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  • WATCH THIS: Aidonia “Tan Tuddy” Video PREMIERE

    Your Girl May Be Hot, But Can She Tan Tuddy?

    The wait is over. For the first time online. (more…)

  • Junior Gong To Set Up Shop at London’s Indig02 TWICE

    Damian, Stephen, and Julian Marley—With The Whole Ghetto Youths Crew—Kick Off Respect Jamaica 50

    The UK’s gonna be ram-a-jam this summer. Not only will London be hosting the 2012 Olympics but it’s also the site of 12 consecutive nights of reggae shows at the Indig02 in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence. Kicking off the string of concerts on Wednesday July 26th will be Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, who will be joined by his brothers Stephen and Julian as well as the Ghetto Youths crew—Wayne “Go Hard” Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I, and Joe Mersa. They recently added an extra show on Thursday the 27th due to popular demand. If you were at the Marley concert at the Best Buy Theatre in NYC this Spring, then you already know this show is going to be A-Mazing!  (more…)

  • PREVIEW: Aidonia “Tan Tuddy” Video

    Didi Dedicates This One To The Strong Ladies Who  Really Stand By Their Man—Uzeet!

    Location: Kingston, Jamaica. An auto repair shop, staffed by thick ladies in tight shorts. Aidonia and his bredrens roll up on motorbikes just as DreDay Productions’ Arabian Nite Riddim kicks in. Mad new video directed by Michael Birbridge. Premiering at 8pm on HypeTV Tonight. For now peep the screenshots. Maaad. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Beenie Man “Hot Like Fire” Video

    The Doctor Has Plenty Of Patients Who Need Treatment

    When Beenie talks, the girls listen—and then they start with the nonstop wining. Want proof? Just check out this video for his tune on the big bad Loudspeaker riddim. Mixpak productions pulled out all the stops on this one, hiring some of the hottest dancers on the island—from the inimitable Mystic Davis to Carline Brown, Remeisha Richards, Shanique Williams, Ashleigh Martin, and Latoya Malcolm. Their wardrobe and styling is crazy and the high-def cinematography is off the chain. You’ve got to see this one to believe it. It’s all about the girls.
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  • Vybz Kartel Speaks On His New Book, “The Voice of The Jamaican Ghetto”

    Before The Book Was Published, Kartel Predicted It Would Cost Him His Freedom—Or His Life

    It was written. Vybz Kartel’s long-awaited book, The Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto went on sale this week. And as predicted, it’s stirring up plenty of controversy. The cover image portrays Kartel in a pose reminiscent of Malcolm X—except that he’s wearing a Masonic ring instead of the emblem of the NOI, and Malcolm X didn’t sport GAZA tattoos on his fingers or teardrop tattoos by his eyes. Subtitled “Incarcerated but not Silenced,” the book does not address the murder charges that landed Kartel behind bars last year, but it does lash out against all types of injustices in Jamaican society. During an interview last year, Kartel predicted that this book would land him in hot water:  (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Busy Signal ft. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Kingstown Town (Remix)” Video

    World Premiere Of The Latest Video From  Reggae Gold 2012
    You heard the remix, now check the video. Just like the tune, it’s dark and moody. Back when we interviewed Busy in April he said he had a video coming showing him and Jr. Gong vibing in the studio. He seemed excited about it at the time, but now that he’s battling for his freedom in U.S. court, he’s got other things on his mind. Still the music goes on. (more…)

  • Joseph Hill Speaks on “Two Sevens Clash”

    Remembering Culture’s Armagideon Theme Song

    Thirty-five years ago was July 7, 1977—a numerological cataclysm of epic proportions in a year of turmoil and great music. (Seven/seven/seventy-seven was sorta like the original 12.21.12.) But none of the the apocalyptic anthems released during that fraught year could touch Joseph Hill’s inspired ravings on the classic Culture selection “Two Sevens Clash.” Before the late great Mr Hill’s passing, we had a chance to reason with him about the tune. Here’s what he had to say… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Kabaka Pyramid “Free From Chains” Video

    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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  • WATCH THIS: Christopher Martin “Chill Spot” Video

    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…)

  • Interview: Reasoning With Beenie Man

    The Doctor Speaks On Gay Listeners, Nicki Minaj, and Why He Can’t Be Compared to Mavado and Kartel

    Remember that tune where Beenie Man says “Me lose me visa but everything nice”? Well let’s just say that everything’s much nicer now that he’s got the visa (and work permit) back. Beenie’s electric performance at Grooving in the Park this past weekend was his first live show in New York since U.S. authorities revoked the his visa along with several other top dancehall acts in April 2010, effectively cutting them off from their U.S. audience. But the Doctor has stayed in the mix, collaborating with Nicki Minaj, touring Africa, and preparing to release a double album under his own MD Entertainment brand, appropriately titled The King In Control. Before the Doctor mashed up the Strictly Boomshots show at Miss Lily’s, we kicked it at the Complex offices. He spoke about working with Nicki Minaj, static with DJ Khaled, the  backlash from his famous video statement renouncing homophobic lyrics, and why he’s closer to Michael Jackson and Bob Marley than a lot of these so-called superstars. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Beenie Man Pon Radio Lily

    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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  • WATCH THIS: Popcaan “The System” Video

    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…)