Eesah Talks About How Marijuana Influences His Creativity
On 4/20 we interview Eesah, whose singles are starting to take off at an exponential rate on social media. He writes music about love, inspiration and reality and merges music genres as a former musical engineer. The artist talks about how marijuana helps him to get in touch with his spiritual, inner self to channel his creativity. Video & Interview After The Jump…
The Newly Energized Entertainer Hints That A Busy Signal U.S. Tour Is In The Works
Reanno Gordon, Busy Signal continues to stand out as an artist in 2017. He stepped out onto the musical scene in 2002, modeling his career after international reggae icon, Bounty Killer. Now he has an even clearer vision for his future with his new VISA status. In January, Busy Signal visited New York for a quick media run with Ebro Darden, Laura Styles, Funk Masterflex,Bobby Konders and Jabba for Hot 97 FM and Reshma B for Boomshots TV (four-part interview at the end of article) to discuss his new EP, Fresh From Yaad. Following this, Busy embarked on an European Tour and this week he revived up his fans in the U.S. with a tweet: “Coming to a city near you. Wherever in world you are! ASAP- Turf President.” In light of the impending tour, this article will serve to give an in-depth review of the Fresh From Yaad EP. Album Review After The Jump
Remix adds R&B Flavor to Dancehall Smash Hit
The ladies received a special treat on March 21, 2017. Two heartthrobs in the genres of R&B and Dancehall, respectively, collaborated on a remix for a song released in 2016. Konshen’s incendiary hit “Bruk Off Yuh Back” on the Moskato riddim produced by Christopher Birch, begins: “Wah dis make you feel like do? / Wah dis make you feel like do? / Wah dis make you? For most dancehall lovers, this song makes you want to break into dance moves. The song merged into mainstream music culture and remains an international hit. More After The Jump…
Brooklyn’s Finest Rapper Continues to Live On Through His Powerful Lyrics
March 9, 2017, marked the 20th anniversary of Christopher Wallace, Notorious B.I.G.’s murder in Los Angeles, California. He was only 24 years old and at the height of his career, when he lost his life. His murder remains a cold case despite the $50,000 award for any leads in the case. However, Notorious B.I.G. ‘s musical anthology continues to inspire generations born during and after his time. A quote from one of his inspiring tunes (below) trended across social media as fans new and old, commemorated the life of this music legend. The surge of quotes came after Puff Daddy put out a tweet, requesting that fans remember his friend by posting their favorite Biggie quotes. The most admired quote was from “Sky’s The Limit,” released in 1997. This song features the R&B group 112 and comes from the album entitled, “Life After Death Album.” This Friday, we reflect on the lyrics of this classic B.I.G. song and the quote from the last line of the song which touched so many.
Quote and Video After The Jump…
Multi-talented Musician & Burgeoning Business Mogul Builds His Brand
Jah Bami, born Marvin Walters in Trinidad and Tobago, learned to play instruments at a young age-including the guitar, piano, drums and steel pan. His mastery of instruments earned him a musical scholarship to the University of the West Indies, which provided him a plethora of opportunities to take his career to the next level. Now he tours the world solo and as part of his deejay group, Suns of Dub. Furthermore, Jah Bami owns a record label, clothing line and brand of smoke wrapping papers. We spoke to Jah Bami about his many hats in the entertainment business. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
In Which Nicki Suffers a Patois Malfunction
What a Bam Bam!
Boomshots sends a special year-end shout out to Dancehall’s Original Muma, Sister Nancy. Alongside featured artists Rihanna and Swizz Beatz, Nancy is the unsung hero of “Famous” by Kanye West, one of the year’s biggest tunes, nominated for two Grammy Awards. For well over a minute of the 3:16 track, Nancy’s voice plays on repeat, the melody slightly pitch-shifted to match RiRi’s, but otherwise unaltered from the 1982 album cut that made her name famous. Big up yourself Muma Nancy. Watch for an in-depth profile coming soon! Video After The Jump…
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Accurate Lyricist Drops Battle-Rap-Themed Video
Kabaka Pyramid continues the trend of Rastafarian artists rapping over boom bap hip-hop beats. In this video, aptly titled “Kabaka vs. Pyramid,” the artist pays homage to battle rap and stages a rap battle with himself. Hip hop has a long history of alter-egos, from Tupac/Makavelli to Eminem/Slim Shady, and even T.I. vs. T.I.P. Will the Bebble Rock spitter continue the trend in dancehall? Rockin’ over Biggie’s “Gimme The Loot” riddim, one persona keeps it patois while the other is twangin’ like a youth who spent time in Miami as he was coming up. Watch the video and find out who wins. Video After The Jump…
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Remembering A Game-Changing Album Twenty Years Later
All Eyez On Me. The Don Killuminati. Reasonable Doubt. The Score. It Was Written. ATLiens. Nineteen Ninety Six was an epic year for hip hop album releases. It was also a decisive year for dancehall breaking through to urban America. Twenty years ago this month, Bounty Killer released My Xperience on Blunt Recordings, a new joint venture between perennial reggae powerhouse V.P. Records and TVT Records, a New York-based indie specializing in “TV Tunes.” Featuring collabs with some of the biggest rappers and producers in hip hop—The Fugees, Mobb Deep, Raekwon, RZA, Busta Rhymes, Erick Sermon, Jeru the Damaja—My Xperience did that and more. The album truly changed the game for dancehall in the hip hop space. In an exclusive Boomshots interview, Bounty Killer calls it “the greatest album” of his illustrious career and shares his memories of working on the historic project. We also spoke with Killer’s then-manager Johnny Wonder, now the V.P. of 21st Hapilos Digital Distribution to share his experiences making My Xperience. Interviews After The Jump… (more…)
Diggy British Talks “Royalty Free”
Since Protoje’s remarkable Ancient Future joined the legions of crucial reggae albums overlooked by the Grammy Awards, Diggy British hasn’t slowed down at all. The five songs comprising the B-side of his latest release, Royalty Free, have set the Internets ablaze since it was uploaded to his Soundcloud, demonstrating the full range of the artists’ creative powers. One track in particular, “Can’t Feel No Way,” produced by Tracker John, M.D., stood out from the rest—promptly getting added to BBC Radio 1 and showcasing sicker than your average flows and rhyme patterns that far surpass any “reggae revival” limitations. Today Boomshots proudly premieres the visuals for said track, along with Reshma B’s exclusive interview with Protoje, wherein Diggy British details the albums’ diverse influences, from Makaveli’s Seven Day Theory to Twin of Twins Stir It Up, and confirms for the record that he does in fact, feel no way whatsoever. Videos After The Jump… (more…)
Walshy Fire & Kabaka Pack ‘Nuff Fire
If your summer was missing a proper mixtape that perfectly blends dancehall riddims with hip-hop instrumentals, this Major Lazer-stamped soundclash between Bebble Rock’s Kabaka Pyramid and the mighty Walshy Fire is right up your alley. Kingston’s Kabaka doesn’t shy from any banger that Walshy throws his way, coasting over everything from the Desiigner’s “Panda” to the legendary “Dipset Anthem,” and Biggie’s “Gimme the Loot,” as well as original tracks from Major Lazer, KickRaux, and Walshy himself. There’s even enough room on the mic for guest lyricists including Raekwon, Jahdan Blakkamore, and Chronixx. The combined forces of Walshy and Kabaka are massive enough to make you cop another pair of speakerboxes, as this might be too much heat for weak systems. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
A Big Assist From Popcaan & Drizzy Drake
Friday night at London’s O2 Arena four sound systems representing Dancehall, Hip Hop, UK Garage and Grime battled before a 20,000 seat venue for the 2016 staging of Red Bull Culture Clash. Wiley’s Eskimo Dance and UK Garage All-Stars featuring So Solid Crew had the place rocking with the hometown hits, and Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang linked with Supa Dups and Black Chiney Sound to drop some big dubplates, but in end Brooklyn NY’s Mixpak sound who took the trophy with support from dancehall stars Tony Matterhorn, Spice, Kranium, and Popcaan. The Unruly Boss sealed the win in the final round with a Drizzy Drake dub plate of One Dance that done the place. Video After The Jump… (more…)