Boomshots

Category: Video

  • WATCH THIS: Jimmy Riley “Rougher Yet” Live in Tivoli Gardens 2008

    WATCH THIS: Jimmy Riley “Rougher Yet”
    Live in Tivoli Gardens 2008

    Rest In Power Jimmy Riley (1954–2016) Music Alone Shall Live

    Martin James Norman Riley, a distinguished singer and songwriter known to music lovers the world over as Jimmy Riley passed away around the dawning of March 23rd. Mr. Riley grew up in the musically blessed and economically stressed Waterhouse section of Western Kingston, and attended school with Slim Smith, with whom he would later record the timeless “My Conversation.” He was a member of seminal Jamaican harmoney groups The Sensations and The Uniques, and applied his rich soulful voice to classic solo recordings with Sly & Robbie including “Love & Devotion” and a cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” which topped the UK reggae chart. His musical legacy is further enriched by the fact that he is the father of the great Tarrus Riley, with whom he often shared the stage. “Tarrus always gravitated toward music,” Jimmy Riley told the New York Times in 2009. “He learned to play the piano and grew up right there in the midst of things. Most of the veteran singers were friends of mine, so he knew them all.” Tarrus and his father appeared onstage together as recently as last Spring’s Oracabessa Festival in Queens, with the elder Mr. Riley in a wheelchair, but still full of life. Check this video of Jimmy in top form. Notice when the band tries to change the riddim, Mr. Riley reminds them, “Me ah the singer!” Don’t you ever forget. Music alone shall live. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: I-Voltage “Hustler” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: I-Voltage “Hustler” Official Music Video

    Video After The Jump…

    Rising reggae singer I-Voltage livicates this tune to all the hard-working people who hustle every day to put food on the table and support their families. The ones who create their own job, cause they know they’re not gonna tief and rob. From the bag juice man to the high grade and grabba, from Coronation Market to Arcade—you can’t knock the hustle. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas “Gi Wi Back Wi Sweet Jamaica” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas “Gi Wi Back Wi Sweet Jamaica” Official Music Video

    Mr. Vegas Makes A Public Appeal On Behalf Of Jamaica’s “Natural Order”

    Mr. Vegas celebrates his beloved homeland in his latest video “Gi Wi Back Wi Sweet Jamaica,” paying homage to the rich heritage and natural beauty that still exists in this jewel of the Caribbean Sea. Images of the North Coast, local attractions, and lavish beaches that were once the playground of all Jamaicans—and have since fallen into the hands of multinational investors attracting tourist dollars with visions paradise. After enjoying mainstream success abroad, the international reggae superstar returns to the Land of Wood and Watr to make a public plea to please conserve Jamaica’s national treasures before it is too late. Video after the jump….
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  • A Message From Buju Banton: “Joy Cometh In The Morning”

    A Message From Buju Banton:
    “Joy Cometh In The Morning”

    The Gargamel Tells His Fans To Be Patient—A Boomshots Exclusive

    It’s been 7 years since Buju Banton was incarcerated due to an  extremely problematic federal drug case, and his voice has been sorely missed within the reggae industry ever since. The Grammy-winning artist responsible for classic albums like Til Shiloh and Inna Heights recently sent a message to his listeners exclusively via Boomshots. “Give a shout out to the fans for me,” said the DJ, who is scheduled to be released from prison in December 2018. “Tell them I send my love and I tell them: Do not be distracted by all the things that are taking place around them because it is designed to throw them off kilter.” Full Statement After The Jump… (more…)

  • Real Talk With Tanya Stephens: “I’m Telling The Truth—That’s The Only Thing I Know”

    Real Talk With Tanya Stephens: “I’m Telling The Truth—That’s The Only Thing I Know”

    Maybe You Can Handle The Ride—But Can You Handle The Truth?

    It may be true that women are far and few between in the reggae industry. But there’s no disputing the fact that Tanya Stephen is one of the best in the business. And not the good for a female—she’s one of the greatest songwriters Jamaican music history, full stop. Tanya has written some of the baddest tunes ever and has never let herself be pigeonholed into other peoples perception of what an artist should be. Whether singing about taking another woman’s man or exploring other sensitive real-life situations, Tanya continues to keep it all the way real, bringing her listeners along wherever her imagination takes her. After two decades in the game she’s still growing as an artist, and we still haven’t found anybody to rival her talent. During the latest Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, she blessed Boomshots with an in-depth interview with no subject off limits, from sex to religion to general stupidness and why she doesn’t like to clash. She even shared her true thoughts on marriage—”whoever decided that marriage should be an institution should be instituionalized!”—despite the fact that she is currently married. Tanya  will  be performing at SXSW during this year’s Irie Jam x Boomshots SXSW Reggae Showcase. Whether you’re in the house or not, take a moment to get to know one of the most fascinating minds around. Just make sure you fasten your seatbelt, cause this is going to be a wild ride. Videos After The Jump…

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  • 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: Popcaan “Weed Is My Best Friend” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Popcaan “Weed Is My Best Friend” Official Music Video

    Poppy Goes Farrrrr Out In His New Visuals

    You know the tune—it’s the biggest hit off Justus JA’s “Life Support” Riddim, the one where Popcaan says he doesn’t trust friends, because “Mankind nuh trustable.” The Unruly Boss is normally a pretty sociable guy, but as he explained in an exclusive phone interview, life experience has taught him to be cautious. “There’s so much people weh sometime you would take out your heart and give them it,” he says, “and those are the same people who will turn ‘pon you.” But when people let him down, he adds with a laugh, “my weed is around.” And really that’s no joking matter. “Certain of my problems, ah just me and me weed go through them,” he adds. “Me just smoke weed and overcome obstacle.” In the video, which premiered today on Complex, Popcaan can be seen communing with nature in a field full of sticky icky. You know what they say, a friend with weed is a friend indeed. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Chino McGregor & Stephen McGregor “Zero Tolerance” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Chino McGregor & Stephen McGregor “Zero Tolerance” Official Music Video

    Chino & Di Genius Stirring Up Some Revolutionary Sounds

    Just because they haven’t been dominating the JA juggling like one time, don’t sleep on the Big Ship Crew. Di Genius has been keeping busy on the production tip, making hits with UK Afrobeat star Fuse ODG and earning a Grammy nomination for his work on Mali Music’s album. He and Supa Dups recently produced Michael Franti’s entire album—and he’s preparing his Labwork compilation featuring dancehall joints with artists like Konshens and Popcaan. Meanwhile the Captain himself, reggae legend Freddie McGregor, will be dropping an album of his own this year. To kick off what looks to be a big 2016, here’s the first cut off the G.M.T.A. project featuring McGregor brothers Chino and Stephen dropping revolutionary lyrics over a rub-a-dub riddim. Perfect soundtrack for troubled times. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Rihanna ft. Drake “Work” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Rihanna ft. Drake “Work” Official Music Video

    Girl I’ll Tropical House You

    After all the teasers, snippets, and Snapchats the video for Rihanna’s most unabashedly dancehall track ever drops today, same time the tune touch the No. 1 spot. Our bredren Paul Parris called Riri and Aubrey the Queen and King of Dancehall, which might be overstating the case, but we feel the fire of his argument. Point being that Tropical House shit is dead. Please have the decency to call it what it is: dancehall. By now we all know the song was co-produced by Drake’s very own Boi-1da, Sevn Thomas and Partynextdoo—three youths from T-Dot who looped up Pot of Gold’s “Sail Away” riddim and took the track behind “Badman Nuh Flee” to the top of the pops. The video is appropriately twerktastic and bangs even harder with DJ Autograph’s remix underneath. Pree this. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Morgan Heritage ft. Eric Rachmany “Wanna Be Loved” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Morgan Heritage ft. Eric Rachmany “Wanna Be Loved” Official Music Video

    Another Video From The Reggae Family’s Grammy-Winning Album Strictly Roots

    As one of reggae’s most enduringly and successful veteran acts, Morgan Heritage is known to be in a category by themselves. From their Grammy winning album Strictly Roots they’ve redefined roots reggae yet again; with their upbeat hit “Wanna Be Loved,” featuring Rebelution’s front man Eric Rachmany. Shot on their landmark 2015 Catch A Fire US tour, the music video was directed by Morgan Heritage and Emmylou Mai, capturing various vignettes of their sold out performances and positive vibes, all in chromatic black and white. Watch closely to catch the various reggae superstar cameos, as this is definitely an anthem of enduring love, unity and upliftment. Video After the Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Busy Signal “Come Over (Missing You)” Acoustic Cover

    WATCH THIS: Busy Signal “Come Over (Missing You)” Acoustic Cover

    Great Songs Are Just Great Songs, No Matter Where You Come From

    Busy Signal is not just the most versatile artist in dancehall today, he’s also a great songwriter. The Turf Prezident’s powerful pen game inspired this acoustic cover version, which we discovered last night on his Instagram. The singer’s name is Jayne. The guitarist is Ramiro Malagon. The backing vocals are provided by the producer of this track, a youth called Maroon Riddimz. According to his SoundCloud page, he’s based in Pembroke Pines, Florida and his parents are Jamaican. There’s a bottle of Appleton on the table and a black gold and green flag on the wall. Judging by the sounds, they are definitely feeling the vibes. Start your Valentine’s Day off with these sounds and hold a romantic medz. 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…)