Boomshots

Category: UK

  • Jah 9 Talks Yoga, Herbs and Holistic Healing: “This is no Devil Thing, This is Life!”

    Jah 9 Talks Yoga, Herbs and Holistic Healing: “This is no Devil Thing, This is Life!”

    Jamaican Warrior Goddess Vibes in the British countryside

    On a rainy day in Hainault Forest Country Park in Chigwell, Essex, Jah9 and her band performed at One Love, the UK’s No. 1 reggae and dub camping festival. Running through new songs like “Humble Me” and the warrior anthem “Unafraid” from her new album, which would be released on the mystical date of September 9, 2016 (2+0+1+6=9) a perfect convergence of 9s. “Every time we come to England we get more love,” Jah 9 told Reshma B in an exclusive interview. They spoke about the making of Jah9’s 9mm Vol 2 (“It’s not a mixtape,” she insists. “It’s groundings”) and the whole “Year of the 9” concept. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: M.I.A. ft. Dexta Daps “Foreign Friend”

    HEAR THIS: M.I.A. ft. Dexta Daps “Foreign Friend”

     Maya & Daps Link Pon The Borderline

    Ever since M.I.A. first burst on the world, she has been all about crossing lines in the sand, using her playground chants, beatbox ballistics, and agitprop visuals to mash up all cultural and geopolitical borderlines. Now that M.I.A.’s released what she warns may be her last album, her focus on speaking truth to power from a refugee point of view takes on new urgency as the world finds itself in the midst of a “refugee crisis” and Brexit meltdown and a Trump presidential run. As soon as M.I.A. released “Borders” (both the song and its breathtaking video) anticipation for this album began to build, and yesterday AIM finally arrived. On this track Maya dabbles with dancehall star Dexta Daps of “7Eleven” and “Shabba Mudda Pot” fame who sounds like the UK bad gyal inspired him to hit some strong new notes. Audio After The Jump…
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  • Chronixx & Friends Shell Down BBC 1Xtra

    Chronixx & Friends Shell Down BBC 1Xtra

    “Not Even Special Guests—Cause You Nuh Haffi Guess…”

    MistaJam & Seani B do a thing over at BBC 1Xtra called #SixtyMinutesLive during which time special guest artists freestyle over various selections, and generally rough up the airwaves. Last night was a good one as Di Steam Ministah rolled through the studio accompanied by from Maverick Sabre, Randy Valentine, Little Simz, Luciano and Jah Bouks. The vibes did nice, as you will soon witness via YouTube. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Spice talks Culture Clash and Why She Doesn’t Want You To Call Her Queen of the Dancehall

    Spice talks Culture Clash and Why She Doesn’t Want You To Call Her Queen of the Dancehall

    Just Call The Mad Gyal “Queen of the Stage”

    One day before the Red Bull Culture Clash, Reshma B sat down with  Spice for an exclusive Boomshots interview. As usual the Mad Gyal and the Reggae Girl About Town kept it 100% real. In the first segment of their epic 3-part reasoning session, they speak about Spice’s huge international fanbase, her latest tunes to touch the road, and how to do the “Indicator” dance. In the second segment, they speak about whether Vybz Kartel is the new King of the Dancehall, what that means for Beenie Man, and why she doesn’t want to be called the Queen of the Dancehall. As usual the Mad Gyal and the Reggae Girl About Town kept it 100% real. In the third and final segment of their epic reasoning session, Spice shares her thoughts on the Red Bull Culture Clash, how she will do whatever it takes to win, and why Mixpak’s dancehall lineup should not be considered “under dogs” since Jamaica originated the whole clash culture. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Mixpak Wins Red Bull Culture Clash

    Mixpak Wins Red Bull Culture Clash

    A Big Assist From Popcaan & Drizzy Drake

    Friday night at London’s O2 Arena four sound systems representing Dancehall, Hip Hop, UK Garage and Grime battled before a 20,000 seat venue for the 2016 staging of Red Bull Culture Clash. Wiley’s Eskimo Dance and UK Garage All-Stars featuring So Solid Crew had the place rocking with the hometown hits, and Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang linked with Supa Dups and Black Chiney Sound to drop some big dubplates, but in end Brooklyn NY’s Mixpak sound who took the trophy with support from dancehall stars Tony Matterhorn, Spice, Kranium, and Popcaan. The Unruly Boss sealed the win in the final round with a Drizzy Drake dub plate of One Dance that done the place. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Atumpan ft. Paigey Cakey “Watch Nobody” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Atumpan ft. Paigey Cakey “Watch Nobody” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Don’t Deal With The Haters—Just Chase That Paper

    Remember when Atumpan dropped “The Thing” back in 2013? Afrobeats was a fairly new concept at the time, but there was no denying the man’s talent—or his MOBO nomination. Three years later the Ghanaian artist (whose name meaning “Talking Drum” in Akan) is back with a warm & easy summer track produced by North London’s Delirious for Hardboy Music. Today Boomshots proudly premieres the video, courstesy of Visionniare Pictures. With UK singer, actress, and Grime MC Paigey Cakey on the hook the message comes through loud and clear: mind your own business and maybe one day you’ll have a canary-yellow Lambo just like Atumpan. (Sidebar: if you stay glued to Snapchat while in the club you’re quite possibly a wanker.) Video After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Bim Sherman & Dub Syndicate “Haunting Ground Dub”

    HEAR THIS: Bim Sherman & Dub Syndicate “Haunting Ground Dub”

    Previously Unreleased Music From Adrian Sherwood, Style Scott & Bim

    Last year’s Sherwood at the Controls Vol. 1 compilation served as a timely re-introduction to the UK dub genius and electronic music visionary Adrian Sherwood. The even wickeder second edition, focusing on works from 1985 to 1990, arrives later this month. Having worked as a live mix engineer for The Clash and The Slits, Sherwood went on to found no fewer than four record labels—Carib Gems (established in 1975 when he was 17 years of age), Hit Run, 4D, and the legendary On-U Sound. His mind-blowingly mic’d, mixed and mastered recordings with in-house groups like Singers and Players, Dub Syndicate, African Head Charge, New Age Steppers, Creation Rebel, and Lee “Scratch” Perry and many more are the stuff of legend. This previously unreleased dub version of “Haunting Ground,” the title track off Bim’s 1986 album produced with Dub Syndicate, which—like many of Sherwood’s finest productions—was anchored by steady rockin’ Lincoln Valentine “Style” Scott, the late great drummer who co-founded Jamaica’s legendary Roots Radics band. “I originally recorded this for On-U Sound but gave [Bim] the vocal to use on his album,” recalls Adrian of the “Haunting Ground” sessions at London’s Southern Studios. “That’s Style Scott on drums, and I’m fairly sure it’s Crucial Tony on guitar.” The earth-shaking dub mix with sabre-sharp high-hats of death and billowing clouds of echo could only be Sherwood. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Tune For Tune: Battle of the UK “Panda” Refixes

    Tune For Tune: Battle of the UK “Panda” Refixes

    Who Flipped The “Panda” Beat Better: Gappy Ranks or Lady Leshur?

    All this week we’ve been deluged with a Desiigner media blitz since the 19-year-old Barbados-by-way-of-Brooklyn eccentric dropped the Tidal-exclusive video for his chart-topping smash “Panda.” Though he spends most of the tune talking about Atlanta—and sounding a whole lot like Future sippin’ on some sort of new double-cup concoction—Desiigner goes down in history as first New York rapper to top the pop charts since Jay Z dropped “Empire State of Mind.” Where Jigga did it with an assist from Alicia Keys, Desiigner of course got a huge boost from Kanye West, who discovered his tune on Soundcloud and incorporated it into “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 2” the third cut on The Life of Pablo. Since that time a bunch of American rappers—from Fabolous to Lupe Fiasco to Jadakiss, and Meek Mill—have all hopped on the beat, which was built by UK-based producer Menace (who reportedly sold the beat to Desiigner for $200). Two of the more interesting flips have come from British microphone controllers, both with Caribbean roots: dancehall deejay Gappy Ranks aka Pelpa and Lady Leshurr of “Queen’s Speech” fame. No more long talking—let’s get to the tunes. Audio After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: M.I.A. “Ola (Foreign Friend)”

    HEAR THIS: M.I.A. “Ola (Foreign Friend)”

    New Music From A Bad Gyal “Bandit” Who Does It Well

    Maya “Mathangi” Arulpragasam dropped this frenetic banger a few weeks back with the following caption: TO ALL MY FLYPIRATES and DJS – THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT !!!! LIVE FROM THE MEXICAN BORDER OLA !!!! MIA ON THE WAVES. Judging from the artist’s recent tweets, the whole issue of crossing the American border might have resonated with her. “Can’t tour the US without a visa,” she tweeted the other day. “Might have to start writing songs 4 Dj Khaled and Selena Gomez to get heard”!!! Audio After the Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Noah Landale “Jamaica” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Noah Landale “Jamaica” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    The Rising Of A New Voice Out of JA By Way of The UK

    Dividing his time between London, England and his Jamaican birthplace, singer Noah Landale has developed a cosmopolitan approach to reggae that encompasses various influences and has a multi-generational appeal. His current single “Can’t Let Go,” produced by London-based Andre Solid for the Blue Rain Entertainment imprint, marries elements of Phyllis Dillon’s  1967 rock steady classic “If You Knew” with Noah’s dynamic, contemporary vocals lamenting a relationship that’s grown cold. When you come to my show you will be 100% entertained. Bob Marley, Beres Hammond, all the greats perform like they respect you for spending your money to come out and see them. That is the reggae artist I want to be.” Boomshots is proud to premiere his first music video, an ode to the island in the sun that’s sure to be heard for many years to come. Noah will make his New York City debut at IRIE Jam Radio’s annual Oracabessa Festival on May 31, with more US dates to be added throughout the summer. Noah is confident his music will be well received because “the power of good music can’t be denied,” he says. But don’t take his word for it; judge for yourself. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Nadine Sutherland “Inna Mi Blood” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Nadine Sutherland “Inna Mi Blood” Official Music Video

    Revolutionary Sounds From One of Tuff Gong’s Finest

    Back in 1980 Bob Marley was recruiting fresh talents as he prepared to build his Tuff Gong label into the Jamaican answer to Motown. One of his signees was a singer named Nadine Sutherland, who cut a single called “A Young One Like Me” for the Tuff Gong label. Unfortunately, Marley’s time on earth would be cut short and plans for Tuff Gong changed accordingly, but young Sutherland would continue her musical journey. She collaborated with Terror Fabulous on the Dave Kelly–produced 1994 smash hit “Action” and built a distinguished catalog of solo hits for producers like Donovan Germaine at Penthouse and Fattis Burrell at Xterminator. Most recently Nadine linked with UK dubmaster Mad Professor to record “Inna Mi Blood,” a blazing piece of rebel music that would surely make the Tuff Gong proud. “I am very passionate about the message in this song,” said the singer, who celebrates her birthday today. “It was written from observing the rise of racism in America and the subsequent deaths of African Americans as a result of it. I guess my roots have caught up with me. My association with Bob Marley was an influence too. This song is my tribute to Rastafari and our freedom fighters.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Gyptian ft. Lady Leshurr “All On Me” (Diztortion Remix) Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Gyptian ft. Lady Leshurr “All On Me” (Diztortion Remix) Official Music Video

    Gyppy Links The UK Queen—Zeen?

    You don’t need to be a reggae fan to be familiar with Gyptian’s mega-smash “Hold Yuh,” and if you ain’t up on Lady Leshurr’s Queen’s Speech freestyles, well, you probably need to “Brush Your Teeth.” The two stars joined forces on The Diztortion’s nasty remix of Gyppy’s latest boom tune “All On Me,” and Lady L was more than happy to jet from from chilly Great Britain to sunny Port Antonio for this fun-loving video shoot. As her parents hail from St. Kitts, and she grew up surrounded by the sounds of Bob Marley and Sister Nancy, it’s no surprise how well she and Gyptian jelled on this track. The chemistry is undeniable. Video After The Jump… (more…)