Boomshots

Category: Outernational

Crossover and outside of core

  • WATCH THIS: Morgan Heritage “Selah” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Morgan Heritage “Selah” Official Music Video

    Around The World In Four Minutes and Fifty Seconds

    Having grown up between Massachusetts, Brooklyn, and Jamaica, the children of reggae singer Denroy Morgan were blessed with the opportunity to experience different ways of life in different places on earth. As they evolved into the Grammy-winning reggae supergroup Morgan Heritage, their career took them all over the planet. “The world is more beautiful than you know,” sings Peetah Morgan on “Selah” a hard-hitting reality track off Overstand Ent’s Mile High riddim (distributed by 21st Hapilos). “So much beauty my eyes behold, so much in school they never told.” Although their new video features stunning aerial shots of cities and natural wonders all over the globe, don’t mistake this for some kinda international flossing spree. The Morgan family drops knowledge over Winta James’ tough rub-a-dub riddim, exposing centuries of mental slavery and putting the truth-telling power of reggae music on full display. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • MOBO Awards Announce 2016 Best Reggae Artist Nominees

    MOBO Awards Announce 2016 Best Reggae Artist Nominees

    Will Popcaan Continue His Winning Streak?

    This morning in London the nominees for this year’s MoBo (Music of Black Origin) Awards were announced. Now celebrating its 21st year, the MoBos have often done a better job reflecting the sound of the streets than the Grammy’s, particularly in the Reggae award category, honoring not only the Best Reggae Album (like the Grammy’s) but the overall Best Reggae Artist. Last year’s nominees included UK-based Stylo G, Chronixx, Protoje, Omi [who might have been amused to be included in this category since the Jamaican-born pop artist always made clear that he’s not a reggae artist], with the award going to Mr. “World Cup” himself, Popcaan—who got the nod this year as well. His last trip to England resulted in a MixPak victory at the Red Bull Culture Clash. Check out his competition. Nominee List After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Gentleman ft. Ky-Mani Marley “Tomorrow” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Gentleman ft. Ky-Mani Marley “Tomorrow” Official Music Video

    Cross-Cultural Collab Imagines A Brighter Future

    Strolling through the streets of old Havana, Gentleman & Ky-Mani invite the listener to “Step out of your comfort zone” on “Tomorrow,” the latest video from their collaborative album, Conversations. Breaking down the walls of musical and cultural apartheid, these eclectic artists—who share a love and respect for reggae while remaining open to all inspiration— joined forces to create a new project free of all self-imposed boundaries, written and recorded in JA with worldwide talents like Shane Brown and Clay in the mix. “Wonder what the world will bring tomorrow?” sings Gentleman on the track, visually interpreted by director Noël Dernesch for It’s Us Media.. “Will it be joy, will it be sorrow?” Ky-Mani offers no easy answers but puts the conversation in broader context. “The world is on the verge of change when nothing stays the same. But if by chance you find it strange. It’s just a part of what’s ordained.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Jah Cure “Rasta” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jah Cure “Rasta” Official Music Video

    New Video Goes Around the Globe With Cure

    What has Jah Cure been up to? We haven’t heard much from Iyacure since last year’s Grammy Awards, when his album The Cure was highly touted to win Best Reggae Album honors. Although the Morgan family ended up taking the title that year, the excellence of Cure’s self-produced album stands undiminished. Meanwhile, the singer has been keeping it cool and touring the world spreading Jah love, as seen in this new video for one “Rasta” of the standout tracks from the project. Shot on location in Greece, Rome, Paris, Venice, somewhere in the Alps, and God knows where else these big money visuals take you pretty much anywhere you want to be right now. Cure again! Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: M.I.A. ft. Dexta Daps “Foreign Friend”

    HEAR THIS: M.I.A. ft. Dexta Daps “Foreign Friend”

     Maya & Daps Link Pon The Borderline

    Ever since M.I.A. first burst on the world, she has been all about crossing lines in the sand, using her playground chants, beatbox ballistics, and agitprop visuals to mash up all cultural and geopolitical borderlines. Now that M.I.A.’s released what she warns may be her last album, her focus on speaking truth to power from a refugee point of view takes on new urgency as the world finds itself in the midst of a “refugee crisis” and Brexit meltdown and a Trump presidential run. As soon as M.I.A. released “Borders” (both the song and its breathtaking video) anticipation for this album began to build, and yesterday AIM finally arrived. On this track Maya dabbles with dancehall star Dexta Daps of “7Eleven” and “Shabba Mudda Pot” fame who sounds like the UK bad gyal inspired him to hit some strong new notes. Audio After The Jump…
    (more…)

  • How Gentleman Buss As A Reggae Artist

    How Gentleman Buss As A Reggae Artist

    The Tunes That Turned This Teenager From Köln, Germany Into A Certified Jamaican Star

    In late 2014 MTV invited Gentleman to record an “Unplugged” album, marking the first time any reggae artist had joined that respected series which has included the likes of Jay Z, Nirvana, and Lauryn Hill. With guest appearances by Shaggy, Ky-Mani Marley, Tanya Stephens, and Christopher Martin as well as the German duo Milky Chance, Gentleman and his acoustic band repped reggae music to the fullest. If it seems strange that a white man born in Germany should be chosen to represent a musical art form created in the Caribbean amongst the surviving descendants of African slaves, then you don’t know Tilmann Otto.  Boomshots recently caught up with the conscious German reggae singer—known to his fans as Gentleman—and spoke with him about his unlikely rise to the top of the reggae business, why it’s such an honor to record the MTV Ungplugged project, and what stories are dominating his attention these days and for the foreseeable future (Think: Songs About The Syrian Refugee Crisis.) Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: K’Coneil “Feel So Right” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: K’Coneil “Feel So Right” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    No Inna No Long Talking

    In this summer of dancehall/pop fusion, everybody seems to be jumping on the reggae bandwagon—with mixed results. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York City, K’Coneil makes music that reflects this blend of cultures organically without feeling forced or contrived. The latest single off his debut EP, LOVE/LUST, is an R&B/dancehall cut called “Feels So Right” produced by New Yorker DJ Calli B. “I wanted to make a feel-good song that spoke about a relationship that just felt great and didn’t require any effort it was just easy and natural,” says the artist. “All the stars aligned and it’s just a perfect match ‘made in heaven.’” Today Boomshots proudly premieres the music video for the track, directed by Zurisaddair, which was shot in Coney Island and Times Square with choreography by the International Danca Family. Like K’Coneil, it’s a perfect blend. Video After The Jump…

    (more…)

  • Chronixx & Friends Shell Down BBC 1Xtra

    Chronixx & Friends Shell Down BBC 1Xtra

    “Not Even Special Guests—Cause You Nuh Haffi Guess…”

    MistaJam & Seani B do a thing over at BBC 1Xtra called #SixtyMinutesLive during which time special guest artists freestyle over various selections, and generally rough up the airwaves. Last night was a good one as Di Steam Ministah rolled through the studio accompanied by from Maverick Sabre, Randy Valentine, Little Simz, Luciano and Jah Bouks. The vibes did nice, as you will soon witness via YouTube. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Usain Bolt / World Cup Dubplate”

    HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Usain Bolt / World Cup Dubplate”

    Weh Dem Ah Go Do Now?

    Usain Bolt has never hidden the fact that he’s a major dancehall fan. Back in Beijing, he celebrated his first Olympic win by busting a Gully Creeper dance. (His 2009 welcome home dance in Trelawney was legendary.) This year in Rio Bolt celebrated his first win by posting an Instagram video of himself singing along to Popcaan’s big tune “World Cup (We Still A Win).” The Unruly Boss wasted no time reposting the video and hit the studio sometime soon after. No sooner did Bolt cross the finish line in Rio, collecting his second gold medal, than Poppy’s Bolt dubplate start shell the worldwide web up. Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Sizzla: “I’m a Different Sort; I Man a Rasta”

    Reasoning with Sizzla: “I’m a Different Sort;
    I Man a Rasta”

    Kalonji Speaks on U.S. Tour and Black Lives Matter

    It’s been 8 years since Sizzla Kalonji has touched down in NYC, so history was made yesterday he officially announced his big return to New York for Irie Jamboree this Labor Day weekend Sept 4, 2016. Passing through town on the way home from what he calls an “awesome” performance at Reggae on the River, Sizzla Kalonji stopped by Irie Jam Media HQ to connect with his Tristate fans and let them know that he really is back in U.S. once again after years of visa issues. Before going on the air with Jabba and Dubbmaster Chris, Sizzla sat down with Robert Cooper, doing his first interview for Boomshots TV. They spoke about Sizzla’s plans for touring and recording while in the U.S., and took time out to discuss Kalonji’s thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Chris Stylez “Relapse” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Chris Stylez “Relapse” PREMIERE

     Vine Star Taps Into His Jamaican Roots

    Chris Stylez set Vine on fire last year as his X-rated Kryptogram remix of “Who Is” racked up over 50 million plays. A relative of Jimmy Cliff on his father’s side, Chris’s musical journey includes being mentored by Wailers guitarist Ronnie ‘Bop’ Williams while living in Toronto. Today Boomshots proudly premieres “Relapse,” a dancehall-infused soul cut produced by ANY|RIOT—consider it a musical tip of the cap to Stylez’ Jamaican roots and heritage. “This song is about letting a good thing go,” says the NYC-based singer, “yet being constantly reminded of why you both fall so hard in the first place.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Popcaan Joins Rihanna and Kanye on Final Night of OVO Fest

    Popcaan Joins Rihanna and Kanye on Final Night of OVO Fest

    Drizzy Invites The Unruly Boss & Few More Friends To Toronto

    Future was there as expected. Ditto for Drizzy and Roy Wood$. But this year’s OVO Fest was all about the unexpected guests. People like Rihanna, who was technically still a “surprise” during her second consecutive guest set at OVO Fest, performing “Work” and “Too Good” and “BBHMM” (aka “Brap Brap Brap”). And let’s not forget people like Kanye West, who teased the possibility of a Drake/Yeezy album. But nobody savored his guest spot more than Popcaan. The Unruly Boss  came onstage performing “Only Man She Wants” and then followed it up with “Everything Nice” and Jamie xx’s “I Know There’s Gonna Be.” And judging by the caption on Poppy’s IG, there were, in fact, good times. Wickedness increase. Video After The Jump… (more…)