Gully Gad & Hotskull Blaze One With The Lion
The homie DreSkull just hit us on G-Chat and blessed us with the maddest Soundcloud link. The track is crazy plus it’s good to hear Snoop Lion sparring with a couple of real dancehall heavyweights—from the Gullyside and the Gaza—on some unity vibes. As Mavado puts it: “We making money fuck the guns, we no want no enemies.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)
After A Medical Scare The “Rasta Rock” Chanter Has Got His Mojo Back
This past October Mr. Mojo, the youngest member of Morgan Heritage, collapsed during a Miami recording session and was rushed to the hospital. After recuperating from his illness, he’s back with newfound energy and a new record deal at Krian Music Group, the same indy label that’s now home to dead prez and Richie Loop. “After fighting through a near life threatening encounter, as I did last month, you tend to revamp your outlook on life,” Mojo said in a statement. “My single ‘New Dawn’ has become more relevant in my personal life. I hope to provide listeners with a vehicle to always look on the brighter side of a bad situation and the song gives me a second chance at doing just that.” Mojo calls his sound “Rasta Rock,” a blend of reggae, alternative, and hip-hop with a Top 40 twist. “New Dawn” samples Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” and features an uplifting hook from Mojo’s big brother Peetah. Audio & Lyric Video After The Jump… (more…)
Pusha Meets Hotskull Inna Raggamuffin Style
You’ve seen flicks from the video shoot, now check the tune. Pusha T, Popcaan, and Travis Scott. Young Chop on the beat. Early heat from The Wrath of Cain mixtape. This type of shit happens every day? If only… Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Behind The Scenes Flicks From The “Blocka” Video Shoot
Long before “Mercy,” we knew Pusha T loved that dancehall sound. Remember his verse on the “Half On a Baby” remix with Vybz Kartel? Last week, Pusha and his crew took a trip to Kingston, Jamaica for the video shoot of “Blocka,” the Young Chop–produced single of his upcoming Wrath of Cain mixtape. We hear there’s another big dancehall star Popcaan featured on the track, which debuts soon is hard as f**k. While you let your imagination run wild, check out some exclusive behind-the-scene photos of the shoot. Photographs After The Jump… (more…)
She’s Gotta Have It… By All Means Necessary
Last time we checked in with BK-rapper BRNGTN he was pouring out his heart asking God for help with life’s big issues. This time around he’s banging on the door asking a pretty young thing for sex. Musically BRNGTN sticks with the same approach: blending hip-hop flows and rugged reggae instrumentals—in this case the mighty Stalag riddim. At the end of the day this video turns into another case of “be careful what you wish for.” Video After The Jump…
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Mr. Vegas “Bruk It Down” Is The Official Barbz’ Bashment Anthem
Last week Nicki Minaj made the rounds on New York radio promoting her latest release, Roman Reloaded: The Re-Up. While chatting with DJ Prostyle on Power 105, the Trini-born first lady of YMCMB talked about her favorite dancehall jam right now: “Bruk It Down” by Mr. Vegas. “Oh I get so crazy,” Nicki said of the tune. “Every time that song comes on you gotta turn around and look at your ass getting real crazy.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Snoop Said He Would Give Back To Jamaica, And He’s Backing Up His Words With Actions
This July when Berhane aka Snoop Lion (formerly known as Snoop Dogg) stopped by the Strictly Boomshots show, he had lots of big news to share. Not only was he transforming from a rapper to a reggae artist, and releasing a documentary film about how he was Reincarnated, he also said he was going to be giving back to the people of in Jamaica. Now lots of people talk that talk, but actions speak louder than words. And this week, Snoop proved that his word is his bond. Details after the jump… (more…)
The Mighty Snoop Lion Unleashes His First Music Video
Yesterday, Snoop Lion released the official music video for “La La La,” the first single from his forthcoming album Reincarnated—which of course Snoop first discussed on the Strictly Boomshots show. Snoop teamed up with acclaimed horror film director Eli Roth to create a fun, Halloween-inspired music video filled with kids in Halloween costumes and imaginative scenery. The track is produced by none other than Major Lazer, and samples the Ken Boothe classic “Artibella.” Check the video after the jump and weigh in on the latest from Snoop Lion. (more…)
You Have Never Seen A Lazer Show Like This
The veteran of the secret Zombie War of 1984 hopped on his rocket powered skateboard and descended upon the unsuspecting inhabitants of New York City and made the spacious Terminal 5 his headquarters before the Frankenstorm’s arrival. (more…)
Echo Boomer No. 1 Raps With The ReggaeGirlAboutTown
Cris Cab is a young singer-songwriting from Miami with reggae roots, a pop sensibility, and a huge fanbase of hot young girls. (He calls his fans EchoBoomers—if you don’t know maybe you’re too old?) Cris first popped up on our radar when he signed with Pharrell and teamed up with Mavado for the Wyclef-produced boomshot “Rihanna’s Gun.” Today his EP Rise hits iTunes, featuring the Big Sean-assisted single “Good Girls Don’t Grow On Trees.” If you don’t know this youth yet, you might want to get familiar cause he’s in it to win it. Reshma B caught up with Cris recently for an up close and personal interview. Video After The Jump. (more…)
Reasoning With A Dancehall Legend
Besides being a crucial entertainer with the mic in his hand, Jah Thomas was one of the first dancehall DJs to take control of his own destiny as a businessman. His “Midnight Rock” label did not just release certified boomshots like his own “Shoulder Move” and “Friday Night Jamboree,” he also released the work of fellow artists like a young Super Cat. Cat’s Midnight Rock release “Dance Inna New York” became a big sensation when it was sampled to create Nas’s Salaam Remi-produced banger “The Don.” Backstage at this year’s Reggae Sumfest, we were fortunate enough to bump into Papa Thomas and a legendary interview ensued. He said that proceeds from the Nas sample has changed the color on his house, and that he recently discovered an unreleased Super Cat song called “Ever Ready.” (We’re more than ready to hear that.) Props to Snowcone for making the introduction. Video after the jump…
Brownsville’s Own B-A-double-R-Y Kicks Ballistics Over a Foundation Riddim
BRNGTN is a BK-based rapper who describes his style as “Experimental / Hip Hop / Reggae.” Considering how much wack rapping has been done over reggae beats, getting it this right is somewhat of an experiment. His rhymes connect because they avoid cliche and get right to the heart of the “Everyday Struggle” between good and evil that each of us goes through. Throw that over a hard-hitting version of the “Unchained” riddim and you can’t lose. This tune also supports my theory that remakes of a foundation riddim tracks should be in harmony with the concept of the original song. The musicians played the riddim that way for a reason. (more…)