An Organic Cultural Event Deep in the Heart of Brooklyn
Reggae fans flocked to the Caribbean American Entertainment Center in Brooklyn, New York to honor the “King of Reggae, ” Bob Marley. Simultaneously, Abajonai Kushites, Reggae Artist and Founder of “Kush Wednesdays,” celebrated 7 years of the weekly open mic for reggae, roots, and culture. More After The Jump…
On Friday, November 23, New York City fans endured the frigid weather for the highly anticipated, Kabaka Pyramid, Kontraband Tour at SOB’s. New York City renowned selector DJ Gringo of Stateside Revolution and Host of Sirius XM, “The Joint,” warmed up the crowd awaiting the revolutionary artist. Next up, the Bebble Rockers excited the crowd with an electrifying, symphonic rendition of “Make Way” (the song features Pressure Buss Pipe on the Kontraband album), as Kabaka Pyramid joined the stage. More Concert Highlights After The Jump…
Yaadcore and Fari Di Future On US Tour
This week Yaadcore and his artist, Fari DiFuture will embark on a West Coast US Tour. This 8 city promotional tour will introduce Fari DiFuture, an East Coast artist with a rapidly growing fan base to new fans on the West Coast. The first stop is Seattle Washington, where the artist will link up with another rising artist Keznamdi, currently on his Skyline Level Vol. 1 Tour and the “Irie Lights” band. Along the tour route, Fari DiFuture will also perform alongside Israel Vibration, Roots Radics and King Ivier. More Information On This US Tour After The Jump…
“Be Confident In All We Do And Say”
Jah9 has just released the video for “Prosper,” the fourth video from her latest album “9.” The video directed by Samo Kush-I, was shot in black and white complete with a vintage 35mm camera feel, as Jah9 sings encouraging lyrics of spirituality and empowerment in a relaxed and calming voice. “Whatever is worth doing is worth doing to the highest level,” says Jah9. “And the time we spend in service to high upful endeavors serves to build. The chorus of the song is an affirmation, a mantra, a spell that can be used daily to empower. The outside world will seem less intimidating when we feel more empowered and less insecure about our value.” Video After The Jump…
New EP is Uniquely Outstanding
Kelissa’s recent Spellbound project isn’t your run-of-the-mill reggae EP, it’s a resurrection in the form of roots renaissance recordings. Spellbound takes the listener to Reggae’s remotest regions and ventures beyond into the exotic. The EP contains 11 tracks, including three extended interludes and two dubs. The interesting instrumentals including Native American drums and flute, in conjunction with thought provoking lyrics, makes this EP a force to be reckoned with. More After The Jump… (more…)
A Man With Locks Don’t Need No Glocks
Not every music artist can “buss” right out the gate, sometimes it takes cultivation before they are rewarded with the fruits of their labor. After four years of slowly building a following, Samory I is primed to be a major voice in reggae music in 2017 with the release of “Rasta Nuh Gangsta,” which addresses some common misconceptions about Rastafarians. Video And Interview After The Jump… (more…)
A Luta Continua
When it comes to female reggae artists on the rise, Jah9 usually gets the lion’s share of the discussion. But she is not alone. Hempress Sativa is rapidly gaining the attention she deserves as a brilliant artist who can sing, dj, and even rap. First introduced to music by her father Albert ‘Ilawi Malawi’ Johnson, selector for the legendary Jah Love Sound System, Kerida Johnson began performing at the age of 13. She chose the name Hempress Sativa which she said represents “a state of euphoria, a state of consciousness, [and] a state of high.” Her music is rooted in her Rastafarian faith and includes songs such as the marijuana anthem “Oo La La La: The Weed Thing,” the sensuous “Kushite Love,” and the homage to sound system culture “Boom (Wa Da Da Deng),” alongside Paolo Baldini DubFiles. Today we focus on the Hempress’ latest single “Fight For Your Rights,” produced by Conquering Lion Records, mixed by The Original Dub Master “Scientist,” and released to coincide with the 86th coronation of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen. Of the song’s new video Hempress Sativa wrote on her Facebook page “People of African descent were considered underlings and were being denied then and still now some basic human rights! So With the 1930 Coronation, The Royal Family of H.I.M Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen exemplified nobility and a dynasty as long as King Solomon and Queen of Sheba reconciling the fact that we (Black People) were from the beginning indeed the first civilization and not savages as their stories would have us believe.” Video After The Jump… (more…)
Brand New Visuals Fi Di Ganja Man Dem
Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica Lutan Fyah studied architecture and played professional football before launching into a music career in 1999. Cutting early records for Buju Banton’s Gargamel label, he would go on to collab with such culturally inclined artists as Lucinano and Turbulence. On his latest release, produced by Tim Dub, Fyah goes beyond the usual ganja tune cliches, giving a botanical lesson on the definition of “trichomes” and how these small glandular hairs growing from the epidermis of herb buds relate to the cultivation of the cannabis plant. Video After The Jump…
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Accurate Lyricist Drops Battle-Rap-Themed Video
Kabaka Pyramid continues the trend of Rastafarian artists rapping over boom bap hip-hop beats. In this video, aptly titled “Kabaka vs. Pyramid,” the artist pays homage to battle rap and stages a rap battle with himself. Hip hop has a long history of alter-egos, from Tupac/Makavelli to Eminem/Slim Shady, and even T.I. vs. T.I.P. Will the Bebble Rock spitter continue the trend in dancehall? Rockin’ over Biggie’s “Gimme The Loot” riddim, one persona keeps it patois while the other is twangin’ like a youth who spent time in Miami as he was coming up. Watch the video and find out who wins. Video After The Jump…
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Lava Splash! Fire Dash! Everything Burn To Ash
Sunday September 4th marked Irie Jam’s 23rd Anniversary concert spotlighting Sizzla Kalonji’s return-to-New-York performance after eight long years of absence. The supporting superstar line-up to the sizzling stage show included an artist who personifies lines from Kalonji’s “King in the Jungle.” Seated up so high, yet so humble, I-Wayne brought his celestial presence and the hard/soft balance of his cool and deadly style to the Irie Jam Radio massive in the leafy green confines of Roy Wilkins Park. Mainstream airwaves aren’t the lane for I-Wayne. As the Prophet Capleton once put it, he is on a mission, not in a competition. To see him truly manifest is to catch him live in the flesh. After a seething set that made knowledge born that his musical ministry is service to the people—not about bulleting Billboard or gaining Grammys—we linked up with the Loyal Soliders Promotion crew backstage. I-Wayne broke it down with Boomshots as to what the Irie Jam performance meant to him, burning a righteous fire, and shedding light on the livity of a lava lyricist. Video After The Jump… (more…)
A Thoughtful Event for Mothers and The Community At Large
The “Reggae Bowl” is a food and music event that will be held at the Ital Kitchen in Brooklyn, New York, this Mother’s Day—Sunday, May 8, 2016. This celebration of Mothers will promote a healthy lifestyle through its various components; serving up sweet reggae music, fashion and vital, ital cuisine. More After The Jump…
Kelissa McDonald “Best Kept Secret” Video Celebrates Her Earthstrong and Women’s History Month
Big up to Kelissa, one of the Caribbean’s favorite rising talents of the reggae revival. You may remember this lovely young empress from her Vogue feature on Jamaica’s resurgence of conscious music. Lately, this African queen has taken a break from touring to record more classic music and create engaging visuals for fans. In the latest video for her single “Best Kept Secret” Kelissa demonstrates her outstanding vocal ability, youthful appearance, and queenly character for the ladies seeking love in the Spring. Video After The Jump… (more…)