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2010-05-18

Teenage

Flexxing with: Ice Man

Yunique Francis

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Donald 'Ice Man' Anderson is originally known for his role as a comedian in Jamaican theatre, but when he stepped into the editorial office of the Jamaica Observer, it was his passion for singing and his strides in the music industry that took centre stage.

The former Cornwall College student, who started to pursue his passion for singing seven years ago, was introduced to Shaggy's manager Robert Livingston, by Bryan Gold and has never looked back. Anderson enjoyed his time in acting, but truly believes that music creates a better platform for the international exposure he deeply desires.

Photo: Ricardo ‘Puru’ Bailey

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Described as a singjay, Iceman is already making his mark in the industry, with his works including collaborations with Chris Martin, Shaggy, D Major, Richie Loop, Gramps Morgan and others. While he is yet to get the international accreditation he seeks, Iceman says he is willing to work with any international artiste who is all about good music. His debut album is still in the making, but Iceman is currently being featured in the recently released Dream medley music video with his song Keep My Hustle Alive.

Outside of music, Ice Man is all about having fun and he replicates this through his love for basketball. Describing himself as a basketball fanatic, Ice Man was quick to point out that he also enjoys playing video games and reading his Bible.

A philantropist at heart, Ice Man is driven to give back to those who gave to him and also those in need. Reflecting on the lessons of reciprocation he was taught by his mother Donald 'Ice Man' Anderson the singjay whose stature his on the rise, is on a mission to uplift himself and those around him.

2010-04-20

Ice Man in dress rehearsal for the big times
Contributed - Ice Man Leighton Levy, Star Writer Almost everyone who has a television set, a radio or reads the newspapers, should by now know who Donald 'Ice Man' Anderson is. Yes, he is that braided entertainer singing the line that says 'with Digicel, your credit lasts longer' advertisement on television and on radio. His is the face that appears in the accompanying ads in the newspapers. "It's very good publicity," Ice Man says, acknowledging the positive effect of the advertisement. "Every corner of the country I go people are talking about the ad as if it were a song." In addition to the frequently run ads, the entertainer has been taking advantage of other promotional opportunities that have come his way, including appearing on half-time shows during premier league football matches and those staged by the phone company. All of this is just setting the stage, laying the foundation for his greater ambitions. "Industry people are saying that now I just need a song for me to blow up," he says. "The public is beginning to embrace my efforts." One of those songs could be among several now in the works, THE STAR was told. A few, that include one with great potential crossover appeal and another with dancehall flavour are in the final stages of production and should be hitting the streets very soon. having fun Following that, good things are expected. "Ice Man is at a point in his career where he has found his niche. His experience has given him a clear indication of what he needs to do," explains Robert Livingston, CEO of the Scikron Entertainment/Big Yard label. Livingston said Ice Man is now having fun with his music. He made reference to a recent engagement in Port Antonio when the entertainer was 'vibing' and having a good time with the music and his audience was having a good time with him. "He most definitely now has the understanding to take on the market," Livingston said. Ice Man said he was grateful for Livingston's support. "What has been pleasant is that Robert has been here focussing on the artistes. Everybody has a song and it's always good to have one in the can," Ice Man said. Meantime, he wants to focus on appearing on more shows and other events that will keep him in the limelight until he gets that song or songs that will keep him there.

2010-02-10

Iceman keeping his hustle alive for 2010

Published: Wednesday | February 10, 2010

As he had predicted, 2010 is off to a good start for Iceman. With his songs Mischievous and Keep My Hustle Alive having good momentum, the singer is also making a name for himself among the teenage population as he participates on the KLAS FM School Tour.

"Mischievous, which is on the 'Sweat Shop' rhythm, is really doing well, getting heavy rotation on radio, in the clubs and in the streets," said the singer. "It's a dancehall/calypso song looking at the 'girls giving trouble' with their anatomy."

And while the song is getting great play now, Iceman suspects it could become greater in a few weeks.

Musical blend

"Because of its blend of dancehall and calypso, I am anticipating it is going to do well at carnival," he said.

Iceman is also on the verge of releasing another single, Put Your Hands Up, which does not yet have a release date but is expected to be his follow-up to Mischievous.

Like Mischievous, another of Iceman's songs, Keep My Hustle Alive, is getting some love from radio. He says Hitz 92 FM and Hot 102 have been especially generous and he appreciates it because he feels the song can do better. The song was released on the House A Stars label and was released late last year. Producer Octavious 'Vigour' Muir is planning to produce a video medley featuring all the artistes on the rhythm including KipRich and Déjà Vu.

School tour

Iceman has been singing Keep My Hustle Alive during the school tour in which he is currently engaged along with label mates D-Lynx and D Major.

"We've been to Waterford High, Edith Dalton James and Green Pond High in Montego Bay and the students have been giving us good support," he said, adding that during the tours he and his fellow entertainers have been spreading and reinforcing positive messages to the youth.

Meantime, he and his label mates have been hitting the streets pushing his songs at local dances and events including Weddy Weddy, Fresh Fridayz, Blitz Tuesdays and Wet Sundays.

- Leighton Levy
Taken from
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100210/ent/ent1.html

2010-01-16

Leighton Levy, Star Writer

Singer Ice Man believes that 2010 is going to be a big year for him. It's just a feeling but it's one that is underpinned by the knowledge that the hard work he has put in over the past six years will finally begin to pay off.

Last year, Ice Man had several singles in rotation, including Oh Lord on the Brainstorm rhythm that was released in time for Christmas.

He also has out Pampering and What If We Get Married on Kurt Riley's Golden Gate rhythm. He is also putting out an album with Ian Easy of Just Easy Productions. Then, in addition to the songs, he performed on a number of smaller shows at Christopher's Jazz Café, and had a very solid performance at the Night On Tracks concert that was staged by the Asafa Powell Foundation at the National Indoor Sports Complex.

Based on his growing body of work, Ice Man seems well on his way to having a breakout this year, but it has been a challenge breaking into the music industry.

Born Donald Anderson, Ice Man admits that his pursuit of a career in music has not all been easy. There have been times when he felt like just giving up.

financial challenges

"There are many artistes, including myself, that get up some days and don't want to do music anymore because it's too hard. It is really too hard," he said. "As an upcoming artiste, if you don't have another job to sustain yourself financially, you really have no way to eat food regularly, unless you get a couple dub plates, unless you get squeezed on to a couple shows and things of that nature. And the financial challenges lead to emotional challenges because you start to question yourself, but you just have to continue to draw on your inner strength every day."

A theatre arts graduate of the Edna Manley School of the Visual and Performing Arts, Anderson initially made his living on stage and on television, but made the transition to music when good friend Brian Gold, of Brian and Tony Gold fame, introduced him to Robert Livingston of Scikron Entertainment/Big Yard.

He made the switch because he had always loved music. Back in the 1990s, Ice Man was a member of a gospel group called Foundation along with five others, among them designer Carlton Brown.

Big Yard, he said, afforded him the opportunity to pursue a career as a singer and so far it has been a good fit. "It has always been a good synergy. All the artistes are really pleased that Robert is here more often now, spending a lot of time building and honing the skills of the young artistes, so we are grateful for that," he said.

Ice Man is eagerly anticipating upcoming projects from Big Yard that he is going to be involved with for 2010, and his songs are beginning to take hold overseas.

He recently got word from a disc jockey in Boston that Make Sweet Love To Me and Pampering are in heavy rotation there. Those records are also being played on stations like Hot 97 in New York and in parts of Europe. He added that this, among other things bodes well for a successful 2010 and beyond.

"There is a kind of confidence that I have about 2010, that it is going to be a good year," he said. "The projects that are out now are going to transcend 2010, and the projects that are to come are going to allow us at this record label to break through into the other echelons of society in Jamaica."