Boomshots

Category: Jamaica

  • Jah Cure Speaks on The Cure Album: “I’m trying something new with a new feel—we need that in reggae.”

    Jah Cure Speaks on The Cure Album: “I’m trying something new with a new feel—we need that in reggae.”

    “I’m trying to implement some of the old and modify it and move forward,” says Cure.

    From the first single, to the first video, to the first glimpse of the cover art, Jah Cure’s latest album—titled simply The Cure—has had in suspense for months now. At last the waiting is over and we can dive into the fullness of Cure’s sixth studio album. Featuring hits like “All of Me,” “That Girl,” and “Life We Live,” the fourteen-track album was produced by Cure himself, who says he hopes the album we help usher in a new sound within reggae music. Right now the #WorldSinger is over in Europe blazing a trail for Jamaican music. But in the days just before the album dropped, Boomshots caught up with Cure via telephone to talk about his latest work of art. Interview After the Jump… (more…)

  • DOWNLOAD: Konshens Mixtape “Money Plan Complete”

    DOWNLOAD: Konshens Mixtape
    “Money Plan Complete”

    Like Kanye Said Money Isn’t Everything, Not Having It IS
    Konshens put it plain from early out. The first time he stopped by the Strictly Boomshots show he explained how he drew a musical line in the sand and said “this year me haffi be the winner.” The reason? Not vanity, but because “me nah go me yard without the youth dem dinner.” Well it surely worked and Konshens has been winning for some time now. And here the DJ comes again with some more musica; motivation. “Bless my plans Almighty Jah… I wake up with a medz like, teach them youths to be wise and medz right.” As Konshens himsef puts it: “Some ppl are just lucky, some people inherited money,some ppl got all the good connections,some ppl got unbelievable undeniable talent, some got all the above mentioned…….. Some just worked nonstop harder and smarter everyday and refused to not succeed. Ppl have been born rich and turn out to nothing and others have been born in the worst situations and places humanly possible and turn out to be ICONS on earth… #noexcuses #Work MIXTAPE OUT NOW!!” Download Link After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Michael Rose “Warrior”

    HEAR THIS: Michael Rose “Warrior”

    Bless Up the Grammy Winner From Waterhouse On Another Earthstrong

    “Life is a gamble,” sings Michael “Grammy” Rose on the title track from his powerful 2007 roots rock reggae album produced by the Twilight Circus crew. “Cease fire!” Since joining forces with Black Uhuru in 1977, Rose has remained at the forefront of reggae music outernationally—whether by cultivating and celebrating a “Stalk of Sinsemilla” or shaking up society with “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner,” bouncing to the “Sponji Reggae” or collecting the first ever Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album with Uhuru’s Anthem. As Mr. Rose marks his 58th birthday today, Boomshots salute a musical soldier who never cease fire yet, just like the youths of Eglington with them Remington. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: John Holt “My Heart Is Gone”

    HEAR THIS: John Holt “My Heart Is Gone”

    Celebrating The Birth of a Legend

    On this day in 1947, Winston “John” Holt was born in Greenwich Farm, Jamaica. His destiny in music was clear before he hit his teenage years, and he soon became a standout at the talent show circuit. His first recordings included “I Cried A Tear” for producer Leslie Kong and “Rum Bumper” a duet with Alton Ellis, for producer Randy Chin. He would of course go on to become a founding member of The Paragons, as well as one of Jamaican music’s most successful and prolific songwriters in his own right. He penned a rich catalog filled with internationally known hits, and yet everyone seems to have their own personal favorite John Holt tune. Before he grew his dreadlocks and starting singing more rebellious songs like “Police in Helicopter,” he was known as a romantic balladeer with legions of female fans. Some consider him a pioneer of the lovers rock style of reggae that later caught on in the UK—where he made his home for many years. Somehow John Holt seemed to particularly familiar with the sadder side of love, as he displayed on songs like “Tonight” and this one, which he first recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, and then re-versioned for Phil Pratt’s Sunshot label. It hasn’t been quite a full year since John Holt’s death—and there’s something about that first birthday after someone passes away. Those of us who aren’t quite ready to let him go will know exactly what this song is all about. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Flashback Friday: Wayne Wonder, “No Letting Go”

    Flashback Friday: Wayne Wonder, “No Letting Go”

    In 2003, when “No Letting Go”  hit MTV,  Wayne Wonder’s music career went into a projectile motion that continues to reach new heights.  Twelve years later, fans are still expressing their love for this song on YouTube and other social media. I caught up with Wayne Wonder this week to find out his inspiration for this song, which was Number 11 on Billboard Hot 100. Video and Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Ghetto People”

    HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Ghetto People”

    All A We Ghetto People

    It has been a while since we last heard from Chronixx. It’s nice to hear from the yute every now and again as he tells us what he’s up to and what’s on his mind. Namely, teaming up with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, the mastermind behind the “On The Corner” riddim juggling, with “Ghetto People” as the end result. Dare I say, a proper result. Good to hear from you dread, indeed. Tidy and to the point, “Ghetto People” thrives in its simplicity as it deals with some rather complex issues. Call it a “reggae revival” or call it whatever you will, but now that Jr. Gong is rolling with this movement there’s no way Rasta can lose. Until we hear from you again dread, riddim up! Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Alborosie “Rocky Road” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Alborosie “Rocky Road” Official Music Video

    Puppa Albo On Some Real-Life Shit

     

    Alborosie reflects on the cycle of life and his own mortality in this thought-provoking video, portaying himself in a few years’ time, with grey dreads watching videotapes of the memories of his life. Come to think of it, the last time Boomshots caught up with Puppa Albo he was talking about being a father and contemplating retirement one day. Our bredren Frenchie at Maximum Sound just forwarded us this tune, which was produced, played, arranged, and mixed by Puppa Albo at Shengen Studios, so thankfully the artist shows no signs of slowing down at this moment. Still let’s make sure to apprecilove our artists while they’re here making sweet music. Bless up. Video After the Jump… (more…)
  • WATCH THIS: Lady Saw “Summer Love” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Lady Saw “Summer Love” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Muma Saw Gets Her Groove Back

    You already know whenever Muma Saw drops a track it’s going to be hot. But this Summer Saw is on fire. When the first line of a tyne is “I wanna fall deeply in love”…soon followed by “I wanna get so damn drunk!”—well, you get the picture. “This summer me ah touch ‘pon the beach” Saw spits on her latest track. “A new boyfriend me ah cop fe the summer.” After all the catfights, clashes, heartbreaks, and high-heel shoes, she’s just trying to exhale and show she’s still the baddest B in business. It seems like Saw is on some YOLO vibes at the moment. Listeners rarely have to do much reading in-between the lines with Saw’s lyrics and this song is no exception. Let’s just say the Queen of the Dancehall is out and about and she don’t care who knows it. Oh, and the summer heat has got her needing a new man in between the sheets. Saw proudly shows off her her beach bod in the video, surrounded by some very fit semi-naked males or effortlessly chilling in the sunset with the likes of the new legendary duo Bounty and Beenie. #NotMad Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Phillip Fraser “God of My Righteousness”

    FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Phillip Fraser “God of My Righteousness”

    Reggae Music Legend in the Mecca of Music and Culture, Brooklyn

    The sun was shinning bright as I walked along New York Avenue, in Brooklyn, New York. I was greeted by a Rastafarian King, left hand over the heart,  wearing a sunny yellow hat with a  polo to match. I tipped my black shades to take a closer look at the face of the person greeting me and it was the living legend himself, Phillip Fraser!  He was shocked that I recognized who he was. I said “Great music is great music!” Known for albums  like “Come Ethiopians” (1974, Freedom Sound Label), “Back to Africa” (1978, Different Records, original recording with Busta Riley, Winston Riley’s brother) featuring Earth and Stone, “Blood of the Saint” (1983), “Never Let Go” (1991, Razor Sound Records), “Phillip Fraser: Sharp Like Razor” (1993, Razor Sound Records),  “More Phillip Fraser” (2015, Razor Sound Records) and a plethora of complication albums and productions. If you appreciate roots reggae and lovers rock, you have to know this artists’ anthology of music. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • ReshmaB Chains Make Runway Debut at Caribbean Fashion Week 2015

    ReshmaB Chains Make Runway Debut at Caribbean Fashion Week 2015

    The Reggae Girl About Town Flexes Her Design Skills

    Reshma B, the UK-based music journalist, showed off her design skills at Caribbean Fashion Week in Kingston, Jamaica. ReshmaB Chains—recently included on Mass Appeal‘s round-up of New Streetwear Brands Who Are Killing it Right Now—made their runway debut at CFW’s Friday kick off. Pulse top model Oraine Barrett walked the runway, while three-time Vogue cover girl Jeneil Williams was spotted wearing a pair of ReshmaB earrings in the front row. Designer Reshma B capped the night by taking to the catwalk rocking a bright orange Day-Glo “Wah Gwan” chain, flashing her trademark peace sign, and snapping shots of the experience with a selfie stick. Article Continues After the Jump; Photo Gallery Above… (more…)

  • OMI “Cheerleader” May Be The Song of the Summer

    OMI “Cheerleader” May Be The Song of the Summer

    First Jamaican Release To Crack Top 10 Since Sean Paul’s “Get Busy”

    What could be a more natural combination than reggae and summertime? Last year the Canadian band MAGIC! made the connection with their pop smash “Rude.” But it’s been quite a while since a Jamaican reggae song was the anthem of the Summer—twelve years ago, to be exact, when Sean Paul’s “Get Busy” was on its way to the top of the U.S. pop charts. But according to the latest Billboard Hot 100 chart, OMI’s 2012 jawn “Cheerleader”—which has been dominating the charts in Europe on the strength of a tasty remix by German DJ Felix Jaehn—is now a Top 10 single. And Billboard is already talking about OMI sneaking in to become 2015’s official “song of the summer.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Third World “Yim Mas Gan”

    HEAR THIS: Third World “Yim Mas Gan”

    Reggae Ambassadors Revisit an Amharic Classic

    In the ancient Amharic language of Ethiopia “Igziabeher Yim Mas Gan” roughly translates to “Let H.I.M. Be Praised” (with the letters h-i-m denoting His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, JAH Rastafari). The Abyssinians cut the original version of this mystical tune back in the 1972. Fast forward to 2015 and the legendary island fusion ensemble Third World aka the Reggae Ambassadors revisit this crucial roots classic with a track produced by Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. And the beat goes on—itinually. Audio After The Jump… (more…)