Boomshots

Author: Reshma B

  • “Dreams To Remember” Happy Birthday Toots

    “Dreams To Remember” Happy Birthday Toots

    Memories of A Legend On His Earthstrong

     

    “Ready?” asked the drummer. “Yes sir!” Toots Hibbert replied.

    The year was 1968, and Toots and the Maytals were about to make history at Federal recording studio in Kingston, Jamaica.

    The drummer, Winston Grennan of Beverley’s All-Stars, counted off “1, 2…” and the band began to play a brand new sound. The fast-paced ska beat that took Jamaica by storm in the early ’60s had given way to a slower, sweeter sound known as rock steady around 1966. But on this day, the Maytals — a vocal trio comprising Toots and his friends Henry “Raleigh” Gordon and Nathaniel “Jerry” Mathias — were cutting a song called “Do the Reggay.”

    Where rock steady songs were more delicate and romantic, the reggae beat was raw and muscular.

    “I want to do the reggay with you,” Toots sang, his powerful voice cutting through the rhythm.

    “Yeah yeah!” Raleigh and Jerry harmonized.

    “Is this the new dance?” Toots went on. “Going around the town?” As soon as their song hit the streets, everybody in Kingston town wanted to do the new dance too.

    Toots said the name was inspired by Jamaican slang for girls you see on the street. “From streggae to reggae,” he explained.

    If you can sing a song that spawns an entire genre, that’s something. But if that genre goes on to impact global culture for the next half a century or so, you must truly be something special, someone astonishing. “Reggae has gone around the world now,” Toots told me in 2016. “And I never copyright it. If I had charged like a few cents, one cent, I would be a millionaire now.” Full Story After The Jump… (more…)

  • Murda She Wrote October 2020

    Murda She Wrote October 2020

    Unruly Boss Covers Reshma B’s Column on Tidal

    At the end of each month, the Reggae Girl About Town rounds up the top tunes for her “Murda She Wrote” column on Tidal. If you’re looking for October’s wickedest selections, you’ve come to the right place. This month’s lineup features certified Boomshots by Popcaan, Chronixx, Spragga Benz & Konshens, and Skillibeng. It’s Murda!

    Jamaica is a small island with an outsized impact on the world. “We likkle but we tallawah” is the local phrase that sums it up best. “Likkle” means “little,” of course, while “tallawah” is a patois term describing someone who’s “strong-willed, fearless and not to be taken lightly.” All of which is a good description for Popcaan, the 5-foot-6 musical giant who looms larger than ever over the global dancehall scene.  Music After The Jump… (more…)

  • Tune For Tune: Breaking Down Bounty & Beenie’s Verzuz Battle

    Tune For Tune: Breaking Down Bounty & Beenie’s Verzuz Battle

    Jamaica Won, The Culture Won—no doubt about it—But Which Selections Won?

     

    Why was this night different from all other Verzuz battles? Streamed live from Kingston, Jamaica, the Memorial Day “Soundclash Edition” of Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s flagship IG Live series was easily the most exciting and entertaining yet, as well as the first to delve into dancehall reggae. Considering the fact that Jamaican sound systems pioneered the sort of “beat battles” have made Verzuz a social media sensation well over half a century ago, the creative decision was more than fitting. By pitting two icons of the genre, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man, in head-to-head competition, this Verzuz battle did not just showcase two of its most respected lyricists ever to hold a microphone, it also tapped into an epic rivalry that stretches back more than a quarter of a century. Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • PREMIERE: Raging Fyah “REBEL”

    PREMIERE: Raging Fyah “REBEL”

    Ah No If Nor Because

    Raging Fyah, one of the fastest rising roots reggae bands from Kingston, Jamaica, are moving from strength to strength. The Grammy-nominated ensemble just leaked a new single produced by Llamar “Riff Raff” Brown for Nebilus Records. The riddim is warm and easy, the melodies bright and the mesaage is righteous. “The road of life get rocky,” sing Kumar “Kumz” Bent. “You know you’ve got to trod.” This is real roots rock reggae straight out of Jamaica. Listen up. Audio After The Jump…
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  • Music Is A Mission: David Rodigan Speaks His Mind About Today’s Sound Clash Culture

    Music Is A Mission:
    David Rodigan Speaks His Mind About Today’s Sound Clash Culture

    Will Sir RamJam’s Recent Soundclash On The Sea Be His Last?

    UK radio presenter David Rodigan has been described as the “outside world’s greatest ambassador of Jamaica’s musical heritage.” He’s been honored with an MBE by the Queen of England for his contributions to British broadcasting and recently published his memoirs, entitled My Life in Reggae —”the unlikely story of an Army sergeant’s son from the English countryside who has become the man who has taught the world about Reggae.” This year David Rodigan will be touring the globe once more to celebrate his 40th year in the business. He’s cut countless dubplates and won many clashes in his time, but had largely “walked away from clashing” prior to his participation in the recent Soundclash on the Sea during the 2017 Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise. In this exclusive interview, Rodigan speaks to Boomshots about the roots of sound system culture, explains the difference between dub plates and specials, shares his thoughts on the true role of selectors and DJs within the reggae industry, reflects on whether modern clash culture has “spun out of control,” and speaks frankly about where he thinks the music that now inspires so much of the mainstream is heading. Interview After The Jump…
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  • AFJ x Busy Signal raise $350K for Jamaica

    AFJ x Busy Signal raise $350K for Jamaica

    This past Monday night Busy Signal blew away the annual Hummingbird gala crowd with a performance that got every single attendee shaking it out on the dancefloor as the Turf Prez threw down classics from “One More Night” to “Watch Out For This.” The American Friends of Jamaica is a charitable organization founded  in 1982 that works in a collaborative effort with Jamaican organizations and stakeholders to bring about change in the lives of people in need. Their annual Hummingbird Gala is an opportunity for the Diaspora community, supporters and friends with an interest in Jamaica to give back in the areas of education, healthcare and economic development. Sponsors of this year’s event included title sponosr ICD Group, Caribbean Food Delights, Quality AutoMall, JetBlue and Carimed Ltd. “I am honored to share with these friends of the AFJ. I consider myself very blessed to be able to give back,” said Busy Signal. Continues After The Jump…
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  • Busy Signal To Headline The American Friends of Jamaica Gala In NYC

    Busy Signal To Headline The American Friends of Jamaica Gala In NYC

    The Turf Prez Represents Yard A Foreign

    The annual Hummingbird Gala hosted by The American Friends of Jamaica will take place this Monday 23rd October at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Manhattan’s Columbus Circle. This year all attendees will have the pleasure of a live performance by the Turf President, Busy Signal. Supporting the foundation’s important philanthropic work on behalf of Jamaica, Busy is carrying on a long tradition of giving back. Continued After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Cham ft. O “Get Drunk”

    HEAR THIS: Cham ft. O “Get Drunk”

    Reasoning with Cham: ”No! We never pay! We lawless.”

    Whenever the artist who gave us classic cuts like “Ghetto Story” connects with his year-to-year sparring partner Dave Kelly of Madhouse Records, you can expect something wicked. The second official track (after the boasy “Money Wine“) off Cham’s  Lawless album just premiered  on MASS APPEAL. “Get Drunk” is a sexy, fun, flirtatious tune that Cham describes as “a fusion of dancehall and world music.” It’s also the long-awaited return of Miss O, whose previous collabs with Cham—”Back Way,” “Tun Up” and “Wine“—were straight bangers. “She had been kinda staying away from the recording booth for a minute,” says Cham “but I got her to grace her presence on this track which is a good thing.” Cham says he made her an offer she couldn’t refuse, which judging by the song may have involved some strong liquor and a few acrobatic positions.    Audio & Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Vybz Kartel Appeal Moves Forward

    Vybz Kartel Appeal Moves Forward

    Gaza Fans Rejoice But There’s Still A Long Road Ahead

    Gaza fans are celebrating at today’s news that Vybz Kartel and his co-defendants have been granted “leave” to pursue his appeal. His Lawyer Tom Tavares-Finson told the Jamaica Observer that this was an important step in the case. “It’s the first but critical step in the appeal process,” the prominent attorney explained. “A single judge, Justice Frank Williams, has read all the papers from the trial and determined that there are grounds on which an appeal could be allowed, so he has given the green light to proceed. We will move on to a full appeal in September. It is a limited victory, but an important moral victory for my client, as it reinforces the notion in his mind that justice will be srved and he will be acquitted.” Full Story & Video After The Jump…  (more…)

  • Reasoning with Sly Dunbar: “I’ve Seen All The Changes”

    Reasoning with Sly Dunbar: “I’ve Seen All The Changes”

    The Master Drummer Turns 64 Today

    Perhaps the most celebrated drum and bass duo in history—regardless of genre—Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare were both accomplished studio musicians before they met in the mid 1970s. “You know that record that goes ‘I am the magnificent!’?” says Dunbar, speaking of Dave & Ansel Collins’ 1971 smash “Double Barrel,” the second Jamaican single ever to top the UK pop charts. “I played drums on that when I was 15 years old.”  Robbie, meanwhile, was rocking with the Aggrovators, producer Bunny Lee’s ace session band.  But once the “Rhythm Twins” linked up at Channel One studio on Maxfield Avenue in Kingston, Jamaican music would never sound the same again. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Real Talk With Tanya Stephens: “I’m Telling The Truth—That’s The Only Thing I Know”

    Real Talk With Tanya Stephens: “I’m Telling The Truth—That’s The Only Thing I Know”

    Maybe You Can Handle The Ride—But Can You Handle The Truth?

    It may be true that women are far and few between in the reggae industry. But there’s no disputing the fact that Tanya Stephen is one of the best in the business. And not the good for a female—she’s one of the greatest songwriters Jamaican music history, full stop. Tanya has written some of the baddest tunes ever and has never let herself be pigeonholed into other peoples perception of what an artist should be. Whether singing about taking another woman’s man or exploring other sensitive real-life situations, Tanya continues to keep it all the way real, bringing her listeners along wherever her imagination takes her. After two decades in the game she’s still growing as an artist, and we still haven’t found anybody to rival her talent. During the latest Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, she blessed Boomshots with an in-depth interview with no subject off limits, from sex to religion to general stupidness and why she doesn’t like to clash. She even shared her true thoughts on marriage—”whoever decided that marriage should be an institution should be instituionalized!”—despite the fact that she is currently married. Tanya  will  be performing at SXSW during this year’s Irie Jam x Boomshots SXSW Reggae Showcase. Whether you’re in the house or not, take a moment to get to know one of the most fascinating minds around. Just make sure you fasten your seatbelt, cause this is going to be a wild ride. Videos After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Tifa “Stay Away” Mixtape

    HEAR THIS: Tifa “Stay Away” Mixtape

    Tificles Sprays Them Haters With Lyrical Aerosol

    “Guess that’s why they mad when Tifa win.” If there’s anyone who has never been afraid of addressing her haters then you gotta give the title to the princess of dancehall. Over the course of her career, Boomshots have had many reasoning sessions with Tifa, and she always keeps it real as far as what’s going on. Whether you refer to haters as “enemies,” “frenemies,” “badmind,” or “grazmites,” there are numerous ways to describe those individuals who impose their jealousy, envy, and greed on those around them. There is a reason why Jah Cure sings about “Wicked people and badmind lurking in the dark.” What makes people embrace these deadliest sins? Some may say that others can’t stand to see you flourish or can’t wait to swoop in and take credit for your hard work. If you can relate to this concept just realize that you are not the first person to feel this way—nor will you be the last. If you’re a firm believer in God you may believe that you will be just fine if you can only stay strong because fake people always fall by the wayside in the end.  In her latest mixtape Tifa appears on the cover spraying aerosol poison on an assortment of roaches. Press play to hear her call out the people who have “robbed” her and pretended to be her “friends.” She even sends out a special warning to watch out for anyone  calling themself your “family.” ZJ Chrome keeps the beats fresh—including recent joints from Drake and Rihanna—to provide a canvas for Tifa’s real talk about sex, dating, overcoming haters, handicaps, and industry politricks. At the end of the day she sets the record straight she can still create hits and make money—so  don’t bother playing with her. If you are a hater, unless you are a “dunce,” then the message in the title is crystal clear—you have been warned! After you give the tape a good listen, check out some of our classic Tifa interviews for context. Audio & Video After The Jump…

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