Who Do You Think Built This Dancehall Style?
Water’s pouring down in Montego Bay just a few hours before the start of Dancehall Night at Reggae Sumfest 2010. But I can’t tell if it’s rain from the skies or tears from my eyes. (more…)
Category: Foundation
Classics
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HEAR THIS: Gyptian & Nicki Minaj “Hold Yuh” REMIX
Barbi Gives Gyppy The Tightest Hold He Ever Get Inna His Life
Latest artist to jump on Ricky Blaze’s big bad riddim is Miss Young Money Minaj who rides the riddim alongside Gyptian on the Billboard tune “Hold Yuh.” (more…)
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Steel Pulse: Tribute To The Martyrs, 1979
From Handsworth to Haiti—The Song Remains The Same
On this MLK Day, let us pause to reflect on the words of the man who sacrificed his life to the struggle for equal rights and justice:
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.“
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HEAR THIS: Beres Hammond “Giving Thanks”
Why Not Make Every Day Thanksgiving Day?
“Gotta take time out to say much respect to the Father,” Beres remarks on this live cut from his double-disc retrospective Can’t Stop A Man. “Because without Him we couldn’t have made it here tonight. Wanna say thank you Father. Thank you, yes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart…”
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Diamonds Are Forever
40 Years Later The Mighty Diamonds Trinity Is Harder Than Ever
Fifteen years ago I had the distinct pleasure of reasoning with Tabby Diamonds, the man seated on the center stool in this classic clip from a session at the legendary Channel One Studio. Our conversation that day took place at another studio—the also legendary Don One dub studio in Brooklyn. The bright, upful spirit that you sense watching Tabby lay down his sensitive vocals is the same spirit that he brings in person. And despite being a 25-year veteran of the reggae industry, he was strikingly youthful. “Every interview we do, people remark on how youthful he looks,” said his bredren who carried Tabby to the studio that day. “They want to know what is his secret.” (more…)
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WATCH THIS: Burning Spear “Christopher Columbus”
Winston Rodney Dashes Another Fire Under The Genovese Explorer
It might not be his favorite holiday, but this Monday may be Burning Spear’s best Columbus Day ever. The roots reggae legend has been calling Christopher Columbus “a damn blasted liar” since 1980, when he dropped Hail H.I.M. (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Early B “DJ Origination”
Special Request To The Original Doctor, Going Down In Dancehall History
One more reason to remember September 11: Seven years after Peter Tosh’s 1987 murder in Kingston, the foundation dancehall artist Early B The Doc was killed by a stray shot in a Boston dancehall session 15 years ago today. To call Early B a dancehall legend doesn’t nearly do the man justice. He was a DJ’s DJ, a styistic innovator, a mentor and sparring partner of Super Cat the Don Dada, and a vast repository of information who crammed as much raw data into his lyrics as possible. He was also an ardent student of the culture he chronicles in this 1983 cut on the Sonic Sounds label. “Now I dedicate this style to all the DJs over the years who have been champions, from Daddy Roy straight down to King Yellowman, from Josey Wales and Chaplin and even I Early B the Doctor. Laaaaaawd.” Let it go… (more…)
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Don’t Watch My Size I’m Dangerous
22 Years Ago Today Reggae Superstar Peter Tosh Was Gunned Down
Long before the planes hit the Twin Towers, September 11 was a day that would live infamy. On September 11 1987, original Wailing Wailer Winston Hubert McIntosh was at home in Kingston with friends when three gunmen entered his house… (more…)
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WATCH THIS: Spragga Benz “Livication”
Spragga Puts Trust In The Most High, Says to H.I.M. Leave All Vengeance.
A spiritual tune from a consistently top-notch DJ who suffered a life-changing tragedy just over a year ago. On August 23, 2008, Spragga’s first-born son Carlton Grant Jr., aka Carlyle, was shot dead by police in Kingston, Jamaica . “By right the whole place shoulda red,” Spragga chants as Stephen “Ragga” Marley beats the Binghi drum. “But me still ah hold a higher meds.” Let it go…
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HEAR THIS: Steely & Clevie Top 12
From Studio One To Studio 2000, Dancehall’s Dynamic Duo Did It All
Steely’s untimely death this week leaves an enormous void that can only be filled by more tunes. At times like these all we can do is say a prayer for the man’s family and loved ones, and honor his legacy by returning again and again to the music he loved so deeply. (more…) -
WATCH THIS: Toots & The Maytals “Daddy”
Special Request And Big Respect To All The Real Dads Out There.
“Rimi Niya Simi Niya Rima Niya Sima Sima Sima Niya Keith…. That’s my new name! (I just don’t know why you’re calling me this name.)”
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Bunny Wailer Show Them How Fi Rule Dancehall
Original Wailer says Beenie, Bounty, and Sean Paul are “Lollipop Stuff.”
When it comes to living legends, nobody can test Neville Livingston a.k.a. Bunny Wailer. At age 62, Bunny’s the last man standing from the original Wailing Wailers trio that put reggae music on the map internationally. Jah B recently announced plans to offer his entire back catalog for online download in association with Zojak World Wide, and as part of the promotional push, he took time out to reason with Boomshots.com. Needless to say, it was a lively conversation (check VIBE’s August issue for more highlights). Meanwhile, here’s a little taste of his thoughts about the state of reggae music. Who the cap fit, let them wear it. (more…)
