Da Realest DJ Gets Physical
When Konshens and Rvssian connect, the girls buss a sweat. Such was the case when Da Realest DJ shot the Konshens “Physically Fit” OMV for his Rvssian-produced banger “Physically Fit,” off his forthcoming album The Hotel Room. But you already know how it goes on these sexy music video shoots: half the story has never been told. That’s why Boomshots had to link Destine Media for an exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peek. Video After The Jump… (more…)
The Strong One Meets The Reggae Girl About Town
Straight out of August Town, Jamaica to the four corners of the earth, Etana has established her name as one of the most powerful voices in reggae music. Fresh off a successful European tour in support of her fourth album, I Rise, she will headline tonight’s International Women of Reggae showcase at Brooklyn College, presented by our bonafide bredren sistren at the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music. While you cop your tickets, check out perhaps the realest interview she’s ever given. No topic is off limits in this exclusive reasoning with Reshma B, from love to loss to domestic violence, infidelity and mental illness—and exactly how it feels to stand up as a strong women in the music business. Video After The Jump… (more…)
The Skints are a London-based group who record dub, punk, ska, and predominantly reggae music. Since forming in 2008, they have garnered a loyal fan-base who are crazy about their “East London” sound. The group have even received backative from the Beeb (via BBC Radio 1) which is indicative of their major scope! Dubbed ‘one of the hardest working bands in the UK’, the quirky quartet have collated with legendary producers Prince Fatty and Mad Professor and continue to gig all over the world, selling out venues in their own right, and supporting acts such as The Gym Class Heroes, The Slackers and The King Blues. But, when all is said and done, there is no place like home. We learn that much from The Skints’ latest single “London Town,” a rhythmic ode to the ends that mentions UK keywords like Saxon Sound System, Brixton and Victoria Line. What’s more, Jamie, Jonathan, Joshua and Marcia called upon foundation DJs Horseman and Tippa Irie to pass through and chat two lyrics on the mic! Video After The Jump…
Because Every Day Should Be 4/20
Music runs in Keznamdi’s blood. His parents, who now live in Ethiopia, founded the reggae band Chakula. One of his older sisters, Kelissa, has recorded and toured extensively with Chronixx while his eldest sister Kamila is a popular Jamaican TV presenter who’s also married to Jah Cure. Keznamdi’s latest release finds him defending the healing of the nation. Produced by Natural High and Keznamdi, this sensi-scented selection is accompanied by a video shot by Fareye Films that will make you feel as though you’re visiting the fragrant fields of Orange Hill at harvest time. Video After The Jump… (more…)
The Fam Ain’t New To This, They’re True To This
When it comes to roots, rock, reggae music, the Morgan Heritage family is not new to this, they’re true to this. So when they hear talk about a “reggae revival” happening in Jamaica—as if Reggae Music had passed away and was in need of resuscitation—the members of Morgan Heritage are uniquely qualified to speak on the matter. “Reggae music never gone nowhere,” Peetah Morgan tells Reshma B in an exclusive Boomshots interview. Their latest album is entitled Strictly Roots, but “don’t get it twisted” says Peetah—they can still sing about the sexy body ladies on songs like “Perform and Done” and Gramps can even DJ a verse and dash likkle coconut juice pon de ting. It’s all a part of the culture—uzeet? Strictly Roots drops today, so what better time to check out the reasoning. Video After The Jump… (more…)
One More Good Thing About Music…
“I don’t do hype, I do music,” Black-Am-I remarked backstage at a recent stop of the Set Up Shop tour. Born in the village of Nine Mile (the birthplace of Robert Nesta Marley, among others) Black-Am-I linked up with Damian Marley and eventually signed with the Ghetto Youths International posse. His latest single off the Set Up Shop Vol. 2 compilation celebrates the power of music to alleviate sufferation. Whether you’re listening at a streetside sound-system dance or aboard a luxury liner, this rub-a-dub selection sure sounds sweet. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Soulful reggae crooner slows it down in latest clip
Since bursting onto the scene in 2007 as the youngest winner of Jamaica’s leading reggae talent search Digicel Rising Stars, Romain Virgo has gone on to dazzle stadiums and dominate charts worldwide. This boy wonder has evolved into a fully fledged ambassador for lovers rock music with a consistently strong, ever-growing catalog of tunes. Virgo recently teamed up with legendary production duo Sly & Robbie for the celestial single “Star Across The Sky” which was featured on their 2014 Grammy nominated album The Reggae Power. Fresh from a successful European winter tour, he took time out to unveil a mellow yet stirring rendition of the same hit song this week, with just a keyboard for company. This guy’s vocal range is insane! Video After the Jump… (more…)
Jamaican-Canadian Pop Star Reconnects With Her Dancehall Roots
Kreesha Turner’s debut album Passion was an instant smash in her native Canada. Back in 2008 her single “Don’t Call Me Baby” became the most played song on Canadian radio and hit number one on Billboard‘s U.S. Hot Dance Club Play. Nominated for “Best New Artist” and “Best Pop Album of The Year” at that year’s Juno Awards, her future seemed all mapped out for her. But there is another side to this perfect pop princess, a girl who grew up between Edmonton, Canada and Spanish Town, Jamaica. “Before I got signed I was in the underground hip-hop scene, and everything I did was a mixture of dancehall, hip-hop, and R&B,” she explained to the Reggae Girl About Town over lunch at Strawberry Hill. “When I got signed, the label took me all the way opposite to what I was. They got me to start straightening my hair. I went to media training and they told me not to speak in Jamaican dialect.” Now managed by Nick Cannon and signed to Universal Republic, Kreesha’s third album brings her full circle, diving into the dancehall, hip-hop and R&B sounds she loves. Her first single, “Sexy Gal,” features the Jamaican dancehall supergroup T.O.K. Watch for the official music video premiere March 31 on Mass Appeal. In the meantime, check out Reshma B’s exclusive interview, and enjoy the view! Video After The Jump… (more…)
The Kid Is Back. Deal With It.
Cham has never been lacking in the confidence department. But in his new video the swag is just disgusting. Pushing a Rolls-Royce through South Beach? Stop it! But don’t get it twisted: “Even though me have the Ghost and the Phantom,” the DJ chats. “Still haffi keep me likkle crib pon the Waltham.” The boasy new visuals pave the way for the release of Cham’s third studio album Lawless, which will be produced by dancehall mastermind Dave Kelly and features appearances from Mykal Rose, Bounty Killer, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Miss O. All eyes on this. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Brand New Visuals From The Young Raggamuffin
Jo Mersa continues to step up lyrical game as he trods forward amongst his father Ragga and uncle Zilla. Bob Marley’s 23-year-old grandson is emerging as a wicked DJ who’s blazing his own trail with a fresh youthful approach that still respects the family legacy. His new video—shot by dread director Ras Kassa (the man responsible for Jr. Gong’s “Welome to Jamrock” visuals)—intercuts archival footage of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I with glimpses of kids riding skateboards in downtown Kingston. The bass-heavy rub-a-dub riddim with its echo-chamber horns should have the sound systems vibrating while Mersa touches on social issues from rape and pedophilia to dirty politics, yet still keeps the energy upful. “I wanted to show the alternative of how beautiful life is,” states Mersa, “to love it and appreciate the gift of life. His toughest tune yet couldn’t have arrived a at a better time—just as the Ghetto Youths tour prepares to touch the road in support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2. Video After The Jump… (more…)
First Kardinal, Then Kanye and Kendrick—Assassin Is the Go-To DJ for Dancehall Features.
He’s your favorite rapper’s favorite dancehall artist. But chances are you’ve never heard his name. That’s because Assassin aka Agent Sasco — his secret-agent alter-ego — has basically gone undercover for his two biggest records: Kanye West’s “I’m In It” off the Yeezus album, and Kendrick Lamar‘s latest single, the lyrical tour-de-force “The Blacker The Berry,” Although Assassin was not properly credited for either feature, word gets around and the DJ is very much in demand. Boomshots caught up with him by telephone to hold a reasoning, and wrote a piece for NPR about it. The full transcript is right here. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
Diggy British Scores Big as Ancient Future debuts Pon Top of iTunes Reggae Chart
“Sharp like the thorn crown pon Christ head,” Protoje spits on “Protection,” the opening track of his new album Ancient Future, “And you know the flow Hardo like slice bread.” True, that. The artist’s third album, which dropped today and shot to the top of iTunes reggae chart, marks a quantum leap in his lyrical prowess, not just in terms of flows and patterns but also in thought-provoking ideas (“drastically free from hypocrisy I say yeah”). Anybody sleeping on this youth needs to wake up fast. Between Protoje’s endless cascade of pause-and-rewind punchlines and Winta James’s sophisticated soundscapes, the album stands out as a breath of fresh air in the modern Jamaican music scene—which has elders like Sizzla so deeply vexed. In Jamaica many reggae lovers use the term “Ancient” to describe artists of the 70s and 80s, and Protoje clearly taps into that era for inspiration. Mark you, this remarkable album is not a throwback, but rather a leap forward—hence the second half of its aptly chosen title. As Ancient Future week continues on Boomshots, Reshma B quizzes Diggy about the levels of meaning behind his tune “Stylin.” Video After the Jump… (more…)