From Handsworth to Haiti—The Song Remains The Same
On this MLK Day, let us pause to reflect on the words of the man who sacrificed his life to the struggle for equal rights and justice:
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.“
Trying To Live Peacefully But… “They keep mixing me up in politics.”
The former Shower Posse boss as he appeared on BET’s American Gangster.
This past week, rumors that Vivian Blake had been killed in Kingston were running wild. Ever since the former Shower Posse leader returned to Jamaica this past January after serving time in U.S. Federal prison, he has kept a low profile and focused on writing and taking care of his health and his family. When reports of his death began circulating on the evening of September 21, U.S.-based film producer Curtis Scoon reached out to Blake, who granted this exclusive interview in hopes of separating fact from fiction. (more…)
Producer Curtis Scoon Speaks On Bringing Shower Posse To The Screen
In Buju Banton’s classic “Untold Stories,” the DJ sings “I could go on and on the full has never been told.” The tale of Jamaica’s notorious Shower Posse is one such story. A recent BET American Gangster episode did scratch the surface, but the segment’s producer, Curtis Scoon, believes there is much more to be told. He’s not alone in that belief, but what sets him apart may be that he’s not scared to go in where others fear to tread. (more…)
Back In Jamaica, The Former Shower Posse Boss Is Making Movies.
“No interviews please” Vivian Blake returning to Jamaica on January 29, 2009.
After spending eight years in U.S. prison on federal racketeering and drug charges, Vivian Blake was escorted back to the land of his birth by U.S. Marshalls along with 51 other deportees just over seven months ago. The former Shower Posse Boss spent his time behind bars developing his skills as a writer, and plans to tell his stories on the big screen. In his first interview since coming home, he tells Boomshots.com about his plans for the future. (more…)
Special Request To The Original Doctor, Going Down In Dancehall History
One more reason to remember September 11: Seven years after Peter Tosh’s 1987 murder in Kingston, the foundation dancehall artist Early B The Doc was killed by a stray shot in a Boston dancehall session 15 years ago today. To call Early B a dancehall legend doesn’t nearly do the man justice. He was a DJ’s DJ, a styistic innovator, a mentor and sparring partner of Super Cat the Don Dada, and a vast repository of information who crammed as much raw data into his lyrics as possible. He was also an ardent student of the culture he chronicles in this 1983 cut on the Sonic Sounds label. “Now I dedicate this style to all the DJs over the years who have been champions, from Daddy Roy straight down to King Yellowman, from Josey Wales and Chaplin and even I Early B the Doctor. Laaaaaawd.” Let it go… (more…)
22 Years Ago Today Reggae Superstar Peter Tosh Was Gunned Down
Long before the planes hit the Twin Towers, September 11 was a day that would live infamy. On September 11 1987, original Wailing Wailer Winston Hubert McIntosh was at home in Kingston with friends when three gunmen entered his house… (more…)
After Triumphing At Champions In Action, The Killer Lays Kartel To Rest
“Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful.” Word to the wise: Once the Warlord starts quoting scripture on you, you’re in serious trouble. (more…)
Gaza strikes back. Kartel goes hard, counteracts “Chatterbox.”
How are The Warlord and Di Teacha supposed to share the same stage tonight at Champions in Action? Big and serious, beg you both keep it lyrical.
Uh-oh… The Warlord gets at Kartel without any apology. It nah go pretty.
Say what you want to say, but the Killer is always at his best when he’s on the warpath. (more…)
Irv Gotti brings the story of Jamaican O.G. Vivian Blake to Hollywood.
[qt:/ShowerPosse.mov 540 410]
Maaaaaad ting. Stay tuned for the exclusive Boomshots interview.
“The youth dem nowadays take killing fi game”
John John’s Target riddim hits the bulls eye… two legends on one cut. (more…)
Remember the movie Black Hawk Down? How ill was that? The neighborhood where those choppers crashed was named the “worst place on earth” by the UN, but locals call it Wardhiigleey or “river of blood.” K’Naan Warsame grew up there, and he loved his neighborhood until war broke out in the early 1990s. After seeing friends shot dead and accidentally blowing up his school with a hand grenade, he had to leave his hometown of Mogadishu. His latest single from the album Troubadour is about “taking rappers on a field trip.” The beat is very bashment (peep the tweaked-out Wailers sample) but the lyrics are straight outta Somalia. Get accustomed.