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  • WATCH THIS: Rihanna ft. Drake “Work” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Rihanna ft. Drake “Work” Official Music Video

    Girl I’ll Tropical House You

    After all the teasers, snippets, and Snapchats the video for Rihanna’s most unabashedly dancehall track ever drops today, same time the tune touch the No. 1 spot. Our bredren Paul Parris called Riri and Aubrey the Queen and King of Dancehall, which might be overstating the case, but we feel the fire of his argument. Point being that Tropical House shit is dead. Please have the decency to call it what it is: dancehall. By now we all know the song was co-produced by Drake’s very own Boi-1da, Sevn Thomas and Partynextdoo—three youths from T-Dot who looped up Pot of Gold’s “Sail Away” riddim and took the track behind “Badman Nuh Flee” to the top of the pops. The video is appropriately twerktastic and bangs even harder with DJ Autograph’s remix underneath. Pree this. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Chronixx x Federation Sound “Roots & Chalice”

    HEAR THIS: Chronixx x Federation Sound “Roots & Chalice”

    Steam Ministah Links Federation Fam To Give Us The Fullness

    Chronixx and the Federation family had a musical meeting of the minds to create this amalgamation of wicked instrumentals past & present. The 60-minute mix includes well known tracks “Like A Whistle,” “Alpha & Omega,” and “Tenement Yard” to warm up your ears to a familiar beat.  The heavy drum and bass breakdown stampedes in on “Spanish Town Rocking” (inspired by Mr. Levy’s crucial Channel One selection) as Chronixx executes a sound inna dancehall stylee. “Queen Majesty” is a top selection with a smooth melody that the ladies will be sure to love. Chronixx dominates the microphone as an emcee and singjay with special features from Eesah on “Perfect Tree”, Dre Island on “Puppy Nose”, Kelissa on “Best Love”, and Kabaka Pyramid on the title track Chalice & Roots. “Dem haffi wait likkle while for mi first album…” Chronixx ends the mix with a proclamation that leaves us wanting more. Behind the steam, the music disappears from whence it came, deep into the tallest peaks of Jamaica’s lush green dreams. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Morgan Heritage ft. Eric Rachmany “Wanna Be Loved” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Morgan Heritage ft. Eric Rachmany “Wanna Be Loved” Official Music Video

    Another Video From The Reggae Family’s Grammy-Winning Album Strictly Roots

    As one of reggae’s most enduringly and successful veteran acts, Morgan Heritage is known to be in a category by themselves. From their Grammy winning album Strictly Roots they’ve redefined roots reggae yet again; with their upbeat hit “Wanna Be Loved,” featuring Rebelution’s front man Eric Rachmany. Shot on their landmark 2015 Catch A Fire US tour, the music video was directed by Morgan Heritage and Emmylou Mai, capturing various vignettes of their sold out performances and positive vibes, all in chromatic black and white. Watch closely to catch the various reggae superstar cameos, as this is definitely an anthem of enduring love, unity and upliftment. Video After the Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Wild Belle’s Reggae Cover Version Megamix: “Summer Tropical Show N°3: Island Soul”

    HEAR THIS: Wild Belle’s Reggae Cover Version Megamix: “Summer Tropical Show N°3: Island Soul”

    When They’re Not Collabing With Major Lazer, They’re Collecting Reggae 45s

    The cover version is a time-honored art form in Jamaica. Pioneering sound system owner turned record producer Coxsone Dodd used to travel to the United States in search of fresh clothes and rare vinyl to play on the mighty Sir Coxsone’s Downbeat. As his focus changed from spinning records to producing his own, he would sometimes pick up albums with certain recording artists in mind. It’s no accident that The Wailers’ classic “One Love”—which was first recorded at Coxsone’s Studio One—interpolates large parts of Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions’ “People Get Ready.” Throughout the evolution of dancehall culture there was a strong tradition of karaoke-style reinvention as great Caribbean vocalists refashioned foreign soul and pop songs over the latest riddims out of Kingston. Many of those versions were cut on 45, reverberating back through the minds, bodies, and souls of music lovers in the U.S., Great Britain and beyond. Case in point: Wild Belle. The brother and sister band who collaborated with Major Lazer on the touching tune “Be Together”  also incorporate reggae and Afrobeat into their own music. (Their second album, the follow-up to Isles, drops next month on Columbia Records.) They’re also known for their reggae DJ sets. Today Boomshots premieres “Summer Tropical Show N°3: Island Soul,” an all-45 mix of reggae cover versions curated by Natalie and Elliott Bergman, an avid vinyl collector. Audio Afrer The Jump…
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  • Assassin Talks “Theory of Reggaetivity”: “Roots Proponents See Me as a Baldhead Rasta”

    Assassin Talks “Theory of Reggaetivity”: “Roots Proponents See Me as a Baldhead Rasta”

    Agent Sasco Links Protoje & Chronixx, Returns To The Roots

    Yesterday Assassin aka Agent Sasco released Theory of Reggaetivity, his first album in over 10 years. The 14-song set shot straight toward the highest regions of the iTunes reggae chart, landing just below Bob Marley’s Legend, which is appropriate for the dancehall DJ’s first all-reggae project, which he describes as “my musical study of the principles of reggae music.” Conceived in Europe and recorded between Los Angeles, New York, and Kingston, JA, Theory of Reggaetivity features production by the likes of Sting International, Chimney Records, Silly Walks Discotek, Diggy British (aka Protoje), Niko Browne, The Drum Keyz, Theo Butler, MLMG, Sound Cheq, and W. Thompson. We first heard this gravelly-voiced lyricist ripping up the Diwali Riddim and trading bars with Spragga Benz and Vybz Kartel back in the early 2000s. More recently he’s become hip hop’s best kept secret weapon [LINK], making guest appearances on massive albums by Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West. Boomshots caught up with him the night after Kendrick featured his voice in a live performance on the Grammy Awards broadcast, and chatted about why he decided the time was right to make this decisive move forward to the roots of Jamaican music. Interview After the Jump… (more…)

  • Eye of A Tiger: New Song Highlights The Style of Reggae Veteran Tiger

    Eye of A Tiger: New Song Highlights The Style of Reggae Veteran Tiger

    New Twin of Twins Song  Shines A Bright Light On Tiger’s Classic “When”

    “Bun Again” by Twin of Twins comments on tumultuous relationships in dancehall.  Mr. Vegas, Foota Hype and Gully Bop are featured in the video,  along with  their close encounters with infidelity and domestic violence. The song discusses these serious topics in a satirical way. The beginning of the song also lyrically makes reference to 2016 Grammy Nominated Artist, Barrington Levy  and his classic “Too Experienced.” Produced by Anju Blaxx, the intro is the classic song “Woman is Like A Shadow” by The Meditations.  Moreover, the entire song is a remake of “When” by  living legend, Tiger.  More After The Jump (more…)

  • Reasoning with Sister Nancy

    Reasoning with Sister Nancy

    Dancehall’s Original Muma Talks “Bam Bam,” Rihanna, and Kanye West

    Quick: what’s the most sampled song in reggae history? If you guessed “Bam Bam” by Sister Nancy you know your stuff. Her 1982 album cut has provided raw material for dozens of records for artists ranging from Chris Brown to Too $hot to Diamond D. The latest may be the biggest tune of all:”Famous” by Kanye West featuring Rihanna and Swizz Beatz, off The Life of Pablo. Yep, that’s the song where Yeezy disses Taylor Swift–the one everybkdy’s chatting bout although few have actually heard it. When Boomshots caught up with Muma Nancy for a recent Billboard piece the legendary foundation DJ had not heard the tune yet. Not that she’s in much of a hurry to do so. She’s unimpressed with the whole sampling thing, much preferring a live session. But trust and believe she will be picking up that royalty check. Pree the full reasoning below. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Reggae Rajahs “Pass The Lighter”

    HEAR THIS: Reggae Rajahs “Pass The Lighter”

    Even in India, Where Ganja is a Way of Life, The Struggle Continues

    Based in the beautiful seaside state of Goa, Reggae Rajahs represent reggae music throughout India. It’s only right, considering the massive influence of Indian culture with Jamaica in general, plus reggae and Rastafari in particular. In this track from the Rajah’s December 2015 EP, Reggae Beach Party, the five-man posse utilizes the classic Studio One riddim “High Fashion Dub” to advocate for the legalization of marijuana in a country where ganja has been considered a holy sacrament since 2000 B.C. Go deh Rajahs! Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Kendrick Lamar ft. the voice of Assassin “The Blacker The Berry” Live pon The Grammys

    WATCH THIS: Kendrick Lamar ft. the voice of Assassin “The Blacker The Berry” Live pon The Grammys

    Agent Sasco Was Not In The Building For The Grammys, But His Words Rang In Our Ears

    Let’s start by saying that there were no losers at this years Grammys. Congratulations to Morgan Heritage on the Grammy they worked so hard for—for their entire lives. Big up The Weeknd and Kendrick and Adele and Lady Gaga and Alabama Shakes. We lovers of reggae respect all great music. (Wouldn’t be mad at some vicey versey love tho.) It was also a night when Rihanna canceled her performance due to bronchitis, Lauryn Hill didn’t turn up as expected for her “surprise” spot with The Weeknd, and Jah Cure wiped his Instagram clean shortly after coming up short in the voting for the Best Reggae Album. (Big up Iyacure said speed; just remember music alone shall live, and “we don’t need no visas to come thru your speakers.”) Still at the end of it all, we had Assassin’s voice, cutting through like a chainsaw while K-Dot released the chain.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Jah Mason “Princess Gone” (Remix)

    HEAR THIS: Jah Mason “Princess Gone” (Remix)

    Because Valentine’s Day Isn’t Always So Sweet

    It’s been ten years since Jah Mason dropped his album Princess Gone: The Saga Bed.  The title track, originally released in 2005, was the artist’s first No. 1 single in Jamaica, topping the charts for three straight weeks. The tall, slim turban-wearing youth, born Andrae Corey Johnson in rural Manchester, clearly had music in his blood just like his relative Tony Rebel. And despite all the music he’s made in a prolific career, “Princess Gone” remains his signature song. Now working with New Creation productions, Jah Mason recently gifted his fans with a new EP entitled Love & Wisdom. This tasteful acoustic remix—filled with shakers, Binghi drums, flute, acoustic guitar and sweet harmonies—invests the poignant song with fresh life. Anyone who’s ever lost their love will surely feel this one, especially on a day like today.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Busy Signal “Come Over (Missing You)” Acoustic Cover

    WATCH THIS: Busy Signal “Come Over (Missing You)” Acoustic Cover

    Great Songs Are Just Great Songs, No Matter Where You Come From

    Busy Signal is not just the most versatile artist in dancehall today, he’s also a great songwriter. The Turf Prezident’s powerful pen game inspired this acoustic cover version, which we discovered last night on his Instagram. The singer’s name is Jayne. The guitarist is Ramiro Malagon. The backing vocals are provided by the producer of this track, a youth called Maroon Riddimz. According to his SoundCloud page, he’s based in Pembroke Pines, Florida and his parents are Jamaican. There’s a bottle of Appleton on the table and a black gold and green flag on the wall. Judging by the sounds, they are definitely feeling the vibes. Start your Valentine’s Day off with these sounds and hold a romantic medz. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • The Love Chocolate Playlist

    The Love Chocolate Playlist

    Boomshots Presents A Multi-Genre Playlist for Valentine’s 2016

    It’s that time again, lovers. This article features 14 decadent tunes in Reggae, Jazz, Contemporary, and Rhythm and Blues, for your listening pleasure. The songs were selected based on the artist/talent, lyrical content and overall sound. More After The Jump… (more…)