Check Out Where Major Lazer Got The Vocals For Their Soon To Be Released Single “Jah No Partial”
While we anxiously await the release of Major Lazer’s new single (set to drop Monday 22nd October), we thought it would be nice to take a listen to the song that inspired it all. Johnny Osbourne’s 1980’s classic “Mr. Marshall” chronicled the daily struggle with police violence in the ghetto. Take a trip down memory lane after then jump. (more…)
Bitty McLean And The Outlaw Josey Wales Link Up Over A Sly + Robbie Production
We’re excited to announce the soon-to-be released “Running Over” single by Bitty McLean featuring non other than “The Outlaw” himself Josey Wales, and if you think that wasn’t enough the track is produced the legendary foundation duo Sly & Robbie. The will also be released on a 12 inch 45RPM “Disco 45” single on 180g vinyl with a heavy cardboard picture sleeve, with a discomix version of this cover of Freddy McKay’s hit with foundation dancehall legend Josey Wales. The riddim was built by sampling Black Uhuru’s “Shine Eye Girl,” however for Bitty’s upcoming album another version of the riddim will be used which was recorded recently in Kingston with the Taxi crew. Check out the trailer after the jump. (more…)
Vegas Show Us He Will Rise And Be Stronger Than Before
October has been a trying month for Dancehall artist Mr. Vegas. Since news of his then girlfriend’s infidelity broke Vegas has weathered the storm and even though after publicly voicing his feelings on the matter he has shown a resilience not easily matched by many in the same situation. The times are still tough for Mr. Vegas, but he has latched on to the one thing that has always brought him happiness, his music, which has proven to be a great asset is his healing process and now with a new sense of purpose he has been knocking down hours in the studio. Fresh off the press Vegas blessed Boomshots with two new cuts, “Rise Again” an acoustic version based on the one he recently performed at the Rockhouse Foundation benefit in New York City. and a special bonus track “Bare Tingz” both guaranteed to get heavy rotation. Audio After the Jump (more…)
Cocoa Calls In To The Strictly Boomshots Show
We don’t usually do phoners on the Strictly Boomshots show—but we made an exception for Cocoa Tea. The fisherman from Clarendon has caught more than a few classics in the stormy seas of reggae music. Think about all the eras this classical reggae dancehall superstar spans—from Junjo to Jammys to Music Works to Bobby Digital to Xterminator and most recently his own Roaring Lion productions—we’re talking hits pon top of hits. Long story short, the Miss Lily’s fam was more than happy to have Cocoa ring up this Monday. We reasoned about his forthcoming album Ina Di Red, and his big collabo with D’Angel—which has folks speculating whether he’s really resting in her nest. (For the record he has the utmost respect for her DJ skills, as for the rest of the rumors… draw your own conclusions.) He even dropped some science on Christopher Come-Rob-Us, broke down the true meaning of “dancehall,” and made a plea to free up his bredren Buju Banton. You don’t want to miss this one. Interview And Live Session After The Jump…
Sevens Clash Goes Shopping At Augustus Pablo’s Old Record Shop
Today, Beat Street is a shadow of its former self. A long, slow rate of attrition initiated by the digital drift of the music industry, and assisted by governmental neglect, has gradually gutted what was once a vibrant scene. With a disappearing domestic market and unable to subsist solely on the occasional pilgrimage by fanatics from abroad, stores are being shuttered one by one. Pablo passed away in 1999 at the age of 44 due to complications from a rare nerve disorder, but the family maintains ownership, and Rockers International stands defiant in the face of the changing tide. They are truly one of the last of a dying breed. (more…)
The Banton Faces Resentencing Later This Month—But Will Justice Be Served?
The Broward/Palm Beach New Times is reporting that at least four of the jurors who served on Buju Banton’s drug case would have found him not guilty of gun charges. Chris Sweeney’s latest blog post is a must-read: “Terri Wright has been called to serve jury duty seven times,” Sweeney writes. “But none of the cases compares to the federal drug and gun trial of reggae singer Buju Banton. That one “took the cake,” as she puts it. She still talks to coworkers about the murky back story of the federal snitch, Alex Johnson, and says she couldn’t sleep at night when deliberating.” The Half That’s Never Been Told After The Jump… (more…)
Find Out Why They Call Him “The Prince Of Reggae Soul”
Kehv is a soulful reggae artist who’s been doing his thing for quite some time now—almost a decade to be exact. You may not know his name yet but pay attention: Kehv has international appeal and fans across the globe. We’re going to give you a little taste of what Kehv is all about musically right here, the rest is just a matter of time. The genre needs more music like Kehv’s right yah now. Bring back the real rub-a-dub style! Check it… Interview After The Jump (more…)
A Boomshots Playlist to Help You Solve The Puzzle
The Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise sets sail this Monday from Miami with ports of call in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, and an all-star lineup of reggae royalty and top selectors aboard. Boomshots and House of Marley teamed up to create the official cruise Zeen, which includes a reggae-matic crossword puzzle. If you can’t make it on board this year’s cruise, don’t be left high and dry… We’ve got the puzzle right here. And make sure you visit the official site to book your cabin for next year.
Audio Clues And After The Jump.. (more…)
The Ladies Love Sugar RayRay
Just last night in New York City Shaggy and Rayvon performed at the RockHouse Foundation benefit to raise funds for the education of Jamaica’s youth. They’ve been doing their thing since the late Eighties in good ol’ Brooklyn, where Rayvon and Shaggy first linked as the ultimate dancehall duo, dropping hit after hit after hit along with the rest of the ‘Ruff Entry Crew.’ For decades since, Shaggy & Rayvon have been instrumental in showcasing dancehall across the globe. From their early hits, including the classic “Big Up“—which as far as we can tell was the first tune to popularize that universally recognized slang term—to the smooted-out jam ‘In The Summertime‘ to the history-making international chart topper ‘Angel,’ these two have a natural chemistry. But Rayvon is also a solo star in his own right who shows no signs of slowing down. Why should he? We caught up with Rayvon recently and spoke about how he’s been stepping out on his own. From managing his very own production company, to touring and recording, Rayvon is focused and poised for even more success. After all, to whom much is given, much is required—don’t it? Interview after the jump. (more…)
Dub vets Scientist and the Roots Radics took over this year’s Dub Champion Fest—Amy Wachtel reports
Like any respectable “creature of the night,” I got to BB Kings just before the bewitching hour of midnight, an appropriate hour for both vampires and night nurses. Deadly Dragon’s sound system filled the air with the sounds of drum, bass & dub recordings. Remembering that Scientist’s jackhammer style of mixing tends to be on the LOUD side, I uncharacteristically put in a pair of earplugs. I even carried an extra set. On the second of five nights at this year’s Dub Champion Festival, the iconic dub chemist Scientist (seen above in NYC, Fall 1988) and dub innovators the Roots Radics band blessed the stage and, joined by the great reggae and dancehall vocalist Johnny Osbourne, put on a show for the ages. Before the concert even began, the energy was palpable throughout the subterranean building as anticipation was through the roof. This was the kind of reggae show that crossed, and then collapsed, the Time-Space continuum by bringing out veterans and old timers, alongside a more current regime of reggae aficionados and dubheads. Video and photos from the performance after the jump.
Reggae Star Pours Out His Heartaches At RockHouse Foundation Benefit in NYC
“Thanks to God almighty, for giving me the strength to perform at the RockHouse Foundation‘s annual benefit to raise money to build schools in Jamaica this evening,” wrote Mr. Vegas late last night on his Facebook page—the same Facebook page where he posted scandalous allegations about his baby’s mother just the day before. But now things seem to be looking up, with the singer sharing that “I felt like heaven lifted some of my troubles off my shoulders as I sang ‘I Am Ready To Rise Again.’” Video After The Jump (more…)
Brownsville’s Own B-A-double-R-Y Kicks Ballistics Over a Foundation Riddim
BRNGTN is a BK-based rapper who describes his style as “Experimental / Hip Hop / Reggae.” Considering how much wack rapping has been done over reggae beats, getting it this right is somewhat of an experiment. His rhymes connect because they avoid cliche and get right to the heart of the “Everyday Struggle” between good and evil that each of us goes through. Throw that over a hard-hitting version of the “Unchained” riddim and you can’t lose. This tune also supports my theory that remakes of a foundation riddim tracks should be in harmony with the concept of the original song. The musicians played the riddim that way for a reason. (more…)