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  • Reasoning with Jah Bami: “I Focus So Much on Musical Integrity”

    Reasoning with Jah Bami: “I Focus So Much on Musical Integrity”

    Multi-talented Musician & Burgeoning Business Mogul Builds His Brand

    Jah Bami, born Marvin Walters in Trinidad and Tobago, learned to play instruments at a young age-including the guitar, piano, drums and steel pan. His mastery of instruments earned him a musical scholarship  to the University of the West Indies, which provided him a plethora of opportunities to take his career to the next level. Now he tours the world solo and as part of his deejay group, Suns of Dub. Furthermore, Jah Bami owns a record label, clothing line and brand of smoke wrapping papers. We spoke to Jah Bami about his many hats in the entertainment business. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Cannabis Cup Band Honors Bob Marley

    Cannabis Cup Band Honors Bob Marley

    NYC Remembers The Tuff Gong with Annual Tribute Concert by Cannabis Cup Band

    On Saturday, February 4, 2017,  at  B.B. Kings’ Blues Club & Girll, the Cannabis Cup All-Stars Band (CCB) of all-stars, paid tribute to Bob Marley, one of music’s greatest legends.  The concert, in its 21st year,  exceeded expectations in terms of live performances and high quality instrumentation. Photos & Video After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Jahmiel “Strongest Soldier”

    HEAR THIS: Jahmiel “Strongest Soldier”

    Why Do The Realest People Live The Hardest Life?
    “Man get whole heap ah love whole heap ah hate,” sings Jahmiel on this standout track from Chimney Records’ warm and easy “Money House Riddim,” distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos. The young singer became Boomshots’ pick for Breakthrough Artist of 2016 by putting in work to deliver the sustenace of inspiration via indelible melodies. But even as he elevates his game, a Great Man must sometimes remind myself that the Lord will never give him more than he can bear. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Samory I “Rasta Nuh Gangsta” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Samory I “Rasta Nuh Gangsta” Official Music Video

    A Man With Locks Don’t Need No Glocks

    Not every music artist can “buss” right out the gate, sometimes it takes cultivation before they are rewarded with the fruits of their labor. After four years of slowly building a following, Samory I is primed to be a major voice in reggae music in 2017 with the release of “Rasta Nuh Gangsta,” which addresses some common misconceptions about Rastafarians. Video And Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Likes”

    HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Likes”

    The First Single From Chronology Arrives

    “Ah no everybody ah go like we,” sings Chronixx, “still we irie.” Over a pulsating electronic rhythm, produced by the artist himself, Chronixx defies “reggae revival” expectations as he reflects on what really matters to him, and to music lovers the world over. On the surface this is a song about artistic substance over social media hype, but a careful listen reveals a pointed critique of the state of Jamaican music at a moment when the world is rocking to reggae rhythms. “Nuff a them still stuck inna the quicksand,” he sings. “A Gentleman me hear ah play a Finland.” Point being that artists who are satisified with “running di place” in Jamaica may be missing the bigger picture. “We never buck them up pon no flight,” Chronixx observes. “We never see them pon tour life.” Speaking of which, the Chronology North America tour, supported by Jah9, Jesse Royal, and Kelissa, kicks off March 2nd and runs through April 30th. Who no like it vex.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Stephen “Ragga” Marley Talks Bob Marley Birthday, Kaya Fest, and Survival

    Stephen “Ragga” Marley Talks Bob Marley Birthday, Kaya Fest, and Survival

    Watch A Live Stream Of Gong’s Earthstrong As We Reason With Ragga

    On this day Robert Nesta Marley, aka the Tuff Gong, aka the King of Reggae, would have turned 72. Gong’s Earthstrong will be marked by a full day of celebration at the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica. Starting from 6 o’clock in the morning, priests from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church come and bless the place. Niyabinghi drummers and the whole thing straight back to night. For those cannot be there in person, Tuff Gong Television is streaming the celebration live today. “Yeah man,” says Stephen “Ragga” Marley by telephone after a long day of rehearsals. “Nice vibe.” We reached out to Ragga in honor of Bob Marley’s birthday and also to talk about another big celebration for the Marley family coming up this year. Stephen recently announced the launch of Kaya Fest, with the stated purpose “To educate the people of the many uses of this plant as well as to inspire and encourage positive public awareness since medical marijuana became legal in Florida in 2016.” Reasoning After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: John Brown’s Body ft. Karim Israel “Hard Man Fe Dead” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: John Brown’s Body ft. Karim Israel “Hard Man Fe Dead” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    JBB Inna Prince Buster Stylee

    After 20-odd years mashing up stages all over the planet, John Brown’s Body is releasing their first official music video. Boomshots is proud to premiere the clip for “Hard Man Fe Dead,”a track off the band’s Fireflies album on Easy Star Records, featuring some tasty toasting courtesy of Karim Israel of Arise Roots. “‘Hard Man Fe Dead’ is a tribute to the late Prince Buster,” says lead singer Elliot Martin, “dedicated to the extended family of musicians that we are a part of. How good and pleasant it is to play some hard Reggae music with all these talented people!” In case this clip gets you in a similar mood, take note of the band’s tour dates below. This music caan dead. Video After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Micah Shemaiah x Giark “Rude Bwoy Jamaica”

    HEAR THIS: Micah Shemaiah x Giark “Rude Bwoy Jamaica”

    Rough and Tough, Vibes Nuff Nuff

    “This song in no way shape or form promotes gangsterism,” states Micah Shemaiah on his Soundcloud page. Over a raw rub-a-dub riddim season seasoned with live horns and percussion, Shemaiah and Craig “Giark” Dixon (son of legendary producer Bobby Digital, and an accomplished producer in his own right) address the realities of life in “a rude boy town.” By way of clarification, the singer points out that the song is “about positive change” despite its title. “The term goes from our foundation in the Ghettos of Jamaica where ones had to grow up very rough. It’s not about wrong doings its about being tough and not standing for what the system has to offer us. Original rude bwoys of Jamaica were not always violent gun-toting gangsters but breddrens and even sistrens who were not part of the status quo, who did not subscribe to certain things the “society” called norms.” The song says it all. Audio After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: I-Octane “Up In Di Sky”

    HEAR THIS: I-Octane “Up In Di Sky”

    The Hot Rass Is Not Coming Down

    It’s been a minute since I-Octane blessed his fans with some fresh material, so it was nice to see him drop something last week. “Up Inna Di Sky” is the first tune from his upcoming Love and Life album, which is scheduled for an April 2017 release. Voiced on “Light House” riddim, produced by JustUs, the song finds Octane in a party mood. “Who no come fi have fun, leave and shut up,” he says. You know that feeling when you’re under your grades and not trying to hear any stress. Those fluffy clouds on the cover art are a fitting reflection of JustUs’s trademark light and airy production style, as well as Octane’s meds. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Dennis Brown Special DJ Center Earthstrong Mix

    HEAR THIS: Dennis Brown Special DJ Center Earthstrong Mix

    Tunes, versions and dubs from the Crown Prince

    In honor of what would have been Dennis Emmanuel Brown’s 60th birthday this past Wednesday, February 1st, the homie DJ Center put together a crucial megamix that goes heavy on classic rub-a-dub era. We’re pleased to share it with you to provide some heartical vibes for your weekend and beyond. Here I Come again! Audio After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: R. City ft. Tarrus Riley “Crazy Love” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: R. City ft. Tarrus Riley “Crazy Love” Official Music Video

    Music To Save Your Mind

    “As crazy as it sounds, I need it now,” sing the USVI hitmakers Theron and Timothy Thomas alongside Jamaica’s own Singy Singy aka Tarrus Riley on R.City’s  latest single from What Dreams Are Made Of, song for the whole wide world with a reggae back beat and the sort of big hooks that the Thomas brothers have written for all sorts of massive pop and R&B acts over the years. Directed by Tony Bongiovi LaBeet, their new music video depicts the giants of Caribbean music shocking out atop a historic fortress on the beautiful isle of St. Kitts. It’s an epic setting for a massive tune. Tun up—Loud. Audio After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Protoje “Blood Money”

    HEAR THIS: Protoje “Blood Money”

    Real Talk Without Any Apology

    From “Kingston Be Wise” to “Sudden Flight,” Protoje has made a habit of speaking unspoken truths without apology. His latest release “Blood Money” takes that fearless outspoken-ness to new heights. “Police cancel operation, cause no real badman go a station,” states (who changed his Twitter handle to BLXXDCLXT), dropping lyrical truth bombs over Winta James’ stark rub-a-dub riddim, which has been bubbling on Jamaican radio for the past several weeks. “Blood money run the nation,” he chants on the chorus. “This song is so socially relevant, people connect to it on first listen,” he told the FADER who premiered the video.” It’s speaking about things that are collectively on all of our minds, that we all want to talk about, and I’m using my voice to bring these topics to the forefront of conversation… With all that is happening in Jamaica, criticism is often one-sided and directed to the have-nots—the people who have less are made to seem like the problem in society. This is unfair, hypocritical, and widely inaccurate. This song seeks to bring about certain conversations, to talk about what is really happening in our society.” Check the red-hot visuals courtesy of Taj Francis. Video After The Jump… (more…)