“I have never admitted that I was involved in any drug deal”
Along with Busy Signal’s brand new “Kingston Town” Remix featuring Jr. Gong, we just received this statement tonight from Busy’s management:
In this a time of reflection, I would like to thank my fans who have supported me through this difficult situation and who will continue to support me. Your messages and prayers via social networks and via
members of my team are what have brought light to the darkness of my cell… (more…)
Gongzilla Alongside Busy Signal—The Reggae Mission Continues
Music alone shall live. We just received this brand new remix of our favorite cut off Busy Signal’s Reggae Music Again album. Busy & Jr. Gong on the same track would be a big deal regardless, but given the circumstances, this tune and its message hit just a little bit harder. (more…)
Sir RamJam’s Royal Recognition, His Radio Clash With Barry G, And His Fears For Reggae’s Future
David Rodigan‘s trophy case must be getting mighty crowded. This year alone the veteran UK selector and radio personality has won the World Clash, received Member of the British Empire honors at Buckingham Palace, and earlier this month he bagged the Sony Radio Academy Gold Award for Best Specialist Music Programme in recognition of his recent BBC Radio 2 reggae series. But even as his accolades accumulate, Rodigan wastes no time resting on his laurels. He is fully booked through next year with gigs all around the world. And he seems genuinely concerned about the future of the music he loves—as he explains in the third and final installment of our “Reasoning With Rodigan” series… In the first of our exclusive interviews, Rodigan spoke about how he has been able to reach the dubstep generation, and paid respects to the late, great King Stitt. In part 2, the rude boy gentleman recounted his “baptism by fire” at King Tubbys, revealed how his background in theater helped him become a reggae DJ, and explained why he never talks patois on the air. [In case you somehow missed REASONING WITH RODIGAN PART 1 or PART 2, fret not thyself.] In our third and final installment, Rodigan details the roots of his legendary radio clash with Barry G, talks about receiving MBE honors from Prince Charles earlier this year, and voices his concerns that reggae music may have lost its way. OK, let’s get to it. (more…)
The Artist Who Sang “Nah Go A Jail Again” Gets Entangled With U.S. Law Enforcement
Not so long ago, Boomshots was in Kingston chopping it up with Busy Signal. He was in great spirits, riding high on his critically acclaimed album Reggae Music Again. Now instead of preparing his next release, Busy is facing extradition to the U.S. on drug charges. Avah Taylor reports on the latest reggae star to run afoul of the law:
For Glendale Goshia Gordon, better known to reggae fans as Busy Signal, it was all good just a week ago. Prior to getting word that the U.S. government had issued an extradition warrant for him, he had performed at the Reggae Splash Tour in Paris and the Amsterdam Reggae Festival last week. Following his performance in Amsterdam, Busy travelled to London, where he was reportedly denied entry and detained by Immigration officials for attempting to enter the country under the assumed name “Reanno Devon Gordon.” (more…)
The Ace Producer Tells How A Super Cat Classic Evolved Into A Hip-Hop Banger
Ever since Nas dropped “The Don,” he’s had the streets on fire. We knew it was a Salaam Remi production, based on a classic Super Cat sample, and “Heavy D gave this beat to Salaam for me to rap on.” But the details surrounding the creation of this modern-day classic have remained murky until now. As part of their big Nas cover story, Complex scribe Rob Marriott spoke with Remi about the making of “The Don.” Read on to learn the half that’s never been told…
Salaam Remi: We were talking about reggae stuff, and Hev was like, “Yo, here’s this Cat record, ‘Dance Inna New York.’ You ever heard it?” I’m like, “Nah.” He’s like, “Yo, I’ve never heard it before either. I’m going to send it to you. If you could find some way to flip this, I’m telling you, it would be crazy.” (more…)
Official Statement From Adidjaheim Records: Tommy Lee and Gaza Slim Moving On To PG13
This morning Boomshots received an official communique from Vybz Kartel’s record label announcing the end of an era. “Adidjahiem Records would like to announce that the outfit known as the Portmore Empire is being disbanded.” After contacting reputable sources to confirm, it appears that the statement is legit. Although producers have continued to release new Kartel songs recorded before his arrest last October, there is no infrastructure in place to keep up with the day-to-day management of artists. The release also included the following statement from Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer… (more…)
The Original Dancehall General Passes Through Radio Lily To Nice Up The Strictly Boomshots Show
Brigadier Jerry has more lyrics in his big toe than most DJs have in their whole catalog. This living legend of dancehall culture blessed Miss Lily’s last night with an hour-long reasoning and lyrics session. But if you missed last night’s show, fret not thyself—you can check out a small taste after the jump. Photos and video by the man called Gizmo. (more…)
Beenie Man Is Not The First Reggae Star To Reach Out To Gay Listeners—And He Won’t Be The Last
Late last week, Beenie Man made headlines around the world by releasing a statement on YouTube that was billed as a “video statement” but has been universally described as an “apology.” Listen keenly and see if you hear the word “sorry” or “apologize”… (more…)
On This Monday’s Strictly Boomshots Show, RadioLily.com Welcomes The Original Dancehall General
This past Monday Romain Virgo niced up the Strictly Boomshots show with some sweet vocals and slick selecting skills. Virgo was a hard act to follow, but we found somebody who’s up to the challenge. And so this coming Monday we’re taking it back to the foundation as we welcome the original dancehall General, Brigadier Jerry. When you talk about the greatest, most influential DJs in dancehall culture, Briggy’s name has to appear right up near the top of the list. And for all the great records he’s made, Briggy is at his best when he’s flinging down lyrics live & direct. There’s no telling exactly what will happen this Monday, but it’s sure to be crucial. (more…)
The Rudeboy Gentleman’s Long & Winding Road From King Tubby’s Dub Studio To Buckingham Palace
David Rodigan is sometimes referred to as the rudeboy gentleman, a nickname that sums up the apparent contradictions that make the veteran UK selector and radio personality such a singular character. Who else can say that they have cut dubplates in King Tubby’s studio, juggled tunes in King Jammy’s yard, and received royal honors from the Prince of Wales inside Buckingham Palace? Youth like Prince Harry will have to practice long and hard before they can test Rodigan. Because Rodigan has always been more than a DJ—he’s a cultural historian and educator who elucidates the nuances of Jamaican music to a wide audience (and whose dubplate collection is a veritable musical museum.) He’s also a rigorously trained professional actor on stage and television who might have easily chosen another path in life. Last week the selector talked about how he’s reaching the dubstep generation and paid respects to the late, great King Stitt. In part 2 of our series of exclusive interviews, the legendary selector and radio presenter reveals how his girlfriend first landed him a gig on the radio, how his background in theater helps him as a reggae DJ, and why he never talks patois on the air. OK, let’s get to it. [And if you somehow missed REASONING WITH RODIGAN PART 1, fret not thyself.]
Da’Ville Pops Bottles And Sings For The Ladies On The Overproof Riddim
Da’Ville’s voice is smooth enough to make the simplest lyrics sound good, and his light & breezy take on the Overproof Riddim hits the sweet spot just right. The video finds him casting three lovely ladies for the cover of his new magazine and you can probably guess the rest. It’s sort of like The Bachelor, but with more wining—and even better acting. Da’Ville’s popping bottles, but they’re not bottles of Ting. Looks like he has a whole different “Ting” in mind. (more…)
The Queen Of The Pack Is Back—And Well Slack!
Maddest combination we’ve heard in a minute. Patra dials up Delus—aka the brother of Konshens—and tells him she’s in need of his full attention. (Damn—some guys have all the luck.) It’s good to know Patra’s back in the mix. We’ve been feeling Patra since she was Lady Patra, straight through to her “Queen of the Pack” days. And not just because of all the “wuk” she put in to push dancehall into worldwide pop culture. Something about that husky voice and, of course, the whining skill just gets us every time.