The Standing Soldier Kicks Back On The Beach Bunx Riddim
Whether you just won a race at the Olympics or you’re just looking forward to the day when you shine like the sun, UIM’s new Beach Bunx Riddim is the perfect theme song for poppin bottles and celebrating life. Demarco’s cut on the riddim is all about overcoming obstacles, preparing for the worst inna life, and hoping for the best.
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Strictly Boomshots Marks The Jamaican Jubilee By Reasoning About Studio One and Randy’s Records
If you can’t make it to Jamaica, what better place to mark Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary than at Miss Lily’s Variety taking in the Strictly Boomshots Show? (more…)
Reshma B Joined Clive Chin For a Transfer Session Of Original Master Tapes From The Randy’s Vaults
Boomshots UK Correspondent Reshma B appeared yesterday on “Front Row,” BBC Radio 4’s flagship arts show, to talk about the legacy of Randy’s Studio 17. She also premiered never-before-heard snippets of unreleased tracks from the Randy’s archives. You can listen to the broadcast here. But of course half the story has never been told. (more…)
Usain In The Membrane?
We’ve all gotten used to hearing the word “maad” as a term of highest praise. But Tommy Lee gives the word new meaning—or returns it to its original meaning. Judging by his music, the Sparta/Gaza representer sounds genuinely unhinged. But don’t take our word for it—check out his latest Olympic-themed releases—after the jump.
Who Say Jamaica Sweet? Mr. Vegas, Shaggy, Josey Wales, U Roy, Barrington Levy, Cocoa Tea, Christopher Martin, Freddie McGregor, Leroy Sibbles, Marcia Griffiths, Ce’Cecile, Singing Melody, Tony Curtis, Beenie Man, and T.O.K. That’s Who.
Of all the tunes released in honor of Jamaica’s Golden Anniversary, the people’s choice appears to be “Sweet Jamaica” by Mr. Vegas featuring Shaggy and Josey Wales. Never one to bite his tongue, Mr. Vegas vigorously defended his own tune when another song—”On A Mission,” produced by Shaggy no less—was designated the official theme of Jamaica’s independence celebration. As if the original version wasn’t sweet enough, Vegas just dropped the maddest remix of “Sweet Jamaica” with another Jay Will video to match. When Vegas calls this an “All-Star” remix he isn’t kidding—we’re talking DJs from Daddy U-Roy to Beenie Man, singers from Leroy Sibbles to Cocoa Tea to Marcia Griffiths to Barrington Levy—and many many more. With all this talent on one track, this selection simply cannot be denied. #CertifiedBoomshot. Memo to the tourist board—maybe it’s time for a new theme song.
The Reggae Girl About Town Checks Out The Chillest Spot In London, Hails Up Stylo G & Stamma Kid 
With Usain Bolt racking up Olympic Gold and Jamaica celebrating its golden anniversary, today’s a beautiful day to hit up The Puma Yard. But if you can’t make it all the way to London, don’t worry—Boomshots has got your back. UK Correspondent Reshma B, aka “The Reggae Girl About Town,” trekked over to Brick Lane in East London, where all the cool kids are taking in the games whilst enjoying some reggae music, fresh gear, rum cocktails, and veggie curry. Reshma’s guide for this exclusive behind-the-scenes tour is none other than our favorite Trini Bad Bwoy Jillionaire of the Major Lazer posse. (By the way 2012 also marks 50 years of independence for Trinidad & Tobago—if ya don’t know now ya know you Imps!) Along the way, Reshma gets the scoop on the next Major Lazer single “Bubble Butt,” and even runs into two of the hottest artists in the UK right now. (more…)
Olympic Gold Medalist Usain Bolt Speaks About How Losing to Yohann Blake Kept Him Focused
We’ve seen Usain Bolt celebrating in Jamaica after winning his first three Olympic gold medals. We’ve seen him Swaggin’ in South Korea. And we’ve seen him bigging up Cedella Marley for designing the fresh Puma gear he’s sporting in London 2012. We’ve even seen him having fun with the ladies and crashing a car or two—to the point where some people started to fret that the World’s Fastest Man needed to slow down a likkle bit. But when it came time to handle his business in London, Usain Bolt got a little extra push from his fellow Jamaican, Yohann Blake. “The trials woke me up. Yohan gave me a wakeup call,” Bolt said. “He knocked on my door and said, ‘Usain, wake up! This is an Olympic year.’” So after one race, Bolt’s got one gold medal and one new Olympic record. What’s next? Check the video after the jump.
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This Is Not An Official 50th Anniversary Song
With four days to go until the anniversary of Jamaican independence, the party is in full swing and the patriotic tunes are in heavy rotation. Damian Marley contributed a verse to “On A Mission“—the official theme song, which also features Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Assassin, Tarrus Riley, Romaine Virgo, Chevelle Franklin, Wayne Marshall, Tifa & Tessanne Chin—but today the Marley’s Ghetto Youths International released a new song that asks some pertinent questions amidst all the hoopla and hullabaloo. Junior Gong joined forces with Tarrus Riley, Wayne Marshall, and TOK to make this song—not to rain on anybody’s parade, but to speak the truth. Because after all the parties are over, life goes on.
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Laza Representing To The Fullest
The man who brought us “One By One” last summer is back with another banger. “We Rep JA” is the name of the tune on the Rep JA riddim, but the music is just the beginning. RepJA is also a Caribbean Streetwear lifestyle brand with a simple message: “Dem Nuh Bad Like We!!!.” Check their tumblr for a glimpse of their designs and pree the tune after the jump.
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“Emancipate Yourselves From Mental Slavery” And Let Every Day Be Emancipation Day
On this day in 1838, Queen Victoria’s Slavery Abolition Act ended slavery throughout the British Empire—decades before President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation abolishing slavery in the United States. Governmental decrees are all well and good, but as Bob Marley reminds us in his timeless classic “Redemption Song,” “none but ourselves can free our minds.” As Jamaica approaches its 50th year of independence, the Gong’s words ring truer than ever. Video after the jump. (more…)
A Full Clip Of Certified Boomshots From The Late Great Dancehall Singer
One of the greatest vocalists of the New York dancehall scene, Sluggy Ranks, died this past weekend at the age of 44 following a car crash in Kingston. Born Andrew Gregory in Jamaica, Sluggy moved to Brooklyn as a youth and soon began recording for local producers, releasing numerous classic tracks on the Jah Life, Witty’s, Park Heights, Shelly’s, Digital English, Tan Yah, and Wild Apache labels throughout the 1980s and ’90s. He eventually became a foundation artist within the NYC reggae community. A mainstay at Don One dub studio, Sluggy was known for hard-edged yet conscious lyrics and his trademark “EEE” ad-lib. Although he could charge top dollar to put his voice on dubplate, Sluggy was always willing to work with a small sound to help another “Ghetto Youth Buss.” Anytime he took up the mic in a live dancehall session, excitement was sure to follow. According to his obituary on Billboard.biz, he adopted the name Sluggy Ranks as a means of “shooting the slugs of destruction, murder and chaos with righteousness, unity and forgiveness.” Let’s take a look back at the man’s musical legacy. Rest In Power Mr. Slug.
The Artist Formerly Known As Snoop Dogg Passes Through The Strictly Boomshots Show
After his big “Reincarnated” Press Conference at Miss Lily’s Restaurant, Snoop passed through RadioLily.com to reason about his new reggae album, his epic trip to Jamaica, what he saw when he visited Tivoli Gardens, and who’s got the best weed—Jamaica or California? (more…)