Boomshots

Category: Video

  • Protoje in the UK: Reasoning with Diggy British

    Protoje in the UK: Reasoning with Diggy British

    Kick Off Ancient Future Week With a “Bubblin’” Selection and Reshma B’s Epic Interview

    “We radically transforming the landscape of Jamaican Music on March 10th,” reads the official IG feed for the man called Protoje aka Diggy British. Well, so much for managing expectations. But that’s Protoje for you. Every since he first began bubbling under the reggae radar around 2010 or so, it was clear he was on some next next level movements—even if, especially if, they weren’t perfectly in tune with what everybody else was doing at that moment. He was always himself up on stage, never playing a role, never pretending to be too cool, fearlessly blending sincerity and complexity and militancy and rock-solid roots and dub sonics. Long before folks were chatting about a “reggae revival,” Diggy was quietly putting in work. From the Seven Year Itch to the Eight Year Affair it’s been a long journey. Recently he and several other like-minded bredrens formed like Voltron and started making noise as a collective, combining old school musical values with state-of-the-art social media savvy to wage asymmetrical musical warfare. Then last year Diggy and his longtime parring-p Chronixx dropped a certified Boomshot known as “Who Knows.” From that point it was on and popping. “Now is our time to govern the music,” Diggy told us late last year. We’re expecting big things, so we’ve declared Ancient Future week on Boomshots. Keep it locked. Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Legalize it! Wiz Khalifa, Queen Ifrica, Jr. Gong, Chronixx, Sizzla, Tarrus Riley and Lee “Scratch” Perry Chat ‘Bout Ganja Legalization and the Healing of the Nation

    Legalize it! Wiz Khalifa, Queen Ifrica, Jr. Gong, Chronixx, Sizzla, Tarrus Riley and Lee “Scratch” Perry Chat ‘Bout Ganja Legalization and the Healing of the Nation

    Could Legalizing Ganja Really Make It The Healing of The Nation At Last?

    Four decades ago Peter Tosh sang “Legalize It” and countless Rastafarians have suffered at the hands of the law for the sake of the holy sacremental herb. Now the Jamaican government is taking steps to decriminalize ganja with an eye to full legalization and industral production of medical marijuana. At this historic moment the Boomshots crew caught up with a few musicians in Jamaica who have been spreading the message on behalf of the “Healing of the Nation” to get their views on this big news for the Legalization movement Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with ZJ Liquid: “Resent Is Part of the Game”

    Reasoning with ZJ Liquid: “Resent Is Part of the Game”

    Reshma B Chats With The Zip Jock Whose Fix Up Riddim Has Got The Dance on Lock

    ZJ Liquid does it all—he’s a seletor, producer, and microphone chanter whose “Good Book” riddim was one of the biggest for 2014. Earlier this week he dropped a new juggling called “Fix Up” and it’s got the dancehall on fire. Reshma B caught up with Liquid at 21st Hapilos Digital HQ in Kingston, Jamaica for an in-depth reasoning on how the H2O Records CEO stays ahead of the game—and how he deals with haters. He even blessed us with a freestyle and the story behind the making of one of this biggest tunes. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Free Up The Herbs: 40 of Reggae’s Highest-Grade Ganja Anthems

    Free Up The Herbs: 40 of Reggae’s Highest-Grade Ganja Anthems

    Marijuana Laws May Be Changing, But These Rebel Music Selections Will Keep Playing Forever

    Every day brings new headlines about voters in the U.S.A. passing medical marijuana laws and American states decriminalizing reefer—even as the Federal government reserves the right to swoop in and prosecute whoever however whenever. Meanwhile venture capitalists continue to align themselves with the Bob Marley estate in order to build a global ganja brand. It feels like a bright new day in the long-running batttle to legalize Jamaica’s national herb. But don’t sleep: the Governor General has yet to sign the proposal that would allow Rastas to cultivate for personal use and corporations to cultivate for profit. And Jamaica’s Governor General still answers to the Queen of England, so there’s no telling what will happen. Meanwhile youths all over the world are still getting locked up for illegal possession of the wisdom weed. So the binghi drums have to beat and songs like these have to play, words sounds and power. These are not just “weed tunes” but songs about the real-life struggles surrounding ganja prohibition. say are they just one-line shout-outs, like the tune where Bounty and Cham said “tell the government free up the weed policy,” as wicked as that was. These are the rabble-rousing songs dedicated to defending marijuana growers and sellers and smokers from all forms of downpression. Some relate to the nitty-gritty details of the hustler’s life, others focus on police efforts to fight against the weed, while others make the case for legalization. Any topic that could inspire so much great music has to be important. Just like Josey Wales said on track #20, “It Haffi Bun.” And these songs have to play. Audio After The Jump; Countdown Continues Above (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Busy Signal “What If?” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Busy Signal “What If?” Official Music Video

    The Turf Prez Stirs The Pot With Some Pointed Questions

    In Busy Signal’s latest song,  “What If?” the Turf President puts on his philosophical hat and generates thought-provoking lyrics about the unpredictability of life. His lyrics emphasize that good and bad things happen to everyone, and we never know when adversity will swing our way, in the pendulum of life.  More After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Mavado ft. Future & Ace Hood “I Ain’t Going Back Broke”

    HEAR THIS: Mavado ft. Future & Ace Hood “I Ain’t Going Back Broke”

    Real Talk From The Gully Gad

    The timing of Mavado’s latest “We The Best” banger is truly uncanny. Just days after the news broke that somebody posted a petition on the White House website demanding that he be deported to Jamaica, the dancehall superstar drops a song called “I Ain’t Going Back Broke.” Although Mavado (who has a valid U.S. visa and work permit and now lives with his American wife and kids in the U.S.A.) has since clarified that the whole thing is an attempt to sabotage his career by a bitter ex-associate, the song still seems like a response to this latest pitfall set in his path. The song, which features We The Best labelmate Ace Hood as well as Future, seems to refer to Mavado contemplating the possibility of being deported to Jamaica. But Boomshots can confirm that this song was in the works long before the whole petition controversy flared up. Regardless of that fact you can feel the passion in this tune. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Sizzla: “You Must Recognize Rasta, Else A Lightning and Thunder”

    Reasoning with Sizzla: “You Must Recognize Rasta, Else A Lightning and Thunder”

    After Closing Rebel Salute 2015, Kalonji Speaks On Truths and Rights

    Say what you like about Sizzla Kalonji, but the man nah tek back no chat. After a fiery early morning performance to cap the second day of Rebel Salute 2015, the sweat-drenched dancehall legend took time out for a brief but extremely intense interview with the Reggae Girl About Town. The two spoke about Rebel Salute’s theme, the “preservation of reggae” with Sizzla asserting that countries like England and France are “trying to take reggae from black people with pen and paper and contracts.” They also spoke on the movement to legalize ganja. “Ganja free down here man,” Sizzla scoffed. “But them wan’ make money offa the ganja. And enough people them prosecute for the ganja. So the Rastaman plan to slap them some judgment. Rastaman been agitating for marijuana as a medicinal purpose and a holy sacrament and Babylon no wan’ do that. But now they want to legalize it to sell. So now the judgment is on. You must recognize Rasta, else a lightning and thunder.” The very next week Jamaica’s parliament tabled a bill to decriminalize ganja after 68 years of prohibition, with special provisions to allow Rastfarians to cultivate their own herbs in designated areas. Coincidence? The proposed law would also clear the way for a legal medical marijuana industry, so it looks like Sizzla is right on both counts. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread)” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread)” Official Music Video

    In comes the official music video for the big bad certified Boomshot, Inner Circle featuring the young general Chronixx alongside Jacob Killer Miller with the musical thing called “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread).” The video was directed by produced by Inner Circle and directed by Gil Green for 305 Films. Forty years after Jakes first sang it, Chronixx message is essentially the same—but instead of watchy watchy tenement yard dwellers, it’s watchy watchy cellular phone owners. No more long talkin’ let’s get to the photos by (by Bones Vision) and peep RGAT‘s behind the scenes report.  Video After The Jump…
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  • Reasoning with Tony Rebel before Rebel Salute: “I Rebel against things that are Wrong”

    Reasoning with Tony Rebel before Rebel Salute: “I Rebel against things that are Wrong”

    The Rebel With a Cause Looks Back Over 22 Years of Roots & Culture

    No meat, no alcohol, but plenty vibes. No hip-hop, no EDM, but nuff niceness. No stampedes, no slackness, but total niceness. Over the past 22 years, Rebel Salute has stuck to a winning formula and evolved into the people’s choice as Jamaica’s top-ranking reggae festival. Last year the Rebel Salute stage transformed Bounty Killer into Rodney Price as he delivered one of the greatest performances of his career. This year the Boomshots crew dropped by Flames Productions HQ in Kingston, Jamaica to reason with Mr. Tony “Fresh Vegetable” Rebel who explained how a humble birthday celebration grew into a musical phenomenon—complete with its own foundation that awards scholarships to educate Jamaica’s youth. Check the reasoning as Rebel tells Reshma B about the roots of Rebel Salute, right down to the great food (and brain food) availabe at the show. And if you can’t make it there in person, Rebel breaks down the best way to enjoy the show from the comfort of your own yard… Video & Full Lineup After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Queen Ifrica: “When You Speak You Become an Enemy of the State”

    Reasoning with Queen Ifrica: “When You Speak You Become an Enemy of the State”

    Reshma B Links The Fyah Muma at Flames Productions HQ in Kingston, JA

    On the last day of 2014, the Reggae Girl About Town dropped by Flames Productions HQ in Kingston, Jamaica to see wha gwan. She had a nice chat with the Fyah Muma about her new album and her hot new collaboration with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. Ifrica also expained how she came to sing “Lioness on the Rise,” which Tony Rebel originally wrote for Marcia Griffiths but which became one of the Fyah Muma’s signature songs.  Queen Ifrica also explained the real reason why her show in New York was canceled last year—and no it wasn’t really because of protests from gay community. She also takes a moment to big up all who fight for freedom of speech—the Mandelas and the Gandhis. She also talks about the growth of Rebel Salute over the years. Finally Ifrica lets everybody know how they can keep up with all the action at this year’s festival—going down in St. Anne, Jamaica January 16th & 17th—no matter where in the world they might be.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS! I-Octane “Call Me Over” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS! I-Octane “Call Me Over” Official Music Video

    At the top of the New Year , I-Octane summons our attention to the newly released video for “Call Me Over.” With sultry signature vocals and  R.Kelly “Your Body’s Calling” -like-lyrics, I-Octane turns up the volume with this song: “Touch You Baby, Serve You Right, Like No One Before Me.” Anju Blax delivers a contemporary, easy listening production with sexy guitar interludes. Sensual moves and pole dancing, visually complement the lyrics, in the video directed by Kevin Allen with creative direction by The Parris Agency. Video After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel Birthday Bash 2002

    WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel Birthday Bash 2002

    Witness the Birth of a Dancehall Legend

    Thirteen years ago today, Vybz Kartel (or as the videographer spelled it Vibes Cartel) celebrated his 25th birthday with an action-packed session at Club La Roose on Port Henderson Road in Portmore. Judging by the massive turnout of artists on the stage and the reaction of the ram-jam crowd inside the venue—not to mention the ridiculously futuristic flows emanating from his microphone—it’s clear that Kartel is a young champion on the rise. Having graduated from street mixtapes to writing hits for the likes of Bounty Killer, Kartel now had a major hit on Don Corleon’s Mad Ants riddim, “New Millennim” featuring Wayne Marshall. His debut album for Greensleeves Records, Up 2 Di Time, was still a year away, but anybody in La Roose that night knew something big was happening. Much has changed since that time: for one thing, when’s the last time you saw Kartel rocking a Nets jersey and a durag? Moreover, Kartel’s name is now known all around the planet, although much of the world is more familiar with his controversial exploits than his cutting-edge music. But one thing has stayed the same from that time until this : even as Kartel marks his third consecutive birthday behind bars, the Werlboss still has the streets on lock, and despite his predicament Kartel remains the most influential dancehall artist in the game, period. In honor of Adidja Azim Palmer’s earthstrong, let’s take it back to 2002, and bear witness to the birth of a legend.  Video After The Jump… (more…)