Boomshots

Category: UK

  • Interview: Reasoning With Rodigan Part 2

    The Rudeboy Gentleman’s Long & Winding Road From King Tubby’s Dub Studio To Buckingham Palace

    David Rodigan is sometimes referred to as the rudeboy gentleman, a nickname that sums up the apparent contradictions that make the veteran UK selector and radio personality such a singular character. Who else can say that they have cut dubplates in King Tubby’s studio, juggled tunes in King Jammy’s yard, and received royal honors from the Prince of Wales inside Buckingham Palace? Youth like Prince Harry will have to practice long and hard before they can test Rodigan. Because Rodigan has always been more than a DJ—he’s a cultural historian and educator who elucidates the nuances of Jamaican music to a wide audience (and whose dubplate collection is a veritable musical museum.) He’s also a rigorously trained professional actor on stage and television who might have easily chosen another path in life. Last week the selector talked about how he’s reaching the dubstep generation and paid respects to the late, great King Stitt. In part 2 of our series of exclusive interviews, the legendary selector and radio presenter reveals how his girlfriend first landed him a gig on the radio, how his background in theater helps him as a reggae DJ, and why he never talks patois on the air. OK, let’s get to it. [And if you somehow missed REASONING WITH RODIGAN PART 1, fret not thyself.]

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  • Interview: Reasoning With Rodigan Part 1

    Sir RamJam Talks About Getting Sampled On Dubstep Tracks And Bigs Up The Late Great King Stitt

    2012 has been a great year for David “RamJam” Rodigan, the veteran UK selector and radio personality. Last month he won Irish & Chin’s World Clash, defeating Bass Odyssey in the final round. The month before that he was invited to Buckingham Palace to be proclaimed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his work as a reggae disc jockey. Not bad for a man who never intended to pursue a career in music. But Rodigan has always been a music lover, and a passionate historian and educator about Jamaican music. In this first of a series of exclusive interviews, the legendary selector and radio presenter speaks about how he’s connecting with a whole new generation of reggae fans since having his unmistakable voice sampled by dubstep producers. He also recalls the first time he saw Jimmy Cliff perform live, and pays respects to the original reggae DJ, the late great King Stitt aka The Ugly One—Who was, among other things, one of the unheralded pioneers of rap music. OK, let’s get to it. (more…)

  • Drake Says “Free Up Werl Boss”

    Even Though He Says “Mavado Is Family,” Drizzy’s A Big Dancehall Fan Who Rates Vybz Kartel Said Speed

    During a recent pass through London, Drizzy Drake sat down with Kiss FM to share his views on two of dancehall’s most wanted. We already know he checks for the Gully Gaad. But now it looks like Drake is reppin for Vybz Kartel too. (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Lady Leshurr “Lego”

    The Best Spitter In the UK Rips Grime, Garage, and Drum & Bass Beats. It’s a Brummy Fing, Innit?

    If you ain’t heard of her already then note the name. From up norf in BUR-MING-UM (Birmingham) UK, The pint-sized lady was the only female repping on the Bass culture discussion which panel explored the influence of reggae on the UK underground scene. “Sorry I weren’t around during that time” she told the panel moderator, former Steel Pulse member Mykaell Riley, when he asked her about something all them years back. Of course she don’t, but the young lady who got her earliest inspiration from Sister Nancy sure knows how to spit. Her take on Chris Brown and Busta’s “Look At Me Now”  has notched half a million views—and props from Nicki Minaj among others. Now she says she’s ready to battle Busta! (more…)

  • David Rodigan Receives Royal Honor

    Reggae Radio Legend To Join “Most Excellent Order Of British Empire”

    Congratulations to David Rodigan, the legendary UK radio personality who will receive a royal order of chivalry, becoming a member of the “Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” for his contributions to broadcasting. Rodigan has represented all forms of reggae music on British airwaves and beyond for over 30 years—from programs on BBC Radio and on KISS FM to countless sound clashes all over the world. No word yet whether Mr. Ram Jam will receive his honor personally from the Queen, but he’s sure to think of her next time he dips in the box and draws for this one. Dub it with your majesty… Ya know? (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Gappy Ranks “Me No Ready Fi Die Yet” Video

    The UK DJ Wants To Live Till He’s Old And Grey, OK?

    In case you never know, Gappy Ranks is not a puss, he don’t carry nine lives. Big bad reality tune on Push A Yute Music’s Pree Dem Riddim. More life we say. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Rizzle Kicks “When I Was A Youngster”

    Two Brit Youths Take It All The Way Back To School Days

    These kids weren’t even born when  London Calling came out,  but you can’t blame them for sampling The Clash inna rub-a-dub style. I mean, it sure worked for M.I.A. So the UK rap duo Rizzle Kicks went ahead and flipped that “Revolution Rock.” And guess what? Sounds like a next #1.

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  • WATCH THIS: Toddla T feat. Wayne Marshall & Skream “How The Streets So Warm?”

    From the UK To JA It’s The Same Question—But Still No Answers

    Supplies of Toddla T’s latest album were destroyed when a warehouse burned during last month’s London riots, so the young Brit producer knows just how warm the streets can get. “Me nah stop ask the question,” Marshall sings over a sick riddim track, dashing a hotta fire under corrupt politicians. “Who make sure the shipment come in from Sri Lanka? Who create the system? Who are dem sponsor?” (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Stylo G “Call Mi A Yardie” Video

    Brand New Boasy Grime Fing Outta Souf London

    Stylo G holds a meds, him nah sniff Charlie. Plus he fights for his rights like Marcus Garvey. So you dun know him a yardie. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Ms. Dynamite “Neva Soft” Video

    Brit Beauty Bombs The Bass Cause The Riddim Never Let Her Down

    Ms. Dynamite has been bad from ever since she linked with Sticky to make the UK garage classic “Booo!” After her criminally slept-on Stateside debut A Little Deeper, she took a minute to do the whole mom thing and raise her son. But when she popped up on Katy B’s recent club banger “Lights On” it was obvious that motherhood hasn’t slowed Ms. D down one bit. Excuse while she gets into your brain one more time. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Gappy Ranks “I Was There”

    UK Deejay Bears Witness To The Japanese Earthquake

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  • Smiley Culture Press Conference

    Family Members Reject Suicide Theory, Demand Investigation Of Police

    Photograph By David Corio

    “Smiley Culture was a father, an uncle, a friend, and a mentor to many,” said his nephew Merlin Emmanuel during an emotional press conference held just days after the mysterious death of the UK dancehall legend while in police custody. “He was a British Icon who died under the most peculiar of circumstances.” (more…)