Boomshots

Category: Jamaica

  • Reasoning with Sly Dunbar: “I’ve Seen All The Changes”

    Reasoning with Sly Dunbar: “I’ve Seen All The Changes”

    The Master Drummer Turns 64 Today

    Perhaps the most celebrated drum and bass duo in history—regardless of genre—Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare were both accomplished studio musicians before they met in the mid 1970s. “You know that record that goes ‘I am the magnificent!’?” says Dunbar, speaking of Dave & Ansel Collins’ 1971 smash “Double Barrel,” the second Jamaican single ever to top the UK pop charts. “I played drums on that when I was 15 years old.”  Robbie, meanwhile, was rocking with the Aggrovators, producer Bunny Lee’s ace session band.  But once the “Rhythm Twins” linked up at Channel One studio on Maxfield Avenue in Kingston, Jamaican music would never sound the same again. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Ricky Blaze ft. Mr. Easy & Dean Fraser “Dance”

    HEAR THIS: Ricky Blaze ft. Mr. Easy & Dean Fraser “Dance”

    What A Way The Tune Rest Pon Mi Mind!

    Sometimes you hear a song that you just want to share with others. That’s all this is. I stumbled across “Dance,” taken from Ricky Blaze’s latest album, Conquer The Moment, and all that’s been on my mind since hearing it for the first time is that I have to share it. (Patois translation: “What a way the tune rest pon mi mind!”) I’ve been on a texting, and Facebook messaging and Tweeting frenzy over the past couple days to every possible member of my reggae family, trying to make sure this song doesn’t slip through the cracks. Brooklyn-based producer Ricky Blaze has been one of the more creative and consistent talents in the modern reggae and dancehall scene (need we mention Gyptian’s “Hold Yuh”?) and this song perfectly captures his knack for cultivating a unique reggae sound with the aid of influences from a multitude of other genres. The song “Dance” features BK veteran Mr. Easy and saxophone master Dean Fraser. The song doesn’t try too hard. It’s easy, it’s breezy, it’s light, yet it’s sophisticated. If joy could be captured in sonic form, I think that sound would be this song. My only task is to make sure the Boomshots crew, receives that message. Riddim up! Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Vybz Kartel or Buju Banton: Which Show Would You Attend?

    Vybz Kartel or Buju Banton: Which Show Would You Attend?

    Imagine: Two Big DJs, One Night Only—The Choice Is Yours

    If you’re a reggae and dancehall fan then you know some of the music’s biggest stars are stuck behind bars. While Busy Signal and Jah Cure have happily come home, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton are still in captivity. And even though The World Boss finds a way to keep the streets supplied with new tunes on a fairly regular basis, we haven’t seen either artist live in YEARS. Just imagine if both artists were released for just one day, to perform a show for their fans. Now—hypothetically speaking—imagine that both shows were happening on the same night (not in the same place, mind you). In other words, if you had to choose between seeing Kartel or Buju live—right now—which show would you attend? That was the question Chiney K posed to a sampling of her fellow Jamaicans. The results were pretty interesting to say the least. Let’s just say which artist you choose reveals a lot about your personality. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Sizzla “Greatest Mother” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Sizzla “Greatest Mother” Official Music Video

    Kalonji Represents For Mama Once Again

    Reggae artists have created many touching musical salutes appropriate for Mother’s Day rotation, but few have represented maternal love as consistently as Sizzla Kalonji. From “Black Woman and Child” to “Thank U Mama” the fiery singjay from August Town has contributed more than his fair share of Mother’s Day classics. Today he premieres a new song for mother. Is his latest also his greatest? Check it and let us know in the comments.
    Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Sizzla “Don’t Make Dem Fool You Again” Teaser

    WATCH THIS: Sizzla “Don’t Make Dem Fool You Again” Teaser

    Kalonji’s Election Advice Applies All Year Round
    Sizzla Kalonji delivers a cautionary message on Triple B Productions’ “Sing Some Song” Riddim. The tune was inspired by Jamaica’s recent election season, but one that holds true 24/7/365: wise up, rise up, and don’t make “dem” fool you AGAIN. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • No Long Talk: Spice “The Dancehall Heiress”

    No Long Talk: Spice “The Dancehall Heiress”

    Whenever You Hear “Scorrrrnnnn Dem!” You Know The Deal

    No long talk has been out of action for a bit but they live by the quotes: “If you’ve got nothing constructive to say, say nothing” / “Better to say nothing than chat shit.” And no long talk has their first female. And who better than the hottest female out right now, Spice! “Scorrrrnnnn Dem!” Ahead of the #MoreLife2016 show in London’s o2 Brixton Academy (alongside Tarrus Riley and Assassin aka Agent Sasco), Spice speaks to No Long Talk about her gospel beginnings to X-rated dancehall, almost quitting, why her daughter “does not know who Spice is”, whether dark skin hinders progression in showbiz, and the importance of social media. Audio & Video After The Jump.. (more…)

  • Barrington Levy Is Broader Than Broadway

    Barrington Levy Is Broader Than Broadway

    Barrington Celebrates And Boomshots Appreciates

    It is Barrington Levy birthday bash here at Boomshots. We are celebrating the musical icon for his accomplishments in Dancehall, Hip-Hop, and transcending music barriers. His distinctive ad-libs make his music enjoyable for people of all ages from various walks of life. Barrington Levy’s 52nd Birthday is today, April 30th. Read more after the jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Shawn Storm “True Story” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Shawn Storm “True Story” PREMIERE

    Exclusive Preview From The EP Word, Sound, Power
    Rastafarian tradition speaks of the ancient precepts and principles that govern the lives of mankind. Among these is the concept of “Word Sound and Power,” a phrase that refers to the many ways language in general and music & lyrics in particular can bring about change within the lives of those who transmit or receive these words. Shawn Storm’s debut EP, Word, Sound, Power bears witness to the mental, musical and spiritual growth of an artist who remains steadfast despite his incarceration. Distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos Digital, the EP (which is scheduled for release on May 6) features 10 tracks that received the stamp of approval from Shawn’s inner circle. “This is my first EP and my fans and I are both anticipating the outcome and the acceptance of new level of growth in my music—mentality and lyrically,” says the artist (who previously made a mark with the single “My Life”). “This EP  consist of a list of songs that were hand-picked by great people, mixed and organized by great minds and approved by my realest brother and mentor the greatest “World Boss.” From me to my fams and fans, I give you WORD SOUND POWER—my greatest creation yet.” Boomshots is proud to premiere this exclusive preview of the autobiographical lead single, “True Story,” a slice of life from the man called Shawn Storm.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Lost In Translation: Does Drake’s Dancehall Obsession Benefit Anyone But Himself?

    Lost In Translation: Does Drake’s Dancehall Obsession Benefit Anyone But Himself?

    EXCLUSIVE GENIUS EXCERPT: Please Don’t Call Drake “King of the Dancehall”

    While revealing the release date of his long-awaited album, Views From The 6, on Beats Radio, Drake sought to evoke the denseness, complexity, and overall quality of the record by stating that “It’s not a short ting.” His use of patois, although not surprising for any native of Toronto—a city where Caribbean culture has seeped into many aspects of mainstream language, food, and music in much the same way it has in London, Miami, or Nigeria—was no accident. Excerpt Continues After The Jump…

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  • Reasoning with Chronixx: “I’m Not Ashamed of My Weaknesses”

    Reasoning with Chronixx:
    “I’m Not Ashamed of My Weaknesses”

    Di Steam Ministah Talks Coachella, Roots & Chalice Mixtape, and Controversy With his “Big Brother” Vybz Kartel

    Just after his historic performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Di Steam Ministah sat down with Reshma B for an exclusive interview. They speak about the challenges of being an artist in a material world, the joy of performing live, and how he sees himself as only being in his “infancy” as an artist, as he puts it: “baby stage.” Chronixx talks about being booked on Damian Marley’s 2016 “Welcome to Jamrock Cruise” and goes on to name some of his “Big Brothers” in the reggae music fraternity, mentioning names like Jr. Gong, Mavado, and Vybz Kartel. Chronixx also addresses the controversy surrounding his comments on a recent VICELAND TV show “Noisey Jamaica,” explaining that he overstands the fact that the media is more concerned with clicks and views than with telling a fair and balanced story. “Artists have to be artists, media have to be media. I can’t make the media determine how I feel.” Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Busy Signal “We Get High” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Busy Signal “We Get High” PREMIERE

    Blaze Up the Haze And Me Calm Fe Me Nerve

    In comes a crucial herbalist anthem for 4/19 to tide you over until tomorrow. The 4/20 Riddim was produced by Dev Kutta of Livity Movements and DRWTHVN (a new recruit from Guyana) released on LMI Records, managed by the one Paul Parris. “This is our 3rd release for the year, Octane’s ‘Fallin’ EDM mix was first and we are part of the Noise Cans/Dim Mak remix pack for the “Bucka” record that came out last week.” Boomshots proudly premieres something new from the Turf Prez: The plump squelchy bass notes on this joint signal that we’re in for bare madness. Audio After The Jump…

    “You know say me fly… me nah lie…” Blaze it…

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  • Reasoning with Capleton: “Music Is A Mission”

    Reasoning with Capleton: “Music Is A Mission”

    Throwback Q&A with The Prophet • New York City 2000 A.D.

    I had been listening to Capleton for years before I got the chance to interview him at Def Jam Records offices on Varick Street in Manhattan. He sat smoking beedies and a spliff with his manager Stuart Brown a.k.a. African Star in the record label conference room. Capleton’s first album for Def Jam, Prophecy, consisted of pretty much straight hardcore tracks from Jamaica, although the new one, I Testament, was a bit more “smooved out” shall we say, showing more influence from label A&Rs. But King Shango’s mental state was the same irresistible force it has ever been. He was named after a well-known local barrister, the lawyer Capleton, and the DJ’s reasoning is always forceful, like a prosecutor giving the closing argument on the biggest case of his life. Interview After The Jump… (more…)