Boomshots

Category: Jamaica

  • Reasoning with Lee “Scratch” Perry: “The Black Ark Preserve Life and It Kill”

    Reasoning with Lee “Scratch” Perry: “The Black Ark Preserve Life and It Kill”

    “I think the devil is a goat,” and other thoughts of a living legend.

    Whether you prefer to call him a madman or a genius, there’s no doubt that Lee “Scratch” Perry is a living legend. The man who gave the Wailers their “Natural Mystic” and pushed the frontiers of dub music at his Black Ark studio has never lost his creative mojo, even at the age of 78. Next week he will host his first New York art installation, followed by a live performance at Brooklyn Bowl with Subatomic Sound System as part of the annual Dub Champions Festival. In the first installment of Reshma B‘s exclusive interview with The Upsetter aka the Super Ape aka Pipecock Jaxson, he talks about two of his most recent collaborations—the Vibes EP, a collaboration with the Swiss musician Iguana, and the Back on the Controls project for which the London-based Rolling Lion team recreated all the exact recording equipment and techniques used at the Black Ark. “The Ark of the Covenant is a spirtual vibration,” scratch explains. “Ancient spirits speak… Everything is spirit. Because God is a spirit and Satan the devil also is a spirit. But Satan need competition.” In part one of the interview, find out why Scratch sprinkles white rum inside the studio before beginning a recording session. And in the second installment, discover who Scratch was taking revenge on when he built his own studio, The Black Ark, and find out how it had so many awesome powers: “It produce rain, whirlwind, hurricane, tidal wave, thunder, hailstone, earthquake, and it preserve life and it kill. It cripple, it cramp, and paralyze.” Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Capture Land” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Capture Land” Official Music Video

    Chronixx and Zinc Fence Redemption Take It Back To The Real Rock

    One of the toughest tunes off Chronixx recent Dread & Terrible project is this relentless roots rockers reality cut illustrating the concept once expressed by the dub poet who once observed: “If I build a fence round a coconut tree, that would cause you to steal from me.” In Jamaica the phrase “Captcha Land” refers to a grey area of real estate, known in the US as “squatting.” Basically if a parcel of land—perhaps a less-than-prime-location—goes unused for some period of time, less fortunate persons may decide to “capture” it by moving in and erecting zinc fence dwellings and other improvised syructures. But as Chronixx points out in this tune-—with a brand new video dirextwd by Jerome D (a frequent TDE collaborator) and all courtesy of the good folks at LRG (aka Lifted Research Group) — the whole of Jamaica and America is captcha land too. It all depends on who’s doing the capturing. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Damian Marley “Hard Work”

    HEAR THIS: Damian Marley “Hard Work”

    When Gongzilla Puts His Shoulder To The Wheel You Can’t Knock The Hustle

    Damian Marley’s first selection off the Set Up Shop Vol. 2 compilation lets you know right off top he’s got his mind on his money and his money on his mind: “Rastaman a hustler so every dollar haffi flip.” But this song is not about flossing (although he makes sure his galfriend definitely gets her choice of beverages, from vintage bubbly to Viva’s roots). Really it’s all about influencing the youths to know anything is possible, bunning out all badmind, and serving notice that “all lazy bwoy fi get dismissed.” Putting in the hard work has always come naturally to the Tuff Gong’s youngest son. And he’s been on that Marcus Garvey since the first “Set Up Shop” days. The lively-up track builds to a wicked acapella breakdown at the 1:33 mark seasoned with a tasty acoustic guitar strum. This tune feels like a timely counteraction to any and all crab-in-a-barrell elements. “Nuff a dem will sell out their best friend’s purse, Zilla only sell out concerts.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: LL Cool J ft. Mavado “The Hustler” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: LL Cool J ft. Mavado “The Hustler” Official Music Video

    The G.OA.T And The Gully Gad Link For Di Hustlas Dem

    LL drops the visual to his long awaited single “The Hustler” off the highly anticipated “The G.O.A.T. 2.” An unlikely pairing, LL pegs Mavado to lend his distinct vocals to the gritty track. Not to be out done by his younger counterparts, LL reminds us why he’s known as “The Greatest Of All Time.” Video After The Jump…
    (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Shaggy ft. Sanchez “With You”

    HEAR THIS: Shaggy ft. Sanchez “With You”

    Two Dancehall Giants Link To Make A Modern Classic

    Maintaining the vibes of his brilliant Sly & Robbie collaboration album Out of Many One Music Shaggy continues to build with some of the greatest talents of the reggae and dancehall genre. On this brand new release he joins forces with the elusive singer Sanchez D to create a next modern classic. “Now you’re tuned to the immortal sound,” Shagsman says and Sanchez chimes in about being “Better when we are together.” Ladies this is yours. Audio After The Jump…
    (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Addies Intl Presents: Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute

    HEAR THIS: Addies Intl Presents: Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute

    Addies Intl Reminds Us How Deep Their Dub Box Really Is

    Addies bad from how long? Isn’t that how the saying goes. Addies Intl drops a wicked tribute to Gargamel better known as Buju Banton entitled “Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute.” Their new selector A1 digs deep into the crates and pulls out some of the most lethal dubs ever played in a sound clash. Take our word for it, you won’t be disappointed – Shellings After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Stephen Marley ft. Capleton & Sizzla “Rockstone” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Stephen Marley ft. Capleton & Sizzla “Rockstone” Official Music Video

    Ragga Marley Brandishes Some Hardcore Visuals Pon BET

    Ever since Stephen “Ragga” Marley dropped the “Rockstone” single off his highly anticipated album Revelation Part 2: The Fruit of Life, the song has been in heavy rotation on all conscious stations. But clearly Ragga is not just “preaching to the choir” so to speak. When it came time to premiere the video for the tune, he took it to the leading music show on TV, BET’s 106 & Park. When’s the last time you saw King Shango and Kalonji getting love pon BET? And this ain’t no pop tune. These visuals are on some Burning Spear vibes, as in “Do you remember the days of slavery?” Did somebody say “Play I on the BET—want all my people to see.” OK, nuff said. We’ve got a feeling that somewhere Gong is smiling right about now. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Randy Valentine “The Sound of a Young Rebel”

    WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Randy Valentine “The Sound of a Young Rebel”

    UK Reggae Rebel Rocks London With Tarrus Riley, Talks “Break The Chain” EP With Reshma B

    Tarrus Riley’s Love Situation tour passes through the UK tonight at the Forum in Kentish Town. Always ready to support rising talent, Singy Singy’s opening acts include Jamaican songstress Alaine and a young UK rebel by the name of Randy Valentine. RV’s been making waves with his powerful voice and no-nonsense approach to the music, as first glimpsed on his 2012 mixtape Bring Back the Love, which showcased the young artist’s writing and vocal abilities against some timeless Studio One instrumentals. His Break The Chain EP dropped in May and shot straight to No. 1 in Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland’s iTunes Reggae charts. The EP also reached No2 in Italy, and No3 in both Canada and the UK. RV’s ‘Break The Chain Tour’ kicked off in May, and he’s done shows in 20 countries all over Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, France, and the UK. In the first of his chats with Reshma B, Randy talks about his musical influences and why he’s never going to sell his soul (or anything else) for radio play. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Duane Stephenson “Cool Runnings”

    WATCH THIS: Duane Stephenson “Cool Runnings”

    Duane Stephenson Adds A Retro Inspired Visual To His Rendition Of The Bunny Wailer Classic

    Jamaican singer-songwriter Duane Stephenson drops his stylish, retro-flavored video complete with ice green and gold marina.  Directed by Ras Kassa, “Cool Runnings” is the first single off  Stephenson’s upcoming album Dangerously Roots, slated to drop September 23, 2014 on Greensleeves. Stephenson took the classic Bunny Wailer tune and sprinkled his own flava on to it. Check it out, Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reggae Sumfest 2014: Party Tun Up

    Reggae Sumfest 2014: Party Tun Up

    REGGAE SUMFEST marks changing times in dancehall, hip-hop, and the leveling of the pop playing field

    Whenever the third week of July rolls around, reggae lovers know it’s that time again—the time when Reggae Sumfest takes over Mobay for 3 solid days of entertainment. Though it’s dubbed “the greatest reggae show on earth,” Sumfest has never been limited in terms of genre. Every year the organisers go all out to pull together a blend of the best homegrown and international talent. Acts such as Jay Z, Missy Elliott, Rihanna, Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj have all graced the Sumfest stage over the past 22 years, often sharing that stage with Jamaica’s biggest stars to create once-in-a-lifetime moments that don’t happen anywhere else. Full Text After The Jump…
    (more…)

  • Reasoning with Wiz Khalifa: “I Get it Grown For Me”

    Reasoning with Wiz Khalifa: “I Get it Grown For Me”

    Taylor Gang Boss Rocks Reggae Sumfest In Montego Bay, Readies Blacc Hollywood Album

    This past weekend Wiz Khalifa made his first trip to Jamaica to rock Reggae Sumfest 2014. Before the big show he sat down poolside with RGAT to talk about his love for Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Listen as Wiz weighs in on whether yard weed stacks up to Khalifa Kush, plus he reveals which reggae artist he’d like to collaborate with. Then watch him shell down International Night 1 in the same black and yellow shorts he was chilling in by the pool! Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: QQ “Tweety Bird (Turn Me On)” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: QQ “Tweety Bird (Turn Me On)” Official Music Video

    QQ and Russian Link Up To Prove That Two Birds In The Hand Are Worth A Whole Lot, Uzeet?

    QQ has been on a major roll since the former child star popped up last year with the monster hit “One Drop.” Since then it’s been hits pon top of his with this Head Concussion production being the latest example of the youth’s dancehall dominance. With Spanish-flavored guitars and sultry whispers, the tasteful production brings a new dimension to QQ’s artistry. Anyone who’s waiting for the beloved cartoon character Tweety Bird to make a cameo in this video will be disappointed. But that would be weird anyway. Aside from some unwanted blurriness here and there, this video is just fine as is. Video After The Jump… (more…)