Singy Singy Takes It To The Streets Of Kingston Like Wildfire
Here’s the latest rootical selection from the only Tarrus weh sing. Don’t watch the stray shot, Mr. Riley’s coming with strictly Boomshot. Squeeze off…
Category: Reggae
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Edward Seaga Speaks On Jamaica’s Crisis
Half the story has never been told…
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WATCH THIS: Damian Marley & Nas Live in NYC
Performing Tracks From Distant Relatives Live For The First Time
Last night’s show at the Highline Ballroom was sold out for weeks in advance, and when the time came for the Distant Relatives to come together, the energy was at a peak. Even the New York Times was paying attention to this long anticipated collaboration between Damian Jr. Gong Marley and Nasty Nas. And although most of the songs on the set list had never been performed in public before, they proved had no trouble moving the crowd. Both artists had their own solo sets—Damian performed his father’s classic “No More Trouble” on a night when all of Jamaica was thinking the same thing, and Nas ran through a medley of hits including “Made U Look,” and a motherland remix of “One Mic” accompanied only by hand drums. His biggest forward of the night came during the “alimony” lyrics at the end of “Strong Will Continue” which segued perfectly into “Hate Me Now.” But at the end of the night, it was all about love…
“The Promised Land” and “Welcome To Jamrock”
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HEART THIS: Mos Dub “Johnny Too Beef”
Mos Def Mashing It Up With The Slickers Inna Harder They Come Style
“Beef don’t come with a radio edit,” Mos Def observes in one of his hardest tunes ever. (more…)
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Unforgettable: Reasoning With Sanchez, Part 2
From The Church To The Dancehall, Sanchez D Hits All The Right Notes
The Conclusion of Our Xclusive Interview… Continued From Part 1
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Gyptian Holding His Own
By Dasun Allah
The sparse, infectious piano chords of Gyptian’s “Hold Yuh” are now internationally known from coast to coast and currently dwelling in the top third of the Hip Hop/R&B charts. (more…) -
Unforgettable: Reasoning With Sanchez, Part 1
From The Church To The Dancehall, Sanchez D Hits All The Right Notes.
Sanchez is one of those year-to-year singers who’s too often forgotten. So consistently stellar are his crystalline vocals, so unwavering is his standard of excellence, that we sometimes take him for granted. In such cases the best thing to do is walk away for a few years and make them miss you. After all, the man has been singing his heart out since the late ’80s, investing improbable pop songs with so much drama and passion that you forget all about the originals. Then he drops an album like the all-original 1995 masterpiece Praise Him, and the reggae world goes into a frenzy. But apart from being sampled all over the “Dipset Anthem,” mainstream success has eluded this supremely gifted vocalist. Not that he’s hurting in the least.
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Steel Pulse: Tribute To The Martyrs, 1979
From Handsworth to Haiti—The Song Remains The Same
On this MLK Day, let us pause to reflect on the words of the man who sacrificed his life to the struggle for equal rights and justice:
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.“
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HEAR THIS: Beres Hammond “Giving Thanks”
Why Not Make Every Day Thanksgiving Day?
“Gotta take time out to say much respect to the Father,” Beres remarks on this live cut from his double-disc retrospective Can’t Stop A Man. “Because without Him we couldn’t have made it here tonight. Wanna say thank you Father. Thank you, yes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart…”
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Diamonds Are Forever
40 Years Later The Mighty Diamonds Trinity Is Harder Than Ever
Fifteen years ago I had the distinct pleasure of reasoning with Tabby Diamonds, the man seated on the center stool in this classic clip from a session at the legendary Channel One Studio. Our conversation that day took place at another studio—the also legendary Don One dub studio in Brooklyn. The bright, upful spirit that you sense watching Tabby lay down his sensitive vocals is the same spirit that he brings in person. And despite being a 25-year veteran of the reggae industry, he was strikingly youthful. “Every interview we do, people remark on how youthful he looks,” said his bredren who carried Tabby to the studio that day. “They want to know what is his secret.” (more…)
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HYPE TV Top 20: G Whizz “My Life” Holding Firm
Sweet New Singer On The Scene Defends His Position
“My life soon sort out,” sings G Whizz on the slow-rolling Moodswing riddim from TJ Productions. And now that his tune has topped the Hype TV Top 20 chart for two weeks in a row, his words are coming true. But the competition isn’t sleeping… (more…)
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WATCH THIS: Burning Spear “Christopher Columbus”
Winston Rodney Dashes Another Fire Under The Genovese Explorer
It might not be his favorite holiday, but this Monday may be Burning Spear’s best Columbus Day ever. The roots reggae legend has been calling Christopher Columbus “a damn blasted liar” since 1980, when he dropped Hail H.I.M. (more…)
