Stephen McGregor Speaks The Truth, Cause It What It Will (Dem Get Kill)
Stephen McGregor started out the new year by stepping out from behind the mixing board to talk his mind upon the mic. His chosen topic? All the forces holding back real reggae music—from mass media mediocrity to payola to straight-up fuckery. “Me know dem ah go vex and cuss when dem hear this. Remember who the cap fit let them wear it.” Audio After The Jump…
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HEAR THIS: Di Genius “Me Alone”
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HEAR THIS: Vybz Kartel “Make Up” PREMIERE
Brand New Song For The Girls From The WerlBoss And DJ Power
Fresh off producing the summer hit “Fly So High” with Machel Montano, DJ Power has just released “Makeup” single with dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel. The catchy, uptempo track was recorded a few weeks prior to Kartel’s arrest. “Me and Kartel had a lot of music in the works,” says Power. “Glad we were able to finish this one and the world can hear it. Free Kartel.” Audio After The Jump… -
WATCH THIS: Exclusive Lady Saw Interview
The Queen of the Dancehall Speaks From The Set Of Her New Video “Heels On”
Last week in Kingston Jamaica Lady Saw shot the video for her sexy new single “Heels On.” In between takes she took time out to speak exclusively with Reshma B, clearing up rumors that she’s getting out of the game, addressing various rivalries in the business, promising not to chat bad about any other female artists, and explaining why she would never clash against another artist on stage. She even premieres a new gospel song and says “the good lord won’t be mad at me” while the Queen of the Dancehall does her thing. Get ready for more of the unexpected on her Alter-Ego album. Check the behind the scenes photos above, and pop the top for Reshma B’s on-set video interviews. Video After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Black Ryno “Courage”
After Getting Pushed Offstage At Sting, Ryno Pushes Back At Popcaan
Over the years, Sting has been known for lyrical clashes, but the biggest buzz this year was about the clashes that didn’t quite happen. We’ve all heard about how Spice was waiting for Macka with a donkey but Macka never turned up. And while Popcaan was performing, Blak Ryno stepped on the stage with a mic in his hand, ready to battle. But instead of a lyrical contest, Papi pushed him off the stage, touching off a scuffle. Now “Di Stinger” links with Stashment Records to give his side of the drama. “Wash your hair badman—keep it clean.” Audio After The Jump… -
WATCH THIS: Tifa Interview “Why Is Everybody So Mad?”
Dancehall Diva Wants To Move Past Lady Saw Rivalry, Focus On Her Debut Album Twisted Footprints
Tifa sat down with the ReggaeGirlAboutTown for an exclusive interview last week in Kingston, Jamaica. “Everybody else has been talking,” she said, “now it’s my turn to talk.” Tifa says she doesn’t feel like she needs to beef with Lady Saw, and wants to focus on taking Tifa to the world. She just wishes there was more unity among female artists in the business. Video After The Jump… -
WATCH THIS: Black Am I “Modern Day Freedom” Official Video PREMIERE
Fresh New Sounds And Visuals From The Latest Recruit To The Ghetto Youths Camp
“I feel like I’m responsible to bring back roots reggae,” says the young singjay Black Am I without hesitation. “Cause the thing get watered down.” Born in the rural village of Nine Mile—birthplace of Bob Marley—Black Am I met Damian Marley while the Jr. Gong was visiting a few years ago. Taking Damian’s advice to keep practicing and developing his skills, Black Am I was ready the next time Jr. Gong came to town and soon got signed to the Ghetto Youths International imprint. His new single, “Modern Day Freedom,” raises timely questions about life within a 21st century system of economic dependency. “How can we free ourself?” the artist ponders. “We have to put our shoulder to the wheel. No more complaining. Work to be done. I myself call pon every Jamaica right now. Stand up for your right. Get up, stand up. Sitting down too long right now. It’s game time.” Video After The Jump…
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WATCH THIS: Sizzla Performing At Sting
Watch Kalonji Drop Classics Like “Dry Cry,” “Give Me A Try,” and More
Sizzla has been on a roll lately, turning in powerful performances at major stage shows like the Sir Arthur Guiness Celebration in late September. His set at this year’s Sting was no exception, with Kalonji dipping into his vast catalog to squeeze off Boomshot after certified Boomshot. He even touched a tune based on the melody to Rihanna’s “Unfaihful.” All in all Sizzla delivered one of Sting’s strongest performances. Video After The Jump… (more…) -
WATCH THIS: Macka Diamond Interview: The War Has Just Started with Spice
The Dancehall Veteran, Author and Actress Reasons with Reshma B About Music, Money, Love & War
Hours after her no-show at Sting 2012—where she was expected to clash Spice—Macka Diamond went straight to the studio to record a dis track called “Donkey.” Her next stop was an early morning interview with Reshma B for Boomshots. Macka explained to the ReggaeGirlAboutTown that she did not run from the clash and that Spice would have been “an easy kill.” In this epic four-part interview, Macka Diamond speaks on her earlier dis track “Kill The Black One,” and tries to clear up any misunderstanding about the lyrics. While Macka’s differences with Lady Saw are in the past, she says her war with Spice has just begun—and that her offer still stands to pay Spice for a clash at her upcoming birthday bash. But Macka has lots of other projects going on besides clashing. She talks about latest book for Page Turner Publishing, Naughty or Nice, the sequel to her successful debut novel Bun Him, and about her latest movie role. Because at the end of the day, Macka is all about her “Money-O.” Video After The Jump…
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HEAR THIS: Vybz Kartel “Convertible”
The Werlboss Shifts To Overdrive on “Benz Punany Part 2”
Dancehall poets like Vybz Kartel never runs out of analogies to describe the gal dem sittin. Comparing his lady’s love to a German luxury sedan has proved a winning formula. Kartel’s first “Benz Punany” was a 2010 update on Grindsman’s 90s classic of the same name. The ride was so smooth Kartel had to come back with a brand new part two, produced by UIM Records. Audio After The Jump… (more…) -
HEAR THIS: Busy Signal “Mystery History”
Hear The Tune That Tore Down Sting
When Busy took the stage at Jamworld, he came fully equipped with new songs—and none more crucial than “Mystery History,” the most detailed musical account yet of Busy’s arrest, case, and legal struggles. Opening with the sound of a jet plane, the tune breaks the whole story down before giving thanks and praise to the Almighty for securing Busy’s release from prison after just six months. Audio After The Jump… (more…) -
WATCH THIS: Busy Signal Rips Sting 2012
The Hotthead Makes A Triumphant Return To The Stage
When Busy Signal took the stage at Jamworld for Sting 2012, the crowd was expecting something special. After all it was Busy’s first major stage show since returning home from a six-month bid in a Federal prison in the United States. So it was a safe best that the Hotthead would have a lot to get off his chest. But nobody was fully prepared for the phenomenal energy that Busy unleashed at Sting 2012. As fireworks lit up the night sky above Jamworld, Busy delivered an emotionally charged set that was both the performance of a lifetime and a harbinger of more greatness to come. After delivering his final tune Busy collected his Downsound Records Game Changer Award from the show’s co-producer, Joseph Bogdonovich. Then Busy checked Reshma B backstage to explain why he’s “living the Jamaican dream.” Video After The Jump…
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“Rockers” Now Streaming Online
Classic of Reggae Cinema Hits The Interwebs
This past August the Brooklyn Academy of Music hosted a festival of great Jamaican films including Theodoros Bafaloukos 1978 classic Rockers. Perhaps no other movie packs more legendary cameos and classic performance sequences into a slice of ’70s Kingston street life. In case you couldn’t make it to Brooklyn to catch this classic of reggae cinema on the big screen, fret not. Our peoples at Noisey have got the film streaming online for free, so you can catch Leroy Horsemouth Wallace and a cast of thousands on the laptop or mobile device of your choice. Video After The Jump… (more…)
