Boomshots

Category: Jamaica

  • Unsung Hero of the Year: Sister Nancy

    Unsung Hero of the Year: Sister Nancy

    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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  • Reasoning with Garfield “Chin” Bourne: “Authentic Sound Clash Culture is in Jeopardy”

    Reasoning with Garfield “Chin” Bourne:
    “Authentic Sound Clash Culture is in Jeopardy”

    Keeping Sound System Safe From The Culture Vultures

    As co-founder of Irish & Chin, one of the most respected reggae promotion companies in the world, Garfield “Chin” Bourne has left his mark on the music industry and popular culture as a whole. He is the founder of SoundChat Radio and a range of media ventures, but Chin may be best known as a leading advocate of sound system culture at a time where hardcore soundclash audience is aging, and the appropriation of dancehall culture is not limited to international artists reworking Jamaican rhythms to hit the pop charts. The rise of EDM music and the success of the recent Red Bull Culture Clash highlight the impact of Jamaican sound systems on worldwide pop music, even as the originators of the culture who are still active tend to be marginalized.  Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Isha Blender “Tonight” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Isha Blender “Tonight” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Everton’s Daughter Is All Grown Up

    Isha Blender, daughter of the great Everton “Blend Dem” Blender, was born in Clarendon surrounded by musical vibes. Now she’s ready to step up with her debut album Epiphany, whose very title represents a great revelation. As the artist puts it: “I feel like I am at turning point in my career and life, where it’s time for me to officially, fearlessly share myself with the world. This record is a piece of my heart, gift-wrapped for all lovers of good music.” Today Boomshots TV proudly premieres a crucial lovers’ rock selection off —musical thing called “Tonight.” Voiced on a rendition of the classic “Queen of the Minstrel” riddim and produced by UK production house Solid Empire, it’s a fitting introduction to a bright new talent. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • This Year’s Best Dancehall Christmas Songs

    This Year’s Best Dancehall Christmas Songs

    Reshma B Selects The Sounds To Get Your Holiday Party Poppin’

    The Reggae Girl About Town’s new Murda She Wrote column just dropped on Pigeons & Planes, and it’s right on time to help your Christmas jam tun up: “There’s nothing better than Christmas in Jamaica—not just because the balmy Caribbean weather beats a polar vortex every time, but because Jamaicans love Christmas with a passion. The parties start in early December and run all the way through the top of the new year… and the most festive thing of all is the music. Over the years, thousands of reggae Christmas tunes have flooded the internet, but here are Murda She Wrote’s picks for the hottest this year. Full List After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Di Genius & Chino “Family” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Di Genius & Chino “Family” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Musical Christmas Gift From The Big Ship Fam

    Merry Christmas! If you’re truly blessed, right now you’re surrounded by loved ones on this special morning. Friends are friends, and sometimes they come and go—but family is forever. Jamaica’s Big Ship family is no exception. Growing up as the sons of reggae legend Freddie McGregor may have been the greatest gift Daniel and Stephen ever received. Maybe that’s why they’ve gifted the whole Boomshots massive with a musical gift to remind us what the holidays are all about: Di Genius & Chino alongside Di Captain himself with a musical thing called “Family.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • The Biggest Dancehall Riddims of 2016

    The Biggest Dancehall Riddims of 2016

    Who Run The Place? Johnny Wonder, CEO of 21st Hapilos, Counts Down The Year’s Top Juggling

    With Rihanna’s “Work” dominating mainstream airwaves all year, you might think Richie Stephens’ “Sail Away” riddim would take the top spot. Yes that was hot in the streets ten years ago, and shout out to OVO for bringing it back. But here at Boomshots we’re all about the music’s progress forward into the future—and celebrating the innovators over the imitators. After all the Tropical House hype dies down, where does reggae and dancehall go from here? Few people are better qualified to chart the music’s movements than Johnny Wonder, CEO of 21st Hapilos Digital, the leading digital distributor of new reggae and dancehall music from Jamaica. As the man who breaks most big riddims first, Johnny Wonder’s ranking is based strictly on facts—streams and sales—and never payola or politricks. So if you want to know who ran the place in 2016, look no further. Riddim Countdown After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Majesty” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Majesty” Official Music Video

    Chronixx Chooses Love Over Lust

    Inspired by the Studio One Soul Selection, “I’ll Be Around” by Otis Gayle as well as The Techniques‘ “Queen Majesty,” Chronixx song “Majesty” is a beautiful love ballad from the “Roots and Chalice” mixtape, a collaboration with Federation Sound. The lyrics emphasize developing a spiritual before physical connection which opposes  the message perpetuated through  popular music today—across all genres. The emphasis of a mental and emotional bond between a man and woman, are woven intricately throughout the lyrics of the song. Messages of monogamy stand out boldly along with the paradigm that true love should emanate from a pure and humble place. Now fans have the opportunity to view the visual interpretation of this song. Video After The Jump…

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  • American Reggae Acts Dominate 2017 Grammy Nominations

    American Reggae Acts Dominate 2017 Grammy Nominations

    Three Out of Six Nominees Are Based in the U.S.A.

    Earlier today The Recording Academy announced the 2017 Grammy Award nominations. Beyoncé topped all nominees with nine nods while Drake, Rihanna, and Kanye West snagged eight each. Rihanna & Drake’s dancehall cut “Work” was nominated for Record of the Year, although Drizzy’s chart-toppers “One Dance” and “Controller” were snubbed. Tory Lanez’s “Luv”—based on Tanto & Devonte’s dancehall classic “Everyone Falls In Love”—was nominated for Best R&B Song. Sia’s No. 1 single “Cheap Thrills”  featuring Sean Paul was nominated in the Best Pop Duo Performance category. As usual the Reggae category was full of surprises, with three of the five nominations going to U.S.–based acts.   More Details After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Elephant Man x Starface “Tek Wuk” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Elephant Man x Starface
    “Tek Wuk” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    When Elephants Play The Grass Gets Trampled

    “The main idea was to paint a vivid picture of a twisted fantasy,” says director Peter Parkkerr of his latest video. “Starface played the role of a sexy French maid who serviced Elephant Man’s room. It’s definitely gonna light up your TV screens.” After one glass of wine, Elly’s mind starts to wander. And after that, well… one wine won’t do. Boomshots proudly premieres the mad new music video from Energy God Productions: Elly alongside a fresh new face on the dancehall scene: Starface. “This was a fun video to shoot,” she says. “The acting part is always what I enjoy, to be someone else for a minute. I appreciate Elephant Man reaching out to me as a new artiste to represent on his track.” Dancehall’s Energy God was impressed with the new artist. “I wanted a bad female for this track,” he says. “When I made checks the feedback I was getting was all saying to choose Starface. Send her the track and she proved herself on it.” But don’t take his word for it. Check “Tek Wuk” for yourself. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Half Pint Speaks on the Making of “Greetings”

    Half Pint Speaks on the Making of “Greetings”

    “You may be raggedy and poor, but you are still rich in spirit”

    If you’ve ever been to a reggae party, it’s pretty much impossible that you’ve never heard “Greetings,” Half Pint’s raggamuffin anthem. Released in 1985 on George Phang’s legendary Powerhouse label, the song finds Half Pint representing for poor people over a hard-driving Sly & Robbie digital remake of the immortal “Heavenless” riddim. While preparing this year’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise Zeen, we reached out the singer who gave us the story behind this classic dancehall anthem. Audio & Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Popcaan Performs Live At MOBO Awards

    Popcaan Performs Live At MOBO Awards

    Unruly Gang Inna Glasgow

    The last time Popcaan set foot in the United Kingdom, he used an OVO duplate to seal up Mixpak’s decisive victory in the Red Bull Culture Clash. Now comes news that the Unruly Boss will be performing live at the 21st Annual MOBO Awards in Glasgow, Scotland. The awards, which honor Music of Black Origin around the world, will kick off in just a few hours. This year’s Best Reggae Act nominees include Popcaan, Alkaline, Spice, Kranium, and Protoje. (Nuff respect!) Those of us who are not in the UK can pree the red carpet pon Facebook, and keep it locked to Boomshots for more updates. More Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Mavado “Get Up”

    HEAR THIS: Mavado “Get Up”

    Brand New Serial From Marvoni Records

    Recently we’ve been hearing a lot of war tunes flying back and forth. Folks getting all excited about a next lyrical skirmish from two battle-tested veterans. While there’s a time and a place for war, life during wartime ain’t no party—and it ain’t no fooling around (word to David Byrne). So when we hear David Brooks singing a crucial message of inspiration for all the hard-working ghetto youths who hang on his every word, we’ve got to give that a big forward. Whether it’s controversial or not. Whether it sells or not. Because it’s only right. That’s what Gully Gaad does. That’s what the music is for—so listen up!  Audio After The Jump… (more…)