By Kevin Jackson Observer Writer

Jamaican-born artiste manager and producer Chris Smith is a man on a mission. Smith currently manages international pop star Nelly Furtado as well as Canada-based reggae/pop artiste Jarvis Church; rhythm and blues singer Tamia; Courtney John formerly known as Yogie; and sister duo Brick and Lace.

Kevin Jackson: What projects are you currently working on?

Chris Smith: I’m getting set to launch Brick and Lace, Courtney John and Jarvis Church. I am also in the midst of producing a music variety show. In all my global travels, I see a void in the music. The world needs more Jamaican music on a consistent basis. The variety show will be having auditions for dancers. It will be filled with performances and dancing. It’s going to be over the top.

KJ: What are some of your plans where Brick and Lace are concerned?

CS: There’s two dimensions to them. It was important for the girls to establish themselves in Jamaica. We didn’t want to go too far on the pop end without the Jamaican side being established. They have won most of the major awards in Jamaica and their video for Love is Wicked is averaging 4.7 million hits on youtube. In April they will be touring the UK and Europe. A lot of people aren’t aware how popular Brick and Lace are globally. I don’t want to cross them over too quick and forget their roots.

To read more, check out the full article here.

By: Garfene Grandison
Observer TEENage writer Campion College

The world has been taken by storm by the hot and sexy sibling duo of Brick and Lace (B&L). Based in Fort Lauderdale, which they call their second home (Jamaica being the first), they come to Jamaica on a regular basis to take a break from all the stresses of international stardom. On their recent visit to Jamaica they took the time out to talk to TEENage and here was what they had to say:

TEENage: What are your full names?

B&L: (Giggles) Nyanda and Nailah Thorbourne.

TEENage: Where did you grow up and what schools did you attend?

B&L: We grew up in Kingston in a complex across from Blue Cross. Nailah attended St Andrew High School for Girls and Nyanda went to Campion College.

TEENage: Some people have been reluctant to call you Brick & Lace because they say that your physical and facial attributes adds a softness so they prefer to call you ‘Satin and Silk’ instead. What do you have to say about that? What is the inspiration for your name?

B&L: (Gasps).
We are very touched by the comments of the people about ‘Satin and Silk’, but it’s the first time we have ever heard that, but nonetheless we are flattered. However, the name Brick and Lace derives from the different sounds that can be heard in our music. The brick side represents the gritty edge in our music, which is born in us because we are Jamaicans while the lace side represents our smooth harmony.
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Spunky pop-dancehall sister duo Brick & Lace are back with their latest single Love Is Wicked. From the album of the same name, the track is an urban-esque ode to young love. Slipping out of the studio for a ‘hot minute’, the starlets - Nailah and Nyanda Thorbourne - sat with Splash yesterday to share their thoughts on music, dating and being the comeback kids in an oft unforgiving industry.

What’s in your iPod right now?

“Gwen Stefani’s album Sweet Escape, Amy Winehouse Back To Black,” quips older sibling Nyanda. “Damien Marley makes for really good road trip music,” adds Nailah, also throwing out soft-rockers Maroon 5 and “lots of techno” as her preferred music.

“Techno?” Splash inquires. The girls explain that they both follow hectic work-out regimes and the up-tempo rhythms keep them inspired. Still on the topic of music, the ladies share that they enjoy listening to their music (a practice uncharacteristic of many artistes).

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Remember a while back when I was running around the internet like mad promoting this Ask Brick & Lace segment where you could ask the ladies anything you wanted? Well, we weren’t lying, they actually were going to answer your questions and here is part one from that. I have to give a HUMONGOUS shoutout to Chez for editing this and setting it up and everything for us! You’re the best! And to Brick & Lace…we love you! Thanks to everyone who made this possible! The rest of it will soon come but check out what we have for you below.

I found this interview that Brick & Lace did alongside Akon for ArtistDirect.com. It’s from April but it’s still pretty cool to check out. I am going to apologize on behalf of artistdirect for the low quality of this interview. The volume is low and it can become difficult to see at times (not to mention the page that they have it on is seriously cluttered). Still pretty cool though :-)

(CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!)

Rap-Up.com, which is also a magazine caught up with Brick & Lace at the Cremé of the Cropâ€� BET Awards After-Party. They asked the ladies about the new album. You can check them out after Mary J. Blige. The short segment didn’t really give us much new info but we are definitely on the lookout for Love Is Wicked!

Sister Act
by Bobbi Misick

How Jamaica’s latest musical export, Brick and Lace, keeps it in the family

Jamaica’s multifaceted population and culture can be regarded as the Heinz 57 of the West Indies. With a cultural pepper pot of African presence seasoned generously with influences from India, China, Spain, England and Ireland, “mixin’ it up has been a part of the Jamaican since way back when. So why wouldn’t we expect it to cross over to the music, asks Reggae/R&B sister-duo Brick and Lace. The uptown-Kingston beauties are the first artists to be released on Akon’s Kon Live Distribution, and have been fusing their inherent dancehall flavor with the American R&B sounds they grew up tuning into since their times of singing in the church choir. But they’re seeking a broader audience these days. “People from the islands are not just on a palm tree singing ‘woyoyo,’” says Nailah, the younger of the sisters.

Raised near uptown-Kingston’s famous Hope Road by two musical parents — an American mother who was very involved in their church choir, and a Jamaican father who played guitar and piano for the congregation– Nyanda and Nailah Thourborne began singing in church before they could see over the pulpit. The Thourbornes exposed their four daughters to an assortment of musical styles from Donna Summer to Jimi Hendrix. Nyanda and Nailah also grew up during an R&B boom in pop music, when Toni Braxton reigned , and Coco, Taj and Lelee , of SWV, were fixtures on B.E.T.’s Video Soul (for those not old enough to drink yet, that was the hit show with Donnie Simpson before Free and A.J. changed the game with 106 & Park).

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