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  • HEAR THIS: Derrick Morgan “Black Superman (Muhammad Ali)”

    HEAR THIS: Derrick Morgan “Black Superman (Muhammad Ali)”

    Big Big Request To The Greatest

    Forget what you heard. Muhammad Ali will never die. Ali may be one of the few larger-than-life icons to challenge even Bob Marley for nearly universal respect. We’ve all seen photos of The Greatest with Elvis, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan—he was even Prince’s hero—but what’s his connection to reggae? Derrick Morgan, one of Jamaican music’s greatest, pays tribute to boxing’s “Black Superman” in this Bunny Lee production which made a splash in the UK with Trojan Records in 1975, the year of the Thrilla in Manila. (The song predates the famous DC Comics book, published in 1978.)  Audio After The Jump…
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  • Reggae Sumfest Announces Newly Re-Focused 2016 Lineup: Strictly Reggae Night and Dancehall Night

    Reggae Sumfest Announces Newly Re-Focused 2016 Lineup: Strictly Reggae Night and Dancehall Night

    Message Sent In True Downsound Fashion: By Wrapping an 18-Wheeler Semi Truck

    After announcing earlier this spring that Jamaica’s leading music festival, Reggae Sumfest, was under new management, Josef Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Productions, has now revealed the newly re-focused two-night lineup for Sumfest 2016, rolling out with the slogan “our music, our festival.” This catchphrase holds a vital clue to the spirit of the newly re-imagined festival—with the whole world rocking to Jamaican sounds recorded by “foreign” artists, Reggae Sumfest is now focusing on 100% Jamaican lineup, letting go of the whole “International Night” mindset. Moving forward from its long-standing Thursday night slot, Dancehall Night 2016 will kick off the festival on Friday, July 22nd with a lineup boasting Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Popcaan, I-Octane, Agent Sasco and I-Shawna among many others. Saturday, July 23rd is the festival’s inaugural Reggae Night 2016 with strictly world-class singers like Barrington Levy, Luciano, Sanchez, Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, as well as Downsound’s own up-and-coming artist Nature. The message was delivered in fittingly over-the-top fashion, via wrapped 18-wheeler semi-truck. (Make sure to be on the lookout for them in traffic near you!) And just in case you would like to trick out your own 18-wheeler, the official artwork is pasted below. Semi Truck Wrappers After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Bim Sherman & Dub Syndicate “Haunting Ground Dub”

    HEAR THIS: Bim Sherman & Dub Syndicate “Haunting Ground Dub”

    Previously Unreleased Music From Adrian Sherwood, Style Scott & Bim

    Last year’s Sherwood at the Controls Vol. 1 compilation served as a timely re-introduction to the UK dub genius and electronic music visionary Adrian Sherwood. The even wickeder second edition, focusing on works from 1985 to 1990, arrives later this month. Having worked as a live mix engineer for The Clash and The Slits, Sherwood went on to found no fewer than four record labels—Carib Gems (established in 1975 when he was 17 years of age), Hit Run, 4D, and the legendary On-U Sound. His mind-blowingly mic’d, mixed and mastered recordings with in-house groups like Singers and Players, Dub Syndicate, African Head Charge, New Age Steppers, Creation Rebel, and Lee “Scratch” Perry and many more are the stuff of legend. This previously unreleased dub version of “Haunting Ground,” the title track off Bim’s 1986 album produced with Dub Syndicate, which—like many of Sherwood’s finest productions—was anchored by steady rockin’ Lincoln Valentine “Style” Scott, the late great drummer who co-founded Jamaica’s legendary Roots Radics band. “I originally recorded this for On-U Sound but gave [Bim] the vocal to use on his album,” recalls Adrian of the “Haunting Ground” sessions at London’s Southern Studios. “That’s Style Scott on drums, and I’m fairly sure it’s Crucial Tony on guitar.” The earth-shaking dub mix with sabre-sharp high-hats of death and billowing clouds of echo could only be Sherwood. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Ape Drums ft. Major Lazer & Busy Signal “The Way We Do This”

    HEAR THIS: Ape Drums ft. Major Lazer & Busy Signal “The Way We Do This”

    H-Town Riddim Master At Work

    While Major Lazer might be the biggest names in EDM to flex dancehall riddims and vibes in their tracks, they’re far from the only ones. Houston, Texas’ Ape Drums has been at this for a bit, describing his sound as essentially taking his EDM projects and making them into bigger dancehall riddims. His experimental EDM/dancehall hybrid has been a hit, landing him on some of the hottest EDM labels out, including Skrillex’s OWSLA and Diplo’s Mad Decent imprints. For his latest, he links up with Diplo’s Major Lazer crew and the legendary Busy Signal for “The Way We Do This,” wisely flipping Tony Kelly’s Bookshelf Riddim (made famous by everyone from Sasha on “Dat Sexy Body” to Sean Paul with his classic “Deport Them”) and turning it into a banger that will light up any dance going down this summer.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Beres Hammond & Cocoa Tea Headline 10th Annual Best of the Best Music Fest 2016

    Beres Hammond & Cocoa Tea Headline 10th Annual Best of the Best Music Fest 2016

    Miami’s Premiere Reggae Festival Celebrates Its 10-Year Anniversary

    For the past decade, Best of the Best has been transforming Miami’s Bayfront Park into a massive party. Although the early years were characterized by a wide-ranging blend of reggae, dancehall, soca, hip hop and R&B, in more recent years the promoters have focused on Caribbean sounds. Over the years BOTB has emerged as Miami’s premiere reggae festival, and this weekend’s 10th anniversary staging looks to be no exception. Looking for news for Best of Best 2016? Boomshots is the right place for press and information on this year’s event in Miami, Florida. As an official media partner of BOTB 2016, we’ll keep you updated with the movements. Follow boomshots on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Full Rundown After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Stephen “Ragga” Marley ft. Waka Flocka “Scars on my Feet”

    HEAR THIS: Stephen “Ragga” Marley
    ft. Waka Flocka “Scars on my Feet”

    Ragga x Flocka Connect and Reflect

    If you’re paying attention you already know that the long-awaited final chapter of Ragga Marley’s two-album epic is set to arrive July 22nd. Today team Ragga revealed the full track listing of Revelation Part 2: The Fruit of Life and offered these thoughts about the overall project: “The Fruit is about the different branches; there are many pages within my mind, many colors and ideas” says Marley. “We come from a versatile generation that can’t be put in a box.” As if to underscore that versatility, Marley also teased a new track from the album, featuring ATL trap star Waka Flocka Flame, bringing out the Brick Squad rapper’s revolutionary side. Stephen’s duet with dreadlocked turn-up king is available now with a pre-order of the album pon iTunes.  Audio and Track Listing After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Jahmiel “Different Eyes” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Jahmiel “Different Eyes” PREMIERE

    The Powerful Title Cut From Pure Music’s “Different Eyes” Juggling

    Hailing from Portmore, Jahmiel Foster found his musical calling from early out, and has since carved out a niche as one of modern reggae’s most exciting new  voices. Building on the success of his 2015 breakthrough “Gain The World,” Jahmiel and the Quantanium camp are setting a standard for conscious songwriting in Jamaica’s current dancehall scene. On his latest release, the title track of a slow-burning riddim from Pure Music Productions—and distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos Digital—Jahmiel wastes no time getting straight to the point: “Povery, still nuff. Life road, still rough. When the bills dem, build up. You maybe get your grill cut.” The song’s title refers to one’s point of view, seeing things as they truly are rather than as you wish they would be. Open your eyes and your ears—for who can’t hear must feel. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Falcons & Juelz “Gyal Dem Move”

    HEAR THIS: Falcons & Juelz “Gyal Dem Move”

    Something For The Bike Back

    Hot on the heels of the Terra EP—cosigned by the likes of Q-Tip and Virgil Abloh—Fool’s Gold signee Falcons teams up with young Canadian producer Juelz on the scorching hot “Gyal Dem Move.” Arriving the first day of Summer-like weather in New York, the hazed-out beat, strewn with hyperventilated Sean Paul samples, hits the spot. Audio After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Shanique Marie ft. Cali P “Coconut Jelly Man” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Shanique Marie ft. Cali P “Coconut Jelly Man” Official Music Video

    An Ode to the Coconut Jelly Man

    Shanique Marie is preparing for relaunch of her debut EP Uno in a deluxe edition this summer and is excited about the possibilities. Her incendiary single, “Coconut Jelly Man” featuring Cali P, first released in November 2015, is seeing another steep rise in popularity as the warm weather approaches and coconut cravings run amok. Video After The Jump…

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  • Super Cat Remembers “Dolly My Baby” Collab With Biggie Smalls, Sends a Message To Puffy

    Super Cat Remembers “Dolly My Baby” Collab With Biggie Smalls, Sends a Message To Puffy

    A Dialog With The Don Dada

    Today we celebrate what would have been the 44th birthday of hip hop’s G.O.A.T., Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls. (The day is now an official holiday in Brooklyn.) One of the first big looks for the fledgling rapper came in 1993 when he got the chance to drop lyrics on Puff Daddy’s remix of “Dolly My Baby,” a single off Super Cat’s classic Don Dada album. As a youth of Jamaican descent, Biggie fully overstood what a special opportunity this was to rhyme on a record with a living legend of Jamaican dancehall culture. Sadly Biggie’s career would end four years later, but Super Cat lives on—he will perform May 30 at the Oracabessa Festival in Queens, NY. In honor of two lyrical heavyweights, we pulled this interview from the Boomshots archives. Respect in all aspect. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Adahzeh “Island Girl” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Adahzeh “Island Girl” Official Music Video

    Rocking With Jamaica’s First All-Female Reggae Ensemble

    From the Maroon heroine Nanny to Louise Bennett and Grace Jones, Jamaican history is filled with powerful women. Still, the reggae music industry has remained a largely male-dominated field—which may explain why keyboardist and vocalist Karissa Palmer always wanted to be part of a reggae band made up solely of women. As far back as 2013 she had the vision for the group that would become Adahzeh—a name that means ‘The King’s daughters” in one of Africa’s hundreds of languages. Enlisting bassist Chevanese Palmer, lead vocalist Kadian Hamilton, drummer Tashana Barnett and guitarist Tara-Dean Williamson, the group, under the guidance of D’Empire management, made a splash last year with “Girls Like We” featuring Tifa. Now they’re back with a new video called “Island Girl,” a proud statement of  self-respect that doubles as a long-distance love story. He lives in NYC; she lives in Jamaica and “the embassy no wan’ fi leggo the visa.” Tune in for some sweet rub-a-dub music plus a happy resolution to the lovers’ dilemma.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Jus D “Give It To Me” Crop Over Video

    WATCH THIS: Jus D “Give It To Me” Crop Over Video

    Free Up Yourself For The Crop Over

    Although Trinidad’s carnival is renowned as one of the wickedest parties throughout the Caribbean, Crop Over in Barbados is no joke. Just ask Rihanna, who rarely misses the bacchanal in her home island. The Mega Cavalcade is going down tonight, with a crazy lineup of soca acts ready to set it off. If you can’t make it there to witness the action live, the least you can do is peep this new video of 2015 Crop Over highlights, all set to one of the hottest tunes for Crop Over 2016, Jus D’s cutting-edge soca fusion selection “Give It To Me,” produced by Livity Movements’ Dev Kutta and Guyana’s DRWTHVN. The ting tun up now. Video After The Jump… (more…)