Skateboard P Coasts Over Slick Lazer Production
The Major pegs recent Grammy winner Pharrell Williams for their latest offering. The infectious track entitled “Aerosol Can” is part of Major Lazer’s “Apocalypse Soon” EP set to drop February 25th. The song earns its namesake from the sample of an aerosol can being shaken and sprayed, now pair that with addictive drums and Pharrell’s witty wordplay and you have a hit guaranteed to start any party. Tune After The Jump… (more…)
Remembering A Fallen Soldier In The Music Business
The video for Mavado & Nicki Minaj‘s “Give It All To Me” is scheduled to premiere today on BET’s 106 & Park. The song, which is featured on DJ Khaled‘s new album Suffering From Success, represents a major milestone in the rise of reggae music in 2013. It’s one of the best collaborations between two superstars from the genres of dancehall and hip-hop. But for the song’s producer Justus Arison of JA Productions, today will be a bittersweet celebration because his friend and partner Patrick “Roach” Samuels will not be able to celebrate with him. Last month Roach was shot to death in a still-unsolved murder in Kingston, Jamaica. Roach’s murder has left the whole dancehall industry in shock. Justus had been working with him closely as their productions—particularly the Overproof, Overtime, and Overdrive riddims—ushered in a whole new feel and sound within dancehall. Justus and Mavado recently joined forces to pay tribute to Roach with their song “Soldiers.” He spoke with Boomshots about Roach’s musical legacy, and how he plans to go on in the future without his friend. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
The Dancehall Hitmaker Was Shot To Death Last Night In Kingston
This morning brings the sad news that Patrick Samuels, better known in dancehall circles as “Roach,” was shot and killed in Kingston this morning. According to published reports, the shooting occurred at 4:12 am, when three shots were fired into his Chevrolet Avalanche at the Texaco Gas Station at Mary Brown’s corner. As Roach tried to drive away, three more shots were fired, and his vehicle crashed on Mannings Hill Road. Samuels was formerly Vybz Kartel’s road manager and produced the popular “Siren” riddim containing hits like Kartel’s “Emergency” and Sean Paul’s “Breakout” off SP’s hit album, The Trinity. Roach later linked up with Justus Arison to create the massive “Overproof” riddim, which spawned hits like Mavado’s “Settle Down.” On Justus Twitter feed, he poured out his feelings about his production partner and the terrible loss to the music industry. “Rain of tears fall from heaven,” Justus wrote. “Deeply an sadly gonna miss roach dawg, real ute.” He also added “Roach nuh do nobody nothing more than talk the truth without apology.” Never one to bite his tongue, Roach publicly aired his conflicts with other producers and artists in the business. No suspects have been named in the shooting. Condolences go out to Roach’s friends and family. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Original #JunglistMassive Nuttah Now Doin’ Reggae
“You never know Shy FX man big inna London”? If you know jungle you know Shy FX has his name all over that. The original rude boy was responsible for makin’ everyone dance like a nuttah in raves during the 90’s. Now he’s gonna come out with a straight-up reggae album! WTF?! Reggae might not be what you expect to hear from the producer— who has worked with such UK artists as Dizzee Rascal & Plan B—but it’s always been in his roots. His granddad Count Shelly imported Jamaican reggae sounds to the UK during the ’60s & ’70s and owned a sound system back in the day. Judging by the first song off the album, it actually sounds like it’s gonna be quite good when it “Soon Come.” The track—featuring vocals by Liam Bailey—has a sooo very island sounds, sweet enough to make you feel nostalgic but cool enough to be blaring in your drop-top when summer hits. Video After The Jump….
Two Reggae Pioneers Meet Up Backstage And Reshma B Is There
Dressed in red from head to toe, the Jamaican dub pioneer, producer and provocateur Lee “Scratch” Perry—aka The Upsetter aka Super Ape aka Pipecock Jaxson—took the stage at Le Poisson Rouge on the final night of Red Bull Music Academy’s recent NYC conference. He was backed by the Subatomic Sound System featuring bassy from Dubblestandart, Larry McDonald on pecussion, Addis Pablo, son of Augustus Pablo, on melodica, the Dub Select Horns and Adrian Sherwood of On-U Sound providing the live dub mix. It was one of Scratch’s best live shows in recent memory, his abstract lyrics delivered with maximum focus and a cleverness that belies his reputation as a madman. At age 77, Scratch has inspired countless legends, not least of which is producing many of the songs that shaped Bob Marley and The Wailers’ soul rebel sound. Both Scratch and the Wailers got their start at Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One, and both eventually left to work at Randy’s Studio 17 where Vincent “Randy” Chin and his son Clive—not to mention his wife Miss Pat—produced countless classics in their 17 North Parade recording facility. Scratch would go on to establish, and later burn down, his own Black Ark studio. But when Clive Chin dropped by to check Scratch at his recent NYC show, Reshma B was there to reason with two founding fathers of reggae music. Never one to hold his tongue, Scratch lets loose on certain reggae superstars and those he regards as “Vampires” in the reggae business. Warning: Not for the faint of heart. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Up-and-coming Trainline Records Producer Is The Man Behind The Bing Riddim
