Boomshots

Tag: Popcaan

  • Skillibeng Creates “Cinema for Ears” on ‘The Prodigy’ Skilltape

    Skillibeng Creates “Cinema for Ears” on ‘The Prodigy’ Skilltape

    Reasoning With Mr. Universe

    It’s not easy to make a name for yourself in the midst of a viral pandemic, but as Skillibeng explains on his smash hit “Mr. Universe,” he’s built for this. “From before Corona me social distance,” spits Skilli, who celebrated his 24th birthday today with the release of his highly anticipated project, The Prodigy Skilltape, and an interview with Reshma B of Boomshots. It’s been a breakthrough year for the artist known as The Fresh Prince. On the strength of his relentless creativity and tireless work ethic, Skillibeng has emerged as the face of dancehall’s new era. Video After The Jump…
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  • Murda She Wrote October 2020

    Murda She Wrote October 2020

    Unruly Boss Covers Reshma B’s Column on Tidal

    At the end of each month, the Reggae Girl About Town rounds up the top tunes for her “Murda She Wrote” column on Tidal. If you’re looking for October’s wickedest selections, you’ve come to the right place. This month’s lineup features certified Boomshots by Popcaan, Chronixx, Spragga Benz & Konshens, and Skillibeng. It’s Murda!

    Jamaica is a small island with an outsized impact on the world. “We likkle but we tallawah” is the local phrase that sums it up best. “Likkle” means “little,” of course, while “tallawah” is a patois term describing someone who’s “strong-willed, fearless and not to be taken lightly.” All of which is a good description for Popcaan, the 5-foot-6 musical giant who looms larger than ever over the global dancehall scene.  Music After The Jump… (more…)

  • Dre Island Elevates With Debut Album ‘Now I Rise’

    Dre Island Elevates With Debut Album ‘Now I Rise’

    “We rise to the top… cause we know what it takes”

    “We rise to the top,” Dre Island sings on “We Pray,” his massive collab with Popcaan, “cause we know what it takes.” Building on that theme of musical and spiritual elevation, the multi-talented musician—singer, deejay, songwriter, producer, and pianist—has just released his debut album Now I Rise. The project features the aforementioned “We Pray” as well as crucial collaborations with the likes of Jesse Royal and Chronixx. “Ah mi family dem deh,” says Dre Island, who has toured Europe backed by Chronixx’s band Zincfence Redemption. A graduate of Kingston’s Calabar high school—alma mater of both Jr. Gong and Vybz Kartel—Andre Johnson aka Dre Island is a living link between the vaunted “roots revival” movement and the sound of the Jamaican streets. “The revival is really within the people,” he says. “Reggae music never stop. Reggae artists always been touring. So it’s just the people’s awareness.” During a time when reggae and dancehall stand at a crossroads, Dre Island has emerged as one of the few artists capable of bringing together dancehall vibes and the ancient roots traditions—not to mention outernational connections like “People” his collaboration with UK talents Cadenza and Jorja Smith. “An island is a small land mass surrounded by water,” the artist told Boomshots correspondent Reshma B in their first interview. “But if you read further it’s also a place where you go to find yourself.” Video After The Jump…  (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Popcaan: Wine for Me, Official Video

    WATCH THIS: Popcaan: Wine for Me, Official Video

    The Unruly Boss, Drops New Video For “Wine for Me”

     

    Popcaan, Andrae Sutherland, shared new video for the single, “Wine for Me” off his latest project entitled “Forever,” executively produced by Dre Skull of Mixpak Records. The album is currently, one of the top contenders for nominations in the category of Best Reggae Album, for the 2019 Grammy Awards. This artist continues to grow exponentially in terms of his mainstream appeal and global popularity. On December 6, the artist will embark on a “Forever Tour” in the United Kingdom. He will then return to his hometown of St. Thomas, Jamaica to host the first “Unruly Fest” at Lyssons Park on December 22. More After The Jump…

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  • MoBay Artists Shine at Sumfest 2018

    MoBay Artists Shine at Sumfest 2018

    Rygin King, Teejay, and Tommy Lee Rip Dancehall Night In Front Of Hometown Crowd Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest has been a world-class music festival since its inception in 1993, but the 2018 edition of the Greatest Reggae Show on Earth was more than that: it was a chance for redemption in Montego Bay. Since January of 2018, Jamaica’s tourist mecca had been under a state of emergency due to a spike in gang violence. While the military crackdown did manage to reduce the killings, it wasn’t great for the tourism industry. Sumfest has traditionally provided a boost to the local economy each summer, but this year they did more than that—they brought hope back to the Second City. A stellar performance by three of MoBay’s most promising artists—Tommy Lee, Teejay, and Rygin King—sent a message to the streets that there is another way to progress in life. In the words of Downsound Entertainment CEO Josef Bogdanovich. “It’s really about stop the killing and let’s get real and try to make some money and live a good life.” Video, Photos, and Full Story After the Jump… (more…)
  • Dre Island Speaks On “We Pray” Collab With Popcaan

    Dre Island Speaks On “We Pray” Collab With Popcaan

    “They Don’t Want To See The Unity Between Dancehall and Reggae”

    “It’s a joy to see what Rastafari has done, said Dre Island shortly after stepping off the main deck stage of the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise. Having joined Popcaan to perform their hit duet “We Pray,” Dre Island was in a reverent mood when he spoke with Reshma B backstage. “For me it’s not even having faith in God it’s knowing that Jah is real,” the singer and producer explained. “Pocaan is my bredda, as he would say, family with a capital F. So it’s only fitting that we should do a song together.” When others questioned his choice of the Unruly Boss for the collab, Dre Island dismissed their doubts. “Unity is strength. Divided we fall. And we’re not going to fall we’re going to stay up forever.” Video After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Family”

    HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Family”

    Unruly Boss Don’t Trust No Bwoy Or Gyal

    Andrae Sutherland is a family man. That includes his mom and dad, grandma, brothers, sisters, youths, as well as the “real real bredda dem” who know how struggle feel. “Can’t trick me and kill me,” Popcaan sings over this warm-and-easy bubbler, “No way, you mussi bloodclaat mad!” Delly Ranks’ full “Cotton Swab Riddim” drops on iTunes November 17. In the meantime hold on to this one. Audio After The Jump…
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  • Artist of the Year: Popcaan “Nah Idle”

    Artist of the Year: Popcaan “Nah Idle”

    2016 Was The Unruly Boss’s Biggest Year, As Papi Showed The World How To Over Dweet

    Earlier this week Popcaan dropped the official music video for “Nah Idle,” a tune produced by Mini for UK-based E5 Records that pretty much sums up the Unruly Boss’s amazing year. “We nuh beg people, so no bwoy can style me,” Andrae Hugh Sutherland sings in the video as a focused schoolboy does his best to concentrate inside the unruliest classroom imaginable. Way back in February Popcaan posted to his IG a prayer that he wrote when he himself was a schoolboy. “God is real and he did answer that prayer I pray to him a long time ago🙏🏼 #givethanks.” Around that same time Popcaan also released a web documentary called “Abundant Life,” which revealed a whole new side of the artist once known as the “Raving King” as he read from Psalms 40 and 59 above the sound of a crackling fire and the beat of Niyabinghi drums: “I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me out of the horrible pit and out of the miry clay. He set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song into my mouth…” Since that time what a year Popcaan has had: high-profile collabs, soundtracking Nike advertising campaigns, watching Bolt celebrate his Olympic gold with Popcaan’s tune “World Cup,” celebrating his second consecutive MoBO win for Best Reggae Act with a live performance in Scotland, rocking OVO Fest in Toronto, starring alongside Drake in a short film, winning the Red Bull Culture Clash with a custom dubplate of “One Dance.” While it’s true that Popcaan’s vastly superior version of “Controlla” was omitted from Drake’s album Views, so was Jay Z and Kanye West’s version of “Pop Style.” While Kanye ranted about the decision, Popcaan held his peace. Of course Unruly fans were disappointed on the morning the Drake album finally dropped, but while they were busy filling @ChampagnePapi‘s IG with 🍿🍿🍿 emojis, Popcaan was filling their ears with a brand new banger called “Over Dweet.” Although Popcaan’s Instagram seems to depict a mostly carefree life, none of the blessings he enjoys came easy.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • This Year’s Best Dancehall Christmas Songs

    This Year’s Best Dancehall Christmas Songs

    Reshma B Selects The Sounds To Get Your Holiday Party Poppin’

    The Reggae Girl About Town’s new Murda She Wrote column just dropped on Pigeons & Planes, and it’s right on time to help your Christmas jam tun up: “There’s nothing better than Christmas in Jamaica—not just because the balmy Caribbean weather beats a polar vortex every time, but because Jamaicans love Christmas with a passion. The parties start in early December and run all the way through the top of the new year… and the most festive thing of all is the music. Over the years, thousands of reggae Christmas tunes have flooded the internet, but here are Murda She Wrote’s picks for the hottest this year. Full List After The Jump… (more…)

  • Popcaan Performs Live At MOBO Awards

    Popcaan Performs Live At MOBO Awards

    Unruly Gang Inna Glasgow

    The last time Popcaan set foot in the United Kingdom, he used an OVO duplate to seal up Mixpak’s decisive victory in the Red Bull Culture Clash. Now comes news that the Unruly Boss will be performing live at the 21st Annual MOBO Awards in Glasgow, Scotland. The awards, which honor Music of Black Origin around the world, will kick off in just a few hours. This year’s Best Reggae Act nominees include Popcaan, Alkaline, Spice, Kranium, and Protoje. (Nuff respect!) Those of us who are not in the UK can pree the red carpet pon Facebook, and keep it locked to Boomshots for more updates. More Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • MOBO Awards Announce 2016 Best Reggae Artist Nominees

    MOBO Awards Announce 2016 Best Reggae Artist Nominees

    Will Popcaan Continue His Winning Streak?

    This morning in London the nominees for this year’s MoBo (Music of Black Origin) Awards were announced. Now celebrating its 21st year, the MoBos have often done a better job reflecting the sound of the streets than the Grammy’s, particularly in the Reggae award category, honoring not only the Best Reggae Album (like the Grammy’s) but the overall Best Reggae Artist. Last year’s nominees included UK-based Stylo G, Chronixx, Protoje, Omi [who might have been amused to be included in this category since the Jamaican-born pop artist always made clear that he’s not a reggae artist], with the award going to Mr. “World Cup” himself, Popcaan—who got the nod this year as well. His last trip to England resulted in a MixPak victory at the Red Bull Culture Clash. Check out his competition. Nominee List After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Nah Idle”

    HEAR THIS: Popcaan “Nah Idle”

    “If you never listen Popcaan song, mek sure you listen to dah one yah”

    What a year Andrae Hugh Sutherland has had! Hits pon toppa hits in the dancehall. High-profile collabs. Shelling stages and killing sounds around the world. Smoking the highest and relishing close encounters with “some real star gyal.” In his latest tune, produced by Mini for E5 Records and distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos, Poppy shares the secret of his success, and it’s pretty simple—but easier said than done. It all comes down to work. Hard work. That’s how you live the dream. That’s how you take care of your family. That’s how you climb up the ladder from asking your bredrens to give away promo CDs, to getting your songs played for free (while other artists have to shell out payola.) Mind you, it won’t help cure other peoples’ badmind or grudgefulness. “Artist ah cuss true the world prefer me,” Popcaan observes on the tune. But by avoiding idleness, you can climb the ladder too—thus avoiding the ill effects of badmind. “Wash out unno heart, unno heart too nasty,” Popcaan sings. “We nuh beg people, so no bwoy can style me.”  When Popcaan speaks of “Idle,” he’s not talking about American Idol, or worshipping false idols. He’s speaking of laziness, slothfulness, lack of initiative, purpose, or forward motion. Think of a car in neutral, revving the engine and getting nowhere fast.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)