Mad Gal Spice Keeps It Mad Real: “We Know What It’s Like To Struggle”
Though she’s best known for racy tunes like “Rampin’ Shop” there’s another side to the dancehall diva known as Spice.
Blog
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The Real Revolutionary: Fela Kuti’s Born Day
Nigerian Afrobeat Pioneer Declared “Music Is The Weapon Of The Future”
All these so-called pop music rebels need to sit their ass down and soak up some Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who reached planet earth 71 years ago today.
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HEAR THIS: Wyclef & Mavado “Hold On” (Crossroads)
Refugee Warrior And Gully Gaad Link Up To Make Conscious Thug Music
Wyclef and Mavado have been building for a while now & this mournful yet uplifting tune is the best thing they’ve done together so far. Pree this… (more…)
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WATCH THIS: Erup “Click Mi Finger” REFIX
Big Bad Tune Gets Minimalist Makeover Courtesy Of Ghislain Poirier
Erup’s “Click Mi Finger” is easily one of the catchiest dancehall cuts in recent memory. Apparently the international response to the tune was strong enough that the good folks at Truckback Records decided to roll out a remix EP, inviting a handful of Outernational DJs to have their way with the track—a risky move, to be sure. But I’m not mad at this one…
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Jimmy Cliff Up For The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
15 Years After Bob Marley, A Second Reggae Artist Is In The Running
“Very few single albums can be said to have changed music forever,” reads the official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ballot entry for Jimmy Cliff, who’s in the running to be inducted in 2009, the 25th year of the Hall’s existence. “Jimmy Cliff’s The Harder They Come is one. The album—and the movie that spawned it—introduced reggae to a worldwide audience and changed the image of the genre from a cruise ship soundtrack to music of inspiration and rebellion.” (more…)
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HYPE TV Top 20: G Whizz “My Life” Holding Firm
Sweet New Singer On The Scene Defends His Position
“My life soon sort out,” sings G Whizz on the slow-rolling Moodswing riddim from TJ Productions. And now that his tune has topped the Hype TV Top 20 chart for two weeks in a row, his words are coming true. But the competition isn’t sleeping… (more…)
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WATCH THIS: Chase Cross in Cassava Piece
You Wonder Who’s Next From The Gully? Wonder No More…
Live and direct from Cassava Piece, Chase to the Cross runs through some big selections from his growing catalog, displaying the stylistic versatility that has people talking about this Gully representer who’s quick to flip from bluesy singing to a straight-up rap flow. (more…)
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WATCH THIS: Burning Spear “Christopher Columbus”
Winston Rodney Dashes Another Fire Under The Genovese Explorer
It might not be his favorite holiday, but this Monday may be Burning Spear’s best Columbus Day ever. The roots reggae legend has been calling Christopher Columbus “a damn blasted liar” since 1980, when he dropped Hail H.I.M. (more…)
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WATCH THIS: Heavy D “No Matter What”
The Overweight Lover Inna Rub a Dub Style—Big, Bad, and Broad
Yes big man—run things fe years without tears and fears. (more…)
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Reasoning With Di Teacha: Part Few
Vybz Kartel Speaks On Mavado, Mad Max, And Those Masonic Rumors
In last week’s episode, Kartel broke down his roots of the Gaza/Gully conflict, and insisted that his lyrics were strictly entertainment, even as he called himself “the realest thing.” But what is the truth about his interest in Freemasonry? And is there any lyric that even he would consider too much? (more…)
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“I’ve Got The Handle, You’ve Got The Blade”
Neighborly Dispute in BK Becomes A Case of Mackerel vs Machete
Major Mackerel, dancehall’s undisputed champion of bugged-out sound effects, wound up on the wrong end a swinging sword yesterday morning in Brooklyn. (more…)
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Reasoning With Di Teacha: Part 1 of 2
As New Album Drops, Kartel Speaks On Music, War, and Life Pon Di Gaza
Adidja Palmer is a study in contradictions. According to a recent survey commissioned by the University of the West Indies, the DJ known as Vybz Kartel is dancehall’s most popular artist. On the other hand, his one-time mentor Bounty Killer recently said the biggest regret of his career was helping to “buss” the young lyricial prodigy from Portmore. “Kartel is the worst thing to happen to dancehall music,” Killer said of the artist who inspired his recent tune “Ungrateful Hell Bwoy” (a response to his former protege’s scathing “Bownty’s Killer”). After Kartel and Mavado’s epic confrontation at Sting 2008, anticipation is building for this year’s lyrical contest between di Teacha and the Warlord. But Kartel’s complexities don’t stop there. When we spoke last week by telelphone, the man behind controversial tunes like “Rampin’ Shop” and “Virginity” had just completed a back-to-school book giveaway, and was organizing a new juggling called the Schoolyard riddim, encouraging students to stay in school and out of trouble. Yet even as the Gaza vs Gully rivalry continues to simmer in the streets, the prolific, provocative lyricist insists on absolute artistic freedom, no matter the consequences. So who is the real Vybz Kartel? And what is di Teacha really teaching? Tune in and decide for yourself…