Boomshots

Category: Jamaica

  • HEAR THIS: Derrick Morgan “Black Superman (Muhammad Ali)”

    HEAR THIS: Derrick Morgan “Black Superman (Muhammad Ali)”

    Big Big Request To The Greatest

    Forget what you heard. Muhammad Ali will never die. Ali may be one of the few larger-than-life icons to challenge even Bob Marley for nearly universal respect. We’ve all seen photos of The Greatest with Elvis, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan—he was even Prince’s hero—but what’s his connection to reggae? Derrick Morgan, one of Jamaican music’s greatest, pays tribute to boxing’s “Black Superman” in this Bunny Lee production which made a splash in the UK with Trojan Records in 1975, the year of the Thrilla in Manila. (The song predates the famous DC Comics book, published in 1978.)  Audio After The Jump…
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  • Reggae Sumfest Announces Newly Re-Focused 2016 Lineup: Strictly Reggae Night and Dancehall Night

    Reggae Sumfest Announces Newly Re-Focused 2016 Lineup: Strictly Reggae Night and Dancehall Night

    Message Sent In True Downsound Fashion: By Wrapping an 18-Wheeler Semi Truck

    After announcing earlier this spring that Jamaica’s leading music festival, Reggae Sumfest, was under new management, Josef Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Productions, has now revealed the newly re-focused two-night lineup for Sumfest 2016, rolling out with the slogan “our music, our festival.” This catchphrase holds a vital clue to the spirit of the newly re-imagined festival—with the whole world rocking to Jamaican sounds recorded by “foreign” artists, Reggae Sumfest is now focusing on 100% Jamaican lineup, letting go of the whole “International Night” mindset. Moving forward from its long-standing Thursday night slot, Dancehall Night 2016 will kick off the festival on Friday, July 22nd with a lineup boasting Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Popcaan, I-Octane, Agent Sasco and I-Shawna among many others. Saturday, July 23rd is the festival’s inaugural Reggae Night 2016 with strictly world-class singers like Barrington Levy, Luciano, Sanchez, Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, as well as Downsound’s own up-and-coming artist Nature. The message was delivered in fittingly over-the-top fashion, via wrapped 18-wheeler semi-truck. (Make sure to be on the lookout for them in traffic near you!) And just in case you would like to trick out your own 18-wheeler, the official artwork is pasted below. Semi Truck Wrappers After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Jahmiel “Different Eyes” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Jahmiel “Different Eyes” PREMIERE

    The Powerful Title Cut From Pure Music’s “Different Eyes” Juggling

    Hailing from Portmore, Jahmiel Foster found his musical calling from early out, and has since carved out a niche as one of modern reggae’s most exciting new  voices. Building on the success of his 2015 breakthrough “Gain The World,” Jahmiel and the Quantanium camp are setting a standard for conscious songwriting in Jamaica’s current dancehall scene. On his latest release, the title track of a slow-burning riddim from Pure Music Productions—and distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos Digital—Jahmiel wastes no time getting straight to the point: “Povery, still nuff. Life road, still rough. When the bills dem, build up. You maybe get your grill cut.” The song’s title refers to one’s point of view, seeing things as they truly are rather than as you wish they would be. Open your eyes and your ears—for who can’t hear must feel. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Shanique Marie ft. Cali P “Coconut Jelly Man” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Shanique Marie ft. Cali P “Coconut Jelly Man” Official Music Video

    An Ode to the Coconut Jelly Man

    Shanique Marie is preparing for relaunch of her debut EP Uno in a deluxe edition this summer and is excited about the possibilities. Her incendiary single, “Coconut Jelly Man” featuring Cali P, first released in November 2015, is seeing another steep rise in popularity as the warm weather approaches and coconut cravings run amok. Video After The Jump…

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  • Super Cat Remembers “Dolly My Baby” Collab With Biggie Smalls, Sends a Message To Puffy

    Super Cat Remembers “Dolly My Baby” Collab With Biggie Smalls, Sends a Message To Puffy

    A Dialog With The Don Dada

    Today we celebrate what would have been the 44th birthday of hip hop’s G.O.A.T., Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls. (The day is now an official holiday in Brooklyn.) One of the first big looks for the fledgling rapper came in 1993 when he got the chance to drop lyrics on Puff Daddy’s remix of “Dolly My Baby,” a single off Super Cat’s classic Don Dada album. As a youth of Jamaican descent, Biggie fully overstood what a special opportunity this was to rhyme on a record with a living legend of Jamaican dancehall culture. Sadly Biggie’s career would end four years later, but Super Cat lives on—he will perform May 30 at the Oracabessa Festival in Queens, NY. In honor of two lyrical heavyweights, we pulled this interview from the Boomshots archives. Respect in all aspect. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Adahzeh “Island Girl” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Adahzeh “Island Girl” Official Music Video

    Rocking With Jamaica’s First All-Female Reggae Ensemble

    From the Maroon heroine Nanny to Louise Bennett and Grace Jones, Jamaican history is filled with powerful women. Still, the reggae music industry has remained a largely male-dominated field—which may explain why keyboardist and vocalist Karissa Palmer always wanted to be part of a reggae band made up solely of women. As far back as 2013 she had the vision for the group that would become Adahzeh—a name that means ‘The King’s daughters” in one of Africa’s hundreds of languages. Enlisting bassist Chevanese Palmer, lead vocalist Kadian Hamilton, drummer Tashana Barnett and guitarist Tara-Dean Williamson, the group, under the guidance of D’Empire management, made a splash last year with “Girls Like We” featuring Tifa. Now they’re back with a new video called “Island Girl,” a proud statement of  self-respect that doubles as a long-distance love story. He lives in NYC; she lives in Jamaica and “the embassy no wan’ fi leggo the visa.” Tune in for some sweet rub-a-dub music plus a happy resolution to the lovers’ dilemma.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel “I’ll Take You There” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel “I’ll Take You There” Official Music Video

    What’s Your Favorite Way To Cure Pain?

    The Vybz Kartel Vevo channel sure is poppin’ these days. With Kartel’s highly anticipated King of the Dancehall album set to drop next week, the  “Fever” video has been burning up the place, approaching the million-view mark after just two weeks. And then, early this morning, another set of visuals dropped for the World Boss’s track on Good Good Productions’ Cure Pain Riddim, distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos. This one is called “I’ll Take You There” and we’ve got it for you bright and early. A sexy beach video—what better way to get you in the weekend mood?  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Stephen “Ragga” Marley Reveals “Fruit of Life” Album Art, Release Date, and Tour Schedule

    Stephen “Ragga” Marley Reveals “Fruit of Life” Album Art, Release Date, and Tour Schedule

    The Second Chapter of Revolation Is Upon Us

    Never one to rush perfection, Stephen “Ragga” Marley announced one of the most anticipated release dates in all of reggae music. The long-awaited second installment of his two-part Revelation set will arrive July 22—the final day of a 44-stop U.S tour, which kicks off later this month in Humboldt County, CA. Following in the footsteps of Revelation Part I: The Root of Life (2012), which earned the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album on the strength of classic singles like “Jah Army” featuring Damian Marley & Buju Banton and “No Cigarette Smoking” featuring Melanie Fiona as well as “Selassie is the Chapel” featuring Ziggy Marley, Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life already boasts powerful tracks like “Rockstone” featuring Capleton & Sizzla and “Ghetto Boy” featuring Bounty Killer & Mad Cobra. Whereas The Root of Life is more a traditional roots reggae album, The Fruit of Life will utilize a diversified sonic palette to express the far-reaching impact Jamaican music has had on various genres, especially hip hop.  Produced by Marley, Fruit of Life contains 18 new tracks featuring a variety of  collaborations with the likes of Rick Ross, Pit Bull, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Iggy Azalea, Waka Flocka, Dead Prez, Rakim, DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Black Thought (of The Roots), Bounty Killer, Sizzla, Capleton, Ky-Mani Marley, Jo Mersa and more. Tour Dates After The Jump… (more…)

  • Kingston Nights: A Jamaican Street Dance Photo Essay

    Kingston Nights: A Jamaican Street Dance Photo Essay

    Robert Cooper Photographs What Real Dancehall Looks Like Right Now

    “I started listening to dancehall during the late ’80s,” recalls photographer and videographer Robert Cooper, who’s covered the Hartford, CT dancehall scene for some time. “I began photographing dancehall parties and concerts 8 years ago, and began writing about dancehall also, so being able to finally go to Jamaica was a blessing. It took me only about two days photographing at the dances before people started recognizing me and I was a part of the scene.” With plans for an exhibit and a book in the works, Cooper shared some visuals from his first trip exclusively with Boomshots. This selection focuses on Jamaica’s thriving street dance culture, highlighting all the stars on the scene—not just the recording artists. Dancers, selectors, and other colorful personalities all help create the vibe that continues to entertain and inspire the world. Dancehall 2016: This is what it looks like. Photos After The Jump… (more…)

  • That Time Drake Almost Got Arrested With “Mava-Dado” & Other Exciting Tales

    That Time Drake Almost Got Arrested With “Mava-Dado” & Other Exciting Tales

    40 And The 6 God Regale Nardwuar With Dancehall War Stories

    Earlier this week Drizzy linked with fellow Canadian phenom Nardwuar aka the Human Serviette for a typically epic interview/gift-giving-b/show-and-tell session. Amongst many highlights gleaned by the good folks at Billboard were several dancehall-related anecdotes—including a massive big up for the World Boss Vybz Kartel. But not until we watched the video did we come to fully appreciate certain gems like Nardwuar’s question about “Mava-Dado.” (Must be seen to be believed.)  To be fair Nardwuar seems to be more of an old-school cat, as he presents Drizzy with a King Tubby’s Dance Hall Style Dub album on vinyl. Nuff respect. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Sizzla & Popcaan “Wish Bad”

    HEAR THIS: Sizzla & Popcaan “Wish Bad”

    Unruly x Kalonji = Wickedness Increase

    Ever since that epic Ghetto Splash a few Christmases back when Sizzla Kalonji and the whole Judgment Yard joined the Unruly Boss and Aidonia on stage, the Kalonji x Unruly link has only gotten stronger. We loved that Not Nice production they did with Teflon, and now comes a banger from Yard Vybz Ent and Young Pow Production focusing on those badmind people who let their negative feeligns flow on the down-low. Between the disappointment of Views and that likkle situation in Antigua, Popcaan’s had a tough time the last few weeks. But if you know Hotskull you know he’s not letting anything drag down his vibes. Here at Boomshots we don’t run down bad news in reggae music because when it comes to our favorite artists we never wish them bad. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Mighty Crown x Chronixx “Japan Tour Special Mix”

    HEAR THIS: Mighty Crown x Chronixx “Japan Tour Special Mix”

    “We play big tune and we nah have no fear” Leggo…

    This May 26 through 28 Chronixx and the Zincfence Redemption will touch down in Japan for the first time alongside the internationally acclaimed Mighty Crown sound, aka the Far East Rulaz, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary in the business. Founded in 1991 by friends from Yokohama, Japan, Mighty Crown made their name by playing clubs and selling self-produced mix tapes throughout Japan. In that spirit Masta Simon, Sami T and Cojie put together a special mix with Di Steam Minista as a way to “welcome the Rasta youth inna khaki suit” on his first visit to Japan. 2016 will be a big touring year for Chronixx who will also perform in Africa, UK, and Europe.  You already know this one features some wicked duplate specials. Audio & Tour Date After The Jump… (more…)