Boomshots

Author: Reshma B

  • Sturgav Hi Fi and Volcano Hi Power at the 02 Academy

    Sturgav Hi Fi and Volcano Hi Power at the 02 Academy

    Two Big Sounds Rock Brixton Easter Weekend

    When you’re talking about classical roots rock rub-a-dub sound systems, there are no more celebrated names in the dancehall of fame than King SturGav Hi Fi and Volcano High Power. Sturgav was established by Daddy U Roy, the legendary DJ who made his name on King Tubby’s Home Town Hi-Fi but went on to create a sound system of his own to provide a means for younger aspiring talents to develop their microphone skills.

    Volcano was founded by the late great Henry “Junjo” Lawes, one of the most renowned producers of the 1970s and 1980s. His music formed a bridge between the roots reggae of Studio One and Joe Gibbs and the dancehall era. Immortal selections like Cocoa Tea’s “Sonia” and Yellowman’s “Zunguzunguzeng” made the Volcano label a trusted brand for any selector looking to pick up a certified boomshot to drop in the dance.

    Bank holiday weekend saw Bagga John Productions pull it all out of the bag as they brought these two legendary sounds to the O2 Academy Brixton. But it wasn’t enough just to bring the champion sounds to the stage—they also brought some serious talent to rock the mic live and direct. Singers like Cocoa Tea, Frankie Paul and Little John joined forces with DJs like Yellowman, Brigadier Jerry, General Trees, and Little Twitch. And of course Daddy U Roy himself worked the stage making this session a night of sweet nostalgia for longtime dancehall fans. The venue was heaving, the crowd excited, emotional and thirsty.

    The girls went wild when Little Twitch gyrated to “No Licky Licky” and they mobbed Cocoa Tea when he reached out to touch the crowd. Some tears were also shed during his version of “Jamaica Farewell.” And when Yellowman came on it was a #f*ckingproblem!! He lapped the stage with jumps and sprints; his trainers hardly touched the floor. One other small problem—although Cocoa Tea sang brilliantly, he stormed off the stage in frustration with the mix he received from selector Danny Dread. #SelectorDontF*ckAroundAndMashUpTheDance. However the music went on and everybody went home with their fill of sweet rub-a-dub vibes. You know what they say—there’s no business like dancehall business. Video After The Jump…

  • HEAR THIS: Collie Buddz “Payback’s A B**ch”

    HEAR THIS: Collie Buddz “Payback’s A B**ch”

    What Goes Around Comes Around

    If you are experiencing some kind of payback then you probably screwed up somewhere down the line. But if you are paying back as Collie Budz’s ex you really dun f*cked up!

    ”It’s crazy the amount of girl rate me” — Excruciating

    ”All of your friends whan date me” – OUCH !!

    Someone stop this boy! Have mercy!! Whoever this song has been written for can not be in a good way right now. Looks like even fit blokes get taken for a ride sometimes. Collie Buddz is going in on this track and it’s not a pretty situation on the receiving end. Sounds like ‘all the lies’ finally got to him. “Overnight when you go to sleep know that some other gal have me week…. and you know that you’re missing me.” Looks like it could be right on cue for ‘Baby Girl’ to take that looooooong holiday…. It’s time to fall off the radar and disappear for a little while. The message is clear: Don’t mess around on Buddz—he’s not just a pretty face AND payback sure sounds like a ‘b**ch’! Audio After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Major Lazer “Watch Out For This” Video Shoot (Behind The Scenes)

    WATCH THIS: Major Lazer “Watch Out For This” Video Shoot (Behind The Scenes)

    Diplo, Walshy, and Jillionaire Jet Down To Jamrock To Shoot A Dancehall Session With Busy Signal

    You can’t be mad at those Major Lazer boys. For “Watch Out For This (Bumaye)” the latest music video from their long-awaited album Free The Universe (set to drop on the 15th of this month) they recreated a 90s street dance in Kingston—and who better to come bust the place than the original Hott-Head himself, Busy Signal. Of course their were plenty of sexy bashment girls in the place because we all know that at the end of the day, it’s all about the girls! But don’t take my word for it, check this exclusive behind-the-scenes footage for yourself Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: I-Shawna “Murderer” Official Video

    Hell Hath No Fury Like The Princess of the Dancehall Scorned
    iShawnaMurderer

    Ever since Downsound Records’ “In Memories” riddim dropped last October, I-Shawna’s “Murderer” has emerged as a standout selection. The song is something different for the Princess of the Dancehall, who’s better known for songs like “Legendary” and “Do For Love,” her duet with Specialist. “Murderer” hits back at domestic violence and the callous disregard some men show for their girls feelings. Just check the new video (and exclusive Boomshots interview)  you’ll see that I-Shawna is not standing for any nonsense. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Busy Signal x Major Lazer “Watch Out For This (Bumaye)” Lyric Video

    WATCH THIS: Busy Signal x Major Lazer “Watch Out For This (Bumaye)” Lyric Video

    The Official First Single From “Free The Universe”
    Busy Signal features on “Watch Out For This (Bumaye),” the first single off the upcoming Major Lazer album Free The Universe, which is set to release 15th April. Since regaining his freedom last year, Busy Signal has been in the studio voicing records like there’s no tomorrow and as per our last conversation he has a song it seems for everyone and every situation. If you haven’t heard it already this Major Lazer link up is yet another piece of work that shows off Busy’s versatility. As always he knows how to bring it bad boy style and keep it sexy and laced with the gyal dem (cause every bad boy knows it’s all bout the gyal dem!). And if you’re from the UK you’ll enjoy reminiscing about the bad boys from inna England —UK Apache and Shy-FX’s “Original Nuttah” tune as Busy spits over this Major Lazer revamp of Poco Man Jam. Plus now there’s a lyric video so you can catch up with Busy’s rapid-fire banter. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Tifa “Taste Good”

    HEAR THIS: Tifa “Taste Good”

    Her Name’s Always In Some People Mouth—Must Be Sweet Like A Lollipop

    Last time I chatted with Tifa she had a lot to address. As she herself put it, “if nobody knew who Tifa was, they do now.” The Dancehall Princess has been getting lots of word-of-mouth advertising, the kind you don’t have to pay for—cause hate is the new love. Over the last few months Tifa’s had to deal with a lot of heat, and it seems like 2013 is all about the get-back. In true dancehall stylee Tifa’s churning out the tunes—first came “Champion Bubbler,” then “Why Yuh Mad,” then “Hypocrite Smile” and now this banger on the Washroom Entertainment label. Pour it on!! If you ain’t got the message yet then sumfin’ wrong. She’s spinning it around & serving it up to her haters on a platter. “My name must taste good cause its always in your mouth,” Tifa chats. If you think about it, it makes sense. You only put things in your mouth if you enjoy them. There must be some voracious appetites out there. In this case T.I.F.A is a delicacy so mouthwatering your mind cannot move even slightly from having it. She even has a line for the gluttinous: “Chew pon me name till you sick.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Tommy Lee “Bun Nu Nu”

    HEAR THIS: Tommy Lee “Bun Nu Nu”

    Ever Wondered What It Would Be Like to Dance With The Devil?

    It might not be a night in with Satan, but whining for Uncle Demon could give you a little flavour of what goes down in such a situation. Tommy Lee has the girls going down on his latest track, “Bun Nu Nu” on Gutty Bling’s big bad “Sneak Preview” riddim. Tommy gives us a sneak peak on what he likes doing behind closed doors as he demands the “pun-nu-nu-nu-nu-nu-na-na…” And his gyal seems eager to please. You know what’s next: “Let me rub pon di edge… Gyal me wan you to eat off me hood.” Sounds like the Spartan likes to give as much as he receives. Maybe that’s how he earned those wings he’s been growin’! Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Stylo G “Soundbwoy” Original Version + Di Genius Remix

    HEAR THIS: Stylo G “Soundbwoy” Original Version + Di Genius Remix

    Smell Something Burning? Must Be Them Speaker Boxes

    “Tell them to pick up the pace—we a run the place” are the opening lines to Stylo G’s new single, and he ain’t wrong. Without a doubt, Stylo’s stuff has continued to escalate to the next level —I’m sure he’s keeping his competition on constant tiptoes. From “Call Mi a Yardie” to “Dash Out” to “Press Up” this dancehall South Londoner ain’t half bad yunno! On a serious note Stylo’s catalogue is shaping up to be a very good variety of very good music—which, frankly, is what it’s all about—but we’re not mad at the swag that comes with it! The new track is his first release on the 3Beat Records/Universal label, same team behind the recent success of such artists as Skepta, Sway & Duck Sauce. The original mix was produced by the Dutch crew Diztortion, and as an extra treat Stylo teamed up with Di Genius for a yardstyle remix. I gotta feeling things in Stylo’s world right now ain’t half bad either… Audio After the Jump…

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  • Brit Reggae Awards 2013

    Brit Reggae Awards 2013

    The UK Reggae Biz Honors its Own

    February is reggae month, so what better time of year for the British Reggae Industry Awards to take place? Last night a who’s who of reggae artists and shot-callers came together at the IndigO2 to give recognition to the workin’ peeps in the biz. The evening was packed with good vibes from award presentations to stage performances. One of My fave’s of the night was watching the Scottish band I Foundation. It’s been a minute since Scottish reggae’s been on the radio! They were super cute and they have a sense of humour too: walking past them backstage I overheard one of them saying “I think we need to go to Scotland to get some sun.” Maybe they were serious!?! Anyone who was out on the town in London last night knows it was bloody freezing!

    David Rodigan turned up to collect his award for “Best Male Radio Personality.” Maxi Priest won “Best Male Vocalist.” Alton Ellis’s daughter Lovella picked up “Best Female newcomer” and she also collected “Best Male newcomer” for her brother Christopher Ellis—who was nominated for not 1 but 3 categories. His single “English” was up for best single, and he was also up for best British Video for his cover of his father’s “Williow Tree.” Looks like the Ghetto youth is makin’ moves, just in time for the launch of the Ghetto Youths album next Tuesday. Skibu bagged Best Album & Video, Gappy Ranks received Best MC and Best Single and Jah Shaka took home the award for “Best British Sound System.” Overall it was a night of good vibes and happy sounds in the place. As the compere said, “We nah pay fe scream—it free!” Full List of Winners & Video Interviews After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Tommy Lee Sparta ft. Tabeta Cshae “Spartan Angels”

    Uncle Demon Grows His Wings
    TommyLeeSpartanAngelBoomshots

    I did not see this one coming. But why am I surprised? Tommy Lee is always doing something different in the biz. His fascination with the Goth world has been an exciting new image for dancehall lovers to sit back and watch unfold. Of course not everybody likes it—as he says in the song, “Some a say me bless, some a say me curse….” But then again the Gaza crew have always been down to try new and experimental things. As Kartel once told me “Vybz Kartel’s always surprising the audience—keeping them on the edge of their seats.” No surprise, then, that his protege is following in Di Teacha’s footsteps with a totally unexpected released on UIM Records called “Spartan Angels.” All the speculation about whether this is an original track is beside the point—is it super important that the  tune is based on a hit by the Dutch rock band Within Temptation? Is there anyone else bringing that type of sound into the dancehall? It’s been  a minute since a dancehall artist had people talking this much. “True me say demon, it is just a phase,” he growls on this track. Not sure if this is is the end of Tommy Lee’s dark side or just a manifestation of a completely new image. Maybe it’s a split personality kind of fing: Jekyll & Hyde, Norman Bates & Psycho??? God (or Satan) only knows—but one thing’s for sure: he’s got the streets (and me) locked. Audio After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Tifa “Champion Bubbler” Official Video

    Tifa Does Her Ting In The Boxing Ring
    TifaBOOM
    Last month we caught up with Tifa for an interview that touched on all the drama amongst ladies in the dancehall. Now comes this video, which was filmed at the Stanley Gold boxing gym in downtown Kingston with members of the Jamaican national female boxing team. (Tifa came up with this concept herself.) During our chat she broke down her feelings on what’s been going on from her perspective—and judging from this tune on Dre Skull’s Kling Klang riddim, she ain’t about to lie down and be stepped on. Don’t miss the warning: “Which gyal want competition? She better know me ah whine weh her man… you never hear ’bout me ‘Matey Wine’ song?” Draw your own conclusions. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Jo Mersa “Comfortable”

    Something For the Empresses From Stephen Marley’s Eldest Son
    JoeMersaBOOM
    Yesterday Bob Marley would have celebrated his 68th birthday. Today we get to hear a song from his grandson Jo Mersa, Stephen Marley’s eldest son, and a member of the Ghetto Youths Int’l family. Jo’s sound is very much next-generation, but as a raggamuffin youth he sure knows how to DJ his way around a love song. Time to get comfortable with this rebel. Audio After The Jump… (more…)