THIRD WORLD MUSICAL SOLIDARITY AND 96 DEGREES WEEKEND TRIBUTE!
On July 1, 2011, Third World headlined at the 3rd annual Keti Koti Festival. With over 15,000 people of Surinamese, European, African and Dutch background in attendance, the festival marked the end of slavery in Suriname. Keti Koti which means (cut chain), celebrates the abolition of slavery that took place in 1863 by the Netherlands in Suriname, however, due to a mandatory ten year transition period, Suriname did not become fully free until 1873. Since 2008 several cities in the Netherlands host various activities, making July 1 a day of national celebration and remembrance throughout the country and Third World was on hand to participate in the festivities.
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- Keti Koti Festival -
Third World was hand picked to perform at Keti Koti as a result of the award they received at their April 5, 2011 NYC Album launch from Unchained Forever, Inc. The Corporation will assist the "Middle Passage Commission Corp" to raise funds to build a Permanent Memorial to Honor the Victims of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, as envisioned by the United Nations. The timing of this festival could not have been better with the kick-off of the 96 Degrees showcase on Sirius XM Radio also on July 1, 2011 through July 3, 2011. The Joint, SiriusXM's reggae music channel, paid tribute to the iconic reggae band by featuring the band's music, an in-studio performance, interviews and more. All weekend, SiriusXM listeners heard the band's international hits as well as Third World's legendary members sharing their personal insights on their career and music. Additionally, The Joint presented a special encore of the band's exclusive in-studio performance and interview recorded earlier this year.
Cat Coore remarks, "For us to perform at the Keti Koti Festival while Sirius was showcasing 96 Degrees was absolute perfection - as it was not planned that way. Anyone who knows the lyrics to 96 Degrees, knows it is about slavery and our fight for freedom. We recorded that song over 30 years ago and it is still relevant today. That is why we do the type of music that we do - it's all about making timeless music. All around, July 1st was a pretty special day - it was also International Reggae Day."
While the festival has enjoyed a huge turn out year after year, the organizers stated that this year was their biggest turnout. StatesIvette Forster, "The Keti Koti Festival has never been so packed, thanks to Third World. It amazed me to see artists who are in the business for almost four decades with still the same refreshing dedication as in the beginning of their careers." Vincent Soekra adds, "Third World was nostalgic, awesome. The band helped us to lift up the Keti Koti Festival. As for the new album "Patriots" it is a superb "comeback," very promising - bravo!"
On June 30, 2011, the band participated in a Q&A workshop at the No Limit Youth Center. The band answered questions that ranged from their history, how often they rehearse, routine before going on stage, their family life, dancehall music and their team. Those who could not be in attendance, sent questions to the moderator for the band through social media sites. Similar to the Boys and Girls Club, No Limit is a safe haven for youngsters from the black neighborhoods of the southeast part of Amsterdam called the Bijlmer, where most people living there have an African, Surinamese and/or Caribbean background. Involved with the Keti Koti Festival, No Limit arranges debates and seminars that focus on "black arts and culture" as well as "black" social and political issues. Recently they had a workshop with the crew and cast of "Fela - The Musical" and they have organized a master class with the well-known Film Director and Producer, Spike Lee.
-No Limit Workshop-
On Sunday July 31, 2011, Third World will return to Amsterdam with an encore performance at the Amsterdam Reggae Festival. The Outdoor-Edition at the NDSM Werf, will be the 3rd edition since the initial event in October 2009. The band will share the stage with the Skatalites, Ken Boothe, Junior Kelly, Gentleman, Lutan Fyah, Romain Virgo, Cecile and more.
For more information, contact Victor E. Lewis, VicRae Inc., at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (347) 216-6885. To schedule interviews, contact Triple 7 Entertainment LLC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (201) 981-6960.
THIRD WORLD WILL NOT PERFORM AT THE 2011 ONE LOVE REGGAE FESTIVAL
New York, NY (July 4, 2011): Third World is sad to announce that they will not be performing at the One Love Reggae Festival in London on July 31, 2011. Victor E. Lewis, the band's manager, remarks, "Due to contractual issues, Third World will not be performing at the One Love Reggae Festival in London. What happened was beyond our control and we certainly look forward to being in London soon." Stephen "Cat" Coore adds,"We are aware that our fans make arrangements in advance to see us perform when our tour dates are posted on the website and that is what saddens us the most. Our only hope is that we will be in London soon to make up for the fact that we will not be there in July as previously planned."
For more information, contact Victor E. Lewis, VicRae Inc., at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (347) 216-6885. To schedule interviews, contact Triple 7 Entertainment LLC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (201) 981-6960.
New York, NY (June 13, 2011): With a recent tour in New Zealand with performances in Tauranga, Auckland, Wellington and Napier, Third World returns home to prepare for their 2011 European summer tour. The tour will begin on Saturday, June 25th with a performance at the Afro-Latino Festival in Belgium. On Sunday, June 26th the band will not only perform at the Afrique-Carib Festival in Almere, Netherlands but will participate in Holland's 2nd Steel Pan Panorama competition called, When Steel Talks. . .Everyone Listens - Junior Panorama Knock Out. Dean Pond, the band's sound engineer, and Stephen "Cat" Coore will be a part of the jury for the competition.
No strangers to Europe, the band regards it as "home away from home," they will continue to wind their way through Europe, performing and premiering singles from their 23rd album Patriots at festivals and clubs in Holland, Vienna, Italy, Spain and France. Richard Daley remarks, "Traveling to Europe every summer has become a tradition. Our fans look forward to seeing us every year. And having the opportunity year after year to perform at some of the biggest festivals is truly a honor. And with the release of Patriots, it allows us to give the fans something new - which will be very exciting for us."
Patriots, which was released on Jan 25, 2011, has been featured on CNN, Billboard charts, Billboard Biz, NY1, Jamaica Observer and The Gleaner, among others. Executive Produced by Third World Music Group and co-produced by Dean Pond of Rymshot Productions, the album features artists such as the late Gregory Isaacs, Marcia Griffiths, Tessanne Chin, Capleton, Stephen and Damian Marley. Patriots also features, Toots Hibbert, Sly Dumbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Dean Frazier, Tarrus Riley, Inner Circle, Mykal Rose, Jessica Yapp (on violin), and Junior Reid.
In addition to their performances, Third World has been invited by the "Soapbox" and "No Limit" organizations to conduct a workshop on June 30th. The organizations are comprised of youngsters from the black neighborhoods of the southeast part of Amsterdam called the Bijlmer, where most people living there have an African, Surinamese and/or Caribbean background. Both organizations are involved with the Keti Koti Festival and usually arrange debates and seminars that focus on "black arts and culture" as well as "black" social and political issues. The organizations main focus is to invite those who they deem as positive role models for youths. Recently they had a workshop with the crew and cast of "Fela - The Musical" and they have organized a master class with the well-known Film Director and Producer, Spike Lee.
The band's summer schedule include the following performances and hotel booking information:
BELGIUM - June 25, 2011: 13th Edition Afro Latino Festival
THE NETHERLANDS - June 26, 2011: Festival Afrique Carib
AMSTERDAM - July 1, 2011: The Keti Koti Festival
THE NETHERLANDS - July 2, 2011: THIRD WORLD Live at Bolwerk
ITALY - July 3, 2011: Venice Sunsplash Chioggia
SPAIN - July 9, 2011: La Mar de Musicas
HOLLAND - July 14, 2011: Metropool, Hengelo
HOLLAND - July 17, 2011: Zwarte Cross Festival
FRANCE - July 29, 2011: Le Garance Reggae Festival
FRANCE - July 30, 2011: New Morning Café
THE NETHERLANDS - July 31, 2011: Amsterdam Reggae Festival
For more information, contact Victor E. Lewis, VicRae Inc., at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (347) 216-6885. To schedule interviews, contact Triple 7 Entertainment LLC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (201) 981-6960.