Boomshots

Category: Roots & Culture

  • HEAR THIS: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Is It Worth It? (Gun Man World)”

    HEAR THIS: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Is It Worth It? (Gun Man World)”

    Gongzilla Raises Thought-Provoking Questions About the Real Gangsta Life

    Sometime after midnight tonight Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley will be taking the stage at Rebel Salute, Jamaica’s biggest roots reggae festival, which kicks off place just outside Ocho Rios. This morning he’s blessed us with a brand-new tune on the big bad “Rootsman Riddim.” The song asks a simple yet profound question to all those living (or glamorizing) the gunman life. “Is It Worth It?” As you would expect from Gongzilla, the lyrics are catchy, carefully crafted, and creatively thought-provoking, exploring all the nooks and crannies of a real gunman’s life, from his family troubles to his financial pressures. “Does he get nervous just like you and I? Watching out as the police pass by?” Audio After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Morgan Heritage “Ends Nah Meet” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Morgan Heritage “Ends Nah Meet” Official Music Video

              The legacy of Denroy Morgan continues to shine like a beacon through his children, “Morgan Heritage.” This band, consists of Peter “Peetah” Morgan, Una Morgan, Roy “Gramps” Morgan, Nakhamyah “Lukes” Morgan and Memo “Mr. Mojo” Morgan. This summer the royal lions released their tenth studio album “Here Come The Kings” and this week the first video,”Ends Nah Meet.”  “Ends Nah Meet” featuring  the “Scripture Riddim” by Don Corleon, reminds  fans of what makes this band destined to rule. This song offers a discourse on the current global economic crisis and the growing gap between the rich and the poor. The song calls for change to address this parallel. The video  directed by Maximilian Shelton, brings to life the song lyrics and features a montage of clips from Jamaica and the bands recent European tour. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Subatomic Sound Presents: Dub Champions Festival 2013

    Subatomic Sound Presents: Dub Champions Festival 2013

    3 Cities, 9 Events, 30+ Artists

    North America’s premier dub festival kicks off tonight Sept 19 with Lee Scratch Perry & Subatomic Sound System in DC at the Howard Theater and Deadly Dragon & Reggae Rajahs in NYC at the Delancey. Live performances, educational workshops, and a glimpse into the creation of dub music runs until Monday Sept 23rd. This is the third year the festival is being run and if you missed the last two we suggest you clear your calendar and make it to at least one of the nine events. Full Schedule And Ticket Info After The Jump…

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  • Burning The Midnite Oil

    St. Croix Roots Reggae Rebels Rock NYC
    MIDNITE

    An energetic, electric crowd awaited the arrival of Midnite for the “Late Night Ghetto Session” at the B.B.King Blues Club located in the heart of New York City’s Time Square. Appropriately enough, the band hit the stage around midnight, with lead vocalist Vaughn Benjamin and his brother, producer/vocalist/dub arranger Ron Benjamin on bass and keys, accompanied by drummer Christian Molina, guitarists Edmund Fieulleteau and Edwin Byron, and keyboardist Lyndon Williams aka Ras L. As an audience member shouted “Bring It Out!” the band began to play raw instrumentation without any sugar-coating over a pulsating bassline. Orthodox Rasta Crosses draped in red, gold and green moved toward the front of the venue as the musical communion commenced. Interview And Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Thanks & Praise”

    Don’t Have An Attitude—Show A Little Gratitude
    Chronixx_Thanks&PraiseBOOM

    You’ve got to love the way Chronixx is bringing back the great tradition of reggae music. Not only is the rising reggae star championing the one-drop beat (and shining a bright light on a whole heap of rootsy young producers), but he’s also giving a strength to the great lyrical traditions of Jamaican culture. In his latest release, produced by Niko Browne of Lifeline Music, Chronixx offeres a word of advice to all ungrateful complainers. If someone asks you how you’re doing, don’t reply “Not too bad.” Better to give thanks for what you have.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Sturgav Hi Fi and Volcano Hi Power at the 02 Academy

    Sturgav Hi Fi and Volcano Hi Power at the 02 Academy

    Two Big Sounds Rock Brixton Easter Weekend

    When you’re talking about classical roots rock rub-a-dub sound systems, there are no more celebrated names in the dancehall of fame than King SturGav Hi Fi and Volcano High Power. Sturgav was established by Daddy U Roy, the legendary DJ who made his name on King Tubby’s Home Town Hi-Fi but went on to create a sound system of his own to provide a means for younger aspiring talents to develop their microphone skills.

    Volcano was founded by the late great Henry “Junjo” Lawes, one of the most renowned producers of the 1970s and 1980s. His music formed a bridge between the roots reggae of Studio One and Joe Gibbs and the dancehall era. Immortal selections like Cocoa Tea’s “Sonia” and Yellowman’s “Zunguzunguzeng” made the Volcano label a trusted brand for any selector looking to pick up a certified boomshot to drop in the dance.

    Bank holiday weekend saw Bagga John Productions pull it all out of the bag as they brought these two legendary sounds to the O2 Academy Brixton. But it wasn’t enough just to bring the champion sounds to the stage—they also brought some serious talent to rock the mic live and direct. Singers like Cocoa Tea, Frankie Paul and Little John joined forces with DJs like Yellowman, Brigadier Jerry, General Trees, and Little Twitch. And of course Daddy U Roy himself worked the stage making this session a night of sweet nostalgia for longtime dancehall fans. The venue was heaving, the crowd excited, emotional and thirsty.

    The girls went wild when Little Twitch gyrated to “No Licky Licky” and they mobbed Cocoa Tea when he reached out to touch the crowd. Some tears were also shed during his version of “Jamaica Farewell.” And when Yellowman came on it was a #f*ckingproblem!! He lapped the stage with jumps and sprints; his trainers hardly touched the floor. One other small problem—although Cocoa Tea sang brilliantly, he stormed off the stage in frustration with the mix he received from selector Danny Dread. #SelectorDontF*ckAroundAndMashUpTheDance. However the music went on and everybody went home with their fill of sweet rub-a-dub vibes. You know what they say—there’s no business like dancehall business. Video After The Jump…

  • WATCH THIS: Warrior King “Melody” Official Video

    The Melody Gives The Music Lifewarriorking

    Warrior King burst on the scene with the hit “Virtuous Woman” in 2001 and then blazed through 2002 with other hits like “Never Go where Pagans Go” and “Empress So Divine” all which garnered him critical acclaim, And then he got cold, popping up every few years with a feature or album but never with the same tenacity as he had in 2002. It looks like he has found his flame again. Jumping on the classic Midnight Hour Riddim, Warrior rides the riddim superbly chanting is his signature harmonic flow. “Tell Me How Me Sound,” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Watch This: Lee “Scratch” Perry’s “Vision of Paradise” Kickstarter Trailer

    It’s Not Just a Movie—It’s a “Fairytale Documentary”
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    The story of Lee “Scratch” Perry has been told many times before, and it’s already been the subject of one outstanding documentary. But that’s not stopping Swiss filmmaker Volker Schaner from working on another Scratch movie. Schaner, who befriended the artist over a decade ago, has journeyed with Pipecock Jaxson around the globe documenting his day-to-day experiences while gaining personal insight into the artist’s enigmatic personality. With the creation of Vision of Paradise, more of Scratch’s wisdom will be introduced to the world but it can’t be done before the creators raise funds for the doc’s post production process. Video After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Konshens “Rasta Imposter” Remix ft. Tarrus Riley, Sizzla Kalonji, Darrio & Wrath Riley

    Konshens And Friends Burn A Fire On All False Prophets

    One of the best songs off Konshens’ outstanding debut album Mental Maintenance is this remix of a tune he first dropped back in 2008. The tune bad from day one, but this time around Konshens brought some friends along to dash another fire on all fake dreads. The Riley bros & Kalonji deal with it wicked. Can’t stop rewinding this one. Certified Boomshot.
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  • WATCH THIS: Jimmy Cliff “Many Rivers To Cross” LIVE

    40 Years After Starring In The Harder They Come, He’s Still Coming Hard

    As Vivien Goldman observed in her excellent review of Jimmy Cliff’s recent unplugged set at Miss Lily’s Variety, for Mr. Cliff “every night is like a first night.” Standing three feet away from the 63-year-old living legend—watching him strum his guitar and feeling him nail every high note while perched on a bar stool with his cap to the back—was enough to make me forget half the live shows I’ve ever seen. Thankfully, LargeUpTV captured the moment for posterity, so you don’t need to be mad if you were unable to squeeze in there with the Miss Lily’s posse that night, or you somehow missed the live broadcast (including Pat McKay’s irie interview) on Sirius Satellite Radio. (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Anthony Cruz “Beat It Pon Dem”

    Brand New Tune To Buss… Dungload The New Album Cruz Control

    Full time now Anthony Cruz fe get him full ratings. The man sing some bad bad tune over the years, and him nah nitch. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Buju Banton Video Mix

    Nothing Left To Say But Let The Music Play…
    Special request to the Gargamel and his entire family.
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