Boomshots

Category: Africa

  • Colonel Josie Wales Pon Radio Lily

    Colonel Josie Wales Pon Radio Lily

    The Outlaw Rides Through The Strictly Boomshots Show. Jesus Christ—We Nice!

     

    In A$AP Ferg’s smash hit “Shabba,” the Harlem rapper idolizes Shabba for wearing “eight gold rings” and “one gold tooth.” But if the truth be told, it was not Shabba Ranks but his mentor Josie Wales who originated that style of fanciness. Had Josey Wales done nothing more than carry Cocoa Tea to the studio for the first time or introduce a young Shabba  to King Jammys, his place is dancehall history would be secure, and yet this humble musical soldier—whose official rank in the dancehall militia is Colenol— has done all that and much much more. (Although he modestly states that he has had “no career” to date thus far, he’s now working with the team Irish & Chin, so watch out for big things from The Colonel in days to come.) Born Joseph Winston Sterling in St. Mary, Jamaica, Josie Wales took his DJ name from the 1976 Clint Eastwood movie The Outlaw Josey Wales. He built his reputation on Stur Gav sound system alongside foundation DJs like Daddy U Roy, Brigadier Jerry, and Charlie Chaplin, and recorded classic sides for Junjo Lawes’ Volcano label (“Leggo Me Hand“) George Phang’s Power House label (“Undercover Lover“) and King Jammy’s (“Nah Lef Ya.“) By the mid 1980s he was acknowledged as Jamaica’s ruling dancehall artist. And his influence continues to this day. Queen Latifah borrowed one of his signature styles to make her Grammy-winning hit “U.N.I.T.Y.” and Josie’s voice was heard on last year’s smash hit “Sweet Jamaica.” A certified legend from the streets to the sound systems, he is both eloquent and witty in person, so it was both a treat and an honor to welcome him to the Strictly Boomshots show on Radio Lily.   Audio & Video After The Jump…

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  • Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Nelson Mandela

    Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Nelson Mandela

    South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors Speak On Madiba’s Passing

    The Grammy-winning South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo has released this message on the passing of President Nelson Mandela, who once said their music was a great inspiration to him. “The Father of our nation, Nelson Mandela, has finished his journey. One wants to think in terms of big words when describing him, but this would not be right. Among the many things one can say about our Madiba (Nelson Mandela’s tribal name) is that he never thought of himself as big. He was one of us, one of the people. His journey was our journey. And although he has physically left us now, his journey continues within us all. More After The Jump… (more…)

  • Top 10 Nelson Mandela Reggae Selections

    Top 10 Nelson Mandela Reggae Selections

    Singers and Players of Instruments Pay Tribute to the Late Great South African Hero

    Despite his advanced age, the news of Nelson Mandela’s passing came as a terrible shock today. Perhaps that is because the South African leader had become a living icon of human rights and endurance in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. The thought that he might be a mortal man hardly crossed our minds. Long before he became the subhject of major motion pictures, Mandela’s name had become a one-word prayer, a mantra to give strength to those engaged in the universal struggle. And if there’s one genre of music that has consistently kept Mandela’s name in heavy rotation, that would have to be reggae. From the UK to Africa to Jamrock, reggae singers and players of instruments have been beating the drums of freedom for the late great Nelson Mandela. And so on this sad day we present some of the best, in a spirit of honor and respect in all aspect. Ten Crucial Selections After The Jump… (more…)

  • Gyptian & Friends Pon Radio Lily

    Gyptian & Friends Pon Radio Lily

    Gyppy Celebrates His Birthday by Nicing Up The Strictly Boomshots Show

    October 28 was a good day for Gyptian. The certified gold reggae hitmaker celebrated his birthday at Radio Lily in NYC. along with some of his best friends—like longtime bredren Bascom X plus Khago, Fyakin, and the Rebel Princess Danielle D.I.  The whole crew rolled up in a fleet of criss BMWs and then when they were good and ready, they spilled out to nice up the Strictly Boomshots show. Gyptian took a moment to reason with DJ Rob Kenner about his new album Sex Love & Reggae, which went on sale at midnight that same night. Then he and his musical army busted out some wicked freestyles before hopping back in their cars and rolling up the road to tear up the stage at SOBs. #AllInADaysWork Audio After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Here Comes Trouble” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Here Comes Trouble” Official Music Video

    Chronixx Start Recruit Soldiers For Selassie I Army

    Having just tore down SOB’s in NYC and the east coast on his tour last month Chronixx is determined to keep the fire that he started blazing releasing a visual for his hit tune “Here Comes Trouble.” As the song’s lyrics states, Chronixx is steadily recruiting soldiers for Selassie’s ever growing army. Hit The Jump To Be Drafted Inna Jah Jah’s Army… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Orezi “Rihanna” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Orezi “Rihanna” Official Music Video

    Naija Pop Banger About a Girl Who Looks Just Like RiRi 

    You may not know the name Orezi yet, but it rhymes with “crazy.” In Lagos, Nigeria they call him the “Ghen Ghen Master.” He’s put up his like “Booty Bounce” and “I No Fit Lie,” but this song—about a girl who makes him say “na na na” and to whom he wants to give his “ba na na”—looks like his biggest yet. “I am into music to make my mark and leave my foot prints,” he recently told one South African blog. “I am glad that South Africans and Nigerians resident here accepted my music and they have showed me so much love that I am overwhelmed. I never knew that ‘Rihanna’ is an anthem here like it is in Nigeria, for that I give glory to God and my management companies, Sprisal Records and Synergy Entertainment.” They’ve spared no expense on this jiggy video, complete with a canary-yellow Lambo that’s almost as pretty as the leading lady. Somebody needs to remix this tune cause it feels like something that could cross over in a big way. Video After The Jump…

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  • Shaggy & Friends Pon Radio Lily

    Shaggy & Friends Pon Radio Lily

    Mr. Boombastic Hits The Strictly Boomshots Show To Celebrate Out of Many One Music Album Release

    This Monday on RadioLily.com we welcomed the biggest hitmaker in dancehall history, Shaggy, to celebrate the release of his star-studded collaboration with Sly & Robbie, Out of Many One Music. Shaggy and Rob Kenner talked about the vision behind this heartical roots reggae project, sharing the stories behind classic collabos like Beres Hammond on “Fight This Feeling” and Ne-Yo on “You Girl.” Shaggy also revealed that he recently recorded a new collaboration with Super Cat and Maxi Priest, which will be included as a bonus track of physical copies of Out of Many One Music, which will not be available until later this year. The whole Ranch Music family was in the house, from DJ Kue to featured artists on the new album Jimmy Cosier, Melissa, and Samira. Shaggy even brought his bredrens from the Ruff Entry crew, Red Fox and Screechy Dan—both of whom were in rare form for the big album release. So put your hand inna the air and just—Big Up. Audio & Video After The Jump…

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  • Mr. Vegas Makes Surprise Visit To Radio Lily

    Mr. Vegas Makes Surprise Visit To Radio Lily

    Die-Doo Talks Bruk It Down 2.o Pon The Strictly Boomshots Show

    This Monday’s Strictly Boomshots show opened with a big surprise guest. Dancehall hitmaker Mr. Vegas passed through Radio Lily to chat about his brand new album Bruk It Down 2.o, which hit iTunes on Tuesday. Vegas and Rob Kenner previewed some new tunes and then took a moment to reason about the new release, and touched on the two other new albums from Shaggy and Vybz Kartel. And of course he blessed the place with a Boomshots freestyle. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • FLASHBACK FRIDAY: The Upsetters “Dread Lion”

    FLASHBACK FRIDAY: The Upsetters “Dread Lion”

    Dub Music At Its Finest 

    The Subatomic Sound System Dub Champions festival kicked off last night in both DC and NYC with the legendary Lee “Scratch” Perry and Deadly Dragon Sound System rocking their respective events.  The festival runs until the 23rd of September, so you still have 3 days to get involved, and if by chance you’re wondering what to expect at the festival let today’s Flashback Friday help you out. Taken from their 1976 classic Super Ape aka Scratch The Super Ape, The Upsetters’ “Dread Lion” produced by the founding father of Dub music himself Lee “Scratch” Perry should prove to be the epitome of real Dub sound. Get you tickets and be part of music history, Tune After The Jump… (more…)

  • Ghetto Youths Take Over Radio Lily

    Ghetto Youths Take Over Radio Lily

    Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I and Jo Mersa Storm the Strictly Boomshots Show

    Just before the Ghetto Youths crew shelled down SOBs, they passed through Radio Lily to nice up the Strictly Boomshots show. Jo Mersa, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I, and Wayne Marshall passed the mic around like a coconut chalice. Everybody took a hit—little bit of interview, little bit of freestyle, and a whole heap of vibes. You know how the crew do. Audio After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Radio Lily Mixtape Preview

    The Best of Radio Lily’s Live Performances On Cassette
    RadioLily8BallBoomshots
    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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  • Sizzla Kalonji Speaks on Selassie’s Birthday

    Just Before Blazing The Niyabinghi Fire, Sizzla Checked in With The Strictly Boomshots Show
    SelassieSizzlaBoomshots    Today marks the 121st anniversary of the birth of Tafari Makonnen Woldemikael, who would go on to become Haile Selassie I, emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. Selassie holds a special place for the Rastafarian faithful, and his birthday is celebrated by the blazing of the Niyabinghi fire and days of drumming and chanting. During last night’s Strictly Boomshots show, we were blessed with an exclusive telephone call from Sizzla Kalonji, who was on his way to the Niyabinghi. He took some time to speak on his new album The Messiah, broke down the importance of Haile Selassie, the meaning of Niyabinghi, and even chanted a few lines over the phone line.  All those who have ears, let them hear. Interview Audio After The Jump… (more…)