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  • David Rodigan Resigns From KISS FM After 22 Years

    Legendary Radio Broadcaster Steps Down, Citing “Marginalization of Reggae Music”

    “I write this today to inform you that I have resigned from my position as a broadcaster on KISS FM,” David Rodigan said today in a statement published on his official website. Rodigan has been a fixture on KISS FM since the London pirate station became a legit broadcaster. But the station’s recent decision to move his reggae show to a midnight slot has pushed him past the breaking point. “I’ve been with the station for 22 years, shared some wonderful times with many fantastic artists and members of staff and it’s with great sadness that I’ve come to this decision,” the reggae radio pioneer said. “Due to their continued marginalisation of reggae music into the twilight zone of radio scheduling, it has left me no option but to make a stand for my passion and the music I love so dearly.” The real question now is—what will be his next move? Full Statement And Video After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Elephant Man & Ding Dong “Crocodile / Badman Style” Video

    Epic Two-Part Video Takes Elly & Crew From The Swamp Around The World And Back

    You’ve gotta love the new Elephant Man video from Terminal 4 Media. Not just because it’s hilarious seeing Elly and Ding Dong and Keiva and the Ravers Clavers crawling in the primordial ooze like a bunch of swamp creatures. And not just because they so clean up in the second half of the video, trash and ready and bush to the bone ready to floss around the world in yet another dancehall version of Psy’s runaway hit “Gangnam Style.” And not just because it’s great to hear Elly singing a ridiculous dancehall instructional video all hoarse and off-key and not giving a frack like in the good ol’ days. It’s a little bit of all those things, actually. “How dem say Ding Dong stop dance?” Elly asks, outraged. “A lie dem ah tell!” As silly as these songs are—and make no mistake, they’re pretty silly—there’s a serious subtext behind the whole thing. “Mek we bring back the dancehall,” Elly sings on the delightfully ear-splitting hook. “Mek we show dem how it used to be.” Which means you’ve got to come with a new style. Even if it means making up your face like a reptile and crawling in the mud. And of course “Badman Style” isn’t exactly new. Psy did it first. Then Mega Banton, Singer J, and G-Loc brought it into the dancehall. But theirs was more of a bad man badman thing. And you already know Elly’s thing is a dancing thing. As in not taking oneself too seriously. As in embracing the inherent silliness of the whole thing. As in having fun again. Just like it used to be. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: New Kidz, Baby Chris, Ding Dong “Street Pledge” Video

    Truck Back Family Brings Fun Into The Dancehall
    Steve Locke of Truck Back Records has dreamed up another smash in “Street Pledge,” the latest smash hit from Truck Back Records. “The song came to me in a dream,” Locke told The Jamaica Star. “I woke up the next morning and started putting pen to paper.” Although he dreamed that he saw Baby Chris and New Kidz doing the song, Ding Dong happened to be in Locke’s studio—which is literally in the back of a truck—and since nobody makes a dancehall pop anthem like Ding Dong, he jumped on the song too. “Street Pledge” is shaping up to be the new ravers theme song. Reinterpreting Fun’s No. 1 hit “We Are Young” in a dancehall style, the video places the song firmly in the streets of Kingston. Nobody does road better. Video After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Rihanna “No Love Allowed”

    RiRi Reps Her Island Roots On This Reggae-Flavored Cut
    What’s your favorite cut off Unapologetic? We’re loving the reggae tune of course. From “Pon Di Replay” and “No No No” (featuring Vybz Kartel) up through “Rude Boy” and “Man Down” Rihanna has always represented for the reggae massive. And her latest album is no exception (Peep the random “chalice” shout-out on the album cover). “How could you murder us?” Rihanna asks on this dramatic song, which was written by Elijah Blake—the man responsible for Usher’s No. 1 hit “Climax”—and produced by No I.D. Audio After The Jump…

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  • Why Gyptian Says Don’t Legalize Ganja

    Why Gyptian Says Don’t Legalize Ganja

    “It Won’t Be Any Fun,” The Reggae Star Reasons, Plus “People Will Smoke Coke Harder”

    Ever since voters in Colorado and Washington State voted to leglalize marijuana in those two states, ganja fans have been celebrating. Well, most of them. One noted herb booster isn’t so sure the new laws are a good thing. We spoke with Gyptian, who has a few concerns that might surprise you. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Top 10 Ganja Legalization Tunes

    Legalize It And I Will Advertise It

    Why is Peter Tosh smiling? The ongoing struggle to repeal the prohibition of marijuana has inspired countless great records—and earlier this month it inspired a historic moment at the ballot box. Starting December 6 in the state of Washington and January 1 in Colorado, the dream of legal ganja will become a reality. Many questions remain: Will California be the next American state to free up the herbs? Will the Federal government sit back and let west coasters puff in peace? Will Jamaica ever embrace its number-one cash crop? While we ponder those issues, let’s take a look back at some of the greatest reggae songs ever sung in defense of ganja decriminalization. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Spice Interview

    Mad Gyal Spice and Reshma B Talk Di Tings Dem

    The ReggaeGirlAboutTown sits down with Mad Gyal Spice after her big Dancehall Night performance. They start by talking about Spice’s hairstyle evolution—Marge Simpson to Rapunzel—and discuss her tribute to stars behind bars like Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton. Spice also sends her best wishes to Lady Saw, who gives the love right back. Plus—the Mad Gyal sings Celine Dion, inna dancehall style of course. Video After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Christopher Martin, Chevaughn, D-Major & Ice Man “Till You Do Me Right”

    Techniques And Truck Back Connect For A Pretty Song About How Love’s Not Always Pretty

    Love is lovely, and war is kinda ugly. But what about the space in between? “Till You Do Me Right” explores that no man’s land with sensitive vocals from a quartet of voices. But we can’t stop asking ourselves—what if all these guys are singing about the same girl? That would explain why there’s so vexed! Audio After The Jump…
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  • Busy Signal Is Free At Last

    Fresh Out Of Prison, Busy Gives Thanks To God As He Touches Back Down On Jamaican Turf

    Tweeting “Guess who’s back? God is GOOD!” Busy signal announced his return to Jamaica on Friday November 17, four days ahead of schedule but not a moment too soon. Incarcerated since May 21 for absconding from an old drug charge dating back to 2002, Busy was released from a federal prison in Minnesota after the judge determined that he had done so much good with his freedom over the past ten years that the artist had essentially rehabilitated himself. It looks like Busy lost a lot of weight during his six months behind bars, but some of that good old Jamaica cooking will surely do him good. Welcome back Busy! May your good fortune give hope to others who are languishing in prison even now. Photos and Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Snoop Lion Plants Good Seeds With His Mind Gardens Project

    Snoop Said He Would Give Back To Jamaica, And He’s Backing Up His Words With Actions

    This July when Berhane aka Snoop Lion (formerly known as Snoop Dogg) stopped by the Strictly Boomshots show, he had lots of big news to share. Not only was he transforming from a rapper to a reggae artist, and releasing a documentary film about how he was Reincarnated, he also said he was going to be giving back to the people of in Jamaica. Now lots of people talk that talk, but actions speak louder than words. And this week, Snoop proved that his word is his bond. Details after the jump… (more…)

  • Rihanna Rocks Custom-Made Bob Marley Dress on SNL

    You Won’t Believe How This One Was Created

    Rihanna has always had a unique sense of fashion—from pairing chucks with a girly, pink dress to a bustier top and high-waisted shorts, her style has caught everyone’s attention from day one. And of course her vision has paved a path for millions of fans to follow. But RiRi’s best looks are those that can’t be duplicated. Case in point: the Bob Marley dress Rihanna wore during last weekend’s SNL performance. Boomshots did a little bit of digging and found out that the dress was a one of one. The Story Behind The Dress After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Ninja Man Meets Tommy Lee at Sting Offices

    The Don Gorgon Drops Knowledge On The Gaza Spartan

    “Me no come yah fi kill you. Me wan’ see you rise,” Ninja Man told Tommy Lee yesterday when visited the Supreme Promotions, the promoters of the annual boxing day stage show Sting. Of all the artists to work Sting over the years, Ninja has to be considered the year-to-year crowd favorite, so it was fitting that he take time out to school Tommy Lee as he prepares for his first appearance on the big stage. The Don Gorgon offer the young DJ all sorts of advice: “You have to straighten out that Demon ting yah.” Flipping into Brother Desmond mode, Ninja advised Tommy of his social responsibility: “Youth you have a responsibility to guide the young generation to the right destination.” Ninja also spoke on Tommy Lee’s lyrics: “Go back go listen listen Ninja Man dem and Papa San dem inna the years and hear how much lyrics them put in song. Ah that music short of right now.” Ninja even reminisced about his epic clashes with Super Cat (“The ting with me and Super Cat. That night is the first night my foot ever shake on the stage”) and even the infamous clash with Vybz Kartel (“That was of the past and let bygones be bygones.”) Video After The Jump…

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