Boomshots

Category: Reggae

  • Johnny Gourzong’s Reggae Sumfest Preview

    Johnny Gourzong’s Reggae Sumfest Preview

    Sumfest Boss Shares His Personal Highlights—And Says Octane vs Vegas Was “Blown Out of Proportion”

    It’s that time of year again. As most reggae lovers around the world know by now, during the third week of July all roads lead to Montego Bay for Reggae Sumfest. And with just one more day to go before the 22nd staging of “The Greatest Reggae Show on Earth,” anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. Between Sean Paul returning to the Sumfest stage for the first time in a decade, international pop star Jason DeRulo tweeting pictures from the emergency room, and I-Octane and Mr. Vegas trading barbs like Beenie and Bounty in the ’90s, this year’s festival promises to be entertaining in more ways than one. To get the inside scoop we reached out to the big man himself, Mr. Johnny Gourzong, executive Director of Summerfest Productions, who shared his personal thoughts on which acts he’s most looking forward to—and let us in on a few possible surprises. If you can’t make it down to MoBay tomorrow night, don’t worry—you can still purchase a live stream of all the Dancehall Night action. Full Story 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…)

  • Reasoning with Protoje: “It’s Our Time to Govern the Music”

    Reasoning with Protoje: “It’s Our Time to Govern the Music”

    “There Is A Rising Consciousness that’s Obviously Happening. There Is a Movement As Well.”

    While passing through the concrete jungle the other day, Protoje dropped by Plex HQ to reason about life and the state of the music. We started off discussing his big tune with Chronixx “Who Knows,” and how Storm Saulter—of Better Mus Come fame—came to direct the song’s epic music video. Diggy said Winta James came up with the video’s basic concept, which he described as “You start off with everything and as the day goes on you lose stuff, and it’s either you’re gonna turn around and go home or keep pushing forward.” So it’s all about the Bounce Back, which is a fitting transition to our discussion of the shift within Jamaican music right now. “We want to change the perception of what people think reggae is,” Protoje explained. “Cause I see what people think the genre is, and the reality of what it is now—and It’s far.” Protoje made the point that he’d rather not be pigeon-holed within the category of reggae just because he is from Jamaica. “Chronixx and I make two different sounds,” he asserted. “Sonically our music sounds different, but we’re still under the same heading of reggae music.” He calls his current sound—which has amassed a huge following in Europe, where he will be touring this summer—”a real hybrid,” citing Junjo Lawes and Jimi Hendrix as infuences. Nevertheless, he goes on to state that he and Chronixx and s number of other like-minded artists and producers are all part of a cultural movement within Jamaica right now.  “There is a rising consciousness that’s obviously happening. There is a movement as well… 2010 to 2020 is our time to govern them music.”  Video and Summer Tour Dates After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Major Lazer x Walshy Fire Present Jesse Royal “Royally Speaking”

    HEAR THIS: Major Lazer x Walshy Fire Present Jesse Royal “Royally Speaking”

    The Small Axe Jesse Royal collaborates with Major Lazer to premiere a hot new summer mixtape

    The Small Axe, better known as Jesse Royal, is chopping up new tunes for the upcoming  BRAND NEW mixtape Royally Speaking. Jamaican star Jesse Royal and Internationally renowned DJ Walshy Fire of Major Lazer are putting a fresh spin on previously released singles including tracks from Royal’s EP In Comes The Small Axe. The two creative forces  have been working diligently to produce new material and plan to launch the mixtape July 14. The last up-and-coming reggae artist Walshy linked with to make a mixtape was somebody named Chronixx—and we all know how that turned out.  Audio After The Jump
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  • HEAR THIS: Denyque “Smile For The World” (Raise Your Hand For The Deejay)

    HEAR THIS: Denyque “Smile For The World” (Raise Your Hand For The Deejay)

    Johnny Wonder Breaks Down The Making of Another 21st Hapilos Production.

    New Single by Denyque. Adde Made the Riddim and I produced the song. Had Dreday mix it. He did a damn good job, LOL. My Songwriter Dice wrote the song. Also have a nice Jah Vinci on the same Riddim. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Jemere Morgan “International Love” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jemere Morgan “International Love” Official Music Video

    Dada’s Son Gives The Ladies Something Sweet Off His New Mixtape

    Jemere Morgan is just like every teenage boy in that he loves to play basketball and Xbox, listens to music, go to the movies and hang out with his friends. However there is one aspect of his life that is not so typical and that is the fact that he was born into one of Reggae’s most influential musical family, Morgan Heritage, his Father, Gramps Morgan and Grandfather, Denroy Morgan. Proving to be a chip off the old block, Jemere’s love affair with music began when he went on the Vans Warped tour with his Father and his family in 2000 for 7 weeks. Seeing his Father and his band mates, Morgan Heritage, perform inspired Jemere so much that he knew that music was the only thing that he wanted to do with his life. In 2011 he got the opportunity of a lifetime when he opened for Morgan Heritage on their European Tour. The experience proved to be a very pivotal moment in his career as he was able to showcase his talents on an international stage.  As a result he’s seen a lot of lovely ladies around the world, and apparently they were the inspiration for this tune, set to the rhythm of Gregory Isaacs’ “Stranger In Town.” The track, produced by Rellee Hayden for A-Team Music, is taken from Jemere’s new mixtape, Jemere’s Jukebox, which you can enjoy in full, after the jump. Audio & Video After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Bunny Rugs “Alone Again”

    HEAR THIS: Bunny Rugs “Alone Again”

    A Lost Session With Sly & Robbie Comes To Light

    This morning’s email contained a rare gift for all reggae lovers to cherish: a message from Guillaume Bougard, sharing this never-before-heard recording of the melancholy ballad “Alone Again” voiced the late great Bunny Rugs backed by Sly & Robbie. “Bunny Rugs recorded ‘Alone Again’ in 2010 during a day off of a Third World tour in Europe,” Bougard explained. “Here is a rough mix that I just stumbled upon.” On his Facebook page, Bougard elaborates that “We had recorded the instrumental originally for Horace Andy but Horace didn’t like the song, so I kept it and submitted it to Rugs who liked it, despite the overall sadness of the lyrics. He managed to retain the emotion and yet instill his usual joy. Lovely. Rugs knew he did very well on that take. Listen carefully to the last 2 seconds: he says ‘Bwoy Guillaume, you have a whole a money for me now.’ When Jamaican artists think they’ve done a great take, they believe the song is going to sell well and generate big royalties for them.” No amount of money can equal the joy of a new song by Bunny Rugs, who died of leukemia this past February 6 (which is also Bob Marley’s birthday) leaving an irreparable breach in the reggae matrix. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • The Queen of Reggae Gets Her Groove On at Groovin’ In The Park

    The Queen of Reggae Gets Her Groove On at Groovin’ In The Park

    “This is My Moment,” said Marcia Griffiths, “And I’m Gonna Live It.”

    Marcia Griffiths, the undisputed Queen of reggae, hit Jamaica Queens NYC to celebate 50 years in the music biz at Groovin in the Park this June 29. Now in its 4th year, Groovin in the Park is an upscale affair that attracted 25,000 punters to ‘Roy Wilkins Park’ with a line-up that boasts some of the greatest names in Reggae history—many of whom have worked with Marcia at one time or another. With at least half a dozen outfit changes Ms. Griffiths was prepared for anything. She first hit the stage around 3pm—warming things up with her international pop hit ‘Electric Boogie’, which spawned a dance craze that continues till this day—and kept going strong with internmittent breaks until 9pm. Full Review and Videos after the Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Alborosie: “Everybody Receive The Music Nice”

    Reasoning with Alborosie: “Everybody Receive The Music Nice”

    Albo’s Got a New Album Featuring All-Star Duets

    When the Italian-born reggae singer Alborosie is not touring the world, he makes his home in Jamaica, where he spends most of his time in his studio. The latest product of his labors is the album Specialist Presents: Alborosie & Friends, a collection of his duets with a wide range of reggae and dancehall talent, which dropped on V.P. Records June 17th. The 24 tracks include duets with Michael Rose, Horace Andy, Etana, Busy Signal, Sizzla, and fellow European reggae star Gentleman. During a recent tour stop in Miami, Reshma B caught up with Albo to talk about how he’s not just a producer and performer but also a proud, hands-on papa. ”I change him pampers,” says Albo of his new routine in the studio. But that doesn’t mean he takes his music any less seriously. In fact, the reggae global ambassador reveals, “The day i don’t feel the vibe anymore i will retire quietly.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Japanese Melodica Master Anna i Talks Augustus Pablo and His “Far East Style”

    Japanese Melodica Master Anna i Talks Augustus Pablo and His “Far East Style”

    Classical Piano Lessons At Age Eight Didn’t Thrill Her, Then She Discovered Augustus Pablo

    July 1st marks the 20th anniversary of International Reggae Day a celebration of the global impact of Jamaica’s musical culture. And there’s no greater representative than Tokyo-born Anna i. She always loved music, so at the age of eight her parents gave her classical piano lessons. But her passion for playing wasn’t sparked until a vinyl-collecting friend introduced her to soul, jazz, and especially reggae. She was particularly drawn to the “Far East” dub style of Jamaican melodica master Augustus Pablo. Absorbing his sound, she taught herself to play the instrument and within a few years she was playing with the German punk band The Slits on tracks like the 2009 banger “Babylon.”  Earlier this summer she joined Jamaican keyboard master Monty Alexander during his birthday celebration at B.B. King’s, improvising “Happy Birthday to You” during a dub-jazz jam session. She’s now under the wing of Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin—the P in VP Records—who has big plans for the young melodica master. The ReggaeGirlAboutTown recently caught up with Anna i at VP headquarters for an in-depth conversation. Anna even treated Boomshots to an off-the-cuff performance. Video After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: I-Octane “Your Eyes” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: I-Octane “Your Eyes” Official Music Video

    Octane’s Latest Video Is Something Special For The Ladies

    In comes the official music video for I-Octane’s single from the ‘Sex mate riddim’ produced by Markus Records. Directed by BlingBlang, edited by Jamar and Paul Davis, the visuals unfold in the lush mountains above Jamaica as Octane takes his lady to higher heights. Feast your eyes. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Jah Cure “Life We Live”

    HEAR THIS: Jah Cure “Life We Live”

    “Natural Mystic Is In The Air, Bob Marley Said Have No Fear, Everything Is Gonna Be Alright”

    Every so often Jah Cure blesses us with one of those anthems—a song so good that it’s basically guaranteed to play from now until Kingdom Come. Today must be one of those days, because we just can’t stop running this tune. It’s the kind of song that grabs you from the first line and never lets go. The track, a dubby, dreamy yet crispy take on “Heaveneless,” was produced by ‘Sketch’ Carey for Iyacure Productions. This is the first single from an upcoming album that’s supposed to be released later this year, but if this song’s any indication we need that album like right now. Cure mentions Bob’s name in his lyrics, which would be ill-advised for your average reggae singer. But Cure is anything but average, and he’s in rare form on “Life We Live.” So light up another one and let the music play. Have no fear. This is the life the life the life we live. Audio After The Jump… (more…)