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  • Vybz Kartel Tops the Charts & Claims His Crown on “King of the Dancehall”

    Vybz Kartel Tops the Charts & Claims His Crown on “King of the Dancehall”

    The World Boss Backs Up The Big Chat

    “So all my time just gone?” Vybz Kartel intones at the start of the tenth track on his thirteenth album, King of the Dancehall. “All these years—them waste it. If me rob every watch inna the jewelry store, me can’t get back the time.” This is the closest Adidja Palmer comes to addressing the five years (and counting) that he’s spent behind bars on his new album King of the Dancehall, which debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Reggae chart today. Then again, he hasn’t exactly wasted his time. The album, produced by TJ Records, is a powerful piece of work, displaying all aspects of Kartel’s artistry and backing up its bold titular boast. While Beenie Man, the last Jamaican superstar to claim the title of dancehall king, has expressed his doubts about Kartel snatching the crown, Bounty Killer—who had a serious falling out with his former protege—recently appeared OnStage and weighed in on the musical game of thrones, openly admitting that 1) the album title is obviously designed to provoke Beenie Man and 2) there is no denying that Kartel is this generation’s dancehall king.   Review Continues After The Jump… (more…)

  • RIDDIM UP: The “Different Eyes” Juggling

    RIDDIM UP: The “Different Eyes” Juggling

    A Warm & Easy Reality Set Featuring Jahmiel, Vershon, Sizzla & Delly Ranx

    Over the past half century or so Jamaican music has evolved through so many different styles and sounds that it can sometimes be hard to discern the various strands of musical DNA. From mento and calypso to jazz and bluebeat on through ska, rocksteady, reggae and dancehall, the musical morphology continues to this day. Boomshots’ Riddim Up series digs deep into certain outstanding riddims, seeking to identify the unique qualities that make them certified Boomshots. We kick off today with “Different Eyes,” a new juggling from Pure Music Productions, distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos Digital, which hit iTunes today. The understated, slow-burning instrumental is a prime example of the sonic changes within modern dancehall.  Because none of the usual hallmarks of vintage reggae or dancehall are present—from the drum pattern to the familar “skank” guitar or piano—we have to hear the Different Eyes with different ears. Even the bassline is subtle, overpowered by a mournful, hypnotic guitar figure and a few gentle rimshots. The minimalist riddim sets a mood that inspires all the vocalists to hold a similar vibe. Each tune on the riddim complements the ones that come before and after it, and the whole becomes one unified statement that’s greater than the sum of its parts.  Audio & Track-By-Track Review After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Pritty Di General ft. Pamputtae “Sidung” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Pritty Di General ft. Pamputtae “Sidung” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    “Don’t Fall In Love,” Some Say, “Stand In Love.” But Sometimes You Have To Sidung

    Dancehall culture celebrates the female form to the max. The bigger the better seems to be the rule—and as bare as you dare. Far from being “sex objects,” strong women like Pamputtae and the dancers in this video are very much in control. In this video, directed by Robert Cooper, the  ladies call the shots and Pritty Di General plays his position. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Flex Masters: A Guide To Brooklyn’s Own Dancehall Hybrid Scene

    Flex Masters: A Guide To Brooklyn’s Own Dancehall Hybrid Scene

    Who’s Building The Best FDM Riddims Right Now

    It’s been over a decade in the making, but Brooklyn’s homegrown style of dance music is beginning to make waves outside of battle circles. Called FDM (short for flex dance music), the sound is a critical component of the flex dance culture that it grew up alongside. While the dancers were refining their styles into a distinct set of movements, producers were doing the same, creating their own sound fashioned out of a wealth of dancehall riddims and sound effects that would provide the soundtrack for major dance competitions. I went deep into the scene over at Pitchfork, so please go read that when you have time. Meanwhile here’s a quick guide to the producers (many of whom are also dancers) responsible for making the sound what it is today. This weekend, Boiler Room will feature its first flex dancer and FDM producer—a sure sign that big tings ah gwan—although they’re keeping the details a secret for now. They’ve also got more plans in the works for FDM later this summer, so this is just a starting point. We figured this would be a good time to provide some basic info about the scene before everything starts to blow up. Audio & Info After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Out Deh”

    HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Out Deh”

    Straight Outta Spaintown

    Teased on the masterful Roots & Chalice mixtape released earlier this year, the official full length version of the latest Chronixx single to touch the road is here. “Out Deh” showcases Di Steam Ministah hitching a ride upon the Shiah Records’ rugged “Lion Paw” riddim with a true king of the jungle flex. Chronixx does what he does best, displaying his knack for paying subtle if not outright homages to the reggae/dancehall days of old, wrapped in the cloak of swag that defines today’s younger generation. Stepping up with a nod to Shabba’s classic King Jammy’s selection “Get Up Stand Up and Rock,” Chronixx tips his hat to the Rankin as if to say I, Chronixx, am the reggae future as well as the reggae now—because I & I never forget I roots—and yes those roots reach all the way into the street. (Folks keep filing his music under “roots revival” although Chronixx has always maintained that “me’s a dancehall man.”) The riddim—produced by Shiah Coore, son of Third World’s guitarist/cellist Cat Coore, and musical director for Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley—is fierce. Chronixx’s vocals are crisp and laced with grit, his lyrics both “wise and street smart” as the tune specifies. The stage is being set for a full-scale Chronixx uprising. Our  job is to make sure we stay tuned and don’t miss the opportunity to witnesses what’s next. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Protoje “Can’t Feel No Way” DOWNLOAD

    HEAR THIS: Protoje “Can’t Feel No Way” DOWNLOAD

    New Music From Diggy British!

    First things first: Protoje’s debut album Ancient Future was a masterpiece. The fact that it did not receive a Grammy nomination was a grievous oversight, but then again the Grammys have a long history of fuckry. Ancient Future joins a distinguished group of reggae albums that were slept on by the Recording Academy. Diggy speaks on these and other matters on a dynamic new song—the first taste of a soon-to-drop album, Royalty Free—which is currently downloadable for free on his Soundcloud. Produced by Hartford’s own Tracker John MD, the track—built around a ghostly Horace Andy sample—is str8 fiyah. (Shout out to Taj Francis on the ill single illustration; attention to detail we say!) The song’s title notwithstanding, we can’t help but feel like the DJ feels some type of way. Listen and draw your own conclusions.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Beenie Man: “The music is Jamaican; the problem is, America can make it too.”

    Reasoning with Beenie Man: “The music is Jamaican; the problem is, America can make it too.”

    The Doctor Talks Drake, Popcaan & Kartel

    “Drake from Canada—Beenie Man from Jamaica—dah one yah a murda! Zagga.” When Drake’s album Views dropped at the end of April, Popcaan fans were surprised to hear a new voice on “Controlla”—a vintage Beenie Man sample appeared where Popcaan’s lyrics used to be. With Drake’s album topping the charts and breaking sales records this was obviously a big deal, and it set off all sorts of debates about why the 6 God made that move—and whether he truly respected reggae and dancehall or was just tapping into the flavor of the moment. But Beenie Man is not bothered. Having collabed with the likes of Wyclef and Janet Jackson the Grammy-winning DJ who dropped the single “King of the Dancehall” back in 2004 is taking the whole situation in stride and focusing on his new album Unstoppable, which features collabs with Sean Paul and Busta Rhymes among others. We caught up with Beenie near the end of his European tour to talk about Drake, Popcaan and his thoughts about Vybz Kartel’s new album title. (In case you missed the memo, Kartel’s dropping an album tomorrow provocatively titled King of the Dancehall.) “The name of an album and the name of a person different,” said Bounty Killer during a recent appearance On Stage. “But me know say it provoking still. Him provoke Beenie fe true, just like when Beenie Man say him ah de king, him did provoke Yellow Man. And tell you what: is not one king. You have the king of all kings, but there are several kings. Kings come down different generations. So I guess Kartel is trying to say that him ah the king of this generation.” Pressed on the point Killer admitted that his former protege Kartel (who he’s definitely had some issues with over the years) is now ruling the dancehal. “He is the king of this generation, you can’t deny that. Weh you ah go do, fight it? For the last ten years, ah him. Me can’t say nuttin’—him ah de young king deh. If him wan’ piece of the king ting—him can hold on pon the young king. He’s not no prince anymore, after a decade. I’m not being biased. Him a young king, mon.” Let’s see what Beenie has to say about that. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Atumpan ft. Paigey Cakey “Watch Nobody” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Atumpan ft. Paigey Cakey “Watch Nobody” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Don’t Deal With The Haters—Just Chase That Paper

    Remember when Atumpan dropped “The Thing” back in 2013? Afrobeats was a fairly new concept at the time, but there was no denying the man’s talent—or his MOBO nomination. Three years later the Ghanaian artist (whose name meaning “Talking Drum” in Akan) is back with a warm & easy summer track produced by North London’s Delirious for Hardboy Music. Today Boomshots proudly premieres the video, courstesy of Visionniare Pictures. With UK singer, actress, and Grime MC Paigey Cakey on the hook the message comes through loud and clear: mind your own business and maybe one day you’ll have a canary-yellow Lambo just like Atumpan. (Sidebar: if you stay glued to Snapchat while in the club you’re quite possibly a wanker.) Video After The Jump…
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  • Super Cat Confirmed for Reggae Sumfest 2016

    Super Cat Confirmed for Reggae Sumfest 2016

    The Don Dada Will Headline Reggae Night

    Super Cat will make his Reggae Sumfest debut on July 23, 2016, headlining the festival’s Reggae Night in Montego Bay, Jamaica. “Our headline act on Saturday night—which is Reggae Night—will be none other than the Don Dada himself,” said Josef Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Records, which took over the well-known annual festival this year. “We just signed him today. I have a feeling this show is going to be really magical” Cat’s live performances have been few and far between, going back to Sting 2013, last year’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, and earlier this month in New York at Irie Jam’s Oracabesssa Festival. A living legend of reggae music and dancehall culture whose career built bridges into the international music industry, Cat has collaborated with artists like Heavy D, Puff Daddy, Biggie Smalls, Kriss Kross, Sugar Ray and Pharrell, to name a few, but he has remained a cornerstone of reggae music. It seems like poetic justice for Cat to make Sumfest debut on the festival’s first Reggae Night in recent memory. “Don’t let them trick the youth and keep talking about dancehall—that is a miseducation we have to straighten out that,” said Cat during an exclusive Boomshots interview in 2013. “Only thing we were playing in dancehall was reggae music. What dancehall is are venues.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Delly Ranx “No Limit (Money Nuff)” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Delly Ranx “No Limit (Money Nuff)” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    The World General Stays On That Paper Chase

    When it comes to living out one’s dreams, there’s nothing quite like money to make a vision turn to reality. Just ask Delroy Isaac Foster, the dancehall artist and producer known as Delly Ranx. His latest juggling for his Pure Music Productions team is a slow-burning riddim called The Different Eyes. Most of the songs on this set tend towards the more consious, real-talk end of the spectrum, and what’s more real than the paper chase. As the World General Delly Ranx explains on his latest, it takes many things to make a woman happy—but one thing that’s never out of fasion is money nuff. Boomshots is proud to premiere the brand new visuals, shot on location in New Jersey. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Damian Marley “Caution”

    HEAR THIS: Damian Marley “Caution”

    When The Fire Starts, Don’t Say Gongzilla Didn’t Warn You

    He’s given us three Set Up Shop compilations and one classic collaborative album with Nas, but it’s been a minute since Damian Marley’s last solo album, the multi-Grammy winning Welcome To Jamrock. Now here comes the first single, a hardcore slice of ghetto life reminiscent of Robert Nesta Marley’s “Dem Belly Full (But We Hungry)” The track for “Caution” is based on Black Uhuru’s “Youths of Eglington,” anchored by a solid Sly & Robbie bass line as Jr Gong kicks that real. Audio After The Jump…

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  • Remembering “The People’s Champion” -Muhammad Ali

    Remembering “The People’s Champion” -Muhammad Ali

    A Champion of All Champions

    According to Matthew 22:14, “many are called but few are chosen.” Born in the first month of the year, in Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. seemed to be destined for greatness. He began his boxing journey at 12 years old and by 22 years old, he was the World HeavyWeight Champion (1964). The “People’s Champion” was kingly by nature, and his confidence was inspiring especially for people of African descent, because his title was preceded by the passing of the Civil Rights Act in the same year. His accomplishments left an indelible mark on history, culture and the globe. More After The Jump…

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