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  • HEAR THIS: ÌFÉ “House of Love” (Ogbe Yekun) PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: ÌFÉ “House of Love” (Ogbe Yekun) PREMIERE

    These Puerto Rican Sounds Are NOT Reggaeton

    ÌFÉ is the Yoruban word for “Love” as well as “Expansion.” It’s also the name of a new group based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, whose music fuses Afro-Caribbean folk sounds like Yoruba and Rumba with electronica and dancehall. The group was the brainchild of Otura Mun aka Mark Underwood, an African-American artist who’s been living in Puerto Rico for over a decade, producing projects like Cultura Profetica and the stunning Calma Carmona. With a chill sound that blends Cuban Rumba with the digital sounds of Jamaican dancehall, ÌFÉ creates a musical space and expression all its own. Their second single, “House of Love,” was recorded live using improvised electronic instruments. “At times tender, at other moments seductive and flirtatious, the song is an invitation / an offering to those forces that walk among us and a reminder that life is nothing if not a constant act of giving to receive,” says Otura Mun. Let’s get to it. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Busy Signal “Bad Long Time”

    HEAR THIS: Busy Signal “Bad Long Time”

    Turf Prez Style Magnificent Magnificent Magnificent Magnificent

    Busy’s newest tune to touch the road is a standout cut off Seanizzle’s new “90s Don Dada” Riddim. The Turf Prez tears up this vintage-feel juggling—the style is magnificent and the damage is perdamanent. “Hotted”! Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Busy Signal “These Are The Days” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Busy Signal “These Are The Days” Official Music Video

    The Song That Set Busy On A Next Level Back in 2008

    The Turf Prez keeps the streets supplied with new music at such a frenetic pace that sometimes we fail to check the catalog deeply. From the moment Busy Signal “Stepped out” in the dancehall biz it was clear he was a talent to be reckoned with who was “not going down” any time soon. With his 2008 sophomore album Loaded he unleashed a lyrical fusillade entitled “These Are The Days” that made clear this was a youth who was operating on a much higher level than most of his peers in the music industry. Eight years later his fans have gained a greater insight into the angst that fueled these bitter bars, and our appreciation of Busy’s artistry has only grown over time. Lick it back from the top the very last drop. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Busy Signal “Out of Many (One)” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Busy Signal “Out of Many (One)” Official Music Video

    Turf Prez In The Drivers Seat—KUFF!

    Today is Busy Signal’s birthday so we’re repping hard for one of our favorite artistes, the Turf Prez. In case you missed his most recent video, check out Sheik Busy stunting in outrageous whips while ripping up a classic dancehall riddim—Jammy’s “Magic Moment” riddim—inna style made famous by the great Shelly Thunder. The Jamaican national motto is “out of many one people” but this new selection from the Turf Prez feels more like an “out of many artistes I am the one” vibe. Judge for yourself (and let us know in the comments which of these cars you’d prefer to drive). Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Micah Shemaiah: The Man, Music and Message

    Micah Shemaiah: The Man, Music and Message

    Interview with The Original Dread

    During Yaadcore’s recent sets in New York at Downtown Top Ranking with Deadly Dragon Sound at The Delancey  and Sattama Sundays with Stateside Revolution at Bar 13, he played several Micah Shemaiah tunes that ignited the dance floor with skanking and flickering of lighters. Based on the audience response to his music, we interviewed The Original Dread and discovered that this artist has a breadth of experience which impacts his music and message. Interview After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Pressure Buss Pipe “Live Life” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Pressure Buss Pipe “Live Life” PREMIERE

    Tune In Pon This Brand New Heatmakerz Production Because Live Is For Living

    “Everybody’s talking about the heartaches in the ghetto, and how it’s rough in the streets—and it is,” says Virgin-Islands born reggae singer Pressure Buss Pipe. “I wanted to turn it around and make people happy. Just make people see life in a different perspective and give thanks for what you have. We’re doing things different with the Heatmakerz.” Linking with the production team responsible for major hits by Lil Wayne and Dipset, Pressure created “Live Life,” his first original release on a hip-hop rhythm track. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Pressure x Heatmakerz “Live Life” Behind The Scenes Video

    WATCH THIS: Pressure x Heatmakerz “Live Life” Behind The Scenes Video

    New Banger Premieres Tomorrow Pon Boomshots

    Pressure Buss Pipe made his name in the reggae industry belting out romantic tunes like “Love and Affection.” Since then the Virgin Islands native has showed his versatility on harder tracks like “Mental Disturbance” featuring Damian Marley and Tarrus Riley. “I got to New York to do some work with Mike P of Smokestack,” says St. Thomas-born singer Pressure. “He said we’ve got a studio nearby where we can work. But he never expressed how huge Heatmakerz were. When I realized who they were I was like ‘What? I know all of these people’s music! I’ve been listening to them for years—from Dipset to Juelz Santana to Jim Jones.’ So I finally got to meet them and they were into my music as well. Rsonist showed me that he was a fan of certain tunes I had done.” The song that resulted, executive produced by Smokestack Recordings, is the first time Pressure has released an original tune over a hip-hop track. “Everybody’s talking about the heartaches in the ghetto, and how it’s rough in the streets—and it is,” he says. “I wanted to turn it around and make people happy. Just make people see life in a different perspective and give thanks for what you have. We’re doing things different with the Heatmakerz.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Unified Highway “My Space” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Unified Highway “My Space” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    New Music & Visuals From Eric & Amp

    First things first, this is not a social media song. “There’s two words and no dot com,” says  vocalist/guitarist Eric Rachmany (also the frontman for Cali roots band Rebelution) of the latest release from Unified Highway, his collaborative project with renowned producer, DJ, and remixer Amp Live (formerly of Zion I). The duo’s self-titled debut on Audible Collision / Strange Focus Records embodies a fusion of reggae, electronic, hip-hop, alternative, and soul. “This song is kind of like inviting everyone into our vibe, the vibe we were feeling,” says Amp. “Me and Amp got together and we said ‘Let’s do this project’ and that was the first thing that came to mind,” Eric adds. “It just felt like an intimate guitar riff. I felt like the song was just asking me to sing about the mood, about being in my zone.” Unified Highway’s first song, “Stand Proud” ft. Keznamdi and Tahir Panton, premiered on Mass Appeal, who hailed both its conscious lyrics “unification of reggae basslines and dance-ready drum loops.” Since then they say the response has been “overwhelmingly positive” and when the album drops in March there are plans for live shows. “This album is actually pretty diverse,” says Eric. “Every song is a little bit different from the other, so we are excited for people to hear the diversity. Honestly, I’m not saying this to brag or anything but I really feel like this project is groundbreaking. It’s different from anything I’ve ever heard or been a part of… It’s weird, usually I don’t like listening to myself, but I thoroughly enjoy listening to this album. We do this for the fun of it and we want to keep on doing it. It’s a really fun collaboration and we’re really stoked that Boomshots is picking it up and promoting it.” Enough long talking let’s get into that space.  Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Nesbeth “My Dream” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Nesbeth “My Dream” Official Music Video

    From Trenchtown, A Next Star Arise

    Released last month, “My Dream” features the veteran reggae singer reflecting on the struggles he’s faced in Jamaica and focusing on not giving up. A superb track from start to finish, it’s a progressive take on roots reggae with a dash of picked pop guitar and a catchy bounce. The video release, directed by RD Studios, is a fitting complement to the unique sound of “My Dream” and captivates immediately. Opening with wide-angle montages of Jamaica’s breathtaking coast, Nesbeth appears draped in the flag singing “Mek wi start dah one yah, like how Martin Luther King would ah start it.” The song goes on to tell the story of a young boy who’s driven to success against all odds. The Jamaica-based artist finished 2015 on a high, thanks to “My Dream,” and the video certainly reflects the success of his aptly titled new album, Victory. From Trenchtown a next star arise. Video After the Jump…

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  • Dre Island Makes Mass Appeal’s List of “16 Artists To Watch in 2016”

    Dre Island Makes Mass Appeal’s List of
    “16 Artists To Watch in 2016”

    Anticipation Builds For The Now I Rise Project

    A graduate of Kingston’s Calabar high school—alma mater of both Jr. Gong and Vybz Kartel—reggae/dancehall producer turned performer Andre Johnson aka Dre Island is emerging as a living link between the vaunted “roots revival” movement and the sound of the Jamaican streets. “The revival is really within the people. Reggae music never stop. Reggae artists always been touring. So it’s just the people’s awareness.” On the strength of his growing body of work, Dre has been named one of Mass Appeal’s “16 Artists To Watch in 2016.”  More After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas “Dancehall Dabb” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas “Dancehall Dabb” Official Music Video

    New Year New Style New Dance A Lick—Out And Bad

    The Mass Appeal massive already knows the deal. You’ve heard it straight from Migos: Dabbin’ is a way of fashion. But as you’ve no doubt noticed, this Dab thing is catching on in a big way—from Dabbin Santa to corny-ass college football coaches. Given Jamaica’s love for new dance moves, it was only a matter of time until somebody busted out a yardstyle take on the dab dance. As if on cue, here comes dancehall star Mr. Vegas—the same dude who gave us dance anthems like “Hot Wuk” and “Bruk It Down”—with a fresh new video shot in T-Dot and directed by Ty Black. In short, the ting tun up again. Video After the Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Raekwon x Kabaka Pyramid “Be Inspired”

    HEAR THIS: Raekwon x Kabaka Pyramid “Be Inspired”

    The Chef Connects With Baka Over Walshy Fire’s Production— Accurate!

    Any time you can get two of the world’s greatest living lyricists on one track for the first time, that’s a win. On “Skew It On the Bar-B” Andre 3000 and Raekwon brought A-Town and Shaolin together and the result was historic. On the fresh cut “Be Inspired,” Raekwon the Chef trades bars with Kabaka Pyramid over a hard-driving breakbeat. (Shout out to our peoples over at egotripland for the link.) If you can’t picture the Wu God kicking it with a dancehall reggae artist, perhaps you forgot about his Clarks game—not to mention that Wu-Tang “One Blood” joint.  Let’s just say the homie Walshy Fire has made history with this one.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)