Boomshots

Category: Jamaica

  • Lee “Scratch” Perry Wants You To Stop Smoking Ganja

    Lee “Scratch” Perry Wants You To Stop Smoking Ganja

    The Reggae Pioneer Tells The Fader About New Music, Old Studios, and Negative Influence

    Lee “Scratch” Perry, who crafted sounds for Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and countless others while releasing genre-formative albums of his own, is relaxing in a grand old English guest house in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. He has just gotten through performing at the Lakefest Music Festival and is wearing a full red suit covered with dollar, pound, and Euro signs written in Magic Marker; his baseball cap is adorned with metallic badges, a large circular mirror, and a pinecone-shaped chunk of crystal perched on the brim. When he speaks, his words, like his clothes and his tunes, are freewheeling, arcane, and ceaseless. From a small settee, he holds forth on a wide range of subjects, including his new signee, Iguana, his return-to-form new album Back on the Controls, which he recorded in a replica of his legendary Black Ark recording studio, and why he feels guilty about the marijuana culture his art helped to spread to the masses. Video After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Kabaka Pyramid “The Lyricist” Mixtape PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Kabaka Pyramid “The Lyricist” Mixtape PREMIERE

    Word, Sound and Power—Plus It’s Accurate

    Whenever Kabaka Pyramid grips the mic, the first word heard tends to be “accurate.” Known for dropping immaculately crafted rhymes addressing topics with real relevance to real people living real lives, Kabaka has distinguished himself as a powerful voice for the voiceless. Much like his namesake, the lyrical architect crafts his music creations to stand the test of time. “Me’s a man, my music different,” he says on the intro to his debut mixtape, aptly titled The Lyricist, which we proudly premiere today. “I have extra appreciation, cause my music is not party music. Is serious things I and I ah talk ’bout.” And not only does he make music, he can articulate his points of view in an interview or defend them with passion in a debate.

    Mixed by Livity Movements sound and produced in association with Destine Media and the Parris Agency, this 24-track compilation brings together the lion’s share of the work that has earned the young DJ recognition as a integral part of the so-called “Roots Revival” currently unfolding within Jamaican music. From the political insights of “No Capitalist” to the furious flows on “Choppingz” featuring Massicka to the sheer firepower of “Selassie Souljahz” featuring Sizzla, Chronixx, and Protoje, Kabaka’s densely wrought rhymes always shine through, charting a path toward the future of reggae music. Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Live Pon The Reggae Cruise 2015

    WATCH THIS: Live Pon The Reggae Cruise 2015

    They Said “What Happens On The Cruise Stays On The Cruise”—But They Were Wrong!

    Having successfully completed its second annual mission, Damian Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise goes down in history as another amazing experience for lovers of reggae and dancehall music. This year featured not one but two back-to-back cruises loaded with no fewer than 23 different acts—not including guest artists—plus another 10 “sound systems,” three of whom engaged in an epic battle dubbed the first ever “sound clash on the sea.” Not a single detail was overlooked: from the movies showing in the ship’s theater to the music playing in the hallways when you step out of your cabin—even the buckets of Guiness sold hot or cold—everything was chosen to appeal to lovers of Jamaican culture. Roughly half the passengers hailed from the United States, with twenty or so other nationalities representing the UK, Europe, Asia, South America, the Pacific Islands, and of course the Caribbean. Rumor has it that there was even an early morning Niyabinghi session on the uppermost deck of the ship at dawn.
    For the second year in a row, the Boomshots team was on board to catch all the action. Check out the photo gallery above and watch this space for highlights of performances by Super Cat, Ragga Marley, King Jammy’$ Super Power and much much more. Video After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Kabaka Pyramid ft. Chronixx “Ghetto Blues” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Kabaka Pyramid ft. Chronixx “Ghetto Blues” PREMIERE

    Let Them Sing A Sweet Song For You

    Livity Movements titled their new Kabaka mixtape “The Lyricist” for a reason. His rapid-fire flow is jam-packed with gems of wisdom, knowledge, and over standing on this crucial compilation, spearheaded by the Parris Agency and Destine Media. Here he joins forces with long-time sparring partner Chronixx on an exclusive track from “The Lyricist,” which drops next week. The song is called “Ghetto Blues” and Kabaka really blacks out on this one. As the roots revival continues. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Ini Kamoze “Hill & Gully Ride (Remix)” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Ini Kamoze “Hill & Gully Ride (Remix)” Official Music Video

    The Lyrical Gangster Rides Again

    You don’t have to be a reggae fanatic to know Ini Kamoze’s voice. He’s the one who sings the hook—”Out in the streets they call it murder“—on Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s 2005 banger “Welcome To Jamrock.” And back in 1994, the “lyrical gangster” was responsible for the worldwide smash hit “Here Comes The Hot Stepper,” which reached the No. 1 spot in the U.S. when remixed by Salaam Remi for the Pret A Porter soundtrack. Kamoze first recorded a different version of “Hot Stepper” for the late great Jamaican producer Fatis Burrell, founder of the legendary Xterminator label. Fatis’ son Kareem Burrell of XTM Nation remixed another Kamoze classic, “Hill & Gully Ride,” first released 30 years ago. (The track will be included on the forthcoming remix album Living Heart vol. 2.) Today we premiere the animated video, directed by Juppi Juppsen. Watch the ride—and hold on good. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Alkaline “Anywhere We Go” & “In This World”

    HEAR THIS: Alkaline “Anywhere We Go” & “In This World”

    Plug Into Both Sides Of The Alkaline Battery

    An Alkaline battery has two sides, one positive and one negative. The same goes for the controversial dancehall star of the same name. When I sat down to chat with him last December at 21st Hapilos headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, he was already emerging as one of the most powerful new voices in Jamaican music—and all this past year he’s continued to charge up his ever-growing fan base with an unpredictable I-care-zero approach to making music. Two fresh selections—one produced by DJ Frass, one by ZJ Chrome—highlight both sides of this polarizing young artist. On “In This World” he touches on the realities of life and sufferation and on “Anywhere We Go” he disses Bounty Killer and Foota Hype. Hate it or love it, you cannot deny Alkaline’s talent nor his ability to electrify the streets of Kingston. Audio After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto” Live Pon The WTJ Cruise

    WATCH THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto” Live Pon The WTJ Cruise

    I and I Tour Currently Cruising Through The United States

    When the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise set sail last month, the first artist to touch the main deck stage was none other than Black-Am-I. The culturally inclined singjay rocked the big boat, closing out an energetic set with his latest song “In The Ghetto,” a track taken from the forthcoming Set Up Shop Vol. 2 compilation, due out later this year. Black-Am-I, who hails from Nine Mile, the birthplace of Bob Marley, is currently on tour of the U.S. with I-Wayne. Watch for them coming to a town near you. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Black Lion & The Wizard ft. Kat Dahlia, Nyanda & Kemist “Mash It Up” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Black Lion & The Wizard ft. Kat Dahlia, Nyanda & Kemist “Mash It Up” Official Music Video

    What could be more fun than rolling through Kingston street dances with Kat Dahlia, Nyanda (of Brick & Lace), and The Wizard? How about adding Black Lion and Kemist to the mix—and shooting a music video for their posse cut “Mash It Up” while you’re at it? Like the song says, “they do what they do and and don’t give a fvck! The crew look like they are having a blast as pass the mic and rave all night till morning light. You can barely tell that this was Kat’s first trip to Jamaica. The genre-bending singer/songwriter signed to Epic Records looks right at home shocking out on a sound system. Whether MIA or JA, she already warned you: “we coming to your city and we mash it up.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Timberlee “Shmurda Freestyle” Video

    WATCH THIS: Timberlee “Shmurda Freestyle” Video

    The Man Dem Say She Body Well Shampoo Squeaky

    Remember Timberlee, the dancehall chica who made you “Bubble Like Soup” in a pot? She’s the latest to jump on the beat to Bobby Shmurda’s “Hot Nigga” with a fiery freestyle. Although the dancehall artist confirms that she’s “definitely not changing my musical style,” she does want to serve notice that “you can expect anything and everything from Timberlee.” She even made a guerilla-style video of the hip-hop freestyle, complete with a closing monologue from some dude at the end rambling ’bout “butter bean and dem ting deh.” See me? Not really. But the tune bad still. Keep an eye out for the Jamaican dancehall damsel supporting her new “Beat It” mixtape with shows in NYC, Florida, and the Virgin Islands. There’s also a “mini South American tour” planned for January because move haffi mek. Go get that shmoney gyal. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Ini Kamoze “Hill & Gully Ride (Remix)” Music Video Teaser

    WATCH THIS: Ini Kamoze “Hill & Gully Ride (Remix)” Music Video Teaser

    You Better Hold On Good

    The original Hot Stepper (aka the “Lyrical Gangsta”—Murdera!) links up with Jamaican producer Kareem Burrell of XTM Nation (son of the late great Fatis Burrell, founder of the legendary Xterminator label) for this 2014 update of a classic Fatis production, first released 30 years ago. Today we get the first look at the animated video, which bears a major resemblance to a certain laser-beam-toting superhero who terrorized the Caribbean, cannibalizing the indigenous cultures therein. Hey, the only way to save the universe from pirates is more piracy. Watch the ride—and hold on good. Video & Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Who is Shifta?

    Who is Shifta?

    Born In Jamaica, Based In Miami, Ready For The World

    Dancehall is undergoing a changing of the guard right now with new talent bubbling up from the underground  to the top of the game faster than ever. One of the new names to catch our eye and our ear is a youth called Shifta, whose music combines dancehall energy with warm and easy pop appeal. His single “Do You Wanna,” produced by Timeless Music, is making waves already on Miami radio (check the behind the scenes video shoot footage below). And his latest release, on TJ Records “Drink Up” Riddim, features his frequent collaborator, Che’Nelle, a Malaysian-Australian singer who’s had major success in Japan. The Reggae Girl About Town (@RGAT) recently caught up with Shifta at Miami’s Circle House Studio to hear about his deep dancehall roots and his plans to shift the game into overdrive.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Spice & Vybz Kartel “Conjugal Visit” Official Music Video

    Spice & Vybz Kartel “Conjugal Visit” Official Music Video

    Prepare Yourself For Romping Shop Part Few

    It’s been quite a while since Spice and Vybz Kartel hooked up. So much has changed in the six years since their smash hit “Romping Shop.” That sexy selection became one of the biggest international hits for both artists, even as it created a furor in Jamaica leading to strict new radio airplay regulations and sparking debates about free speech and censorship. Fast forward to 2014 and  TJ Records has brought the hitmaking duo together for a “Conjugal Visit,” which will be released on Spice’s highly anticipated EP So Mi Like It on VP Records this December 2014. Directed by Xtreme Arts and shot on location in Kingston, Jamaica using a skillfully selected cast of orange-clad extras, the video premiered yesterday on WorldStarHipHop, where it racked in over 1.7 million views. Hit the jump to see what all the excitement is about. Video After The Jump… (more…)