Boomshots

Author: Boomshots

  • Anthony Weiner Lickin’ Shots Pon The Parkway

    Turns Out The Ja-Fakin’ Mayoral Candidate Is a Big Capleton Fan
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    It’s not unusual to see politicians pandering at “ethnic” events like yesterday’s West Indian Day parade in Brooklyn NYC. What is more unusual is to see mayoral candidates shouting Bo! Bo! Bo! pon the Parkway (even without the gun-finger in the air). Or to hear them singing along to dancehall tunes that say “all sodomite dem fi dead.” But then again, when the mayoral candidate in question happens to be Anthony “Dick Pic” Weiner, can anyone say they are truly surprised? Still he keeps finding ways to redefine “reckless.” Video after the jump…

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  • Surprise Guests Rock On Da Reggae Tip

    Super Cat the Don Dada Mashes Up On Hot 97 Da Reggae Tip SuperCatOnDaReggaeTipAt Friday night’s Hot 97 On Da Reggae Tip concert lots of artists brought guests out on stage with them. That in itself is nothing new. Ever since New York’s top hip-hop station began this annual pre-Labor Day reggae dancehall and soca show hosted by radio personalities Bobby Konders and Jabba, it has been a forum for celebrity stunting. This is the same show where, in years past, Cham brought out Alicia Keys, Elephant Man brought out Chris Brown, and Mavado brought out Wyclef Jean (who then began getting booked on his own and bringing out other people on his set.) So when Jabba told the sold-out crowd last Friday that there was “more pon more” artists backstage, we all knew we were in for some special guests. And we could only hope that those in charge kept in mind one of the most important rules of live music performance politics: some guests are more special than others. Any artist who’s booked on a major stage show wants their performance to stand out from the rest. Bringing an unexpected guest performer on stage with them can be a great way to spice things up. But there are drawbacks too: What if the guest performer flops—or worse still, what if they upstage the main act? And then there are the guests who overstay their welcome, lingering longer than they are needed or wanted, and gobbling up precious time. But this year was all about some very special special guests. Cham brought out his wife  O, who rocked the building when she said “My pum pum tun up.” Beenie Man brought out Tifa who gave him a nice Matie Wine. And Shaggy brought out Assassin who got the place rocking. But the best was yet to come…  Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Sean Kingston Gets Back to His Jamaican Roots

    Sean Kingston Gets Back to His Jamaican Roots

    Sean Kingston’s 10 Favorite Reggae Songs—PLUS  His New Tune w Busta Rhymes 

    Ever since Sean Kingston first burst on the music scene as a teenage pop sensation with a runaway debut hit “Beautiful Girls,” we’ve been hearing how he grew up in Jamaica and his music was influenced by reggae. As hard as we listened we never really heard much evidence of that influence beyond song titles like “Fire Burning.” But that seems to be changing with his new album, Back 2 Life, SK’s first full-length project since he sustained serious insuries in a jet-ski accident. The first indication was the lead-off single “Shotta Luv” feautring 2 Chainz. And then we stopped by his record-listening in NYC and heard a straight-up dancehall track featuring Busta Rhymes. Sean seemed to like it so much he played it like three times in a row. The next day we asked him to run down his ten favorite reggae and dancehall tracks—and we are not mad at the selections. He even says he wants to work with Shabba Ranks! So hit the jump to learn the half that’s never been told about Mr. Kingston. Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Radio Lily Mixtape Preview

    The Best of Radio Lily’s Live Performances On Cassette
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    Radio Lily has been playing the people’s music night & day for a hot minute now, and over the months we’ve seen some amazing live performances. So we were well pleased to hear about the forthcoming mixtape This is Radio Lily Clash, which is coming soon. This being Miss Lily’s, of course, a mixtape is not a download link. It’s a real mixtape, as in a cassette. We’re talking limited edition bizness. So if you don’t make your way down to Houston and Sullivan to cop yours quick quick quick, you probably won’t get to hear it. But fret not thyself—Boomshots has got you covered with this exclusive preview of Side A featuring exceptional live performances by Chronixx, Beenie Man, Tifa, and Konshens. We do this for our culture. Thank us later. Audio After The Jump…

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  • Dancehall Takes Over at BET’s 106 & Park

    Dancehall Takes Over at BET’s 106 & Park

    Beenie Man, Wayne Wonder, and Mr. Vegas Star on Pre-Labor Day Special

    With Labor Day weekend right around the corner, New York is buzzing with anticipation for a weekend of Caribbean culture. Even hip-hop and R&B stations are pumping up their reggae, dancehall, and soca playlists. Not to be outdone, BET’s top-rated music show 106 & Park will be devoting today’s show to dancehall stars Beenie Man, Wayne Wonder and Mr. Vegas. Even the music videos on the show representing Caribbean culture, and the audience and hosts are repping their favorite islands. Boomshots got the early heads-up so we made our way to BET’s studios for the taping and snagged some backstage interviews. We chopped it up with Beenie Man, who debuted a new video on the show (“Thug Love” featuring Ce’Cile) and Mr. Vegas, who told us about his big Beyonce remix “Standing on the Sun” and his forthcoming dancehall album, Bruk It Down 2.0. Make sure to tune in to 106 & Park today at 6pm to set the mood for your Labor Day festivities. Interviews After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Vybz Kartel “School Anthem 2”

    Why Is Kartel Advising Jamaican Youths NOT to Bleach Their Skin?
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    Vybz Kartel’s latest release, “School Anthem 2,” advising Jamaican youngsters not to bleach their skin. “So me say pull up yuh pants and put it pon yuh waist and tuck in your shirt and don’t bleach your face.” A man who stands charged with the crime of murder, Kartel was deemed a criminal long before his arrest due to his explicit lyrics and his controversial practice of lightening his own skin—and marketing his own “Cake Soap” to fans. Now he appears to have reversed course. Will his attempt at spreading positive messages to the youth work in his favor While Kartel’s messages in songs like “Child Abuse” and “School Anthem 2” are positive, authority figures from parents and The Ministries of Youth & Education now face a unique predicament: Do they cosign his advice to the youth, or recoil because of who the message is coming from? Audio & Analysis After the Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Spice Sumfest Interview “The Name is Spice, I Have To Keep It Spicy”

    The Mad Gyal Talks Kartel, Hip-Hop Collabos, and Twerking
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    Year in and year out, one of the most reliable standout performers at Reggae Sumfest Dancehall Night is Spice. Her entrance is always amazing, but this year she really out did herself. You may have heard how she took the stage in 13-inch heels AND inside a giant plastic bubble. Lady Gaga eat your heart out. It was all good until she took a tumble off those heels and hit the stage with a bump. But you’ve got to love Spice for keeping the show going without a hitch. Backstage at Reggae Sumfest 2013, Spice chatted with Reshma B about how her grand entrance went wrong, and RGAT reminded her that these sorts of things happen to everybody—ever supermodels like Naomi Campbell. And of course the show must go on! Spice and RGAT also spoke about her hit single “Twerk” and how the dance is a great way to stay fit. Spice went on to fill RGAT in about her sexy new single and video “Come Inside.” She also spoke about why she brought a Vybz Kartel lookalike onstage and how she would be happy to collaborate with the World Boss when he comes home. Finally Spice shares her international collab wish list: Who do you think made the cut? Video After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Mavado ft. Nicki Minaj “Give It All To Me”

    The Gully Gad Links With Onika Tanya Maraj NIckiMavado2BOOM

    Just in time for Notting Hill Carnival and one week ahead of the big Labor Day bash in Brooklyn, the Gully God blesses us a crucial new combination: Mavado alongside Nicki. Yep that’s Miss Superbass Starships herself spitting dancehall bars. We already knew NIcki was a bashment girl at heart, and now the Trini-born multiplatinum pop star is taking this whole “Island Pop” concept to new heights. And Nicki’s not just chatting some nice & decent DJ bars, she even sings one of those soaring hooks that make all the Barbz bruk out. Looks like We The Best has another hit on its hands. Audio After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Musiq Soulchild & Syleena Johnson “Feel The Fire” Official Music Video

    Two R&B Stars Appear In New Clip For Their Smoldering Reggae Track
    2716 Musiq Soulchild-Syleena Johnson as 9ine Feel the FireBOOM

    You already know Musiq and Syleena turned up the temperature on their love duet “Feel The Fire” produced by Kemar “Flava” McGregor. Now check the video for the lead single from their collaborative reggae album 9ine. And watch out for an interview with both artists, dropping soon. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Queen Ifrica “Freedom of Speech”

    The Queen Fires Back At Her Critics
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    Queen Ifrica has been under fire of late for comments she made during an official “Grand Gala” event celebrating Jamaica’s independence at the National Stadium. Performing before a crowd estimated at 20,000 —including Prime Minister Portai Simpson-Miller and numerous other government officials—Ifrica spoke out in favor of ganja decriminalization and also urged the prime minister not to repeal Jamaica’s long-standing anti sodomy law. Coming just two weeks after a cross-dressing youth known as the Gully Queen was stabbed and shot to death by an angry mob, Queen Ifrica’s remarks touched off a firestorm of controversy. Jamaica’s Minister of Culture even issued an official statement expressing regret over her comments. Ifrica has defended her position in the press, and now she’s made a song asserting her right to express her views. Audio After The Jump…  (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Tessanne Chin “Back To My Love”

    Treat Yourself To Lovers Rock At Its Finest
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    Smart Move Productions’ “I Believe” Riddim is a  rich, melodic, home-cooked one-drop track that bubbles like soup in a pot. In other words it’s the perfect backdrop for one of reggae’s sultriest voices to do what she does better than just about anybody. “The skies could be falling,” Tessanne sings, “the mountains come tumbling down, the rivers are running wild, and the seas could overrun.” Yes. Listening to her voice, we get the feeling that Tessanne loves truly madly deeply. And we could listen to her all day. In fact, maybe we will. Audio After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Shaggy ft. Ne-Yo “You Girl”

    Mr. Boombastic Links With The Perfect Gentlemen, And It’s All About The Girls—As Usual
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    Shaggy’s really pulling out all the stops for his new classical roots reggae album with riddims laid down by Sly & Robbie and production by Sting International and Lenky. First he gave us “Can’t Fight This Feeling” featuring Beres Hammond. Now he’s just dropped a sweet lover’s rock selection called “You Girl” featuring R&B star Ne-Yo. It’s nice to hear a U.S. singer sounding so comfortable with the one-drop groove. Looks like Shaggy has another hit on his hands. And having heard most of the album, we can confirm there’s a lot more where that came from. Audio After The Jump…

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