Boomshots

Category: Live

  • EXCLUSIVE: Busy Signal Addresses The Disruption of His U.S. Debut

    EXCLUSIVE: Busy Signal Addresses The Disruption of His U.S. Debut

    The Turf President’s Historic Set Got Cut Short at Groovin in the Park—We Spoke With Him Right Afterwards

    Yesterday Busy Signal made history by performing his first ever show in the U.S.A. at this year’s Groovin In The Park festival. But re-writing history is not always an easy road—sometimes there are a few potholes along the way. On this day one of the most dreamed-about days of Busy’s life turned out to be a somewhat bittersweet reality. Bolting onto the stage Busy opened with his breakout track, “Step Out.” Bouncing around the stage like a ball of energy, he segued into “Nah Go Jail Again” before transitioning into a moment of thanksgiving as Buju Banton’s voice rang out in the park “Oh our Father, Who Art In Zion…” while Busy counted his blessings for being given the opportunity to perform for his American fans. “A foreign mi deh,” he said with pride. “Big foreign!” This was the moment he had been waiting for all his life—a moment that over 30,000 people spent their money to witness, some traveling in from all over the world. His fans wanted to witness the moment when Busy’s incredible journey—building his career for over 12 years, being released from prison, getting his visa back, getting an approved work permit—came to fulfillment. “You are looking at a walking miracle,” he told the audience, almost in disbelief. But just when it seemed things couldn’t get any better, they took a sudden turn for the worse.  Video and Full Story After The Jump… (more…)

  • Watch Boiler Room TV “Nice Up” NYC

    Watch Boiler Room TV “Nice Up” NYC

    Win Tickets To See Boiler Room’s NYC Dancehall Culture Showcase

    In case you never know, Boiler Room is the world’s leading online music broadcaster. The UK-born multinational network streams the best in underground music, from techno and hip hop to jazz and contemporary classical with award-winning content reaching 12 million dedicated monthly unique users, some of the most active music fans all over the world. Tomorrow night they will be hosting “The Nice Up” a dancehall and reggae showcase in downtown Manhattan featuring some our favorite artists and selectors Boomshots is proud to be the official media partner for the event. Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • Damian Marley Live at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom

    Damian Marley Live at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom

    A Souled-Out Show on the Road to Stony Hill

    Eleven years after welcoming us to Jamrock, Damian Marley is on the road to Stony Hill. It’s not just the name of the marijuana dispensary that the youngest Marley brother is opening near the Denver Bronco’s home field in Colorado. It’s not just the strand of weed that Jr. Gong personally helped to develop and test for said dispensary. Stony Hill, the name of the St. Andrew community north of Kingston where the young Lion grew up, is the title of Damian Marley’s upcoming fourth solo studio album. Full Review, Video & Photos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reggae Sumfest Announces Newly Re-Focused 2016 Lineup: Strictly Reggae Night and Dancehall Night

    Reggae Sumfest Announces Newly Re-Focused 2016 Lineup: Strictly Reggae Night and Dancehall Night

    Message Sent In True Downsound Fashion: By Wrapping an 18-Wheeler Semi Truck

    After announcing earlier this spring that Jamaica’s leading music festival, Reggae Sumfest, was under new management, Josef Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Productions, has now revealed the newly re-focused two-night lineup for Sumfest 2016, rolling out with the slogan “our music, our festival.” This catchphrase holds a vital clue to the spirit of the newly re-imagined festival—with the whole world rocking to Jamaican sounds recorded by “foreign” artists, Reggae Sumfest is now focusing on 100% Jamaican lineup, letting go of the whole “International Night” mindset. Moving forward from its long-standing Thursday night slot, Dancehall Night 2016 will kick off the festival on Friday, July 22nd with a lineup boasting Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Popcaan, I-Octane, Agent Sasco and I-Shawna among many others. Saturday, July 23rd is the festival’s inaugural Reggae Night 2016 with strictly world-class singers like Barrington Levy, Luciano, Sanchez, Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, as well as Downsound’s own up-and-coming artist Nature. The message was delivered in fittingly over-the-top fashion, via wrapped 18-wheeler semi-truck. (Make sure to be on the lookout for them in traffic near you!) And just in case you would like to trick out your own 18-wheeler, the official artwork is pasted below. Semi Truck Wrappers After The Jump…
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  • Sasco, Cham, Tanya, Jovi & Omari Shell Down SXSW 2016, Represent Reggae & Dancehall To The Fullest

    Sasco, Cham, Tanya, Jovi & Omari Shell Down SXSW 2016, Represent Reggae & Dancehall To The Fullest

    Irie Jam x Boomshots Make History at SXSW 2016

    With tens of thousands of performers, panels, and premieres packed into nine short days, SXSW is all about FOMO. Whether you’re in Austin or not, Fear Of Missing Out is simply inevitable. So fret not thyself if you didn’t get a chance to witness Irie Jam and Boomshots making history with the greatest reggae and dancehall showcase in SXSW history. We’ve got you covered.  Video & Photos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Major Lazer Mashes Up Mumbai

    Major Lazer Mashes Up Mumbai

    Diplo, Walshy & Jillionaire Drop Bombs in Bombay

    “India is special and its beauty absolutely humbled me,” said Diplo in the comments for Major Lazer’s “Lean On” video—one of the most popular music videos in history, with over 1.25 BILLION views. That video was shot in Mumbai aka Bombay, the booming metropolis on India’s west coast. Earlier this year Major Lazer brought the Mad Decent Block party to Mumbai and Boomshots was there to witness the magic (shout out to Jillionaire—good lookin’ out fam). “Major Lazer has always been a culture mashup,” Diplo says. “To us, India feels like some kind of special creature with one foot in history and one firmly in the future. The experience is something we’ll never forget.” Watch yah now. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • The Don Dada Returns To NYC: Super Cat Confirmed for Memorial Day Performance

    The Don Dada Returns To NYC: Super Cat Confirmed for Memorial Day Performance

    Irie Jam Productions Confirms Super Cat For Oracabessa Festival 2016

    Although it took root in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica, Reggae has always been a majestic music. From the days of Bob Marley and Dennis Brown there have been certain artists who always bring that royal vibes to forefront. And while many great artists have played their part within the music fraternity, many shall be called and few chosen. These are the artists whose every public appearance, every performance, indeed every utterance is a major event for lovers of reggae music. In the dancehall era  living legends live Shabba Ranks have carried the music forward to the highest heights. Another such name is that of the Wild Apache, the Don Dada, Super Cat. Today Irie Jam Productions confirmed that Super Cat will take the stage at the Oracabessa Music Festival in Jamaica Queens this Memorial Day—Monday, May 30th. Mr. Cat joins an all-star lineup that includes Mavado, Ken Boothe, The Mighty Sparrow, Nesbeth, and rising star Vershon making this all-day festival a must-see event. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • “Sounds From The Caribbean Stage” Showcase at SXSW Reps Reggae & Dancehall To The World

    “Sounds From The Caribbean Stage” Showcase at SXSW Reps Reggae & Dancehall To The World

    W&R Projects x Irie Jam x Boomshots Link Up To Make Music History

    Launching as a regional music festival in 1987, SXSW (pronounced “South By Southwest”) has grown by leaps and bounds to become one of the biggest cultural events in the world—expanding to a nine-day marathon encompassing Film and Interactive as well as Music. Major motion pictures like Neighbors, 21 Jump Street, and Bridesmaids as well as the TV series Girls have premiered and secured distribution deals at SXSW. Major digital startups like Twitter and Foursquare debuted at SXSW. But music is the lifeblood of the festival, with over 28,000 artists participating last year, from unknown hopefuls (John Mayer and James Blunt are just two of the future stars to be discovered at SXSW in years past) to bonafide megastars (Kanye West, Prince, Lil Wayne and Jay Z have all performed there in recent years). One area that has been woefully under-represented at SXSW has been Reggae. But this year, W&R Projects have linked with Irie Jam and Boomshots to represent reggae and dancehall music to the world at this influential gathering of media tastemakers and industry power-players.  Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • Cannabis Cup Band Celebrates 20th Anniversary Bob Marley Tribute in New York City

    Cannabis Cup Band Celebrates 20th Anniversary Bob Marley Tribute in New York City

    Bringing the Spirit of the Tuff Gong to the Concrete Jungle

    On Saturday, February 6, 2016, reggae lovers around the world celebrated the life and music of Robert Nesta Marley, the undisputed King of Reggae. In Times Square, the heart of New York City, the Cannabis Cup Band (CCB) of all-stars, paid tribute to one music’s greatest legends. This year marked the  20th Anniversary of this band coming together to celebrate the music of Bob Marley. Furthermore, it was also the 8th year that the evening event was preceded by a Kids’ Concert—all of which attracted a record-breaking  turnout. More After The Jump… (more…)

  • UB40 & Nature Rock the Royal Botanic Gardens

    UB40 & Nature Rock the Royal Botanic Gardens

    Veteran British Band  & A Rising Jamaican Star Shine At England’s Kew The Music Fest

    It’s been more than 30 years since the British reggae supergroup UB40 dropped their breakthrough album, Labour of Love. These cover versions of classic Jamaican rock steady and reggae tracks—songs like “Red Red Wine” and “Cherry O Baby” and “Johnny Too Bad”—transformed this Birmingham, England reggae ensemble into a worldwide phenomenon. Original UBs lead vocalist Ali Campbell and DJ Astro got back with the old rhythm section and put on a big show this weekend at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England. Their set was predictably brilliant, but the opening act Nature was the real surprise. Before he came to England, Nature was a rising star in Jamaica’s dancehall scene. His conscious lyrics and energetic performance style has made him a rising star at home—currently promoting his new album, Life’s Journey—but to the rest of the world he is virtually unknown. The chance to open up for UB40 at a massive outdoor show in England might just be one of the biggest opportunities of Nature’s career so far—and he was not about to let it pass him by. Watch the artist go hard on the big stage.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Drake Brings Out Skepta to Shutdown London’s Wireless Festival

    Drake Brings Out Skepta to Shutdown London’s Wireless Festival

    Drizzy Is The Latest Superstar to Link With Boy Better Know

    According to NME, Drake brought out London grime MC Skepta to perform “Shutdown” during his set at London’s Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park July 3rd. OVO affiliate Partynextdoor joined Drake on one song as did iLoveMakonnen, who performed ‘Tuesday’ with his new label boss. However, the biggest reaction was by far when Skepta came out. Drake wore a Boy Better Know T-Shirt and chatted in some UK slang: “Man’s never been in Finsbury when it’s shutdown,” said Drake as the song began. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • The House of Marley Presents: Boomshots Unplugged Inna Style & Fashion

    The House of Marley Presents:
    Boomshots Unplugged Inna Style & Fashion

    Sister Carol, Screechy Dan, DJ Norie, Reshma B Chains, & Rockers NYC Take Over Negril Village

    Spring has sprung, and there’s definitely something in the air. Is that the essence of ishens? Yep, must be 4/20. One week from today, the Boomshots posse will be taking over NYC’s original Jamaican restaurant, Negril Village, for an historic event: the first ever staging of our quarterly after-work get-together, a thing called Boomshots Unplugged inna Style & Fashion. Come shake off the winter blues with a live acoustic performance by BK foundation DJ Sister Carol alongside the man called Screechy Dan as you’ve never heard them before. Shock out with DJ Norie and BBC Hi-Fi. Admission? Buy out the bar. Powered by The House of Marley. Way Up & Stay Up. Details After The Jump… (more…)