Tough Roots Tune From The Rebel Music EP
Even if you never heard of him before, Kabaka Pyramid’s name lets you know he is a not a small artist. Nor is he lacking confidence: “Me ah de baddest lyricist so watch me prove it,” he boasts near the top of this tune, then proceeds to make his case. The video for the first single off his Rebel Music EP was directed by Pierce McLean and Andrew Jackson of Road Block Films. Gotta love the big Protoje cameo.
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It’s Always Best To Release Your Stress
Following up on last year’s massive hit “Cheaters Prayer,” Christopher Martin shifts gears from the anguish of infidelity to a song about releasing your stress. Sometimes it’s the simple things that get us through the day. (more…)
The Doctor Speaks On Gay Listeners, Nicki Minaj, and Why He Can’t Be Compared to Mavado and Kartel
Remember that tune where Beenie Man says “Me lose me visa but everything nice”? Well let’s just say that everything’s much nicer now that he’s got the visa (and work permit) back. Beenie’s electric performance at Grooving in the Park this past weekend was his first live show in New York since U.S. authorities revoked the his visa along with several other top dancehall acts in April 2010, effectively cutting them off from their U.S. audience. But the Doctor has stayed in the mix, collaborating with Nicki Minaj, touring Africa, and preparing to release a double album under his own MD Entertainment brand, appropriately titled The King In Control. Before the Doctor mashed up the Strictly Boomshots show at Miss Lily’s, we kicked it at the Complex offices. He spoke about working with Nicki Minaj, static with DJ Khaled, the backlash from his famous video statement renouncing homophobic lyrics, and why he’s closer to Michael Jackson and Bob Marley than a lot of these so-called superstars. (more…)
The Girls Them Sugar Nices Up The Strictly Boomshots Show
It’s been three years since Beenie Man performed in NYC. But now that his visa issues are all sorted out the King of the Dancehall is back with a vengeance. Over the weekend he rocked Roy Wilkins Park in Queens alongside Beres Hammond, Jimmy Cliff, and Gladys Knight. Then last night he passed through Radio Lily to hold a vibes, nyam some food, and admire the ladies—not necessarily in that order. Once Beenie stepped up in front of that sound system something just took over. Whether you’re on Hagley Park Road or Houston Street, there’s no mistaking that real dancehall culture when you get it live and direct. Photos and video by the man called Gizmo after the jump.
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Papi And Mixpak Bring Forth Some New Visuals
Popcaan is best known for party tunes and songs for the girls, but on his latest cut off Mixpak’s Loudspeaker Riddim, he flips into reality mode. Check on-set photos here; the brand new video after the jump. (more…)
The Roots Reggae Legend Nices Up Miss Lily’s Variety
Yami Bolo has been singing classic reggae cuts since his days at Sugar Minott’s Youth Promotions. You already know his tunes like “When A Man’s in Love” on the Stalag riddim, which Mad Lion sampled for his 90s hip-hop banger “Take It Easy.” What you may not know is that he also wrote and recorded the song “True Love” before his bredren White Mice made it a big hit in the dance. This week Mr. Bolo passed through the Strictly Boomshots show for an in-depth interview and blessed the place with some selections off his album Crucial Duets Vol. 1—and he even did a crucial duet with yours truly. Ka-Boom. Video by the man called Gizmo after the jump…
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The Maybach Music Bawse Blazes It Up In Jamrock
Ricky Rozay flashed down to Jamaica last weekend to blaze some trees, put on a show, and holla at de gyal dem. “I see so many beautiful ladies in the crowd,” Ross said between tunes. “Y’all know how to take care of the big-belly rudeboy.” Check the video after the jump. (more…)
The 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Reggae Gold Is In Stores Now. Stream The Full Double CD Here.
For the past 20 years, VP’s Reggae Gold series has been the 24-karat standard for dancehall and reggae compilations. To celebrate the anthology’s anniversary, VP has pulled out all the stops with a deluxe double disc combining this year’s hottest hits with a selection of the biggest boomshots of the past 20 years. Check the selections after the jump. (more…)
Singjay Says His Own Tune Would Be A Better Choice; Blames “Bias and Favoritism”
Never one to hold his tongue, Mr. Vegas has made his feelings known about “On A Mission,” the song Shaggy produced to celebrate Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence. “No disrespect to the producers or artists on this 50th anniversary song,” the singer wrote in an online message board, “but if this is the music that best represent our 50 years of independence, then I need to fall back to sleep & don’t wake up.” (more…)
Download The First Single From The New Album Rebirth
With all due respect to the Gully Gaad, Jimmy Cliff is the original Starbwoy. We’re talking about the man who auditioned Bob Marley, starred in Perry Henzel’s seminal flick The Harder They Come, and was rightfully inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Now he’s back with a brand new album at age 64, produced by Tim Armstrong, the same punk rocker who was responsible for Cliff’s outstanding Sacred Fire EP. The first single off Rebirth is a hard-driving ska number called “One More.” Cliff sings it like it’s the last tune on earth.
Big Request To All The Daddies Round The World
Reggae music has no shortage of tunes bigging up the mothers of creation. So whappen to the fathers? No love for Papa? With Father’s Day right around the corner, we did some digging and the results were mixed. Most of these sound like they’re really more about God than dear old Dad, but work with it father… (more…)
Brand New Combination From The London Boy and the Starbwoy
First they teamed up for “Every Gal,” now Chip & Mavado are after “More Gyal.” Their strategy to get them is a simple matter of supply & demand. Supply more money and you’re sure to be very much in demand. (more…)