Kalonji’s Election Advice Applies All Year Round
Sizzla Kalonji delivers a cautionary message on Triple B Productions’ “Sing Some Song” Riddim. The tune was inspired by Jamaica’s recent election season, but one that holds true 24/7/365: wise up, rise up, and don’t make “dem” fool you AGAIN. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Category: Real Talk
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WATCH THIS: Sizzla “Don’t Make Dem Fool You Again” Teaser
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HEAR THIS: Shawn Storm “True Story” PREMIERE
Exclusive Preview From The EP Word, Sound, Power
Rastafarian tradition speaks of the ancient precepts and principles that govern the lives of mankind. Among these is the concept of “Word Sound and Power,” a phrase that refers to the many ways language in general and music & lyrics in particular can bring about change within the lives of those who transmit or receive these words. Shawn Storm’s debut EP, Word, Sound, Power bears witness to the mental, musical and spiritual growth of an artist who remains steadfast despite his incarceration. Distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos Digital, the EP (which is scheduled for release on May 6) features 10 tracks that received the stamp of approval from Shawn’s inner circle. “This is my first EP and my fans and I are both anticipating the outcome and the acceptance of new level of growth in my music—mentality and lyrically,” says the artist (who previously made a mark with the single “My Life”). “This EP consist of a list of songs that were hand-picked by great people, mixed and organized by great minds and approved by my realest brother and mentor the greatest “World Boss.” From me to my fams and fans, I give you WORD SOUND POWER—my greatest creation yet.” Boomshots is proud to premiere this exclusive preview of the autobiographical lead single, “True Story,” a slice of life from the man called Shawn Storm. Audio After The Jump… (more…) -
Lost In Translation: Does Drake’s Dancehall Obsession Benefit Anyone But Himself?
EXCLUSIVE GENIUS EXCERPT: Please Don’t Call Drake “King of the Dancehall”
While revealing the release date of his long-awaited album, Views From The 6, on Beats Radio, Drake sought to evoke the denseness, complexity, and overall quality of the record by stating that “It’s not a short ting.” His use of patois, although not surprising for any native of Toronto—a city where Caribbean culture has seeped into many aspects of mainstream language, food, and music in much the same way it has in London, Miami, or Nigeria—was no accident. Excerpt Continues After The Jump… -
Reasoning with Chronixx:
“I’m Not Ashamed of My Weaknesses”Di Steam Ministah Talks Coachella, Roots & Chalice Mixtape, and Controversy With his “Big Brother” Vybz Kartel
Just after his historic performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Di Steam Ministah sat down with Reshma B for an exclusive interview. They speak about the challenges of being an artist in a material world, the joy of performing live, and how he sees himself as only being in his “infancy” as an artist, as he puts it: “baby stage.” Chronixx talks about being booked on Damian Marley’s 2016 “Welcome to Jamrock Cruise” and goes on to name some of his “Big Brothers” in the reggae music fraternity, mentioning names like Jr. Gong, Mavado, and Vybz Kartel. Chronixx also addresses the controversy surrounding his comments on a recent VICELAND TV show “Noisey Jamaica,” explaining that he overstands the fact that the media is more concerned with clicks and views than with telling a fair and balanced story. “Artists have to be artists, media have to be media. I can’t make the media determine how I feel.” Videos After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Vanessa Bling “Worst” + Instagram Video
Gaza Slim Takes “Work” Remix To The Next Level With Instagram Video
Rumor has it that Rihanna’s chart-topping dancehall smash “Work” was inspired by a certain ex boyfriend who “took the heart on her sleeve for decoration.” In her new yardstyle refix (produced by Markus) the artist formerly known as Gaza Slim takes Rihanna’s “Work” to the next level. Just a few of the choice quotables: “Me have another man him like it / Him have a bigger better joystick.” “Every minute gal a breed / When me waan fi wuk you ah sleep.” “Money me need me nuh need no sufferation / Gimme the keys fi mi car you a wasteman / Yuh mussi wan’ fi go sleep up ah the station.” “Pack your clothes them please / I want you to leave / Me ah go dash them out on the street.” “I know AIDS will get to you” Audio After The Jump… (more…)
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Chronixx Bigs Up Vybz Kartel, Burns Out Ignorant Bloggers and VICE Media
Was Di Steam Ministah Misrepresented On Noisey Jamaica?
“I will never dignify untrue and twisted publications made by a media who only seek to create headlines which drag artistes and their supporters through the valley of disunity and division,” said Chronixx in a new Instagram post. “It is all a part of the overall effort to divide our music, divert our creative focus and incarcerate the legends of our music- ‘To divide and rule is their only plan,’ he continued, quoting Sizzla Kalonji and Jah Cure. ‘I a nuh fool.’” The post was apparent response to media reports that Chronixx compared Kartel to a “cannibal” in a recent TV program called Noisey Jamaica. “Vybz Kartel himself has done a lot of good things in life, I must say,” Chronixx was quoted as saying in the program, which aired on the new network VICELand. “Gangsterism, cannibalism… because Vybz Kartel over time became a cannibal. When you listen to his music it is very cannibalistic.” Chronixx took to IG to clarify his remarks and to castigate “ignorant bloggers” and media outlets that sow discord rather than overstanding. Full Statement After The Jump… (more…)
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Reasoning with Popcaan:
“We Godly, But we Unruly Same Way”EXCLUSIVE: The Unruly Boss Kicks It With Boomshots
Long before Andrae Sutherland was known as Popcaan, back in primary school—the Jamaican equivalent of elementary—he wrote a letter to God. He asked the Lord to “open my brain in school” and to let him prosper in life. Moreover he asked God to allow his parents and grandparents and his brother and sister live to inherit whatever he received. While cleaning house recently, his grandmother found the piece of folded notebook paper amongst some books and gave it to him. He posted it on Instagram with a message to his 444,000 followers: “God is real and he did answer that prayer I pray to him a long time ago🙏🏼 #givethanks.” That #GiveThanks hashtag comes straight out of Poppy’s song “Unruly Prayer,” released last May. “Look how much youth deh a jail house,” he sings on the record. “Me never haffi deh a road/Look how much youth deh a grave yard/Me never haffi deh yah don’t… So me haffi give thanks yeah… Tell the devil keep him distance yeah.” Late last month Popcaan posted a 10-minute video to his Vevo channel, the first part of a documentary called “Abundant Life.” Nursing a fat spliff before a roaring bonfire, his intricate braids unbound, allowing his hair to burst forth as an unruly bush, the artist formerly known as the “Raving King” read from Psalms 40 and 59 above the sound of a crackling fire and the throbbing beat of Niyabinghi drums: “I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me out of the horrible pit and out of the miry clay. He set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song into my mouth…” Just as we were about to post this interview, the Internet put a new song from Drake and Popcaan into our ears. Read on to find out why this surprise release was really no surprise at all. Kick Ouuuut! Interview After The Jump… (more…)
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Real Talk With Tanya Stephens: “I’m Telling The Truth—That’s The Only Thing I Know”
Maybe You Can Handle The Ride—But Can You Handle The Truth?
It may be true that women are far and few between in the reggae industry. But there’s no disputing the fact that Tanya Stephen is one of the best in the business. And not the good for a female—she’s one of the greatest songwriters Jamaican music history, full stop. Tanya has written some of the baddest tunes ever and has never let herself be pigeonholed into other peoples perception of what an artist should be. Whether singing about taking another woman’s man or exploring other sensitive real-life situations, Tanya continues to keep it all the way real, bringing her listeners along wherever her imagination takes her. After two decades in the game she’s still growing as an artist, and we still haven’t found anybody to rival her talent. During the latest Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, she blessed Boomshots with an in-depth interview with no subject off limits, from sex to religion to general stupidness and why she doesn’t like to clash. She even shared her true thoughts on marriage—”whoever decided that marriage should be an institution should be instituionalized!”—despite the fact that she is currently married. Tanya will be performing at SXSW during this year’s Irie Jam x Boomshots SXSW Reggae Showcase. Whether you’re in the house or not, take a moment to get to know one of the most fascinating minds around. Just make sure you fasten your seatbelt, cause this is going to be a wild ride. Videos After The Jump…
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WATCH THIS: Busy Signal “These Are The Days” Official Music Video
The Song That Set Busy On A Next Level Back in 2008
The Turf Prez keeps the streets supplied with new music at such a frenetic pace that sometimes we fail to check the catalog deeply. From the moment Busy Signal “Stepped out” in the dancehall biz it was clear he was a talent to be reckoned with who was “not going down” any time soon. With his 2008 sophomore album Loaded he unleashed a lyrical fusillade entitled “These Are The Days” that made clear this was a youth who was operating on a much higher level than most of his peers in the music industry. Eight years later his fans have gained a greater insight into the angst that fueled these bitter bars, and our appreciation of Busy’s artistry has only grown over time. Lick it back from the top the very last drop. Video After The Jump… (more…)
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WATCH THIS: Alborosie “Rocky Road” Official Music Video
Puppa Albo On Some Real-Life Shit
Alborosie reflects on the cycle of life and his own mortality in this thought-provoking video, portaying himself in a few years’ time, with grey dreads watching videotapes of the memories of his life. Come to think of it, the last time Boomshots caught up with Puppa Albo he was talking about being a father and contemplating retirement one day. Our bredren Frenchie at Maximum Sound just forwarded us this tune, which was produced, played, arranged, and mixed by Puppa Albo at Shengen Studios, so thankfully the artist shows no signs of slowing down at this moment. Still let’s make sure to apprecilove our artists while they’re here making sweet music. Bless up. Video After the Jump… (more…) -
Shaggy Has A Plan to Defeat ISIS
The Operation Desert Storm Veteran Is Still Fighting the Good Fight
“ISIS can go fuck themself,” Shaggy declared in a recent interview with the Miami New Times (and the question was about music, not politics). “That’s some crazy shit what they’re doing. It’s horrible, man. I can’t see… I don’t get that much hate. I just don’t get that level of evil. I can’t understand it.” And so, after a few more questions about music, Shaggy—aka former field artillery cannon crewman Orville Richard Burrell, USMC—shared what was really on his mind, a strategy for toppling the Islamic State in Syria. Thank him later. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Red Fox & Screechy Dan “Skylarking”
Ruff Entry Crew Revisits A Horace Andy Classic
To skylark is to flitter about aimlessly, making no progressive movements and then begging somebody five cents to eat a food. Although the real-life birds may be very hard-working, their reputation for fuckery has inspired some nice reggae tunes. The metaphor was first employed by Horace “Sleepy” Andy, who cut classic versions of the tune for Studio One and Wackie’s, among others. Encouraging the youths to “earn your bread honestly” lest they “end up—up up in jail.” Some messages just never get old. Fast forward to 2015 and the great Screechy Dan and his lyrical sparring partner Red Fox have revamped the tune with Sting International on the production. You already know this one is a certified Boomshot. Audio After The Jump… (more…)