Songs For Deep Thought and Meditation
The color is purple, signifying a richness in color or potency. Purple lyrics have a wealth of consciousness that takes you to higher heights. Most of the songs were selected for purple lyrics or purple live performances in studio or concert that etch an indelible mark on the canvas of the mind. Playlist After The Jump… (more…)
If The Stars Align This Weekend In Miami, Anything Can Happen
The 9 Mile Music Festival was established in 1993 as the brainchild of Cedella Marley Booker in honor of her son, Robert Nesta Marley. Formerly known as Marley Fest and The Caribbean Music Festival, the event has been renamed 9 Mile after Bob’s birthplace as well as his final resting place—the little village in St. Ann Parish that lies at the heart of the Marley legacy. More than a concert, the 9 Mile Music Festival provides millions of canned goods to local homeless shelters and domestic centers throughout Miami; feeding families in need for months after the show is over. For 22 years, the concert has required canned goods in addition to the price of admission, and it always will. Given its strong ties to the Marley family, the show is always packed with reggae royalty, and this year is no exception, with Stephen “Ragga” Marley, Julian “JuJu Royal” Marley, and their nephew Skip Marley all scheduled to perform this Saturday, February 27th. In addition, both Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Nas are billed—and while each of these living legends will be performing his own set, anticipation is in the air that the two lyrical giants may join forces on stage to recreate the magic of their 2010 album Distant Relatives. Full Details After The Jump… (more…)
Girl I’ll Tropical House You
After all the teasers, snippets, and Snapchats the video for Rihanna’s most unabashedly dancehall track ever drops today, same time the tune touch the No. 1 spot. Our bredren Paul Parris called Riri and Aubrey the Queen and King of Dancehall, which might be overstating the case, but we feel the fire of his argument. Point being that Tropical House shit is dead. Please have the decency to call it what it is: dancehall. By now we all know the song was co-produced by Drake’s very own Boi-1da, Sevn Thomas and Partynextdoo—three youths from T-Dot who looped up Pot of Gold’s “Sail Away” riddim and took the track behind “Badman Nuh Flee” to the top of the pops. The video is appropriately twerktastic and bangs even harder with DJ Autograph’s remix underneath. Pree this. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Dancehall’s Original Muma Talks “Bam Bam,” Rihanna, and Kanye West
Quick: what’s the most sampled song in reggae history? If you guessed “Bam Bam” by Sister Nancy you know your stuff. Her 1982 album cut has provided raw material for dozens of records for artists ranging from Chris Brown to Too $hot to Diamond D. The latest may be the biggest tune of all:”Famous” by Kanye West featuring Rihanna and Swizz Beatz, off The Life of Pablo. Yep, that’s the song where Yeezy disses Taylor Swift–the one everybkdy’s chatting bout although few have actually heard it. When Boomshots caught up with Muma Nancy for a recent Billboard piece the legendary foundation DJ had not heard the tune yet. Not that she’s in much of a hurry to do so. She’s unimpressed with the whole sampling thing, much preferring a live session. But trust and believe she will be picking up that royalty check. Pree the full reasoning below. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
Agent Sasco Was Not In The Building For The Grammys, But His Words Rang In Our Ears
Let’s start by saying that there were no losers at this years Grammys. Congratulations to Morgan Heritage on the Grammy they worked so hard for—for their entire lives. Big up The Weeknd and Kendrick and Adele and Lady Gaga and Alabama Shakes. We lovers of reggae respect all great music. (Wouldn’t be mad at some vicey versey love tho.) It was also a night when Rihanna canceled her performance due to bronchitis, Lauryn Hill didn’t turn up as expected for her “surprise” spot with The Weeknd, and Jah Cure wiped his Instagram clean shortly after coming up short in the voting for the Best Reggae Album. (Big up Iyacure said speed; just remember music alone shall live, and “we don’t need no visas to come thru your speakers.”) Still at the end of it all, we had Assassin’s voice, cutting through like a chainsaw while K-Dot released the chain. Video After The Jump… (more…)
The Singer Ternt Rappa Now
Valentine’s Day may be coming up, but don’t you ever try to put Randy Valentine in a box—not even a heart-shaped box. On his first mixtape, Bring Back the Love (which was downloaded over 50’000 times), RV voiced over classic reggae instrumentals from the “foundation” era of reggae. Yesterday the singer with mad deejay skills dropped a new mixtape that heads in a completely fresh creative direction—call it a musical RVlution. “I bet the radio nah go chart this,” Valentine raps on the opening cut, over the beat to “Can I Kick It?” off A Tribe Called Quest’s debut album. “That’s alright, man ah no radio artist.” Radio Music is a 19-track excursion which takes the listener back to the ’90s, the golden age of Hip Hop. “Music has no boundaries,” says Valentine. “This project carries the same energies as all my previous projects—this time we’re stepping forward into the 90’s Hip Hop Era Via my Global Radio Station Conscious FM 98.checkYourself. Same energy, same message just a different formula. This is what’s on my Radio. FullJoy the Experience.” Presented by Hemp Higher and Tek-9 Movements, the new tape features guest appearances by Kabaka Pyramid, Gappy Ranks, Calip P, and Big Bullz. Hosts include Walshy Fire, Bobby Konders, Seani B, Jugglerz, Ninja Crown, and King Lagazee. Enoug of the long talking. Tracklist and Download Link After The Jump…
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In The Twinkling Of An Eye, Dem Ready Fi Pull Down The Karl Kani…
While “Affairs of the Heart” may be the fan favorite love song by Damian Marley, Jr. Gong, he has many other love songs with poignant lyrics. Many are interlaced with socially conscious issues. The 2001 song “Still Searching” featuring Stephen Marley and Yami Bolo off the Halfway Tree album, refers to the virtuous woman as defined by the bible in Proverbs 31:10-31. More After The Jump… (more…)
Tune In Pon This Brand New Heatmakerz Production Because Live Is For Living
“Everybody’s talking about the heartaches in the ghetto, and how it’s rough in the streets—and it is,” says Virgin-Islands born reggae singer Pressure Buss Pipe. “I wanted to turn it around and make people happy. Just make people see life in a different perspective and give thanks for what you have. We’re doing things different with the Heatmakerz.” Linking with the production team responsible for major hits by Lil Wayne and Dipset, Pressure created “Live Life,” his first original release on a hip-hop rhythm track. Video After The Jump… (more…)
New Music & Visuals From Eric & Amp
First things first, this is not a social media song. “There’s two words and no dot com,” says vocalist/guitarist Eric Rachmany (also the frontman for Cali roots band Rebelution) of the latest release from Unified Highway, his collaborative project with renowned producer, DJ, and remixer Amp Live (formerly of Zion I). The duo’s self-titled debut on Audible Collision / Strange Focus Records embodies a fusion of reggae, electronic, hip-hop, alternative, and soul. “This song is kind of like inviting everyone into our vibe, the vibe we were feeling,” says Amp. “Me and Amp got together and we said ‘Let’s do this project’ and that was the first thing that came to mind,” Eric adds. “It just felt like an intimate guitar riff. I felt like the song was just asking me to sing about the mood, about being in my zone.” Unified Highway’s first song, “Stand Proud” ft. Keznamdi and Tahir Panton, premiered on Mass Appeal, who hailed both its conscious lyrics “unification of reggae basslines and dance-ready drum loops.” Since then they say the response has been “overwhelmingly positive” and when the album drops in March there are plans for live shows. “This album is actually pretty diverse,” says Eric. “Every song is a little bit different from the other, so we are excited for people to hear the diversity. Honestly, I’m not saying this to brag or anything but I really feel like this project is groundbreaking. It’s different from anything I’ve ever heard or been a part of… It’s weird, usually I don’t like listening to myself, but I thoroughly enjoy listening to this album. We do this for the fun of it and we want to keep on doing it. It’s a really fun collaboration and we’re really stoked that Boomshots is picking it up and promoting it.” Enough long talking let’s get into that space. Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)
The Chef Connects With Baka Over Walshy Fire’s Production— Accurate!
Any time you can get two of the world’s greatest living lyricists on one track for the first time, that’s a win. On “Skew It On the Bar-B” Andre 3000 and Raekwon brought A-Town and Shaolin together and the result was historic. On the fresh cut “Be Inspired,” Raekwon the Chef trades bars with Kabaka Pyramid over a hard-driving breakbeat. (Shout out to our peoples over at egotripland for the link.) If you can’t picture the Wu God kicking it with a dancehall reggae artist, perhaps you forgot about his Clarks game—not to mention that Wu-Tang “One Blood” joint. Let’s just say the homie Walshy Fire has made history with this one. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Multi-genre Playlist of Songs That Are Already Moving the Massive Internationally in 2016
The start of the New Year could not be any better. This playlist highlights ten notable releases between the end of last year and the beginning of this year, that are stirring up the musical anticipation for the rest of 2016.
More After The Jump…
St. Paul Spitter And Spanish Town Stepper Join Forces In a Quest for Truth
When Kanye West features you on a track alongside Paul McCartney and Theophilus London, that’s what is known as a “good look.” Just ask Allan Kingdom, a Canadian-born African youth (mom from South Africa, dad from Tanzania) who’s now based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Yesterday he celebrated his 22nd birthday by gifting fans with a free album called Northern Lights. Features include D.R.A.M, Jared Evan, Gloss Gang—and, of special interest to the Boomshots massive, Chronixx di General. The misty, atmospheric song is all about misinformation, whether spread via church pulpit or tellers of tall tales. “I could kiss the ocean floor; I could dangle from the heavens; you a danger on the low,” Kingdom raps before Chronixx burns out “Stereotypes and all your labels” and pledges to “read with his three eyes wide open” in order to discern the truth. We already know Chronixx is a big Yeezy fan (see video below for proof); now he’s got a strong collab with one of Ye’s favorite youngsters. It’s only right—one good look deserves another. Audio & Download Link After The Jump… (more…)