Boomshots

Category: Live

  • Return of the Queen: Ms. Lauryn Hill Brings Bob Marley Forward to Brooklyn Bowl

    Return of the Queen: Ms. Lauryn Hill Brings Bob Marley Forward to Brooklyn Bowl

    Don’t Call It A Comeback—More like a Come Forward

    In Jamaica the Rastas will remind you that nobody ever goes back—as one Jacob Miller song put it, “forward ever, backward never.” Which suits Ms. Lauryn Hill just fine. As her recent two-night stand at the Brooklyn Bowl demonstrated, she’s all about forward motion even as she remains firmly rooted in great musical legacies of the past. Ever the restless creative spirit, she resists any hint of becoming a nostalgia act. And no matter how much they still idolize L-Boogie circa 1998, even Ms. Hill’s devoutest fans are starting to get used to the idea of forward motion too.  Full Review After The  Jump… (more…)

  • Johnny Gourzong’s Reggae Sumfest Preview

    Johnny Gourzong’s Reggae Sumfest Preview

    Sumfest Boss Shares His Personal Highlights—And Says Octane vs Vegas Was “Blown Out of Proportion”

    It’s that time of year again. As most reggae lovers around the world know by now, during the third week of July all roads lead to Montego Bay for Reggae Sumfest. And with just one more day to go before the 22nd staging of “The Greatest Reggae Show on Earth,” anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. Between Sean Paul returning to the Sumfest stage for the first time in a decade, international pop star Jason DeRulo tweeting pictures from the emergency room, and I-Octane and Mr. Vegas trading barbs like Beenie and Bounty in the ’90s, this year’s festival promises to be entertaining in more ways than one. To get the inside scoop we reached out to the big man himself, Mr. Johnny Gourzong, executive Director of Summerfest Productions, who shared his personal thoughts on which acts he’s most looking forward to—and let us in on a few possible surprises. If you can’t make it down to MoBay tomorrow night, don’t worry—you can still purchase a live stream of all the Dancehall Night action. Full Story After The Jump… (more…)

  • Air Supply’s Lord Graham Russell On The Group’s Jamaican Fanbase: “It Really Took Us By Surprise.”

    Air Supply’s Lord Graham Russell On The Group’s Jamaican Fanbase: “It Really Took Us By Surprise.”

    Why Are These Two ’80s Pop Stars Headlining One of New York’s Biggest Reggae Festivals This Sunday?

    This Sunday June 29th, Roy Wilkins Park will feel more like Jamaica West Indies than Jamaica Queens. On that day thousands of reggae fans will converge for Groovin’ In The Park, New York’s most upscale summer music festival, which boasts a lineup that includes Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Chronixx, John Holt, Bob Andy, Judy Mowatt, and L.U.S.T.—all performing their own special brand of classical roots reggae with perhaps a sprinkling of soul (Beres Hammond) or a dash of dancehall (Chronixx). All except one, the Australian-born soft-rock duo Air Supply. Yes, you read that right. The over-the-top pop act who sprinkled the 1980s with gems like “Lost In Love” and “Every Woman in the World” will be performing alongside a full slate of reggae royalty. Shocked? Surprised? To tell the truth, so are they. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Maxi Priest Leaves It All On Stage

    Maxi Priest Leaves It All On Stage

    The UK Reggae Superstar’s Birthday Show at BB King’s Was vEasy To Love

    When Maxi Priest stepped onstage at BB King’s in New York City on June 11th, he had two reasons to celebrate. First and foremost, the UK reggae superstar had turned 53 just a day earlier. Running a close second was the arrival of his first album in seven years, a lovers-rock-leaning collection of straight-up reggae cuts called ‘Easy To Love’. After many successful years with Virgin Records, Maxi went the indie route, releasing his 2007 album ‘Refused’ on Peppermint Jam Records, and his latest with long-reigning reggae imprint V.P. Records.  Full Review & Video After The Jump…
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  • Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Chronixx & Air Supply Headline Groovin in the Park 2014

    Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Chronixx & Air Supply Headline Groovin in the Park 2014

    Legends of Reggae, Dancehall and Pure Pop Come Together June 29 At Roy Wilkins Park

    Remember the days when love used to reign? We danced all night to the songs they played. Well good news—we can come again, and do it just the same! When? This Sunday June 29. Where? Roy Wilkins Park, Jamaica Queens, less than half an hour from Penn Station on the LIRR. Wha Gwan? The fourth annual staging of NYC’s most upscale reggae festival, Groovin’ In The Park, a family-friendly event filled with good food, great fun, and legendary music. Just how legendary? Read on… Full Lineup and Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: SOJA ft. Michael Franti & Nahko “I Believe”

    HEAR THIS: SOJA ft. Michael Franti & Nahko “I Believe”

    Soldiers of Jah Army Link With Supa Dups For New Album, Announce Summer Tour Dates

    D.C.-based roots rock reggae band SOJA just dropped the first single off their fifth full-length album, which is set for release this summer on ATO Records. “I Believe” was produced by Grammy-award-winning Jamaican producer Supa Dups of Black Chiney sound (who’s made hits for Bruno Mars, Eminem, Rihanna, and John Legend) and recorded at Circle House Studios in Miami. “’I Believe’ is about life; being kind to others and making the most out of the time we have with those that surround us,” says lead singer/guitarist Jacob Hemphill. “Whether we are family, friends or strangers, how we treat one another and energy we share dictates our existence.” Audio & Tour Dates After The Jump… (more…)

  • Natty Dread Rides Again: Ziggy Marley’s “Fly Rasta” Tour Rocks NYC

    Natty Dread Rides Again: Ziggy Marley’s “Fly Rasta” Tour Rocks NYC

    Before  the Fly Rasta Tour touched down at SOB’s, Ziggy Marley explored  Miss Lily’s Variety and reloaded with a veggie punch from Melvin’s Juicebox on Houston Street. The bursting-at-the-seams SOBs crowd, geared up for his arrival with  blazing musical selections of  DJ Lady Fyahramma Thomas.  Pat McKay from Sirus XM Radio brought more feminine fierceness into the building, showing her support in the crowd. Ziggy hit the stage fully energized and began the concert with the song, “Love is My Religion,” from his second solo album. The universal message disseminated through the crowd, as members of the audience shouted the lyrics in unison. “The main thing,” Ziggy said of this song, “its not the title where Ras Tafari fits into life or where Christianity fits or where Islam fits. Where does love fit?” Video & Review After The Jump… (more…)

  • Bunji Garlin Is Set To Perform At Hot 97’s Summer Jam

    Bunji Garlin Is Set To Perform At Hot 97’s Summer Jam

    Soca On The Summer Jam Stage

    The Trinidad-born soca star and VP Records recording artist Bunji Garlin has been called up to perform at Hot 97’s epic stage show Summer Jam. The annual concert is one of the biggest showcases for hip-hop stars in the world. On the strength of his crossover smash “Differentology” Bunji joins a bill that includes 50 Cent, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne.  Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • Tanya Stephens Shells Down NYC’s SOB’s

    Tanya Stephens Shells Down NYC’s SOB’s

    Di Original Gangstress Bruk Down NYC

    Tanya Stephens touched down at New York’s world famous SOB’s Friday night. Patrons were greeted by the original gangstress in all her glory. Tanya stepped on the stage to a packed house and wasted no time in riffling through a series of her classics. Seasoned favorites like “You Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet” and “Handle The Ride” were belted word for word by fans, especially from the outnumbering female contingent. (more…)

  • Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival Brings The Reggae

    Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival Brings The Reggae

    Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Moses Davis, and Chronixx Nice Up The Fest in Trelawny

    Jamaica may be synonymous with reggae, but the island’s biggest music event in terms of its economic impact and benefit to the tourism industry is not a reggae show, but an annual three-night fete known as the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival… Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Wyclef Jean “The Truth Is The Truth, And We Gonna Speak It”

    Wyclef Jean “The Truth Is The Truth, And We Gonna Speak It”

    “I was born in Haiti,” said Wyclef Jean shortly after rocking a tough Jamaican crowd at Sting. “I was born in a hut. I used to eat dirt off the floor if you read my book All we had was the music.” Although Clef was raised in New Jersey amidst a streetwise soundscape of hip-hop, soul, and reggae music, his affinity for Jamaican sounds the multi-multi-platinum 3-time-Grammy-winning rapper, singer, songwriter, producer and former member of The Fugees. After he stepped off stage in his dapper black tux, Clef took a moment to chat with Reshma B. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Gyptian’s “Sex, Love and Reggae” Rises To Higher Heights

    Gyptian’s “Sex, Love and Reggae” Rises To Higher Heights

    Gyppy’s Latest Album Debuted At No. 1 on Billboard’s Reggae Chart

    The night before Gyptian released his latest album Sex, Love & Reggae he spent the evening celebrating his 30th birthday with Rob Kenner on Radio Lily. After the webcast Gyppy and an entourage of his  friends, including Bascom X,  Fyakin, Khago and Danielle D.I. rolled over to the legendary SOB‘s to continue  the celebration at the highly anticipated, SOB’s Reggae Music Fest, presented by Tree Reid Promotions. NYC’s renowned selector DJ Stranger,  X-Caliber Sound warmed up the crowd  awaiting their arrival. Next up, the extraordinary  Derrick Barnett (founder and former bassist for the legendary Jamaican band Sagittarius ) and his Statement Band including Raymond Stewart on  keyboards, Andy Bassford on guitar and Damian Martellie on drums, excited the crowd with an electrifying live session. When Gyptian hit the stage around 10:30pm, the  crowd ignited. Album Review and Video After The Jump…  (more…)