International Superstar Akon signs International Music Artist DeMarco to his KonLive growing roster of exciting and diverse talent. While his birth name is Collin Demar Edwards, he is known by the stage name - DeMarco.
"I am excited to add DeMarco to the KonLive family," said Akon who tops the 2017 list of richest African musicians according to Forbes Africa and known for launching the careers of superstars Lady Gaga and T-Pain. "He is a serious artist with a proven track record and an electrifying stage presence."
DeMarco's international music fan followers, presently 200K on Instagram and 84K on Twitter and climbing, are a testament to the sound they love. "I am honored to be on the prestigous KonLive label, said DeMarco. "For ten years, I have worked hard to get the attention of my idol - Akon." DeMarco counts his other music influencers: Chris Brown as a performer and artist; Rick Ross; Jamaican Producer Dave Kelly; and Bob Marley.
“Demarco is very talented and creative. He can write, produce and he’s easy to work with,” said Rozina Negusei, CEO of En-Treeg Records and Akon's wife. "He was introduced to me by Mixmaster David (popular Jamaican disc jock) who brought him to my house. We listened to him, went through his music and it was amazing. We were impressed!”
"He is the complete package - international music artist, musician, producer, songwriter, and actor - and the best entertainer from Jamaica," said Akon. "DeMarco is already known globally and KonLive will take him to the ultimate level."
His roots are Portmore, St. Catherine Parish, Jamaica where dancehall music is king. "Dancehall music made me popular but I'm all about diversity," said DeMarco. "I love, can write, and perform any kind of music from afro beats, EDM, international music, fusion, tropical house, and hip-hop."
DeMarco's music and stage career began at 15, while performing in his home country at the Cactus nightclub as a selector [aka DJ] for the Future Disco sound system. At 16, he relocated to the US where he worked to fund his interest in music production. He later signed with Star Kutt Records at age 19 and began producing tracks for hip hop and dancehall artists.
"He embodies a new age of cutting-edge artists whose ability to intertwine song writing, music production, engineering and performing, as well as his capacity to use these skills seamlessly between dancehall, roots reggae, hip hop and R&B, make him in constant demand in one role or another," said Negusei who co-manages DeMarco with Karl Palmer of Star Kutt Records. "With top names like R&B singer Olivia, Free of 106 & Park fame, rapper Styles P and Reggae/Dancehall’s top act Sean Paul experiencing his production skills, while Bounty Killer and others have put vocals to his cutting-edge lyrics, Demarco’s youthful brilliance and creative ingenuity is achieving the recognition he deserves."
"One of my biggest fan favorites was my remix of Rihanna's Billboard #1 hit "Rude Boy," said DeMarco. "I was also on productions with Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Kymani Marley on a track titled, “I’m On The Rock,” which featured Jay-Z on the remix, and appeared on albums for Busta Rhymes, Foxy Brown, M.O.P., among others."
DeMarco is known for big hits such as, "I Love My Life" (more than 30 million youtube views), "Fallen Soldiers," "Duppy Know Who Fi Frighten," "True Friends," "Show It (Sexy and you know it," which premiered on BET's 106 & Park, "Puppy Tail" (more than 20 million youtube views), "Good Book," and currently "Backaz."
An entrepreneur at heart, DeMarco founded True Gift Entertainment which produces music videos and reality TV series.
During the BET Africa events for the 2017 BET Awards Week, DeMarco performed his international hit, "I Love My Life," to a standing-only-room crowd at the Sayers Club in Hollywood. A world stage is nothing new to DeMarco, he has toured extensively, including multiple visits to Africa, performing in Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Guinea. His work has been recognized by several organizations and he has garnered three nominations: male DJ of the year in Britain and Urban Music Award for 'Best Reggae Act' in 2013 and 2014.
Demarco is set to release his new single, "No Wahala," featuring Akon and Runtown.
DeMarco is signed by Akon's KonLive Distribution and KES Entertainment Record Label, a joint venture partnership with KonLive, En-Treeg and Simcol Entertainment. Simon Guobadia is the chairman/CEO of Simcol Entertainment. The purpose of the partnership is to advance the careers of African and Caribbean talent.
DeMarco is managed by Rozina Negusei of En-Treeg Records and Karl Palmer of Star Kutt Records in a 360 deal.
Connect with DeMarco on Social Media:
IG & Twitter: @DemarcoDaDon MySpace: www.myspace.com/demarcotheartist
For interviews, contact Publicist Marie Lemelle at 213-276-7827 or info@platinumstarpr.com.
For bookings, contact Manager Rozina Negusei for En-Treeg Records at entreegrecords@gmail.com.
For more information about KonLive - ww.konlivedistribution.com; En-Treeg Records at www.en-treegrecords.com and KES Entertainment - www.kesentertainment.com.
About Akon His shimmering, soulful voice has propelled countless hits across genres—from pop and R&B to hip hop and dance. In addition to his own chart-‐dominating singles “Smack That” and “I Wanna Love You”, he’s made a staggering 300 guest appearances for icons including Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, Lil Wayne, R. Kelly, and Eminem. With over 35 million albums sold worldwide, five Grammy Award nominations, and 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs under his belt, he’s simply unstoppable.
“Locked Up” from the Senegalese-American singer and producer’s 2004 debut album, Trouble, made him a household name, and then Konvicted led to global superstardom. In the aftermath of the latter’s 2007 release, Akon garnered the American Music Award for Favorite R&B Male Artist, Teen Choice Award for Breakout Male Artist, three World Music Awards in the categories of Best Selling R&B Male Artist, Best Selling African Artist and Best Selling Internet Artist, and the Billboard Music Award for Artist of the Year. He was listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the #1 selling artists for master ringtones in the world and became the first solo artist in history to lock down both the number one and number two spots on the Billboard Hot 100.
Akon has continues to push the musical envelope. His duet with pop legend Michael Jackson, “Hold My Hand” was released as the first single on the Michael album, debuting internationally at #1. Plus, his hilarious collaboration with Saturday Night Live stalwarts The Lonely Island, “I Just Had Sex”, set the internet ablaze, racking up over 210 million YouTube/VEVO views and being performed at the 2011 Comedy Awards and Primetime EMMY Awards.
With a new album on deck for 2017, he has set his sights on breaking into Hollywood and is already well on his way to making his mark. In 2012, Akon made his acting debut in Jeta Amata’s stirring motion picture “Black November” alongside a stellar cast including Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger, Anne Heche, and Vivica A. Fox. Most recently, he landed his first major movie role and will appear with costars Adrien Brody, Hayden Christensen and Jordana Brewster in the upcoming indie action thriller “American Heist”, a remake of the 1959 Steve McQueen movie “The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery.”
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