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  • A Message From Buju Banton: “Joy Cometh In The Morning”

    A Message From Buju Banton:
    “Joy Cometh In The Morning”

    The Gargamel Tells His Fans To Be Patient—A Boomshots Exclusive

    It’s been 7 years since Buju Banton was incarcerated due to an  extremely problematic federal drug case, and his voice has been sorely missed within the reggae industry ever since. The Grammy-winning artist responsible for classic albums like Til Shiloh and Inna Heights recently sent a message to his listeners exclusively via Boomshots. “Give a shout out to the fans for me,” said the DJ, who is scheduled to be released from prison in December 2018. “Tell them I send my love and I tell them: Do not be distracted by all the things that are taking place around them because it is designed to throw them off kilter.” Full Statement After The Jump… (more…)

  • Real Talk With Tanya Stephens: “I’m Telling The Truth—That’s The Only Thing I Know”

    Real Talk With Tanya Stephens: “I’m Telling The Truth—That’s The Only Thing I Know”

    Maybe You Can Handle The Ride—But Can You Handle The Truth?

    It may be true that women are far and few between in the reggae industry. But there’s no disputing the fact that Tanya Stephen is one of the best in the business. And not the good for a female—she’s one of the greatest songwriters Jamaican music history, full stop. Tanya has written some of the baddest tunes ever and has never let herself be pigeonholed into other peoples perception of what an artist should be. Whether singing about taking another woman’s man or exploring other sensitive real-life situations, Tanya continues to keep it all the way real, bringing her listeners along wherever her imagination takes her. After two decades in the game she’s still growing as an artist, and we still haven’t found anybody to rival her talent. During the latest Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, she blessed Boomshots with an in-depth interview with no subject off limits, from sex to religion to general stupidness and why she doesn’t like to clash. She even shared her true thoughts on marriage—”whoever decided that marriage should be an institution should be instituionalized!”—despite the fact that she is currently married. Tanya  will  be performing at SXSW during this year’s Irie Jam x Boomshots SXSW Reggae Showcase. Whether you’re in the house or not, take a moment to get to know one of the most fascinating minds around. Just make sure you fasten your seatbelt, cause this is going to be a wild ride. Videos After The Jump…

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  • “Sounds From The Caribbean Stage” Showcase at SXSW Reps Reggae & Dancehall To The World

    “Sounds From The Caribbean Stage” Showcase at SXSW Reps Reggae & Dancehall To The World

    W&R Projects x Irie Jam x Boomshots Link Up To Make Music History

    Launching as a regional music festival in 1987, SXSW (pronounced “South By Southwest”) has grown by leaps and bounds to become one of the biggest cultural events in the world—expanding to a nine-day marathon encompassing Film and Interactive as well as Music. Major motion pictures like Neighbors, 21 Jump Street, and Bridesmaids as well as the TV series Girls have premiered and secured distribution deals at SXSW. Major digital startups like Twitter and Foursquare debuted at SXSW. But music is the lifeblood of the festival, with over 28,000 artists participating last year, from unknown hopefuls (John Mayer and James Blunt are just two of the future stars to be discovered at SXSW in years past) to bonafide megastars (Kanye West, Prince, Lil Wayne and Jay Z have all performed there in recent years). One area that has been woefully under-represented at SXSW has been Reggae. But this year, W&R Projects have linked with Irie Jam and Boomshots to represent reggae and dancehall music to the world at this influential gathering of media tastemakers and industry power-players.  Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Nadine Sutherland “Inna Mi Blood” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Nadine Sutherland “Inna Mi Blood” Official Music Video

    Revolutionary Sounds From One of Tuff Gong’s Finest

    Back in 1980 Bob Marley was recruiting fresh talents as he prepared to build his Tuff Gong label into the Jamaican answer to Motown. One of his signees was a singer named Nadine Sutherland, who cut a single called “A Young One Like Me” for the Tuff Gong label. Unfortunately, Marley’s time on earth would be cut short and plans for Tuff Gong changed accordingly, but young Sutherland would continue her musical journey. She collaborated with Terror Fabulous on the Dave Kelly–produced 1994 smash hit “Action” and built a distinguished catalog of solo hits for producers like Donovan Germaine at Penthouse and Fattis Burrell at Xterminator. Most recently Nadine linked with UK dubmaster Mad Professor to record “Inna Mi Blood,” a blazing piece of rebel music that would surely make the Tuff Gong proud. “I am very passionate about the message in this song,” said the singer, who celebrates her birthday today. “It was written from observing the rise of racism in America and the subsequent deaths of African Americans as a result of it. I guess my roots have caught up with me. My association with Bob Marley was an influence too. This song is my tribute to Rastafari and our freedom fighters.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Popcaan “Weed Is My Best Friend” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Popcaan “Weed Is My Best Friend” Official Music Video

    Poppy Goes Farrrrr Out In His New Visuals

    You know the tune—it’s the biggest hit off Justus JA’s “Life Support” Riddim, the one where Popcaan says he doesn’t trust friends, because “Mankind nuh trustable.” The Unruly Boss is normally a pretty sociable guy, but as he explained in an exclusive phone interview, life experience has taught him to be cautious. “There’s so much people weh sometime you would take out your heart and give them it,” he says, “and those are the same people who will turn ‘pon you.” But when people let him down, he adds with a laugh, “my weed is around.” And really that’s no joking matter. “Certain of my problems, ah just me and me weed go through them,” he adds. “Me just smoke weed and overcome obstacle.” In the video, which premiered today on Complex, Popcaan can be seen communing with nature in a field full of sticky icky. You know what they say, a friend with weed is a friend indeed. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Blueberry Haze Riddim Megamix

    HEAR THIS: Blueberry Haze Riddim Megamix

    Maximum Sounds Wraps Up Something Strong

    Carving out a niche in the sweet spot between uptempo roots and modern vintage dancehall, Frenchie’s Maximum Sounds imprint has emerged as one of the most consistent sources of quality reggae music. He just blessed up with a megamix of his latest juggling, a warm & easy midtempo bubble entitled “Blueberry Haze.” As the title suggests, you might want to wrap up a draw before you take in this preview of a juggling that includes standout performances by veterans like Christopher Martin & Mr. Vegas as well as fresh voices like Randy Valentine and Vershon. And no, you’re not too high—Tairo is actually singing in French. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Chino McGregor & Stephen McGregor “Zero Tolerance” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Chino McGregor & Stephen McGregor “Zero Tolerance” Official Music Video

    Chino & Di Genius Stirring Up Some Revolutionary Sounds

    Just because they haven’t been dominating the JA juggling like one time, don’t sleep on the Big Ship Crew. Di Genius has been keeping busy on the production tip, making hits with UK Afrobeat star Fuse ODG and earning a Grammy nomination for his work on Mali Music’s album. He and Supa Dups recently produced Michael Franti’s entire album—and he’s preparing his Labwork compilation featuring dancehall joints with artists like Konshens and Popcaan. Meanwhile the Captain himself, reggae legend Freddie McGregor, will be dropping an album of his own this year. To kick off what looks to be a big 2016, here’s the first cut off the G.M.T.A. project featuring McGregor brothers Chino and Stephen dropping revolutionary lyrics over a rub-a-dub riddim. Perfect soundtrack for troubled times. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Chronixx x Eesah “Perfect Tree” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Chronixx x Eesah “Perfect Tree” Official Music Video

    Chronixx x Eesah Engage in a Melodic Steam Session

    Chronixx opens with horns blazing, as he rides effortlessly over the beat from Black Star’s “Respiration” exhaling words of righteousness: “High grade never hurt nobody. Let herb be free on earth nuh daddy.” You’ve guessed it: it’s another ganja anthem, but this one requires a higher meditation to fully comprehend the meaning behind the “Perfect Tree.” Let’s begin with origins of Rastafari and the Legalize It movement. Bob Marley and the Wailers advocated for the legalization of herbs for the masses. Peter Tosh was a vocal proponent of green living throughout the ’70s. Before the Wailers, a man by the name of Leonard Howell built the Pinnacle as a sustainable community in colonial Jamaica with an economic base of agriculture and yup, marijuana. Video After The Jump…

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  • Healthy Heart Playlist: Popcaan, Jesse Royal, Gaza Slim and More!

    Healthy Heart Playlist: Popcaan, Jesse Royal, Gaza Slim and More!

    The Lyrics We Listen To Affect The Beat of Our Hearts

    The music of the body is the heart beat. A healthy heart depends on good nutrition and exercise. However, in terms of overall homeostasis, emotional and spiritual factors also affect the heart. If one is scared, the sympathetic nervous system reacts in a “flight or fight” reaction to increase cardiac output by increasing the heart rate. Research shows that prayer and meditation can synchronize the vital signs (breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure and temperature) of the body. Based on these observations, one can hypothesize that the music we listen to affects the heart rate. Even more so than the loudness of the bassline, the lyrics evoke feelings and thoughts. This is a positive playlist of songs that refer to God and Love for a peaceful mediation.

    Healthy Heart Playlist After The Jump (more…)

  • Rihanna’s Fashion Forward Design

    Rihanna’s Fashion Forward Design

    Music and Fashion Icon Creates An Original Style For Puma

    As Puma’s Global Brand Ambassador and Puma’s Women’s Creative Director, Rihanna designed and customized variations of Classic Puma Sneakers. Her Suede and Platform Creeper sold out instantaneously and the sneaker brand saw a 40% rise in overall sales. In 2016, Rihanna took her creative direction to the next level, designing an original shoe for Puma, “The Trainer by Fenty.” Upclose Look At This Sleek Shoe After The Jump (more…)

  • A First Class Reggae Song: Half Pint “Substitute Lover”

    A First Class Reggae Song: Half Pint “Substitute Lover”

    A Song With The Clever  Interpolation of  A Reworded Nursery Rhyme 

    Tonight, we “Wheel and Pull Back” the hands of time to a song that touched the hearts of many in 1992 and continues to play with heart strings in 2016. Lindon Andrew Roberts aka Half Pint developed his vocals singing in the choir as a child, and that voice created some of the greatest releases in Reggae including: “Greetings,” “Substitute Lover,”  “Winsome,” “Just Be Good To Me,”and “Giving/Sharing,” to name a few. Let’s hone into the reggae classic, “Substitute Lover.” Audio After The Jump (more…)

  • Will There Be A Distant Relatives Reunion at This Year’s 9Mile Music Festival?

    Will There Be A Distant Relatives Reunion at This Year’s 9Mile Music Festival?

    If The Stars Align This Weekend In Miami, Anything Can Happen

    The 9 Mile Music Festival was established in 1993 as the brainchild of Cedella Marley Booker in honor of her son, Robert Nesta Marley. Formerly known as Marley Fest and The Caribbean Music Festival, the event has been renamed 9 Mile after Bob’s birthplace as well as his final resting place—the little village in St. Ann Parish that lies at the heart of the Marley legacy. More than a concert,  the 9 Mile Music Festival provides millions of canned goods to local homeless shelters and domestic centers throughout Miami; feeding families in need for months after the show is over. For 22 years, the concert has required canned goods in addition to the price of admission, and it always will. Given its strong ties to the Marley family, the show is always packed with reggae royalty, and this year is no exception, with Stephen “Ragga” Marley, Julian “JuJu Royal” Marley, and their nephew Skip Marley all scheduled to perform this Saturday, February 27th. In addition, both Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Nas are billed—and while each of these living legends will be performing his own set, anticipation is in the air that the two lyrical giants may join forces on stage to recreate the magic of their 2010 album Distant Relatives.  Full Details After The Jump… (more…)