Tunes, versions and dubs from the Crown Prince
In honor of what would have been Dennis Emmanuel Brown’s 60th birthday this past Wednesday, February 1st, the homie DJ Center put together a crucial megamix that goes heavy on classic rub-a-dub era. We’re pleased to share it with you to provide some heartical vibes for your weekend and beyond. Here I Come again! Audio After The Jump…
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Music To Save Your Mind
“As crazy as it sounds, I need it now,” sing the USVI hitmakers Theron and Timothy Thomas alongside Jamaica’s own Singy Singy aka Tarrus Riley on R.City’s latest single from What Dreams Are Made Of, song for the whole wide world with a reggae back beat and the sort of big hooks that the Thomas brothers have written for all sorts of massive pop and R&B acts over the years. Directed by Tony Bongiovi LaBeet, their new music video depicts the giants of Caribbean music shocking out atop a historic fortress on the beautiful isle of St. Kitts. It’s an epic setting for a massive tune. Tun up—Loud. Audio After The Jump…
Real Talk Without Any Apology
From “Kingston Be Wise” to “Sudden Flight,” Protoje has made a habit of speaking unspoken truths without apology. His latest release “Blood Money” takes that fearless outspoken-ness to new heights. “Police cancel operation, cause no real badman go a station,” states (who changed his Twitter handle to BLXXDCLXT), dropping lyrical truth bombs over Winta James’ stark rub-a-dub riddim, which has been bubbling on Jamaican radio for the past several weeks. “Blood money run the nation,” he chants on the chorus. “This song is so socially relevant, people connect to it on first listen,” he told the FADER who premiered the video.” It’s speaking about things that are collectively on all of our minds, that we all want to talk about, and I’m using my voice to bring these topics to the forefront of conversation… With all that is happening in Jamaica, criticism is often one-sided and directed to the have-nots—the people who have less are made to seem like the problem in society. This is unfair, hypocritical, and widely inaccurate. This song seeks to bring about certain conversations, to talk about what is really happening in our society.” Check the red-hot visuals courtesy of Taj Francis. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Portmore Dancehall Artist Links With Grammy-and-Oscar-Winning Soul Man
John Legend, the multi-award-winning soul singer who’s been a cornerstone of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music team from day one, today released a new collaboration with dancehall artist IAmStylez. Coming ten years after Legend’s well-received combination with Buju Banton, “Light Up The Night” was produced by Philly Phat Boi. Legend previously collaborated with Common on the Academy-Award-winning track “Glory.” Boomshots proudly presents his latest release here (for promo use only!) “John is basically a big fan of our music and culture as you know from his previous collaboration with Buju,” Stylez told Kevin Jackson of the Jamaica Observer. “So this is no surprise that he is at it again. This time with a little twist, his people had reached out to my management team inquiring about the next big thing that will emerge from Jamaica on to the mainstream and at the same time I had got my manager to also seek out major collaborations for me… Long story short, it’s right timing, great teamwork and perfect execution,” he said. Judge for yourself now. Audio After The Jump…
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Redefining The Concept
A versatile artist with a strong singing voice, Nesbeth took his career to new heights last year with his inspirational tune called “My Dream.” His latest release, on DJ Frass’ percolating “Street Light” Riddim, seeks to redefine the concept of “gangster” for a new generation. “Gone is the days when we used to glorify py py,” he sings to kick things off. “Every youth wise up now this a civilized time.” Envisioning economic upliftment without firing shots, Nesbeth sketches out a vision of what could be possible if people made up their mind to bring about change: “Buy mama house ah de new gangsta, take care of your youth ah de new gangster.” With a cover image showing a trash can filled to the brim with discarded firearms, the new single is powerful enough to stir up hope in the hardest of hearts. “Life too sweet fi deh inna prison lock,” Nebeth sings. “Look on your favorite hero, who no lockup play zero.” Some have interpreted his lyrics as a swipe at incarcerated “Dancehall Hero” Vybz Kartel, but his message of aspiring to be “rich and up” sounds more positive than provocative. With Jamaican experiencing elevated crime rates at the start of the new year, this tune is right on time. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Cardi B’s Dancehall Roots Are Showing
People always compare her to Lil Kim and Foxy Brown, but like those legendary femcees Cardi B’s got more than a touch of Lady Saw in the mix. Shortly after she premiered on Love & Hip Hop New York, Cardi made her musical debut alongside Popcaan on the remix to Shaggy’s Sting International–produced banger “Boom Boom.” So it should come as no suprise that the Bronx-born girl of Trini-Dominican descent has returned to the bashment zone on her latest album, GBMV2 (Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 2). On her collab with Konshens (not to mention Hood Celebrityy—a tatted up dancehall queen whose IG bio calls her “The Female Kartel”), the stripper-turned-reality-star-turned-recording-artist tells Mr. “Bruk Off” to “Back It Up” and he sounds only too happy to oblige. Note: When is Konshens gonna get signed to a major label deal? Hint: Maybe sooner than you think! Audio After The Jump…
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The Turn Up Was The Old Wave—Now It’s Time to Ram It Up!
Andre Xcellence is a reckless Trini youth based in Los Angeles whose daily agenda includes “Shuttin’ down the club, even bringin’ Ballys back.” To be honest we just heard about him yesterday but he had us from the moment he flipped Super Cat’s “Don Dada” hook over a frenetic Supakuma-produced track that sounds something like Diwali on steroids. With a lyrical flow that’s more rap than reggae, Xcellence shouts out Charlie Sheen and displays a zero-phuxx-given sense of humor: “I don’t want you to limbo low / I want you to bounce like a Backpage bimbo” etc… Definitely not suited for the conscious Rasta crowd, “Ram It Up” gets a Boomshots premieres simply because the energy is undeniable. If you’re in the mood to “celebrate like we just won a gold cup” you need this tune in your life. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Win Tickets To See Boiler Room’s NYC Dancehall Culture Showcase
In case you never know, Boiler Room is the world’s leading online music broadcaster. The UK-born multinational network streams the best in underground music, from techno and hip hop to jazz and contemporary classical with award-winning content reaching 12 million dedicated monthly unique users, some of the most active music fans all over the world. Tomorrow night they will be hosting “The Nice Up” a dancehall and reggae showcase in downtown Manhattan featuring some our favorite artists and selectors Boomshots is proud to be the official media partner for the event. Details After The Jump… (more…)
Toronto Sound Clash Victor Will Face World Clash Champion King Turbo
At last year’s World Clash, Toronto’s own King Turbo made sound system history when they became only the second Canadian sound to take the title at the original, authentic and still predominant international sound clash on planet earth. This past weekend at the Canada Rumble, six up-and-coming dancehall sound sytems out of Canada competed for the chance to musically murder their countrymen in the next World Clash aka the Superbowl of Sound Clash. After four hours of heated competition at LaVictoria Banquet Hall, King Attarney outgunned Step-A-Choice in the final Tune Fi Tune round. The Rumble Series was introduced by leading clash promoters Irish & Chin who are celebrating their 20th anniversary in the business this year as they focus on bringing new stars into the sound clash industry. Coming off last October’s popular Japan Rumble, where Fujiyama Sound claimed the title, Canada Rumble sets the stage for future Rumbles to be held in the U.S., U.K., Europe and the Caribbean. If you missed the big clash, you can still check out all the action right here. And make sure to check Boomshots’ exclusive interview with Garfield “Chin” Bourne, reasoning with Reshma B about the past, present, and future of Sound Clash Culture. Audio & Video After The Jump…
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In Which Nicki Suffers a Patois Malfunction
When The Lion Roars, The Whole Jungle Trembles
Gongzilla claps a lyrical gun salute in this hardcore reality tune about the rules & laws & codes of conduct that govern life pon di ends—and the lionheart street soldiers who enforce them. “All who perpetrate hafi pack up and run,” Damian spits with an ill rapid-fire flow on this high energy dancehall track produced by Sean “Pow” Diedrick and featuring what sounds like a Buju sample on the chorus. Like the song says, “No shot nah buss when a man a keep treat.” One more wicked piece of tune from the Stony Hill files. Wickedness increase! Audio After The Jump… (more…)
While Trump Spreads Fear And Division, Reggae Music Offers A Different Message
The whole world is feeling shaky today as the U.S.A.’s 45th President takes the oath of office amidst protests as cries of “Not my President” clash with “America first.” The impulse to resist what’s happening is strong, but what’s the best way? The Jamaican-born Mexico-based reggae singer Kassiano has a unique perspective on things—since he is both black and lives in the first country that candidate Trump vilified in his campaign of hate and fear. “There is room in my father’s house for everyone,” Kassiano sings in this roots reggae anthem recorded in Jamaican in 2014 at Mikey Bennett’s studio featuring the talents of Dean Fraser on saxophone. The song’s lyrics envision a world of abundance as God intended rather than the zero sum game posited by fearmongering politicians. “We are spiritual beings having a human experience,” says Kassiano, who is also a noted spiritual healer. “Be still and connect to the source of God within you.” Spreading unity and resisting the urge to fight—what a concept! Kassiano’s message is right on time. Turn this up loud. Audio After The Jump…
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