Boomshots

Author: Boomshots

  • WATCH THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto” Live Pon The WTJ Cruise

    WATCH THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto” Live Pon The WTJ Cruise

    I and I Tour Currently Cruising Through The United States

    When the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise set sail last month, the first artist to touch the main deck stage was none other than Black-Am-I. The culturally inclined singjay rocked the big boat, closing out an energetic set with his latest song “In The Ghetto,” a track taken from the forthcoming Set Up Shop Vol. 2 compilation, due out later this year. Black-Am-I, who hails from Nine Mile, the birthplace of Bob Marley, is currently on tour of the U.S. with I-Wayne. Watch for them coming to a town near you. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Timberlee “Shmurda Freestyle” Video

    WATCH THIS: Timberlee “Shmurda Freestyle” Video

    The Man Dem Say She Body Well Shampoo Squeaky

    Remember Timberlee, the dancehall chica who made you “Bubble Like Soup” in a pot? She’s the latest to jump on the beat to Bobby Shmurda’s “Hot Nigga” with a fiery freestyle. Although the dancehall artist confirms that she’s “definitely not changing my musical style,” she does want to serve notice that “you can expect anything and everything from Timberlee.” She even made a guerilla-style video of the hip-hop freestyle, complete with a closing monologue from some dude at the end rambling ’bout “butter bean and dem ting deh.” See me? Not really. But the tune bad still. Keep an eye out for the Jamaican dancehall damsel supporting her new “Beat It” mixtape with shows in NYC, Florida, and the Virgin Islands. There’s also a “mini South American tour” planned for January because move haffi mek. Go get that shmoney gyal. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Ini Kamoze “Hill & Gully Ride (Remix)” Music Video Teaser

    WATCH THIS: Ini Kamoze “Hill & Gully Ride (Remix)” Music Video Teaser

    You Better Hold On Good

    The original Hot Stepper (aka the “Lyrical Gangsta”—Murdera!) links up with Jamaican producer Kareem Burrell of XTM Nation (son of the late great Fatis Burrell, founder of the legendary Xterminator label) for this 2014 update of a classic Fatis production, first released 30 years ago. Today we get the first look at the animated video, which bears a major resemblance to a certain laser-beam-toting superhero who terrorized the Caribbean, cannibalizing the indigenous cultures therein. Hey, the only way to save the universe from pirates is more piracy. Watch the ride—and hold on good. Video & Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Who is Shifta?

    Who is Shifta?

    Born In Jamaica, Based In Miami, Ready For The World

    Dancehall is undergoing a changing of the guard right now with new talent bubbling up from the underground  to the top of the game faster than ever. One of the new names to catch our eye and our ear is a youth called Shifta, whose music combines dancehall energy with warm and easy pop appeal. His single “Do You Wanna,” produced by Timeless Music, is making waves already on Miami radio (check the behind the scenes video shoot footage below). And his latest release, on TJ Records “Drink Up” Riddim, features his frequent collaborator, Che’Nelle, a Malaysian-Australian singer who’s had major success in Japan. The Reggae Girl About Town (@RGAT) recently caught up with Shifta at Miami’s Circle House Studio to hear about his deep dancehall roots and his plans to shift the game into overdrive.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Spice & Vybz Kartel “Conjugal Visit” Official Music Video

    Spice & Vybz Kartel “Conjugal Visit” Official Music Video

    Prepare Yourself For Romping Shop Part Few

    It’s been quite a while since Spice and Vybz Kartel hooked up. So much has changed in the six years since their smash hit “Romping Shop.” That sexy selection became one of the biggest international hits for both artists, even as it created a furor in Jamaica leading to strict new radio airplay regulations and sparking debates about free speech and censorship. Fast forward to 2014 and  TJ Records has brought the hitmaking duo together for a “Conjugal Visit,” which will be released on Spice’s highly anticipated EP So Mi Like It on VP Records this December 2014. Directed by Xtreme Arts and shot on location in Kingston, Jamaica using a skillfully selected cast of orange-clad extras, the video premiered yesterday on WorldStarHipHop, where it racked in over 1.7 million views. Hit the jump to see what all the excitement is about. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • 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…)

  • Top Ten At-Sea Selections

    Top Ten At-Sea Selections

    A Boomshots Playlist Inspired By The Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

    “Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean sea,” Super Cat once observed. “In case you never know, it fulla mic MCs.”  The Land of Wood and Water is also full of boats and fishermen and as such it’s inspired countless reggae songs about the sea. Here’s a few of our favorite selections for all you Nautical Dreads. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Gunman World: Inside Jamaica’s Shotta Culture

    Gunman World: Inside Jamaica’s Shotta Culture

    Exclusive Excerpt from Mass Appeal Mag Cover Story by Rob Kenner, Photography by Ruddy Roye

    Jesquan Spence was not quite two years old when he saw the police kill his father. “The soldiers come in and take ’way the phones and say everybody fi sit down,” says the child’s grandmother, Michelle Davis, recalling that fateful Monday, May 24, 2010. “Then some police come in. Them say, ‘How many man in here?’ And them point ’pon me son.”

    Jesquan’s dad, Errol Spence, was 22 years old, the only adult male in the Tivoli Gardens household where 17 family members and neighbors had been waiting out a government-imposed state of emergency for a week. Michelle Davis and Jesquan’s mother Jesean Williams will never forget the cops’ chilling words: “Them turn to us and say, ‘You know the good haffi suffer for the bad.’”

    “But me no badman,” Errol Spence protested as three heavily armed police officers ordered him out of his seat and walked him into the kitchen. “Dat you say?” one of them replied. “You gwan dead today.” Continues After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: I-Octane “What a Way We Shattin'” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: I-Octane “What a Way We Shattin’” Official Music Video

    The Shot Heard Round The Globe

    As mentioned in the latest Mass Appeal cover story, “Gunman World,” Jamaican music has a long tradition of songs in which a metaphorical gun salute is the highest form of praise. The title of I-Octane’s latest track, “What a Way We Shattin,” voiced on DJ Sunshine’s “Wul Dem” riddim, roughly translates to a Khaled-esque boast along the lines of “We The Best.” And Octane is more than capable of backing up his big chat. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto”

    HEAR THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto”

    Life Rough Rough Rough Rough Rough But The Music Sweet

    Striaght out of Nine Mile, birthplace of the King of Reggae, comes a new recruit to the Ghetto Youths Intl’ crew, Black-Am-I. You may remember his standout cuts “Modern Day Freedom” and “Samson Strength,”‘ but the rootical Rasta singer is just getting started. His latest release is a demand to ease the suffering of ghetto youths through the healing power of music. “More dance fe keep,” sings Black-Am-I over an energetic, upbeat riddim track. Between this tune and Jr. Gong’s “Hard Work,” we are definitely looking forward to the  “Set Up Shop Vol 2” anthology. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Cham “Buss Face”

    HEAR THIS: Cham “Buss Face”

    Yuh Mad? Nuh Care How Dem Bad…

    Wow-wow…. The kid is back with a brand new bad-man tune off the forthcoming album #Lawless. You already know Cham is the girls dem pet. But anytime him ready, he can turn on the badness. So don’t perplex the youth tranquility when him hold a meds pon base. As the songs says: “We no stand up an’ trace, we buss a bwoy face.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Alaine “Make it Home Again” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Alaine “Make it Home Again” PREMIERE

    Alaine Brings Something Sweet and Strong to DJ Frass New “7venth Heaven” Riddim

    Alaine Laughton is one of those firmly established talents who’s blessed us with so many great songs over the years that we tend to take her for granted. Even though we don’t know what we’d do without her delicate but powerful voice and her gift for creating indelible melodies. But when we hear a song like “Make It Home Again,” a sudden thought flashes through the brain: do we really give her the full appreciation and props she deserves? No, we don’t. Boomshots is proud to premiere this song today, just as DJ Frass’ warm-and-easy “7venth Heaven” Riddim hits iTunes. This one goes out all the standing soldiers, questing travelers, and all the lost souls—just to let you know, no matter how far you roam you can still make it home. Audio After The Jump… (more…)