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  • WATCH THIS: Jamie xx ft. Young Thug & Popcaan “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jamie xx ft. Young Thug & Popcaan “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)” Official Music Video

    Unruly Boss Kick Ooout Far Ooout

    You know a dancehall artist’s career is starting to bubble when he or she starts getting those outernatinoal looks. Last year Popcaan had the “Kisses For Breakfast” collab with Melissa Steel that was all over pop radio in the UK. This year he’s featured on Jamie XX’s “Good Times” single alongside Young Thug. The video for the song just dropped today, and although Jamie, Thugger, and Papi never appear in the same shot, all appear to be enjoying themselves in their own unique way (who knew Popcaan was into pre-dawn roottop hoverboarding?) Plus the girls floating in a pool are always a nice addition. Mass Appeal says this joint is the song of the summer—I just hope we haven’t seen the last of Popcaan’s Hoverboard, which doesn’t get near enough screentime. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Bunji Garlin & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “The Message”

    HEAR THIS: Bunji Garlin & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “The Message”

    Zilla & The Viking Join Forces Because Music Gonna Teach Them One Lesson

    In 1982—the year MJ dropped Thriller—Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five released “The Message,” a record that forced hip-hop to evolve from throw-your-hands-in-the-air escapism to what Chuck D would eventually describe as “the black CNN.” Thirty-three years later two giants of their respective Caribbean islands and genres—Bunji Garlin and Damian Marley—join forces to release a record of the same title, a song capable of redirecting soca and dancehall reggae (and Trinidad and Jamaica) in a more constructive direction. “I look to the sky and ask Almighty when will it finish? Is this a sign of the last days? The last few minutes?” The answer lies in our hands. But while there is life there must be hope. As the song says, “There is music in your soul, minerals in your soil, children full of beauty worth way much more than oil. While history unfolds, don’t let the good things spoil.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Daniel Bambaata Marley “Waiting for the War” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Daniel Bambaata Marley “Waiting for the War” Official Music Video

    “We’re The Last of the Mohicans, Last of a Dying Breed”

    If you ain’t up on Daniel Bambaata Marley yet, time to play catch-up. His first release, “My Girl,” a combination with his cousin Jo Mersa, touched the road in 2010. He sang the rootsy love song “Treat You Right” on Ghetto Youths International’s first Set Up Shop compilation. More recently, his track “Free It Up” was a standout on Inner Circle’s “Tenement Yard” juggling. Boomshots now presents the video for his latest release, “Waiting for the War.” like his name itself, this tune reflects two mighty musical legacies. Rooted in the reggae his grandfather Bob first spread around the world, the song explodes (tick-tick-boom) into a fusillade of bars that bounce between dancehall and hip hop cadences that would bring a smile to the face of the Universal Zulu Nation founder. As the eldest son of Ziggy Marley, Daniel is wary not to be pigeon-holed as some sort of carbon copy. No danger of that—he’s inherited his father’s taste for restless musical experimentation, and for a second-generation Jamaican youth raised in Miami it’s only fitting that Daniel embodies a complex of cultural influences. “False prophets are prophesying on some shit they’ll never see / While watching television wondering who’s watching me,” Daniel rhymes on the gritty track, which presents a surprisingly bleak world view for a 25-year-old. “My aim is to love,” he asserts in the same verse before noting that “We’re the last of the Mohicans, the last of a dying breed.” Welcome to the new age. Video After the Jump… (more…)

  • Super Cat Confirmed for Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

    Super Cat Confirmed for Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

    The Wild Apache Will Be On Board—Nah Tek Back No Chat

    Not content to be merely awesome, the second annual Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to up the artistic ante. Yesterday Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s official cruise Facebook page made a late-breaking announcement: dancehall reggae legend Super Cat has just been confirmed for both of the five-night cruises from Miami to Jamaica and back. (Cat joins an already excpetional lineup, ranging from Jr. Gong to Barrington Levy to Capleton and Popcaan and many many more.) After a lengthy hiatus from the music business, the Wild Apache rallied forward in 2013, taking the music scene by storm with a surprise appearance alongside Shaggy in NYC. Since then Cat made a historic return to Jamaica for Sting 2013 and has continued to perform select spot dates for various groups of fans fortunate enough to witness history in the making every time the Don Dada steps on the stage. With the all-star sound system lineup on board this year’s cruises (including Jammy’s, Saxon, Metro Media, and Black Scorpio to name a few) some truly legendary musical moments are likely to unfold on the high seas. Video & Booking Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: New Kingston ft. Wailing Souls “Protect Me” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: New Kingston ft. Wailing Souls “Protect Me” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Three Brothers Making Real Reggae Music Straight Outta BK

    Growing up as the sons of renowned drummer, producer, and studio owner Courtney Panton, the members of New Kingston—Tahir, Steve and Courtney Panton, Jr.—were immersed in all aspects of reggae music creation and the livity that goes with it for as long as they remember. So it should be no surprise that the Brooklyn-based trio have quickly distinguished themselves as one of reggae’s freshest new bands on the international scene. Boomshots is proud to premiere their latest music video off the album Kingston City, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard reggae chart. The song is called “Protect Me,” featuring The Wailing Souls on a wicked re-lick of their classic “Firehouse Rock,” updated inna 2015 BK stylee. Be sure to check the tour dates below for a chance to experience New Kingston live and direct. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Collie Buddz Talks “Blue Dreamz” EP and Herbal Inspiration

    Collie Buddz Talks “Blue Dreamz” EP and Herbal Inspiration

    “When I’m home I really don’t smoke,” says Bermuda’s Biggest Dancehall Star

    Collie Buddz rolled through NYC this Labor Day weekend to celebrate the release of his new EP Blue Dreamz. The Bermuda-born DJ said he recorded most of the new EP during a recent trip to Jamaica. The title track, produced by Johnny Wonder on his brand new “Ice Cold” riddim, refers to a popular strain of high-grade ganja that Collie discovered during a tour stop in Northern California. Although herb laws are reforming all over the world, Collie says that in his native Bermuda the wisdom weed is still far from legal. “When I’m home I really don’t smoke,” says the artist who first blew up off the ganja tune “Come Around.” The final track of the album is called “Prescription” and refers to a day when the healing of the nation will be available to all. Check out Collie Buddz reasoning with Reshma B about the new EP as well as some real talk about reggae and race and the inspiration behind his classic cut “Blind to You” (Haters).  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Hot 97 On Da Reggae and Soca Tip: “People Expect to Hear New Reggae on Hot 97”

    Reasoning with Hot 97 On Da Reggae
    and Soca Tip: “People Expect to Hear New Reggae on Hot 97”

    This Year They Almost Called It “On Da Reggae Soca and AfroBeat Tip”

    Hot 97’s annual On Da Reggae Tip concert has become the must-see kickoff event for NYC’s Labor Day Weekend every year. But in recent years they’ve added the word “Soca” to the title, reflecting the full range of Caribbean music in NYC. “Because you have so many big Jamaican names that can’t travel that’s hurt the music on this side,” says Ebro of Hot 97. “You’ve seen a rise in soca… We were even tossing around the idea of even adding AfroBeat to the show. You’re seeing them embracing other types of music.”  The 2015 edition, set for Friday September 4th on Governor’s Island, is already Sold Out—with soca boss Machel Montano holding it down for the Trini massive. Reshma B talks to the Hot 97 morning crew: Ebro, Rosenberg & Laura Stylez, as they discuss the current state of reggae, dancehall, and Afro-beat music and look back on some of the highlights of past ODRT shows—from Supercat’s surprise appearance to Spice wining on Rosenberg—and of course look forward to this year’s performances by Machel Montano, Barrington Levy, Gyptian, Assassin, Kranium, Konshens, Collie Buddz and more. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Rastaman Refix: Ily Culcha featuring Isaac Faith

    Rastaman Refix: Ily Culcha featuring Isaac Faith

     The 2014 hit “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea featuring CharlieXCX was an instant  number 1 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. One of the main reasons for this was the jumpy beat which caused palpitations in reggae and hip hop. The beat was coproduced by The Invisible Men (Jason Pebworth, George Astasio, and Job Shave) and The Arcade (Kurtis Mckenzie and Jon Mills).

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  • Kelissa: Best Kept Secret

    Kelissa: Best Kept Secret

    In a beautiful vocal tone, songstress, Kelissa delivers a tune that every woman can relate to. The versatile artist shows a soft, feminine vulnerability with cherubic vocals in this love ballad.

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  • Jah Cure: The Cure

    Jah Cure: The Cure

    Jah Cure’s third studio album, The Cure (VP records), holds steady at the number 1 spot on the Billboard Top Reggae Album Chart, for one month since its release on July 10.  On this new album Jah Cure’s superb vocals are presented with multiple lyrical themes. In addition, Jah Cure said he worked hard to step up the production on this album, in an effort to improve the quality of his overall sound.  He provided a creative platform for up and coming producers like Justin “Jus Bus” Nation, Llamar “Riff Raff” Brown, Christopher “Sketch” Carey and Trevor “Baby G” Washington. He also sought the expertise of  top of the line producer, Maurice “Clive” Hunt.

    Album Review After The Jump… (more…)

  • IShawna Onstage Offstage & Backstage at Reggae Sumfest

    IShawna Onstage Offstage & Backstage at Reggae Sumfest

    Ooh La La! Ms Legendary Makes Her Dancehall Night Debut & RGAT Is There

    Ever since her highly publicized split with selector/producer Foota Hype, IShawna has been on a roll, stepping up her lyrical game and riding the wave of publicity to raise her career to new heights. Last month she made her Reggae Sumfest debut at Ladies Dancehall Night 2015 and the Reggae Girl About Town was there, rolling with Ms. Legendary onstage, offstage, and backstage to shoot an exclusive video special. This year the ladies were the talk of Sumfest, raising the possibility that Downsound’s dancehall diva might just be the future of dancehall. If you don’t believe it, watch IShawna take things to another level as she rips off her bridal gown and shows off some strategically placed Sirovsky crystals, and find out what she’ll do next in RGAT’s all-access report. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Cultural Explosion with Major Lazer

    Cultural Explosion with Major Lazer

    The masterminds of Major Lazer: Diplo, Walshy Fire and Jillionaire fuse music and culture in, “Lean On, ” a collaboration with french producer, DJ snake. Danish singer, MO, adds a pop flair to the  indian hip hop fusion, resulting in a funky dance song with a pulsating symphonic interlude. This song ranked as number 1 in several countries and reached a peak at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. “Lean On”  continues to shine this summer as  the lead single to Major Lazer’s third studio album, Peace is the Mission.

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