It’s not an easy road, but once we have life, we have the opportunity to live, dream and hope. On his earthstrong, we salute the reggae icon, Grammy winning artist, Buju Banton and the amazing music he blessed the world with so far. As Gargamel marks his 42nd birthday behind bars—having instructed his defense team to cease all appeals, and looking forward to his release in 2019—we remember the words he told Boomshots many years ago: Buju: “Well nothing last forever and one thing I hope and pray… that is that all man and all true works must receive their justice. We are not just pawns here to make you dance and gyrate. We are here to uplift, educate you, and to stimulate you in all ways and every way. Yes?” More After The Jump… (more…)
Category: Dancehall
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WATCH THIS: Jesse Royal “Gimme Likkle Herb / Finally” Official Music Video
Palace Pikney and Notis Link Up Inna Herbalistic Affair
One good thing about music, Bob Marley once observed, when it his you feel no pain. The same could be said of ganja, the healing of the nation, the leaf of life, coming to a dispensary near you. And now that the whole medicinal vape industry has taken hold, that green weed / brown weed color barrier is getting a lot more complex. You might get a dab of wax, a crumble, a shatter, a sativa-dominant indica hybrid. But down in Jamaica, Jesse Royal likes to keep it simple. On his latest single, a collab with the drum and bass duo Notis, Jesse just says “Gimme Likkle Herb” and you already know what time it is. The song says “likkle” herb but judging by this brand-new (directed by Jay Will for Game Over Films) Mr. Royal seems to have found himself an abundant supply. And check how well-worn the man’s cutting board is! Jesse may be taking it slow-slow-slow-slow but make sure you check this video fast. Video After The Jump… (more…)
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The Heatmakerz’ Baddest Reggae Samples
Rsonist Breaks Down The Reggae Roots Of The Heatmakerz’ Crack Music
Gregory Green aka Rsonist was born in Mandeville, Jamaica and moved to NYC as a youth. He was fascinated by music all his life, and grew up to establish The Heatmakerz production team in the early 2000s. They made their name working with Cam’Ron and The Diplomats, as well as other big name rappers like Lil Wayne and Fat Joe. The Heatmakerz production style features lots of high-energy beats, sped-up soul loops, and reggae samples galore—a sound that came to be known as “Crack Music.” After shooting an episode of Rhythm Roulette for our peoples at Mass Appeal, Rsonist spoke with Boomshots and broke down the inspiration behind some of his best-known reggae flips. Interview After The Jump & Countdown Above In The Gallery (more…)
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DOWNLOAD: Konshens Mixtape
“Money Plan Complete”Like Kanye Said Money Isn’t Everything, Not Having It IS
Konshens put it plain from early out. The first time he stopped by the Strictly Boomshots show he explained how he drew a musical line in the sand and said “this year me haffi be the winner.” The reason? Not vanity, but because “me nah go me yard without the youth dem dinner.” Well it surely worked and Konshens has been winning for some time now. And here the DJ comes again with some more musica; motivation. “Bless my plans Almighty Jah… I wake up with a medz like, teach them youths to be wise and medz right.” As Konshens himsef puts it: “Some ppl are just lucky, some people inherited money,some ppl got all the good connections,some ppl got unbelievable undeniable talent, some got all the above mentioned…….. Some just worked nonstop harder and smarter everyday and refused to not succeed. Ppl have been born rich and turn out to nothing and others have been born in the worst situations and places humanly possible and turn out to be ICONS on earth… #noexcuses #Work MIXTAPE OUT NOW!!” Download Link After The Jump… -
HEAR THIS: Michael Rose “Warrior”
Bless Up the Grammy Winner From Waterhouse On Another Earthstrong
“Life is a gamble,” sings Michael “Grammy” Rose on the title track from his powerful 2007 roots rock reggae album produced by the Twilight Circus crew. “Cease fire!” Since joining forces with Black Uhuru in 1977, Rose has remained at the forefront of reggae music outernationally—whether by cultivating and celebrating a “Stalk of Sinsemilla” or shaking up society with “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner,” bouncing to the “Sponji Reggae” or collecting the first ever Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album with Uhuru’s Anthem. As Mr. Rose marks his 58th birthday today, Boomshots salute a musical soldier who never cease fire yet, just like the youths of Eglington with them Remington. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
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Flashback Friday: Wayne Wonder, “No Letting Go”
In 2003, when “No Letting Go” hit MTV, Wayne Wonder’s music career went into a projectile motion that continues to reach new heights. Twelve years later, fans are still expressing their love for this song on YouTube and other social media. I caught up with Wayne Wonder this week to find out his inspiration for this song, which was Number 11 on Billboard Hot 100. Video and Interview After The Jump… (more…)
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Shaggy Has A Plan to Defeat ISIS
The Operation Desert Storm Veteran Is Still Fighting the Good Fight
“ISIS can go fuck themself,” Shaggy declared in a recent interview with the Miami New Times (and the question was about music, not politics). “That’s some crazy shit what they’re doing. It’s horrible, man. I can’t see… I don’t get that much hate. I just don’t get that level of evil. I can’t understand it.” And so, after a few more questions about music, Shaggy—aka former field artillery cannon crewman Orville Richard Burrell, USMC—shared what was really on his mind, a strategy for toppling the Islamic State in Syria. Thank him later. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Krept & Konan ft. Jeremih, Beenie Man & Popcaan “Freak of the Week” Remix
Di Playground Riddim Ah No Play Play Ting
South London grimesters K&K serve up hip hop and grime on their new mixtape The Long Way Home. The breakout single, featuring DJ Mustard on the beats and Chi-town singer Jeremih on the hook, has a definite dancehall flavor—inspired by the mighty Playground Riddim—which inspired Beenie and Papi to give it a refix. Check the levels. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
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Dancehall Nice Again: Aidonia, Busy Signal and Konshens Turn Up The Vibes In Trinidad
Jamaican artists shine bright on 96.1 WEFM and at Together As One Concert in Trinidad
Last night’s, July 4th, Together As One Concert (T.A.O) in Trinidad, featured the top headliners in dancehall and soca. The line up included chart toppers from Barbados, Leadpipe & Saddis; Trinidadian popular artists Roy Cape All Stars, Squeeky Ranking, Blaxx, Darnella Simmons, Orlando Octave and Ricardo Drue; and Jamaican dancehall artists Charly Black, Aidonia, Busy Signal and Konshens. Just like the Olympics, the flag for Jamaica waved high. Aidonia, Busy Signal and Konshens, delivered high caliber performances before and during this music festival. More After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Lil Wayne ft. Jr. Reid, Cory Gunz & Capo “Murda”
Free Weezy Album Cut Says The Youth in New Orleans Have Two Choices
Who cares about a multimillion-dollar-lawsuit? Lil Wayne dropped his Free Weezy album on July 4th just as he promised his fans. Tunechi’s spitting straight fire on this album, especially Track #8. “First degree murda,” Jr. “One Blood” Reid sings on the hook. “Beg them don’t push it further / This ah no beef fe mek burger / The youth them strapped with them burner.” You get the picture. In his verse Weezy suggests that “we’re living in a time when the 10 Commandments are now suggestions.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Mr. Easy “Bashment Gal”
Nuh Fraid Fi Bruck Out And Whine
Early July is such a great time for reggae music. There isn’t really one dominant song of the summer yet, but there’s lots of candidates for the title. The result is an explosion of creativity and excitement that goes on and on. Ricky Blaze just forward a link fresh outta his basement studio inna Flatbush BK. Seems the big bad producer linked up with the year-to-year singer Mr. Easy like bloodcleet Sunday Morning. The fruits of their label is a musical thing called “Bashment Gal.” Classical dancehall vibes, Boomshots certified. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
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WATCH THIS: Lady Saw “Summer Love” Official Music Video PREMIERE
Muma Saw Gets Her Groove Back
You already know whenever Muma Saw drops a track it’s going to be hot. But this Summer Saw is on fire. When the first line of a tyne is “I wanna fall deeply in love”…soon followed by “I wanna get so damn drunk!”—well, you get the picture. “This summer me ah touch ‘pon the beach” Saw spits on her latest track. “A new boyfriend me ah cop fe the summer.” After all the catfights, clashes, heartbreaks, and high-heel shoes, she’s just trying to exhale and show she’s still the baddest B in business. It seems like Saw is on some YOLO vibes at the moment. Listeners rarely have to do much reading in-between the lines with Saw’s lyrics and this song is no exception. Let’s just say the Queen of the Dancehall is out and about and she don’t care who knows it. Oh, and the summer heat has got her needing a new man in between the sheets. Saw proudly shows off her her beach bod in the video, surrounded by some very fit semi-naked males or effortlessly chilling in the sunset with the likes of the new legendary duo Bounty and Beenie. #NotMad Video After The Jump… (more…)