culturally oriented right from the start; he was able to build an audience without any of the lyrical slackness that helped establish the other two.

6.      MARCIA GRIFFITHS

Jamaica’s longest-running and perhaps biggest female vocalist ever. Griffiths began as a teenager in Coxsone’s Studio One, racking up hit after hit, then joined with paramour Bob Andy as Bob & Marcia for the Top Five U.K. pop hit “Young, Gifted and Black.” She formed The I Threes to back Bob Marley’s international tours and recordings from 1974-1980 and scored a massive international hit with “Electric Boogie” in the ’80s. Despite a few ’70s Rasta tunes like “Stepping out of Babylon,” she is known primarily for her strong, smooth-as-mousse love songs and captivating live performances.

7.      YELLOWMAN

Yellowman is the stage name of Winston Foster, one of the biggest Jamaican reggae stars of the 1980s. Foster, an albino, grew up in Kingston institutions and overcame a rough childhood to become a swaggering DJ with a penchant for witty and sexually explicit lyrics and a stage show that made him a local star. He began recording in the early ’80s and for the next several years released records at a furious pace, outselling every other reggae star except Bob Marley. In 1986 Yellowman was diagnosed with throat cancer and given a dire prognosis, but he bounced back and resumed his career in the ’90s. His songs include “Mad Over Me,” “Mister Chin” and “Blueberry Hill.”

8.      U-ROY

Known as the Originator, U-Roy wasn’t the first DJ, nor even the first to cut a record, but he was the first to shake the nation and he originated a style so distinctly unique that he single-handedly changed his homeland’s music scene forever. Born Ewart Beckford in Jones Town, Jamaica, in 1942, he received his famous moniker from a young family member unable to correctly pronounce Ewart and the nickname stuck.

9.      MUTABARUKA

His poems have given voice to a nation and helped forge an entirely new genre of music, dub/rhythm poetry. Revolutionary, fiery, scathing, and stinging, Mutabaruka’s words are as potent on paper as on CD, and so the literary community needed to create a new term just for his works — meta-dub. Born in Rae Town, Jamaica, on December 12, 1952, Allan Hope first realized the power of the word when he was in his teens. It was the ’60s; the Black Power movement was at its height, and numerous radical leaders were putting their thoughts and histories in print.

10. GARNETT SILK

Born Garnet Damion Smith in Greenvale, Hatfield in the parish of Manchester, Jamaica, he was known for his emotive, powerful and silky voice. During the 1980s he was widely hailed as a rising talent, but his career was ended by his early death in 1994 while attempting to save his mother while his house was on fire, while others suspect that it was a conspiracy which involved his two younger brothers, Lij Amlak(Paul Cassanova) & Omar Silk(Omar Scott) which were upcoming artists at the time. He and his mother were found in each other’s arms when their bodies were discovered. His debut album was “It’s Growing” and his first major hit was “Hello Africa”.

Michael Reid
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