Boomshots

Category: Reggae

  • Randy Valentine Is “Still Pushing”

    Randy Valentine Is “Still Pushing”

    The UK Singer Won’t Let You Pass Him By

    “We still a push, we still a try,” Randy Valentine wails on the title track to his EP Still Pushing. “The gideon train is coming and mi cyan let it pass mi by/And when my well is running dry I don’t sit down and cry/We still a push, Almighty know we have to fly.” This is a pretty apt definition of the inspiration behind RV’s latest compilation of tracks—steadfast tenacity in trying times and the upliftment of people who strive toward better days. The EP’s first single “Wake The Town” has been in heavy rotation across the world, yielding various chart positions. Video & Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Special Request: Garnet Silk “Mama Africa” Live

    Special Request: Garnet Silk “Mama Africa” Live

    The Reggae ArchAngel’s First Number One

    Garnet Silk was just 26 years old when he died in a tragic accident in December 1994—dashing into a burning building to save his mother. At that young age he had established himself as reggae’s leading roots and culture singer. Hard at work on a new album for the U.S. based label Big Beat/ Atlantic, Garnet was perfectly poised to carry on the work of such legendary figures as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Hard to believe the rail-thin Rasta youth with the majestic voice had started his path in the music business as a DJ named Bimbo, but Garnet soon linked with Tony Rebel (seen above with Garnet in this classic Brian Jahn photograph) and found his true calling: singing cultural reggae music in an era when dancehall had become the dominant musical force on the island.  Garnet’s first number one song, topping the charts in Jamaica and the UK, was a tune called “Hello Mama Africa.” Recorded for Richard Bell’s Star Trail label, this rousing tribute to the motherland was an utterly original tune, yet reminiscent of the similarly titled Peter Tosh album. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Lenny Kravitz on Bob Marley: “He Was Hardcore With His Love”

    Lenny Kravitz on Bob Marley: “He Was Hardcore With His Love”

    The Last Living Rock Star Remembers The King of Reggae—And Reveals Why He Cut His Locks

    Kids nowadays probably know Lenny Kravitz as that dude in The Hunger Games flicks, but the fact is that he’s one of the last great rock stars walking the planet. When he first came out, shredding his Les Paul and flashing his dreadlocks, haters used to call him a Bob Marley wannabe. But the fact is Lenny had more in common with the Tuff Gong than a hairstyle. The offspring of a black mom and a Jewish dad, he grew up between a Caribbean island (Bahamas, not Jamaica) and the U.S. Although Bob spent less time in Delaware than Lenny did in NYC, the island vibe is a party of his musical identity. Kravitz will rock Webster Hall tonight as part of his Strut tour, so this seemed as good time a time as any to hold a likkle reasoning. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • 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…)

  • WATCH THIS: Kenzamdi “10 Pound” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Kenzamdi “10 Pound” Official Music Video

    Because Every Day Should Be 4/20

    Music runs in Keznamdi’s blood. His parents, who now live in Ethiopia, founded the reggae band Chakula. One of his older sisters, Kelissa, has recorded and toured extensively with Chronixx while his eldest sister Kamila is a popular Jamaican TV presenter who’s also married to Jah Cure. Keznamdi’s latest release finds him defending the healing of the nation. Produced by Natural High and Keznamdi, this sensi-scented selection is accompanied by a video shot by Fareye Films that will make you feel as though you’re visiting the fragrant fields of Orange Hill at harvest time. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Sniggy x Konshens “Legal”

    HEAR THIS: Sniggy x Konshens “Legal”

    How Them Fi Say Ganja Evil?

    In comes a fresh cut high-grade ganja tune from the man called “Sniggy” outta the Head Concussion Records posse alongside the man called Konshens Sojah. How them fi say ganja evil. You dun know if haffi legal. Blaze it up. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Morgan Heritage Talks “Strictly Roots”

    Morgan Heritage Talks “Strictly Roots”

    The Fam Ain’t New To This, They’re True To This

    When it comes to roots, rock, reggae music, the Morgan Heritage family is not new to this, they’re true to this. So when they hear talk about a “reggae revival” happening in Jamaica—as if Reggae Music had passed away and was in need of resuscitation—the members of Morgan Heritage are uniquely qualified to speak on the matter. “Reggae music never gone nowhere,” Peetah Morgan tells Reshma B in an exclusive Boomshots interview. Their latest album is entitled Strictly Roots, but “don’t get it twisted” says Peetah—they can still sing about the sexy body ladies on songs like “Perform and Done” and Gramps can even DJ a verse and dash likkle coconut juice pon de ting. It’s all a part of the culture—uzeet? Strictly Roots drops today, so what better time to check out the reasoning.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto” Official Music Video

    One More Good Thing About Music…

    “I don’t do hype, I do music,” Black-Am-I remarked backstage at a recent stop of the Set Up Shop tour. Born in the village of Nine Mile (the birthplace of Robert Nesta Marley, among others) Black-Am-I linked up with Damian Marley and eventually signed with the Ghetto Youths International posse. His latest single off the Set Up Shop Vol. 2 compilation celebrates the power of music to alleviate sufferation. Whether you’re listening at a streetside sound-system dance or aboard a luxury liner, this rub-a-dub selection sure sounds sweet.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Lee “Scratch” Perry “Jungle Safari” Live in NYC

    WATCH THIS: Lee “Scratch” Perry “Jungle Safari” Live in NYC

    The Upsetter and Subatomic Sound Soon Touch The Road

    Our bredren Emch of Subatomic Sound just blessed us with some never-before-seen footage of Lee “Scratch” Perry performing live in NYC back on May 17, 2012. This was his first time  performing with that lineup—Emch on the beats and mix, Larry McDonald on percussion. Paul Zasky of Dubblestandart on bass. That same crew is about to roll out a U.S. tour starting tomorrow in ATL and culminating with the mother of all 4/20 jams in Denver, Colorado—the mile high state. Video After The Jump…
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  • The House of Marley Presents: Boomshots Unplugged Inna Style & Fashion

    The House of Marley Presents:
    Boomshots Unplugged Inna Style & Fashion

    Sister Carol, Screechy Dan, DJ Norie, Reshma B Chains, & Rockers NYC Take Over Negril Village

    Spring has sprung, and there’s definitely something in the air. Is that the essence of ishens? Yep, must be 4/20. One week from today, the Boomshots posse will be taking over NYC’s original Jamaican restaurant, Negril Village, for an historic event: the first ever staging of our quarterly after-work get-together, a thing called Boomshots Unplugged inna Style & Fashion. Come shake off the winter blues with a live acoustic performance by BK foundation DJ Sister Carol alongside the man called Screechy Dan as you’ve never heard them before. Shock out with DJ Norie and BBC Hi-Fi. Admission? Buy out the bar. Powered by The House of Marley. Way Up & Stay Up. Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • Ghetto Youths International Posse Tour the U.S. In Support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2

    Ghetto Youths International Posse Tour the U.S. In Support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2

    Cham, Wayne Marshall, Jo Mersa, Christopher Ellis & Black-Am-I Touch The Road

    There is a famous saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” and for the heirs of reggae legend Bob Marley, Damian, Stephen and Julian Marley, their actions prove just that. Just as their father founded the Tuff Gong imprint, his youths see big things looming for their fresh record label Ghetto Youths International (GYI). For lovers of the perfect mixture of blues, calypso and rock and roll, Jamaica’s own reggae, GYI has a tour in the works next week. With the Marley imprint behind this initiative one can expect nothing less than a star-studded lineup of acts including Cham,Wayne Marshall, Black-Am-I, Jo Mersa, and Christopher Ellis. Said GYI participants are of course featured on the Billboard chart-topper, Set Up Shop Volume 2, a compilation that represents a full spectrum of music, from reggae to dancehall and futuristic fusion. With such a stellar selection of artists on tour, backed by the Lawless band, who wouldn’t be excited? Tour Schedule After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Suns of Dub Meets Mighty Crown “The Far East Mixtape” FREE DOWNLOAD

    HEAR THIS: Suns of Dub Meets Mighty Crown “The Far East Mixtape” FREE DOWNLOAD

    Addis Pablo and Ras Jammy Buck Up The Far East Rulers Inna Dubwise Extravaganja

    “We’ve pretty much been working on this forever,” says Addis Pablo, son of melodica master Augustus Pablo and co-founder of Suns of Dub, along with Ras Jammy, who is (contrary to popular belief) no relation to King Jammy nor—despite a striking similarity of appearance—to the elder Pablo’s frequent sparring partner Hugh Mundell. The pair first met at Rockers International Record Shop and began dubbing live—with Addis on melodica and Jammy mixing tunes and crucial sound effects—at Jamaican hotspots like Kingston Dub Club. Inspiration for this mixtape struck when the Suns traveled to Japan (Land of the Rising Sun) last October and linked with Cojie, Mighty Crown’s roots/foundation specialist, and began plotting their brand-new 40-track hour-plus excursion pon the version. The sounds thereon includes self-produced instrumental tracks and dubplate specials seasoned with vocals by the likes of Chronixx, Jesse Royal, Sizzla, Luciano, Lauryn Hill, and Mr. Williamz. Suns of Dub begins a UK tour today (see the full schedule below) and will tour Europe this summer as an onstage dub production team onstage with an expanded lineup (including Jah Bammy on vocals, Carlo on binghi drums and additional instrumentation courtesy of Dub Assassin) plus a 16-track mixing board to allow unique and precise mixes at each and every show. “We try to keep it spontaneous,” says Addis, “the next thing we could add a rock guitar or a violin or a tuba.” Ras Jammy agrees that audiences should expect the unexpected. “Last year we were playing the chalice onstage and smoke up the place.” Addis adds, laughing, “Steamers!” Audio & Interview After The Jump… (more…)