'even the newest stars are honored'
Alaine
REAL NAME: Alaine Laughton
BIRTH PLACE: USA
Singer/songwriter Alaine possesses a sweet voice, songwriting skills that show a depth of experiences and a smile that could brighten any day. Alaine studied classical piano for four years and began writing songs at a very early age. Her talents as a singer and actress were recognized while she was a child and secured her roles in numerous Jamaican television programs and commercials, radio jingles, and theatrical productions.
By age nine Alaine had been a Red Cross Ambassador, performed in several cabaret shows and national events, hosted a popular children's television show, and landed herself a role in the movie 'Clara's Heart' starring Whoopi Goldberg. After graduating with an honors degree in Management and Psychology, Alaine moved to New York where she juggled working in an Investment Bank (JPMorgan) while pursuing her musical career. She sang hooks for Roc-A-Fella recording artist, Cam'Ron, in the songs, “Live My Life” (Leave Me Alone) from the album Come Home With Me (Roc-A-Fella 2002), and “Yeo” from Music Inspired by Scarface (Def Jam, 2003).
After receiving two promotions at JP Morgan, she would no longer have the time to dedicate to her music career and so she had to choose between the security of a fulltime job and the uncertainty that came with pursuing music. She took a leap of faith and chose to return to Jamaica to pursue music fulltime Since returning to Jamaica in July of 2004 Alaine has worked with some of the islands top producers including the internationally acclaimed Sly & Robbie (No Doubt ) and Donovan 'Don Corleon' Bennett (Sean Paul, T.O.K) .
Her music is a mixture of traditional Jamaican Dancehall/Reggae rhythms combined with writing and vocal arrangements that showcase her R&B/Hip Hop influences. Her song 'No Ordinary Love' charted on several Reggae Charts from across the world including, New York, Florida, Japan, Europe and the Caribbean. The music video topped the charts on MTV Tempo's Cross Caribbean Countdown for several weeks and became the first video by a female reggae artist to be retired from the countdown on one of Jamaica's biggest video request shows, E-Strip. Her song 'Deeper' is featured on Kingston 5 (Sony Europe 2005) and Strictly the Best Volume 36 (VP Records 2007). 'Wine' has been featured on Strictly the Best Volume 5 (VP Records 2007) and 'The Biggest Ragga Anthems for 2006' (Greensleeves Records).
Her singles “Heavenly” and 'Jah Jah Cry' were included in the compilation for 'Biggest Reggae One Drop Anthems 2006' (Greensleeves).'Love Sound', her collaboration with Beres Hammond is featured on Sly and Robbie's Grammy nominated Rhythm Doubles Album (Taxi Records 2006). 'Dreaming of You' (featuring, Beenie Man), 'Rise In Love' , 'I Love You (featuring Busy Signal) and Sacrifice, among others, are in rotation across the world. Alaine performed at Reggae Sumfest 2005 and 2006 to positive reviews. She has also performed in St. Vincent, Tortola, St. Maarten, Cayman, Nevis, St. Croix , St. Thomas (USVI), St. Lucia and the United States. She is currently on a tour of several high schools in Jamaica with other popular Jamaican artists spreading the message of HIV awareness and AIDS prevention.
A music video for her single Sacrifice,directed by top Jamaican director Ras Kassa was recently released.. Alaine is the perfect combination of beauty and talent. Her authenticity shines through and her versatility is boundless. Her sweet voice coupled with her song writing skills perfectly combine to create and unforgettable sound that is all her own.
BIRTH PLACE: USA
Singer/songwriter Alaine possesses a sweet voice, songwriting skills that show a depth of experiences and a smile that could brighten any day. Alaine studied classical piano for four years and began writing songs at a very early age. Her talents as a singer and actress were recognized while she was a child and secured her roles in numerous Jamaican television programs and commercials, radio jingles, and theatrical productions.
By age nine Alaine had been a Red Cross Ambassador, performed in several cabaret shows and national events, hosted a popular children's television show, and landed herself a role in the movie 'Clara's Heart' starring Whoopi Goldberg. After graduating with an honors degree in Management and Psychology, Alaine moved to New York where she juggled working in an Investment Bank (JPMorgan) while pursuing her musical career. She sang hooks for Roc-A-Fella recording artist, Cam'Ron, in the songs, “Live My Life” (Leave Me Alone) from the album Come Home With Me (Roc-A-Fella 2002), and “Yeo” from Music Inspired by Scarface (Def Jam, 2003).
After receiving two promotions at JP Morgan, she would no longer have the time to dedicate to her music career and so she had to choose between the security of a fulltime job and the uncertainty that came with pursuing music. She took a leap of faith and chose to return to Jamaica to pursue music fulltime Since returning to Jamaica in July of 2004 Alaine has worked with some of the islands top producers including the internationally acclaimed Sly & Robbie (No Doubt ) and Donovan 'Don Corleon' Bennett (Sean Paul, T.O.K) .
Her music is a mixture of traditional Jamaican Dancehall/Reggae rhythms combined with writing and vocal arrangements that showcase her R&B/Hip Hop influences. Her song 'No Ordinary Love' charted on several Reggae Charts from across the world including, New York, Florida, Japan, Europe and the Caribbean. The music video topped the charts on MTV Tempo's Cross Caribbean Countdown for several weeks and became the first video by a female reggae artist to be retired from the countdown on one of Jamaica's biggest video request shows, E-Strip. Her song 'Deeper' is featured on Kingston 5 (Sony Europe 2005) and Strictly the Best Volume 36 (VP Records 2007). 'Wine' has been featured on Strictly the Best Volume 5 (VP Records 2007) and 'The Biggest Ragga Anthems for 2006' (Greensleeves Records).
Her singles “Heavenly” and 'Jah Jah Cry' were included in the compilation for 'Biggest Reggae One Drop Anthems 2006' (Greensleeves).'Love Sound', her collaboration with Beres Hammond is featured on Sly and Robbie's Grammy nominated Rhythm Doubles Album (Taxi Records 2006). 'Dreaming of You' (featuring, Beenie Man), 'Rise In Love' , 'I Love You (featuring Busy Signal) and Sacrifice, among others, are in rotation across the world. Alaine performed at Reggae Sumfest 2005 and 2006 to positive reviews. She has also performed in St. Vincent, Tortola, St. Maarten, Cayman, Nevis, St. Croix , St. Thomas (USVI), St. Lucia and the United States. She is currently on a tour of several high schools in Jamaica with other popular Jamaican artists spreading the message of HIV awareness and AIDS prevention.
A music video for her single Sacrifice,directed by top Jamaican director Ras Kassa was recently released.. Alaine is the perfect combination of beauty and talent. Her authenticity shines through and her versatility is boundless. Her sweet voice coupled with her song writing skills perfectly combine to create and unforgettable sound that is all her own.
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RWW FASHION FEATURE - 'BRIDGET SANDALS'
Novia McDonald-Whyte - Contributing editor Jamaica Observer
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Sandals designer Bridget say "Bridget sandals" in Jamaica and fashion watchers, as well as lovers of sexy leather straps, will smile the smug smile of those in the know. It has been, for Bridget Brown, (known by thousands as Bridget), a journey of twenty-odd years. The fact is, the leather soles of her sandals almost left her barefooted on several occasions. "It took me three years," Bridget tells SunDay to get my feet off the ground. I paid the price for not going to school. I had to endure artisans not cutting the leather properly, bad work attitude, sabotage, you name it, I went through it."
A baptism of fire, some might be tempted to add for the former Playboy Bunny. "I was a bunny between 1972 and 1977 at the Playboy Boscobel Beach," says Bridget, flashing her signature toothy smile, and still conscious of that bunny poise.
"Playboy was forced to close (no tourists were coming to Jamaica). I was forced to come back to Kingston. I had to find some means of survival. My first stop was G's One of a Kind -- an upscale boutique that sold one-of-a kind Italian shoes and clothing. I left that in May 1981, after Bob Marley's death. I sold pound-cloth for Carmen Brown of Karmen's Corner. "There I was with my scale underneath my arm, and my cushions at my side. I really never wanted to make sandals. I also made skull caps and crochet bags."
Start she did and never looked back. Bridget even found the time and finances to attend school in Milan. "I went to school out of curiosity. I wondered if I was doing something wrong. Little did I know that I was in fact doing something right. My customers are happy, the sandals are fitting right, and I, too, am satisfied. I admire what I am doing."
No idle boast. Bridget Sandals were on the runway at New York Fashionweek, and Caribbean Fashionweek. Bridget Sandals are in Barbados, St Kitts, Antigua, Lincoln Avenue, South Beach (Miami), in the Village (New York) and at Controversy -- Battersea London.
Come next season, there's the possibility of a shipment to Japan, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Dallas.
"You have to be skilfull to survive. It has been a 20-year fight for survival. It's a struggle to maintain quality, confidence, style, craftsmanship. Finally, you have to have integrity in business."
As the chat comes to an end and Bridget does that Bridget walk towards her taxi, and there's a feeling that the very best is still to come from this beautiful sister.
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