Boomshots

Category: Jamaica

  • HEAR THIS: Tifa “Stay Away” Mixtape

    HEAR THIS: Tifa “Stay Away” Mixtape

    Tificles Sprays Them Haters With Lyrical Aerosol

    “Guess that’s why they mad when Tifa win.” If there’s anyone who has never been afraid of addressing her haters then you gotta give the title to the princess of dancehall. Over the course of her career, Boomshots have had many reasoning sessions with Tifa, and she always keeps it real as far as what’s going on. Whether you refer to haters as “enemies,” “frenemies,” “badmind,” or “grazmites,” there are numerous ways to describe those individuals who impose their jealousy, envy, and greed on those around them. There is a reason why Jah Cure sings about “Wicked people and badmind lurking in the dark.” What makes people embrace these deadliest sins? Some may say that others can’t stand to see you flourish or can’t wait to swoop in and take credit for your hard work. If you can relate to this concept just realize that you are not the first person to feel this way—nor will you be the last. If you’re a firm believer in God you may believe that you will be just fine if you can only stay strong because fake people always fall by the wayside in the end.  In her latest mixtape Tifa appears on the cover spraying aerosol poison on an assortment of roaches. Press play to hear her call out the people who have “robbed” her and pretended to be her “friends.” She even sends out a special warning to watch out for anyone  calling themself your “family.” ZJ Chrome keeps the beats fresh—including recent joints from Drake and Rihanna—to provide a canvas for Tifa’s real talk about sex, dating, overcoming haters, handicaps, and industry politricks. At the end of the day she sets the record straight she can still create hits and make money—so  don’t bother playing with her. If you are a hater, unless you are a “dunce,” then the message in the title is crystal clear—you have been warned! After you give the tape a good listen, check out some of our classic Tifa interviews for context. Audio & Video After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Spice “Needle Eye” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Spice “Needle Eye” Official Music Video

    The Mad Gyal’s Fairy Godmother Hooks Her Up To Bruk Out

    Spice’s latest visuals are a dancehall Cinderella story, with one major difference: in the traditional fairy tale, Cinderalla uses a needle and thread to stitch herself a dress. In Spice’s version the needle eye has a whole different meaning. (Word to Shabba Ranks.) Just like in the Disney movie, those wicked stepsisters head out to the dance, leaving Spice at home with no bashment gear. But never fear—her fairy godmother hooks her up and Spice heads straight to the session to flop those stepsisters and take the man they’ve got their eyes on. (The man in question is played by Spice’s real-life man, Nicholas Lall). Shot entirely in Paris, France, the “Needle Eye” video delivers a powerful dose of eye candy. All the classic dancehall themes are there—the speaker boxes, flaming torches, multicolored wigs, and headtop wining—but with a fresh, playful twist that keeps things extra-Spicey.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Christopher Martin “Hideaway” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Christopher Martin “Hideaway” Official Music Video

    Martin Channels Jimmy Cliff In New Music From The Motion Picture Destiny

    Christopher Martin has always has been propelled by talent rather than hype. Since making his name on Digicel Rising Stars in 2005, the singer has amassed a considerable catalog of quality original tracks, from “Vibes Is Right” to “Cheaters Prayer” and his recent EP Stepping Razor. Earlier this year he made his big-screen debut as the romatic lead in the outstanding new film Destiny, a cinematic showcase for the island Jamaica in all its beauty. Produced and directed by Toronto-based Jeremy Whittaker, Destiny tells the tale of Lisa Pullen, played by the gorgeous Karian Sang, who journeys to Jamaica to sell inherited land acquired through inheritance leads to much more, as Lisa not only uncovers truths about her family’s past, but also finds herself falling in love in the process. The soundtrack to the film is blockbuster in its own right, released last month on Tuff Gong Records and produced by legendary reggae music producer Clive Hunt with Dwain ‘Wiya’ Campbell for Grasshopper Music Entertainment. Busy Signal, Tifa, and Spice appear on the album as well Garnet Silk Jr and Parisian reggae artist Bazil. But our favorite cut is this rub-a-dub lovers’ selection from Mr. Martin himself, who sounds uncannily like another legendary Jamaican actor/singer, Mr. Harder They Come himself, Jimmy Cliff. Don’t believe it? Just watch for yourself. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Dexta Daps “Slavery” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Dexta Daps “Slavery” Official Music Video

    The Dappa Slappa Is Missing That Glue Sincerely

    Dexta Daps is a youth who sings for girls and gallis—full stop. And when he deals with the matter, he doesn’t go sideways or screech around corners—he addresses it straight and plain. Sure, this gifted singer/songwriter serves up some sweet and tender melodies—and this sticky-sweet slow jam, produced by the masterminds at Daseca, ranks up there as one of his sweetest. But let’s not beat about the bush. When he says he missed this girl, he’s not just thinking of long walks on the beach or evenings at home to “Netflix and chill.” He misses her f*ck. As with his breakout hit “7Eleven,” Daps keeps it 100 on this tune, a winning formula for his fervent female fanbase. “Me friends ah laugh and say me pussy-whip,” Daps sings. “Pussy whip me like slavery!”  Check him profiling in a Rolls Royce with his honey dip in this criss new video. Video After the Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Bunji Garlin & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “The Message”

    HEAR THIS: Bunji Garlin & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “The Message”

    Zilla & The Viking Join Forces Because Music Gonna Teach Them One Lesson

    In 1982—the year MJ dropped Thriller—Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five released “The Message,” a record that forced hip-hop to evolve from throw-your-hands-in-the-air escapism to what Chuck D would eventually describe as “the black CNN.” Thirty-three years later two giants of their respective Caribbean islands and genres—Bunji Garlin and Damian Marley—join forces to release a record of the same title, a song capable of redirecting soca and dancehall reggae (and Trinidad and Jamaica) in a more constructive direction. “I look to the sky and ask Almighty when will it finish? Is this a sign of the last days? The last few minutes?” The answer lies in our hands. But while there is life there must be hope. As the song says, “There is music in your soul, minerals in your soil, children full of beauty worth way much more than oil. While history unfolds, don’t let the good things spoil.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Super Cat Confirmed for Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

    Super Cat Confirmed for Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

    The Wild Apache Will Be On Board—Nah Tek Back No Chat

    Not content to be merely awesome, the second annual Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to up the artistic ante. Yesterday Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s official cruise Facebook page made a late-breaking announcement: dancehall reggae legend Super Cat has just been confirmed for both of the five-night cruises from Miami to Jamaica and back. (Cat joins an already excpetional lineup, ranging from Jr. Gong to Barrington Levy to Capleton and Popcaan and many many more.) After a lengthy hiatus from the music business, the Wild Apache rallied forward in 2013, taking the music scene by storm with a surprise appearance alongside Shaggy in NYC. Since then Cat made a historic return to Jamaica for Sting 2013 and has continued to perform select spot dates for various groups of fans fortunate enough to witness history in the making every time the Don Dada steps on the stage. With the all-star sound system lineup on board this year’s cruises (including Jammy’s, Saxon, Metro Media, and Black Scorpio to name a few) some truly legendary musical moments are likely to unfold on the high seas. Video & Booking Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • IShawna Onstage Offstage & Backstage at Reggae Sumfest

    IShawna Onstage Offstage & Backstage at Reggae Sumfest

    Ooh La La! Ms Legendary Makes Her Dancehall Night Debut & RGAT Is There

    Ever since her highly publicized split with selector/producer Foota Hype, IShawna has been on a roll, stepping up her lyrical game and riding the wave of publicity to raise her career to new heights. Last month she made her Reggae Sumfest debut at Ladies Dancehall Night 2015 and the Reggae Girl About Town was there, rolling with Ms. Legendary onstage, offstage, and backstage to shoot an exclusive video special. This year the ladies were the talk of Sumfest, raising the possibility that Downsound’s dancehall diva might just be the future of dancehall. If you don’t believe it, watch IShawna take things to another level as she rips off her bridal gown and shows off some strategically placed Sirovsky crystals, and find out what she’ll do next in RGAT’s all-access report. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Kayla Bliss “Red Hott”

    HEAR THIS: Kayla Bliss “Red Hott”

    After dropping a few hot joints alongside the likes of Jesse Royal and Sizzla on XTM Nation productions like the “Long Days, Short Nights” Riddim, Kayla Bliss steps up today with a brand new one-away single called “Red Hott,” which premiered today via Mass Appeal. The rhythm track, an update of Alton Ellis’s classic “Can I Change My Mind” featuring Sly Dunbar on drums and Donald Dennis on bass, bubbles like soup on a fire while Kayla sings about why she, Kareem “Reemus” Burrell, and the whole XTM Family are, in fact, “Red Hott.” Even when the Brooklyn-based singer is making moves with one of Jamaica’s most respected production teams she makes sure her “nails well done… hair intact”—oh yeah, and she always burns “the stinkest of hash.” What better way to mark the late great Phillip “Fatis” Burrell’s birthday than to continue his musical legacy? Audio After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Jesse Royal “Gimme Likkle Herb / Finally” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jesse Royal “Gimme Likkle Herb / Finally” Official Music Video

    Palace Pikney and Notis Link Up Inna Herbalistic Affair

    One good thing about music, Bob Marley once observed, when it his you feel no pain. The same could be said of ganja, the healing of the nation, the leaf of life, coming to a dispensary near you. And now that the whole medicinal vape industry has taken hold, that green weed / brown weed color barrier is getting a lot more complex. You might get a dab of wax, a crumble, a shatter, a sativa-dominant indica hybrid. But down in Jamaica, Jesse Royal likes to keep it simple. On his latest single, a collab with the drum and bass duo Notis, Jesse just says “Gimme Likkle Herb” and you already know what time it is. The song says “likkle” herb but judging by this brand-new (directed by Jay Will for Game Over Films) Mr. Royal seems to have found himself an abundant supply. And check how well-worn the man’s cutting board is! Jesse may be taking it slow-slow-slow-slow but make sure you check this  video fast. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • The Heatmakerz’ Baddest Reggae Samples

    The Heatmakerz’ Baddest Reggae Samples

    Rsonist Breaks Down The Reggae Roots Of The Heatmakerz’ Crack Music

    Gregory Green aka Rsonist was born in Mandeville, Jamaica and moved to NYC as a youth. He was fascinated by music all his life, and grew up to establish The Heatmakerz production team in the early 2000s. They made their name working with Cam’Ron and The Diplomats, as well as other big name rappers like Lil Wayne and Fat Joe. The Heatmakerz production style features lots of high-energy beats, sped-up soul loops, and reggae samples galore—a sound that came to be known as “Crack Music.” After shooting an episode of Rhythm Roulette for our peoples at Mass Appeal, Rsonist spoke with Boomshots and broke down the inspiration behind some of his best-known reggae flips. Interview After The Jump & Countdown Above In The Gallery (more…)

  • Chronixx & Dre Island Shock Out In Central London

    Chronixx & Dre Island Shock Out In Central London

    Zinc Fence Redemption Rock Out In A NeoClassical Courtyard Overlooking the River Thames

    As Chronixx  and his trusty Zinc Fence Redemption band continue stampeding through the UK on the Reparations Tour, certain moments seem to stand out as obvious milestones. This weekend’s historic performance at Somerset House, a landmark neoclassical building in central London just overlooking the River Thames, would surely qualify as one of those moments. Opening act Dre Island took the vibes way up, playing the piano, singing, and DJing with the Zinc Fence Redemption. Then it was time for the Steam Minister to come through and make sure everything stay way way up. Staging a massive reggae concert in such a stately setting as Somerset House a powerful statement, especially when the artist in question has embarked upon his “Reparations Tour” as is singing songs like “Captcha Land” and “Start A Fire” and “Here Comes Trouble.” Video & Photos After The Jump…
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  • UB40 & Nature Rock the Royal Botanic Gardens

    UB40 & Nature Rock the Royal Botanic Gardens

    Veteran British Band  & A Rising Jamaican Star Shine At England’s Kew The Music Fest

    It’s been more than 30 years since the British reggae supergroup UB40 dropped their breakthrough album, Labour of Love. These cover versions of classic Jamaican rock steady and reggae tracks—songs like “Red Red Wine” and “Cherry O Baby” and “Johnny Too Bad”—transformed this Birmingham, England reggae ensemble into a worldwide phenomenon. Original UBs lead vocalist Ali Campbell and DJ Astro got back with the old rhythm section and put on a big show this weekend at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England. Their set was predictably brilliant, but the opening act Nature was the real surprise. Before he came to England, Nature was a rising star in Jamaica’s dancehall scene. His conscious lyrics and energetic performance style has made him a rising star at home—currently promoting his new album, Life’s Journey—but to the rest of the world he is virtually unknown. The chance to open up for UB40 at a massive outdoor show in England might just be one of the biggest opportunities of Nature’s career so far—and he was not about to let it pass him by. Watch the artist go hard on the big stage.  Video After The Jump… (more…)