An Organic Cultural Event Deep in the Heart of Brooklyn
Reggae fans flocked to the Caribbean American Entertainment Center in Brooklyn, New York to honor the “King of Reggae, ” Bob Marley. Simultaneously, Abajonai Kushites, Reggae Artist and Founder of “Kush Wednesdays,” celebrated 7 years of the weekly open mic for reggae, roots, and culture. More After The Jump…
Like it or Love it, Chronixx Keeps His Culture In New Visuals
Chronixx carries us on a journey through music in the video “Likes” from his forthcoming debut album Chronology. Directed by Joachim Maquet (@alleyesonit), the video was shot in London on the UK portion of his fore-running Chronology tour. Known for his intimiate performances and high-quality visuals, this video also features scenes from the sold-out Brixton Academy show. The upcoming U.S. tour with Nas and Lauryn Hill this Fall will not be one to disappoint! Video after the jump…
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Violent Threat Causes Lion To Roar
Recently, a controversial video surfaced where Fantan Mojah accuses an un-named artist of pulling a knife on him. Fanton Mojah sees the violation as a major disrespect because it is someone that he respects and had a friendship with. Fantan Mojah demands a public apology from said artist, causing many to speculate about who the artist is referring to as “The Kid” and “God”. Fantan Mojah never mentions what precipitated the argument, just states “Why you get offended over truth?” More After The Jump…
“Be Confident In All We Do And Say”
Jah9 has just released the video for “Prosper,” the fourth video from her latest album “9.” The video directed by Samo Kush-I, was shot in black and white complete with a vintage 35mm camera feel, as Jah9 sings encouraging lyrics of spirituality and empowerment in a relaxed and calming voice. “Whatever is worth doing is worth doing to the highest level,” says Jah9. “And the time we spend in service to high upful endeavors serves to build. The chorus of the song is an affirmation, a mantra, a spell that can be used daily to empower. The outside world will seem less intimidating when we feel more empowered and less insecure about our value.” Video After The Jump…
Multi-talented Musician & Burgeoning Business Mogul Builds His Brand
Jah Bami, born Marvin Walters in Trinidad and Tobago, learned to play instruments at a young age-including the guitar, piano, drums and steel pan. His mastery of instruments earned him a musical scholarship to the University of the West Indies, which provided him a plethora of opportunities to take his career to the next level. Now he tours the world solo and as part of his deejay group, Suns of Dub. Furthermore, Jah Bami owns a record label, clothing line and brand of smoke wrapping papers. We spoke to Jah Bami about his many hats in the entertainment business. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
A Man With Locks Don’t Need No Glocks
Not every music artist can “buss” right out the gate, sometimes it takes cultivation before they are rewarded with the fruits of their labor. After four years of slowly building a following, Samory I is primed to be a major voice in reggae music in 2017 with the release of “Rasta Nuh Gangsta,” which addresses some common misconceptions about Rastafarians. Video And Interview After The Jump… (more…)
Lioness Order Lays Down The Law
A lot of times when an artist starts to grow in popularity they tend to avoid rocking the boat and shun material that some may find controversial. That isn’t the case with Jah9 who has just released a video for the song “Unafraid,” which deals with the taboo subject of child molestation. When she sings “Nasty likkle teacher bwoy touching on my nephew, stirring up the dragon in my head,” the outrage is understandable. But lines like “Willing to stick a head ‘pon a fence” will definitely make some people uncomfortable. Boomshots reached out to the artist for some insight. “We’re not promoting violence,” she explained, “but we’re not promoting complacency about such a serious thing.” Video and Interview After The Jump… (more…)
A Luta Continua
When it comes to female reggae artists on the rise, Jah9 usually gets the lion’s share of the discussion. But she is not alone. Hempress Sativa is rapidly gaining the attention she deserves as a brilliant artist who can sing, dj, and even rap. First introduced to music by her father Albert ‘Ilawi Malawi’ Johnson, selector for the legendary Jah Love Sound System, Kerida Johnson began performing at the age of 13. She chose the name Hempress Sativa which she said represents “a state of euphoria, a state of consciousness, [and] a state of high.” Her music is rooted in her Rastafarian faith and includes songs such as the marijuana anthem “Oo La La La: The Weed Thing,” the sensuous “Kushite Love,” and the homage to sound system culture “Boom (Wa Da Da Deng),” alongside Paolo Baldini DubFiles. Today we focus on the Hempress’ latest single “Fight For Your Rights,” produced by Conquering Lion Records, mixed by The Original Dub Master “Scientist,” and released to coincide with the 86th coronation of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen. Of the song’s new video Hempress Sativa wrote on her Facebook page “People of African descent were considered underlings and were being denied then and still now some basic human rights! So With the 1930 Coronation, The Royal Family of H.I.M Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen exemplified nobility and a dynasty as long as King Solomon and Queen of Sheba reconciling the fact that we (Black People) were from the beginning indeed the first civilization and not savages as their stories would have us believe.” Video After The Jump… (more…)
Brand New Visuals Fi Di Ganja Man Dem
Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica Lutan Fyah studied architecture and played professional football before launching into a music career in 1999. Cutting early records for Buju Banton’s Gargamel label, he would go on to collab with such culturally inclined artists as Lucinano and Turbulence. On his latest release, produced by Tim Dub, Fyah goes beyond the usual ganja tune cliches, giving a botanical lesson on the definition of “trichomes” and how these small glandular hairs growing from the epidermis of herb buds relate to the cultivation of the cannabis plant. Video After The Jump…
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Accurate Lyricist Drops Battle-Rap-Themed Video
Kabaka Pyramid continues the trend of Rastafarian artists rapping over boom bap hip-hop beats. In this video, aptly titled “Kabaka vs. Pyramid,” the artist pays homage to battle rap and stages a rap battle with himself. Hip hop has a long history of alter-egos, from Tupac/Makavelli to Eminem/Slim Shady, and even T.I. vs. T.I.P. Will the Bebble Rock spitter continue the trend in dancehall? Rockin’ over Biggie’s “Gimme The Loot” riddim, one persona keeps it patois while the other is twangin’ like a youth who spent time in Miami as he was coming up. Watch the video and find out who wins. Video After The Jump…
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Giving Thanks For Guidance and Protection
Anthony Cruz is one of those under-the-radar reggae singers whose understated excellence deserves more praise than it receives. We first noticed him when he was rolling with the 5th Element crew alongside Richie Spice and Chuck Fender (aka “The Poor People Defender). Although he can finesse a lover’s rock tune more sweetly than most, Cruz has always been at his best singing reality tunes. “Place Too Bloody” his combination with Buju Banton, and the Beres Hammond produced “Dem Block Di Road” on Harmony House’s “Feel Good” riddim are two outstanding examples. Yesterday Cruz released a new video on his official website revealing that his clean-cut look has been replaced with a ragga-ragga Rastafari image. In the song, produced by the legendary Bobby Digital, Cruz gives thanks for live, health, and strength—acknowledging that even when he feels he’s in “Cruz control” there is a higher power calling the shots. Dropping so soon after Jamaica’s close call with Hurricane Matthew, the message is as timely as the song is strong. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
A Man Who Represented Rastafari In Real Life
After battling cancer for years, the death of Edwin “Countryman” Lothan hit his friends and fans very hard. Though he passed away September 18th, obituaries are just starting to appear in the international press for this simple Rasta fisherman who appeared in a feature story in Rolling Stone magazine in 1973, a living symbol of Rastafari at a time when few Americans had even heard of reggae music. Nine years later he starred in the film Countryman, produced by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. He lived a simple life according to strict principles of Rastafari. All the obituaries mention these facts, but this is what I remember, the Countryman I knew. Essay After The Jump… (more…)