Tough Roots Tune From The Rebel Music EP
Even if you never heard of him before, Kabaka Pyramid’s name lets you know he is a not a small artist. Nor is he lacking confidence: “Me ah de baddest lyricist so watch me prove it,” he boasts near the top of this tune, then proceeds to make his case. The video for the first single off his Rebel Music EP was directed by Pierce McLean and Andrew Jackson of Road Block Films. Gotta love the big Protoje cameo.
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It’s Always Best To Release Your Stress
Following up on last year’s massive hit “Cheaters Prayer,” Christopher Martin shifts gears from the anguish of infidelity to a song about releasing your stress. Sometimes it’s the simple things that get us through the day. (more…)
The Girls Them Sugar Nices Up The Strictly Boomshots Show
It’s been three years since Beenie Man performed in NYC. But now that his visa issues are all sorted out the King of the Dancehall is back with a vengeance. Over the weekend he rocked Roy Wilkins Park in Queens alongside Beres Hammond, Jimmy Cliff, and Gladys Knight. Then last night he passed through Radio Lily to hold a vibes, nyam some food, and admire the ladies—not necessarily in that order. Once Beenie stepped up in front of that sound system something just took over. Whether you’re on Hagley Park Road or Houston Street, there’s no mistaking that real dancehall culture when you get it live and direct. Photos and video by the man called Gizmo after the jump.
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Papi And Mixpak Bring Forth Some New Visuals
Popcaan is best known for party tunes and songs for the girls, but on his latest cut off Mixpak’s Loudspeaker Riddim, he flips into reality mode. Check on-set photos here; the brand new video after the jump. (more…)
The Roots Reggae Legend Nices Up Miss Lily’s Variety
Yami Bolo has been singing classic reggae cuts since his days at Sugar Minott’s Youth Promotions. You already know his tunes like “When A Man’s in Love” on the Stalag riddim, which Mad Lion sampled for his 90s hip-hop banger “Take It Easy.” What you may not know is that he also wrote and recorded the song “True Love” before his bredren White Mice made it a big hit in the dance. This week Mr. Bolo passed through the Strictly Boomshots show for an in-depth interview and blessed the place with some selections off his album Crucial Duets Vol. 1—and he even did a crucial duet with yours truly. Ka-Boom. Video by the man called Gizmo after the jump…
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The Maybach Music Bawse Blazes It Up In Jamrock
Ricky Rozay flashed down to Jamaica last weekend to blaze some trees, put on a show, and holla at de gyal dem. “I see so many beautiful ladies in the crowd,” Ross said between tunes. “Y’all know how to take care of the big-belly rudeboy.” Check the video after the jump. (more…)
Vegas Takes Us From Dub Studio To Dancehall
You already know Mr. Vegas’ Sweet Jamaica is one of the best albums of the year. The double CD is a musical celebration of the past, present, and future of reggae and dancehall culture. In this exclusive video, Vegas hits the dub studio to voice a special of his album cut “Gimme A Light”—based on Desmond Dekker’s classic “Israelites”—for the mighty Stone Love sound. Then later that night he tests it out in the dance. (more…)
Reshma B Interviews The UK Phenom Who’s Redder Than Red
Ed Sheeran played a little gig today at Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Playing 300 gigs a year is nothing unusual for the 21-year-old singer-songwriter from Suffolk, England first whose single “The A-Team” lodged in the UK Top 10 for three months in 2011. His follow-up tune, “You Need Me I Don’t Need You” reached No. 3 on the British pop charts. Now signed to Atlantic, Sheeran has a dozen or so EPs under his belt, including Slumdon Bridge with Yelawolf, whose rapid-fire flow Ed likens to UK Grime artists. “I don’t think anyone has a specific sound anymore,” says Sheeran, whose music draws on a plethora of sounds and styles. He spent years gigging with his cousin’s reggae band Laid Blak, and often interpolates their ganja tune “Red” into his live set, as well as snatches of Damian Marley’s “Welcome To Jamrock” and 50 Cent’s “In Da Club.” Sheeran’s debut album, titled simply +, is already a hit in England, and will be released in America one week from today on June 12. After blazing a solo acoustic version of “You Need Me I Don’t Need You,” Ed sat down with the Reggae Girl About Town…
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The Bandelero Takes Up His Bible And Chants Down Babylon
Island Rock productions just dropped a brand new Pinchers video. But this ain’t no Bandelero business. Over an easy-skanking riddim laid down by legendary session players Sly & Robbie, Chinna Smith, Christopher Meredith—plus Nambo & David Madden on horns—the legendary dancehall singer delivers perhaps the rootsiest tune of his career. And just in case you didn’t get the point, video director Stereo Belly even dressed him in white robes with a Bible in hand. Is this gonna end up like that scene with Preacher in Pulp Fiction?
Live From The Sweet Jamaica Album Launch, Vegas Bigs Up Buju And Busy and Fire Blaxx
Just in time for the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence, Mr. Vegas launched his new double album Sweet Jamaica in fine style last night at Miss Lily’s Variety in NYC—broadcast live pon RadioLily.com. While Max Glazer and Spliffington juggled tracks from the new album plus a murderous selection of computer riddims, industry players like DJ Norie of 105.1FM, Johnny Wonder of 21st Hapilos, Neil Robertson of VP, and Radio Lily’s own DJ Autograph, DJ Select, Night Nurse, Micro Don, and the whole Miss Lily’s fam turned out in force, with strong media presence from LargeUp, Tempo, and of course Boomshots in the building. After a fifteen-minute interview by Rob Kenner, Vegas blessed the place with a quick live performance, building up to his current smash hit “Bruk It Down.” Video & photos by the man called Gizmo after the jump…
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Reggae Legend Rocks Out In Harlem Backed By The Full Watts Band
Photograph by Paul Holgerson
Ten-thirty p.m., Saturday, May 19, in Harlem. I’m sitting at a table in Ginny’s Supper Club below the Red Rooster, 125th and Lenox. Across this art deco revival Harlem nightclub, the funky rounded edges of the window to the deejay booth frames esteemed reggae producer Clive Chin and his operator Fidel ‘Twice’ Luna. My friend Sam leans to me and says, “Can you believe we’re sitting in a place like this, listening to music like this?” Ginny’s stands in obvious contrast to the Brooklyn basements and warehouses and lofts with bare walls and bare lightbulbs where we usually have to stay up until 3 a.m. to hear reggae from the vinyl deep. Twice drops the needle into a Clive Chin-produced cover of “Mission Impossible,” the right track played at the right time. The pot is bubbling… (more…)
The Original Dancehall General Passes Through Radio Lily To Nice Up The Strictly Boomshots Show
Brigadier Jerry has more lyrics in his big toe than most DJs have in their whole catalog. This living legend of dancehall culture blessed Miss Lily’s last night with an hour-long reasoning and lyrics session. But if you missed last night’s show, fret not thyself—you can check out a small taste after the jump. Photos and video by the man called Gizmo. (more…)