Envisioning Music with Director (Warrior Films) and Producer (Warrior Musick Productions), Dameon Gayle
Dameon Gayle, is to reggae and dancehall what Hype Williams is to hip hop. He grew up in Waterhouse and learned to play drum, keyboard and bass guitar by ear, as a child. By 18, he began hanging out with local musicians in his community including, Bob Andy. This early introduction to music would shape his life and career. More After The Jump…
You Coulda Have the Heart of A Lion, Speed of a Cheetah…
Since the success of his 2014 release “Gaita Gaita,” Queens-based producer Thor Partridge aka Thornato has been making waves around the world as a beat maker and remixer. His new project Bennu showcases the talents of versatile vocalists from around the globe. UK grime-turned-dancehall don Gappy Ranks features on “Rhinoceros,” which Boomshots proudly premieres today. “The beat that I initially created and sent to Gappy ended up morphing into something completely different once I received his vocals,” Thornato recalls. ” I ended up stripping everything down to let Gappy’s powerful voice take the lead. The synth is inspired by an ancient Greek bagpipe called ‘Askaulos.’ I heard a solo performance that was incredibly haunting and unique and I immediately thought it would make a great lead synth sound.” Once this riddim gets rolling, it’s oddly reminiscent of the sound of a thousand stampeding rhinoceri. Audio After The Jump…
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Charly Black Releases New Video Before His Party Animal U.S.A. Tour
Before the west coast stops on his U.S.A. tour to Seattle, L.A. and Oakland, Charly Black released the visual for “F**K Sweet” and “Whinning Vixen” production collaborations with NotNice Records and DJ Tropical Production, respectively. More After The Jump…
Why Do The Realest People Live The Hardest Life?
“Man get whole heap ah love whole heap ah hate,” sings Jahmiel on this standout track from Chimney Records’ warm and easy “Money House Riddim,” distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos. The young singer became Boomshots’ pick for Breakthrough Artist of 2016 by putting in work to deliver the sustenace of inspiration via indelible melodies. But even as he elevates his game, a Great Man must sometimes remind myself that the Lord will never give him more than he can bear. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
The First Single From Chronology Arrives
“Ah no everybody ah go like we,” sings Chronixx, “still we irie.” Over a pulsating electronic rhythm, produced by the artist himself, Chronixx defies “reggae revival” expectations as he reflects on what really matters to him, and to music lovers the world over. On the surface this is a song about artistic substance over social media hype, but a careful listen reveals a pointed critique of the state of Jamaican music at a moment when the world is rocking to reggae rhythms. “Nuff a them still stuck inna the quicksand,” he sings. “A Gentleman me hear ah play a Finland.” Point being that artists who are satisified with “running di place” in Jamaica may be missing the bigger picture. “We never buck them up pon no flight,” Chronixx observes. “We never see them pon tour life.” Speaking of which, the Chronology North America tour, supported by Jah9, Jesse Royal, and Kelissa, kicks off March 2nd and runs through April 30th. Who no like it vex. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Tunes, versions and dubs from the Crown Prince
In honor of what would have been Dennis Emmanuel Brown’s 60th birthday this past Wednesday, February 1st, the homie DJ Center put together a crucial megamix that goes heavy on classic rub-a-dub era. We’re pleased to share it with you to provide some heartical vibes for your weekend and beyond. Here I Come again! Audio After The Jump…
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Real Talk Without Any Apology
From “Kingston Be Wise” to “Sudden Flight,” Protoje has made a habit of speaking unspoken truths without apology. His latest release “Blood Money” takes that fearless outspoken-ness to new heights. “Police cancel operation, cause no real badman go a station,” states (who changed his Twitter handle to BLXXDCLXT), dropping lyrical truth bombs over Winta James’ stark rub-a-dub riddim, which has been bubbling on Jamaican radio for the past several weeks. “Blood money run the nation,” he chants on the chorus. “This song is so socially relevant, people connect to it on first listen,” he told the FADER who premiered the video.” It’s speaking about things that are collectively on all of our minds, that we all want to talk about, and I’m using my voice to bring these topics to the forefront of conversation… With all that is happening in Jamaica, criticism is often one-sided and directed to the have-nots—the people who have less are made to seem like the problem in society. This is unfair, hypocritical, and widely inaccurate. This song seeks to bring about certain conversations, to talk about what is really happening in our society.” Check the red-hot visuals courtesy of Taj Francis. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Portmore Dancehall Artist Links With Grammy-and-Oscar-Winning Soul Man
John Legend, the multi-award-winning soul singer who’s been a cornerstone of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music team from day one, today released a new collaboration with dancehall artist IAmStylez. Coming ten years after Legend’s well-received combination with Buju Banton, “Light Up The Night” was produced by Philly Phat Boi. Legend previously collaborated with Common on the Academy-Award-winning track “Glory.” Boomshots proudly presents his latest release here (for promo use only!) “John is basically a big fan of our music and culture as you know from his previous collaboration with Buju,” Stylez told Kevin Jackson of the Jamaica Observer. “So this is no surprise that he is at it again. This time with a little twist, his people had reached out to my management team inquiring about the next big thing that will emerge from Jamaica on to the mainstream and at the same time I had got my manager to also seek out major collaborations for me… Long story short, it’s right timing, great teamwork and perfect execution,” he said. Judge for yourself now. Audio After The Jump…
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Redefining The Concept
A versatile artist with a strong singing voice, Nesbeth took his career to new heights last year with his inspirational tune called “My Dream.” His latest release, on DJ Frass’ percolating “Street Light” Riddim, seeks to redefine the concept of “gangster” for a new generation. “Gone is the days when we used to glorify py py,” he sings to kick things off. “Every youth wise up now this a civilized time.” Envisioning economic upliftment without firing shots, Nesbeth sketches out a vision of what could be possible if people made up their mind to bring about change: “Buy mama house ah de new gangsta, take care of your youth ah de new gangster.” With a cover image showing a trash can filled to the brim with discarded firearms, the new single is powerful enough to stir up hope in the hardest of hearts. “Life too sweet fi deh inna prison lock,” Nebeth sings. “Look on your favorite hero, who no lockup play zero.” Some have interpreted his lyrics as a swipe at incarcerated “Dancehall Hero” Vybz Kartel, but his message of aspiring to be “rich and up” sounds more positive than provocative. With Jamaican experiencing elevated crime rates at the start of the new year, this tune is right on time. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Win Tickets To See Boiler Room’s NYC Dancehall Culture Showcase
In case you never know, Boiler Room is the world’s leading online music broadcaster. The UK-born multinational network streams the best in underground music, from techno and hip hop to jazz and contemporary classical with award-winning content reaching 12 million dedicated monthly unique users, some of the most active music fans all over the world. Tomorrow night they will be hosting “The Nice Up” a dancehall and reggae showcase in downtown Manhattan featuring some our favorite artists and selectors Boomshots is proud to be the official media partner for the event. Details After The Jump… (more…)
Toronto Sound Clash Victor Will Face World Clash Champion King Turbo
At last year’s World Clash, Toronto’s own King Turbo made sound system history when they became only the second Canadian sound to take the title at the original, authentic and still predominant international sound clash on planet earth. This past weekend at the Canada Rumble, six up-and-coming dancehall sound sytems out of Canada competed for the chance to musically murder their countrymen in the next World Clash aka the Superbowl of Sound Clash. After four hours of heated competition at LaVictoria Banquet Hall, King Attarney outgunned Step-A-Choice in the final Tune Fi Tune round. The Rumble Series was introduced by leading clash promoters Irish & Chin who are celebrating their 20th anniversary in the business this year as they focus on bringing new stars into the sound clash industry. Coming off last October’s popular Japan Rumble, where Fujiyama Sound claimed the title, Canada Rumble sets the stage for future Rumbles to be held in the U.S., U.K., Europe and the Caribbean. If you missed the big clash, you can still check out all the action right here. And make sure to check Boomshots’ exclusive interview with Garfield “Chin” Bourne, reasoning with Reshma B about the past, present, and future of Sound Clash Culture. Audio & Video After The Jump…
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In Which Nicki Suffers a Patois Malfunction