Category: Culture

Take A Sudden Flight Back to The Future

Protoje & Jesse Royal Bridge the Gap Between 1980s and 2015

Every now and then, a special tune hits the tympanic membrane, laden with both pearls of wisdom and music history. “Sudden Flight” by Protoje featuring Jesse Royal (from Protoje’s third studio album, Ancient future), lyrically advises the youth to use their God given talents and mind to overcome stress and oppression; instead of guns. From it’s opening line, La Di Da Di , we don’t join nah party, “Sudden Flight” puts us in a time capsule and shoots us back to 1985 when Bally’s, Adidas, Gucci suits, Kangol hats, Gold teeth and Rope Chains were in fashion and the Get Fresh Crew were the Kings of 1980’s Hip Hop. The song entitled “La Di Da Di” on Slick Rick’s Album, “The Art of Storytelling,” had people break dancing and spinning on their head tops. The combination of the narrative poetry and humor of Slick Rick and classic beat boxing of Doug E. Fresh in this song, solidifies its spot as one of the top 10 Classic Hip Hop songs of all time. More After The Jump… (more…)

July 7, 2015
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Phillip Fraser “God of My Righteousness”

Reggae Music Legend in the Mecca of Music and Culture, Brooklyn

The sun was shinning bright as I walked along New York Avenue, in Brooklyn, New York. I was greeted by a Rastafarian King, left hand over the heart, wearing a sunny yellow hat with a polo to match. I tipped my black shades to take a closer look at the face of the person greeting me and it was the living legend himself, Phillip Fraser! He was shocked that I recognized who he was. I said “Great music is great music!” Known for albums like “Come Ethiopians” (1974, Freedom Sound Label), “Back to Africa” (1978, Different Records, original recording with Busta Riley, Winston Riley’s brother) featuring Earth and Stone, “Blood of the Saint” (1983), “Never Let Go” (1991, Razor Sound Records), “Phillip Fraser: Sharp Like Razor” (1993, Razor Sound Records), “More Phillip Fraser” (2015, Razor Sound Records) and a plethora of complication albums and productions. If you appreciate roots reggae and lovers rock, you have to know this artists’ anthology of music. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

July 3, 2015
Flashback Friday: Dennis Emmanuel Brown “Here I Come (Love and Hate)”

Timeless Words of Wisdom From Reggae’s Crown Prince

Dennis Emmanuel Brown released his debut album, No Man Is An Island, to the world in 1969. At 12 years old, the singer saw instant success, which foreshadowed his bright career of nearly 80 albums. This Flashback Friday, we musically livicate the “Crown Prince of Reggae” on his Earthstrong weekend, through the lyrics of his 1977 smash hit, “Here I Come” (Love and Hate). More After The Jump…

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January 30, 2015
Rebel Salute 2015 Takes It Higher

Roots Reggae stars shine at the 22nd staging of Rebel Salute

Dressed in a sky blue suit, Tony Rebel took the stage at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in the parish of St. Ann on Jamaica’s north coast. “Love you like a fresh vegetable,” he sang on 16^th January 2015, the first night of Rebel Salute. “Tell me if you love Tony Rebel”. Although it’s been almost a quarter century since that song was released, the answer was still clear. Yes, the crowd loved the veteran dancehall entertainer who is also the promoter of the annual show that started 22 years ago as a simple birthday party and has turned into one of the most successful music festivals in Jamaica. Read More After The Jump…. (more…)

January 23, 2015
Flashback Friday: Chuck Fenda “Gash Dem and Light Dem”

Roots Reggae music did not always get a warm and friendly reception, as it is receiving today. In 2006, Leshorn Whitehead aka Chuck Fenda, was a voice for the people with his song, “Gash Dem and Light Dem.” However the fiery tune was cited by the Broadcasting Commission and consequently banned from the local radio stations in Jamaica. More After The Jump…

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January 23, 2015
Eddie Murphy Roots Reggae

Edward Regan “Eddie” Murphy ranks as the 4^th highest paid actor in the United States. Making people laugh out loud, comes second nature to this comedian. The actor from Bushwick, Brooklyn, even masters the art of playing multiple roles in the same movie; including fan favorite, “Coming to America.” He’s dabbled in music for years, but Murphy gets serious with reggae in 2015. More After The Jump…

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January 15, 2015
His Imperial Majesty

On November 2, 1930, the official crowning of a monarch occurred in Ethiopia

Peoples of African descent, come from a lineage of kings and queens, as referenced in the bible. On this day, November 2, in 1930, Emperor Haile Selassie I and his wife, Empress Menen Asfaw were formally crowned with regalia, together in Ethiopia.
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November 2, 2014
WATCH THIS: Enrique Iglesias “Bailando” Remix featuring Sean Paul

Singer-songwriter, Enrique Iglesia brings us the muy caliente single, “Bailando” (Dancing) off his tenth album, “Sex and Love.” The original song is #59 on the Billboard Top 100 and #1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs of 2014 (This is Enrique’s 25th No.1 in this category). The lava in this song will make you shake it, with vocals from the reggaeton group with hip hop swag, Gente de Zona and Descemer Bueno (the extraordinary composer and songwriter, who co-wrote this tune and composed music for the film, “Havana Blues”). Enrique made a spanish-english fused remix which features dancehall icon, Sean Paul. Sean Paul put the dancehall stamp on several reggaeton smash hits and this collaboration stands as a noteworthy achievement. More After The Jump…

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June 7, 2014
Busy Signal Revives “Gal Yuh Good”

In 2013, rapper A$AP Ferg made the song, “Shabba” which featured a cameo in the video, from the “Dancehall Emperor” himself and rapper, A$AP Rocky; “8 Gold Rings Like I’m Shabba Shabba Ranks!” The admiration for the two-time Grammy Award winner in this song, was a clear indication that Shabba Ranks’ music, transcends across genres and into the ears of today’s generation of listeners. The reggae legend has a trailer load of tunes, including roots and culture songs, but the sexy ones remain imprinted on music minds. Mr. Loverman’s, “Wicked In A Bed” was featured on the top selling video game of all time, “Grand Theft Auto, San Andreas” for Playstation 2. To name a few more, who can forget classic Shabba smash hits: “Telephone Love,” “Caa’n Done,” “Slow and Sexy,” “Love Punany Bad,” “Bedroom Bully” and fan favorite, “Gal Yuh Good.” Busy Signal just revived the latter, from the 90’s, with his new video release, saluting Shabba Ranks for his original song and adding signature vocals. More After The Jump…

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June 1, 2014
Shabba Records First Song In JA For Three Years

If you want to work with Shabba Ranks, don’t bring “Monkey Money”—make sure it’s “Gorilla Money”!

Shabba Ranks decides to record a new track in Jamaica after ceasing his production there for years. (His last Jamaican production was “None A Dem” for Di Genius in 2011.) While in New York the Dancehall Emperor collaborated with American rappers A$AP Ferg and A$AP Rocky on the official remix of a eponymous song “Shabba Ranks”. The Grammy award winning DJ boasts an elaborate list of hits from his travels from yard to the United States. On his most recent visit back to JA, Shabba discusses his new musical projects, his pay rate—”no monkey money, we take gorilla money”—and his clothing line E.R.E. : Emperor. We expect more crossover success from the “Mr.Loverman” singer. Video After The Jump…

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May 28, 2014
Queen I-frica Sacrificial Lamb for Music Censorship

On May 23, 2014, Queens Councilman, Daniel Dromm, lead a 200 person rally outside of Amazura Night Club, in an effort to cancel tonight’s stage show, “Invasion of the Queens.” The all-female line up, feauring live performances from dancehall reggae stars Queen I-frica, Lady Saw, Etana, Spice, Sister Carol, Junie Ranks, Sister Nancy and Lady Ann, faced opposition from the Councilman and LGBT groups concerned about Queen I-frica headlining the show: More After The Jump…

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May 24, 2014