Boomshots

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  • Sumfest 2015 Dancehall Night Preview: Will Thursday Be Ladies Night?

    Sumfest 2015 Dancehall Night Preview: Will Thursday Be Ladies Night?

    Do The Ladies Run This M@th@f@CK@?

    Yes, it’s that time again. The Summer blockbuster, the Greatest Reggae Show on Earth, Reggae Sumfest is about to go down in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Although international headliner Rick Ross was unavoidably detained due to a little pistol-whipping incident at his multimillion-dollar estate, word is that T.I. will be stepping in to fill his shoes. Meanwhile there’s no danger of Common or Jennifer Hudson pistol-whipping anybody between now and this weekend. But the reality is that people visit Jamaica to hear Jamaican music. As Morgan Heritage has pointed out, there isn’t even a reggae night at Reggae Sumfest, but the final two nights—previously known as International Nights 1 & 2, and this year renamed Show Time and Star Time—feature a blend of overseas rap, R&B, and pop stars mixed with legendary Jamaican acts like Beenie Man and Cocoa Tea, as well as artists like Jesse Royal and Kabaka Pyramid, representing Jamaica’s “Roots Revival” movement that’s been gaining momentum at home and abroad.  But if you ask us, Reggae Sumfest is all about Dancehall Night—which always seems to draw the biggest crowd. This years should be no excpetion, with stars like Capleton, Popcaan, and Dexta Daps on the bill. But this year, for the first time, Lady Saw will be headlining the biggest night of the festival. She is the first woman to close Dancehall Night, and it’s only fitting since she was officially crowned Queen of the Dancehall on this stage. But Saw is not the only dancehall diva who will be rocking the mic at Catherine Hall this year.  Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Mr. Easy “Bashment Gal”

    HEAR THIS: Mr. Easy “Bashment Gal”

    Nuh Fraid Fi Bruck Out And Whine

    Early July is such a great time for reggae music. There isn’t really one dominant song of the summer yet, but there’s lots of candidates for the title. The result is an explosion of creativity and excitement that goes on and on. Ricky Blaze just forward a link fresh outta his basement studio inna Flatbush BK. Seems the big bad producer linked up with the year-to-year singer Mr. Easy like bloodcleet Sunday Morning. The fruits of their label is  a musical thing called “Bashment Gal.”  Classical dancehall vibes, Boomshots certified. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Popcaan “Unruly Prayer” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Popcaan “Unruly Prayer” Official Music Video

    Papi Plugs Into A Higher Power & Counts His Blessings

    Before Andrae Sutherland lays his head on the pillow at night, he has to give thanks. After all, when you consider the blessings that reach the Unruly Boss on a daily basis, it’s truly remarkable. He’s from a place where dog eat dog, and look at him now. “God make me bless inna real life,” Popcaan sings on his latest selection. “I’m protected by the Most High.” Over a few pensive chords courtesy of  UIM Productions, Papi counts his blessings like beads on a rosary string, before shouting out his thugs who pass and gone, all who inna jailhouse, and then runs down a lengthy roll call of his family, friends, and loved ones—from Squid and Squiddel to Jamie, Creep and Chi Ching Ching. He even shouts out the OVO crew, from Drizzy Drake down to Oliver. No matter how much links you have all over, Father God run bout yah for real.  “Tell the Devil keep him distance.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Beres Hammond “Jamaica International Dance”

    HEAR THIS: Beres Hammond “Jamaica International Dance”

    The Real Reggae Maestro Is Back

    Fresh selection from the fothatrthcoming Beres Hammond album on V.P. Records, and ain’t it good to know Jamaica’s #1 soul man hasn’t lost a drop of his infectious charm! Guess you really can’t stop a man—any more than you can stop Jamaica’s irresistible power to attract the whole world with musical magic. You’ve got to respect this brother, just like the bass man respect the drummer. “Keep the vibe flowing YES, keep the energy pumping YES.” What more can we say but let the music play? Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Shaggy Shows Off On Fallon

    Shaggy Shows Off On Fallon

    Mr. Boombastic Is Still Fantastic

    Shaggy made an appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon the other night. The appearance was good for a couple of laughs and also promoted his latest smash single, “I Need Your Love,” featuring Mohombi, Faydee, and Costi. (Did you ever notice that Shaggy is always making hits with artists you never heard of?) In a well-over-twenty-year mainstream career, Shaggy still finds himself basking in a very positive limelight, and that makes me happy. People can say what they want about who is badder than who but Shaggy remains the hero that dancehall never really knew it needed—and the one dancehall culture ultimately deserves. In an era where too many of our musical heroes have been remixed into villains, Shaggy is still here to prove that Jamaica has  maintained her joy. So what if he’s clashing Higgins instead of Ninjaman? (And don’t sleep on Hig’s skillz by the way) The man’s got a sense of humor. And it’s always a good look to see Jamaica shine. Respect Mr. Boombastic. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • #TBT Buju Banton in VIBE Magazine October 1993

    #TBT Buju Banton in VIBE Magazine October 1993

    The Strength of the Gargamel

    The striking image of Buju Banton was shot by photographer Christian Witkin for the first major profile of the superstar DJ written by Joan Morgan and edited by Boomshots founder and publisher Rob Kenner for the October 1993 issue of Vibe magazine. The story was pegged to the release of his major label debut Voice of Jamaica. Buju’s fist represents his strength through adversity and the Africa ring was an early indication that the controversial young baldhead artist who had taken the dancehall world by storm with the smash hits on his classic Penthouse album Mr. Mention and had already become infamous in the mainstream media for his song “Boom Bye Bye” had much more on his mind than that tune might suggest. Full Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • Post-Thanksgiving Tune: Ishawna “Domesticated”

    Post-Thanksgiving Tune: Ishawna “Domesticated”

    And Don’t Forget to Do The Dishes!

    After having some dirty laundry aired over the past few weeks, it looks like Ishawna’s ready for some housecleaning. The latest track by the Princess of the Dancehall and first lady of Downsound Records shows that she’s a domestic goddess at heart.  Coming off the big holiday weekend Ishawna’s here to remind all them boys they better be thankful for having a girl who doesn’t just rave all day long but keeps her dishes done just right. And don’t get it twisted—just cause she keeps the crib clean don’t mean she can’t get dirty between the sheets. “Me can wash, cook and clean AN’ quint, yeah” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Sound Systems Pon The Reggae Cruise

  • HEAR THIS: TOK SELECTS

  • HEAR THIS: Black Scorpio

  • Reasoning With Saxone Sound

  • Reasoning With Ky-Mani Marley