Boomshots

Category: Music History

  • Etana Restores Visibility to Women In Reggae Music

    Etana Restores Visibility to Women In Reggae Music

    Etana is the 4th Woman to be Nominated for A Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album

    The announcement of Grammy nominees in the Best Reggae Album category, always sparks a lively discussion. This year is no exception as the field includes Black Uhuru’s As The World Turns, Protoje’s A Matter of Time, Sting & Shaggy’s 44 x 876, Ziggy Marley’s Rebellion Rises and Etana’s Reggae Forever. Etana’s nomination is particularly noteworthy as she is the first woman nominated in the the category since 1997, when Sister Carol’s Lyrically Potent earned a nomination. The two other female nominees were Judy Mowatt and Rita Marley. When the Grammy Award ceremony takes place on February 10, will Etana become the first woman to ever win a Grammy Award? More After The Jump…

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  • Til Shiloh: Blessed Earthstrong Buju Banton

    Til Shiloh: Blessed Earthstrong Buju Banton

    It’s not an easy road, but once we have life, we have the opportunity to live, dream and hope. On his earthstrong, we salute the reggae icon, Grammy winning artist, Buju Banton and the amazing music he blessed the world with so far. As Gargamel marks his 42nd birthday behind bars—having instructed his defense team to cease all appeals, and looking forward to his release in 2019—we remember the words he told Boomshots many years ago: Buju: “Well nothing last forever and one thing I hope and pray… that is that all man and all true works must receive their justice. We are not just pawns here to make you dance and gyrate. We are here to uplift, educate you, and to stimulate you in all ways and every way. Yes?”  More After The Jump… (more…)

  • FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Phillip Fraser “God of My Righteousness”

    FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Phillip Fraser “God of My Righteousness”

    Reggae Music Legend in the Mecca of Music and Culture, Brooklyn

    The sun was shinning bright as I walked along New York Avenue, in Brooklyn, New York. I was greeted by a Rastafarian King, left hand over the heart,  wearing a sunny yellow hat with a  polo to match. I tipped my black shades to take a closer look at the face of the person greeting me and it was the living legend himself, Phillip Fraser!  He was shocked that I recognized who he was. I said “Great music is great music!” Known for albums  like “Come Ethiopians” (1974, Freedom Sound Label), “Back to Africa” (1978, Different Records, original recording with Busta Riley, Winston Riley’s brother) featuring Earth and Stone, “Blood of the Saint” (1983), “Never Let Go” (1991, Razor Sound Records), “Phillip Fraser: Sharp Like Razor” (1993, Razor Sound Records),  “More Phillip Fraser” (2015, Razor Sound Records) and a plethora of complication albums and productions. If you appreciate roots reggae and lovers rock, you have to know this artists’ anthology of music. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Flashback Friday: Tenor Saw “Lots of Sign”

    Flashback Friday: Tenor Saw “Lots of Sign”

    Tenor Saw Dies Tragically, Leaving Behind An Anthology of Dancehall Poetry

               Clive Bright aka Tenor Saw was a prominent Jamaican singer with an exceptional voice and a conscious, spiritual vibe to his music. Discovered at 19 years old by dancehall legend, Sugar Minott of YouthMan Promotions, who describes the first time hearing Tenor Saw’s voice as powerful. The late icon speaks about this magical moment and the excitement of cutting the Pumpkin Belly Dubplate which ended up on Vinyl:  More After The Jump…

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  • His Imperial Majesty

    His Imperial Majesty

    On November 2, 1930, the official crowning of a monarch occurred in Ethiopia

    Peoples of African descent, come from a lineage of kings and queens, as referenced in the bible. On this day, November 2,  in 1930, Emperor Haile Selassie I and his wife, Empress Menen Asfaw were formally crowned with regalia, together in Ethiopia.
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  • A Love We Can Feel: Respect To John Holt

    A Love We Can Feel: Respect To John Holt

    Early Sunday morning, Reggae Legend, John Kenneth Holt, died at the age of 67 in London. Even after collapsing onstage during a performance at this summer’s One Love Festival in the UK, he insisted that his health was fine and said “I’ll be back.” Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1947, he entered talent competitions at an early age, throughout the island. Holt recorded his first single, “I Cried A Tear,” a song about lies and heartbreak, in London, 1963. This melancholy first tune, foreshadowed numerous follow up hits. More After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Aidonia “80s Dancehall Style” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Aidonia “80s Dancehall Style” Official Music Video

    Aidonia Salutes Veterans and Vinyl

    Many of Jamaica’s musical legends never predicted the millions of fans, felt the weight of money or received instant gratification through social media the way today’s artists do. These musical soldiers earned their stripes the real way, with unquestionable authenticity. One must remember , as Supercat indicated in his recent interview with Rob Kenner, the days when a DJ drew the crowd into the dancehall with nothing but a big sound system combined with sheer vocal talent and lyrical ammunition. In a cultural tradition that predates Amateur Night at the Apollo, the crowd would decide whether it was worthwhile to pay admission and enter the party. There was no hiding behind good promotion, Auto-Tune or computerized production and deejaying. Born in 1981, Aidonia may not have been old enough to hang out in dancehall sessions during that time, but he represents for the newer generation, aware of their roots and culture. Aidonia (Didi) pays tribute to this era with his new video for “80’s Dance Style.”   Video After The Jump…

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  • 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…)

  • FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Rita Marley “One Draw” Original 12” Mix

    FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Rita Marley “One Draw” Original 12” Mix

    Build One Spliff An Take A Whiff

    The legalization of marijuana is a topic on many a person’s lips. States like Colorado and Washington are spearheading the legal marijuana trade and basically showing the U.S and the rest of the world how profitable and how positively it affects the economy. So why dem nah fi legalize di herb?! We’ve been asking that question for years. With the legalization and medical usage of marijuana seemingly reaching a tipping point, Rita Marley felt it was the right time to re-issue the original extended 12″ hit version of “One Draw.” In 1981 she released an upbeat ode to herb-smoking with a memorable tongue-in-cheek dialogue between a “teacher” and some of her “students” with names such as “Herbie,” “Smokie” and “Mila” (short for “sensimilla”). Even though at its core “One Draw” was reggae song, it was leaps and bounds over the majority of what was being recorded and released in Jamaica at that time. On why she felt it was the right time to re-issue the classic, Rita said: (more…)