Category: Jamaica

  • HEAR THIS: Tanya Stephens “Tonight” Prod by Fatis Burrell

    HEAR THIS: Tanya Stephens “Tonight” Prod by Fatis Burrell

    XTM Nation Shares Exclusive Preview of Fatis Tapes in the Oven Vol. 1

    Who can stop Tanya Stephens from singing her heart out over this classic reggae rhythm laid down by the Firehouse Crew? MASS APPEAL proudly premieres this exclusive preview of an important new compilation focusing on the late great Phillip “Fatis” Burrell—the man behind the crucial Jamaican label Xterminator Records—and before that, Vena Records. The prolific producer helped launch the careers of Luciano, Sizzla, Pinchers, and many more. Working with the island’s top session musicians his tireless work ethic yielded an abundance of classic recordings, many of which have not seen the light of day even seven years after his passing. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • PREMIERE: Raging Fyah “REBEL”

    PREMIERE: Raging Fyah “REBEL”

    Ah No If Nor Because

    Raging Fyah, one of the fastest rising roots reggae bands from Kingston, Jamaica, are moving from strength to strength. The Grammy-nominated ensemble just leaked a new single produced by Llamar “Riff Raff” Brown for Nebilus Records. The riddim is warm and easy, the melodies bright and the mesaage is righteous. “The road of life get rocky,” sing Kumar “Kumz” Bent. “You know you’ve got to trod.” This is real roots rock reggae straight out of Jamaica. Listen up. Audio After The Jump…
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  • PREMIERE: Rvssian Presents “Bashment Time” Riddim Megamix

    PREMIERE: Rvssian Presents “Bashment Time” Riddim Megamix

    Fresh Juggling From The Head Concussion Family

    Tarik “Rvssian” Johnston is one of a handful of producers who has truly shaped the sound of contemporary Jamaican music. From his early hit with Vybz Kartel “Life Sweet” to the anthem “Straight Jeans & Fitted” the recent “Krippy Kush” Remix with Farruko, Bad Bunny & Nicki Minaj, his track record speaks for itself. Today Boomshots proudly premieres his Head Concussion label’s latest juggling, the “Bashment Time” riddim, distibuted by 21st Hapilos. “I was in studio with Konshens and I told him I wanted to give him the original elements of Dancehall,” Rvssian recalls of the creative process. “I made the riddim in like 5 minutes literally. He wrote ‘Tan Up’ and I decided to make it a riddim with various artistes.” Of course his longtime bredren Chan Dizzy represents on the riddim. “Chan Dizzy is a Head Concussion artiste. We first linked in 2007 and history from there. He had his first major hit ‘Strange Face’ in 2009 then ‘Hello Badmind’ etc…” The rest of the riddim features heavyweights like Tarrus Riley, Chris Martin, Charly Black, Savage, and Shenseea. “She is super fast and talented,” says Rvssian of the hottest new girl in the game. “Always easy and great to work with.” Unfortunately his old sparring partner Kartel wasn’t able to join in on this one, but Rvssian looks forward to the day whent he Worldboss touch the road again. “It would help the entire industry.  Because we will have another major act to the industry available to help push the genre to new boundaries.” Check out the new juggling and remember to support the ting. Audio After The Jump…
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  • Dre Island Speaks On “We Pray” Collab With Popcaan

    Dre Island Speaks On “We Pray” Collab With Popcaan

    “They Don’t Want To See The Unity Between Dancehall and Reggae”

    “It’s a joy to see what Rastafari has done, said Dre Island shortly after stepping off the main deck stage of the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise. Having joined Popcaan to perform their hit duet “We Pray,” Dre Island was in a reverent mood when he spoke with Reshma B backstage. “For me it’s not even having faith in God it’s knowing that Jah is real,” the singer and producer explained. “Pocaan is my bredda, as he would say, family with a capital F. So it’s only fitting that we should do a song together.” When others questioned his choice of the Unruly Boss for the collab, Dre Island dismissed their doubts. “Unity is strength. Divided we fall. And we’re not going to fall we’re going to stay up forever.” Video After The Jump…
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  • PREMIERE: Jah9 ft. Chronixx “Hardcore (Remix)” Official Music Video

    PREMIERE: Jah9 ft. Chronixx “Hardcore (Remix)” Official Music Video

    Put Some Positivity Inna Your Thoughts More

    It’s been a few years now since this whole reggae revival thing jumped off (shout out to Dutty Bookman for coining the term!) and the excitement continues to build. Last March we saw the first collaboration between Chronixx and Jah9. Ever since the “Hardcore” Remix dropped (as featured on VP Records’ Reggae Gold 2K17 album) we’ve been looking forward to a visual interpretation of the tune and today BOOMSHOTS proudly premieres the official music video. Shot on location is São Paulo, Brazil by director Premier King, the video features Jah9 in various parts of the city with an all-female crew including members of the Feminine Hi Fi. posse. Additional footage was shot in California. Chronixx, who is currently nominated for a Grammy for Best Reggae album, joins Jah9 in the primary scene atop a city rooftop. “It was a long awaited pleasure for me to make my first visit to South America and Brazil,” says Jah9. “This has been calling to me for some time now and I was honored to connect with so many beautiful spirits and have the opportunity to work with some of the best local talent.” On meeting the director, Jah9 states, “we were fans of his work before we met him so when Premier King reached out about collaborating in Brazil it was just a matter of what song to choose. We are very happy with product of this collaboration and with all the seeds we were able to plant in Brazil.” Video After The Jump…
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  • PREMIERE: Mavado “Mama” Official Music Video

    PREMIERE: Mavado “Mama” Official Music Video

    The Gully Gaad Shows Love For Mama Africa

    Mavado’s track on JA Productions’ Lighthouse riddim shows a side of the Gully Gad that he doesn’t usually choose to reveal. “Mi never left you in the board house on the Gully, me take you out,” he sings to his mother, recalling the humble beginnings he overcame when he became a Starbwoy. But the song’s official music video—which BOOMSHOTS proudly premieres today—reveals another level to the song. “It was just the right thing to do, filming in Africa for a song called ‘Mama,’” says Mavado, “since Mama Africa is mother to us all.” During a recent tour of the motherland, Mavado’s team captured these powerful visuals. “For me the riddim is close to my heart because it is dedicated to my son,” says producer Justus of JA Productions. “The video is very special as well as it was my first trip to mama Africa and we shot it on my 30th birthday, which also happened to fall on Mother’s Day.” Plenty of reggae artists makes songs bigging up their mother, but this song and video take the concept to another level. “We don’t care who no like me,” he sings. “Them is not God almighty.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Fari Di Future’s “Farmer Man” Plows Into Politics with Powerfully Poignant Video

    WATCH THIS: Fari Di Future’s “Farmer Man” Plows Into Politics with Powerfully Poignant Video

    Who Want To Plant The Corn?

    It is WellKlear how far Fari DiFuture’s eyes see clearly. A world where tourism and “Big Pharma” Trump livity and the “little farmer” forwards a future filled with endless drama. The second-generation musician born Kemani Powell is using his artistic voice to write a history that will see this coming adversity transformed. The momentum of that great oak grows within the acorn of his “Farmer Man” song. More than a mere lip professor with livid lyrics, he lives it, as agriculture is an aspect of his art of life, not just an aspect of his artistic artifacts. With the recent release of the “Farmer Man” video, Fari DiFuture is positioned to propagate his pro-preservation mission in a Yaadcore, Cooreville Gardens fashion. Since its debut, the clip has garnered its gardener tens of thousands of views as watchers walk in farmers’ shoes. Video & Reasoning After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Family”

    HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Family”

    Unruly Boss Don’t Trust No Bwoy Or Gyal

    Andrae Sutherland is a family man. That includes his mom and dad, grandma, brothers, sisters, youths, as well as the “real real bredda dem” who know how struggle feel. “Can’t trick me and kill me,” Popcaan sings over this warm-and-easy bubbler, “No way, you mussi bloodclaat mad!” Delly Ranks’ full “Cotton Swab Riddim” drops on iTunes November 17. In the meantime hold on to this one. Audio After The Jump…
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  • Busy Signal To Headline The American Friends of Jamaica Gala In NYC

    Busy Signal To Headline The American Friends of Jamaica Gala In NYC

    The Turf Prez Represents Yard A Foreign

    The annual Hummingbird Gala hosted by The American Friends of Jamaica will take place this Monday 23rd October at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Manhattan’s Columbus Circle. This year all attendees will have the pleasure of a live performance by the Turf President, Busy Signal. Supporting the foundation’s important philanthropic work on behalf of Jamaica, Busy is carrying on a long tradition of giving back. Continued After The Jump… (more…)

  • PREMIERE: I-Octane x Ginjah “One Chance” Official Music Video

    PREMIERE: I-Octane x Ginjah “One Chance” Official Music Video

    Octane & Ginjah Keep It Real Amongst Real People

    Fans of I-Octane will never forget his tune that begins with the words “Hustle round a Coronation Market.” For the video that BOOMSHOTS proudly premieres today—a big conscious combination tune featuring Octane and Ginjah—the artists visited May Pen Market  in Clarendon with director BlingBlang. What better way to tell a story of real people with ambition seeking an opportunity to overcome the trials and tribulations of day-to-day life? The  “One Chance” riddim was produced by BigA of Irie FM fame. Check the visuals and take the chance to count your blessings.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Jah Cure “Lion In The Jungle”

    HEAR THIS: Jah Cure “Lion In The Jungle”

    New Music From Reggae’s High Priest

    Jah Cure has been hypnotizing the soul of all who have listened to his universal healing voice, through putting out boatloads of romantic cuts and testimonials of inner city struggles, all done in his signature rasp. His records have shattered the global airwaves, and as he’d put it, “his only remaining goal for the rest of his life is to spread love and to promote peace and healing, universally through his music”  But what makes this new song particularly stand out from previous works is how commanding and strong it is. In some ways, it plays like the aural equivalent of a chest pound. Listening to the song, his authority yet humble duality sticks out and sees Cure making some strong claims, but finding comfort within the reverence of His Majesty as “the Lion in the jungle.” The shackles that defined his early career, with noted multiple run-ins with the law, sort of represented the themes his music was confined to. This is his new liberation, and its not just taking place in the music; it’s in his life as well. This new side of Jah Cure’s material will only fuel his new music overall vibe. Cure again! Audio & Video After The Jump…

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  • Flexing with Mad Cobra at Reggae Sumfest 2017

    Flexing with Mad Cobra at Reggae Sumfest 2017

    Ewart Brown Nuh Press People Button

    During the early 1990s Mad Cobra was one of the hottest new stars on Kingston’s dancehall circuit. And then his 1992 hit single “Flex,” recorded for Shang Productions and distributed worldwide by Columbia Records, made him an international star. Suddenly the voice of the youth born Ewart Brown was heard round the world on mainstream radio, becoming part of global pop culture, and yet he never lost his hardcore appea thanks to lyrics like “Press trigger we nuh press people button.” It’s been a long time since the Snake  touched the stage at Reggae Sumfest, so Mad Cobra returned to Montego Bay for the 25th anniversary edition, delivered a jolt of that hardcore 90s dancehall energy. After blazing the Catherine Hall stage Cobra took time out to kick it with the Reggae Girl About Town. They remarked on Sumfest’s renewed energy, and on the enduring power of his song “Flex.” Then Cobra explained why he used his time on stage to take a stand against domestic violence and child abuse. Real people, real talk, real things. Video After The Jump…
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