Boomshots

Category: Reggae

  • Estelle Talks ‘Lovers Rock’ and Why Reggae Should Never Be Called “Tropical Music”

    Estelle Talks ‘Lovers Rock’ and Why Reggae Should Never Be Called “Tropical Music”

    100% Real Talk When Two Girls From West London Link

    Estelle’s brand-spankin-new Lovers Rock (released her own label Established 1980 Inc and VP Records) has been described as the Grammy-winning UK singer’s most personal album to date. We’ve been looking forward to this one since last year, when she first told us about it. The album is not only a retelling of her parents’ love story, but also her first time tapping fully into her West Indian roots with a full-fledged reggae album, with touches of Afro-beats, dancehall and soca and features from the likes of Tarrus Riley, Chronixx, Hood Celebrityy, Kranium, and Konshens. Just don’t call the sounds “tropical” or “island pop”! Having grown up steeped in England’s reggae culture—her father produced on Louisa Mark’s debut album—Estelle is not jumping on anybody’s bandwagon, and being a West London girl she is not one to hold her tongue or to suffer fools gladly. Every time Reshma B and Estelle link up it’s 100% real talk. Don’t believe us? Check out the reasoning right now. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Tetrack: Never Too Late to Get Started

    Tetrack: Never Too Late to Get Started

    Classic reggae album sees reissue, featuring early work of Carlton Hines

    Forty years have provided more than enough perspective to confirm the name Augustus Pablo as a standard bearer in the world of dub reggae. With a catalog of over 40 albums and 200 singles, Pablo rates among the great artist-producers (musicians who ran their own recording sessions versus being strictly financiers or executives). Despite his stature, Pablo was not a prolific producer of full-length vocal LPs, so his handful of efforts in that format are significant. His Hugh Mundell album Africa Must Be Free By 1983 has rightly achieved iconic status among reggae LPs. Tetrack’s lesser-known Let’s Get Started, recorded at the same time with many of the same musicians, matches Africa Must Be Free By 1983 artistically and arguably surpasses Mundell’s album in terms of the songwriting. This is due largely to the contributions of Carlton Hines, whose later writing credits would include Gregory Isaacs’ “Rumours.” Story Continues After The Jump…
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  • PREMIERE: 5Star “Lightning Storm” Official Music Video

    PREMIERE: 5Star “Lightning Storm” Official Music Video

    Musical Shock Attack Outta The Bebble Rock

    “Police lock me lyrics with a federal charge,” proclaims Five Star on his hard-striking rub-a-dub anthem “Lightning Storm,” produced by Kabaka Pyramid and Genius T. The last time we heard from the Five Star general he was dropping hits like “Warn Dem” and “3rd Eye Open” now the artist’s stepping forward with another musical shock attack. “Tell Babylon keep cool and keep calm,” the dreadlocks singer cautions, “Before them end up run up inna lightning storm.” Boomshots proudly premieres the visuals for this high voltage selection that’s guaranteed to send shock waves around the world. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • MoBay Artists Shine at Sumfest 2018

    MoBay Artists Shine at Sumfest 2018

    Rygin King, Teejay, and Tommy Lee Rip Dancehall Night In Front Of Hometown Crowd Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest has been a world-class music festival since its inception in 1993, but the 2018 edition of the Greatest Reggae Show on Earth was more than that: it was a chance for redemption in Montego Bay. Since January of 2018, Jamaica’s tourist mecca had been under a state of emergency due to a spike in gang violence. While the military crackdown did manage to reduce the killings, it wasn’t great for the tourism industry. Sumfest has traditionally provided a boost to the local economy each summer, but this year they did more than that—they brought hope back to the Second City. A stellar performance by three of MoBay’s most promising artists—Tommy Lee, Teejay, and Rygin King—sent a message to the streets that there is another way to progress in life. In the words of Downsound Entertainment CEO Josef Bogdanovich. “It’s really about stop the killing and let’s get real and try to make some money and live a good life.” Video, Photos, and Full Story After the Jump… (more…)
  • PREMIERE: Duane Pressure “Can I” Official Music Video

    PREMIERE: Duane Pressure “Can I” Official Music Video

    Duane Pressures The Ladies With Latest Visual

    Duane Pressure serenades the women with beautiful Rhythm and Blues vocals, in the inviting dancehall tune, “Can I.”  Performing for the last 13 years, Duane Pressure catapulted his career to stardom with hard work and perseverance. The dancer turned singer, influenced by artists like Michael Jackson, Usher, Christopher Martin, Mavodo, Buju Banton, and Vybz Kartel, shows that he made the right move by starting a music career. In his new video for “Can I,” he shows the ladies that chivalry is not dead, by opening the door to love.  Interview and Video After The Jump…

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  • Damian Marley Bringing Jamrock To Jamaica Queens

    Damian Marley Bringing Jamrock To Jamaica Queens

    Gongzilla Will Headline Groovin In The Park This Weekend

    Reggae’s most sought after superstar Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley will bring the curtain down on the highly anticipated Groovin In The Park festival that takes place on Sunday, June 24 inside Roy Wilkins Park in New York. The tremendously popular decision to add Marley to the lineup was confirmed earlier. The son of reggae icon Bob Marley and former Miss World 1976 Cindy Brakespeare cemented his own place in the annals of music history when he became the first reggae artist to win a GRAMMY outside of the “reggae” category, taking home an award for ‘Best Urban/Alternative’ performance for his single, “Welcome To Jamrock.”The acclaimed international reggae/dancehall superstar is a fixture on Billboard’s Reggae Digital Singles chart. ‘Welcome to Jamrock,’ from his Grammy winning album of the same name was certified gold in the United States. The single was listed as one of the ‘Top 100 Songs Of The Decade’ by Rolling Stone Magazine. Popular track from the disc include ‘Pimpa’s Paradise,’ ‘Confrontation’ and ‘Hey Girl.’ Story Continues After The Jump…
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  • Boomshots and Mix Master J Presents – The Baba Mix-A Father’s Day Playlist

    Boomshots and Mix Master J Presents – The Baba Mix-A Father’s Day Playlist

    The Official 2018 Father’s Day Playlist for Boomshots Magazine 

    In 2015, Boomshots Magazine premiered a multi-genre playlist of songs, entitled “Dada Playlist,” which included songs from reggae, hip hop, gospel, dub, rhythm & blues and jazz, dedicated to fathers.  This year, the magazine’s staff took on the challenge of creating a “strictly reggae” playlist dedicated to Fathers. We also took into consideration, the readers request to make the playlist accessible through a music application. We recruited one of the Top Tier dee-jays out of London, Mix Master J, the brother of reggae legend, Shinehead (Kingston 12), to add his expertise in sound mastery. The result is the “Baba Mix,” a unique reggae and Father- themed playlist.  Baba means father in Ki-Swahili and this mix considers various aspects of “The Father.” The mix begins and ends with reverence to the Almighty Father with songs like Buju Banton -“Our Father,” AJ Brown- “Father Friend, ” Luciano- “Father I Love Thee” and two Dennis Emmanuel Brown selections. The playlist then addresses the importance of the Father’s role in society, with songs like Konshens-“Original Daddy,” Jahmiel-“Real Father,” and Christopher Martin- “Just Like You.”  The juxtaposition of songs discussing a Father’s sex appeal such as Buju Banton-“Stamina Daddy” and the father-in-charge, with songs like Supercat – “Don Dadda” and Johnny Osbourne- “Dancehall Daddy,” adds playfulness to the mix. We sincerely hope that this will be a memorable Father’s Day Playlist for all who listen to it. Playlist After The Jump…

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  • Are You Ready For Phocas?

    Are You Ready For Phocas?

    Roots And Culture Singer Says Its’s “Time For Change”

    Phocas aka LT honed his musical talents within the studios of Jamaica, and has been doing shows throughout the island while being featured on Irie FM as well as many  stations in England and France. He was first recorded on Manatee Records’ famous “Sattamasagana” Riddim, along with hits like Anthony B’s “Dreader Than Dread” along with a track from original Abysinnian Bernard Collins, making Manatee’s the only Satta riddim personally endorsed by the Abysinnians. The new Phocas album, R U Ready For Me, consists of tracks like “Guide Me oh Jah,” “Clean Out your Heart,” “Living Dead,” and “Dark And Miserable”—all on the ManateeRecords imprint. More strong sounds from the globally charted reggae artist include cuts like “Real Rasta” and “Time For Change.” Additional production talent can be heard on “R U Ready For Me” and “Who Jah Bless.” Touted as the comeback of a talented artist, Phocas continues working dilingently, laying down fresh tracks for release throughout 2018. Video After The Jump…
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  • PREMIERE: Richie Spice ft. Chronixx “Unity We Need”

    PREMIERE: Richie Spice ft. Chronixx “Unity We Need”

    It’s a Universal Unification

    Kickin’ Productions is back at it with ace producer Bulpus on the boards. In comes a brand new rub-a-dub riddim called ‘In My Brain’ featuring a big bad combination from Richie Spice alongside the Chron Dada. “Some ah go up, some ah go down—Natty Dread inna the middle still safe & sound.” In other words, unity is strength—ah just that we need right now! Check the sounds and listen keenly.  Audio After The Jump…
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  • Medikk: From Victim to Survivor

    Medikk: From Victim to Survivor

    A Rising Star Empowers Others Through Her Lyrics

    Rising star, Stephanie “Medikk” Williams, found her niche in music, while seeking personal salvation in her life. Now, this 24-year old woman, aspires to have a dynamic career that involves philanthropy in conjunction with her music. Medikk’s greatest desire is to help others and in this in-depth interview, she shares her motivation for a new song, entitled “Overcome” featuring Shane O. Interview After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Kashie – “Twin Flames”

    HEAR THIS: Kashie – “Twin Flames”

    Kashie Hits The Mark With The Second Single Off Her Debut EP

    A lot has changed since we last spoke to the artist, Kashie, in her first official interview in February 2017. At the time she released her first single, “Royal Romance” which mirrored her real life relationship with the love of her life and now husband, musician and producer, Jallanzo. Since then the couple welcomed their first child and have worked collaboratively on her debut EP. The latter was entitled “Seeds and Sacrifice’ but Kashie later decided that she wanted her first EP to be self-titled, as Kashie. We interviewed Kashie and Jallanzo regarding the recently released single, “Twin Flames,” on the independent label, Jallanzo Records. More After The Jump…

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  • Interview With Wayne Marshall Regarding His New Song, “Glory To God,” featuring Tessanne Chin and Ryan Mark

    Interview With Wayne Marshall Regarding His New Song, “Glory To God,” featuring Tessanne Chin and Ryan Mark

    Wayne Marshall Creates A Worship Song That Mirrors His Spirituality

    Widespread fans are connecting with the lyrics of a gospel infused dancehall track, entitled, “Glory to God” by Wayne Marshall featuring Songtress and Winner of The Voice, Season 5 Tessanne Chin and  Gospel Singer and Reverend of Pure Heart Ministries, Ryan Mark. We spoke to Wayne about the inspiration behind this influential song.  Interview After The Jump…

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