Boomshots

Category: Outernational

Crossover and outside of core

  • HEAR THIS: Thornato ft. Gappy Ranks “Rhinoceros” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Thornato ft. Gappy Ranks “Rhinoceros” PREMIERE

    You Coulda Have the Heart of A Lion, Speed of a Cheetah…

    Since the success of his 2014 release “Gaita Gaita,” Queens-based producer Thor Partridge aka Thornato has been making waves around the world as a beat maker and remixer. His new project Bennu showcases the talents of versatile vocalists from around the globe. UK grime-turned-dancehall don Gappy Ranks  features on “Rhinoceros,” which Boomshots proudly premieres today. “The beat that I initially created and sent to Gappy ended up morphing into something completely different once I received his vocals,” Thornato recalls. ” I ended up stripping everything down to let Gappy’s powerful voice take the lead.  The synth is inspired by an ancient Greek bagpipe called ‘Askaulos.’ I heard a solo performance that was incredibly haunting and unique and I immediately thought it would make a great lead synth sound.” Once this riddim gets rolling, it’s oddly reminiscent of the sound of a thousand stampeding rhinoceri. Audio After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Horace Andy “Straight to Hell” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Horace Andy “Straight to Hell” PREMIERE

    Studio One Legend Sings The Clash Classic

    Joe Strummer’s flat, affect-less vocals on “Straight to Hell” from The Clash’s  1982 album “Combat Rock” lend a chilling air to the song’s ice cold message, which is now timelier than ever in the Trump administration prepares executive orders, travel bans, mass deportations. and wall building. “Straight to Hell” has long been considered one of the band’s best loved songs, providing raw material for future creations like M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” and Kanye West’s “Swagger Like Us.” Andy himself is a bonafide Studio One legend who’s also worked with the likes of Massive Attack. Strummer first collaborated with him in 1999, writing the militant title track for Andy’s “Living in the Flood” album. The Studio One legend had already attempted a reggae version of “Straight to Hell” but wasn’t happy with the recording. But when he linked with Milwaukee musician Eric Blowtorch, who’s worked with many reggae artists and knew Strummer, they made this brand new roots reggae recording of “Straight to Hell,” which will be released via 12-inch single on Fe True Records March 16th and via digital download on April 14th. Andy’s voacal is backed with a dub side plus Big Youth’s deejay version, “Asylum Seekers.” These type of hardcore reality tunes are all too timely in the current political climate—and do remember 10 per cent of proceeds goes to Doctors Without Borders. Turn up to full watts. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Likes”

    HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Likes”

    The First Single From Chronology Arrives

    “Ah no everybody ah go like we,” sings Chronixx, “still we irie.” Over a pulsating electronic rhythm, produced by the artist himself, Chronixx defies “reggae revival” expectations as he reflects on what really matters to him, and to music lovers the world over. On the surface this is a song about artistic substance over social media hype, but a careful listen reveals a pointed critique of the state of Jamaican music at a moment when the world is rocking to reggae rhythms. “Nuff a them still stuck inna the quicksand,” he sings. “A Gentleman me hear ah play a Finland.” Point being that artists who are satisified with “running di place” in Jamaica may be missing the bigger picture. “We never buck them up pon no flight,” Chronixx observes. “We never see them pon tour life.” Speaking of which, the Chronology North America tour, supported by Jah9, Jesse Royal, and Kelissa, kicks off March 2nd and runs through April 30th. Who no like it vex.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Stephen “Ragga” Marley Talks Bob Marley Birthday, Kaya Fest, and Survival

    Stephen “Ragga” Marley Talks Bob Marley Birthday, Kaya Fest, and Survival

    Watch A Live Stream Of Gong’s Earthstrong As We Reason With Ragga

    On this day Robert Nesta Marley, aka the Tuff Gong, aka the King of Reggae, would have turned 72. Gong’s Earthstrong will be marked by a full day of celebration at the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica. Starting from 6 o’clock in the morning, priests from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church come and bless the place. Niyabinghi drummers and the whole thing straight back to night. For those cannot be there in person, Tuff Gong Television is streaming the celebration live today. “Yeah man,” says Stephen “Ragga” Marley by telephone after a long day of rehearsals. “Nice vibe.” We reached out to Ragga in honor of Bob Marley’s birthday and also to talk about another big celebration for the Marley family coming up this year. Stephen recently announced the launch of Kaya Fest, with the stated purpose “To educate the people of the many uses of this plant as well as to inspire and encourage positive public awareness since medical marijuana became legal in Florida in 2016.” Reasoning After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: John Brown’s Body ft. Karim Israel “Hard Man Fe Dead” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: John Brown’s Body ft. Karim Israel “Hard Man Fe Dead” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    JBB Inna Prince Buster Stylee

    After 20-odd years mashing up stages all over the planet, John Brown’s Body is releasing their first official music video. Boomshots is proud to premiere the clip for “Hard Man Fe Dead,”a track off the band’s Fireflies album on Easy Star Records, featuring some tasty toasting courtesy of Karim Israel of Arise Roots. “‘Hard Man Fe Dead’ is a tribute to the late Prince Buster,” says lead singer Elliot Martin, “dedicated to the extended family of musicians that we are a part of. How good and pleasant it is to play some hard Reggae music with all these talented people!” In case this clip gets you in a similar mood, take note of the band’s tour dates below. This music caan dead. Video After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: R. City ft. Tarrus Riley “Crazy Love” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: R. City ft. Tarrus Riley “Crazy Love” Official Music Video

    Music To Save Your Mind

    “As crazy as it sounds, I need it now,” sing the USVI hitmakers Theron and Timothy Thomas alongside Jamaica’s own Singy Singy aka Tarrus Riley on R.City’s  latest single from What Dreams Are Made Of, song for the whole wide world with a reggae back beat and the sort of big hooks that the Thomas brothers have written for all sorts of massive pop and R&B acts over the years. Directed by Tony Bongiovi LaBeet, their new music video depicts the giants of Caribbean music shocking out atop a historic fortress on the beautiful isle of St. Kitts. It’s an epic setting for a massive tune. Tun up—Loud. Audio After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: John Legend x IAmStylezMusic “Light Up The Night”

    HEAR THIS: John Legend x IAmStylezMusic “Light Up The Night”

    Portmore Dancehall Artist Links With Grammy-and-Oscar-Winning Soul Man

    John Legend, the multi-award-winning soul singer who’s been a cornerstone of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music team  from day one, today released a new collaboration with dancehall artist IAmStylez. Coming ten years after Legend’s well-received combination with Buju Banton, “Light Up The Night” was produced by Philly Phat Boi. Legend previously collaborated with Common on the Academy-Award-winning track “Glory.” Boomshots proudly presents his latest release here (for promo use only!) “John is basically a big fan of our music and culture as you know from his previous collaboration with Buju,” Stylez told Kevin Jackson of the Jamaica Observer. “So this is no surprise that he is at it again. This time with a little twist, his people had reached out to my management team inquiring about the next big thing that will emerge from Jamaica on to the mainstream and at the same time I had got my manager to also seek out major collaborations for me… Long story short, it’s right timing, great teamwork and perfect execution,” he said. Judge for yourself now. Audio After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Andre Xcellence “Ram It Up” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Andre Xcellence “Ram It Up” PREMIERE

    The Turn Up Was The Old Wave—Now It’s Time to Ram It Up!

    Andre Xcellence is a reckless Trini youth based in Los Angeles whose daily agenda includes “Shuttin’ down the club, even bringin’ Ballys back.” To be honest we just heard about him yesterday but he had us from the moment he flipped Super Cat’s “Don Dada” hook over a frenetic Supakuma-produced track that sounds something like Diwali on steroids. With a lyrical flow that’s more rap than reggae, Xcellence shouts out Charlie Sheen and displays a zero-phuxx-given sense of humor: “I don’t want you to limbo low / I want you to bounce like a Backpage bimbo” etc… Definitely not suited for the conscious Rasta crowd, “Ram It Up” gets a Boomshots premieres simply because the energy is undeniable. If you’re in the mood to “celebrate like we just won a gold cup” you need this tune in your life.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • King Attarney Takes The Trophy at Canada Rumble

    King Attarney Takes The Trophy at Canada Rumble

    Toronto Sound Clash Victor Will Face World Clash Champion King Turbo

    At last year’s World Clash, Toronto’s own King Turbo made sound system history when they became only the second Canadian sound to take the title at the original, authentic and still predominant international sound clash on planet earth. This past weekend at the Canada Rumble, six up-and-coming dancehall sound sytems out of Canada competed for the chance to musically murder their countrymen in the next World Clash aka the Superbowl of Sound Clash. After four hours of heated competition at LaVictoria Banquet Hall, King Attarney outgunned Step-A-Choice in the final Tune Fi Tune round. The Rumble Series was introduced by leading clash promoters Irish & Chin who are celebrating their 20th anniversary in the business this year as they focus on bringing new stars into the sound clash industry. Coming off last October’s popular Japan Rumble, where Fujiyama Sound claimed the title, Canada Rumble sets the stage for future Rumbles to be held in the U.S., U.K., Europe and the Caribbean. If you missed the big clash, you can still check out all the action right here. And make sure to check Boomshots’ exclusive interview with Garfield “Chin” Bourne, reasoning with Reshma B about the past, present, and future of Sound Clash Culture. Audio & Video After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Major Lazer ft. PartyNextDoor & Nicki Minaj “Run Up”

    HEAR THIS: Major Lazer ft. PartyNextDoor & Nicki Minaj “Run Up”

    In Which Nicki Suffers a Patois Malfunction

    Major Lazer dropped their latest Tropical House sureshot today, a musical thing called “Run Up” featuring OVO’s resident yardman PartyNextDoor alongside Nicki Minaj.  “It’s always important for us to work with people who are on the same wave,” Diplo said in a statement. “Nicki and Party really helped us bring the classic Major Lazer style to create this perfect party record.” Nicki’s verse hints that the Trini-by-way-of-Queens pop star is now working on her fourth album. Barb’s bars include her usual femcee-baiting and designer-label-name-dropping as well as charming non-sequiturs like “I don’t put sugar in my spaghetti sauce.” Even more confusing is her foray into Jamaican patois, highlighted by the song’s official lyric video: “Fire Bun The Obea[sic] Man Church,” she spits at one point, an apparent nod to Beenie Man’s “Betta Learn,” a 1999 selection on Shocking Vibes’ Bada Bada juggling from back in the days when Capleton and Moses were going hard at each other. The original lyric is actually “Fire burn up the obeah man shirt,” a criticism of certain Rasta DJ’s tendency to “burn out” all forms of corruption. But hey, it’s 2017 —maybe obeah men now have churches which they’re setting on fire. “Run Up” did 350K+ on Youtube its first day, so who cares if Nicki’s patois is a little shaky? The tune still ah shot. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
  • HEAR THIS: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Roar Fi A Cause” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Roar Fi A Cause” PREMIERE

    When The Lion Roars, The Whole Jungle Trembles

    Gongzilla claps a lyrical gun salute in this hardcore reality tune about the rules & laws & codes of conduct that govern life pon di ends—and the lionheart street soldiers who enforce them. “All who perpetrate hafi pack up and run,” Damian spits with an ill rapid-fire flow on this high energy dancehall track produced by Sean “Pow” Diedrick and featuring what sounds like a Buju sample on the chorus. Like the song says, “No shot nah buss when a man a keep treat.” One more wicked piece of tune from the Stony Hill files. Wickedness increase! Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Sizzla “I’m Yours” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Sizzla “I’m Yours” PREMIERE

    JonFX Takes Kalonji To The World

    New York dancehall producer Jon FX established his name with hard-hitting remixes like the classic “Gun Session / Survivor” mashup featuring Kartel, Akon, Sizzla and Shabba Ranks. His latest release—Sizzla’s “I’m Yours,” which Boomshots proudly premieres today—proves that he’s also a first-rate producer capable of presenting hardcore Jamaican talents like Kalonji with an international-radio-ready sound. Wouldn’t mind seeing this squeeze into “Tropical House” radio rotation. Audio After The Jump…
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