Boomshots

Author: Boomshots

  • EXCLUSIVE: Busy Signal Addresses The Disruption of His U.S. Debut

    EXCLUSIVE: Busy Signal Addresses The Disruption of His U.S. Debut

    The Turf President’s Historic Set Got Cut Short at Groovin in the Park—We Spoke With Him Right Afterwards

    Yesterday Busy Signal made history by performing his first ever show in the U.S.A. at this year’s Groovin In The Park festival. But re-writing history is not always an easy road—sometimes there are a few potholes along the way. On this day one of the most dreamed-about days of Busy’s life turned out to be a somewhat bittersweet reality. Bolting onto the stage Busy opened with his breakout track, “Step Out.” Bouncing around the stage like a ball of energy, he segued into “Nah Go Jail Again” before transitioning into a moment of thanksgiving as Buju Banton’s voice rang out in the park “Oh our Father, Who Art In Zion…” while Busy counted his blessings for being given the opportunity to perform for his American fans. “A foreign mi deh,” he said with pride. “Big foreign!” This was the moment he had been waiting for all his life—a moment that over 30,000 people spent their money to witness, some traveling in from all over the world. His fans wanted to witness the moment when Busy’s incredible journey—building his career for over 12 years, being released from prison, getting his visa back, getting an approved work permit—came to fulfillment. “You are looking at a walking miracle,” he told the audience, almost in disbelief. But just when it seemed things couldn’t get any better, they took a sudden turn for the worse.  Video and Full Story After The Jump… (more…)

  • PREMIERE: Eesah “Run Ova Dem” Official Music Video

    PREMIERE: Eesah “Run Ova Dem” Official Music Video

    Mind The Company You Keep

    The wide world got its first good look at Eesah last year, when Chronixx dropped the video for “Perfect Tree,” a standout single off his Roots & Chalice mixtape. Not that the youth born Ackime Nephew was one of those just-come artists. He actually dropped his first EP five years ago, but 2017 is looking like the year his music career kicks into overdrive. Raised in the McGregor Gully section of Kingston’s Vineyard Town,  Eesah has seen his fair share of hard times, but his aptitude for music offered a way to channel those experiences into personal expression and forward progress. The artist’s nickname derives from Jamaican slang. When hiring  “dat bad eeh, sah?” The meaning of “Eesah” is an expression of excitement upon hearing something enjoyable. Today BOOMSHOTS proudly premieres the music video for “Run Ova Dem,” a song produced by Khemis for VybzNation Records with visuals by JussBussTV. “RunOvaDem is about being aware of the company you keep,” says Eesah. “‘Some boy mek hypeness take over dem,’ personifies how to differentiate the real from the fake. It’s about being aware of a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing. The song touches on the fact that once you have encountered genuine camaraderie, a poser can’t fool you. True friendship stands to the test of time.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • DJ Khaled Drops New Video With Sizzla “I’m So Grateful”

    DJ Khaled Drops New Video With Sizzla “I’m So Grateful”

    Kalonji and Khaled and Asahd Giving Thanks and Praises

    If you’ve been following DJ Khaled since before his Snapchat days, you know that he’s been deeply immersed in reggae and dancehall culture for years. If you’ve been paying attention since the days when he used to compete in sound clashes like Fully Loaded, you know Sizzla is one of his favorite artists. When Boomshots paid a visit to his studio not long ago, he proudly played his collection of Sizzla dub plates. If you’ve been following his Snapchat lately, you know he’s been in the studio with Sizzla working on a song called “I’m So Grateful,” which apparently moved him to tears while he was working on it, and which happens to be the opening track of his highly anticipated album Grateful, which drops tomorrow. Earlier this evening Khaled posted five consecutive Instagram video clips, revealing the music video for that song. Big up Khaled for representing a true hardcore dancehall artist like Sizzla.  Video After The Jump…
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  • PREMIERE: The Holdup “Solid”

    PREMIERE: The Holdup “Solid”

    What Would Make You Solid?

    Last December San Jose, California reggae band The Holdup topped the Billboard Reggae chart with their album Leaves in the Pool, Six months later, the ban’s lead singer and songwriter Mike Garmany is opening up about his battle with anxiety and depression—which left him “nearly suicidal”—in a new song called “Solid,” which Boomshots proudly premieres today. “This is not a call for sympathy nor is it an attempt to gain attention,” says Garmany. “This is an attempt to relate to other people who may be going through or have gone through similar experiences to mine. You’re not alone. Everything is okay. Just keep living.”Audio and Full Statement After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Busy Signal “Honor Roll” (Quiet Storm Riddim)

    HEAR THIS: Busy Signal “Honor Roll”
    (Quiet Storm Riddim)

    The Turf Prez Pays His Respects to The Late Great Prodigy

    “Turf President represent for the street,” says Busy at the top of his latest release, uploaded to his Soundcloud less than 24 hours ago. “All these hardcore niggas. Real niggas. Me ah no one a dem just-come boys deh. We no just talk this. We do this. Muthafucka we live this.” Then Busy proceeds to spit fire over Mobb Deep’s “Quiet Storm” beat, name-checking legendary dancehall artists from Baby Cham to Shabba to Bounty Killer and Capleton. This Sunday Busy will perform his first ever show in America at Groovin’ In The Park. It’s hard to imagine how he feels right now, but if this track is any indication of his mindstate at the moment this Sunday ah go maaaaad. Audio 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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  • HEAR THIS: Mr. Vegas “Terrorist In A England”

    HEAR THIS: Mr. Vegas “Terrorist In A England”

    Prayers For Manchester And A Plea For Unity

    Like so many people all around the world, Mr. Vegas was deeply upset by the recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London. He decided to channel his anger into a song and here it is, over Steely & Clevie’s version of the classic ‘Far East’ riddim. Originated by Jamaica’s ace saxophonist Roland Alphonso at the legendary Studio One, and recorded by producer Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd, the “Far East” was brought to further fame by Barry Brown’s classic song ‘Far East.’ Steely & Clevie’s version dates back to 1989 when they recorded a string of singles for their own Steely & Clevie label, including the hits ‘Stop Loving You’ by Freddie McGregor and ‘Spanish Harlem’ by Richie Stephens.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • PREMIERE: Noise Cans ft. Jesse Royal “No War”

    PREMIERE: Noise Cans ft. Jesse Royal “No War”

    The Small Axe Don’t Want No War No More

    “Part carnival, part incantation, and pure celebration,” is the way Dim Mak Records describes the collision of Bermudian tradition and futuristic production that is Noise Cans. Today BOOMSHOTS premieres “No War” a new track from the forthcoming album Masquerave.  “I would love for ‘No War’ to be an anthem for the times we are living in,” says COLLAS, the Gombey-masked mystery man behind Noise Cans. “My goal was to add a joyful approach to a serious time in hopes that people understand and listen to the message. Music is the one thing that brings us together, I’m just here trying to do my part.” Tune in to the signal. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Damian Marley “Medication” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Damian Marley “Medication” Official Music Video

    Zilla x Ragga Sing Praises To The Plant

    Damian Marley has just released the visuals to his 420 anthem “Medication,” a collaboration with his brother Stephen “Ragga” Marley. Produced by Scheme Engine and directed by the ardent photographer and director Nick Walker, the video was shot on location in the California prison that Jr. Gong recently converted to a growing facility. “The video showcases the night and day of what this prison used to be,” says Gongzilla. “This place used to house human beings and now is a place that houses plants—some of those humans were once upon a time locked up because of these plants. We are showing the contrast, and what has become something positive and beneficial for so many people.” The video also features several patients who have benefited from the use of cannabis for healing purposes. As Ragga puts it: “These are living testimonies of the benefits of this plant. This plant saves lives…. Wake Up! Education before Recreation.” You can watch the video now on TIDAL and get a free 3-month subscription, and check out a clip below. (In related news, Jr. Gong and a team of investors recently acquired the O.G. herb publication High Times magazine for $70 million. Big up yuh chest Mr. Gong!) We’re almost a month away from the July 21st release date of Gongzilla’s fourth studio album, Stony Hill. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Chronixx Confirmed As Opening Act For Nas & Lauryn Hill North American Tour

    Chronixx Confirmed As Opening Act For Nas & Lauryn Hill North American Tour

    Not a Bad Way to Roll Out Chronology!

    MASS APPEAL reports that Nasty Nas and L-Boogie aka Ms. Lauryn Hill will embark upon a North American tour this fall, with Jamaican reggae star Chronixx as their opening act. The Queensbridge rapper and the former member of the Fugees famously collaborated on the 1996 anthem “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” off of Nas’ chart-topping sophomore album, It Was Written, and have remained close friends since. For over 20 years these two artists have proven themselves to be some of the most distinctive and influential voices in hip hop. Both artists have also show a strong respect for reggae music—Hill having collabed with Bounty Killer as a member of The Fugees, and with Bob Marley on the classic duet “Turn Your Lights Down Low.” Nas meanwhile joined forces with Damian Marley for the classic album Distant Relatives. Chronixx debut album, Chronology, is set to drop June 30th on all digital platforms. The tour will kick off in Chicago on September 7 and end in Vancouver on October 11. Tickets go on sale via Live Nation on June 2. Video & Tour Dates After The Jump… (more…)

  • The Worst of the ‘Best Of The Best’ Instagram Comments After Epic Mavado Fail

    The Worst of the ‘Best Of The Best’ Instagram Comments After Epic Mavado Fail

    How Them Fi Deal With The Gully Gad So?

    This past Memorial Day Weekend the Best Of The Best music festival put on their 11th annual stage show at Miami’s Bayfront Park. Just like every year the show kicked of in the early afternoon and went on until midnight presenting many of “the best of the best” acts in the reggae and dancehall fraternity. Over they years BOTB has brought some amazing musical moments. However this year’s show ended on a rather sour note. When midnight rolled around without Mavado—the show’s headliner—setting foot on stage to perform. Acts billed for this year’s show included the likes of Jahmiel, Spice, Konshens, Aidonia and Christopher Martin—not to mention veteran acts like Barrington Levy, Mad Cobra, Josey Wales and Brigadier Jerry. However the Gully Gad’s non-performance was a major disappointment to say the least. During the final hour of the show, MC and promoter Jabba paced the stage as Mavado’s band tried to set up as the final moments ticked down. Then at just a few minutes to midnight he called Mavado to the stage, then after a few moments returned to the stage to announce that due to Miami Police and  curfew regulations Mavado would be unable to perform. Confused?! Most of the thousands of patrons in the park were definitely unhappy. (One eyewitness spotted a heated argument going down backstage after the unpopular announcement.) Everybody including artists, promoters, and fans and patrons (who paid as much as $170 for VIP tickets) wasted no time taking to social media to vent their frustrations. Team Boomshots was in the park too. Here’s how the drama unfolded. More After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Jah Cure “Telephone Love” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jah Cure “Telephone Love” Official Music Video

    The World Singa On Line One

    The visuals for Cure’s latest boom tune,  premiered today on MASS APPEAL. IyaCure tells ReshmaB that the album is all finished, and that last year’s Grammy nomination was “very inspiring” for him artistically. As they say in Jamaica “nothing before the time. “I feel like a winner still because I couldn’t travel the U.S. at the time,” Cure states.Due to visa restrictions Cure’s physical movements may be limited but as he once sang, “We don’t need no visas to come through your speakers.” The gorgeous video was directed by Jus Bus from Jamaica (who previously directed “Rasta“) and shot in Antigua. “He’s a guy that I work with all the time,” Cure tells Reshma B. “He’s a producer, friend of mine. He’s part of my team.” Check the fruits of their labor. Video After The Jump…
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