Boomshots

Category: Jamaica

  • Ten Great Bob Marley Songs You Probably Never Heard

    Ten Great Bob Marley Songs You Probably Never Heard

    The Songs That Made The Gong A Legend Are Not All On Legend

    Bob Marley’s greatest hits collection Legend is the top-selling reggae album of all time, with at least 15 million copies sold—according to the RIAA website. It’s a good bet the actual numbers are a lot higher, but let’s just say that the 15 tracks on that album have served as most people’s introduction to the Tuff Gong—and to reggae music overall. But like the song says, “Half the story has never been told.” Even if you’ve collected all of Marley’s albums for Island Records you could still spend a lifetime exploring his work with Scratch Perry, Coxsone Dodd, Leslie Kong, Danny Sims, or Randy’s Studio 17. In honor of Robert Nesta Marley’s 71st Birthday, we’ve gathered some of our favorite rarities and under-rated Marley classics. Most will come as a revelation to your average Legend listener. A serious reggae fan will have heard at least a few before. If you know all ten of these already, nuff respect. Rock on, Tuff Gong. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Gyptian ft. Lady Leshurr “All On Me” (Diztortion Remix) Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Gyptian ft. Lady Leshurr “All On Me” (Diztortion Remix) Official Music Video

    Gyppy Links The UK Queen—Zeen?

    You don’t need to be a reggae fan to be familiar with Gyptian’s mega-smash “Hold Yuh,” and if you ain’t up on Lady Leshurr’s Queen’s Speech freestyles, well, you probably need to “Brush Your Teeth.” The two stars joined forces on The Diztortion’s nasty remix of Gyppy’s latest boom tune “All On Me,” and Lady L was more than happy to jet from from chilly Great Britain to sunny Port Antonio for this fun-loving video shoot. As her parents hail from St. Kitts, and she grew up surrounded by the sounds of Bob Marley and Sister Nancy, it’s no surprise how well she and Gyptian jelled on this track. The chemistry is undeniable. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Cham Exclusive “When I’m In The Studio I’m Floating—And I Don’t Smoke”

    WATCH THIS: Cham Exclusive “When I’m In The Studio I’m Floating—And I Don’t Smoke”

    Live From The Reggae Cruise, The Kid Chops It Up With The Reggae Girl About Town

    On board the second annual Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise, Boomshots caught up with Cham for an exclusive in-depth interview. We got the inside scoop on Lawless, his first album since the classic Ghetto Story, scheduled to drop in early 2016. (In the meantime you can download the Lawless mixtape after the jump.) “When I’m in the studio I’m floating,” says Cham. “And I don’t smoke—I go wherever I want to go, musically.” Cham also gave us a sneak preview of his latest tunes live—and found out why he and legendary producer Dave Kelly are returning to hardcore dancehall.  He also spoke about his classic cut “Ghetto Story,” and why it resonates all around the globe. Cham broke down how he and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley came to collaborate on the song “Fighter,” what their link means for both artists in the future. Finally Cham gave us some guidelines for living lawless pon di cruise: “No time for resting in the days,” he says. “And in the night we go all flippin’ night.”  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Mr. Easy “Bashment Gal” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Mr. Easy “Bashment Gal” Official Music Video

    Classic Dancehall Throwback Co-Starring Tanto Blacks aka Reel Rich

    Anytime Mr. Easy and Ricky Blaze link up, they always bring out the best in each other. In the first video from Easy’s  forthcoming EP, The Don, director Jay Will takes us back to the dancehall days of yesteryear. From Mr. Easy’s furry Kangol bucket hat to Tanto Blacks’ mesh marina, this is strictly a throwback vibes. But as the song makes clear, this tune is all about the girls. No long talking, let’s get into it. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Mavado “In God We Trust”

    HEAR THIS: Mavado “In God We Trust”

    The Gully Gaad In David Brooks Mode “I Was Born To Overcome”

    Mavado rang in the new year on a Godly note with this DJ Frass–produced banger. There’s an old saying that goes “In God We Trust—All Others Pay Cash,” which pretty much sums up the artist’s approach to the game this year. It’s been a minute since Mavado was back on the rock, and the Florida resident’s first stage show in Jamaica was Rebel Salute. His dress code made it clear Mr. Brooks is getting money, and when he drops lyrics like “Them Nuh Inna My League” it’s got to hurt. Out of respect for the show’s traditional all-conscious-no-slackness approach, The Gully Gaad performed as David Brooks, selecting his tunes with care. Still he was more than able to turn the place up till it buck. Fresh off the stage, David Constantine Brooks sat down with the Reggae Girl About Town to discuss his return to Jamaica, dealing with haters, and how he’s celebrating the new ganja law. Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Macka B Drops Science At Rebel Salute: From Vegetarianism to Marijuana Reform to Mosquito-Borne Viruses—Not To Mention “Bop and Chin”

    Macka B Drops Science At Rebel Salute:
    From Vegetarianism to Marijuana Reform to Mosquito-Borne Viruses—Not To Mention “Bop and Chin”

    The UK Lyrics Machine Was In Rare Form at Rebel Salute 2016

    We’ve said ti before and we nah stop say it—when it comes to booking a fresh lineup of artists, Rebel Salute rules every time. Where else are you going to get a full set from Macka B? Faithful listeners of Mutabaruka’s Cutting Edge radio program are familiar with Macka’s 2006 single “All About The Youths.” But the sing-song acoustic number barely scratches the surface of the UK Lyrics Machine’s creativity. His latest album, Never Played a 45 laments the changing values in sound system culture as it calls for a return to feel and vibe of traditional vinyl selections. And Macka certainly has plenty of vinyl in his catalog. Born in Wolverhampton to Jamaican parents, Macka linked with Mad Professor in 1986 and began building intricate, articulate, infallibly intelligent lyrics on a wide variety of topics. This year’s Rebel Salute found the DJ in rare form; check the reasoning—onstage and off. Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • DOWNLOAD: Randy Valentine “Radio Music” Mixtape

    DOWNLOAD: Randy Valentine “Radio Music” Mixtape

    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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  • Reasoning with Jahmiel: “Me Nuh Frighten Fe Benz and Beamer”

    Reasoning with Jahmiel: “Me Nuh Frighten Fe Benz and Beamer”

    A Fresh DJ Is Coming… Watch Yah!

    One great thing about Rebel Salute, you can always count on seeing a different set of artists than all the other big reggae festivals and stage shows. Year in and year out, Rebel finds a way to book artists you haven’t heard from in years (if you’ve even seen then live at all) or new stars you need to pay attention to.  This year was no exception as vintage harmony groups like The Congos and The Abyssinians touched the stage as well as classic dancehall acts Pinchers and Jr. Cat. But what about the rising stars? Joining David Brooks onstage for his early Sunday morning set,  Jahmiel aka “The Missionary” made a big impression. As with most overnight successes, the artist formerly known as Culture Jahmiel has been doing his thing for several years—although the artist proudly points out that he never sold out to “buss.” Back in 2011 he caused a little stir with his song “Mi Nuh Murdera” for Young Vibes Productions. Late last year he dropped a tune called “Gain The World” and hasn’t looked back since. “Life comes with stages,” he mentions in the tune. “I’m just on the other pages.” Now moving with Quantanium Productions, Jahmiel has the momentum, the musical talent, and the consistency to make big moves in the future. After his show-stealing performance Reshma B caught up with the artist for a quick reasoning. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Richie Stephens “Rain From The Sky” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Richie Stephens “Rain From The Sky” Official Music Video

    Lost Tape From Steely & Clevie’s Studio One Sessions

    This is a pretty good week for Richie Stephens. First came news that Rihanna’s producers had sampled his “Sail Away” riddim for her latest duet with Drake. (In other words Pot of Gold Productions must nyam some good food.) Now he’s seeing the release of a 14-year-old recording project—and the tune sounds nice! Stephens recorded this cover of the Studio One classic “Rolling Down” back in 1992 when ace prodcers Wycliffe “Steelie” Johnson and Cleveland “Clevie” Browne were working on the album Steelie & Clevie Play Studio One Vintage. Released on Heartbeat Records in 1992, that album would go on to score a major chart hit with Dawn Penn’s “No, No, No,” but the whole album was wicked. Somehow this recording got misplaced on one of the studio reels and was recently rediscovered while SilverHawk Sound was getting its dub collection back into order. (More on that later, but all dibby dibby soundbwoys you have been warned.) In the meantime let’s rock and groove to the voice of Mr. Richie Stephens singing a heartical Studio First selection. Cue the trombone Mr. Hornsman! Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Paying Tribute To The Crown Prince on “We Remember Dennis Brown”

    Paying Tribute To The Crown Prince on
    “We Remember Dennis Brown”

    Young Reggae Artists Pay Homage To The Crown Prince

    This February 1st marks what would have been the 59th birthday of the late great Dennis Emmanuel Brown, better known as the Crown Prince of Reggae. Having made his mark at Sir Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One as a child performer, D. Brown would go on to blaze a trail of soulful roots reggae, taking his sound to the top of the British charts in 1972 with “Money in My Pocket.” The singer recorded crucial cuts for many of Jamaica’s greatest producers including Lee “Scratch” Perry, Niney the Observer, Joe Gibbs, King Jammy’$, and Sly & Robbie. He passed away in 1999 but his music continues to play all around the world, with timeless lyrics like “Love and hate can never be friends” becoming immortalized in the popular vernacular. In 2016 V.P. Records has announced that they will be releasing a 2-CD tribute album entitled We Remember Dennis Brown. In the same spirit as We Remember Gregory Isaacs, the album will feature newer artists covering classic and rare cuts by the master. The first four songs in the double-CD set have been revealed. Lineup & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Sizzla, Popcaan & Teflon “Way Out”

    HEAR THIS: Sizzla, Popcaan & Teflon “Way Out”

    The Song May Sound Sweet, But The Judgment Will Not Be Nice

    Not Nice established his name building tracks for Vybz Kartel and the Portmore Empire. He went on to produce major hits for artists like Alkaline and Spice—whose “So Mi Like It” was voiced on his “Boom Box” riddim. While he’s best know for hard-hitting jump-up tunes, his latest release is built around a gentle piano melody that leaves plenty of space for three of dancehall’s most powerful voices to “deal with Babylon case.” Popcaan has come a long way since the days when he was relegated to “Raving King” status, as tunes like this one—and new documentary Abundant Life—make clear. With Poppi, Kalonji, and Teflon all in rare form, “Way Out” sounds like it could become a sufferer’s anthem. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • No Long Talk: Daddy Ernie On Freedom of Choice: “Who Want Vex, Vex!”

    No Long Talk: Daddy Ernie On Freedom of Choice: “Who Want Vex, Vex!”

    Host of UK Radio’s Superjam Reflects On His Legacy

    If you weren’t in London from the ’90s, you may not be aware of Daddy Ernie or the power of his radio show, SuperJam. As he says: “Who’s Daddy Ernie? Some black DJ who used to be on a station in Brixton that everybody used to wear big gold chains and rings.” What you should know is he’s one of the most respected and important British contributors in the history of Jamaican music. He’s also the only person in history to present a reggae show Monday to Friday on a legal radio station. And it was prime time from 1990 to (about) 2003/2004. The way things are, it’s likely he’ll be the sole claimant forever. Daddy Ernie’s SuperJam ran alongside Choice FM’s lifespan (1990–2013), becoming one of the stations most listened to shows and amongst the highest paid specialist DJs on the station.  Podcast After The Jump… (more…)