Boomshots

Category: Dancehall

  • HEAR THIS: Red Fox & Screechy Dan “Skylarking”

    HEAR THIS: Red Fox & Screechy Dan “Skylarking”

    Ruff Entry Crew Revisits A Horace Andy Classic

    To skylark is to flitter about aimlessly, making no progressive movements and then begging somebody five cents to eat a food. Although the real-life birds may be very hard-working, their reputation for fuckery has inspired some nice reggae tunes. The metaphor was first employed by Horace “Sleepy” Andy, who cut classic versions of the tune for Studio One and Wackie’s, among others. Encouraging the youths to “earn your bread honestly” lest they “end up—up up in jail.” Some messages just never get old. Fast forward to 2015 and the great Screechy Dan and his lyrical sparring partner Red Fox have revamped the tune with Sting International on the production. You already know this one is a certified Boomshot. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Kat DeLuna ft. Trey Songz “Bum Bum” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Kat DeLuna ft. Trey Songz “Bum Bum” Official Music Video

    Bam Bam Inna Different Stylee

    Born in the Bronx to parents from the Dominican Republic, Kat DeLuna’s music has always shown a strong Jamaican influence. Her 2007 breakout single, “Whine Up,” featuring dancehall’s “Energy God” Elephant Man, has racked up 43 million views on Vevo. Eight years later she’s back on that sexy raggamuffin flex, sampling Sister Nancy’s Stalag riddim classic “Bam Bam” and flipping the lyrics from a female empowerment anthem—”MC is my ambition”—into a celebration of her (remarkable) “Bum Bum.” Trigger Trey joins in the fun, throwing in a little Shaggy “It Wasn’t Me” to seal the deal. The video is definitely NSFW because, really, what else could it be? True dem nuh know it’s from creation. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • A$AP Rocky Picks His Favorite Reggae Rappers

    A$AP Rocky Picks His Favorite Reggae Rappers

    Pretty Flacko Bigs Up Buju Banton’s “Boom Bye Bye” …And Others

    A$AP Rocky reps Harlem all day as one of the biggest rap stars in the world, but his dad was born in Barbados and he grew up loving dancehall reggae. While he was doing press for his new album ALLA. Rob Kenner of Boomshots asked him to pick his favorite reggae artists, which led to an interesting discussion of Buju’s controversial hit “Boom Bye Bye” as well as a very interesting chat about M.I.A. Rocky also spoke about directing A$AP Ferg’s video for “Shabba Ranks” and what it was like meeting the Big Dutty Stinkin’ Dancehall Emperor on the set. Apparently Shabba’s so turnt up, even the A$AP Mob can’t keep up. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Dexta Daps “7Eleven” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Dexta Daps “7Eleven” Official Music Video

    Dexta Daps Advises All Gallis To Stay Focused

    All year long Dexta Daps has been keeping his female fanbase fully laced with big tunes, whether “Jealous Ova,” his combination with Tifa, or “7Eleven,” his breakout hit on Troyton’s Intoxxicated Riddim (with a fresh new video directed & edited By Robin Chin, courtesy of 21st Hapilos). Born and raised in Seaview Gardens—the same Kingston area where Shabba Ranks and Bounty Killer got their start in life—Daps now seems to be the people’s choice for next to buss big and broad. Fresh off a massive performance at the Oracabessa Festival in Jamaica Queens, Dexta took a moment to chat with the Reggae Girl About Town about the real-life situations behind his tunes.   Video & Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Cadenza ft. Stylo G & Busy Signal “Foundation” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Cadenza ft. Stylo G & Busy Signal “Foundation” Official Music Video

    UK 2 JA Link-Up Inna Real Rock 2o15 Stylee

    Back when Cadenza was an intern at Gee Jam Studios in Port Antonio, he was inspired to update the classic Studio One instrumental “Real Rock.” Not that he was the first to have this idea—and he surely won’t be the last. But his version boasts some amped-up drums and a couple of hot verses from two of our favorite DJs: UK Yardie Stylo G and the Turf Prezident. A crazy new video for the tune just dropped today and it’s got us feeling like it’s time to hop a plane to Jamaica.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Stephen Marley ft. Bounty Killer & Cobra “Ghetto Boy” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Stephen Marley ft. Bounty Killer & Cobra “Ghetto Boy” Official Music Video

    Ragga, Killa & Snake Star Inna Brand New Story As Old As Babylon

    Year in, year out, the cycle continues. From Cabrini Green to Cidade de Deus to Tivoli Gardens, somebody is out there manipulating the minds of the ghetto youths and pressing their buttons on a divide-and-rule mission to spread misery and violence and disunity in the community. Like his father before him, Stephen Marley reveals the inner workings of the Babylon system with music as his only weapon and Killa and Cobra as his lyrical henchmen—because that’s what Ghetto Youths do. The visuals pick up where the tune left off. No long talking. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Kranium Talks Ty Dolla $ign Collab, Major Label Deal, and Repping JA from NYC

    Kranium Talks Ty Dolla $ign Collab, Major Label Deal, and Repping JA from NYC

    Everybody Haffi Know Bout Kranium

    The rising dancehall star responsible for the worldwide smash “Nobody Has To Know” chats with the Reggae Girl About Town shortly after his performance at the RBMA Yardcore show. They discuss his signing to major label Atlantic Records, his collab with L.A. rapper Ty Dolla $ign, what he learned from his uncle Screwdriver, and how he reps Jamaican music as a youth raised in NYC. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Stephen “Ragga” Marley ft. Bounty Killer & Mad Cobra “Ghetto Boy”

    HEAR THIS: Stephen “Ragga” Marley ft. Bounty Killer & Mad Cobra “Ghetto Boy”

    Ragga links the Warlord & Helta Skelta on this Musical Boomshot 

    Twanging guitars straight out of a Wild West cowboy movie open the latest track from musical mastermind Stephen “Ragga” Marley, which soon transforms into a hard-hitting dancehall cut featuring Ragga, Killer, and Mad Cobra kicking lyrical ballistics. “I think we need to open up the conversation more,” Stephen Marley explained in a recent Esquire interview. “Why is gun violence happening on a global scale? When, where, and what age does it start? We see the U.S. media addressing it now to a certain degree, but this is happening all over the world, with or without the cameras rolling. We need to get to the root of the problem, starting from the top down to break the cycle.” Revelation Part 2: The Fruit of Life coming soon!  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Special Request: Garnet Silk “Mama Africa” Live

    Special Request: Garnet Silk “Mama Africa” Live

    The Reggae ArchAngel’s First Number One

    Garnet Silk was just 26 years old when he died in a tragic accident in December 1994—dashing into a burning building to save his mother. At that young age he had established himself as reggae’s leading roots and culture singer. Hard at work on a new album for the U.S. based label Big Beat/ Atlantic, Garnet was perfectly poised to carry on the work of such legendary figures as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Hard to believe the rail-thin Rasta youth with the majestic voice had started his path in the music business as a DJ named Bimbo, but Garnet soon linked with Tony Rebel (seen above with Garnet in this classic Brian Jahn photograph) and found his true calling: singing cultural reggae music in an era when dancehall had become the dominant musical force on the island.  Garnet’s first number one song, topping the charts in Jamaica and the UK, was a tune called “Hello Mama Africa.” Recorded for Richard Bell’s Star Trail label, this rousing tribute to the motherland was an utterly original tune, yet reminiscent of the similarly titled Peter Tosh album. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Behind the Scenes at Konshens “Physically Fit” Video Shoot

    WATCH THIS: Behind the Scenes at Konshens “Physically Fit” Video Shoot

    Da Realest DJ Gets Physical

    When Konshens and Rvssian connect, the girls buss a sweat. Such was the case when Da Realest DJ shot the Konshens “Physically Fit” OMV for his Rvssian-produced banger “Physically Fit,” off his forthcoming album The Hotel Room. But you already know how it goes on these sexy music video shoots: half the story has never been told. That’s why Boomshots had to link Destine Media for an exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peek. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Shabba Ranks to Headline Best of the Best 2015

    Shabba Ranks to Headline Best of the Best 2015

    Miami Welcomes The Big Dutty Stinkin’ Dancehall Emperor

    There are few entertainers in any genre who can match the raw energy of Shabba Ranks live on stage. But when A$AP Ferg shouted out Shabba a couple of years ago many younger fans had never seen the dancehall legend do his thing live. This Memorial Day weekend May 24 in Miami, everyone will get the chance to witness the Dancehall Emperor ripping up Best of the Best alongside the likes of Capleton, Beenie Man, and Lady Saw. Shabba’s prediction: “Underpants wet, sweat man come fi sweat, money get!” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: The Skints ft. Horseman & Tippa Irie “London Town” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: The Skints ft. Horseman & Tippa Irie “London Town” Official Music Video

    The Skints are a London-based group who record dub, punk, ska, and predominantly reggae music. Since forming in 2008, they have garnered a loyal fan-base who are crazy about their “East London” sound. The group have even received backative from the Beeb (via BBC Radio 1) which is indicative of their major scope! Dubbed ‘one of the hardest working bands in the UK’, the quirky quartet have collated with legendary producers Prince Fatty and Mad Professor and continue to gig all over the world, selling out venues in their own right, and supporting acts such as The Gym Class Heroes, The Slackers and The King Blues. But, when all is said and done, there is no place like home. We learn that much from The Skints’ latest single “London Town,” a rhythmic ode to the ends that mentions UK keywords like Saxon Sound System, Brixton and Victoria Line. What’s more, Jamie, Jonathan, Joshua and Marcia called upon foundation DJs Horseman and Tippa Irie to pass through and chat two lyrics on the mic!  Video After The Jump…

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