Sunday 13 December 2009

Jahna Sebastian live @ Russian R&B/Hip Hop Generation party, Aquarium Club, 4th Dec 09

Jahna Sebastian feat. Lady MC, Rephlex LIVE at Aquarium Club, London UK, 4th December 09 Russian R&B/Hip Hop Generation party, "Emancipation EP" album launch


Sunday 6 December 2009

GET new album by JAHNA SEBASTIAN - EMANCIPATION EP

My new album "EMANCIPATION EP" is out now, you can securely buy it online and get your physical copy posted to you.
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Saturday 28 November 2009

"Emancipation EP" will be out on the 4th December @ Aquarium club


My next live show is on 4th Dexember @ club Aquarium, 256 Old Street London

All of my people will be also performing there: "Tribe" (Den Bro, Mark, Chiff), No Limit, Oxxxymiron, Lady MC, Rephlex and others. In the second room - dubstep, grime!

I getting my album "Emancipation EP" for release, this is my first solo album, it's entirely produced and recorded by me at my studio "Mutlvizion Music". It will go on sale at my gig on 4th December, and also will be available online. This album mean beginning of the time in my life for me and emancipation from what has been binding my movements before, this is my view of freedom and all songs on this album are based on real events that have happened in my life. At this moment I am also working on new songs for the next album, I will tell a bit more about it later. I can definitely say, that "Emancipation EP" is the signpost of the new way.

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Friday 10 July 2009

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Tuesday 23 June 2009

Tuesday 16 June 2009

Video from my birthday bash

Video from my bday party on 12th June feat. Den Bro, Oxxxymiron, Ganz, Tribe, dj Mofaya, Cyanide etc.

you can download it here:

http://depositfiles.com/files/rjj7jvyt6

Saturday 18 April 2009

Should they make a movie about Bob Marley?

I came across this question on numerous occasions ..... Should they make a movie about Bob Marley?

Bob Marley was sent on Earth and his purpose was to prophecy to the people. His life is an example of a man being on journey in search of the truth and he found it by the time he died at the age of 36. He wasn't just one of the artists who entertain, he was a preacher to the youth, he had such a strong message in his music that it is still or even more relevant 29 years after his death. He had a tough time at the early stages of his musical journey, but when the time came, he had the doors open. Bob became a major superstar in his last years, but he grew even bigger threw the years posthumously. It is amazing, especially now, if you look at all these one hit wonders out there who nobody cares about after a few months when their fame starts to fade away. The truth is that Bob Marley has never been trying to be famous, but he finally got there because his destiny was to become a great artist and tell the people of the world the truth. His songs never get too old and the more you listen to them, the more hints you discover. He was real, and I doubt that any actor can play him. His life was well-documented and told in his own words and by people who knew him personally. There is no purpose for an artificially re-created story about him in a movie, as it might be changed for artistic reasons anyway. However, his works need to be continued in reality at this present time in 2009.

Friday 10 April 2009

Lev Prav Zvuk - Russian Reggae Hip Hop Record Label/Studio

So when people ask me about reggae in Russia, and wonder if it really exists there, I just have to mention the legendary studio/record label "Lev Prav Zvuk" - the one and only full circle operation record label specializing in reggae and true hip hop. Every year about 100 artists get established there. At fist a wave of roots reggae emerged in Russia with live bands playing across Russia from Moscow to Novossibirsk, a few years ago a dancehall reggae movement started to develop. Even though there is no support of reggae music from the mainstream media or major record companies there, it stays completely underground and develops in it's own right. "Lev Prav Zvuk" is a one stop point where all Russian reggae artists meet and connect at some point. However, it's also about real hip hop with it's social awareness, lyrical content deeper than Shakespear texts, as well as unity of next generation of musician who don't want to trapped in the "mincing machine" of Russian music business, commercial falseness of people who have nothing to do with music at all. You can choose one or the other, true artists choose to stay on the creative side, relevant, although in the underground of little bars, clubs around Russia. That's what young people there believe in being "true art". I was at "Lev Prav Zvuk" studio around 2005-2006 and it was a great experience.

Tuesday 24 March 2009

Sunday 15 March 2009

Can music make you dumb? Or smart?

According to recent research by Ph.D student Virgil GRiffith, who is also the founder of a data-mining tool called WikiScanner, musical tastes can tell a lot about intelligence. He matched average SAT Scores using Network Statistics page on Facebook and 133 most popular entries for "favorite music" on facebook.

http://musicthatmakesyoudumb.virgil.gr/

According to this, the dumbest students are listening to Lil Wayne, Beyonce and T.I., while the smartest were fans of Beethoven. Ironically, listening to gospel and jazz doesn't make you any smarter either. Something doesn't seem right to me. When I studied at Russian Music Academy, some of the students who had the highest scores in reality, couldn't produce any original idea, were absolutely non-creative and useless when it came to applying their knowledge in practice. Furthermore, when I was offering to promote an event or do something related to qualification we were going to get in real life, they refused saying "I'm concentrating on reading books and getting for the exams now, I'll start working when I graduate". Some of them, after graduation got jobs in totally different areas anyway. I noticed the same thing when I was at school. Sometimes all that the scores can say about you, is that you are eager to please those who are on a higher position than you and have some sort of influence on part of your life, so once you've graduated with the highest results, when you get a job you will be basically doing the same to please your boss. On another hand, remember Alex from "Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess? Angry teenager, leading his gang on violence and orgies every night, while being a huge listener of Beethoven. That's not just a fiction character, I've seen people like that in real life, it's not rare in Russia. Also, what about music maniacs like me, who just listen to literally everything, from Ne-Yo and Bob Marley to Mozart and Nina Simone? Well, I can play "Fur Elise" by Beethoven on piano too :) What about people who are curious just about everything with a mind set "if it's there, I got to check this out" and figure out, what makes other people like it. Music is a form of expression, different vibrations and moods, I don't think this graph is fair, in the end of the day it seems to only take a brief look at college students in USA, but cultural aspect does make significant impacet too, in other countries you might find people tastes totally upside down, partly because particular type of music is preferred and made popular there.

Monday 9 March 2009

My interview on Roots FM radio 2009

Check out my interview on Roots 95,4 FM radio (www.ukrootsfm.com)
songs featured in this radio episode:

1. "Please Forgive Dem Lord"
2. "The Price of the Beauty"
3. "Tough Game"


Jahna Sebastian on Roots FM : interview 2009

DIY artist example : hand made cd's for sale : I Am Jen project

I was just listening to a CD Baby podcast today, and it featured an interview with an artist, who represents an example of out-of-the-box approach to what she does, from videos she made to cd's she also made by hand. I'm not saying that everybody should start selling albums recorded on blank cds with stickers on them instead of a standard full color 4-page inlay packaged cds in jewel cases (cello wrapped), it is one of the signs of the time for the DIY musicians: she makes her music, than creates her own videos and edits them, makes her cds and then distributes and promotes them herself, without any record label involved, and her songs do get air play in certain areas, and this is amazing. From what I heard in her interview, apparently, she only started doing all this as an experiment, a hobby rather than trying to make it her main occupation as an artist.

I am Jen : Making of Broken EP

Sunday 1 March 2009

Jennifer Hudson on Oprah

Oscar and Grammy award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson performed "If This Isn't Love" on The Oprah Winfrey Show. After all that happened in her life, now she said: “I’m good. I’m really good. Glad to be back to working and doing what I love to do. I’m in a very good place.” I'm happy to hear that, she's so talented.

Tuesday 24 February 2009

Common explains why hip hop will become less materialistic

In recent interview, Common spoke about Barack Obama, and explained why he thinks hip hop will become less materialistic in times of recession. I agree, music has it's spiritual purpose other than talking about money and cars, and that's when it becomes really powerful. I told ya a couple of months ago, that soon bling bling talk will become less relevant and we'll need more real music because of the state of the world's economy st the moment. There are more things that will happen, but I'm not gonna tell just yet ...

Wednesday 18 February 2009

Nicolas Bourriaud and Altermodern

Postmodernism is over and now there is a new type of modern: altermodern. Nicolas Bourriaud explains his hypothesis:



When:
February 3-28 2008

Where:
Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG

The fourth Tate Triennial explores what might come after postmodernism, defining 'altermodernism' as a global reaction to commercialisation and standardisation. The show features the work of Darren Almond, Tacita Dean, Mike Nelson, Simon Starling and many others.

Monday 9 February 2009

"Single Moms" (Beyonce's "Single Ladies" Remix)

Disclaimer: This recording is for promotional purposes only, I don't own the rights for the instrumental, but I wrote the lyrics to this remix. As a single mom myself I feel that it's not easy to enter into a new relationship after previous disappointment, plus you have a child to raise, so you end up looking for serious men only, no point in wasting time on players with zero responsibility. So I just wanted to express how I feel about it and I dedicate it to all the single moms out there, the strongest ladies! Enjoy and big up to Beyonce!



Friday 6 February 2009

Happy Birthday, Bob Marley, the Greatest Artist of All Time

7 Main Reasons why Bob Marley is the Greatest Artist of All Time, in MY OPINION:

1. His songs are timeless and concern all main themes like love, faith in God, politics, social issues, spiritual side of our life etc.
2. His voice was unique and soulful - coming from as deep from his heart as it can be.
3. His message changed lives or influenced millions of people in the world and continues to spread almost 38 years after his death.
4. His philosophy and charisma proved that his music is a direct reflection of his life, HE WAS A REAL PERSON, and that's what is very important for an artist.
5. His live performances, whether you were able to witness his concerts, or watch the videos, are magnetizing, unforgettable experience when there's a natural mystic blowing in the air.
6. Although he was mixed race (like me), he considered himself neither on the side of black, nor on the side of white people, but on the side of God and he loved all people in general. That's a common feeling in mixed race people. I believe in not so long time all people on living on Earth will be mixed race and that will be an end to prejudice.
7. He took care of thousands of people, helped the poor and those who needed help both financially and spiritually.

In hearts of millions of people in many future generations Bob Marley will live forever.

ONE LOVE, ONE HEART, LET'S GET TOGETHER AND FEEL ALL RIGHT!



UNTIL THE PHILOSOPHY WHICH HOLD ONE RACE SUPERIOR AND ANOTHER INFERIOR IS FINALLY DISCREDITED AND ABANDONED ME SAY WAR
AND UNTIL THE COLOR OF A MAN SKIN IS OF NO MORE SIGNIFICANCE THAN THE COLOR OF HIS EYES I'VE GOT TO SAY WAR



PEACE VS. WAR
CHANGE & HOPE
BOB MARLEY INTERVIEW

Thursday 5 February 2009

Vocals and Performance: Etta James Beyonce Diss:Etta Slams Beyonce At Last Obama Inauguration Performance

Watch the two performances of the classic song "At Last"
Etta James recently performed in Seattle where she blasted Beyonce singing her song “At Last” for The Obamas on Inauguration night. James told the audience:

“You know, your President, the one with the big ears-he ain’t my President–had that woman singing for him at his Inauguration. She’s going to get her ass whooped.”

She added:

“How dare Beyonce sing my song that I been singing forever. Now I’m going to sing it for y’all….”

What do you think?

I must admit that Beyonce is one of the best entertainers of our time, but here we have a clash of generations I guess ... Etta James is a legend though

Video 1 - Etta James - At Last (LIVE). This is not in Seattle, but this is my favorite performance that I've seen:




Video 2: Beyonce "At Last" Inaugural Neighborhood Ball Barack & Michelle Obama's "First Dance"

Wednesday 4 February 2009

Multivision Time: Economic riot in Russia

In 2009 we continue to go through times of choice: Love or Hate? As the worldwide economic crisis goes on, frustration and disappointment leads to this.


Remember Bob Marley chanting "Get Up, Stand Up"?

Even though Polow Da Don used stock sounds on "Hero" it doesn't mean the record is not great ...

"Good artists borrow, great artists steal" - Pablo Picasso

and it is still my favorite song from Nas "Untitled" album. There is nothing particularly wrong in using stock sounds in the software, as long as you don't just make a whole song out of loops only ... The preset sounds are not copyrighted, it is not the same as sampling but nobody owns them either. How about most popular chart-topping songs using a few of the same chord progression and are hundreds of jazz standard songs built over the chord progression I VI II V not cool enough? Now we have software presets, even if you use them in a beat you still add other parts of arrangement which compose and music is about taking some idea which could be the most common or even known one and playing around it. A human brain does not invent anything, it only changes, alters and discovers what is already known. even when you hear a melody while sleeping and it just comes to you. Creativity is about that. Most people can't or don't want to develop ability to change things themselves and be creative. As to the music, it is never a beat on it's own, it's the actual lyrics and melody that make the whole record, it's how the beat can inspire the artist to write and perform a great song. What's the difference between using preset sounds in a song and using the same rhythmic and melodic patterns in the songs of traditional societies?

Toshiba TG01 smartphone

Saturday 31 January 2009

My Interview on Invincible Radio aired on 21 January 2009

Hey guys, for those of you who missed my interview on Invincible Radio last Wednesday, 21 January 2009, I've uploaded some parts of it here, but the whole interview was very long, you can also download the parts of it straight away to your computer to save for later from the player below.

Part 1 is about digital age we are living in and how it changes our lives
Part 2 is about striking a balance between virtual reality and life
Part 3 is about music equipment, software, microphones, studio monitors etc.
Part 4 is about me being an artist/producer/engineer and how started and got into music

Enjoy



Jahna%20Sebastian
Quantcast

Interview with M.I.A.

M.I.A. is nominated for Grammy and Oscar this year and she is also due to have her baby on the Oscar night, what a coincidence ;) I think M.I.A. is one of the rare talents, but I admire the fact that although she had a tough time when she was a child, she fled to England as a refugee from Sri Lanka, she became so successful representing Tamil people in the world, when genocide continues to go on in Sri Lanka and situation's getting worse there. Thank God that when there was a time to save her life she had a chance to go to England and survive. It's hard though.

Part 1:



Part 2:

Tuesday 27 January 2009

Incredible performance of "I Feel Love" by Blue Man Group

Wow, this is a great show, so cool, the sound is tight, just keeps you moving, all these blue faces theme so fresh at DanceStar USA:

Sunday 25 January 2009

Exclusive Interviews: Caribbean Showcase

I was on Invincible Radio this week on Wednesday and got hold of very exclusive information that I feel need to share with you, I'm gonna start posting series of interviews with people across the globe bringing you different vibes, many of them you have never heard before.

So here is the first one, at the Caribbean Showcase.

Ron Cushnie speaks to Ky-Mani Marley:


Track 06 -

Ms Dynamite:


Track 10 -

I'm digging this new comeback tune "Bad Gyal" by Ms Dynamite [2009], the beat is sick !!!




Lee Jasper at the Carebbean Showcase in Hyde Park, talks about this event representing Caribbean culture and contribution to the community in the UK:


Track 08 -

Raymond & Co, Award winning UK based Urban Contemporary Gospel band with strong gospel vocals:


Track 16 -


click here to watch the video showcasing Raymond & Co live performance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWzbJvwSZ1U

Friday 23 January 2009

P-Funk in Russia 'Regenerator The Video'

P-funk Garry Shider and Danny Bedrosian together with Russian Funkband C.L.O.N.E feat. Dusha Funky, MC Panda and Felix 'Funky Fiddle' Lahuti, recorded in 2008 the awesome monsterjam 'Regenerator'. This Video shows u, da Studio in Moskow, P-funk on stage in Russia, C.L.O.N.E in action and Amsterdam in a car listen to Regenerator



Official Myspace page of C.L.O.N.E.:
http://www.myspace.com/thecleantone

RivMixx - new networking web-site for music fans, artists, producers, record labels!

"Rivmixx.com is a music industry based networking site, which allows fans to keep in constant contact with the latest music, news and information from their favourite Artists, DJ’s, Clubs and Labels, as well as providing the perfect promotional platform and networking opportunities for upcoming and distinguished artists. Rivmixx strives to provide an end-to-end solution for all industry based networking and promotion; allowing industry users to provide fans with music, photos, discographies, videos and latest news, as well as targeting mail to fans via gender, country or cities and even file transfer between industry users.

Rivmixx is designed to keep more interaction between fan and user, fans can keep up to date with their MyMixx feature, which combines all news, releases and appearances / tour dates from each users favourite artists. MyMixx is a fan user’s very own, personalised Internet magazine. Fans can also write their own reviews of all news, gigs and other artist information as well as network with other fans that share the same tastes and musical interests." Danny Mac

- www.rivmixx.com

hit me on jahnasebastian.rivmixx.com

NAMM : Micro Korg XL

Presentation of the new micro Korg XL

Thursday 22 January 2009

Native Instruments Maschine

New groove production studio from NI plus software (Mac and PC), works as a plug-in or stand-alone application, can be used for live performance with its 5 GB library of sounds. According to developers, it will be out for sale on the 1st March 2009, gotta start saving for this little baby! :)

check out the video below

Introduction to Native Instruments Maschine

Me on Invincible Radio

Yesterday I gave two interviews on Invincible radio (www.invincibleradio.com), one of them live on Paul Hamilton show, played my songs which will be included into my EP and I also sang acapella "Please Forgive Dem Lord" -

vibe was great, the second interview was with Ron Cushnie and will be aired next week on his show, it touched technical aspect of our lives today plus we discussed music equipment.

My daughter is always with me (she's 8 months old)

Monday 19 January 2009

Remix mag "In Session" with Danja

Interesting video about music production. Danja explains how he composed "We Taking Over", talking about sounds he used and the way the song came out:

http://remixmag.com/video/rh_la/2008/danja_panel_part1/

Apperently, Vanguard synth was used also on Justin Timberlake's song "My Love"

THE LAW OF ATTRACTION: THE SECRET OF SUCCESS

Here is a great movie that shares a secret we all want to know: the key to success, it is in visualizing what you want and seeing it being attracted to you as if you were a magnet. In simple words you get what you want, but I have to add that you should never forget about harmony and connection with the world around you and taking into account what other people want. You can't make somebody love you, if he/she don't want it, but wants something else. But you can visualize and achieve great results at work, get more clients, make more money through your business. And let's remember, everybody has their own historical role, so you can't be Napoleon if you are actually more talented in composing and supposed to make it like Beethoven :) You gotta take into accounts your talents. A few examples from my personal experience: before I launched my career as an artist, I attended Bob Marley festival in Moscow and I imagined how I would perform there the following year, and guess what - the following year, I was there on stage!

This is the first 20 min of the movie, you can get the full version here: http://www.thesecret.tv

Sunday 18 January 2009

How about moving to live on Mars in the future? Possible signs of life have already been discovered there!

NASA announced that methane gas has been discovered on Mars. The way in which the methane gas is being released has many scientists believing that it could be a sign of some type of biological activity. It means, that life may either be forming or has already formed on Mars. Most of methane on Earth is caused by living organisms, which make it as a by-product of breaking down food.

You can watch the streaming video here

Now scientists have said they need to send a mission to Mars with a probe that is capable of drilling down below the frozen Martian surface, to where water - and life - might exist.

Nasa's Mars Science Laboratory is due to start carrying out further tests on the planet in 2011.

If Mars has good enough conditions for life, it could be one of the possible destinations where we could relocate in case the Earth gets completely destroyed by human beings ... Just need to get my space ship ready for that, in fact I started planning that when I was a child ...

Saturday 17 January 2009

Man or Rabbit?

Chapter 12 in Part I of
God in the Dock:
Essays on Theology and Ethics
by C.S. Lewis
Man or Rabbit?

“Can’t you lead a good life without believing in Christianity?” This is the question on which I have been asked to write, and straight away, before I begin trying to answer it, I have a comment to make. The question sounds as if it were asked by a person who said to himself, “I don’t care whether Christianity is in fact true or not. I’m not interested in finding out whether the real universe is more what like the Christians say than what the Materialists say. All I’m interested in is leading a good life. I’m going to choose beliefs not because I think them true but because I find them helpful.” Now frankly, I find it hard to sympathise with this state of mind. One of the things that distinguishes man from the other animals is that he wants to know things, wants to find out what reality is like, simply for the sake of knowing. When that desire is completely quenched in anyone, I think he has become something less than human. As a matter of fact, I don’t believe any of you have really lost that desire. More probably, foolish preachers, by always telling you how much Christianity will help you and how good it is for society, have actually led you to forget that Christianity is not a patent medicine. Christianity claims to give an account of facts—to tell you what the real universe is like. Its account of the universe may be true, or it may not, and once the question is really before you, then your natural inquisitiveness must make you want to know the answer. If Christianity is untrue, then no honest man will want to believe it, however helpful it might be: if it is true, every honest man will want to believe it, even if it gives him no help at all.

TO READ FULL TEXT CLICK HERE

Friday 16 January 2009

I'VE LEARNED

SO TRUE ...

I have learned (author unknown)

I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them;
I’ve learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don’t care back;
I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I’ve learned that it’s not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts;
I’ve learned that you can get by on charm, for about fifteen minutes. After that, you’d better know something;
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t compare yourself to the best others can do.
I’ve learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I’ve learned that it’s taking me a long time to become the person that I want to be.
I’ve learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may b the last time you see them.
I’ve learned that you can keep going long after you can’t.
I’ve learned that we are responsible for all we do, no matter how we feel.
I’ve learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I’ve learned that no matter how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take it’s place.
I’ve learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I’ve learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I’ve learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I’ve learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re downhill are the ones to help you get back up.
I’ve learned that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.
I’ve learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean that they don’t love you with all they have.
I’ve learned that maturity had more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
I’ve learned that your family won’t always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren’t related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren’t biological.
I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I’ve learned that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to forgive yourself.
I’ve learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I’ve learned that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.
I’ve learned that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I’ve learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I’ve learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will get hurt in the process.
I’ve learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.
I’ve learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I’ve learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I’ve learned that the people you care about the most in life are taken from you too soon.
I’ve learned that it’s hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people’s feelings and standing up for what you believe.

Thursday 15 January 2009

Wednesday 14 January 2009

DMX speaks from jail

One of my favorite artists of the times when I was at high school ... DMX speaks from jail. Good to see, he is back with God and not "riding with the d" anymore ... We used to jump around to "Party Up" back in the days. I gotta say, when I was locked up, I also found myself in a situation when I realized that my life and all circumstances are in the hands of God only and there was a purpose for me to be there for that time, I met a lot of people and spoke to them, and I believe I helped some of them or at least tried to. I'm really feeling X.

Russian Old New Year celebration, Stratford Old Town Hall, 13 January 2009

Russian Old New Year celebration, Stratford Old Town Hall, 13 January 2009

pictures, me performing live:

Jahna Sebastian

Jahna Sebastian

Jahna Sebastian

Russian Old New Year celebration, Stratford Old Town Hall, 13 January 2009

Jahna Sebastian