Boomshots

Author: Boomshots

  • HEAR THIS: Mavado ft. Future & Ace Hood “I Ain’t Going Back Broke”

    HEAR THIS: Mavado ft. Future & Ace Hood “I Ain’t Going Back Broke”

    Real Talk From The Gully Gad

    The timing of Mavado’s latest “We The Best” banger is truly uncanny. Just days after the news broke that somebody posted a petition on the White House website demanding that he be deported to Jamaica, the dancehall superstar drops a song called “I Ain’t Going Back Broke.” Although Mavado (who has a valid U.S. visa and work permit and now lives with his American wife and kids in the U.S.A.) has since clarified that the whole thing is an attempt to sabotage his career by a bitter ex-associate, the song still seems like a response to this latest pitfall set in his path. The song, which features We The Best labelmate Ace Hood as well as Future, seems to refer to Mavado contemplating the possibility of being deported to Jamaica. But Boomshots can confirm that this song was in the works long before the whole petition controversy flared up. Regardless of that fact you can feel the passion in this tune. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Sizzla: “You Must Recognize Rasta, Else A Lightning and Thunder”

    Reasoning with Sizzla: “You Must Recognize Rasta, Else A Lightning and Thunder”

    After Closing Rebel Salute 2015, Kalonji Speaks On Truths and Rights

    Say what you like about Sizzla Kalonji, but the man nah tek back no chat. After a fiery early morning performance to cap the second day of Rebel Salute 2015, the sweat-drenched dancehall legend took time out for a brief but extremely intense interview with the Reggae Girl About Town. The two spoke about Rebel Salute’s theme, the “preservation of reggae” with Sizzla asserting that countries like England and France are “trying to take reggae from black people with pen and paper and contracts.” They also spoke on the movement to legalize ganja. “Ganja free down here man,” Sizzla scoffed. “But them wan’ make money offa the ganja. And enough people them prosecute for the ganja. So the Rastaman plan to slap them some judgment. Rastaman been agitating for marijuana as a medicinal purpose and a holy sacrament and Babylon no wan’ do that. But now they want to legalize it to sell. So now the judgment is on. You must recognize Rasta, else a lightning and thunder.” The very next week Jamaica’s parliament tabled a bill to decriminalize ganja after 68 years of prohibition, with special provisions to allow Rastfarians to cultivate their own herbs in designated areas. Coincidence? The proposed law would also clear the way for a legal medical marijuana industry, so it looks like Sizzla is right on both counts. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Rebel Salute 2015 Takes It Higher

    Rebel Salute 2015 Takes It Higher

    Roots Reggae stars shine at the 22nd staging of Rebel Salute

    Dressed in a sky blue suit, Tony Rebel took the stage at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in the parish of St. Ann on Jamaica’s north coast. “Love you like a fresh vegetable,” he sang on 16th January 2015, the first night of Rebel Salute. “Tell me if you love Tony Rebel”. Although it’s been almost a quarter century since that song was released, the answer was still clear. Yes, the crowd loved the veteran dancehall entertainer who is also the promoter of the annual show that started 22 years ago as a simple birthday party and has turned into one of the most successful music festivals in Jamaica. Read More After The Jump…. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread)” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread)” Official Music Video

    In comes the official music video for the big bad certified Boomshot, Inner Circle featuring the young general Chronixx alongside Jacob Killer Miller with the musical thing called “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread).” The video was directed by produced by Inner Circle and directed by Gil Green for 305 Films. Forty years after Jakes first sang it, Chronixx message is essentially the same—but instead of watchy watchy tenement yard dwellers, it’s watchy watchy cellular phone owners. No more long talkin’ let’s get to the photos by (by Bones Vision) and peep RGAT‘s behind the scenes report.  Video After The Jump…
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  • Reasoning with Tony Rebel before Rebel Salute: “I Rebel against things that are Wrong”

    Reasoning with Tony Rebel before Rebel Salute: “I Rebel against things that are Wrong”

    The Rebel With a Cause Looks Back Over 22 Years of Roots & Culture

    No meat, no alcohol, but plenty vibes. No hip-hop, no EDM, but nuff niceness. No stampedes, no slackness, but total niceness. Over the past 22 years, Rebel Salute has stuck to a winning formula and evolved into the people’s choice as Jamaica’s top-ranking reggae festival. Last year the Rebel Salute stage transformed Bounty Killer into Rodney Price as he delivered one of the greatest performances of his career. This year the Boomshots crew dropped by Flames Productions HQ in Kingston, Jamaica to reason with Mr. Tony “Fresh Vegetable” Rebel who explained how a humble birthday celebration grew into a musical phenomenon—complete with its own foundation that awards scholarships to educate Jamaica’s youth. Check the reasoning as Rebel tells Reshma B about the roots of Rebel Salute, right down to the great food (and brain food) availabe at the show. And if you can’t make it there in person, Rebel breaks down the best way to enjoy the show from the comfort of your own yard… Video & Full Lineup After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Fix Tings”

    HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Fix Tings”

    PopSkull Buss Some Bwoy Head Inna Many Style

    Over the past four years Popcaan’s artistry has grown by leaps and bounds. Not so long ago he was considered one of Kartel’s more promising proteges, poppin’ off with “Clarks” and moving forward into “Raving” and “Party Shot” before the big buss that was “Only Man She Want.” Since that time the Unruly Boss has been in fast forward mode #TR8. Although his 2014 debut album was criminally slept on by Grammy voters, Where We Come From is our consensus pick for dancehall disc of the year. And on newer cuts like “R.I.P.” Andrae Sutherland revealed a more sensitive side. But do not get it twisted. This is the same youth who used to name Fry Yiy. And Just in case you forgot why him name “Unruly,” Popcaan linked with Baby G to flex some wicked bad- man lyrics over a tasty update of one of King Jammy’s vintage digi riddims that’s dripping with delicious delay.  As Poppy explains on “Fix Tings,” he will still “crawl pon him belly like a crocodile / Fi buss bwoy head inna many style.” He relates his tales of murderous mayhem with a light-hearted touch of good humor, but the message comes through loud and clear. Don’t make him pick you up pon dah telescope yah. Him have links all over. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Queen Ifrica: “When You Speak You Become an Enemy of the State”

    Reasoning with Queen Ifrica: “When You Speak You Become an Enemy of the State”

    Reshma B Links The Fyah Muma at Flames Productions HQ in Kingston, JA

    On the last day of 2014, the Reggae Girl About Town dropped by Flames Productions HQ in Kingston, Jamaica to see wha gwan. She had a nice chat with the Fyah Muma about her new album and her hot new collaboration with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. Ifrica also expained how she came to sing “Lioness on the Rise,” which Tony Rebel originally wrote for Marcia Griffiths but which became one of the Fyah Muma’s signature songs.  Queen Ifrica also explained the real reason why her show in New York was canceled last year—and no it wasn’t really because of protests from gay community. She also takes a moment to big up all who fight for freedom of speech—the Mandelas and the Gandhis. She also talks about the growth of Rebel Salute over the years. Finally Ifrica lets everybody know how they can keep up with all the action at this year’s festival—going down in St. Anne, Jamaica January 16th & 17th—no matter where in the world they might be.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel Birthday Bash 2002

    WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel Birthday Bash 2002

    Witness the Birth of a Dancehall Legend

    Thirteen years ago today, Vybz Kartel (or as the videographer spelled it Vibes Cartel) celebrated his 25th birthday with an action-packed session at Club La Roose on Port Henderson Road in Portmore. Judging by the massive turnout of artists on the stage and the reaction of the ram-jam crowd inside the venue—not to mention the ridiculously futuristic flows emanating from his microphone—it’s clear that Kartel is a young champion on the rise. Having graduated from street mixtapes to writing hits for the likes of Bounty Killer, Kartel now had a major hit on Don Corleon’s Mad Ants riddim, “New Millennim” featuring Wayne Marshall. His debut album for Greensleeves Records, Up 2 Di Time, was still a year away, but anybody in La Roose that night knew something big was happening. Much has changed since that time: for one thing, when’s the last time you saw Kartel rocking a Nets jersey and a durag? Moreover, Kartel’s name is now known all around the planet, although much of the world is more familiar with his controversial exploits than his cutting-edge music. But one thing has stayed the same from that time until this : even as Kartel marks his third consecutive birthday behind bars, the Werlboss still has the streets on lock, and despite his predicament Kartel remains the most influential dancehall artist in the game, period. In honor of Adidja Azim Palmer’s earthstrong, let’s take it back to 2002, and bear witness to the birth of a legend.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel & Rvssian “New Jordans” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel & Rvssian “New Jordans” Official Music Video

    Does This Mean Clarks Are Over?

    The unstoppable Worldboss (aka Adi Innocent) links with Head Concussion for a tribute to fly kicks—and we don’t mean Clarks. The latest video production to meet the challenge of shooting visuals without the star of the song comes up with a creative solution: part Rvssian flossfest, part hot girls, and part lyric video with Kartel Karikatures. Does it work? You be the judge. Log on and lace up your new Jordans. It Adi Hypest Ting! Video After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread)”

    HEAR THIS: Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread)”

    Jacob “Killer” Miller was one of reggae’s greatest performers. His merry, manic brilliance shines through clearly in the crucial 1980 concert doc Heartland Reggae, particularly the performance of “Tired Fe Lick Weed In A Bush” during which he puffs a huge spliff on stage while using his microphone to taunt the cops at the venue before somebody hands him a police cap and he starts chanting “Babylon, Babylon falling down.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • I-Shawna Sting Interview: “Which Can You Do Better, Cook Or Quint?”

    I-Shawna Sting Interview: “Which Can You Do Better, Cook Or Quint?”

    Right After Shelling Down Sting, The Princess of the Dancehall Chats With Reshma B

    The Princess of the Dancehall has had one hell of year—ever since she dropped that counteraction to Chris Brown’s “Loyal” we’ve had a feeling there might be some trouble on the homefront. Now of course it’s well known that her 9-year relationship with selector and rpoducer Foota Hype is over, and the ensuing media frenzy—complete with sordid allegations on both sides—had the Internets ablaze last year. Meanwhile The Princess of the Dancehall’s music career has thrived on the controversy, getting hotter than ever. Shortly after shelling down Sting 2014, I-Shawn told Reshma B that 2014 was “the worst year and the best year of my life.” The Princess of the Dancehall also answers the burning question: Can she quint better than she cooks? (And judging by her Sting performance, she may be able to DJ better than anything else!) And keep your eyes open for a special Bonus Cameo from Downsound Records boss Joe Bogdonovich. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Chronixx Talks “Tenement Yard” Collab with Inner Circle’s Roger Lewis

    Chronixx Talks “Tenement Yard” Collab with Inner Circle’s Roger Lewis

    “Re-Presentation” of Jacob Miller’s 1975 Classic Set to Debut Monday on Mass Appeal

    Forty years ago, the late great Jacob “Killer” Miller released “Tenement Yard”, his first hit with the Inner Circle band. “Dreadlocks can’t live in a tenement yard,” the young Rasta rebel sang, lamenting all the “watchy watchy” people chatting his business in one of Kingston’s inner city communal housing schemes. Four decades later a new Rasta rebel steps up on the said Inner Circle riddim, and delivers his message, with what amounts to a whole new song subtitled “News Carrying Dread.” Not only are the rhythm track and the message of the new tune in tune with the original, a sample of “Jakes” voice also rings throughout. The 2015 release, which marks the first time the reggae supergroup has re-presented a song by their foundation vocalist, will premiere this Monday on Mass Appeal. Late last year Boomshots caught up with Chronixx and Inner Circle co-founder Roger Lewis at the band’s state-of-the-art Circle House Studios, where the song was made. “Me find Jacob, Red Hills Road,” Says Roger Lewis with conviction in his voice. “All my life I tell you—and I don’t say this becauxse Chronixx is here—I don’t see a youth who touch me like Jacob.” The good vibes are clearly mutual between the veteran band and the young singer. “We always have a great respect for the Inner Circle family, even before we really met up physcially,” says Chronixx. “Is a great thing. Is a very very great thing. To see say them music can still be revamped. Because we are the originators, I and I, from that time till this time.” Check the full reasoning with Rob Kenner and Reshma B. Video After The Jump… (more…)