Boomshots

Category: Dancehall

  • HEAR THIS: Tommy Lee Sparta ft. Tabeta Cshae “Spartan Angels”

    Uncle Demon Grows His Wings
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    I did not see this one coming. But why am I surprised? Tommy Lee is always doing something different in the biz. His fascination with the Goth world has been an exciting new image for dancehall lovers to sit back and watch unfold. Of course not everybody likes it—as he says in the song, “Some a say me bless, some a say me curse….” But then again the Gaza crew have always been down to try new and experimental things. As Kartel once told me “Vybz Kartel’s always surprising the audience—keeping them on the edge of their seats.” No surprise, then, that his protege is following in Di Teacha’s footsteps with a totally unexpected released on UIM Records called “Spartan Angels.” All the speculation about whether this is an original track is beside the point—is it super important that the  tune is based on a hit by the Dutch rock band Within Temptation? Is there anyone else bringing that type of sound into the dancehall? It’s been  a minute since a dancehall artist had people talking this much. “True me say demon, it is just a phase,” he growls on this track. Not sure if this is is the end of Tommy Lee’s dark side or just a manifestation of a completely new image. Maybe it’s a split personality kind of fing: Jekyll & Hyde, Norman Bates & Psycho??? God (or Satan) only knows—but one thing’s for sure: he’s got the streets (and me) locked. Audio After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Jo Mersa “How You Bad So”?

    WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Jo Mersa “How You Bad So”?

    When You’re Bob Marley’s Grandson, Making Music Is a Family Affair

    Joe Mersa is the eldest son of Stephen Marley, the nephew of Jr. Gong, and a fresh recruit to the Ghetto Youths family. Last week he dropped his tasty single “Comfortable,” and the ladies are loving it. That’s why we’re expecting more great things from this young rebel. Here he chops it up with the ReggaeGirlAboutTown about getting into the biz, the Melody Makers, and his love for reggae and dancehall music. He even gets Reshma B to kick a freestyle—how she “bad so.” Video After The Jump…
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  • HYPE TV Top 20: I-Octane Sweeps the Competition

    Octane Takes Over the Number 1 Spot

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    Right in time for the release of his newest single, I-Octane has made his way to the number 1 spot of the countdown. 16 weeks on the chart and he has swiftly bypassed the competition on his way up. Though Popcaan and Tommy Lee have held on to tight to their spots, Mavado has moved down from number 1 to number 5! But as quickly as someone moves up the list, they can move down so let’s see how long I-Octane’s fans keep him at number one!
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  • HEAR THIS: I-Octane “Pretty Little Flower”

    Brand New Release Off the Valentine’s Day Mixtape “L.O.V.E. Y.O.U.”
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    I-Octane loves the ladies, and he knows action speaks louder than words. So he’s blessed all the empresses with a free Valentine’s Day mixtape called “L.O.V.E. Y.O.U.” Some of these tunes you may have heard on Boomshots before. But one of the new ones is this Trotyon production about a pretty little flower who needs to be watered every hour. Audio & Download Link After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Italis “Dash It Weh” and “Reminisce” Premiere

    The Ragga-Rough DJ Chats Bout Both Sides Of Love—The Tuff And The Tender
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    Patrick Anthony Willis’s mother gave birth to her sun by the roadside in the lush Jamaican parish of Portland. “I was born in the streets,” Italis says with a laugh, “so it will be hard for anyone to get me out.” As a child, his unusually deep voice, inherited from his dad and grandfather, made him a “celebrity at church.” Inspired at an early age by the Crown Prince of Reggae Dennis Brown, Willis knew that a career in music was his destiny. He spent many hours listening to artists like Papa San, Ninja Man , Garnet Silk, I-Wayne and Bushman, developing a deeper appreciation for his roots, and eventually taking the name Italis. “Although I am mainly a DJ, the singers are the ones who inspired me the most,” he says. As Italis got older, his voice got even deeper—so deep, in fact, that his sound would often be compared to dancehall icon, Buju Banton. “I love Buju Banton. People tell me I sound like him all the time. I can’t help that. This is just me. Naturally.” Discovered by reggae producer Donald Grant—better known as Danny Champagne—Italis went on to work with Grammy-winning producer, Tony ‘CD’ Kelly, who was one of the first producers to voice Buju Banton when they worked together at Shocking Vibes. Today Boomshots premieres not one but two brand new tunes that display the DJ’s versatility—the hard-driving “Dash It Weh” on The Journey riddim, and the smoothed out “Reminisce” on the Sky High riddim. Audio After The Jump…

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  • Strictly Boomshots Lovers Selection

    Valentine’s Day Vibes From Radio Lily With Love
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    Love never goes out of season, but on a day like today it’s all anybody seems to be thinking about. That’s why this week’s Strictly Boomshots show is strictly for the lovers. So light the candles, pour the wine, and throw on this 3 hour mix to set the mood. Just don’t be surprised when the ting tun up. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Vybz Kartel “Mr. Bleach Chin”

    If Kartel Got a Billion Dollars… Imagine!
    KartelThinkingBoom    Jamaican-born billionaire Michael Lee-Chin seems to have captured the imagination of The Werlboss, sparking this meditation on a billion dollars. (Not Jamaican dollars, by the way.) “Crime is a sickness and me know say money ah de antidote,” Kartel observes. This brand new T.J. production is sure to have the paper chasers going wild. But as Kartel points out, “life ah de greatest ting.” That, and freedom. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel ft. DJ Power “Makeup” Video

    You’ve Seen The Reality Show, But Are You Ready for a Kartel Cartoon?

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    The Werlboss isn’t available for video shoots these days so DJ Power came up with a creative solution for the visuals on their collabo, “Makeup.” Earlier last month, Power spoke about getting the chance to work with Vybz just before his arrest. Doing their best to capture the song’s electro-pop feel, the video follows the tune’s story-line with some drawn-in dancing and flashing lights. Still trying to figure out why the dude this lady escapes from looks so much like Kanye West. Video After The Jump…

  • WATCH THIS: Planet VI And The “Island Boy Cartel”

    Planet VI (Formerly Rock City) Introduces Us To The IBCPlanet-VI

     

    Virgin Islands natives Planet VI (formerly Rock City) introduces us to the “Island Boy Cartel.” Made up of Planet VI, Kardinal Offishall along with DJ Benny Demus and Verse Simmonds the collective further explains the reasoning behind them joining forces. To get down with the IBC just check the Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Vybz Kartel ft. Gaza Slim “Children Are Our Future”

    Worlboss Reps For The Yute Dem While Vanessa Bling Does The Whitney Ting
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    Politicians and defenders of public morality often list dancehall music in general and Vybz Kartel in particular as a negative influence on the youth. It’s true that Kartel’s lyrics can be extremely XXXplicit, and that he’s awaiting trial for murder. But he’s still innocent until proven guilty. And if you’ve read his book, The Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto, you know Kartel is deeply concerned about the future of underprivileged youths pon di Gaza and worldwide. That’s why he sounds so serious on this new release from So Unique Records, as he and Gaza Slim burn out all child victimizers. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Mavado OnStage Interview “Respect is the Biggest Currency—More than Anything in the World.”

    The Gully Gad Chats with Winford Williams on OnStageTV
    Mavado-OnStageTV Interview Mavado stopped by OnStage TV this week to discuss his future plans, his new artists and even his personal life. The Starbwoy has been making his rounds from 106 & Park in New York to Jamaica, to let people know he’s in it for more than the money. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Noisey Jamaica “Tommy Lee Sparta”

    Snoop Lion’s Dancehall Documentary Continues Its Gaza Trend
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    The first two episodes of Noisey Jamaica’s dancehall series focused on Vybz Kartel and Popcaan, and the Gaza trend on part three, which features “the Anti-Christ of the dancehall,” Tommy Lee Sparta. His “Uncle Demon” persona has made him easily the most controversial character in Jamaican music, hot with the kids and dissed by older dancehall diehards. In a dimly lit room, Tommy Lee opens up in this interview. Be afraid. But it’s not all fun and games and scary makeup. The former Leroy Russell says he can’t return to his home in MoBay because of his success, as police have now branded him a don. “I can’t even get to see my kids them,” he says. “I can’t go to my place. I have to let them come visit me at a hotel when I have shows and those things. They don’t want me to go into my place. They say I should stay away from there and I don’t know why.”  Video After The Jump…

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