Buju Banton - file

Dancehall up-and-comer New Kidz, the first artiste on international reggae star Buju Banton's independent label, Gargamel Music, will be releasing his new single, Woman, Tuesday, September 2.

The song is the first track from Kidz' yet-to-be titled album, slated for release early next year and will feature some of Jamaica's top producers including John John, Delly Ranx, Laba Laba, Liquid and, of course, the Gargamel production crew.

New Kidz, aka Anthony Bennett, was born and raised in Kingston in a home brimming with the rhythms of his father's sound system. He was drawn very early to a musical path inspiration that would shape his life.

Following a stint as selector, Kidz had collaborations with other dancehall greats including Elephant Man (Wash Out).

After rocking the crowds at some of the hottest Caribbean music festivals including Sting, Fully Loaded, Sumfest and touring for two years as the warm-up act for Buju Banton, Kidz has evolved into an entertainer, songwriter and budding producer, who is honed and ready to take centre stage. He humbly states: "Good music can talk to the people, influence people, teach people. I just want to lift music up ... Trust me. Just give me a listen."

New Kidz is currently in New York for several promotional events and is available for interviews through Thursday, August 28.

The Dutch Accept I-Octane

I-Octane. - file

Conscious singer I-Octane returned home on a high after making good on his first ever European performance at the Sundance Festival in Holland on August 10. The singer was surprised at the response he received from the estimated 30-35,000 patrons as he belted out his popular singles such as Stab Vampire, Poverty and Different Page.

He was surprised by how well they knew his songs. He felt that it was one of his best performances yet and was grateful to perform in front of a huge crowd of caucasians and hearing them singing his songs word for word.

The songs went over so well, that I-Octane found himself performing tracks more than once. When he touched Different Page, in the singers own words, 'It was a different page all together'. He had to do that song three times, before he could eventually satisfy their insatiable appetite for the single.

The singer had every reason to enjoy his first stint in Europe as he was a hot commodity there, doing one interview after another for magazines, radio and television stations. That was not the only thing occupying his time as he was also in demand to do dub plates and specials for various sounds in that part of the world.

I-Octane also did a superb performance in Canada at the Toronto International Music Festival, which took place last weekend at Oakville Italian Garden, Toronto.

The singer is expected to return to the island on Tuesday to shoot the video for his number-one single Different Page.

According to the singer's management company, Arrows Recording, they should have shot the video already, but rain put paid to those plans.