From Jr. Gong to Gully Bop—And Everything In Between
If you peeped last year’s Pepsi list, you already know the flex. Reshma B selects Strictly Boomshots pon a worldwide level—with no badness, no slackness, and nuh shakiness. There are so many artists and producers on the island it seems like the tunes never stop, but with Boomshots as your guide you can sit back and enjoy nothing but the best. You dun know who makes culture pop. Up, up, up! Audio After The Jump…
The Unstoppable WorldBoss Just Keeps On Winning
Controversial Deejay Vybz Kartel‘s latest album Viking (Vybz Is King) made a grand debut at #3 on the Billboard‘s Reggae Album Chart and currently sits comfortably at #6. At the moment, he is the only dancehall artist to have an album in this chart’s Top Ten. This milestone marks the highest debut of his career, adding to Kartel’s string of successful musical feats since he has been incarcerated for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. Against all odds, he has remained at the forefront of the dancehall music scene—regularly releasing new songs, dominating radio airwaves and winning awards even as detractors denounce him. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Addis Pablo and Ras Jammy Buck Up The Far East Rulers Inna Dubwise Extravaganja
“We’ve pretty much been working on this forever,” says Addis Pablo, son of melodica master Augustus Pablo and co-founder of Suns of Dub, along with Ras Jammy, who is (contrary to popular belief) no relation to King Jammy nor—despite a striking similarity of appearance—to the elder Pablo’s frequent sparring partner Hugh Mundell. The pair first met at Rockers International Record Shop and began dubbing live—with Addis on melodica and Jammy mixing tunes and crucial sound effects—at Jamaican hotspots like Kingston Dub Club. Inspiration for this mixtape struck when the Suns traveled to Japan (Land of the Rising Sun) last October and linked with Cojie, Mighty Crown’s roots/foundation specialist, and began plotting their brand-new 40-track hour-plus excursion pon the version. The sounds thereon includes self-produced instrumental tracks and dubplate specials seasoned with vocals by the likes of Chronixx, Jesse Royal, Sizzla, Luciano, Lauryn Hill, and Mr. Williamz. Suns of Dub begins a UK tour today (see the full schedule below) and will tour Europe this summer as an onstage dub production team onstage with an expanded lineup (including Jah Bammy on vocals, Carlo on binghi drums and additional instrumentation courtesy of Dub Assassin) plus a 16-track mixing board to allow unique and precise mixes at each and every show. “We try to keep it spontaneous,” says Addis, “the next thing we could add a rock guitar or a violin or a tuba.” Ras Jammy agrees that audiences should expect the unexpected. “Last year we were playing the chalice onstage and smoke up the place.” Addis adds, laughing, “Steamers!” Audio & Interview After The Jump… (more…)
The Sound System’s Founder Talks Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise and the Sound Clash on the Sea
In the mid 1970s Keith Walford expanded his father’s mechanic business in Alexandria, St. Ann into distributing and stocking jukeboxes all over Jamaica. His used to spin music at private fetes before officially launching Bass Odyssey in 1989 along with then-partner Bunny Hayles and selector Tinna-One, who was later joined by Glamma G and the legendary Kevin “Squingy” Bennett. Squingy referred to himself as “the Michael Jordan of clash” and he helped to make Bass Odyssey a musical killing machine. Sadly he fell ill and passed away in 2009 but the sound has kept his legacy alive thanks to young selectors like Dwayne, Worm, Skinny, and Charly Black who’s gone on to become a successful recording artist. Although Keith entered the political life in 2011, becoming a Member of Parliament representing St. Ann, his “World Sound From Way Out in the Country” is still going strong. Last year the sound celebrated its 25th anniversary by launching Jamaica’s first ever sound system festival, with plans to make it an annual event. This coming November Bass Odyssey will challenge longtime sparring partner Metro Media and Far East Rulers Mighty Crown during the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise’s first-ever Sound Clash on the Sea. Boomshots spoke with Keith as his sound prepares to make waves. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
Soulful reggae crooner slows it down in latest clip
Since bursting onto the scene in 2007 as the youngest winner of Jamaica’s leading reggae talent search Digicel Rising Stars, Romain Virgo has gone on to dazzle stadiums and dominate charts worldwide. This boy wonder has evolved into a fully fledged ambassador for lovers rock music with a consistently strong, ever-growing catalog of tunes. Virgo recently teamed up with legendary production duo Sly & Robbie for the celestial single “Star Across The Sky” which was featured on their 2014 Grammy nominated album The Reggae Power. Fresh from a successful European winter tour, he took time out to unveil a mellow yet stirring rendition of the same hit song this week, with just a keyboard for company. This guy’s vocal range is insane! Video After the Jump… (more…)
Jamaican-Canadian Pop Star Reconnects With Her Dancehall Roots
Kreesha Turner’s debut album Passion was an instant smash in her native Canada. Back in 2008 her single “Don’t Call Me Baby” became the most played song on Canadian radio and hit number one on Billboard‘s U.S. Hot Dance Club Play. Nominated for “Best New Artist” and “Best Pop Album of The Year” at that year’s Juno Awards, her future seemed all mapped out for her. But there is another side to this perfect pop princess, a girl who grew up between Edmonton, Canada and Spanish Town, Jamaica. “Before I got signed I was in the underground hip-hop scene, and everything I did was a mixture of dancehall, hip-hop, and R&B,” she explained to the Reggae Girl About Town over lunch at Strawberry Hill. “When I got signed, the label took me all the way opposite to what I was. They got me to start straightening my hair. I went to media training and they told me not to speak in Jamaican dialect.” Now managed by Nick Cannon and signed to Universal Republic, Kreesha’s third album brings her full circle, diving into the dancehall, hip-hop and R&B sounds she loves. Her first single, “Sexy Gal,” features the Jamaican dancehall supergroup T.O.K. Watch for the official music video premiere March 31 on Mass Appeal. In the meantime, check out Reshma B’s exclusive interview, and enjoy the view! Video After The Jump… (more…)
Who’s That Girl?
This tune is the first we’ve heard of Mink Jo. All we can say for sure is that the Jamaican chanteuse is easy on the eyes—and she and Konshens definitely have some, um, creative chemistry bubbling on this track, courtesy of Dre Day Productions. Something about her voice sure sounds familiar. Critics have branded her a Rihanna wannabe, but with the BNM team in her corner she’s aiming to blaze her own trail. Keep an eye out for Mink’s Boy Girl Love mixtape and meanwhile keep this tune Pon di Replay. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Ting A Ling A Ling, School Bell Ah Ring
”There is a lack of consciousness from what the music used to be,” says the legendary Cocoa Tea. “it’s becoming what it is not to be.” But rather than criticizing or complaining, the singer is fighting back with word sound and power. “If one of my songs can be remembered and or quoted, and be of inspiration or guidance to anyone, then I shall be forever happy with my contribution musically.” After pursuing work as a jockey and a fisherman, it was the birth of his first child back in the early ’80s that strengthened Cocoa Tea’s decision to launch into music full time. And with this tune, he continues his legacy of teaching the youths consciousness through music. All proceeds from “Stay in School”—to be released by VP Records—will be donated to charity. Audio After the Jump… (more…)
Turf Prez Previews Hard-Hitting Track From His Next Album on Jamaican TV
Down near the end of a recent interview about his charitable endeavors, Busy Signal casually dropped some big news: the Turf Prezident has a double album in the works. “We haven’t finalised the name yet,” he told the Jamaica Observer, “but we’re looking at about August-September. In the meantime, we’re focusing on some visuals because people want to see what they’re buying. We’re shooting three videos today.” Three in one day? No wonder they call him Busy. During a recent pass through OnStage TV, Busy performed one of those tracks, and tore up the place. Video After the Jump… (more…)
Turf Prez Giving Back To The Hospital Where He Was Born
St. Ann’s Hospital in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica is giving thanks for a new initiative, spearheaded by none other than popular dancehall artist Busy Signal. The dancehall phenomenon will be launching the Busy 20/20 Helping Hands Foundation April 2. The charitable organization’s first order of busi is to help the hospital to fulfill its needs, which are plentiful, including implementation of vital X-ray/CAT scan equipment, which Busy describes as a device used “for detecting cancer.” The pricetag? J$12 million—or just over US$100,000. Details After The Jump… (more…)
It’s a Dancehall Dilemma: Experience vs. Youth? The G or the Bop?
“Right now me feel good, how me come a England and them just embrace me,” states JA sensation Gully Bop as the DJ continues his rise from sufferation and obscurity to the top of the game. “Big big BBC radio a play Gully Bop non-stop and invite me in them studio. Me a get support at every show, every one of them pack! People swarm me like bees fe take picture everywhere me go. Is a thousand things and more a go on right now, so me have to give God thanks.” He even found time to link with ranking UK Yardie Stylo G. Just like Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney, and Home T, Cocoa Tea, and Shabba, Stylo and Bop seem to have a small serious disagreement on their hands. The affections of a young lady are at stake. Experience vs. Youth. The G or the Bop? Which one ah dem she want? StarTraxx & Adde on the riddim. Audio After The Jump…
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Thirty Five Years Ago Today Reggae Music Lost A Great Soldier
On this day in 1980 legendary #reggae singer Jacob “Killer” Miller died in a tragic car accident on Hope Road in Kingston Jamaica. “I was sitting with my father in Hope Road when he heard the news on Sunday,” recalls Rohan Marley. “Jacob and my Father always spend time together on Sundays.” Miller was one of reggae’s greatest performers. His merry, manic brilliance shines through clearly in the crucial 1980 concert doc Heartland Reggae, particularly the performance of “Tired Fe Lick Weed In A Bush” during which he puffs a huge spliff on stage while using his microphone to taunt the cops at the venue before somebody hands him a police cap and he starts chanting “Babylon, Babylon falling down.” Jakes spent just 27 years on earth but the #Rockers music he made with Inner Circle and Augustus Pablo shall live forever. In fact, one of his classic cuts with the Bad Boys of Reggae, “Tenement Yard,” is enjoying a major resurgence 40 years after its release. Audio After The Jump… (more…)