A Fresh Take On A Studio Classic Off The New Album, Di Captain—In Stores Today
“These songs were very specially chosen,” says reggae stalwart Freddie McGregor of the selections on his latest album, Di Captain. The album’s title refers to Freddie’s signature hit “Big Ship,” also the name of his renowned Kingston recording studio, whose name has been kept hot by his music-making sons Stephen “Di Genius” and Chino. “We took the greatest pains in making sure these would be classic songs that will last for a long time. I chose songs like ‘Equal Rights’ because I love the message and because the youth need to hear it. Featuring live bass and harmonies by former Heptones frontman Leroy Sibbles himself, this remake of a song that was first released in the midst of the Civil Rights struggle is more than a cover version; it’s a celebration. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Freddie McGregor “Equal Rights”
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Tony Matterhorn Kills Them With Classics At P Diddy’s Bad Boy Sound Clash
Diddy Jetted Down To Kingston JA To Bless The Winner With $20,000 Prize Money
It’s not every day that Puff Daddy jets down to Jamaica to throw a soundclash. But earlier this month he did just that, with a little help from Downsound, the same folks who teamed up with Supreme Promotions to make this year’s Sting extra-hot. Word is the whole plan came together within 24 hours, but you know what they say… real Bad Boys move in silence. Diddy kicked things off by rocking a few of his classic cuts, then he was joined by Beenie, Flippa, Kippo & Ninja. (Diddy’s pretty much done it all, but he looked genuinely geeked to be rocking a stage in Kingston.) After that it was time for the big clash, and Matterhorn dealt with them wicked. Video After The Jump… (more…) -
HYPE TV Top 20: Mavado Holds His Spot At The Top
Mavado Doesn’t Budge as His Competition Moves Down the List
Mavado is holding his spot at number one for a second week in a row and it seems like he isn’t going anywhere! Di Genius has been heating up the charts, the radio stations and clubs with his single, “Money Box (Box of Money),” and he hasn’t even released a video for it yet! As others like Macka Diamond and I-Octane and Bounty Killer move down the list, Mavado stands strong! Check out the countdown after the jump!
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HEAR THIS: Busy Signal “Bad Up Who”
No Bwoy Can Beat Busy
By the sound of this new Jukeboxx Production, it would appear that somebody’s been running their mouth of late, acting up and chatting fuckery bout the Hotthead. But Busy’s got some pointed questions for all those spreading loose arguments. (“Them say box inna face—when? How?? Which guy?”) And if logic doesn’t sway them, there’s always the heavy metal. Sound it! Audio After The Jump… (more…) -
Femi Kuti Says There’s Still a Place For His Dream
Fela’s Number One Son Talks About His New Album And Picks Six Essential Afrobeat Tunes
We caught up with FEMI KUTI before last night’s show at Webster Hall in NYC. When he said that he thought his new album, No Place For My Dream, is his “best work so far,” we politely mentioned that every artist think their new album is their best work so far. He laughed before replying: “Well I’m not every artist, one,” he said for starters, “and two I think it because I know. I think Shoki Shoki was one of my most powerful albums. So I would say with that album I was on the highway. I defined another level of Afrobeat, the possibilities of Afrobeat with that album.” Full interview After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Barry Brown “Make It With You” and “Sister Magling”
Rock & Groove To Two Channel One Classics From The Crucial Right Now Album
The Jamaican roots reggae vocalist Barry Brown is best know for his clasic “Far East” but before his untimely death he left a rich legacy of music to keep his name alive itinually. Case in point: the little-known Right Now album, an overlooked treasure that was recently reissued by Greensleeves. This Jah Screw production was record, voiced, and mixed at Channel One studios with killer riddims laid down by Roots Radics and the We The People band. These sounds are so nice we had to give it to you twice. Audio After The Jump… (more…) -
A$AP Rocky, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes & More Turn Out To See Snoop “Reincarnated”
Snoop Lion Hits 106 & Park Then Invites a Few Friends Over To Check Out His New Movie
This past Thursday Snoop traveled to NYC to appear on BET’s 106 & Park and then host a private screening of his movie Reincarnated. Snoop may be into a new sound but hip-hop heavyweights like 50, Busta, and Rocky still count him as one of their own. The stars came out to eat some popcorn, sip some ginger beer, and watch the story of Snoop’s journey to Jamaica and his transition to reggae music. Would have been nice to see some more natty dreads in the place, but they were definitely represented on the silver screen. Video And Photo Gallery After The Jump…
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WATCH THIS: Romain Virgo “I Am Rich In Love” Pon Radio Lily
Live & Direct From The Strictly Boomshots Show
It’s hard to believe that Miss Lily’s Variety is only a year old. It already feels like an NYC institution. Just think of all the magic moments that have gone down on RadioLily. This week the Miss Lily’s Family Style Vol. 1 CD hits stores, including cuts from many of the great artists who have passed through to nice up the place. Let’s take a look back at one of those very special nights… Video After The Jump… -
Vybz Kartel Is Back on Twitter
The Werlboss May Be Incarcerated But He Cannot Be Silenced #FB
After 486 days of inactivity, Vybz Kartel’s official Twitter account, @IAmTheKartel, came roaring back to life this week—the same week that Kartel’s trial date was pushed back another five months for no apparent reason. No, the “dancehall hero and entrepreneur” does not have a computer in jail—not that we know of anyway—but he has given the green light to Michael Dawson, the co-author of his book, The Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto to take control of his Twitter account and use it to relay messages from Adidja Palmer and “to reveal to the public things that he had previously chosen to keep private.” Kartel spells out his reasons for this decision in a short manifesto called “I am not who Babylon says I am” that was tweeted from his account. “After being locked up without bail for nearly a year and a half, politicians still blame him for everything from scamming to teenage truancy to the increase in crime as he is constantly being portrayed as the root of all evil in Jamaica.” Kartel’s timeline is on and popping once again with remarks that are too hilarious NOT to have come directly from the Werlboss. He’s even promised to tweet his true feelings about Popcaan and Blak Ryno. Kartel’s immediate goal is to get 50,000 new followers as quickly as possible to prove that he may be incarcerated but he cannot be silenced. Read Kartel’s Latest Bold Statement After The Jump…
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HEAR THIS: Serani “Paper”
When It Comes To Handling His Business, The Singer Is Playing No Games
Remember last July when Serani broke away from the Daseca production team? At the time the situation seemed like an amicable split. “I’ve watched my partners Craig and David grow substantially through sheer hard work,” Serani said at the time. “I believe that I should give them room to spread their wings… They’re very very talented brothers. I just believe that maybe we’d be better off doing out own thing. I’m not saying Daseca is split for good. Who knows what can happen in years to come? Craig and David are like my brothers, so no split and no negative vibe.” Well, that was then. But today we received a new tune from Serani’s Rockstone Media that tells a different story. Although no names are mentioned, it seems like this one might be directed at his former partners. He even references the early Serani & Bugle hit “Doh” and updates the line, saying “Me never know some of me friend dem no like me.” Check the tune and decide for yourself. Audio After The Jump… -
HEAR THIS: Michelle “Songbird” Gordon “No Way”
Sbe Won’t Be Led Astray
This Kingston-born, Miami-raised Songbird counts Whitney and Mariah as inspirations, and her powerful vocals have just a touch of classic soul and gospel fire behind them. She’s toured the world as one of Michael Rose’s backup singers, sung harmonies on a Marcia Griffiths album, and recorded singles for the Jah Life and Heavy Beat labels. She also has three albums under her belt: Lioness, Michelle Michelle, and The Essence of Life, whose soaring title track became her biggest hit to date. The Songbird’s been working on a new album with producer Dennis Dreadstone, and it’s sounding pretty serious. Here’s your first taste. Audio After The Jump… (more…) -
Why Is Bunny Wailer Flipping on Snoop?
We Thought It Was All Good Between Jah Bunny and Snoop Lion
If you’ve see the Snoop Lion documentary, Reincarnated, you know that Snoop and Bunny Wailer got together and burned a peace pipe at Bunny’s house in Kingston. So it came as some surprise to read today’s TMZ item stating that Snoop was “Rejected” by Jah Bunny, an original member of the Wailing Wailers. Wailer claims Snoop has engaged in “outright fraudulent use of Rastafari Community’s personalities and symbolism” — and has failed to meet “contractual, moral and verbal commitments.” On second thought, maybe it shouldn’t come as such a surprise. Later on in the film, Bunny showed up at a recording studio with a stern face, asking tough questions about Snoop Lion’s intentions and whether he was really true to the whole Rasta thing. Apparently Snoop’s response was good enough to convince Bunny to jump in the vocal booth and record some vocals with Diplo. But it would seem that Bunny has since rethought that decision. Video After The Jump… (more…)