At just 20 years of age, Tyler Savery otherwise known as Ty, has numerous titles under her belt; model, runner-up for Ms.Belize 2010 and now fashion designer. However, this isn’t an attempt to capitalize on popularity; Tyler has real talent in fashion design and is the brain and hands behind her work. She is based in Dangriga and Belize City and can be reached on facebook and will be included in a few online stores soon. Stay tuned to www.bzhypemeter.com to learn more. Until then checkout a few of her designs.

BZHypeMeter.com does not claim the rights to any photography used in this article

I met K-Illa, real name Dwight, by chance while talking to Reddz. After that encounter I had the opportunity several more times and he is a really cool person, very savvy musically and overflowing with confidence. I heard a couple of his songs and thought, yeah he is nice with it; but then he brought over his new joint ‘Swagger Man’ in the middle of the night and I realized after hearing it that he is not just nice with it…he understands how to be special.

The 25 year old artist has drive, lyrics, punch lines and a wealth of talent; all are heard in ‘Swagger Man’, a sure anthem for those “swaggerific” people. The hook is catchy, the concept is dope and the word play is fire. Belizeans….stand up

 

Download link for this song: soundcloud

Sat down with the talented and beautiful Ms. Denise Castillo a few weeks ago to discuss her hit radio single ‘Til Da Mawnin’ and talk about the Belizean music industry.

Denise Castillo is a 22 year old singer, writer and University of Belize student. Denise acknowledged that she gets  overwhelmed when people compliment her on her track ‘Til Da Mawnin’ which has been getting steady radio play.

Her style, seen in ‘Til Da Mawnin’, is Reggae Souls mixed with hints of R&B and Dancehall; which is accompanied with a beautiful and classic voice. Like many others, Denise started singing in the church. But being urged by family, friends and even Tanya Carter has brought her to this point.

In terms of memorable moments in her young career, Denise cites coming in 2^nd in the Next Level Project at the Bliss. She talked about learning a lot in that competition and meeting artist and being a part of something that brought latent Belizean talent to the forefront, which she expressed a desire to see more of.

Denise surprisingly stated that Celine Dion was one of her biggest musical inspirations attributed to her parent’s musical taste and LOVE FM (thanks for all those old hits). As for now, she takes interest in artists like Alaine, Tammy Chin and Alicia Keys.

Currently the independent artist says she is working on more singles, so prepare to hear more of her melodic voice on the radio.

Last words? Denise Castillo: I want to shout out everyone that has supported me. Friends, family, everyone…especially my fans.

Listen to her track ‘Til Da Mawnin’ below

The Sunny Season fashion show featuring the amazing Fancy Purple Paint  clothing line was held in Belmopan, Belize and I was in attendance. It was a bit of an adventure getting to Belmopan by 7 on a Friday evening but it was well worth it. Great designs, stunning Belizean models, a beautiful audience and a great atmosphere meant a great time.

 

Congragulations to Rebecca Stirm, the designer of ‘Fancy Purple Paint’, for pulling off a great show with stunning pieces. We will have more from Rebecca when she does an interview with BZHypeMeter.com in the near future.

For now, check out the rest of pics from the fashion show below. 

I remember my infant days as the son of a dj. Sitting on record crates and peaking at the latest Byron Lee vinyl art (you 80’s kids know what I mean). Then there were the days of side-A and side-B—yeah the cassette—that’s where I first tried my hands at being a Disc Jockey. Then CD’s came and was the pinnacle of my DJ skills, so when those left I kind of never got accustomed to the virtual dj; maybe as protest. Either way, virtual Dj is here now and with it, the population of Dj’s have grown. And as a result, as DJ BUDDY will explain, the DJ market is highly competitive. But even though the music, market and the way the music is delivered may have changed; the grind and feeling it brings, remains the same—DJ BUDDY talks about being part of the new breathe of Belizean DJ’s.

How old are you?

DJ Buddy: 21.

When did you start to Disc Jockey?

 DJ Buddy: Professionally, I started when I was 19, that‘s when I started radio; but I been playing from when I was 16.

Okay, what were the early days like?

DJ Buddy: Difficult in a way because I didn’t really have anyone to teach me much. I just followed my cousin around because he was older and already had a system, so I learnt in spare time. At first my family looked at it as a hobby, they still do.

Where can people find you working now?

DJ Buddy: Vibes radio 90.5, 102.9 also streaming on http://www.stickam.com/belizeheat.

Do you do a lot of parties and clubs?

DJ Buddy: More parties than clubs. The club scene is more dominated by the older DJ’s. They don’t allow younger dj’s on the scene and the club makes it difficult for younger dj’s to arrange events.

Difficult? How so?

DJ Buddy: Well primarily the cost of renting a place to have an event. So as usual any dj goes to sponsors to fund events but sponsors think twice about supporting someone new compared to someone established. How someone new would get a name, is that they would lock unto an established sound and get a name but I don’t like that. I prefer to work with my group now and we get our own name established, without having to say we depended on anyone.

So who is your group?

DJ Buddy: It’s called Encore Sounds, it consist of me, Selecta Cliff and Selecta Orson. We are the founding members and recently, DJ Junior was added.

So how is the Belizean DJ scene right now? Sounds really competitive

DJ Buddy: Yes it is, especially with the addition of the fact that Virtual DJ is very easy to learn and allows anyone to practice.

So the challenges are obvious but what are some of the positives?

DJ Buddy: Well you get to travel and meet new people. Plus, you do something you enjoy and once you are with the right group you make money.

(lol) Okay. So what is one of your best memories being a DJ?

DJ Buddy: Well when you really just feel the vibe from the crowd, especially when you mixing and you control the crowd to the max. Like if during your segment you say “everybody scream” and the whole crowd reacts.

Must be an adrenalin rush.

DJ Buddy: Not anyone can do it.

Where are some of the places you enjoy playing at the most?

DJ Buddy: That’s hard to say because club and radio are completely different. It depends on the mood. I don’t really like parties because what’s common at parties is that you are part of the crowd and everyone likes to come and ask for a certain genre of music, so it’s hard to flow trying to satisfy everyone. But at the club you are apart from the crowd and you can really do what you do best and actually see them react to the music.

DJ Buddy: Whilst at radio, there are very strict guidelines; especially at my station, on what to play and how to play but I like radio because I pride myself on being what I call a ‘variety dj’. I cater to different genres of people instead of just young people.

What are you listening to personally right now?

DJ Buddy: I would say a little bit of everything.

Any particular artists you like?

DJ Buddy: I would say Bob Marley.

So what current projects are you working on?

DJ Buddy: Well at the station, I’m working on establishing a top 10 countdown every week and also working on our own website to stream through. Outside of the station, I am working on doing a dance end of the month but at village. Village dances, once promoted well, will make you money unlike in the City where there is too much competition

Which village were you planning on?

DJ Buddy: Well the next village in mind is Boom.

Where do you see yourself in the next 3 years in terms of being a Disc Jockey?

DJ Buddy: Hopefully I wish to enter the Green Synergy DJ Competition, do a good job and win.

What’s that?

DJ Buddy: That’s the DJ competition for the Caribbean, where the best from all over Belize have to go against each other and then the winner represents Belize.

Anyone you want to thank or shout out?

DJ Buddy: Well vibes radio on a whole, we had our issues but I am still grateful; especially Mr. Gerald Garbutt, he was the first general manager who hooked me up and my family.