Category: Soca

  • Caribbean Music Awards Honor Iconic Artistes Beres Hammond, Machel Montano, David Rudder, and Vybz Kartel

    Caribbean Music Awards Honor Iconic Artistes Beres Hammond, Machel Montano, David Rudder, and Vybz Kartel

    Hosted By Wyclef Jean Live From Flatbush, Brooklyn

    Inspired by the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House, Kings Theatre on Flatbush Avenue was the appropriately illustrious setting for the first annual Caribbean Music Awards last Thursday night. Hosted by Wyclef Jean and produced by Caribbean Elite Group and streamed via Tempo Networks, this grand celebration of Caribbean creativity honoring icons and rising stars of reggae, dancehall, soca, and kompa was perfectly timed, coming just before Brooklyn’s Labor Day festivities and near the end of a year that’s been filled with endless celebrations of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. Boomshots TV was on the scene from the star-studded red carpet throughout the amazing four-hour ceremony. “Family” said Elite Award Winner Beres Hammond, addressing the audience of 3,600 inside the ornate venue and many more tuning into the live stream. “I’m seeing something that’s so beautiful to us—Caribbean people coming together. You don’t see something like this… I’m out of words.” He then called Wyclef to join him onstage. The Haitian-American multi-platinum rapper, singer, songwriter, musician, and producer whose timeless work as a member of the Fugees and as a solo performer brought Caribbean sounds to the mainstream, bowed down at Hammond’s feet in worship. “Can’t manage you,” Beres said with a laugh as Clef stood up. “Thank you for the vision.”  Video and Winners List After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Troublesum & Ronnie Homer ft. DJ Spider “Push” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Troublesum & Ronnie Homer ft. DJ Spider “Push” Official Music Video

    On Labor Day 2020, Will You Push Yuh Bumpa Pon Me?

    Labor Day 2020 is here, and without a big parade on Eastern Parkway, we all have to find our own ways to celebrate. Good vibes coming from Troublesum and Ronnie Homer featuring DJ Spider, this one is called “Push.” The uptempo feel-good video Was shot by Deus Beni and features beautiful women in abundance enjoying themselves frolicking alongside the featured acts beachside and streetside. “Push” is currently available on all major streaming platforms. Is it still cool to push yuh bumpa pon me if I promise to wear a mask? Video After The Jump…

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  • Hot 97 On Da Reggae & Soca Tip 2018

    Hot 97 On Da Reggae & Soca Tip 2018

    Massive B Family Kicks Off Labor Day Weekend Inna Fine Style
    Labor Day Weekend in New York City is Caribbean culture at its finest. And Hot 97’s year to year On Da Reggae and Soca Tip, hosted by Bobby Konders & Jabba of the Massive B family, has become the official jump off for the biggest stars from Jamaica, Trinidad, and the whole Caribbean to come mash up NYC. This year the Ford Ampitheater in Coney Island was the location for mind-blowing performances by top ranking artists like Aidonia, Konshens, Masicka, Tifa, Dovey Magnum, Nailah Blackman, and Di Energy God Elephant Man who brought plenty of firepower to the stage. Photos & Video After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Freezy “Split In Di Middle” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Freezy “Split In Di Middle” Official Music Video

    The Boomshots Choice for Top Club and Carnival Banger

    When this song comes on, there is a cheerleader reaction.  First you see a lunge followed by a series of forward tumbles, handstands and splits. Anywhere this song plays – whether at a dance party or behind a carnival truck, there is the same response. Rising star, Johnick “Freezy” Leo, from Saint Lucia has created a song, which sends people into a soca frenzy.  The tanatalizing, Khrome produced, Malay Way riddim, in conjunction with Freezy’s commanding vocals  interpolated with Creole makes “Split In The Middle” Boomshots Choice for Top Carnival Track. Now we present the video for this great Dennery (Kudoro) track, directed by Acid Kreationz. More After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Kiff ‘Mix N Ting’

    HEAR THIS: Kiff ‘Mix N Ting’

    Jersey’s Kiff started making waves last year with a style he had coined Jersey soca; a unique blend of Jersey club and the island sounds he grew up on. The pairing picked up on similar traits between the two, specifically Barbados’ style of crop over. The remix culture that such a big part of both soca and Jersey club led to his expansion into broader, less definable, but more deeply Caribbean styles that make up Mix N Ting. From dancehall, to soca, to just straight vibes, Kiff has the cure for your post-Memorial Day tabanca right here.

  • Orlando Octave: Deeper Than Soca

    Orlando Octave: Deeper Than Soca

    A Thought Provoking  Soca Song Makes It All The Way To The International Soca Monarch Finals

    When Orlando Octave’s father entered him into a local television competition in Trinidad, his life changed forever.  After, a few local hits, he wrote a breakthrough song “Single,” that catapulted him to a spot in the International Soca Monarch Finals. We spoke to him a few days before  the competition to learn the message behind this smash hit. Interview After The Jump…

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  • Reasoning with Jah Bami: “I Focus So Much on Musical Integrity”

    Reasoning with Jah Bami: “I Focus So Much on Musical Integrity”

    Multi-talented Musician & Burgeoning Business Mogul Builds His Brand

    Jah Bami, born Marvin Walters in Trinidad and Tobago, learned to play instruments at a young age-including the guitar, piano, drums and steel pan. His mastery of instruments earned him a musical scholarship  to the University of the West Indies, which provided him a plethora of opportunities to take his career to the next level. Now he tours the world solo and as part of his deejay group, Suns of Dub. Furthermore, Jah Bami owns a record label, clothing line and brand of smoke wrapping papers. We spoke to Jah Bami about his many hats in the entertainment business. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Skinny Banton “Jab Behavior”

    HEAR THIS: Skinny Banton “Jab Behavior”

    New Single Causing A Soca Frenzy

    The song, “Jab Behavior” is creating a hysteria well in advance of the upcoming Carnivals in Trinidad and Tobago and Carriacou.  The song contains a tantalizing riddim produced by Hector “Legz” Thomas and  Skinny Banton signature vocals.  In the song, he uses his native tongue with deep vocals to describe  jab culture.  In 2011, Skinny Banton won his first People’s Choice title and then consecutively in 2012 and 2013. He won the 2012 Soca Monarch Competition in the Tri-state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, and in 2013 he was crowned the Road March King. The sky is the limit as this artist continues to distinguish himself on a international level with his songs. Audio After The Jump

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  • HEAR THIS: Leadpipe & Saddis Kick Off Evolution Sound Soca Mixtape

    HEAR THIS: Leadpipe & Saddis Kick Off Evolution Sound Soca Mixtape

    Porgie & Murda Bring Dreams To Life

    Crop Over 2016 may be winding down, but Barbados is still bubbling. This year the island revellers had to do without Rihanna (she spent the weekend in Toronto rocking OVO Fest) but the party continues on this exclusive Evolution Sound soca mix featuring Bajan soca duo Leadpipe & Saddis (aka Porgie & Murda). Their tunes—and a mix of fresh reggae/soca collabs like Jus D & I-Octane’s “Perform”—are a perfect way to set the mood for the Philadelphia Jerk Fest on Sunday August 28, 2016. Leadpipe & Saddis will be performing live and direct alongside reggae legend Luciano Jah Messenger and dancehall star Assassin aka Agent Sasco. No more long talking, DJ Jamol Jenius let off! Audio & Tracklist After The Jump… (more…)

  • Beres Hammond & Cocoa Tea Headline 10th Annual Best of the Best Music Fest 2016

    Beres Hammond & Cocoa Tea Headline 10th Annual Best of the Best Music Fest 2016

    Miami’s Premiere Reggae Festival Celebrates Its 10-Year Anniversary

    For the past decade, Best of the Best has been transforming Miami’s Bayfront Park into a massive party. Although the early years were characterized by a wide-ranging blend of reggae, dancehall, soca, hip hop and R&B, in more recent years the promoters have focused on Caribbean sounds. Over the years BOTB has emerged as Miami’s premiere reggae festival, and this weekend’s 10th anniversary staging looks to be no exception. Looking for news for Best of Best 2016? Boomshots is the right place for press and information on this year’s event in Miami, Florida. As an official media partner of BOTB 2016, we’ll keep you updated with the movements. Follow boomshots on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Full Rundown After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Jus D “Give It To Me” Crop Over Video

    WATCH THIS: Jus D “Give It To Me” Crop Over Video

    Free Up Yourself For The Crop Over

    Although Trinidad’s carnival is renowned as one of the wickedest parties throughout the Caribbean, Crop Over in Barbados is no joke. Just ask Rihanna, who rarely misses the bacchanal in her home island. The Mega Cavalcade is going down tonight, with a crazy lineup of soca acts ready to set it off. If you can’t make it there to witness the action live, the least you can do is peep this new video of 2015 Crop Over highlights, all set to one of the hottest tunes for Crop Over 2016, Jus D’s cutting-edge soca fusion selection “Give It To Me,” produced by Livity Movements’ Dev Kutta and Guyana’s DRWTHVN. The ting tun up now. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Fadda Fox ft. Runtown “All Day All Night”

    HEAR THIS: Fadda Fox ft. Runtown “All Day All Night”

    From Lagos to Bridgetown Comes A Cross-Cultural Collab For Cropover

    These are exciting times for open-minded music lovers, as genre distinctions break down and the unifying forces of tempo and technology work their magic around the globe. No matter what name you choose to call them, certain songs have the power to move the crowd. Whether you’re in Africa, the Caribbean, or someplace else, the elements of a big tune remain consistent: combine a lively drumbeat, a supple bass line, spicy lyrics and a sweet melody and watch the people react. “My team and I are on a musical mission,” says soca artist Nicholas “Fadda Fox” Sealy. “It is our aim to showcase Bajan talent internationally, collaborating with other artists being one of many strategies to execute our goals.” During a recent tour of Canada, the man known for running the streets of Bridgetown, Barbados with tunes like “Ducking” was sharing breakfast with Nigerian-born Afrobeat star Douglas “Runtown” Jack Agu. The conversation turned to collaboration, and within days they’d come up with a soca-meets-Afrobeat anthem for Crop Over 2016. With writing by Jovan James, Runtown and Fadda Fox, and production by Darien Bailey and Hector Cesar for Decibel Productions. You may call it what you wish, we simply call it a Certified Boomshot. Audio After The Jump… (more…)