tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16494853181322586662024-02-20T18:07:54.973-08:00MakonnenBio,Music,Links: Music Producer Makonnen Blake HannaMakonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649485318132258666.post-39619800042372590322010-08-03T15:31:00.000-07:002010-08-04T05:28:23.960-07:00MAKONNEN - A NEW GENERATION OF JAMAICAN MUSIC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGA9iiPAl32KjiVYHUKTVSEUJB7MQtXEJubY_drX1W9SGA2-bt4P03tSbUElCNV5nVuIFfU5TbbhiXBObF59kC56v2kwkUQda8jlkCfBECsidWBUg-sL3w_nlhUW0F6JLlZsCEYt3bwFc/s1600/makguitar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGA9iiPAl32KjiVYHUKTVSEUJB7MQtXEJubY_drX1W9SGA2-bt4P03tSbUElCNV5nVuIFfU5TbbhiXBObF59kC56v2kwkUQda8jlkCfBECsidWBUg-sL3w_nlhUW0F6JLlZsCEYt3bwFc/s320/makguitar.jpg" /></a><br />
TECHNOLOGY 'WHIZ KID'<br />
<br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">Long before he became a music producer, many people learned about Makonnen when he was appointed <strong>Youth Technology Consultant</strong> to the Jamaican Government in 1998 aged 13 years, making world news in <strong>Time</strong> and <strong>Newsweek</strong> magazines, as well as <strong>BBC-TV</strong>,The <strong>Jay Leno</strong> Show, <strong>National Geographic</strong> and the <strong>Los Angeles Times</strong>. Makonnen performed this assignment for 4 years, promoting the use of computers in education and training youths in computer use, especially website and graphic design, as well as digital audio-visual music and video production. </span><br />
<br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">His pioneering work in the development of technology in Jamaica included the creation in 1998 of TechSchool Jamaica, an annual technology summer school for youths aged 10-18. Makonnen has spoken twice at the <strong>United Nations</strong> in New York on technology in education and entertainment, and was also the only non-American among 5 top tech teens in the world invited as special guests to the 2000 opening of the <strong>NASA Kennedy Space Center</strong>, Convention Hall in Orlando Florida. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXGrb9ikohhYbNXgFLR2_Ydf45GMdbiG7Aj4SYA3BmQvTL0ubvRAC3KWxvDnK0TPipyOOAIF8nLCGQwU_7Xq6dqoq9uLzc6ImvKERuk4hC1RUCFuqVhsn8GDUx7E2NqwFRY7g5n14vbm1/s1600/nasa+space+centre.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times=""><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXGrb9ikohhYbNXgFLR2_Ydf45GMdbiG7Aj4SYA3BmQvTL0ubvRAC3KWxvDnK0TPipyOOAIF8nLCGQwU_7Xq6dqoq9uLzc6ImvKERuk4hC1RUCFuqVhsn8GDUx7E2NqwFRY7g5n14vbm1/s320/nasa+space+centre.png" /></span></a><br />
<br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">He participated with 100 teens from around the world in the <strong>M.I.T. Media Lab</strong> Junior Summit (1998); and visited Universal Studios, Los Angeles as member of a Silver Award-winning team in the <strong>ThinkQuest </strong>International Youth Website competition (1999). Makonnen toured <strong>Guyana</strong> schools, sponsored by the (Jimmy) <strong>Carter Center</strong>, and addressed the <strong>Trinidad & Tobago</strong> Chamber of Commerce. He also taught a summer music technology course in Boston, USA at the invitation of the <strong>Harvard Law School</strong> Berkman Center with whom he worked to introduce a digital music programme in Jamaican prisons. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwnzeQRowzGqGlYy76RkRbJ7JUQCXz0BhlqCf8az_JhsAQVeB2C6VbH2ftduL_ZkuPLFqnIQ51uFOsq68fWjnabFq_Vcqr5hrqyJ1djNU4ErnNhLBxMPjVVbzozTT0IRlgmGMxnann-J5/s1600/makonnen+studio.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times=""><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwnzeQRowzGqGlYy76RkRbJ7JUQCXz0BhlqCf8az_JhsAQVeB2C6VbH2ftduL_ZkuPLFqnIQ51uFOsq68fWjnabFq_Vcqr5hrqyJ1djNU4ErnNhLBxMPjVVbzozTT0IRlgmGMxnann-J5/s320/makonnen+studio.jpg.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">Makonnen’s musical career began at age 7 when he composed the theme song for <em>"Kids Paradise</em>", a movie with reggae star <strong>Freddie McGregor</strong> about 4 children who find a treasure map on a Jamaican resort holiday. From the age of 10 he ‘apprenticed’ in the studios of such famous Jamaican producers as "<strong>Computer Paul" Henton, 'Clevie' Browning, Don Corleone, Daniel 'Blacks' Lewis</strong> and <strong>Cordell ‘Scatta” Burrell</strong>, and sat in on recording sessions with <strong>Sean Paul, Capelton, Beenie Man</strong> and <strong>Sizzla Kalonji</strong>, to name a few. </span><br />
<br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times=""></span><br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">Makonnen's musical career took a back seat to his development as an IT whiz-kid, but when his contracted ended in 2001, he was able to give his musical talent more attention. In 2001 he started his music production company <strong>MULTICAST ENTERTAINMENT</strong>, building computer-based rhythms to provide recording opportunities for a long list of upcoming young artists to start their careers. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> </></></></></></></></></></></></></></></></></>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArH268yAdE_zMGeJsY2iAQZieUYHB7OVgC0L-4kjbBvASZs-po_vAEYVBLkYGyb0KB9WcFZdCXceDwTUhDeCioCLieZJUchykx3StnxlhjFMitBVUTXoST6kBB78upv10tz0jvqP505RY/s1600/sizzlavideo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times=""><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArH268yAdE_zMGeJsY2iAQZieUYHB7OVgC0L-4kjbBvASZs-po_vAEYVBLkYGyb0KB9WcFZdCXceDwTUhDeCioCLieZJUchykx3StnxlhjFMitBVUTXoST6kBB78upv10tz0jvqP505RY/s320/sizzlavideo.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> </></></></></></></></></></></></></></></></></>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">With Sizzla Kalonji, Lil Wayne, Streetz</span></td></tr>
</></></tbody></table><br />
<br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">MAKONNEN produced and directed the first two songs and videos by dancehall artist <strong>Aidonia</strong> ("<em>March Out"</em> and "<em>All and Everything</em>") that brought him to public attention and a recording contract with <strong>Cordel 'Scatta' Burell</strong>. MAKONNEN also produced and launched the first compilation album of Jamaican dub poets that promoted the leading members of the genre at stage shows including Reggae Sumfest and Heiniken Startime. In 2005 his production company Multicast Entertainment was given a Gold Award by the <strong>Inter-American Development Bank</strong> (IADB) as one of 60 Youth Entrepreneurs in Latin America.</span><br />
<br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">MAKONNEN continues to produce, record and promote music for a select roster of artists including <strong>Erup, Teflon, Andrew & Wadda Blood, Turbalance, Michael 'Ice' Lewis, Chozenn, Donahue Jarrett, Jabalance</strong> and ‘Best New Artist’ <strong>Konshens</strong> on the remix of the hit <em>’This Means Money – Hand-Middle A Scratch Mi’</em> . </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_ssm_YB-_SBzm4bDJzboRt5KZf2euB7p7D9I056ROCrmVY7l3P5cjmWtCWewrBT26BvLS124LuTegeTXoCzbA8FZZq2bdkz6x80SW3P29yRIfll1DKILBZiJPL7CTj0zI-uMtEorsfHw/s1600/mak+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times=""><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_ssm_YB-_SBzm4bDJzboRt5KZf2euB7p7D9I056ROCrmVY7l3P5cjmWtCWewrBT26BvLS124LuTegeTXoCzbA8FZZq2bdkz6x80SW3P29yRIfll1DKILBZiJPL7CTj0zI-uMtEorsfHw/s320/mak+cat.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">Recent Makonnen production successes include “<em>Pain</em>” by <strong>Capelton,</strong> ft. <strong>Bobo Zaro </strong>and <strong>Contractor</strong>; “<em>Jailhouse Rock’</em> by <strong>Teflon</strong>, and ‘<em>Money Print’</em> by Junior Reid's sons<strong> Andrew and Wada Blood</strong>. Most importantly, Makonnen has been producer and composer on songs by leading artists such as <strong>Sizzla Kalonji, Sean Paul, Jr. Reid,</strong> including international work with <strong>Lil Wayne</strong>, Jamaican sensation <strong>Shifta</strong>, up and coming rap star ‘<strong>Kempo</strong>’ and Third World's <strong>Cat Coore </strong>and<strong> Bunny Rugs</strong>. Makonnen has also presented shows in Jamaica and Cayman Islands starring <strong>Beres Hammond</strong> and <strong>Sean Kingston</strong>. </span><br />
<br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times=""></span><br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">Makonnen's catalogue of music ranges from the Roots Reggae of his Rasta upbringing, the dancehall riddims of contemporary Jamaica and the hip hop beats of Black US culture. </span><span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">Not forgetting his IT skills, Makonnen Joined in the forming of <strong>Evolvinx LLC</strong> With US partner Reza Kahn to advise private sector and government clients on technology development, communication and security soloutions for the next generation. Their clients include: <strong>CitiCorp, Viacom, HBO</strong> and other high end clients.</span><br />
<br />
<span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times="">Ever striving for higher heights, Makonnen credits Reggae Psalmist Bob Marley as his chief inspiration and life guide.</span><br />
<div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lzpPy-vK4Na6NRkNY8X973KzNZERhYa8ZlbnzTALgl2D3AnluI_LVlBeQz-ggHxuODLANmWCwf0PwPF7Bmqjc1qA1Rv_F6OkBLgQiy-6qQPYlEjlN9_m4UElocS2173HFzb0QaoELepF/s1600/makonnenblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lzpPy-vK4Na6NRkNY8X973KzNZERhYa8ZlbnzTALgl2D3AnluI_LVlBeQz-ggHxuODLANmWCwf0PwPF7Bmqjc1qA1Rv_F6OkBLgQiy-6qQPYlEjlN9_m4UElocS2173HFzb0QaoELepF/s320/makonnenblue.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lzpPy-vK4Na6NRkNY8X973KzNZERhYa8ZlbnzTALgl2D3AnluI_LVlBeQz-ggHxuODLANmWCwf0PwPF7Bmqjc1qA1Rv_F6OkBLgQiy-6qQPYlEjlN9_m4UElocS2173HFzb0QaoELepF/s1600/makonnenblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span new="" roman?,="" serif;?="" style="font-family: Georgia,;" times=""></span></a></div>Makonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649485318132258666.post-38247315506148220742010-08-03T12:49:00.000-07:002010-08-03T13:25:01.072-07:00Last Night RMX by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment<a href="http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=9098186&ap=1&albumid=3903589&songid=14776678&sms_ss=blogger">Last Night RMX - by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment</a>Makonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649485318132258666.post-85959453945194045472010-08-03T12:48:00.001-07:002010-08-03T13:26:29.854-07:00I Need It JA's FINEST by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment<a href="http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=9098186&ap=1&albumid=3899241&songid=14760536&sms_ss=blogger">I Need It - JA's FINEST </a>Makonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649485318132258666.post-21942810630531054492010-08-03T12:48:00.000-07:002010-08-03T13:15:25.398-07:00Kempo - Get Money by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment<a href="http://www.myspace.com/179870783/music/playlists/47588?songid=31538678&ap=1&sms_ss=blogger">Kempo - Get Money by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment</a>Makonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649485318132258666.post-10869847517607483302010-08-03T12:47:00.001-07:002010-08-03T13:15:25.402-07:00Donahue Jarrett - Hello Carol by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment<a href="http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=9098186&ap=1&albumid=12845003&songid=52210631&sms_ss=blogger">Donahue Jarrett - Hello Carol by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment</a>Makonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649485318132258666.post-64624887199671923562010-08-03T12:47:00.000-07:002010-08-03T13:15:25.407-07:00Erup - No Fear by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment<a href="http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=9098186&ap=1&albumid=12653117&songid=51061694&sms_ss=blogger">Erup - No Fear by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment</a>Makonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649485318132258666.post-49826250134435683672010-08-03T12:46:00.002-07:002010-08-03T13:15:25.412-07:00Vibez Kartel - Tenth Stage by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment<a href="http://www.myspace.com/179870783/music/playlists/47588?songid=51063128&ap=1&sms_ss=blogger">Vibez Kartel - Tenth Stage by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment</a>Makonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649485318132258666.post-26587441280122917882010-08-03T12:46:00.001-07:002010-08-03T13:15:25.416-07:00Teflon - Jailhouse Rock by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment<a href="http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=9098186&ap=1&albumid=12652959&songid=51060770&sms_ss=blogger">Teflon - Jailhouse Rock by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment</a>Makonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649485318132258666.post-82104220824532265212010-08-03T12:46:00.000-07:002010-08-03T13:26:03.671-07:00Capleton Ft Bobo Zaro & Contracta - Pain by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment<a href="http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=9098186&ap=1&albumid=12653237&songid=51062435&sms_ss=blogger">PAIN - Capelton Ft Bobo Zaro & Contracta - by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment</a>Makonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649485318132258666.post-8864424752678804892010-08-03T12:45:00.000-07:002010-08-03T13:15:25.425-07:00All We Need (Money Print) by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment<a href="http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=9098186&ap=1&albumid=12653278&songid=51060061&sms_ss=blogger">All We Need (Money Print) by Makonnen - MultiCast Entertainment</a>Makonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1649485318132258666.post-20915195532705914152010-08-01T11:27:00.000-07:002010-08-11T12:26:17.262-07:00MAKONNEN - NEW GENERATION OF JAMAICAN MUSIC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGA9iiPAl32KjiVYHUKTVSEUJB7MQtXEJubY_drX1W9SGA2-bt4P03tSbUElCNV5nVuIFfU5TbbhiXBObF59kC56v2kwkUQda8jlkCfBECsidWBUg-sL3w_nlhUW0F6JLlZsCEYt3bwFc/s1600/makguitar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGA9iiPAl32KjiVYHUKTVSEUJB7MQtXEJubY_drX1W9SGA2-bt4P03tSbUElCNV5nVuIFfU5TbbhiXBObF59kC56v2kwkUQda8jlkCfBECsidWBUg-sL3w_nlhUW0F6JLlZsCEYt3bwFc/s320/makguitar.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Long before he became a music producer, many people learned about Makonnen when he was appointed <strong>Youth Technology Consultant</strong> to the Jamaican Government in 1998 aged 13 years, making world news in <strong>Time</strong> and <strong>Newsweek</strong> magazines, as well as <strong>BBC-TV</strong>,The <strong>Jay Leno</strong> Show, <strong>National Geographic</strong> and the <strong>Los Angeles Times</strong>. Makonnen performed this assignment for 4 years, promoting the use of computers in education and training youths in computer use, especially website and graphic design, as well as digital audio-visual music and video production. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">His pioneering work in the development of technology in Jamaica included the creation in 1998 of TechSchool Jamaica, an annual technology summer school for youths aged 10-18. Makonnen has spoken twice at the <strong>United Nations</strong> in New York on technology in education and entertainment, and was also the only non-American among 5 top tech teens in the world invited as special guests to the 2000 opening of the <strong>NASA Kennedy Space Center</strong>, Convention Hall in Orlando Florida. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXGrb9ikohhYbNXgFLR2_Ydf45GMdbiG7Aj4SYA3BmQvTL0ubvRAC3KWxvDnK0TPipyOOAIF8nLCGQwU_7Xq6dqoq9uLzc6ImvKERuk4hC1RUCFuqVhsn8GDUx7E2NqwFRY7g5n14vbm1/s1600/nasa+space+centre.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXGrb9ikohhYbNXgFLR2_Ydf45GMdbiG7Aj4SYA3BmQvTL0ubvRAC3KWxvDnK0TPipyOOAIF8nLCGQwU_7Xq6dqoq9uLzc6ImvKERuk4hC1RUCFuqVhsn8GDUx7E2NqwFRY7g5n14vbm1/s320/nasa+space+centre.png" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He participated with 100 teens from around the world in the <strong>M.I.T. Media Lab</strong> Junior Summit (1998); and visited Universal Studios, Los Angeles as member of a Silver Award-winning team in the <strong>ThinkQuest </strong>International Youth Website competition (1999). Makonnen toured <strong>Guyana</strong> schools, sponsored by the (Jimmy) <strong>Carter Center</strong>, and addressed the <strong>Trinidad & Tobago</strong> Chamber of Commerce. He also taught a summer music technology course in Boston, USA at the invitation of the <strong>Harvard Law School</strong> Berkman Center with whom he worked to introduce a digital music programme in Jamaican prisons. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwnzeQRowzGqGlYy76RkRbJ7JUQCXz0BhlqCf8az_JhsAQVeB2C6VbH2ftduL_ZkuPLFqnIQ51uFOsq68fWjnabFq_Vcqr5hrqyJ1djNU4ErnNhLBxMPjVVbzozTT0IRlgmGMxnann-J5/s1600/makonnen+studio.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwnzeQRowzGqGlYy76RkRbJ7JUQCXz0BhlqCf8az_JhsAQVeB2C6VbH2ftduL_ZkuPLFqnIQ51uFOsq68fWjnabFq_Vcqr5hrqyJ1djNU4ErnNhLBxMPjVVbzozTT0IRlgmGMxnann-J5/s320/makonnen+studio.jpg.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Makonnen’s musical career began at age 7 when he composed the theme song for <em>"Kids Paradise</em>", a movie with reggae star <strong>Freddie McGregor</strong> about 4 children who find a treasure map on a Jamaican resort holiday. From the age of 10 he ‘apprenticed’ in the studios of such famous Jamaican producers as "<strong>Computer Paul" Henton, Don Corleone, Daniel 'Blacks' Lewis</strong> and <strong>Cordell ‘Scatta” Burrell</strong>, and sat in on recording sessions with <strong>Sean Paul, Capelton, Beenie Man</strong> and <strong>Sizzla Kalonji</strong>, to name a few. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Makonnen's musical career took a back seat to his development as an IT whiz-kid, but when his contracted ended in 2001, he was able to give his musical talent more attention. In 2001 he started his music production company <strong>MULTICAST ENTERTAINMENT</strong>, building computer-based rhythms to provide recording opportunities for a long list of upcoming young artists to start their careers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArH268yAdE_zMGeJsY2iAQZieUYHB7OVgC0L-4kjbBvASZs-po_vAEYVBLkYGyb0KB9WcFZdCXceDwTUhDeCioCLieZJUchykx3StnxlhjFMitBVUTXoST6kBB78upv10tz0jvqP505RY/s1600/sizzlavideo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArH268yAdE_zMGeJsY2iAQZieUYHB7OVgC0L-4kjbBvASZs-po_vAEYVBLkYGyb0KB9WcFZdCXceDwTUhDeCioCLieZJUchykx3StnxlhjFMitBVUTXoST6kBB78upv10tz0jvqP505RY/s320/sizzlavideo.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With Sizzla Kalonji, Lil Wayne, Streetz</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">MAKONNEN produced and directed the first two songs and videos by dancehall artist <strong>Aidonia</strong> ("<em>March Out"</em> and "<em>All and Everything</em>") that brought him to public attention and a recording contract with <strong>Cordel 'Scatta' Burell</strong>. MAKONNEN also produced and launched the first compilation album of Jamaican dub poets that promoted the leading members of the genre at stage shows including Reggae Sumfest and Heiniken Startime. In 2005 his production company Multicast Entertainment was given a Gold Award by the <strong>Inter-American Development Bank</strong> (IADB) as one of 60 Youth Entrepreneurs in Latin America.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">MAKONNEN continues to produce, record and promote music for a select roster of artists including <strong>Erup, Teflon, Andrew & Wadda Blood, Turbalance, Michael 'Ice' Lewis, Chozenn, Donahue Jarrett, Jabalance</strong> and ‘Best New Artist’ <strong>Konshens</strong> on the remix of the hit <em>’This Means Money – Hand-Middle A Scratch Mi’</em> . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_ssm_YB-_SBzm4bDJzboRt5KZf2euB7p7D9I056ROCrmVY7l3P5cjmWtCWewrBT26BvLS124LuTegeTXoCzbA8FZZq2bdkz6x80SW3P29yRIfll1DKILBZiJPL7CTj0zI-uMtEorsfHw/s1600/mak+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_ssm_YB-_SBzm4bDJzboRt5KZf2euB7p7D9I056ROCrmVY7l3P5cjmWtCWewrBT26BvLS124LuTegeTXoCzbA8FZZq2bdkz6x80SW3P29yRIfll1DKILBZiJPL7CTj0zI-uMtEorsfHw/s320/mak+cat.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Recent Makonnen production successes include “<em>Pain</em>” by <strong>Capelton,</strong> ft. <strong>Bobo Zaro </strong>and <strong>Contractor</strong>; “<em>Jailhouse Rock’</em> by <strong>Teflon</strong>, and ‘<em>Money Print’</em> by Junior Reid's sons<strong> Andrew and Wada Blood</strong>. Most importantly, Makonnen has been producer and composer on songs by leading artists such as <strong>Sizzla Kalonji, Sean Paul, Jr. Reid,</strong> including international work with <strong>Lil Wayne</strong>, Jamaican sensation <strong>Shifta</strong>, up and coming rap star ‘<strong>Kempo</strong>’ and Third World's <strong>Cat Coore </strong>and<strong> Bunny Rugs</strong>. Makonnen has also presented shows in Jamaica and Cayman Islands starring <strong>Beres Hammond</strong> and <strong>Sean Kingston</strong>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Makonnen's catalogue of music ranges from the Roots Reggae of his Rasta upbringing, the dancehall riddims of contemporary Jamaica and the hip hop beats of Black US culture. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not forgetting his IT skills, Makonnen Joined in the forming of <strong>Evolvinx LLC</strong> With US partner Reza Kahn to advise private sector and government clients on technology development, communication and security soloutions for the next generation. Their clients include: <strong>CitiCorp, Viacom, HBO</strong> and other high end clients.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ever striving for higher heights, Ras Makonnen credits Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I and Reggae Psalmist Bob Marley as his inspirations and life guides.</span><br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lzpPy-vK4Na6NRkNY8X973KzNZERhYa8ZlbnzTALgl2D3AnluI_LVlBeQz-ggHxuODLANmWCwf0PwPF7Bmqjc1qA1Rv_F6OkBLgQiy-6qQPYlEjlN9_m4UElocS2173HFzb0QaoELepF/s1600/makonnenblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lzpPy-vK4Na6NRkNY8X973KzNZERhYa8ZlbnzTALgl2D3AnluI_LVlBeQz-ggHxuODLANmWCwf0PwPF7Bmqjc1qA1Rv_F6OkBLgQiy-6qQPYlEjlN9_m4UElocS2173HFzb0QaoELepF/s320/makonnenblue.jpg" /></span></a></div>Makonnenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896877994758066527noreply@blogger.com0