Boomshots

Category: Reggae

  • WATCH THIS: Stephen and Damian Marley Talk Traffic Jam Tour & Brotherly Love

    WATCH THIS: Stephen and Damian Marley Talk Traffic Jam Tour & Brotherly Love

    “Real Reggae Yuh A Look For, Yuh Know Where Fi Find Us”

    Raggamuffin and Jr. Gong have been performing together for a long while, but this year’s Traffic Jam Tour is the first time they’ve officially touched the road as co-headliners. Boomshots visited their Miami rehearsal studio for an exclusive behind the scene video, where the brothers got ready with their band and explained the origins of “The Traffic Jam,” the song that started as a freestyle dubplate, evolved into an interlude on the Mind Control album, and has now inspired the tour’s name. “The bond between Stephen and Damian runs deeper than music, although they grew up in different households,” writes Reshma B in a new feature for Rolling Stone. “Steve is a big brother who really check on you when you’re little,” says Damian, who is Bob Marley’s youngest child. Stephen used to pick him up from school. “We come from tie shoelace,” Damian remembers, “how fi play football and ride bicycle, up to music too.” Check out the full story over at Rolling Stone, and check out Boomshots behind-the-scenes video below. Video After The Jump…  

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  • WATCH THIS: Dukes of Roots ft. Natiruts “Try Happy” Official Music Video Premiere

    WATCH THIS: Dukes of Roots ft. Natiruts “Try Happy” Official Music Video Premiere

    “Life’s Better With A Smile On Your Face”

    As Bunny Wailer once observed “there’s no stems, leaves, or branches without the roots.” So it makes perfect sense for two global reggae ensembles—Dukes of Roots, representing Africa and Jamaica, and Natiruts, reppin’ Brazil—to join forces on “Try Happy.” Natiruts, of course are one of the world’s most respected reggae bands, and while Dukes of Roots may be a new name, its singers and players are well known, inlcuding the legendary bass player George “Fully” Fullwood, Congolese singer Mermans Mosengo, musical brothers Sean and Courtney Diedrick on keyboards and drums respectively, and Rod Walkey on guitar. Recorded in Brazil back in 2022, “Try Happy” was produced by Sean “Pow” Diedrick, the Jamaican-born keyboard maestro who tours the world with Damian Marley along with his brother, master drummer Courtney “Bam” Diedrick. Coming on the heels of  “John Punch” featuring the great Darius Rucker, and “Pressure Drop,” a tribute to the late great Toots Hibbert that also features living legend Tarrus Riley, the Dukes’ upful single has all the makings of a modern classic. Boomshots is proud to premiere the official music video, directed by our bredren Kieran Khan.  Check the vibes and do remember, “either way we gonna be okay.” Video After The Jump…

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  • “Guess I’ve Been Here Before” Stephen Marley’s ‘Old Soul’

    “Guess I’ve Been Here Before” Stephen Marley’s ‘Old Soul’

    “Inside Me A Legacy Lives On,” Sings Ragga

    “Anything that sounds good is good,” says Stephen Marley, paraphrasing Duke Ellington. Don’t be surprised to hear the King of Reggae’s son referencing Harlem’s master of the jazz orchestra. Never one to limit his musical horizons, Stephen has always listened without prejudice, letting his inspiration set him free as a singer, songwriter, musician, and producer—whether collaborating with his illustrious musical family, or with Lauryn Hill, Nas, or Erykah Badu. Beginning his lifelong musical journey at the age of six, Stephen shared historic stages with his legendary father and toured the world with his brother Ziggy and sisters Cedella and Sharon, The Melody Makers. The Tuff Gong instilled in all of his children a strict work ethic and an awareness that “music is way more than just music.” Review Continues After The Jump…

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  • Buju Banton’s ‘Born for Greatness’ Sets The Gold Standard

    Buju Banton’s ‘Born for Greatness’ Sets The Gold Standard

    Gargamel Still Has The Stamina

    I first heard Buju Banton’s ragga-rough voice roaring in 1992, the first year the DJ really buss. Three decades later, as I laid eyes on the album art for Buju’s 12th studio album, Born For Greatness, one thing was clear: The artist who made his name with raw Dancehall Boomshots like “Stamina Daddy” and “Gold Spoon” has come a long way, over hills and valleys too—but The Gargamel still has the stamina to maintain the Gold Standard.  Review Continues After The Jump…

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  • Caribbean Music Awards Honor Iconic Artistes Beres Hammond, Machel Montano, David Rudder, and Vybz Kartel

    Caribbean Music Awards Honor Iconic Artistes Beres Hammond, Machel Montano, David Rudder, and Vybz Kartel

    Hosted By Wyclef Jean Live From Flatbush, Brooklyn

    Inspired by the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House, Kings Theatre on Flatbush Avenue was the appropriately illustrious setting for the first annual Caribbean Music Awards last Thursday night. Hosted by Wyclef Jean and produced by Caribbean Elite Group and streamed via Tempo Networks, this grand celebration of Caribbean creativity honoring icons and rising stars of reggae, dancehall, soca, and kompa was perfectly timed, coming just before Brooklyn’s Labor Day festivities and near the end of a year that’s been filled with endless celebrations of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. Boomshots TV was on the scene from the star-studded red carpet throughout the amazing four-hour ceremony. “Family” said Elite Award Winner Beres Hammond, addressing the audience of 3,600 inside the ornate venue and many more tuning into the live stream. “I’m seeing something that’s so beautiful to us—Caribbean people coming together. You don’t see something like this… I’m out of words.” He then called Wyclef to join him onstage. The Haitian-American multi-platinum rapper, singer, songwriter, musician, and producer whose timeless work as a member of the Fugees and as a solo performer brought Caribbean sounds to the mainstream, bowed down at Hammond’s feet in worship. “Can’t manage you,” Beres said with a laugh as Clef stood up. “Thank you for the vision.”  Video and Winners List After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Jack Johnson x Lee “Scratch” Perry “Traffic in the Sky” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Jack Johnson x Lee “Scratch” Perry “Traffic in the Sky” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    From The Album In Between Dub

    Jack Johnson is not a reggae musician, but growing up in Hawaii he’s been immersed in the sound and the sensibility as long as he can remember. “Reggae music was kinda like mainstream here,” he recalls. “That was something that was always around. When you jump in someone’s truck to go drive or go surf it was mostly reggae records playing.” On June 2 the pro surfer turned multiplatinum recording artist, film maker, and environmental activist will release In Between Dub, a selection of tracks drawn from Johnson’s two decade-deep catalog, served up “with a dub twist.” While Johnson never aimed to play reggae music, he recognizes its influence on his folk rock aesthetic. “I always identified the tones that I’m shooting for,” he reflects. “On all my albums we kind of go for a nice round bass sound.” When you check it deeply, Johnson did once accompany the legendary Jimmy Cliff performing “The Harder They Come” at a European music festival. Johnson and Ben Harper also joined backed Hibbert while performing “Pressure Drop” on Saturday Night Live. And Johnson will make a guest appearance on Stephen Marley’s forthcoming solo album. So perhaps it was not such a crazy notion for him to reach out to dub visionary Lee “Scratch” Perry in 2020 to work on a kind of greatest hits in dub project. “It didn’t feel like it would be going outside of our natural zone,” he says. “I felt it would be interesting to hear the songs dubbed out even if they’re not straight reggae. I felt they might fit into that pretty nice.” Boomshots is proud to premiere the dubbed-out visuals for “Traffic in the Sky,” a gentle acoustic tune from Johnson’s 2003 album On & On, which Scratch transforms into a spongy slice of digital dub sport. The video of Scratch was culled from actual studio footage sent by his wife after his passing. Run it!  Video After the Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Kelly Shane x Busy Signal “Ain’t That Loving You” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Kelly Shane x Busy Signal “Ain’t That Loving You” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Tanya’s Dawta Sings With The Turf Prez

    Kelly Shane has taken the world by surprise—but looking back on it now, it all makes sense. As the child of one of Jamaica’s greatest singer-songwriters, Kelly grew up surrounded by great music. Touring with her mother Tanya Stephens during school vacations and later working as her personal assistant, Kelly absorbed all sorts of powerful vibes. As a professionally trained makeup artist, she worked on video shoots, fashion shows, and ad campaigns, but never stepped into the spotlight herself. Our first glimpse of Kelly’s vocal and writing talents was “So Damaged,” a heartfelt duet with her mother on Tanya’s latest album, Some Kinda Madness. Kelly also credits her grandmother as a major influence. “As the owner of the radio and the house, her favorite music was mostly played,” says the young singer. “Alton Ellis and the entire British-Jamaican music movement was a big part of the soundtrack of my life.” So it’s only natural that Kelly’s first release should be a cover version of a poignant love ballad popularized in reggae circles by Mr. Soul of Jamaica. This particular tune became even more personal when Kelly recorded it. “At the time I was seeing someone that was very hesitant to love again,” she says. “So it felt like I was speaking my own words, trying to convince them to take a chance on me. Busy’s verse also summed up how they were feeling too—so when I heard it I cried a lot.” Collaborating with one of Jamaica’s most respected deejays ain’t a bad way to kick off a young career. “To be very honest, I didn’t think he would do it,” Kelly says of Busy. “This is my first song and it felt like I was really asking him to take a chance on me. I didn’t feel deserving of having him on a song, but I had him on a song—with two verses that I really really loved.” Boomshots is proud to premiere the very first music video from a rising star. Hello world! Get familiar with Kelly Shane. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Yaadcore x Damage Musiq “Genuine” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Yaadcore x Damage Musiq “Genuine” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    “To Build the Confidence of the Black Man”

    Like all great selectors, Yaadcore has a gift for speaking the right words and playing the right sound at the perfect moment. Bringing all of those strengths together to step up as a deejay is a natural progression. From Daddy U Roy and Super Cat to Tony Matterhorn and Charly Black, top selectors become top artists—all they need is a top tune. A “Genuine” tune. When Yaadcore linked with Damage Musiq, producer of new generation dancehall anthems like “Rags to Riches,” they created something special. “Was a joy working with Damage,” says the artist. “We actually go way bac from high school days and we were in a sound system together as well! Proud to see the impact he has made in dancehall space.” The impact of their song “Genuine” will be mighty indeed. “The song is not about discrimination,” Yaadcore explains, “but to build the confidence of the Black man.” Boomshots is proud to premiere these powerful visuals, collaborating with Yaadcore to seal up Black History Month—and Reggae Month—with a banger. Watch as the artist serves as an angel on a young man’s shoulder, reminding him to put down the bleaching cream and to lift up his conscience as he goes through the daily struggles of life. “When I look and see the Black man being misled every day to feel that light skin color makes you a better person or makes more people like you is really the inspiration for this song,” Yaadcore explains. “Wanting to see I&I brothers and sisters to know their true power within their melanin as well as to discourage the ones that are not doing it but face the temptation every day being surrounded by this.”  Video After The Jump…

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  • Kabaka Pyramid and Damian Marley Speak On ‘The Kalling’ Grammy

    Kabaka Pyramid and Damian Marley Speak On ‘The Kalling’ Grammy

    Tears of Joy, and Nuff Inspiration

    “Rastafari Live.” On his track “Grateful,” Kabaka said “First all of me giving thanks to the highest creator,” and when the big moment came that’s exactly what he did. Walking to the Grammy Awards stage with his mother at his side and surrounded by his Bebble Rock crew, Kabaka’s expression of faith in Jah followed an expressiong of sheer disbelief that this moment was real. But it was! Kabaka’s album The Kalling had just won Best Reggae Album, rising to the top of an outstanding field of all-Jamaican nominees that included Koffee, Sean Paul, Shaggy, and Protoje. “We’re just some kids from Kingston, Jamaica,” Kabaka said during an emotional acceptance speech, bigging up his team, the album’s producer Damian “Jr Gong” Marley—who also features on the album, along with Stephen Marley, Buju Banton, Tifa, Black Am I, Jemere Morgan, and Protoje—and sending a special livication. “This one is for Jo Mersa Marley who we lost in December.” The significance of the award—bestowed one day before Bob Marley’s 78th birthday—was not lost on the album’s producer. “Kabaka is the first younger, up and coming artist we’ve worked with to help reach that place,” said Damian Marley who also produced Kabaka’s previous album Kontraband. This was Jr. Gong’s second nomination as a producer, as he also helmed Third World’s nominated album More Work To Be Done. “It’s kinda historical in that way where it’s the first album within the family circle that is not a family member who has really reached that status,” Jr. Gong added. “It’s somewhat a continuation of Gong’s vision—having a label that is a force to be reckoned with in the genre that’s not just about him individually but moreso a collective.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Sizzla “Praise Ye Jah” 25th Anniversary Mixtape

    Sizzla “Praise Ye Jah” 25th Anniversary Mixtape

    Celebrating a Classic Album, Live From Judgment Yard

    “I did behold!” It’s been a quarter of a century since Sizzla Kalonji’s anthem “Praise Ye Jah” first rang out of sound systems all across Jamaica and electrified the worldwide dancehall reggae massive with his revolutionary sound and energy. When the teen prodigy born Miguel Collins linked up with legendary producer Philip “Fatis” Burrell and his Xterminator crew—including saxophonist and musical director Dean Fraser, Sly & Robbie, and a veteran session band known as the Firehouse Crew—musical history was made. Fast forward to 2023 and Fatis’ son Kareem “Remus” Burrell is carrying on the family legacy with XTM Nation. Today XMT is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Sizzla’s landmark album ‘Praise Ye Jah’ by bringing the vibes to a new generation with XTM’s “Praise Ye Jah” mixtape featuring exclusive dubplates by the likes of Tarrus Riley, Spragga Benz, Kabaka Pyramid, Pressure Buss Pipe, Protoje, Lila Ike, and more. The Boomshots crew linked up with XTM and rolled to August Town for an exclusive reasoning with the man they call Dada. He spoke about his memories of working with Fatis, his respect for Remus, and his unique vision for his purpose in life. Sizzla has invested the proceeds of a successful music career, building up his Judgment Yard community, providing a working studio, library, and other economic opportunities, and supporting the Sizzla Youth Foundation. This man’s motivation goes way beyond industry accolades. Time to put some respect on Sizzla’s name. Mixtape & Mini-Doc After The Jump…  (more…)

  • Joseph Mersa Marley In Memoriam

    Joseph Mersa Marley In Memoriam

    Memories of a Young Lion

    “I don’t really walk around bragging about what I can and can’t do,” Jo Mersa said the first time Boomshots interviewed him, during the summer of 2013. Just the night before he had shared the stage with his father Stephen “Ragga” Marley and his uncle Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, spitting his rapid-fire lyrics to a capacity crowd at London’s Indigo O2. “I don’t talk about it,” he said. “When you hear, you hear it — and you get weh you get.” Video and Full Story After The Jump… 

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  • WTJRC 2022 Heavy Rotation Playlist

    WTJRC 2022 Heavy Rotation Playlist

    All in the Same Boat, Rockin’ on the Same Rock

    Once again it’s on. The last time we were on board the Jamrock Cruise was December 2019, before most people had ever heard the words “Covid-19.” Three years later the big ship is ready to rock with artists like Burning Spear, Shabba Ranks, Damian Marley, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, and more. Check out this Boomshots playlist featuring the latest sounds from all the artists performing on this year’s Jamrock Cruise.
    Heavy Rotation Playlist After The Jump…  (more…)