Jon FX Flips A Thirsty Pop Tune Into a Ska Scorcher
As many millions of times as we’ve all heard “Call Me Maybe” by now, it’s amazing that the song doesn’t make us run screaming from the room whenever it comes on. But we don’t because Carly Rae Jepsen has given us one of the most irresistibly thirsty pop songs in recent memory. There’s something sexy and poignant about a cute and slightly insecure girl handing a random guy her number on impulse. Simple as it is, somehow the song’s premise never gets old. In fact, Carly Rae Jepsen may be the most promising third-place-winner on Canadian Idol ever. What makes “Call Me Maybe” grate on people’s nerves isn’t the song itself, it’s the backing track—especially those annoyingly cheesy synth chords. Which is why we all owe Jon FX a debt of gratitude. Like the BK-based beatsmith’s “Birthday Sex” remix before it, this ska reworking of “Call Me Maybe” is guaranteed 100% less annoying than the original. And that makes life a little bit better. Actually a lot. Audio After The Jump…
Category: Outernational
Crossover and outside of core
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HEAR THIS: Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe” Reggae Remix
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WATCH THIS: Atiba “Love Is Blind” Video
A Refreshing Acoustic Love Song From K-Licious Music Group
This dude Atiba sings so sweetly and softly with his aching voice atop gentle acoustic guitar chords, but don’t be deceived. Dude is going hard for the lady who’s caught his eye—even though she has a man in her life. This is a full-contact love song and there will be casualties on the battelfield when all is said and done. “Earlier on in his musical career, Atba was signed to Legendary Producer Rodney Jerkins,” says producer Tony Kelly. “He caught the ears & eyes of Jay-Z, who wanted to sign him when he was the head of Def Jam Music Group. Unfortunely the negociation broke down without success of a deal.” Well now Atiba’s signed to Kelly’s K-Licious Music Group and the sky would seem to be the limit. Anyway, back to the song: “Leave your man for me, time to set you free, help you see the light, cause I know love is blind.” You’ve got to feel bad for this girl’s man. He doesn’t stand a chance.
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WATCH THIS: Gyptian “True Colors” Video
Gyppy Covers The World With His Colorful New Tune
The man called Gyptian never stops. Earlier this week he dropped his EP SLR, which stands for “Sex, Love & Reggae.” Who could ask for anything more? But now he’s back with an outernational tune so large and heavy it’s sponsored by Chevy—and MTV Iggy, so it must be a biggie. His smoothed reggae cover of Cyndi Lauper’s 1986 classic was produced by Shane Brown of Jukeboxx and Rellee Hayden of the A-Team as part of the “Cover The World Music Challenge.” The ting tun up. Video after the jump.
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HEAR THIS: Major Lazer ft. Johnny Osbourne & Flux Pavillion “Jah No Partial”
Ooh What A La La—Flux Pavillion In Yuh Area
Major Lazer signed up UK dubstep demigod Flux Pavillion—the same dude who was sampled on Watch The Throne—to hook up the earthshaking basslines on the latest Major Lazer release. This tune was inspired by a classic Johnny Osbourne selection. Now we get to hear the fullness. Judge it without partiality. -
WATCH THIS: How To Mix A Blackwell Rum Cocktail
The ReggaeGirlAboutTown Makes A Big Splash At The UK Rumfest
Reshma B passed through the UK Rumfest in London last week and headed straight for the Blackwell Rum shack. Yes that’s right—Chris Blackwell himself, the man who founded Island Records and signed Bob Marley—now has his own brand of rum (and it’s actually quite tasty). At the Rumfest, master mixologist Jay Zinzan showed RGAT the finer points of mixing signature rum cocktails like the Goldeneye and the Blackwell Stormy. So check the video, practice your wrist action, then grab yourself a few bottles of Blackwell Rum and start mixing up a storm. Video after the jump…
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WATCH THIS: Reasoning With Cris Cab
Echo Boomer No. 1 Raps With The ReggaeGirlAboutTown
Cris Cab is a young singer-songwriting from Miami with reggae roots, a pop sensibility, and a huge fanbase of hot young girls. (He calls his fans EchoBoomers—if you don’t know maybe you’re too old?) Cris first popped up on our radar when he signed with Pharrell and teamed up with Mavado for the Wyclef-produced boomshot “Rihanna’s Gun.” Today his EP Rise hits iTunes, featuring the Big Sean-assisted single “Good Girls Don’t Grow On Trees.” If you don’t know this youth yet, you might want to get familiar cause he’s in it to win it. Reshma B caught up with Cris recently for an up close and personal interview. Video After The Jump. (more…) -
WATCH THIS: The Orb ft. Lee “Scratch” Perry “Soulman” Video
The Orb and Pipecock Jaxson Connect On The Latest Video From The ORBserver In The Star House
Scratch Perry is a bonafide genius who collaborates with all sorts of curious characters these days in a perversely willy-nilly style & fashion, but when the Black Ark visionary connected with the UK ambient dub duo The Orb, the results has been sheer audio awesomeness. This hypnotic bass-heavy groove provides a perfect backdrop for Perry’s manic ramblings and if you don’t like the video version there’s nuff more remixes in store. Video & Audio after the jump…
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WATCH THIS: Mega Banton, G Loc, Singer J “Gangnam Badman Style”
JJ Wizzle’s Super Star Mix Flips Psy’s Viral Hit From K Pop To Boomshot
It was only a matter of time. The world’s biggest viral YouTube hit has made its way all the way from Korea to Portmore, from whence comes this somewhat lower budget—but no less effective—video. Yes it’s Gangnam Style inna Badman style. Maad Thing After The Jump… -
WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas “Ready To Rise Again” Video
Reggae Star Pours Out His Heartaches At RockHouse Foundation Benefit in NYC
“Thanks to God almighty, for giving me the strength to perform at the RockHouse Foundation‘s annual benefit to raise money to build schools in Jamaica this evening,” wrote Mr. Vegas late last night on his Facebook page—the same Facebook page where he posted scandalous allegations about his baby’s mother just the day before. But now things seem to be looking up, with the singer sharing that “I felt like heaven lifted some of my troubles off my shoulders as I sang ‘I Am Ready To Rise Again.’” Video After The Jump (more…)
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WATCH THIS: Sean Paul ft. Kelly Rowland “How Deep Is Your Love” Video
Dutty Paul drops a video for his latest single off Tomahawk Technique.
Earlier this year we heard Sean Paul team up with Kelly Rowland for a single off his Tomahawk Technique album. Dutty Paul is back with some visuals the smash hit. Apparently Kelendria’s love runs down to the ocean floor. Looks like she gave him plenty of motivation. Check it out after the jump.
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WATCH THIS: BRNGTN “Don’t Forsake Me” Video
Brownsville’s Own B-A-double-R-Y Kicks Ballistics Over a Foundation Riddim
BRNGTN is a BK-based rapper who describes his style as “Experimental / Hip Hop / Reggae.” Considering how much wack rapping has been done over reggae beats, getting it this right is somewhat of an experiment. His rhymes connect because they avoid cliche and get right to the heart of the “Everyday Struggle” between good and evil that each of us goes through. Throw that over a hard-hitting version of the “Unchained” riddim and you can’t lose. This tune also supports my theory that remakes of a foundation riddim tracks should be in harmony with the concept of the original song. The musicians played the riddim that way for a reason. (more…) -
International Reggae Poster Contest Top 5
The National Gallery of Jamaica Received 1142 Entries From 80 Countries—And The Winners Are…
As part of their Worl-A-Reggae Exhibition, the National Gallery of Jamaica invited artists from all over the globe to submit designs for a competition. The winners include abstract and representational images, Jamaican and non-Jamaican artists, and two images of Lee “Scratch” Perry. Check out the five top rankin posters below, along with a word from the winner, who designed his dub imagery with an Israel Vibration. (When the exhibition closes in November 20th, the images will be auctioned off to support Kingston’s esteemed Alpha Boys School.) Images After The Jump (more…)