Can U Really Whine? He wants to know.



From his myspace profile:

He's been described by Caribbean music authorities as one of the most talented new Bajan artists, yet not many people can accurately categorize Nfernos musical style. The dexterity with which he switches from slow, sultry soca tunes to hardcore dancehall to conscious reggae may explain why. Born in 1978 in Bridgetown, Barbados,

Mark "Nferno" Holder is no stranger to reggae and soca music. Growing up, he remembers buying the records of the popular artists of both genres, and credits artists such as Lil Rick, Ninja Man, Shabba Ranks, and Machel Montano among his musical influences. He was initiated into the music fraternity in his pre-teens, when he began to compose lyrics to the instrumental version of popular songs. It wasnt long before he had established himself as a local DJ among his peers, playing parties that often got shut down because of the crowds.

At 16, Nferno migrated to Maryland where his talent caught the ear of Darren Solozano, owner of Sprang International, the top soca sound system in the Washington, DC metro area. He became the youngest DJ in the Sprang International organization, no easy feat for a teenager who was new to the local music scene, and did not yet have an audience.

It wasn't long before Nferno was part of the regular schedule at the Crossroads Entertainment Complex, drawing a loyal Sunday night audience. It was strange playing in clubs when I wasnt even old enough to drink. Id play my set, and then have to get up the next morning and go to high school just like any other kid.

In 1999, he left Sprang International to pursue his dream of being a solo artist. Nferno spent two years performing locally and honing his skills in the Washington, DC area before a chance meeting with soca artist and producer extraordinaire, KMC. He was very supportive, Nferno recalls. He believed in my talent and encouraged me to actively pursue music as an artist. Its gratifying when an artist that you admire gives you that kind of encouragement.

In 2003, Nferno was booked as the opening act for a series of dancehall concerts featuring Spragga Benz, Vybz Kartel, and Baby Cham, making him the first Barbadian artist to open a concert for an all-star dancehall cast. His successful performances set the stage for the release of his first single, Wine Dat, which received airplay on Caribbean radio stations throughout North America, and granted him access to a larger audience.

His 2004 release Can You Really Wine? (produced by the renowned Parry Jack, who has also created hits for Bunji Garlin and Sean Caruth) garnered international attention, and sealed Nfernos fate as a talented and viable new artist. Following its release, he was booked to perform at several concerts during DC Carnival, including the infamous Camouflage Fete, where he was the only Barbadian solo artist on the roster.

The success of Nfernos second single culminated in its repeated airplay in Barbados during the 2004 Cropover season, and the subsequent booking requests he received. Hearing my song playing on the radio in Barbados was a dream come true, he remembers, smiling. But when I was asked to perform at a local event during Cropover, that was the icing on the cake.

In 2005, Nferno took a hiatus from his recording career to broaden the scope of his talents and conquer yet another aspect of the music industry. He ghostwrote several tracks for local Maryland artists, then wrote Lose Control, a soca song performed by newcomer Mel, and produced by the notorious Ma$tamind Productions.

Nferno on Myspace

March 13, 2006 -- YOUNGSTER'S BLACK-POWER POEM RILES SCHOOL

A 7-year-old prodigy unleashed a firestorm when she recited a poem she wrote comparing Christopher Columbus and Charles Darwin to "pirates" and "vampires" who robbed blacks of their identities and human rights.

Hundreds of parents of Peekskill middle- and high-school students received a recorded phone message last week apologizing for little Autum Ashante's poem, titled "White Nationalism Put U in Bondage."

"Black lands taken from your hands, by vampires with no remorse," the aspiring actress and po et wrote. "They took the gold, the wisdom and all the storytellers. They took the black women, with the black man weak. Made to watch as they changed the paradigm of our village.

"Yeah white nationalism is what put you in bondage. Pirates and vampires like Columbus, Morgan and Darwin."
Autum was invited to speak at the Westchester schools on Feb. 28 by Melvin Bolden, a music teacher at the middle school who advises the high school's Black Culture Club and is a member of the Peekskill City Council.

Autum, whose resume includes several television appearances and performances at the Apollo Theater and the African Burial Ground in Manhattan , told The Post that her poem was meant to instill pride in black students and to encourage them to steer clear of violence.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with my poem. I was trying to tell them the straight-up truth," Autum said. "I'm trying to tell them not to fight because they're killing the brothers and sisters."

Autum, who is home-schooled in Mount Vernon and speaks several languages, prefaced her performance at the high school with a Black Panthers' pledge asking black youngsters to not harm one another.

It did not sit well with parents.
In a telephone interview with The Post, Bolden said Autum has been "unofficially" banned from performing in a district school again and that school officials would review transcripts of future speakers.

"It's unfortunate, because some teachers said they wanted this little girl to explain the things she said to their students, but some parents don't want her on school grounds," Bolden said.
"[The poem] might have been a little too aggressive for what the middle-school kids are ready to handle," Bolden added.
Kimberly Greene, a mother of children in the high school and middle school, said she was shocked when she got the recorded phone message.

"If there are people who are upset about what she said, the schools should have talked about and analyzed it rather than send a message to everyone saying this little girl was offensive," Greene said.

Autum's father, Batin Ashante, said he can't believe the fuss over his daughter's poem.
"She's a little girl who does poetry about real things. She doesn't do poetry about cotton candy," Ashante said. "She's a serious little person."


White Nationalism Put U In Bondage
White nationalism is what put you in bondage
Pirate and vampires like Columbus, Morgan, and Darwin
Drank the blood of the sheep, trampled all over them with
Steel, tricks and deceit.
Nothing has changed take a look in our streets
The mis-education of she and Hegro ?
leaves you on your knee2grow
Black lands taken from your hands, by vampires with no remorse
They took the gold, the wisdom and all of the storytellers
They took the black women, with the black man weak
Made to watch as they changed the paradigm
Of our village
They killed the blind, they killed the lazy, they went
So far as to kill the unborn baby
Yeah White nationalism is what put you in bondage
Pirates and vampires like Columbus, Morgan, and Darwin
They drank the blood of the sheep, trampled all over them with
Steel laden feet, throw in the tricks alcohol and deceit.
Nothing has changed take a look at our streets.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Wow is all I can say to this talented young lady.
See how a child see what adults don't

Lady B Dub
Arcanovi Music Group