Entertainment

Hidden talent in the limelight

By Mahes Perera

[email protected]

Gayan of Daddy receiving one of the six awards won by the group from Tissa Abaysekera.

Ashanthi winner of the Hip Hop Video category

The Derana Music Video Awards was significant in that it brought into centre stage the inherent creativity of Sri Lankan talent, hitherto not focused on.

More so when the talent was from the youth, who were given more than a chance to be recognised for their creativity. As some in the audience remarked “at last the youngsters are being given a place”. There were eighteen categories most of which were judged by a jury panel and the others through SMS voting.

The young group ‘Daddy’ created history by running off with six awards. Led by Gayan Perera, Daddy (who were earlier know as JADA) won the Best Sri Lankan Pop Video for their song Massina, and also for Best Overall Performance, for Best Direction, for Best Art, for Best Concept of the song.

Other significant highlights saw Ashanthi carry off the award for the Best Hip Hop Video for her song Alawanthiyak, what with hip-hop now the craze with the young music lovers. Bathiya N Santhush won for Best Cinematography, for Best Video Adaptation of a moni song and the Bronze for Rasvihidena.

Tracking down Gayan Perera leader of ‘Daddy’ was quite a task but when we did it, he was quite cool and calm about it all (inherited it from his father we presume!). “I never expected it. I think it is a n encouragement not only to us but also to the other young musicians. We intend doing more experimental videos.

The story board was by wide Angle Production and I must say thank you to Thusitha and Prasanna for all their hard work. The band portrayed the characters in the video and they are certainly happy about all this success.

Massina was a collective original and the members ages range from 22 to 26. We intend recording two more videos Ai kele and SMS - the band will be writing the lyrics and the music.

We hope to work with Wide Angle, the boys are happy and comfortable with them. Do we perform regularly? No we don’t. Not on a weekly basis. We intend performing for shows and concerts and not restricting ourselves to one type of music. We must say thank you to Derana for this concept and for giving the youth a big opportunity to prove ourselves in the future of Sri Lankan music.”

Ashanthi winner of the Best Hip-Hop Video for her song Alawanthiyak is really happy that she won such an award. “A lot of hard work went into it. This was my first video and it has definitely paid off. I’m really glad I won such an award. Everybody calls me the Hip Hop Queen, I have to learn to live up to my name as well, and so this definitely was proving a point.

I’m surprised because there were others in that category who had created exceptional music videos. So I’m glad that the video Alawanthiyak has gone into the hearts and minds of music lovers in Sri Lanka.

This inspires me to make a better video with my second album which I hope to release in six months. I thank my sponsors for making possible the video and also Nilan Cooray, Chula, Robert, Eranga and Randir.”

The winning video song was composed for Ashanthi’s album Santhawathuren in November 2006 and has been a popular song at all her concert performance with Bathiya and Santhush as well as in her solo run.

Pix - Sudath Nishantha

American hip hop concert

Hip hop and soul fans are in for a treat when Maya Azucena and her band will perform two concerts in Sri Lanka. The shows titled The Rhythm Road will be staged at the Galle Town Hall on Monday, April 28, and in Colombo at the New Town Hall, Colombo 7 on Wednesday April 30 at 6.30 p.m.

The concerts are presented by The American Embassy in Colombo and Jazz at Lincoln Centre and the entrance to both these concerts is totally free. Passes for the Colombo concert can be picked up at the American Center, 44, Galle Road, Colombo 3.

Maya Azucena the vocalist who sees her music as a voice of and for the people was recently named Best Alternative Artist of the Year by Allhipho.com and was nominated by soultracks.com as Best Female Vocalist of the Year. She was the winner of two Croatian Grammy awards.

Ivan Katz the drummer specializes in soul, hip-hop, reggae and dance beats. His unique style results from the influences in the sounds and vibrations of New York City.

Bruce Mack the keyboardist is multi-instrumental playing R&B, funk, jazz, experimental and hip-hop music. He is committed to music education for children.

Christian Ver Halen the guitarist is a song writer and producer as well and has performed at all the major venues in New York City.
M.P.