Crossover and outside of core
From Jr. Gong to Gully Bop—And Everything In Between
If you peeped last year’s Pepsi list, you already know the flex. Reshma B selects Strictly Boomshots pon a worldwide level—with no badness, no slackness, and nuh shakiness. There are so many artists and producers on the island it seems like the tunes never stop, but with Boomshots as your guide you can sit back and enjoy nothing but the best. You dun know who makes culture pop. Up, up, up! Audio After The Jump…
The Unstoppable WorldBoss Just Keeps On Winning
Controversial Deejay Vybz Kartel‘s latest album Viking (Vybz Is King) made a grand debut at #3 on the Billboard‘s Reggae Album Chart and currently sits comfortably at #6. At the moment, he is the only dancehall artist to have an album in this chart’s Top Ten. This milestone marks the highest debut of his career, adding to Kartel’s string of successful musical feats since he has been incarcerated for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. Against all odds, he has remained at the forefront of the dancehall music scene—regularly releasing new songs, dominating radio airwaves and winning awards even as detractors denounce him. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Cham, Wayne Marshall, Jo Mersa, Christopher Ellis & Black-Am-I Touch The Road
There is a famous saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” and for the heirs of reggae legend Bob Marley, Damian, Stephen and Julian Marley, their actions prove just that. Just as their father founded the Tuff Gong imprint, his youths see big things looming for their fresh record label Ghetto Youths International (GYI). For lovers of the perfect mixture of blues, calypso and rock and roll, Jamaica’s own reggae, GYI has a tour in the works next week. With the Marley imprint behind this initiative one can expect nothing less than a star-studded lineup of acts including Cham,Wayne Marshall, Black-Am-I, Jo Mersa, and Christopher Ellis. Said GYI participants are of course featured on the Billboard chart-topper, Set Up Shop Volume 2, a compilation that represents a full spectrum of music, from reggae to dancehall and futuristic fusion. With such a stellar selection of artists on tour, backed by the Lawless band, who wouldn’t be excited? Tour Schedule After The Jump…
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Addis Pablo and Ras Jammy Buck Up The Far East Rulers Inna Dubwise Extravaganja
“We’ve pretty much been working on this forever,” says Addis Pablo, son of melodica master Augustus Pablo and co-founder of Suns of Dub, along with Ras Jammy, who is (contrary to popular belief) no relation to King Jammy nor—despite a striking similarity of appearance—to the elder Pablo’s frequent sparring partner Hugh Mundell. The pair first met at Rockers International Record Shop and began dubbing live—with Addis on melodica and Jammy mixing tunes and crucial sound effects—at Jamaican hotspots like Kingston Dub Club. Inspiration for this mixtape struck when the Suns traveled to Japan (Land of the Rising Sun) last October and linked with Cojie, Mighty Crown’s roots/foundation specialist, and began plotting their brand-new 40-track hour-plus excursion pon the version. The sounds thereon includes self-produced instrumental tracks and dubplate specials seasoned with vocals by the likes of Chronixx, Jesse Royal, Sizzla, Luciano, Lauryn Hill, and Mr. Williamz. Suns of Dub begins a UK tour today (see the full schedule below) and will tour Europe this summer as an onstage dub production team onstage with an expanded lineup (including Jah Bammy on vocals, Carlo on binghi drums and additional instrumentation courtesy of Dub Assassin) plus a 16-track mixing board to allow unique and precise mixes at each and every show. “We try to keep it spontaneous,” says Addis, “the next thing we could add a rock guitar or a violin or a tuba.” Ras Jammy agrees that audiences should expect the unexpected. “Last year we were playing the chalice onstage and smoke up the place.” Addis adds, laughing, “Steamers!” Audio & Interview After The Jump… (more…)
The Sound System’s Founder Talks Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise and the Sound Clash on the Sea
In the mid 1970s Keith Walford expanded his father’s mechanic business in Alexandria, St. Ann into distributing and stocking jukeboxes all over Jamaica. His used to spin music at private fetes before officially launching Bass Odyssey in 1989 along with then-partner Bunny Hayles and selector Tinna-One, who was later joined by Glamma G and the legendary Kevin “Squingy” Bennett. Squingy referred to himself as “the Michael Jordan of clash” and he helped to make Bass Odyssey a musical killing machine. Sadly he fell ill and passed away in 2009 but the sound has kept his legacy alive thanks to young selectors like Dwayne, Worm, Skinny, and Charly Black who’s gone on to become a successful recording artist. Although Keith entered the political life in 2011, becoming a Member of Parliament representing St. Ann, his “World Sound From Way Out in the Country” is still going strong. Last year the sound celebrated its 25th anniversary by launching Jamaica’s first ever sound system festival, with plans to make it an annual event. This coming November Bass Odyssey will challenge longtime sparring partner Metro Media and Far East Rulers Mighty Crown during the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise’s first-ever Sound Clash on the Sea. Boomshots spoke with Keith as his sound prepares to make waves. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
Jamaican-Canadian Pop Star Reconnects With Her Dancehall Roots
Kreesha Turner’s debut album Passion was an instant smash in her native Canada. Back in 2008 her single “Don’t Call Me Baby” became the most played song on Canadian radio and hit number one on Billboard‘s U.S. Hot Dance Club Play. Nominated for “Best New Artist” and “Best Pop Album of The Year” at that year’s Juno Awards, her future seemed all mapped out for her. But there is another side to this perfect pop princess, a girl who grew up between Edmonton, Canada and Spanish Town, Jamaica. “Before I got signed I was in the underground hip-hop scene, and everything I did was a mixture of dancehall, hip-hop, and R&B,” she explained to the Reggae Girl About Town over lunch at Strawberry Hill. “When I got signed, the label took me all the way opposite to what I was. They got me to start straightening my hair. I went to media training and they told me not to speak in Jamaican dialect.” Now managed by Nick Cannon and signed to Universal Republic, Kreesha’s third album brings her full circle, diving into the dancehall, hip-hop and R&B sounds she loves. Her first single, “Sexy Gal,” features the Jamaican dancehall supergroup T.O.K. Watch for the official music video premiere March 31 on Mass Appeal. In the meantime, check out Reshma B’s exclusive interview, and enjoy the view! Video After The Jump… (more…)
Who’s That Girl?
This tune is the first we’ve heard of Mink Jo. All we can say for sure is that the Jamaican chanteuse is easy on the eyes—and she and Konshens definitely have some, um, creative chemistry bubbling on this track, courtesy of Dre Day Productions. Something about her voice sure sounds familiar. Critics have branded her a Rihanna wannabe, but with the BNM team in her corner she’s aiming to blaze her own trail. Keep an eye out for Mink’s Boy Girl Love mixtape and meanwhile keep this tune Pon di Replay. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
FME Capo On Some Next Flex—Again. Try & Keep Up!
Sparking his spliff at the top of his latest track, Rick Bleezy re-introduces himself: “My name is Ricky Blaze—baddest bumbaclaat producer.” Not that he requires any intro. You already know this is the man responsible for dancehall bangers like Ding Dong’s “Badman Forward” and Gyptian’s “Hold Yuh,” the first reggae/dancehall cut to be certified gold since Jr. Gong’s “Welcome to Jamrock.” This is the guy who sang “Just You & I” on the same riddim, the youth who gave us “I Feel Free.” Restlessly innovating as he pushes the music forward, his new tune “Mighty” finds Blaze dropping gems: “Don’t confuse it, caw me fuse it… If you have a privilege don’t abuse it / Timing is everything, use it.” The sound is dark, dreamy, brooding—oh, and the whole thing ends with an ill guitar solo. R U ready? Let’s go. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Mighty Crown vs Metro Media vs Bass Odyssey—Some Selector Get Chuck Overboard
From the moment Jr. Gong first announced the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, the concept was clearly a game-changer. Bringing an outernational audience of reggae lovers on board a luxury liner with a stellar lineup of reggae and dancehall talent made last year’s maiden voyage such a success that this year the cruise will set off from Miami to Jamaica and back not once but twice. As crucial as the main deck stage shows were, a huge part of the cruise’s unique vibes were the spontaneous sound system freestyle sessions. And this year the sound systems will play an even bigger role. Stone Love Movement and Jammy’$ Super Power will return again—Papa Jammy promises to bring a few surprise guests along this year. Shinehead will return as well, having made a powerful impression with Kingston 12 sound. The UK champion sound Saxon Studio will be making its first appearance on the cruise along with fast-chat DJ legend Papa Levi of “Mi God Mi King” fame. But perhaps the most exciting announcement is that this year’s cruise will include the first-ever Soundclash on the Sea. Which sounds will have to walk the plank? Details After The Jump… (more…)
The First Voice Heard on Kendrick Lamar’s New Album Is An Old-School Jamaican Legend
When Kendrick Lamar’s eagerly anticipated album To Pimp A Butterfly dropped unexpectedly last weekend, it was streamed 9.6 million times the first day alone, breaking the record for the most streams per day in Spotify history. The first voice all those listeners heard, above the delightful sound of crakling vinyl, was Boris Gardiner singing the phrase “Every Nigger Is A Star” over and over to open the song “Wesley’s Theory,” which kicks off K.Dot’s hip-hop masterpiece. But who is Boris Gardiner? Like so many other Jamaican musical innovators, his work is much better known than his name. Let’s rectify that situation right now. Video After The Jump… (more…)
First Kardinal, Then Kanye and Kendrick—Assassin Is the Go-To DJ for Dancehall Features.
He’s your favorite rapper’s favorite dancehall artist. But chances are you’ve never heard his name. That’s because Assassin aka Agent Sasco — his secret-agent alter-ego — has basically gone undercover for his two biggest records: Kanye West’s “I’m In It” off the Yeezus album, and Kendrick Lamar‘s latest single, the lyrical tour-de-force “The Blacker The Berry,” Although Assassin was not properly credited for either feature, word gets around and the DJ is very much in demand. Boomshots caught up with him by telephone to hold a reasoning, and wrote a piece for NPR about it. The full transcript is right here. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
Cabins Going Fast As Barrington, Maxi , Elly, Popcaan, Capleton Confirmed
Due to overwhelming demand, the second annual Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise will offer two back-to-back cruises in 2015, from November 30th to December 10th. According to the cruise’s official Facebook page, the newly confirmed talent for 2015 includes Ky-Mani Marley, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Capleton, Elephant Man, Popcaan, and Maxi Priest. They will perform Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Stephen “Ragga” Marley, Julian “JuJu Royal” Marley, Bounty Killer, Busy Signal and other returning members of the Ghetto Youths International family. Representing the best of sound system culture, the Welcome to Jamrock Cruise 2015 proudly present the original Saxon Studio posse from London including Philip “Papa” Levi of “Mi God Mi King” fame. They will join King Jammy’s Super Power, whose performance on last October’s cruise was legendary. Stay tuned for more breaking news about sound system action the cruise. All aboard! Full Lineup and Videos After The Jump… (more…)