Category: Brooklyn

  • Flashback Friday: Notorious B.I.G.: “Sky’s The Limit”

    Flashback Friday: Notorious B.I.G.: “Sky’s The Limit”

    Brooklyn’s Finest Rapper Continues to Live On Through His Powerful Lyrics

    March 9, 2017, marked the 20th anniversary of Christopher Wallace, Notorious B.I.G.’s murder in Los Angeles, California. He was only 24 years old and at the height of his career, when he lost his life. His murder remains a cold case despite the $50,000 award for any leads in the case. However, Notorious B.I.G. ‘s musical anthology continues to inspire generations born during and after his time. A quote from one of his inspiring tunes (below) trended across social media as fans new and old, commemorated the life of this music legend. The surge of quotes came after Puff Daddy put out a tweet, requesting that fans remember his friend by posting their favorite Biggie quotes. The most admired quote was from “Sky’s The Limit,” released in 1997. This song features the R&B group 112 and comes from the album entitled, “Life After Death Album.” This Friday, we reflect on the lyrics of this classic B.I.G. song and the quote from the last line of the song which touched so many.

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  • HEAR THIS: Sean Paul “Like This”

    HEAR THIS: Sean Paul “Like This”

    Mad People Ting Dey Should Know RRRRRR!!!

    Atlantic Records did Sean Paul a big favor by dropping him a couple years ago. What seemed like adversity at the time only helped prove his brand is strong regardless of label affiliation. Dutty Paul and his 11 million Facebook fans didn’t need a major cosign to make hits or get booked on big shows. And right now the dutty yute is kinda killin’ it. Ten years after he topped the Billboard pop charts with “Temperature”, the dancehall star returned to the top spot this year via “Cheap Thrills,” a collaboration with Sia that was the biggest song in the U.S.A. for much of this crazy summer of 2016, when the entire music marketplace felt like one big tropical house party. Meanwhile in Jamaica, Sean Paul’s “Crik Neck” tune with Chi-Ching Ching is popping on the street dance circuit. Now signed with Island Records, Sean linked with labelmate Ricky Blaze to cook up this hard-edged digital banger. “I grew up listening to Sean Paul so I was pretty excited to have the opportunity to work with him,” says Blaze, the producer responsible for Gyptian’s “Hold Yuh” and Ding Dong’s “Badman Forward” among other smashes. “It was an honor to work with him.” New tingz via our peoples at Mass AppealAudio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Flex Masters: A Guide To Brooklyn’s Own Dancehall Hybrid Scene

    Flex Masters: A Guide To Brooklyn’s Own Dancehall Hybrid Scene

    Who’s Building The Best FDM Riddims Right Now

    It’s been over a decade in the making, but Brooklyn’s homegrown style of dance music is beginning to make waves outside of battle circles. Called FDM (short for flex dance music), the sound is a critical component of the flex dance culture that it grew up alongside. While the dancers were refining their styles into a distinct set of movements, producers were doing the same, creating their own sound fashioned out of a wealth of dancehall riddims and sound effects that would provide the soundtrack for major dance competitions. I went deep into the scene over at Pitchfork, so please go read that when you have time. Meanwhile here’s a quick guide to the producers (many of whom are also dancers) responsible for making the sound what it is today. This weekend, Boiler Room will feature its first flex dancer and FDM producer—a sure sign that big tings ah gwan—although they’re keeping the details a secret for now. They’ve also got more plans in the works for FDM later this summer, so this is just a starting point. We figured this would be a good time to provide some basic info about the scene before everything starts to blow up. Audio & Info After The Jump…
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  • Mother’s Day Special Event: Reggae Bowl

    Mother’s Day Special Event: Reggae Bowl

    A Thoughtful Event for Mothers and The Community At Large

     The “Reggae Bowl” is a food and music event that will be held at the Ital Kitchen in Brooklyn, New York, this Mother’s Day—Sunday, May 8, 2016.  This celebration of Mothers will promote a healthy lifestyle through its various components; serving up sweet reggae music, fashion and vital, ital cuisine.  More After The Jump

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  • WATCH THIS: Morgan Heritage ft. Eric Rachmany “Wanna Be Loved” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Morgan Heritage ft. Eric Rachmany “Wanna Be Loved” Official Music Video

    Another Video From The Reggae Family’s Grammy-Winning Album Strictly Roots

    As one of reggae’s most enduringly and successful veteran acts, Morgan Heritage is known to be in a category by themselves. From their Grammy winning album Strictly Roots they’ve redefined roots reggae yet again; with their upbeat hit “Wanna Be Loved,” featuring Rebelution’s front man Eric Rachmany. Shot on their landmark 2015 Catch A Fire US tour, the music video was directed by Morgan Heritage and Emmylou Mai, capturing various vignettes of their sold out performances and positive vibes, all in chromatic black and white. Watch closely to catch the various reggae superstar cameos, as this is definitely an anthem of enduring love, unity and upliftment. Video After the Jump… (more…)

  • Rastaman Refix: Ily Culcha featuring Isaac Faith

    Rastaman Refix: Ily Culcha featuring Isaac Faith

     The 2014 hit “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea featuring CharlieXCX was an instant  number 1 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. One of the main reasons for this was the jumpy beat which caused palpitations in reggae and hip hop. The beat was coproduced by The Invisible Men (Jason Pebworth, George Astasio, and Job Shave) and The Arcade (Kurtis Mckenzie and Jon Mills).

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  • HEAR THIS: Jahdan Blakkamoore ft. Lady Leshurr & Melodic Yoza “Ting Tun Up”

    HEAR THIS: Jahdan Blakkamoore ft. Lady Leshurr & Melodic Yoza “Ting Tun Up”

    BK General Links w one UK Bad Gyal and one Canadian Soul Rebel and EveryTING Tun Up—Loud

    It’s  been a long, slow climg for Guyana-born Brooklyn-raised Jahdan Blakkamoore, but at last he finds himself perfectly positioned between authenticity of voice and freshness of perspective. Here Mr. B blesses us with the first joint off his forthcoming album Order of Distinction, featuring a guest appearances from Birmingham’s own Lady Leshurr. Toronto’s Melodic Yoza collabs on this relentlessly rocking club banger. Produced by Paper Stars, the production and writing duo Blakkamoore built with Andrew Moon Bain (of Lustre Kings fame). Morphing between traditional roots reggae bass, rub-a-dubstep distortion and a whole heap ah sonic sintingz, the track tun up till it buck while Blakkamoore, Yoza, and hyperspeed Leshurr take turns blacking out. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Jah9: Jazz on Dub

    Jah9: Jazz on Dub

    Roots Reggae Queen, Jah9 is all set and ready to deliver a Holistic Dub Experience to her New York fans at Milk River Restaurant & Lounge tonight!

    Jazz and Dub blends together for a musical massage with an extraordinary sound. The slow sound waves of dub, allow the lyrics to ride over the beat, in a synchronized fashion. This speed enables the listener to focus on the lyrics, so it comes as no surprise that, Janine “Jah9” Cunningham, entitled her East Coast Tour, “Jazz on Dub.” The tour to promote her debut album, “New Name” hits Brooklyn, New York tonight. More After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: LL Cool J ft. Mavado “The Hustler” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: LL Cool J ft. Mavado “The Hustler” Official Music Video

    The G.OA.T And The Gully Gad Link For Di Hustlas Dem

    LL drops the visual to his long awaited single “The Hustler” off the highly anticipated “The G.O.A.T. 2.” An unlikely pairing, LL pegs Mavado to lend his distinct vocals to the gritty track. Not to be out done by his younger counterparts, LL reminds us why he’s known as “The Greatest Of All Time.” Video After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Addies Intl Presents: Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute

    HEAR THIS: Addies Intl Presents: Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute

    Addies Intl Reminds Us How Deep Their Dub Box Really Is

    Addies bad from how long? Isn’t that how the saying goes. Addies Intl drops a wicked tribute to Gargamel better known as Buju Banton entitled “Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute.” Their new selector A1 digs deep into the crates and pulls out some of the most lethal dubs ever played in a sound clash. Take our word for it, you won’t be disappointed – Shellings After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Konshens’ “Don Daddy” Video Shoot  Behind-The-Scenes EXCLUSIVE

    WATCH THIS: Konshens’ “Don Daddy” Video Shoot Behind-The-Scenes EXCLUSIVE

    Konshens Pays Tribute to the Wild Apache and The ReggaeGirlAboutTown Scores An All-Access Pass

    Jukeboxx Productions’ “Greatest Creation” Riddim is all about reaching for the next level in dancehall. From Shabba Ranks to Lady Saw to Tarrus Riley and Sasco, the lineup on this juggling is straight toppa-top status. Inspired by such prestigious company, Konshens decided to up the ante by making his tune a musical homage to Super Cat‘s 1991 smash “Don Dada,” subtly retitled “Don Daddy.” Boomshots got the invitation from for an exclusive visit to the video shoot and headed for downtown Brooklyn—only to find that the location had been shut down. But with Konshens jetting off to Europe the following morning, rescheduling was not an option. So the entire production team headed straight down Utica Avenue to Nova nightclub—who opened their doors in the wee small hours of the morning—but the journey was well worth it. (Shouts to producer Ronnie Tomlinson, director Anju Val, and nuff respect to Maximus R. Irving who created the wicked Super Cat painting seen above DJ Kevin Crown.) Roll with the ReggaeGirlAboutTown as she chats with Konshens about why it’s so important for dancehall’s new generation to pay respect to the icons in the business, or rather culture—and she even got to kick it with Colenol Josey Wales himself. Because a Don is a Don, and not a Dondelion. So while you wait for the official video to drop, pree the World Premiere of this exclusive teaser. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Dancehall & Soca Stars For “Woman Is Boss” Stage Show

    Dancehall & Soca Stars For “Woman Is Boss” Stage Show

    In preparing for an event, most women go through a ritual grooming process. This usually involves first making sure hair, nails and eyebrows are groomed and then selecting the outfit, accessories, make-up and fragrance fit for the occasion. However, after all is said and done, confidence is the accessory that stands out the most. This is perhaps why confident women who slightly deviate from the world standard of how a woman should look and act, are appealing to most audiences. “Woman is Boss,” is a concert promoted by Hi-Tech Promotions showcasing four fearsome boss ladies in reggae and soca.  Featured Artists After The Jump…

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