Boomshots

Author: Boomshots

  • PREMIERE: Hood Celebrityy “Unlock” Official Music Video

    PREMIERE: Hood Celebrityy “Unlock” Official Music Video

    New Visuals From JA-Born BX-Based Artist Who Calls Herself “The Female Kartel”

    We first noticed Hoodcelebrityy when she turned up on “Back It Up,” the dancehall-flavored Cardi B track that also features Konshens. Checking her Instagram profile, we noted that she described herself as “The Female Kartel” which was intriguing to say the least. Doing further research, we discovered her videos for “The Takeover” where she can be seen wilding out with Cardi’s sister Hennessy Carolina, and flipping 50 Cent’s Many Men hook over A Boogie and Don Q’s “Bando” beat. By this point it was clear that we had to reach out for an interview, which you can see below the jump—along with the brand new video for “Unlock,” a track from HC’s forthcoming project Can’t Believe It’s Just A Girl.  In this “Equal Rights and Justice” era anything is possible. Check the vibes.   Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • PREMIERE: K’reema “Drop It”

    PREMIERE: K’reema “Drop It”

    King Yellowman’s Daughter Is All Grown Up Now

    Pop reggae artist K’reema has a long list of musical influences, ranging from reggae legends Beres Hammond and Tanya Stephens to worldwide pop stars TLC and Beyoncé, but if you want which artist had the biggest impact on her career, look no further than her dad Winston Foster, aka King Yellowman. In case you missed the point, she did a song with him called “Father’s Love” and has toured extensively with the dancehall legend (Reshma B caught up with them during a recent tour stop—be sure to peep the reasoning below). K’reema was formerly employed saving lives as an EMT worker, but she’s been musical since she was a child. So three years ago she decided to give her first love a try—and of course her dad’s had her back every step of the way. But there comes a time when even daddy’s little girl must grow up, and that time has come now for K’reema. The first sign is when they start telling you they don’t give a…  Then pretty soon they’re ready to step out on their own. K’reema recently made quite an impression with “Sorry You’re Not Sorry,“ a lovers’ rock selection on the Taxi riddim taken from her upcoming EP. Today Boomshots proudly premieres “Drop It” another section from the new project. It’s been a long time coming, but the Brooklyn-based artist is ready to make moves.  Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Damian “Jr.Gong” Marley ft. Stephen “Ragga” Marley “Medication”

    HEAR THIS: Damian “Jr.Gong” Marley ft. Stephen “Ragga” Marley “Medication”

    Marley Brothers Together For The Healing of the Nation

    April 20th aka 4/20 is the official herbalists’ holiday—as well as Stephen “Ragga” Marley’s birthday. In Miami the celebration began with the launch of Kaya Fest, a celebration of music and herb with the theme of “Education Before Recreation.” During the recent election Florida was one of the states that voted to legalize the herb for medicinal purposes. Rastafari has been calling ganja the “Healing of the Nation” for years so it’s only right to see Bob Marley’s youths fulfilling the vision in this time. While Ragga was celebrating his Earthstrong by kicking off the first annual Kaya Fest in Miami, his younger brother Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley was blocking off the Sunset Strip for a 4/20 celebration in conjunction with High Times magazine. As part of the festivities he premiered a new tune off his forthcoming Stony Hill album—a wicked rub-a-dub style weed tune called “Medication” featuring Ragga Marley. Today, April 22nd—aka Earth Day—Stephen and Damian will come together on stage at Kaya Fest alongside their brothers Ziggy, Julian, and Ky-Mani. This is the first time that has happened since the brothers performed in Africa over 20 years ago—so if you find yourself in Miami today there is still time to witness history. Safe to say there’s going to be some musical magic in the air—and a little bit of medication too.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Thornato ft. Gappy Ranks “Rhinoceros” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Thornato ft. Gappy Ranks “Rhinoceros” PREMIERE

    You Coulda Have the Heart of A Lion, Speed of a Cheetah…

    Since the success of his 2014 release “Gaita Gaita,” Queens-based producer Thor Partridge aka Thornato has been making waves around the world as a beat maker and remixer. His new project Bennu showcases the talents of versatile vocalists from around the globe. UK grime-turned-dancehall don Gappy Ranks  features on “Rhinoceros,” which Boomshots proudly premieres today. “The beat that I initially created and sent to Gappy ended up morphing into something completely different once I received his vocals,” Thornato recalls. ” I ended up stripping everything down to let Gappy’s powerful voice take the lead.  The synth is inspired by an ancient Greek bagpipe called ‘Askaulos.’ I heard a solo performance that was incredibly haunting and unique and I immediately thought it would make a great lead synth sound.” Once this riddim gets rolling, it’s oddly reminiscent of the sound of a thousand stampeding rhinoceri. Audio After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Horace Andy “Straight to Hell” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Horace Andy “Straight to Hell” PREMIERE

    Studio One Legend Sings The Clash Classic

    Joe Strummer’s flat, affect-less vocals on “Straight to Hell” from The Clash’s  1982 album “Combat Rock” lend a chilling air to the song’s ice cold message, which is now timelier than ever in the Trump administration prepares executive orders, travel bans, mass deportations. and wall building. “Straight to Hell” has long been considered one of the band’s best loved songs, providing raw material for future creations like M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” and Kanye West’s “Swagger Like Us.” Andy himself is a bonafide Studio One legend who’s also worked with the likes of Massive Attack. Strummer first collaborated with him in 1999, writing the militant title track for Andy’s “Living in the Flood” album. The Studio One legend had already attempted a reggae version of “Straight to Hell” but wasn’t happy with the recording. But when he linked with Milwaukee musician Eric Blowtorch, who’s worked with many reggae artists and knew Strummer, they made this brand new roots reggae recording of “Straight to Hell,” which will be released via 12-inch single on Fe True Records March 16th and via digital download on April 14th. Andy’s voacal is backed with a dub side plus Big Youth’s deejay version, “Asylum Seekers.” These type of hardcore reality tunes are all too timely in the current political climate—and do remember 10 per cent of proceeds goes to Doctors Without Borders. Turn up to full watts. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Randy Valentine “Black Cinderella” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Randy Valentine “Black Cinderella” Official Music Video

    Something Dark & Moody For Your VDay Viewing Pleasure

    When your name is Randy Valentine, every day is Valentine’s Day. Just in case you’re not up on the young UK-based reggae singer, dude is mad versatile. Around this time last year he dropped the Radio Music mixtape displaying his skills as an MC. Today we find him in lovers rock mode on “Black Cinderella,” which sports some brand-new visuals courtesy of Dubee from Upsetta sound system, which just premiered today on Mass Appeal. Produced by Mad Professor apprentice Joe Ariwa, the tasty one-drop track off Randy Valentine’s Still Pushing EP is tailor-made for a day like today. Depending on your relationship status—single, boo’d up, or complicated—Valentine’s Day can be either a lot of pressure or just plain depressing. No matter where you stand on the holiday at this moment, this video should do you right. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Jahmiel “Strongest Soldier”

    HEAR THIS: Jahmiel “Strongest Soldier”

    Why Do The Realest People Live The Hardest Life?
    “Man get whole heap ah love whole heap ah hate,” sings Jahmiel on this standout track from Chimney Records’ warm and easy “Money House Riddim,” distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos. The young singer became Boomshots’ pick for Breakthrough Artist of 2016 by putting in work to deliver the sustenace of inspiration via indelible melodies. But even as he elevates his game, a Great Man must sometimes remind myself that the Lord will never give him more than he can bear. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Likes”

    HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Likes”

    The First Single From Chronology Arrives

    “Ah no everybody ah go like we,” sings Chronixx, “still we irie.” Over a pulsating electronic rhythm, produced by the artist himself, Chronixx defies “reggae revival” expectations as he reflects on what really matters to him, and to music lovers the world over. On the surface this is a song about artistic substance over social media hype, but a careful listen reveals a pointed critique of the state of Jamaican music at a moment when the world is rocking to reggae rhythms. “Nuff a them still stuck inna the quicksand,” he sings. “A Gentleman me hear ah play a Finland.” Point being that artists who are satisified with “running di place” in Jamaica may be missing the bigger picture. “We never buck them up pon no flight,” Chronixx observes. “We never see them pon tour life.” Speaking of which, the Chronology North America tour, supported by Jah9, Jesse Royal, and Kelissa, kicks off March 2nd and runs through April 30th. Who no like it vex.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Stephen “Ragga” Marley Talks Bob Marley Birthday, Kaya Fest, and Survival

    Stephen “Ragga” Marley Talks Bob Marley Birthday, Kaya Fest, and Survival

    Watch A Live Stream Of Gong’s Earthstrong As We Reason With Ragga

    On this day Robert Nesta Marley, aka the Tuff Gong, aka the King of Reggae, would have turned 72. Gong’s Earthstrong will be marked by a full day of celebration at the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica. Starting from 6 o’clock in the morning, priests from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church come and bless the place. Niyabinghi drummers and the whole thing straight back to night. For those cannot be there in person, Tuff Gong Television is streaming the celebration live today. “Yeah man,” says Stephen “Ragga” Marley by telephone after a long day of rehearsals. “Nice vibe.” We reached out to Ragga in honor of Bob Marley’s birthday and also to talk about another big celebration for the Marley family coming up this year. Stephen recently announced the launch of Kaya Fest, with the stated purpose “To educate the people of the many uses of this plant as well as to inspire and encourage positive public awareness since medical marijuana became legal in Florida in 2016.” Reasoning After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: John Brown’s Body ft. Karim Israel “Hard Man Fe Dead” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: John Brown’s Body ft. Karim Israel “Hard Man Fe Dead” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    JBB Inna Prince Buster Stylee

    After 20-odd years mashing up stages all over the planet, John Brown’s Body is releasing their first official music video. Boomshots is proud to premiere the clip for “Hard Man Fe Dead,”a track off the band’s Fireflies album on Easy Star Records, featuring some tasty toasting courtesy of Karim Israel of Arise Roots. “‘Hard Man Fe Dead’ is a tribute to the late Prince Buster,” says lead singer Elliot Martin, “dedicated to the extended family of musicians that we are a part of. How good and pleasant it is to play some hard Reggae music with all these talented people!” In case this clip gets you in a similar mood, take note of the band’s tour dates below. This music caan dead. Video After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Micah Shemaiah x Giark “Rude Bwoy Jamaica”

    HEAR THIS: Micah Shemaiah x Giark “Rude Bwoy Jamaica”

    Rough and Tough, Vibes Nuff Nuff

    “This song in no way shape or form promotes gangsterism,” states Micah Shemaiah on his Soundcloud page. Over a raw rub-a-dub riddim season seasoned with live horns and percussion, Shemaiah and Craig “Giark” Dixon (son of legendary producer Bobby Digital, and an accomplished producer in his own right) address the realities of life in “a rude boy town.” By way of clarification, the singer points out that the song is “about positive change” despite its title. “The term goes from our foundation in the Ghettos of Jamaica where ones had to grow up very rough. It’s not about wrong doings its about being tough and not standing for what the system has to offer us. Original rude bwoys of Jamaica were not always violent gun-toting gangsters but breddrens and even sistrens who were not part of the status quo, who did not subscribe to certain things the “society” called norms.” The song says it all. Audio After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: I-Octane “Up In Di Sky”

    HEAR THIS: I-Octane “Up In Di Sky”

    The Hot Rass Is Not Coming Down

    It’s been a minute since I-Octane blessed his fans with some fresh material, so it was nice to see him drop something last week. “Up Inna Di Sky” is the first tune from his upcoming Love and Life album, which is scheduled for an April 2017 release. Voiced on “Light House” riddim, produced by JustUs, the song finds Octane in a party mood. “Who no come fi have fun, leave and shut up,” he says. You know that feeling when you’re under your grades and not trying to hear any stress. Those fluffy clouds on the cover art are a fitting reflection of JustUs’s trademark light and airy production style, as well as Octane’s meds. Audio After The Jump… (more…)