Boomshots

Category: Reggae

  • Global Spin Awards Announce 2014 Nominees

    Global Spin Awards Announce 2014 Nominees

    Third Annual Award Show Honoring The World’s Best DJs, From Rap to Reggae to EDM

    The 2014 Global Spin Awards held their press conference today at Midtown Manhattan’s Bryant Park Hotel to announce this year’s nominees for the third annual staging of the first award ceremony to focus on the cornerstone of hip-hop, dancehall, EDM, and so many other forms of youth music: The DJ. Boomshots was in the building to announce the nominees for Best Reggae DJ and a few other categories. After the festivities wrapped up, Reshma B caught up with DJ Funkmaster Flex, DJ KId Capri, and DJ Premier to speak about the awards and whether Paris Hilton deserved to be nominated. Nominees and Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Lee “Scratch” Perry: “The Black Ark Preserve Life and It Kill”

    Reasoning with Lee “Scratch” Perry: “The Black Ark Preserve Life and It Kill”

    “I think the devil is a goat,” and other thoughts of a living legend.

    Whether you prefer to call him a madman or a genius, there’s no doubt that Lee “Scratch” Perry is a living legend. The man who gave the Wailers their “Natural Mystic” and pushed the frontiers of dub music at his Black Ark studio has never lost his creative mojo, even at the age of 78. Next week he will host his first New York art installation, followed by a live performance at Brooklyn Bowl with Subatomic Sound System as part of the annual Dub Champions Festival. In the first installment of Reshma B‘s exclusive interview with The Upsetter aka the Super Ape aka Pipecock Jaxson, he talks about two of his most recent collaborations—the Vibes EP, a collaboration with the Swiss musician Iguana, and the Back on the Controls project for which the London-based Rolling Lion team recreated all the exact recording equipment and techniques used at the Black Ark. “The Ark of the Covenant is a spirtual vibration,” scratch explains. “Ancient spirits speak… Everything is spirit. Because God is a spirit and Satan the devil also is a spirit. But Satan need competition.” In part one of the interview, find out why Scratch sprinkles white rum inside the studio before beginning a recording session. And in the second installment, discover who Scratch was taking revenge on when he built his own studio, The Black Ark, and find out how it had so many awesome powers: “It produce rain, whirlwind, hurricane, tidal wave, thunder, hailstone, earthquake, and it preserve life and it kill. It cripple, it cramp, and paralyze.” Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Capture Land” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Capture Land” Official Music Video

    Chronixx and Zinc Fence Redemption Take It Back To The Real Rock

    One of the toughest tunes off Chronixx recent Dread & Terrible project is this relentless roots rockers reality cut illustrating the concept once expressed by the dub poet who once observed: “If I build a fence round a coconut tree, that would cause you to steal from me.” In Jamaica the phrase “Captcha Land” refers to a grey area of real estate, known in the US as “squatting.” Basically if a parcel of land—perhaps a less-than-prime-location—goes unused for some period of time, less fortunate persons may decide to “capture” it by moving in and erecting zinc fence dwellings and other improvised syructures. But as Chronixx points out in this tune-—with a brand new video dirextwd by Jerome D (a frequent TDE collaborator) and all courtesy of the good folks at LRG (aka Lifted Research Group) — the whole of Jamaica and America is captcha land too. It all depends on who’s doing the capturing. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Damian Marley “Hard Work”

    HEAR THIS: Damian Marley “Hard Work”

    When Gongzilla Puts His Shoulder To The Wheel You Can’t Knock The Hustle

    Damian Marley’s first selection off the Set Up Shop Vol. 2 compilation lets you know right off top he’s got his mind on his money and his money on his mind: “Rastaman a hustler so every dollar haffi flip.” But this song is not about flossing (although he makes sure his galfriend definitely gets her choice of beverages, from vintage bubbly to Viva’s roots). Really it’s all about influencing the youths to know anything is possible, bunning out all badmind, and serving notice that “all lazy bwoy fi get dismissed.” Putting in the hard work has always come naturally to the Tuff Gong’s youngest son. And he’s been on that Marcus Garvey since the first “Set Up Shop” days. The lively-up track builds to a wicked acapella breakdown at the 1:33 mark seasoned with a tasty acoustic guitar strum. This tune feels like a timely counteraction to any and all crab-in-a-barrell elements. “Nuff a dem will sell out their best friend’s purse, Zilla only sell out concerts.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Addies Intl Presents: Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute

    HEAR THIS: Addies Intl Presents: Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute

    Addies Intl Reminds Us How Deep Their Dub Box Really Is

    Addies bad from how long? Isn’t that how the saying goes. Addies Intl drops a wicked tribute to Gargamel better known as Buju Banton entitled “Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute.” Their new selector A1 digs deep into the crates and pulls out some of the most lethal dubs ever played in a sound clash. Take our word for it, you won’t be disappointed – Shellings After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with SOJA’s Jacob Hemphill: “If I die tomorrow, at least I got to do this tonight”

    Reasoning with SOJA’s Jacob Hemphill: “If I die tomorrow, at least I got to do this tonight”

    Lead Singer of America’s Top Reggae Band Chats About His Ambition To Follow Bob Marley’s Footsteps

    Tonight in D.C. SOJA will celebrate the release of their latest album, Amid the Noise and Haste. The band has developed a massive international following since being founded in Arlington, Virginia 1997. During a recent pass through NYC, SOJA lead vocalist Jacob Hemphill chatted with Rob Kenner about how he and his friends fell in love with reggae and decided to start what’s become one of the biggest reggae bands in the world. “When I was a kid I grew up in Africa,” he says. Based on his observations there, he says, “I thought black people are happier than white people.” Eventually he came to a larger realization: “Life is not about accumulating crap.” Instead of doing “the reggae move” (“girl song, weed song, etc”) he decided to “do the Bob Marley” and try to change the world. “If I squander this opportunity,” he says, “that’ll be the biggest mistake of my life.” The new album—whose thought-provoking title is taken from Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata—was produced in conjunction with dancehall selector turned pop hit maker Supa Dups, and includes features from Damian Marley, J Boog, and Michael Franti among others. Hemphill says he sees SOJA as distinct from the “California Roots” movement, and speaks of an ambition to be bigger than the genre of reggae, not unlike Bob Marley. Speaking about the group’s perception in Jamaica and the rest of the world, Hemphill said “We haven’t been [to Jamaica yet],” he says, “but those guys have so much love for us.” He also speaks on his sense of mission. “If they shoot me, it’s gonna be 20 times bigger than it ever was before they shot me… If I was to die tomorrow, at least I got to do this tonight.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Chronixx & Protoje Live in London

    Chronixx & Protoje Live in London

    Two Leading Lights of Jamaica’s Reggae Revival Touch Down in Brixton

    “If we don’t have new talent there is no future,” said David “RamJam” Rodigan last night onstage at the Electric in Brixton, South London. The elder statesman of British reggae radio has often expressed his concerns about the direction in which Jamaican music has been heading. But last night’s live set by Chronixx and the Zinc Fence Redemption band suggested a brighter tomorrow. Riding high off a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, which sent his Dread & Terrible EP soaring to the top of the reggae charts, Chronixx brought a palpable intensity to the stage from his first tune (“Alpha and Omega”) to his final encore (“Odd Ras”). One highlight of the sold-out show was the surprise appearance of Protoje, fresh off a successful European tour, who stepped in to support his bredren and perform their smash hit “Who Knows” live. After he and Diggy blazed the stage, Chronixx went on to perform “Here Comes Trouble” and even flashed a few lines of Jesse Royal, Jah9, and Damian Marley pon the riddim. As Rodigan exclaimed by show’s end: “History was made tonight… The future of this magnificent music is secure.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Stephen Marley ft. Capleton & Sizzla “Rockstone” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Stephen Marley ft. Capleton & Sizzla “Rockstone” Official Music Video

    Ragga Marley Brandishes Some Hardcore Visuals Pon BET

    Ever since Stephen “Ragga” Marley dropped the “Rockstone” single off his highly anticipated album Revelation Part 2: The Fruit of Life, the song has been in heavy rotation on all conscious stations. But clearly Ragga is not just “preaching to the choir” so to speak. When it came time to premiere the video for the tune, he took it to the leading music show on TV, BET’s 106 & Park. When’s the last time you saw King Shango and Kalonji getting love pon BET? And this ain’t no pop tune. These visuals are on some Burning Spear vibes, as in “Do you remember the days of slavery?” Did somebody say “Play I on the BET—want all my people to see.” OK, nuff said. We’ve got a feeling that somewhere Gong is smiling right about now. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Randy Valentine “The Sound of a Young Rebel”

    WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Randy Valentine “The Sound of a Young Rebel”

    UK Reggae Rebel Rocks London With Tarrus Riley, Talks “Break The Chain” EP With Reshma B

    Tarrus Riley’s Love Situation tour passes through the UK tonight at the Forum in Kentish Town. Always ready to support rising talent, Singy Singy’s opening acts include Jamaican songstress Alaine and a young UK rebel by the name of Randy Valentine. RV’s been making waves with his powerful voice and no-nonsense approach to the music, as first glimpsed on his 2012 mixtape Bring Back the Love, which showcased the young artist’s writing and vocal abilities against some timeless Studio One instrumentals. His Break The Chain EP dropped in May and shot straight to No. 1 in Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland’s iTunes Reggae charts. The EP also reached No2 in Italy, and No3 in both Canada and the UK. RV’s ‘Break The Chain Tour’ kicked off in May, and he’s done shows in 20 countries all over Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, France, and the UK. In the first of his chats with Reshma B, Randy talks about his musical influences and why he’s never going to sell his soul (or anything else) for radio play. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Duane Stephenson “Cool Runnings”

    WATCH THIS: Duane Stephenson “Cool Runnings”

    Duane Stephenson Adds A Retro Inspired Visual To His Rendition Of The Bunny Wailer Classic

    Jamaican singer-songwriter Duane Stephenson drops his stylish, retro-flavored video complete with ice green and gold marina.  Directed by Ras Kassa, “Cool Runnings” is the first single off  Stephenson’s upcoming album Dangerously Roots, slated to drop September 23, 2014 on Greensleeves. Stephenson took the classic Bunny Wailer tune and sprinkled his own flava on to it. Check it out, Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Return of the Queen: Ms. Lauryn Hill Brings Bob Marley Forward to Brooklyn Bowl

    Return of the Queen: Ms. Lauryn Hill Brings Bob Marley Forward to Brooklyn Bowl

    Don’t Call It A Comeback—More like a Come Forward

    In Jamaica the Rastas will remind you that nobody ever goes back—as one Jacob Miller song put it, “forward ever, backward never.” Which suits Ms. Lauryn Hill just fine. As her recent two-night stand at the Brooklyn Bowl demonstrated, she’s all about forward motion even as she remains firmly rooted in great musical legacies of the past. Ever the restless creative spirit, she resists any hint of becoming a nostalgia act. And no matter how much they still idolize L-Boogie circa 1998, even Ms. Hill’s devoutest fans are starting to get used to the idea of forward motion too.  Full Review After The  Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Wiz Khalifa: “I Get it Grown For Me”

    Reasoning with Wiz Khalifa: “I Get it Grown For Me”

    Taylor Gang Boss Rocks Reggae Sumfest In Montego Bay, Readies Blacc Hollywood Album

    This past weekend Wiz Khalifa made his first trip to Jamaica to rock Reggae Sumfest 2014. Before the big show he sat down poolside with RGAT to talk about his love for Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Listen as Wiz weighs in on whether yard weed stacks up to Khalifa Kush, plus he reveals which reggae artist he’d like to collaborate with. Then watch him shell down International Night 1 in the same black and yellow shorts he was chilling in by the pool! Videos After The Jump… (more…)