Tag: Christopher Ellis

  • WTJRC 2022 Heavy Rotation Playlist

    WTJRC 2022 Heavy Rotation Playlist

    All in the Same Boat, Rockin’ on the Same Rock

    Once again it’s on. The last time we were on board the Jamrock Cruise was December 2019, before most people had ever heard the words “Covid-19.” Three years later the big ship is ready to rock with artists like Burning Spear, Shabba Ranks, Damian Marley, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, and more. Check out this Boomshots playlist featuring the latest sounds from all the artists performing on this year’s Jamrock Cruise.
    Heavy Rotation Playlist After The Jump…  (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Christopher Ellis “Here We Are” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Christopher Ellis “Here We Are” Official Music Video

    :Alton’s Big Son Sings Songs Of Praises On a Foundation Riddim

    “It’s a lineage thing,” says Christopher Ellis, the youngest son of legendary Jamaican vocalist Alton Ellis, of his link with the Ghetto Youths International crew. “It stems back to when I met Stephen and Damian Marley. And more than that, it stems to our fathers and the whole Trenchtown thing.” Trenchtown, of course, is the economically downpressed but musically blessed area of downtown Kingston immortalized by The Wailers in their song “Trenchtown Rock.” Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer all hailed from Trenchtown, as did many other Jamaican musical heroes including the aforementioned Alton Ellis, a soulful vocalist who made his name with countless rock steady classics, including “Rock Steady” and “I’m Still In Love.” Carrying on his father’s legacy, Ellis is currently recording his debut album, slated for release on the Ghetto Youths label later this year. MASS APPEAL has just premiered Ellis’ latest reease, “Here We Are,” on Stephen Marley’s “All Natural” Riddim. Ellis uses his silky voice to deliver words of wisdom and inspiration. Directed by Jay Will (Game Over), “Here We Are” video was filmed in Portland, where the UK native seems right at home amidst the country vibes. Audio After The Jump…
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  • Ghetto Youths International Posse Tour the U.S. In Support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2

    Ghetto Youths International Posse Tour the U.S. In Support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2

    Cham, Wayne Marshall, Jo Mersa, Christopher Ellis & Black-Am-I Touch The Road

    There is a famous saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” and for the heirs of reggae legend Bob Marley, Damian, Stephen and Julian Marley, their actions prove just that. Just as their father founded the Tuff Gong imprint, his youths see big things looming for their fresh record label Ghetto Youths International (GYI). For lovers of the perfect mixture of blues, calypso and rock and roll, Jamaica’s own reggae, GYI has a tour in the works next week. With the Marley imprint behind this initiative one can expect nothing less than a star-studded lineup of acts including Cham,Wayne Marshall, Black-Am-I, Jo Mersa, and Christopher Ellis. Said GYI participants are of course featured on the Billboard chart-topper, Set Up Shop Volume 2, a compilation that represents a full spectrum of music, from reggae to dancehall and futuristic fusion. With such a stellar selection of artists on tour, backed by the Lawless band, who wouldn’t be excited? Tour Schedule After The Jump…
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  • Damian Marley & Friends Rock The Boat on the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

    Damian Marley & Friends Rock The Boat on the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

    As Bob Marley Once Sang, We Were “All In The Same Boat, Rockin on The Same Rock”

    When The Wailers linked with Lee “Scratch” Perry to record their classic African Herbsman selection “Don’t Rock My Boat” back in 1973, chances are Bob Marley had no idea that 40-plus years in the future his family would be rocking the biggest boat in reggae history. But when the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise pulled away from the Port of Miami on Monday October 20th, the 2400 artists, selectors, and reggae lovers on board the luxury liner Norwegian Pearl were just as Bob sang, “All in the same boat, rocking on the same rock.” Continued After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Christopher Ellis “Left Unsaid”

    HEAR THIS: Christopher Ellis “Left Unsaid”

    Rock Steady Sounds  from EllisMuzikChild’s Brand-New EP

    They say that every dark cloud has a silver lining, and today Christopher Ellis finds his silver lining with the release of his debut EP, Better Than Love, produced by Damian Marley. Back in 2008, Chris was in Jamaica soon after the passing of his father, the “godfather” of Rock Steady, Alton Ellis. It was during this time that he linked up Stephen Marley.  Today Christopher Ellis is a fully endorsed member of the Marley Brothers’ Ghetto Youths International label. ”It’s all about fulfilling the mission of extending my father’s legacy,” says Chris. “Anything I can add to that legacy is a blessing.” And judging by what we’ve heard from the EP already, he sure has been doing that. Sing it, Chris! Audio After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Christopher Ellis “Better Than Love”

    Old Time Supm Come Back Again
    christopher-ellis-Boomshots

    After shelling down Miss Lilys and SOBs last week, the Ghetto Youths crew has made it clear to everybody  that they aren’t just talking about good music, they’re really putting good music out there. On Labor Day Monday Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Jo Mersa & Black Am I came together to lock down the Strictly Boomshots show on Radio Lily, only to then walk down the road and rip the stage at SOBs where they were joined by original Ghetto Youths co-founders Damian, Julian & Stephen Marley. If you made it to either spot you might still be buzzin’ from the excitement—and if you’re in the UK September 28, you can catch Chris doing his thing at the Jazz Cafe—but either way you won’t be mad to take a listen to the latest number by Christopher Ellis. Produced by Jr Gong it’s the new addition to Chris’s growing catalog, putting his sweet harmonies to a vintage beat and bringing a fresh take to some real classic reggae music. Something “Better Than Love” is in the air, so good even @EllisMuzicChild cant put his finger on it—but it sure sounds good!  Audio After The Jump…
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  • Ghetto Youths Take Over Radio Lily

    Ghetto Youths Take Over Radio Lily

    Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I and Jo Mersa Storm the Strictly Boomshots Show

    Just before the Ghetto Youths crew shelled down SOBs, they passed through Radio Lily to nice up the Strictly Boomshots show. Jo Mersa, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I, and Wayne Marshall passed the mic around like a coconut chalice. Everybody took a hit—little bit of interview, little bit of freestyle, and a whole heap of vibes. You know how the crew do. Audio After The Jump…

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  • Brit Reggae Awards 2013

    Brit Reggae Awards 2013

    The UK Reggae Biz Honors its Own

    February is reggae month, so what better time of year for the British Reggae Industry Awards to take place? Last night a who’s who of reggae artists and shot-callers came together at the IndigO2 to give recognition to the workin’ peeps in the biz. The evening was packed with good vibes from award presentations to stage performances. One of My fave’s of the night was watching the Scottish band I Foundation. It’s been a minute since Scottish reggae’s been on the radio! They were super cute and they have a sense of humour too: walking past them backstage I overheard one of them saying “I think we need to go to Scotland to get some sun.” Maybe they were serious!?! Anyone who was out on the town in London last night knows it was bloody freezing!

    David Rodigan turned up to collect his award for “Best Male Radio Personality.” Maxi Priest won “Best Male Vocalist.” Alton Ellis’s daughter Lovella picked up “Best Female newcomer” and she also collected “Best Male newcomer” for her brother Christopher Ellis—who was nominated for not 1 but 3 categories. His single “English” was up for best single, and he was also up for best British Video for his cover of his father’s “Williow Tree.” Looks like the Ghetto youth is makin’ moves, just in time for the launch of the Ghetto Youths album next Tuesday. Skibu bagged Best Album & Video, Gappy Ranks received Best MC and Best Single and Jah Shaka took home the award for “Best British Sound System.” Overall it was a night of good vibes and happy sounds in the place. As the compere said, “We nah pay fe scream—it free!” Full List of Winners & Video Interviews After The Jump…

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  • Ghetto Youths International “Set Up Shop Vol. 1” Cover Art & Track Listing

    First GYI Compilation Set to Drop Next Tuesday set_up_shop_vol_1_itunesBOOMSHOTSScheduled for an Itunes WORLDWIDE release on February 26, the 14-track compilation Set Up Shop Vol. 1 will feature talented GYI artistes like Jo Mersa and Daniel ‘Bambaataa’ Marley, the third generation of Marley performers, as well as Wayne Marshall, Black-Am-I, Christopher Ellis, and new music from the Marley brothers – Stephen, Julian and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. Also featured are noteworthy collaborations from the likes of Jah Cure, Bugle, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, Akon, Tarrus Riley and T.O.K. GYI, which is owned by brothers Stephen, Damian and Julian, have put extensive work not only in developing the compilation but the artistes themselves and in the last 18 months have worked on full length albums with Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis and Black-Am-I. Track List After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning With Bay-C from T.O.K.

    Bay-C Squashes T.O.K. Breakup Rumors, Explains Jr. Gong Collabs, And Bigs Up Snoop Lion
    Ever since 1999, when they dropped “Eagles Cry” on Dave Kelly’ Xtra Large label, T.O.K. brought has a completely fresh sound to dancehall, merging Jamaica’s great tradition of male harmony groups with the cutting-edge digital  dancehall sound. They went on to become a dancehall supergroup, blazing a trail of hits around the world—and becoming bonafide pop stars in Japan. T.O.K. has not released an album since 1999, and they have pursued solo projects in recent years, but Alistaire “Alex” McCalla, Craig “Craigy T” Thompson, Xavier “Flexx” Davidson, and Roshaun “Bay-C” Clarke are still very much united, as Bay-C makes clear in this exclusive Boomshots interview. During a recent trip through London, the ReggaeGirlAboutTown caught up with the deep-voiced DJ in the studio and they sat down to reason about a wide range of topics, from his latest collaboration with Christopher Ellis “Don’t Change Ur Number” to his work with Damian Marley, Tarrus Riley, and Wayne Marshall and his thoughts on Snoop Lion and the Americanization of Jamaican music. Video After The Jump…

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  • Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise Crossword Puzzle Playlist

    Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise Crossword Puzzle Playlist

    A Boomshots Playlist to Help You Solve The Puzzle

    The Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise sets sail this Monday from Miami with ports of call in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, and an all-star lineup of reggae royalty and top selectors aboard. Boomshots and House of Marley teamed up to create the official cruise Zeen, which includes a reggae-matic crossword puzzle. If you can’t make it on board this year’s cruise, don’t be left high and dry… We’ve got the puzzle right here. And make sure you visit the official site to book your cabin for next year.
    Audio Clues And After The Jump.. (more…)

  • INTERVIEW: Reasoning With Gappy Ranks

    The Big Bad UK DJ Tells The ReggaeGirlAboutTown Why He Loves Dancehall

    This week Gappy Ranks debuted a brand-new world exclusive with Federation Sound. The tune is called “Love Dancehall” and if you haven’t heard his plea to free Kartel from the prison cell, you might want to get familiar. Gappy’s been keeping the dancehall full of niceness for a good likkle while now. His first two albums, Put The Stereo On for V.P. and Thanks & Praise for his own Hot Coffee Music imprint, are both must-haves for any respectable reggae collection. This year he added the herbalicious Cookies EP. And as he told Reshma B just after stepping off stage at London’s IndigO2, he’ll soon begin working on his third album, to be called Breakfast in Jamaica. So what’s he gonna cook up next? Video interview after the jump…
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