Boomshots

Category: Real Talk

  • Real Talk with Etana: “No Wrong Deed Goes Unpunished”

    Real Talk with Etana: “No Wrong Deed Goes Unpunished”

    The Strong One Meets The Reggae Girl About Town

    Straight out of August Town, Jamaica to the four corners of the earth, Etana has established her name as one of the most powerful voices in reggae music. Fresh off a successful European tour in support of her fourth album, I Rise, she will headline tonight’s International Women of Reggae showcase at Brooklyn College, presented by our bonafide  bredren sistren at the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music. While you cop your tickets, check out perhaps the realest interview she’s ever given. No topic is off limits in this exclusive reasoning with Reshma B, from love to loss to domestic violence, infidelity and mental illness—and exactly how it feels to stand up as a strong women in the music business. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Kabaka Pyramid “Well Done”

    HEAR THIS: Kabaka Pyramid “Well Done”


    Accurate! As Riverton Dump Blazes, Kabaka Buns Out Overpopulation & Waste Mismanagement.

    “Music is the Weapon of the Future,” Fela Kuti once declared, and he used his power as an artist to bring about immediate political change for the good of the people. Kabaka Pyramid follows in that proud tradition with his latest song, the sarcastically titled “Well Done,” which was produced by Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. In the tune, Kabaka blazes a fire on Jamaica’s political leaders for selling out the people and leaving the island nation in a serious predicament. “I don’t want it to look like I’m on a all-out attack against the government, but I want people to be aware that they have a say in the governance of the country,” the prolific lyricist said when asked by the Jamaica Observer newspaper. “It might be a harsh statement but I see no inclination that politicians are interested wholeheartedly in the welfare of the people.” The song makes mention of the IMF debt as well as lopsided development deals with Spanish and Chinese interests that Kabaka blames for shortchanging Jamaica. But since smoke from the Riverton dump fire began fouling the air, the waste management debacle has given the song fresh meaning. Kabaka took to Instagram today to make the connection. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Queen Ifrica: “When You Speak You Become an Enemy of the State”

    Reasoning with Queen Ifrica: “When You Speak You Become an Enemy of the State”

    Reshma B Links The Fyah Muma at Flames Productions HQ in Kingston, JA

    On the last day of 2014, the Reggae Girl About Town dropped by Flames Productions HQ in Kingston, Jamaica to see wha gwan. She had a nice chat with the Fyah Muma about her new album and her hot new collaboration with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. Ifrica also expained how she came to sing “Lioness on the Rise,” which Tony Rebel originally wrote for Marcia Griffiths but which became one of the Fyah Muma’s signature songs.  Queen Ifrica also explained the real reason why her show in New York was canceled last year—and no it wasn’t really because of protests from gay community. She also takes a moment to big up all who fight for freedom of speech—the Mandelas and the Gandhis. She also talks about the growth of Rebel Salute over the years. Finally Ifrica lets everybody know how they can keep up with all the action at this year’s festival—going down in St. Anne, Jamaica January 16th & 17th—no matter where in the world they might be.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Tommy Lee Sparta “Watch Gage Dead Over Sting”

    Reasoning with Tommy Lee Sparta “Watch Gage Dead Over Sting”

    With Just Days To Go Before His First Clash at Sting, Uncle Demon Chats with RGAT

    Last year he almost lost his life in a car crash, but Tommy Lee Sparts still made his way to the stage at Sting—the World’s Greatest One-Night Reggae and Dancehall Show—on a pair of crutches. This year the man called Uncle Demon is back and he credits his survival to the fact that God loves him. Tommy Lee Sparta talks about his highly-anticipated appearance on Magnum Sting 2014 to the Reggae Girl About Town in this exclusive interview. Uncle Demon talks about his plans for Gage, why he’s vexed Popcaan is not on the lineup this year, and what he thinks Alkaline was afraid of.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: DeMarco “Loyal” (Royals Remix) Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: DeMarco “Loyal” (Royals Remix) Official Music Video

    Mek Me Tell You This…

    Where does the time go? As we find ourselves in the middle of December (already!), it’s time to have a look back over the past year and take stock of the music, the vibes, the moments that stood out during 2014. There’s been a lot of good songs, but few that hit home quite as hard or rang quite as true as Demarco’s broadside against “badmind, grudgeful, envious people.” Sure it’s a cover version of Lorde’s 2013 worldwide smash “Royals,” but just because the song was originated by a teenage girl from New Zealand, does that mean it shouldn’t ring out in Cassava Piece, Cockburn Pen, and Tower Hill? “Me don’t care—me gun dem never deh far, it deh near.”  (Kapiche?) “From you pree me life me delete you.” Simple. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Gunman World: Inside Jamaica’s Shotta Culture

    Gunman World: Inside Jamaica’s Shotta Culture

    Exclusive Excerpt from Mass Appeal Mag Cover Story by Rob Kenner, Photography by Ruddy Roye

    Jesquan Spence was not quite two years old when he saw the police kill his father. “The soldiers come in and take ’way the phones and say everybody fi sit down,” says the child’s grandmother, Michelle Davis, recalling that fateful Monday, May 24, 2010. “Then some police come in. Them say, ‘How many man in here?’ And them point ’pon me son.”

    Jesquan’s dad, Errol Spence, was 22 years old, the only adult male in the Tivoli Gardens household where 17 family members and neighbors had been waiting out a government-imposed state of emergency for a week. Michelle Davis and Jesquan’s mother Jesean Williams will never forget the cops’ chilling words: “Them turn to us and say, ‘You know the good haffi suffer for the bad.’”

    “But me no badman,” Errol Spence protested as three heavily armed police officers ordered him out of his seat and walked him into the kitchen. “Dat you say?” one of them replied. “You gwan dead today.” Continues After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Buju Banton: “My Life is an Open Book”

    Reasoning with Buju Banton: “My Life is an Open Book”

    Celebrating The Gargamel’s EarthStrong with a Classic ’95 Boomshots Interview from the Til Shiloh Era

    Forty one years ago today Mark Myrie was born in Kingston, Jamaica. By the time he was 19 he’d become the biggest dancehall star on the island with two smash albums—Stamina Daddy and Mr. Mention—under his belt. He soon signed to a major label and began to tour the world, a ghetto youth expanding his horizons in every imaginable way. And then in 1995—19 years ago this Friday July 18th—he released Til Shiloh, an album that marked a turning point in his career. With songs like “Untold Stories,” “Murderer,” and “Til I’m Laid To Rest” Buju announced a musical and spiritual rebirth, shaking off the bad boy pose that had stigmatized him in certain circles. Today Buju sits in federal prison, having become the target of a convicted coke dealer turned informant who ensnared him in an elaborate sting operation. The artist was convicted despite a highly problematic trial. We offer this interview (which first appeared in Ego Trip magazine) as a reminder of the artist that many know and love and a ray of hope for the future. If as he says his life is an open book, perhaps the final chapter has yet to be written.  Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas & Latty J “Who Rule” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas & Latty J “Who Rule” Official Music Video

    The Battle of the Sexes Rages On With A Music Video And All-New Lyrics

    Vegas and Latty’s creative chemistry nah stop bubble. Ever since Vegas linked up with the feisty young singer and DJ from August Town Lane (formerly known as Digicel Rising Stars contestant Latoya Jackson, who was bigged up by Tessanne Chin for her performance) the veteran artist and his protege have been on a roll. Their first duet, “Who Rule,” has taken #TeamHustle to another level. MV Music’s hilarious battle of the sexes, voiced over a riddim reminiscent of Shabba’s vintage dancehall track “Twice my Age,” now has a music video, directed by DeeGo and Colin Young. The lyrics for the music video version are brand new—and while no less humorous they are somewhat less scandalous than the original raw version first heard on Boomshots. Moving from bedroom capers to kitchen and laundry (with a light touch of sexual innuendo) this second installment of the oldest argument in the world promises to become a modern classic. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Tifa “Bak It Up” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Tifa “Bak It Up” Official Music Video

    She Wine Sweet Like Moscato, Bubble Bubble Like a Champagne

    The last time we caught up with Tifa back in January she warned us that 2014 was going to be a crazy year. You think she was jokin’? In the past six months the dancehall diva has signed a deal with Island King records, launched a fly official website, announced a brand-new line of signature headphones, and just yesterday she rolled through Hot 97 FM  in New York City where her latest single “Bak It Up” is getting nuff spins. You can catch her  interview with Ebro, the station’s PD, this morning. There’s even talk about booking her for Hot 97’s annual “On Da Reggae Tip” show this September. That’s a long ways away though. Next week it’s all about Reggae Sumfest. Yes, Tifa will be performing on the big stage on Dancehall Night (that’s this coming Thursday!) And you already know we’re gonna make sure to catch up with her down in MoBay. But right now let’s get into the official video for her latest banger. Apparently it’s all about the wine—and that’s why some man get tie like goat. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Chronixx Passes Through The Hot97 Morning Show

    WATCH THIS: Chronixx Passes Through The Hot97 Morning Show

    Dread & Terrible Tour Frontman Talks About The State Of Reggae Music

    While in NYC doing promo for his Dread & Terrible EP and Tour, Chronixx swung by Hot97 studios and paid a visit to the morning show. Hosts Ebro and Cypha Sounds sat down with the rising reggae star and picked his brain on topics like the current state of reggae music and  its connection to Hip Hop. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Lady Saw “Pretty Fingers”

    HEAR THIS: Lady Saw “Pretty Fingers”

    OMG!!! I am f@cking lost for words. Muma Saw always takes it to the next level and she damn sure did it AGAIN! When this track turned up in my inbox my laptop was playing up. No storage space —so I left it and was like, ‘OK I will deal with this tomorrow.’ Three days later, after some file data transfer, I get to open it at the Mac store. Holy crap! how could I have been sleeping on this? You really have to salute this woman. She basically does whatever the hell she wan’. The Queen of the Dancehall—who gave us a song about her “Pretty P@$$y”—is back with something even madder than that. “Can You Be with me and no one else? Tell me now cause I can love myself…. My pretty fingers they do know me well” Oh gosh! Saw has always been that independent woman and people look up to her for keeping real. In this track she combines the two. What’s more independent than taking care of your own needs? If her man can’t handle the job those fingers are ready to step up! And it don’t get any more real than making a song about your personal masturbataion process—with a detailed account of what takes place. Whatever was going through her head at the time she decided to put this out I guess there’s a load of people going don’t stop now Saw. Audio After The Jump…

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  • Popcaan Gets Unruly in Ocho Rios, Says “Most Jamaicans Will Be Surprised” By His New Album

    Popcaan Gets Unruly in Ocho Rios, Says “Most Jamaicans Will Be Surprised” By His New Album

    Watch the Unruly Boss Shell Down a Stage Show and Talk About His Debut Album

    When we last caught up with him at the 2013 staging of Reggae Sumfest, Popcaan told Reshma B that his debut album would be coming next year and that it would be “totally different,” with more “uplifting” songs. Now that the album is completed, he can shed a little bit more light on the project, which is titled Where We Come From and will be dropping on Mixpak Records June 10. Known for hits like “Ravin” and “Party Shot” and “Only Man She Want,” Papi shows a different side on the new album, starting with the single “Everything Nice” which blends the serious realities of life with an uplifting forget-your-troubles-and-dance vibe. After years of playing his position in the Gaza camp as Vybz Kartel’s protege, Popcaan is now acknowledged as a major star in his own right who rolls with his own clique, Team Unruly. The Reggae Girl About Town recently rolled with the team to a stage show in Ochi, and got the full scoop backstage, onstage, and after the show in the parking lot. Find out why Popcaan says “most Jamaicans will be surprised,” by the new album.  Videos After The Jump…

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