Who is Tuff Gong and what is his relationship to Bob Marley...???

Tuff Gong is a direct reference to the late Great Robert "Bob" (Nestah) Marley. Bob attained this name because of his relationship with Leonard "The Gong" Howell, founder of the Rastafari movement. In the early 1930s Young Leonard saw the Coronation and Crowning Of Haile Selassie (Ras-Emperor Tafari) as a fulfillment of prophecy. Marcus Garvey said to look to Africa (Ethiopia) for the "Crowning of a King".......!!! Leonard Howell, aka The Gong, saw this as a direct reference to Haile Selassie and set the foundation for the Global Rastafari movement.

Bob "Tuff Gong" Marley took the culture of Rastafarianism, and translated some of it`s deepest messages through his music. So powerful was the message of Rastafari, that Bob Marley was later awarded an award of World Peace from the United Nations. Bob also with the help of some of Jamaica`s toughest garrison leaders, Claudie Massop and Bucky Marshall, organized a One Love Peace concert, which called for an end of poltical corruption in Jamaica and senseless killings throughout the ghettos of Jamaica. During this monumental concert, Bob Marley united on stage Jamaica`s feuding political parties, headed by Norman Manley and Edward Seaga. This brought Bob to the zenith of his career because this unity which he produced showed the power in the message of Rastafarian Music.

Bob Marley became a personal student of Howell (The Gong) and later became The Ambassador of The Rastafari Teaching and Culture through his music. He was influenced so much by Leonard "The Gong" Howell that he later named his recording studio "Tuff Gong", and soon there after he went on to name his recording label Tuff Gong as well. Bob Marley`s youngest son Damian Marley recently took the dancehall by storm with his release of Welcome to Jamrock, and has nick-named himself "Jr. Gong", following the legend of his father and re-establishing the cultural trend of Leonard "The Gong" Howell, founder of the Rastafari Movement.

Dance hall Reggae music is under attack by Gay and Lesbian organizations.

Freedom of speech has its limitations. Freedom of speech limits your self expression of thought, when that thought is construed as an attack on a person`s character or calling for violence against another person. Dance hall Reggae is currently under attack by 100s of Gay and Lesbian organizations that have united to call an end to what they perceive as a threat to their sexual lifestyle.

Dance hall heavy weights such as: Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Sizzla Kalonji, and Vybez Cartel, have all been at the center of a musical censorship which Gay and Lesbian organizations have partially succeding in placing upon them. These organizations have created an international league, and have created what is known as - Rca - The Reggae Compassionate Act, which has successfully placed an international ban on Dance hall Reggae artsists whose music is viewed as being anti-Gay and advocating violence against Gays and Lesbians, from performing at hundreds of Stage shows and a whole host of venues.

This attack has led to Vp records, Greensleeve records, and Jet Star, to all agree to release in the future, music which is more sensitive to the diverse gender relations of the Gay and lesbian community. But this agreement was reached by the record labels, Not the artists. But this attack is viewed by the Dance hall community as a violation of their Human right to express their love or hate of whatever they should so desire to vent. There have been some European and American "Rock and Roll"that have used language that has called for the death of Non-whites, have also used language which advocated acts of violence against many different cultural institutions, but yet they are not under such persecution, or allied censorships.

The Island of Jamaica is among many multi-ethnic nations which prohibit and have placed a legal ban against homosexual activity and behavior. But the focus of musical sensorship has been solely focused on the music coming from the Island of Jamaica. The artists who sing and perform these lyrics do so under the beliefs that they share. Rastafarianism prohibits homosexual activity and behavior, and they do this based on the Biblical teaching of the Old Testament which states, " a Man shall not lie (engage in Sexual activity or behavior) with another Man, as one lies (engages Sexually) with a Woman" Leviticus: 18:22. Non Rastafarian artists argue that how can a ban be placed on an artists music, who hails from Jamaica, when the Government of Jamaica has also placed a legally binding ban on all homosexual activity and behavior. This ban is termed by and known in Jamaican law as, "The Buggering Laws", punishable if convicted, by up to but not exceeding 10 years hard labor....!!! Shouldn't one be allowed to voice is agreement as well as his "disagreement" of a given thing or action......???

We at Zion Train Entertainment want to hear what are your thoughts, opinions and comments on this subject matter. Below is an actual banner that various Gay and Lesbian organizations created to discredit various Dance hall artists.

The Legendary Ricky "Serial Killer" Trooper

Born Garfield Mckoy, in St. Mary Jamaica, Ricky Trooper is considered a living legend of Sound Clash. Hailing from the Mighty Killamanjaro Sound system, Ricky Trooper is responsible for the "Death" (Career ending) of many sounds.

Ricky started playing for a couple of sounds before joining "Jaro Sound". When he started he had no stage name. When he was young he was a member of a band called the "Magnificent marching band of Troopers". So when he became a selector his former band members called him "Trooper". Eventually after playing for several sounds, Trooper built his own sound and partnered with Papa San, another living legend of Dance hall music. But Ricky`s fame, stardom, and his very name ("Ricky" Trooper), all came from his time spent as selector of the world famous "Killamanjaro Sound System".

Founded in the summer of '69 by Noel Harper aka Papa Jaro, Kilimanjaro which is named after the tallest mountain in the world, became a legend in the Sound System culture. Jaro began as a foundation sound, collecting Studio One riddim`s and Treasure Isle hits. The sound`s name Kilimanjaro, was later changed to Kill-a-man-jaro, on behalf of the many sound system careers they ended in "musical war".

In the early '70s dee jays would play on the big sound systems of Jamaica. Through the '70s and early '80s, the likes of Super Cat, Early B, and Burro Banton could be seen playing on, and "toasting" (chatting) over the riddims played by the Mighty Killamanjaro sound system. Jaro soon became a legendary sound, known for playing the most foundation tunes. Jaro had a whole host of selectors, but it was Ricky Trooper who would join Jaro and show the world the strength of the tallest mountain....!!!

When Garfield Mckoy (Trooper) joined Jaro, Junior Cat was a dee jay for Jaro and he didn't have his famous name (Ricky Trooper) yet. Junior Cat spoke with a lisp and he couldn't properly pronounce "Trooper". So as he would introduce Trooper on stage to play, he would call him "Ricky", hence the legend of Ricky Trooper began.

Ricky quickly became the most feared selector on Jaro sound system, as he became known for creating some of the most creative dubs and specials. When Jaro would clash a sound with Ricky Trooper as selector, it was known that no matter how tough the opponent, Ricky "Serial Killer" Trooper would throw them off the highest mountain (Kilimanjaro).....!!! One of the only sounds to ever clash with Jaro and win was the "Infamous" King Addies, headed by Baby Face aka Lion Face and Tony Matterhorn from Brooklyn, New York, and their most notable rivalry took place in Portmore Jamaica. This clash is considered by Sound Clash lovers as the "Greatest Clash of all Time", a clash in which both sounds would walk away as victors, for the Sound Clash they fought for would end in a draw that night....!!

In '99 Ricky Trooper left Jaro and founded "Sound Trooper". Ricky states that he had no quarrels or beef with Jaro, except that God Blesses the child that has his own....!!! In 2006, Sound Trooper won World Clash`s "Death b4 Dishonor", solidifing his status as a War D.j. who could survive the test of time. Ricky Trooper, who is known as a Badman D.j, is an Icon of Sound System culture and will take up much ink wherever the story of Sound Clash culture is penned......!!! Zion Train Entertainment salutes Ricky "Serial Killer" Trooper.

Hannibal of Carthage (The Father of Warfare and Military Strategy).

Hannibal of Carthage (Phonecia) was a Black General who was of Phonecian descent, but lived in North Africa in the Phonecian-built City-state of Carthage. Hannibal is credited in Eastern and Western thought as being the "Father of Warfare and Military Strategy". Due to racism and the global suppresssion of Black Greatness, the history of Hannibal has been re-written and painted "White". This type of Hate for Black Greatness has "Not" just happened with Hannibal, but we see it clear in the White portraits of Adam and Eve, Moses, The Biblical Israelites, The Egyptians, and even the Babylonians. This is why the acquisition of knowledge and truth is imperative, because once a person is empowered by knowledge it will illuminate their "path". It's said that knowledge is power, it then follows that those who are Not in possesion of it, render themselves "Powerless"....!!!

Hannibal was a Military General and tactician. His father Hannibal Barca was the leading Carthaginian commander during the first "Punic Wars". Hannibal lived during a period of tension between Rome and the darker people who ruled the Mediterrranean. Carthage had captured and subdued Sicily, known then as "Sardenia". Hannibal and his soldiers mixed with the inhabitants of Sicily, which is why to this day Italians (Romans) ridicule Sicilians for having a darker complexion because of their ancient history of mixed marriages and relationships with the "Black" Carthaginians.

One of Hannibals most celebrated military achievements was during the second punic war when Hannibal succeeded in doing the impossible. For years the Romans enjoyed geographical freedom because the way in which Rome is cituated strategically, they are protected on all sides, the only weak point being the mountaineous Alps, which was impossible to cross with an army. Hannibal however, was a military genius. Not only did he cross the Alps with a stunning amount of soldiers and arms, but he did so on elephants, who by the way were never seen by Romans. So when this "Black General did the impossible by crossing the Alps, Rome was petrified, but the crossing of the Alps was small in comparison to the fear imposed on the Romans when they encountered elephants for the very fist time and in war at that...!!!

During his invasion of Italy, he defeated the Romans in a series of battles. He won over several Roman allies and maintained an army in Italy for 17 years, never personally losing on the battle field while in Italy. But soon there-after a Roman counter-invasion of North Africa forced him to return to Carthage, where he was decisively defeated by Scipio Africanus, the man who the continent of Africa was named after. This defeat caused Hannibal to be exiled. He stayed in a couple of allied terrotories, where he became a military advisor to the Selucid court against Rome. But when Rome defeated the Selucid empire, Hannibal soon found himself in exile once again.

Hannibal would later be considered by historians as one of the greatest Military Generals of antiquity. Military historian Theodore Ayrault Dodge once famously called Hannibal the "Father of Military Strategy", because his greatest enemy, Rome, later came to adapt elements of his military tactics in it's own strategic arsenal. Hannibal was a renown Military Genius and Zion Train Entertainment celebrates and salutes him for Black history month.

Kaitlan Alyssa of Urban Entertainment (Certified Atl Diva).

Kaitlan Alyssa is a certified diva coming straight out of the Atl. Kaitlan Alyssa represents Urban Entertainment, a promotional team which pretty much has downtown Atl on lock right now...!!! Rarely will you meet a young promoter who is seasoned in promoting large scale venues, especially when that promoter is a female. In a male dominated field, Ms. Alyssa has broken all barriers and limitations placed on female promoters in the industry. Djangos, located in downtown Atlanta, is a promoters dream, many artists and Big-Name Dj's have passed through and left a very impressionable mark, and Kaitlan Alyssa is blessed to have the opportunity and talent to live that dream by promoting for such a renowned venue. Zion Train Entertainment got wind of of this young female promoter, and we felt compelled to interview her and have her briefly tell her story:

Mistah Lex:What is the name of your promotional team ?

Kaitlan Alyssa: Urban Entertainment, and most recently Black Sea Angels.

Mistah Lex: What venues have you promoted for so far ?

Kaitlan Alyssa: Our regular and most recent venues are Django, Motion Night Club, and House Night Club. Prior to that, Urban Entertainment alongside Twin Towers Entertainment, threw Atlanta's hottest Reggae and Dance Hall events every Friday at the former Royal Peacock Club.

Mistah Lex: What is your nationality ?

Kaitlan Alyssa: I am Jamaican and Guyanese, but a Toronto native.

Mistah Lex: What genres of Music do you enjoy promoting the most ?

Kaitlan Alyssa: I prefer promoting Reggae, Soca, and Dance Hall the most.

Mistah Lex: Will you ever consider promoting outside of the Atl ?

Kaitlan Alyssa: It would be nice to launch Urban Entertainment and The Black Sea Angels in New York and Florida.

Mistah Lex: Where do you see or envision yourself down the line musically.

Kaitlan Alyssa: I am currently in School for law and one of my goals is to become an attorney in the Entertainment industry. If music will be apart of that, one can only hope lol...!!!

Mistah Lex: Who or what are your inspirations for what you do ?

Kaitlan Alyssa: My inspirations will have to be from the experiences that i have gained, and the individuals i have met via those experiences. The combination may very well be beneficial in the future.

Mistah Lex: Who's your favorite artist from the Atl right now ?

Kaitlan Alyssa: My favorite Atl artist would have to be T.I, I admire his strength and how it is manifested in his music.

Mistah Lex: What artists have passed through your events so far ?

Kaitlan Alyssa: Mr. Vegas, Lexxus, Cee Lo, Q-tip, and Chris Brown to name a few.

Mistah Lex: What keeps you in the game when your feeling consumed by it ?

Kaitlan Alyssa: I am very good at separating my personal life from party life. I haven't had to deal with that issue yet...

Judah Maccabee (The Conquering Lion Of theTribe of Levi).

Judah Maccabee, Son of Matathias the Hasmonean, was one of the greatest military Generals in the world. His story takes place during the aftermath of the reign of Alexander the Great of Greece.

Alexander the Great conquered all of Europe, most of Africa, and the Middle East. Alexander had a vision of Uniting Europe with the Ancient empires of the Middle East and Africa. Alexander`s teacher Socrates, was after all trained in one of the greatest academies of all the world, Ancient Egypt. This level of education, which leaned on the mystic as well as the secular basis of life, was seen by Alexander as a means of Uniting the Ancient empires of the East, with the Newly emerged empires of the West, who where light years behind the speed of Africa and the Middle East`s intellectual velocity...!!

Alexander`s vision of Uniting the East with the West was crushed with his sudden illness and death. After his death, Alexander`s empire was split among his Top 4 Generals, who waged war against each other to wrestle the lands that Alexander invaded and captured into their hands. Two of Alexander`s Generals stood out against the rest and took the occupied lands of the other two Generals. These Generals were Ptolemy of Egypt and Seleucus of Syria. The center of World power was always focused in the land of Israel (Jerusalem). Before the building of the Suez canal in the 1800s, Israel was the the bridge that United Eastern culture with Western culture, and was therefore seen as a critical and strategically ideal location for world dominance and control. Moreover, Jerusalem was seen as the Cradle of civilization, seeing that the story of Adam and Eve originates from this region in the fertile crescent. Therefore the 2 remaining Generals of Alexander the Great fought over this region (Jerusalem) and flooded it`s land mass with blood, sweat, and tears.

In the year 175 b.c.e (before common era) or to Christians b.c (before Christ), Antiochus Iv (Epiphanes) of the Seleucid empire of Syria, seized control of Jerusalem and forced hellenistic (Greek) culture upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Isarel). They raped and murdered their way to power and defiled the most Sacred land on earth (Jerusalem). Anyone found with a copy of the Torah (Old Testament) was killed, sacrifice and religous custom and ceremony was banned and outlawed. These acts were meant to introduce western (Greek) thought into the daily lives of the Jews of Jerusalem, and eradicate the teachings of Moses (The servant of God) from the Holy land itself....!!!

All of this occured without much resistance until Matathias, a Priest of the Tribe of Levi and his sons, waged a series of very successful guerilla and para-military operations which would enable devout Jews to fight for their physical and spiritual freedom. But one of his sons stood out above the rest......Judah Maccabee, the warrior/scholar, out of the priestly line of Aaron and Tribe of Levi, became a hammer which sledged the military operations of Antiochus Iv of Syria/Greece
Judah Maccabee is celebrated as one of the Greatest military Generals that the world has ever seen. Judah created military strategies which are still taught in the greatest military academies across the globe today...!!! His use of military tact and geography was brilliant to say the least. Grossly out numbered, Judah was able to dismember Greek armies which out numbered him sometimes more than 7 to 1....!!! Judah`s motivation was the recapture of Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon, which was the focus of Spiritual observance in Israel. Judah routed the enemy camp with meticulous planning and guerilla strategy. He became so successful in his raids of Greek occupied parts of Israel, that Jews who were in hiding ascended their hiding places and joined him in war.

The land recaptured through Judah`s military campaigns was a monumentous achievement. In the year 164 b.c.e, on the 25th of Kislev (Around Dec. 14th), Judah recaptured all of Jerusalem and seized Mount Zion, The Jerusalem Temple......!!! They entered the temple and tore down the statues that the Greeks placed in honor of their hellenistic gods, and rededicated the Jerusalem Temple. There was great irony seen in the date that the Temple was re-dedicated. On the 25th of Kislev, the Greeks under Antiochus Iv Epiphanes, erected a statue of Zeus Olympus, who`s birthday like all greek gods is ironically on Dec. 25th.....!!! This statue was hewn down by the sword of Judah Maccabee and the Temple was cleaned out and purified, and re-dedicated to God, hence the term Channukah, which is hebrew for dedication. When Judah entered the Temple he found a cruse of oil which was only capable of igniting one night`s worth of light. But miraculously, or through the power of God, the oil kept burning for 8 days, hence Channukah is observed for 8 days.

These valiant acts of spiritual and nationalistic heroisim, has led me to characterize Judah Maccabee as the Conquering Line of the Tribe Of Levi. Judah Maccabee is remembered by Zion Train Ent. for the dynamic role he played in restoring holiness to Mount Zion (Jerusalem).....!!!

To contact us if you want an interview with us, or if you want us to cover a story, you can reach us @ mistahlex@ziontrainent.com.

Energy Gal, Dhq in the making.

ENERGY GAL&SKERRIT
Who would have ever thought eleven years ago that the little school girl named Keyania Jones, who used to dance for an after school program, would turn into one of New york city`s most rated female reggae dancers. Well thats exactly what she is, Mz. Energy Gal hailing from the Bronx, is one of the best and highly rated female dancers in New york. Seldom can you find a flyer for a reggae dance off and "Not" see her on the cover of the flyer among the greatest dancers in New york.


Energy Gal has made herself a competitve name among the dance hall fraternity. She is unique with a style of her own. Humble but bold, she will enter the dance un-noticed, but by the end of the night you will know her name and you will have experienced her energy. Mz. Energy gal has an amazing level of staying power, even out dancing her male counterparts. Her moves are meticulous and they hint at her back ground as a ballet dancer as she sometimes seems to move with angelic strides.



This young and talented personality has not kept her skills local. She has appeared in dances in Washington D.C, New Jersey, Florida, Conneticut, Albany, and Baltimore Maryland. In 2007 she entered a dance contest @ the Elks Plaza -Dancing For Life-where she won her first trophy. She is currently preparing to enter the Bronx Dhq contest and then to take the crown @ the American Dhq contest. Now managed by Zion Train Entertainment, Energy Gal is taking it Global for 2009. Known and rated by most of New York City`s best Selectors, this girl is heading for the top and says she is ready to meet whomever is there.....!!!