“Emancipate Yourselves From Mental Slavery” And Let Every Day Be Emancipation Day
On this day in 1838, Queen Victoria’s Slavery Abolition Act ended slavery throughout the British Empire—decades before President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation abolishing slavery in the United States. Governmental decrees are all well and good, but as Bob Marley reminds us in his timeless classic “Redemption Song,” “none but ourselves can free our minds.” As Jamaica approaches its 50th year of independence, the Gong’s words ring truer than ever. Video after the jump. (more…)
Category: Reggae
-
WATCH THIS: Bob Marley “Redemption Song” Acoustic
-
Top 10 Sluggy Ranks Selections
A Full Clip Of Certified Boomshots From The Late Great Dancehall Singer
One of the greatest vocalists of the New York dancehall scene, Sluggy Ranks, died this past weekend at the age of 44 following a car crash in Kingston. Born Andrew Gregory in Jamaica, Sluggy moved to Brooklyn as a youth and soon began recording for local producers, releasing numerous classic tracks on the Jah Life, Witty’s, Park Heights, Shelly’s, Digital English, Tan Yah, and Wild Apache labels throughout the 1980s and ’90s. He eventually became a foundation artist within the NYC reggae community. A mainstay at Don One dub studio, Sluggy was known for hard-edged yet conscious lyrics and his trademark “EEE” ad-lib. Although he could charge top dollar to put his voice on dubplate, Sluggy was always willing to work with a small sound to help another “Ghetto Youth Buss.” Anytime he took up the mic in a live dancehall session, excitement was sure to follow. According to his obituary on Billboard.biz, he adopted the name Sluggy Ranks as a means of “shooting the slugs of destruction, murder and chaos with righteousness, unity and forgiveness.” Let’s take a look back at the man’s musical legacy. Rest In Power Mr. Slug.
-
WATCH THIS: Snoop Lion Pon Radio Lily
The Artist Formerly Known As Snoop Dogg Passes Through The Strictly Boomshots Show
After his big “Reincarnated” Press Conference at Miss Lily’s Restaurant, Snoop passed through RadioLily.com to reason about his new reggae album, his epic trip to Jamaica, what he saw when he visited Tivoli Gardens, and who’s got the best weed—Jamaica or California? (more…) -
WATCH THIS: Snoop Lion “Reincarnated” Documentary Trailer
New Film Tells The Story Of How Snoop Dogg Became Snoop Lion
Yesterday was a big day for SnoopDoggLion, and for reggae music. One of the biggest icons in hip-hop history called a press conference to discuss his first-ever reggae album, titled Reincarnated. But the record—produced by Diplo and the Major Lazer posse—is only the beginning. Snoop’s epic trip to Jamaica and his transformation from Snoop Dogg, hardcore rap star to Snoop Lion, Rasta reggae singer is chronicled in a documentary film produced by VICE Media that will premiere this fall at the Toronto Film Festival. Check out the official trailer after the jump. (more…) -
HEAR THIS: Vybz Kartel “Dem Bwoy”
Brand New Release From Di War Teacha
Even if he isn’t voicing new tunes behind bars, Vybz Kartel has to be Jamaica’s most prolific inmate ever. We just got hold of ZJLiquid’s steady-bubbling ILabash Riddim and we’ve had “Dem Bwoy” on repeat ever since. Take a listen and you’ll see why you need this on your iTunes playlist now.
(more…) -
HEAR THIS: Kes The Band “Tuesday on the Rocks”
Rockin’ In Stereo, Stereo, Stereo
Our favorite new band out of Trinidad just dropped something extra-sweet on the rock-steady Gal Season Riddim. Pass that 1919.
(more…) -
HEAR THIS: Snoop Lion “La La La”
Major Lazer Leaks The First Single From Snoop’s Reggae Album Reincarnated
If you didn’t know that Snoop was a reggae head, then you just haven’t been paying attention. But after linking with Diplo and taking a trip to Jamaica Snoop made up his mind to record his first reggae album. Now after all the talk comes our first listen to Snoop Dogg’s new reggae alter-ego, “Snoop Lion” in this rootsy rub-a-dub duet with Jovi Rockwell. So can you teach an old Dogg new tricks? Let’s find out…
(more…) -
HEAR THIS: Tommy Lee “Tom & Jerry”
No Cartoon Thing
Last night PG-13 representer Tommy Lee mashed up Reggae Sumfest with a copy of Vybz Kartel’s new book in his hand. This morning we received this UIM production from Johnny Wonder at 21st Hapilos. Coincidence? (more…) -
Final Reggae Sumfest 2012 Lineup
Shabba Ranks, Junior Gong, Beenie Man, Lady Saw, R. Kelly, Trey Songz, Bunny Wailer, U Roy, and More…
After months of waiting and anticipating, the 20th anniversary edition of “The Greatest Reggae Show on Earth” is all set to kick off in Montego Bay tomorrow night. Check out the full lineup and promo videos after the jump… (more…)
-
HEAR THIS: Beenie Man ft. Beres Hammond “Pull Up Selecta”
The Doctor And Beres Connect For An Instant Classic
When Beenie Man passed through NYC earlier this month, he told us his new album King In Control had a wicked tune featuring Beres Hammond, and now we get a chance to hear it. Summer just got a little bit hotter.
(more…) -
Junior Gong To Set Up Shop at London’s Indig02 TWICE
Damian, Stephen, and Julian Marley—With The Whole Ghetto Youths Crew—Kick Off Respect Jamaica 50
The UK’s gonna be ram-a-jam this summer. Not only will London be hosting the 2012 Olympics but it’s also the site of 12 consecutive nights of reggae shows at the Indig02 in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence. Kicking off the string of concerts on Wednesday July 26th will be Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, who will be joined by his brothers Stephen and Julian as well as the Ghetto Youths crew—Wayne “Go Hard” Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I, and Joe Mersa. They recently added an extra show on Thursday the 27th due to popular demand. If you were at the Marley concert at the Best Buy Theatre in NYC this Spring, then you already know this show is going to be A-Mazing! (more…)
-
WATCH THIS: Busy Signal ft. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Kingstown Town (Remix)” Video
World Premiere Of The Latest Video From Reggae Gold 2012
You heard the remix, now check the video. Just like the tune, it’s dark and moody. Back when we interviewed Busy in April he said he had a video coming showing him and Jr. Gong vibing in the studio. He seemed excited about it at the time, but now that he’s battling for his freedom in U.S. court, he’s got other things on his mind. Still the music goes on. (more…)