Does This Mean Clarks Are Over?
The unstoppable Worldboss (aka Adi Innocent) links with Head Concussion for a tribute to fly kicks—and we don’t mean Clarks. The latest video production to meet the challenge of shooting visuals without the star of the song comes up with a creative solution: part Rvssian flossfest, part hot girls, and part lyric video with Kartel Karikatures. Does it work? You be the judge. Log on and lace up your new Jordans. It Adi Hypest Ting! Video After The Jump…
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Jacob “Killer” Miller was one of reggae’s greatest performers. His merry, manic brilliance shines through clearly in the crucial 1980 concert doc Heartland Reggae, particularly the performance of “Tired Fe Lick Weed In A Bush” during which he puffs a huge spliff on stage while using his microphone to taunt the cops at the venue before somebody hands him a police cap and he starts chanting “Babylon, Babylon falling down.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Right After Shelling Down Sting, The Princess of the Dancehall Chats With Reshma B
The Princess of the Dancehall has had one hell of year—ever since she dropped that counteraction to Chris Brown’s “Loyal” we’ve had a feeling there might be some trouble on the homefront. Now of course it’s well known that her 9-year relationship with selector and rpoducer Foota Hype is over, and the ensuing media frenzy—complete with sordid allegations on both sides—had the Internets ablaze last year. Meanwhile The Princess of the Dancehall’s music career has thrived on the controversy, getting hotter than ever. Shortly after shelling down Sting 2014, I-Shawn told Reshma B that 2014 was “the worst year and the best year of my life.” The Princess of the Dancehall also answers the burning question: Can she quint better than she cooks? (And judging by her Sting performance, she may be able to DJ better than anything else!) And keep your eyes open for a special Bonus Cameo from Downsound Records boss Joe Bogdonovich. Video After The Jump… (more…)
“Re-Presentation” of Jacob Miller’s 1975 Classic Set to Debut Monday on Mass Appeal
Forty years ago, the late great Jacob “Killer” Miller released “Tenement Yard”, his first hit with the Inner Circle band. “Dreadlocks can’t live in a tenement yard,” the young Rasta rebel sang, lamenting all the “watchy watchy” people chatting his business in one of Kingston’s inner city communal housing schemes. Four decades later a new Rasta rebel steps up on the said Inner Circle riddim, and delivers his message, with what amounts to a whole new song subtitled “News Carrying Dread.” Not only are the rhythm track and the message of the new tune in tune with the original, a sample of “Jakes” voice also rings throughout. The 2015 release, which marks the first time the reggae supergroup has re-presented a song by their foundation vocalist, will premiere this Monday on Mass Appeal. Late last year Boomshots caught up with Chronixx and Inner Circle co-founder Roger Lewis at the band’s state-of-the-art Circle House Studios, where the song was made. “Me find Jacob, Red Hills Road,” Says Roger Lewis with conviction in his voice. “All my life I tell you—and I don’t say this becauxse Chronixx is here—I don’t see a youth who touch me like Jacob.” The good vibes are clearly mutual between the veteran band and the young singer. “We always have a great respect for the Inner Circle family, even before we really met up physcially,” says Chronixx. “Is a great thing. Is a very very great thing. To see say them music can still be revamped. Because we are the originators, I and I, from that time till this time.” Check the full reasoning with Rob Kenner and Reshma B. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Big Request To The Late Great Peter Dean Rickards aka Afflicted
And so this surreal year in which we’ve lost so many bright lights ends with the news that Peter Dean Rickards has passed away on New Year’s Eve. He battled cancer quietly, and with the same grim sense of humor that characterized all his work as a writer, film maker, photographer, cultural critic, and provocateur. Vistors to his AfflictedYard website today, who might have been searching for one of his groundbreaking pictorials—maybe something like, say, “Guns Like Dirt” perhaps—were met with the above image, even more shocking than anything else he posted—with the possible exception of those pig-slaughtering photos—and typical in its callous disregard for niceties of polite sentiment. If you couldn’t tell from his nom de guerre, Afflicted liked to keep it raw. I won’t attempt a proper obituary at this time, but I would like to send out this special request (not a dedication cause the man’s work lives) for my respected colleague turned cybercombatant and sworn nemesis. Yes there was a period of about seven years when we could not be in the same room at the same time, but thankfully we buried that particular hatchet long ago. And no matter how vexed I ever was I could not front on the man’s talent. In this post I’m sharing one of the last emails I ever received from Peter Dean. We were supposed to collab on a big project that I hope still happens but who knows?Right now all I can say is walk good bredren. Video After The Jump…. (more…)
If You Like, We Can Go All Night
Shifta is that youth from Jamaica making moves in Miami. (And if you don’t know now ya know.) He’s been putting in much work lately, whether hosting mixtapes with Papa Keith, collaborating with Rita Ora and Mr. Mauricio, or voicing on the latest riddim from T.J. But the song that really put Shifta on the map is a radio killer from Timeless Music called “Do You Wanna” featuring Che’Nelle. Today Boomshots proudly premieres the official music video for the track, brought to you by Gil Green’s 305 Films production company. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Everybody Want a Piece Offa This Man
Three months ago nobody had ever heard of Gully Bop. Then came the viral video, then the link with Claims Records, and the Major Lazer Remix. Now the whole of Jamaica is singing “every gal want a piece offa me” and all the excitement at Sting centers around the artist formerly known as Countryman, who went through a “dark time” and is now shining very brightly. Reshma B caught up with dancehall’s man of the moment for this exclusive Christmas Eve chat. Bop! Bop! Bop!
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With Just Days To Go Before His First Clash at Sting, Uncle Demon Chats with RGAT
Last year he almost lost his life in a car crash, but Tommy Lee Sparts still made his way to the stage at Sting—the World’s Greatest One-Night Reggae and Dancehall Show—on a pair of crutches. This year the man called Uncle Demon is back and he credits his survival to the fact that God loves him. Tommy Lee Sparta talks about his highly-anticipated appearance on Magnum Sting 2014 to the Reggae Girl About Town in this exclusive interview. Uncle Demon talks about his plans for Gage, why he’s vexed Popcaan is not on the lineup this year, and what he thinks Alkaline was afraid of. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Last Thursday in Kingston, Jamaica, dancehall star Popcaan gave his fans an early Christmas present when he turned up to a pop-up shop for his TR8 collab with RGAT Chains. In lieu of the usual high-energy performances he delivered at Tuesday night’s Ghetto Splash and the Saturday night Major Lazer show in Kingston, the Unruly Boss performed what was planned to be a “short” acoustic set that basically turned into the world’s first Popcaan Unplugged concert. Video After The Jump…
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That’s What You Call A Grand Finale
Christmas is high season in Jamaica, an endless string of packed-out parties and star-studded stage shows. Even if money gets tight around the holidays, there’s no need to buy expensive tickets for some of the best shows of the season as artists show love to their fans with plenty of free shows. Eith the return of shows like Ghetto Splash—a Yuletide dancehall showcase which has run on and off since the 1990s—the downtown community of Waterhouse gets a much-needed dancehall stimulus package to community residents, and a great concert to dancehall fans everywhere. The highlight of last year’s show was the appearance of both Popcaan and Mavado on stage at the same time, a cherished moment of Gaza/Gully harmony. Anticipation ran high for this year’s show, which did not disappoint. Surprise appearances by Shaggy and Beenie Man were just the beginning—the grand finale was a whole ‘nother level. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Dah One Yah Bad To The Bone
From their bugged-out Puma commercials (which somehow managed to snatch up sneaker money while subtly taking the piss) to their star turns in the film Better Mus Come, the acting, singing, and always laughing No-Maddz lads are undeniably brilliant. But there was always a sense amongst their hardcore fans that the rest of the world just didn’t get it. The lovingly scathing social commentary of their 50th anniversary tune “Sort Out Yuh Life Jamaica”—not to mention the whole “Poo Puku Poo” madness—did not exactly make it easier for them to “buss” in a traditional sense. Not that they really seemed bothered. But ever since their slightly skewed sensibility connected with the legendary drum and bass duo Sly & Robbie, the band has evolved from an underground sensation to an outernational vibration. First came the tune “Romance,” which sounded anything but soft, and now we have a selection called “Shotta,” which manages to condemn gun violence, big up musicianship, and still make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. In short, it’s a certified Boomshot. Video After The Jump… (more…)
The Unruly Boss Links With Reshma B Chains and We Are Massiv At Base Kingston
Nuff things a gwan in Kingston this week. Tuesday night is Ghetto Splash at Waterhouse Mini Stadium, with an all-star lineup that gets heavier by the day. This weekend it’s all about Live From Kingston featuring Protoje, Kabaka Pyramid, and No-Maddz But the exclusive jump-off is going down on Thursday December 18th, when We Are Massiv joins forces with Reshma B Chains to host a Popcaan pop-up shop at Base Kingston in Kingston, Jamaica—Upper Manor Park Plaza, Shop #11 to be exact. You may have seen Reshma B Chains’ new Look Book, which just premiered on The Fader. [Check the gallery above to get a flavor for the new “stoner chic” designs.]’ The RGATxPopcaan TR8 and TR8NESS chains, as seen on @PopcaanMusic’s personal Instagram, will be officially available for the first time in Jamaica. The night will feature a live performance by Popcaan as well as legendary DJ Skrillex passing through to rep his OWSLA line. In short, the ting Tun Up! Video After The Jump… (more…)