Boomshots

Category: Reggae

  • 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…)

  • WATCH THIS! I-Octane “Call Me Over” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS! I-Octane “Call Me Over” Official Music Video

    At the top of the New Year , I-Octane summons our attention to the newly released video for “Call Me Over.” With sultry signature vocals and  R.Kelly “Your Body’s Calling” -like-lyrics, I-Octane turns up the volume with this song: “Touch You Baby, Serve You Right, Like No One Before Me.” Anju Blax delivers a contemporary, easy listening production with sexy guitar interludes. Sensual moves and pole dancing, visually complement the lyrics, in the video directed by Kevin Allen with creative direction by The Parris Agency. Video After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread)”

    HEAR THIS: Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread)”

    Jacob “Killer” Miller was one of reggae’s greatest performers. His merry, manic brilliance shines through clearly in the crucial 1980 concert doc Heartland Reggae, particularly the performance of “Tired Fe Lick Weed In A Bush” during which he puffs a huge spliff on stage while using his microphone to taunt the cops at the venue before somebody hands him a police cap and he starts chanting “Babylon, Babylon falling down.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Chronixx Talks “Tenement Yard” Collab with Inner Circle’s Roger Lewis

    Chronixx Talks “Tenement Yard” Collab with Inner Circle’s Roger Lewis

    “Re-Presentation” of Jacob Miller’s 1975 Classic Set to Debut Monday on Mass Appeal

    Forty years ago, the late great Jacob “Killer” Miller released “Tenement Yard”, his first hit with the Inner Circle band. “Dreadlocks can’t live in a tenement yard,” the young Rasta rebel sang, lamenting all the “watchy watchy” people chatting his business in one of Kingston’s inner city communal housing schemes. Four decades later a new Rasta rebel steps up on the said Inner Circle riddim, and delivers his message, with what amounts to a whole new song subtitled “News Carrying Dread.” Not only are the rhythm track and the message of the new tune in tune with the original, a sample of “Jakes” voice also rings throughout. The 2015 release, which marks the first time the reggae supergroup has re-presented a song by their foundation vocalist, will premiere this Monday on Mass Appeal. Late last year Boomshots caught up with Chronixx and Inner Circle co-founder Roger Lewis at the band’s state-of-the-art Circle House Studios, where the song was made. “Me find Jacob, Red Hills Road,” Says Roger Lewis with conviction in his voice. “All my life I tell you—and I don’t say this becauxse Chronixx is here—I don’t see a youth who touch me like Jacob.” The good vibes are clearly mutual between the veteran band and the young singer. “We always have a great respect for the Inner Circle family, even before we really met up physcially,” says Chronixx. “Is a great thing. Is a very very great thing. To see say them music can still be revamped. Because we are the originators, I and I, from that time till this time.” Check the full reasoning with Rob Kenner and Reshma B. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Special Livication: Dennis Brown “Things In Life”

    Special Livication: Dennis Brown “Things In Life”

    Big Request To The Late Great Peter Dean Rickards aka Afflicted

    And so this surreal year in which we’ve lost so many bright lights ends with the news that Peter Dean Rickards has passed away on New Year’s Eve. He battled cancer quietly, and with the same grim sense of humor that characterized all his work as a writer, film maker, photographer, cultural critic, and provocateur. Vistors to his AfflictedYard website today, who might have been searching for one of his groundbreaking pictorials—maybe something like, say, “Guns Like Dirt” perhaps—were met with the above image, even more shocking than anything else he posted—with the possible exception of those pig-slaughtering photos—and typical in its callous disregard for niceties of polite sentiment. If you couldn’t tell from his nom de guerre, Afflicted liked to keep it raw. I won’t attempt a proper obituary at this time, but I would like to send out this special request (not a dedication cause the man’s work lives) for my respected colleague turned cybercombatant and sworn nemesis. Yes there was a period of about seven years when we could not be in the same room at the same time, but thankfully we buried that particular hatchet long ago. And no matter how vexed I ever was I could not front on the man’s talent. In this post I’m sharing one of the last emails I ever received from Peter Dean. We were supposed to collab on a big project that I hope still happens but who knows?Right now all I can say is walk good bredren. Video After The Jump…. (more…)

  • Soca Shakespeare: Skinny Banton

    Soca Shakespeare: Skinny Banton

    A prominent feature of Caribbean culture is carnival, a seasonal time of celebration and soca competitions. This Carnival season, rising star, Shirlan George aka “Skinny Banton,” and his  incendiary hit “Soak It Good,” produced by MPS Studios, shines a spotlight of international interest on the Tri-State of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.  More After The Jump…

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  • Popcaan Performs Unplugged at Kingston Pop-Up Shop

    Popcaan Performs Unplugged at Kingston Pop-Up Shop

    Last Thursday in Kingston, Jamaica, dancehall star Popcaan gave his fans an early Christmas present when he turned up to a pop-up shop for his TR8  collab with RGAT Chains. In lieu of the usual high-energy performances he delivered at Tuesday night’s Ghetto Splash and the Saturday night Major Lazer show in Kingston, the Unruly Boss performed what was planned to be a “short” acoustic set that basically turned into the world’s first Popcaan Unplugged concert. Video After The Jump…
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  • Flashback Friday: Red Rose For Gregory

    Flashback Friday: Red Rose For Gregory

    The Unexpected Gift 

    On December 6, 2008,  I arrived at the Hammerstein Ballroom and met  a  large crowd, which gathered together  on a snowy night, for the  Jamrock Magazine, 4th Annual Vintage Fest, promoted by David “Squeeze” Annakie. Unfortunately, the line to purchase tickets  at the door was so long that security announced, “No one else can come in, ”  after a threshold point. A photographer standing next to me said follow me.  As we walked towards a back entrance, she  said “Who do you want to meet, I know everyone.” My first time being back stage at a concert definitely came as a surprise and  I was introduced to several  living legends, including, Frankie Paul,  Sugar Minott,  Brigadier Jerry, Carlton Livingston, Nadine Sutherland and Coco Tea. More After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: No-Maddz “Shotta” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: No-Maddz “Shotta” Official Music Video

    Dah One Yah Bad To The Bone

    From their bugged-out Puma commercials (which somehow managed to snatch up sneaker money while subtly taking the piss) to their star turns in the film Better Mus Come, the acting, singing, and always laughing No-Maddz lads are undeniably brilliant. But there was always a sense amongst their hardcore fans that the rest of the world just didn’t get it. The lovingly scathing social commentary of their 50th anniversary tune “Sort Out Yuh Life Jamaica”—not to mention the whole “Poo Puku Poo” madness—did not exactly make it easier for them to “buss” in a traditional sense. Not that they really seemed bothered. But ever since their slightly skewed sensibility connected with the legendary drum and bass duo Sly & Robbie, the band has evolved from an underground sensation to an outernational vibration. First came the tune “Romance,” which sounded anything but soft, and now we have a selection called “Shotta,” which manages to condemn gun violence, big up musicianship, and still make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. In short, it’s a certified Boomshot. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Quarantine Inna Dancehall: The Ebola Riddim Is So Sick

    Quarantine Inna Dancehall: The Ebola Riddim Is So Sick

    When Current Events Meets Dancehall: How important is the name of a riddim?

    The Ebola epidemic is the largest in history, claiming numerous lives since 1976. Just recently, two Americans died from the deadly virus, upon returning from Africa. Health care workers returning to the US from altruistic service in Africa, with viral symptoms have been quarantined in isolation. Luckily,  many received treatment which proved life saving, however, Africans continue to die  in alarming numbers from the deadly virus. Since its release in November 2014, the “Ebola” riddim has become a topic of controversy in dancehall.   The infectious riddim by renowned producer, Andrew “Anju Blax” Myrie of UIM  records, features a dozen top-rated dancehall artists. In the  riddim cover art, a micrograph of an Ebola virion appears superimposed over an animated image of  Anju Blax with supinated palms. Many on social media believe the riddim should be quarantined because of the “insensitivity,” in regards to its naming. Opposers refute this argument, stating that social commentary in dancehall is a norm, What’s in a name? While the jury is still out on this complex issue,  we present six songs featured on the Ebola riddim, because from a musical stand point,  the riddim itself is well produced.  Audio After The Jump…

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  • Flashback Friday: Tenor Saw “Lots of Sign”

    Flashback Friday: Tenor Saw “Lots of Sign”

    Tenor Saw Dies Tragically, Leaving Behind An Anthology of Dancehall Poetry

               Clive Bright aka Tenor Saw was a prominent Jamaican singer with an exceptional voice and a conscious, spiritual vibe to his music. Discovered at 19 years old by dancehall legend, Sugar Minott of YouthMan Promotions, who describes the first time hearing Tenor Saw’s voice as powerful. The late icon speaks about this magical moment and the excitement of cutting the Pumpkin Belly Dubplate which ended up on Vinyl:  More After The Jump…

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  • Reggae King Cyber Monday Sale Will Swag You Out

    Reggae King Cyber Monday Sale Will Swag You Out

    40 Percent Off Until Midnight Monday Night

    Our people at Reggae King have the reggae swag game on lock. From caps to T-shirts to jewelry to heaphones to lava lamps and more… If you’ve got a reggae lover on your holiday list Reggae King has got them covered. They are having a Cyber Monday sale with 40 percent off, so now would be a good time to head on over to Reggae King and get your e-commerce on. Details After The Jump. .. (more…)