Boomshots

Category: Dancehall

  • WATCH THIS: K’Coneil “Feel So Right” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: K’Coneil “Feel So Right” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    No Inna No Long Talking

    In this summer of dancehall/pop fusion, everybody seems to be jumping on the reggae bandwagon—with mixed results. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York City, K’Coneil makes music that reflects this blend of cultures organically without feeling forced or contrived. The latest single off his debut EP, LOVE/LUST, is an R&B/dancehall cut called “Feels So Right” produced by New Yorker DJ Calli B. “I wanted to make a feel-good song that spoke about a relationship that just felt great and didn’t require any effort it was just easy and natural,” says the artist. “All the stars aligned and it’s just a perfect match ‘made in heaven.’” Today Boomshots proudly premieres the music video for the track, directed by Zurisaddair, which was shot in Coney Island and Times Square with choreography by the International Danca Family. Like K’Coneil, it’s a perfect blend. Video After The Jump…

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  • Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley Speaks on the “Nail Pon Cross” Music Video Controversy

    Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley Speaks on the “Nail Pon Cross” Music Video Controversy

    Judge Not, Lest Ye Shall Be Judged

    After premiering as a Tidal exclusive, Damian Marley’s powerful new video, “Nail Pon Cross” appeared on his Vevo channel earlier this week, bringing the disturbing visuals to the whole wide world. Although it’s not the first music video to feature a crucifixion scene—Damian told Billboard that he was inspired by his friend Nas’s “Hate Me Now” video—there’s still something shocking about watching Bob Marley’s son have nails pounded through his wrists and left on a telephone pole to die. A still from the video posted online generated a flurry of negative comments, especially from Christians who were offended by what they considered a sacriligeous image. “It’s ironic, because I’m being crucified for being crucified,” he recently told the Huffington Post in response to the controversy. Boomshots caught up with Jr. Gong to get his views on the visuals. Video & Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Gyptian “Summer Is Back” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Gyptian “Summer Is Back” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Beaches, Bikinis, Waterfalls—It’s All In a Day’s Work

    We may be close to the end of August, but trust and believe summer is still in full effect. Summer 2016 has been a big season for reggae and dancehall in the international pop charts, although much of it got labeled as “tropical house” in the mainstream media. That’s why you’ve got to love Konzequence Muzik Group for naming their summer juggling the “Tropical House Riddim”—a strategic move to rebrand this true Jamaican dancehall track in the midst of everything that’s going. “It’s all about a party vibes,” says reggae star Gyptian of his song on the riddim, a thing called “Summer Is Back.” Today Boomshots proudly premieres the official music video which is fully loaded with plenty of girls in bikinis, cool drinks, a secluded tropical waterfall—why can’t every day be like this? Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Out and Bad: Elephant Man Teaches His Top 10 Dance Moves

    Out and Bad: Elephant Man Teaches His Top 10 Dance Moves

    Getting Jiggy With Di Energy God

    With Notting Hill Carnival coming up next weekend—and Brooklyn’s Labor Day parade the weekend after that—it’s time to brush up on your dance steps. You love the vibes and you want to bust some moves like Usain Bolt celebrating a gold medal, but you don’t know your “Willie Bounce” from your “Gangsta Rock.” Well fret not thyself. Reshma B linked up with Elephant Man in Kingston, Jamaica. Elly is known for spreading Kingston street dance choreography around the world with hit songs like “Pon Di River Pon The Bank” and “Signal Di Plane.” Di Energy God himself  taught The Reggae Girl About Town how to do each and every one of his Top 10 Dance Moves. He also took time out to reason about his early King Jammy’$ days, and big up the elders in the business from Shabba Ranks to Bounty Killer and Buju Banton. Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Chronixx & Friends Shell Down BBC 1Xtra

    Chronixx & Friends Shell Down BBC 1Xtra

    “Not Even Special Guests—Cause You Nuh Haffi Guess…”

    MistaJam & Seani B do a thing over at BBC 1Xtra called #SixtyMinutesLive during which time special guest artists freestyle over various selections, and generally rough up the airwaves. Last night was a good one as Di Steam Ministah rolled through the studio accompanied by from Maverick Sabre, Randy Valentine, Little Simz, Luciano and Jah Bouks. The vibes did nice, as you will soon witness via YouTube. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Usain Bolt / World Cup Dubplate”

    HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Usain Bolt / World Cup Dubplate”

    Weh Dem Ah Go Do Now?

    Usain Bolt has never hidden the fact that he’s a major dancehall fan. Back in Beijing, he celebrated his first Olympic win by busting a Gully Creeper dance. (His 2009 welcome home dance in Trelawney was legendary.) This year in Rio Bolt celebrated his first win by posting an Instagram video of himself singing along to Popcaan’s big tune “World Cup (We Still A Win).” The Unruly Boss wasted no time reposting the video and hit the studio sometime soon after. No sooner did Bolt cross the finish line in Rio, collecting his second gold medal, than Poppy’s Bolt dubplate start shell the worldwide web up. Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Usain Bolt Fans’ “Gun Salutes” Shut Down JFK Airport

    Usain Bolt Fans’ “Gun Salutes” Shut Down JFK Airport

    Trouble in Terminal 8

    Last night, while the fastest man alive, Usain Bolt, was winning another medal in Rio, chaos broke out inside Terminal 8 at New York’s JFK Airport and one of the city’s busiest transit hubs had to be evacuated. Coincidence? We think not. Shortly before midnight last night, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey posted the “all clear” on their official Twitter account. “Preliminary inevstigation does not indicate shots were fired at JFK. There are no injuries. At this time, no gun shells or other evidence of shots fired has been found. The terminal was evacuated out of an abundance of caution… Investigation continues.” So what happened?   Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Sizzla: “I’m a Different Sort; I Man a Rasta”

    Reasoning with Sizzla: “I’m a Different Sort;
    I Man a Rasta”

    Kalonji Speaks on U.S. Tour and Black Lives Matter

    It’s been 8 years since Sizzla Kalonji has touched down in NYC, so history was made yesterday he officially announced his big return to New York for Irie Jamboree this Labor Day weekend Sept 4, 2016. Passing through town on the way home from what he calls an “awesome” performance at Reggae on the River, Sizzla Kalonji stopped by Irie Jam Media HQ to connect with his Tristate fans and let them know that he really is back in U.S. once again after years of visa issues. Before going on the air with Jabba and Dubbmaster Chris, Sizzla sat down with Robert Cooper, doing his first interview for Boomshots TV. They spoke about Sizzla’s plans for touring and recording while in the U.S., and took time out to discuss Kalonji’s thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Devin Di Dakta “Bubble” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Devin Di Dakta “Bubble” PREMIERE

    EquiKnoxx & Swing Ting Got Whole Place Bubbling
    We all remember when Equiknoxx joined forces with PR Reggaeton legend DJ Blass for the ‘Link Up’ mixtape earlier this year. It seems a hint of that same Latin sabor still lingers in the air, mixed with the usual Jamaican aroma. With Devin Di Dakta on the mic, Spacebird Jamrock and the crew have cooked up a musical thing called “Bubble,” which Boomshots proudly premieres today. When the “Bubble” officially bursts on the UK-based Swing Ting label, in short, the world will be in trouble. “The link with Equiknoxx was formed by mutual friend Joseph ‘Joey Lyric’ Dyke who introduced me to Gavin,” says Devin, who’s had the ladies in a frenzy with tunes like “RrriBomBiDenDeng” and assorted other unmentionables. “Working with Equiknoxx was a fun experience,” the DJ adds.” As the riddim started playing everyone in the studio began dancing so it was having fun while creating.” That feeling is, shall we say, contagious. Audio After the Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Tarrus Riley, Ding Dong, Beenie Man, Tifa & Charly Black “Bring Di Beat” (Jamaica Remix)

    HEAR THIS: Tarrus Riley, Ding Dong, Beenie Man, Tifa & Charly Black “Bring Di Beat” (Jamaica Remix)

    Now A Straight Winnings

    With Olympic fever in full swing, you already know “Bring The Beat,” the big tune by Machel Montano and Tessane Chin, is in heavy rotation. Now, just in time for the Rio Olympiad Chimney Records is bringing the beat with a “Jamaica Remix” of the winnings anthem with musical Gold Medalists Tarrus Riley, Ding Dong, Beenie Man, Tifa & Charly Black blazing the lyrical torch. So what if you deh pon one big lazy par and skip the torch ceremony? As long as you know when to press gas!  Audio After the Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Jah9 “Fire Slaughter”

    HEAR THIS: Jah9 “Fire Slaughter”

    This Is Not A Mixtape; It’s A Numerological Revolution

    Listen closely and try to keep up: 9 is the sum of the digits 2 + 0 + 1 + 6. Ergo, 2016 is the year of 9. 9 also represents the ninth letter, I, which is not so much a letter as it is a fully-fledged concept bearing profound significance within Rastafarian philosophy, philology, and epistemology. There must be something about the number 9. Not to get all Deep Space Nine, but there are exactly 9 planets. 9 members of Wu Tang. 9 millimeters go bang. According to Jamaican custom, 9 days after someone passes away, his or her friends and family should kill the fatted calf—so to speak, more likely a curried goat—and celebrate the life of the dear departed in order to send him or her off good and proper. It’s called a “nine night.” Well today, Friday August 5, marks the 9th day since Janine Cunningham, better known to enlightened reggae lovers as Jah9, released 9MM Vol. 2, an 18-track project (definitely not a mixtape) which she describes as “Groundings in preparation for the arrival” of her forthcoming album 9, which is due to be released on… 9/9 of course!  Audio After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Nail Pon Cross”

    HEAR THIS: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Nail Pon Cross”

    Powerful Images and Powerful Music from Junior Gong’s Stony Hill Album

    “Be careful who you nail pon cross,” sings Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley on the new single premiered today from Stony Hill, the long-awaited follow-up to Welcome to Jamrock, which is now scheduled for an October 28 release. The thought-provoking new song is built upon the the musical foundation of Black Uhuru’s “Solidarity.” Sly & Robbie’s thunderous rhythm track provides a backdrop for Damian to speak of respect and tolerance rather than vengefulness and vindictiveness. In the video for the song, set to debut Aug 9th on Tidal, Damian actually gets nailed to a cross alongside a young African-American male, a Mexican immigrant, a Muslim man—and a Los Angeles cop. “The imagery in Nas’s ‘Hate Me Now’ video was made to look like a modern depiction of Christ’s crucifixion. That’s where I got the idea for the ‘Nail Pon Cross’ video,” Damian told Billboard when asked about his inspiration. “I haven’t seen Kanye’s Rolling Stone cover and Madonna’s energy and message is a whole lot different than mine. They thrive on controversy and I am not doing this to be controversial. This is to represent the judgments that people make. So if someone has a problem with the video, that is exactly what the song is talking about.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)