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  • WATCH THIS: Kenzamdi “10 Pound” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Kenzamdi “10 Pound” Official Music Video

    Because Every Day Should Be 4/20

    Music runs in Keznamdi’s blood. His parents, who now live in Ethiopia, founded the reggae band Chakula. One of his older sisters, Kelissa, has recorded and toured extensively with Chronixx while his eldest sister Kamila is a popular Jamaican TV presenter who’s also married to Jah Cure. Keznamdi’s latest release finds him defending the healing of the nation. Produced by Natural High and Keznamdi, this sensi-scented selection is accompanied by a video shot by Fareye Films that will make you feel as though you’re visiting the fragrant fields of Orange Hill at harvest time. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Sniggy x Konshens “Legal”

    HEAR THIS: Sniggy x Konshens “Legal”

    How Them Fi Say Ganja Evil?

    In comes a fresh cut high-grade ganja tune from the man called “Sniggy” outta the Head Concussion Records posse alongside the man called Konshens Sojah. How them fi say ganja evil. You dun know if haffi legal. Blaze it up. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Morgan Heritage Talks “Strictly Roots”

    Morgan Heritage Talks “Strictly Roots”

    The Fam Ain’t New To This, They’re True To This

    When it comes to roots, rock, reggae music, the Morgan Heritage family is not new to this, they’re true to this. So when they hear talk about a “reggae revival” happening in Jamaica—as if Reggae Music had passed away and was in need of resuscitation—the members of Morgan Heritage are uniquely qualified to speak on the matter. “Reggae music never gone nowhere,” Peetah Morgan tells Reshma B in an exclusive Boomshots interview. Their latest album is entitled Strictly Roots, but “don’t get it twisted” says Peetah—they can still sing about the sexy body ladies on songs like “Perform and Done” and Gramps can even DJ a verse and dash likkle coconut juice pon de ting. It’s all a part of the culture—uzeet? Strictly Roots drops today, so what better time to check out the reasoning.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto” Official Music Video

    One More Good Thing About Music…

    “I don’t do hype, I do music,” Black-Am-I remarked backstage at a recent stop of the Set Up Shop tour. Born in the village of Nine Mile (the birthplace of Robert Nesta Marley, among others) Black-Am-I linked up with Damian Marley and eventually signed with the Ghetto Youths International posse. His latest single off the Set Up Shop Vol. 2 compilation celebrates the power of music to alleviate sufferation. Whether you’re listening at a streetside sound-system dance or aboard a luxury liner, this rub-a-dub selection sure sounds sweet.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • #TBT Buju Banton in VIBE Magazine October 1993

    #TBT Buju Banton in VIBE Magazine October 1993

    The Strength of the Gargamel

    The striking image of Buju Banton was shot by photographer Christian Witkin for the first major profile of the superstar DJ written by Joan Morgan and edited by Boomshots founder and publisher Rob Kenner for the October 1993 issue of Vibe magazine. The story was pegged to the release of his major label debut Voice of Jamaica. Buju’s fist represents his strength through adversity and the Africa ring was an early indication that the controversial young baldhead artist who had taken the dancehall world by storm with the smash hits on his classic Penthouse album Mr. Mention and had already become infamous in the mainstream media for his song “Boom Bye Bye” had much more on his mind than that tune might suggest. Full Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Mavado ft. Vybz Kartel, Future & Ace Hood “I Ain’t Going Back Broke” Remix

    HEAR THIS: Mavado ft. Vybz Kartel, Future & Ace Hood “I Ain’t Going Back Broke” Remix

    Unity Is Strength, And Love & Hate Can Never Be Friends

    During his 10 years in the music business David Constantine Brooks aka Singing Blacks aka Mavado has come a long way. Several years back his name was linked to the Gully vs. Gaza war but times have changed. Now a member of DJ Khaled’s We The Best Music Group, the Gully Gad recently dropped an historic remix featuring his former rival, Vybz Kartel, who is currently serving a life sentence for murder (with an appeal pending). “After a storm,” Mavado explains to Reshma B, “There must be a calm.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Lee “Scratch” Perry “Jungle Safari” Live in NYC

    WATCH THIS: Lee “Scratch” Perry “Jungle Safari” Live in NYC

    The Upsetter and Subatomic Sound Soon Touch The Road

    Our bredren Emch of Subatomic Sound just blessed us with some never-before-seen footage of Lee “Scratch” Perry performing live in NYC back on May 17, 2012. This was his first time  performing with that lineup—Emch on the beats and mix, Larry McDonald on percussion. Paul Zasky of Dubblestandart on bass. That same crew is about to roll out a U.S. tour starting tomorrow in ATL and culminating with the mother of all 4/20 jams in Denver, Colorado—the mile high state. Video After The Jump…
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  • The House of Marley Presents: Boomshots Unplugged Inna Style & Fashion

    The House of Marley Presents:
    Boomshots Unplugged Inna Style & Fashion

    Sister Carol, Screechy Dan, DJ Norie, Reshma B Chains, & Rockers NYC Take Over Negril Village

    Spring has sprung, and there’s definitely something in the air. Is that the essence of ishens? Yep, must be 4/20. One week from today, the Boomshots posse will be taking over NYC’s original Jamaican restaurant, Negril Village, for an historic event: the first ever staging of our quarterly after-work get-together, a thing called Boomshots Unplugged inna Style & Fashion. Come shake off the winter blues with a live acoustic performance by BK foundation DJ Sister Carol alongside the man called Screechy Dan as you’ve never heard them before. Shock out with DJ Norie and BBC Hi-Fi. Admission? Buy out the bar. Powered by The House of Marley. Way Up & Stay Up. Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • Boomshots x Pepsi Best Dancehall Songs

    Boomshots x Pepsi Best Dancehall Songs

    From Jr. Gong to Gully Bop—And Everything In Between

    If you peeped last year’s Pepsi list, you already know the flex. Reshma B selects Strictly Boomshots pon a worldwide level—with no badness, no slackness, and nuh shakiness. There are so many artists and producers on the island it seems like the tunes never stop, but with Boomshots as your guide you can sit back and enjoy nothing but the best. You dun know who makes culture pop. Up, up, up! Audio After The Jump…

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  • Kartel Busts The Billboard Charts

    Kartel Busts The Billboard Charts

    The Unstoppable WorldBoss Just Keeps On Winning

    Controversial Deejay Vybz Kartel‘s latest album Viking (Vybz Is King) made a grand debut at #3 on the Billboard‘s Reggae Album Chart and currently sits comfortably at #6. At the moment, he is the only dancehall artist to have an album in this chart’s Top Ten. This milestone marks the highest debut of his career, adding to Kartel’s string of successful musical feats since he has been incarcerated for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. Against all odds, he has remained at the forefront of the dancehall music scene—regularly releasing new songs, dominating radio airwaves and winning awards even as detractors denounce him. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Ghetto Youths International Posse Tour the U.S. In Support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2

    Ghetto Youths International Posse Tour the U.S. In Support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2

    Cham, Wayne Marshall, Jo Mersa, Christopher Ellis & Black-Am-I Touch The Road

    There is a famous saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” and for the heirs of reggae legend Bob Marley, Damian, Stephen and Julian Marley, their actions prove just that. Just as their father founded the Tuff Gong imprint, his youths see big things looming for their fresh record label Ghetto Youths International (GYI). For lovers of the perfect mixture of blues, calypso and rock and roll, Jamaica’s own reggae, GYI has a tour in the works next week. With the Marley imprint behind this initiative one can expect nothing less than a star-studded lineup of acts including Cham,Wayne Marshall, Black-Am-I, Jo Mersa, and Christopher Ellis. Said GYI participants are of course featured on the Billboard chart-topper, Set Up Shop Volume 2, a compilation that represents a full spectrum of music, from reggae to dancehall and futuristic fusion. With such a stellar selection of artists on tour, backed by the Lawless band, who wouldn’t be excited? Tour Schedule After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Skip Marley “Cry To Me” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Skip Marley “Cry To Me” PREMIERE

    Debut Single From The Grandson of The Tuff Gong

    “Music is freedom for me,” says Skip. “I want people to just feel the music and let it be anything they want to make of it.” As the grand-nephew of Marcia Griffiths, the grandson of Bob and Rita Marley, and the son of Cedella Marley of Melody Makers fame, it’s safe to say he comes a strong musical background. Skip wrote and arranged “Cry to Me,” his debut single on Tuff Gong International, which is not to be confused with his grandfather Gong’s tune from the Rastaman Vibration album. The new song was co-produced with Paul Fakhourie, who’s worked with the likes of Lauryn Hill, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley and Nas. Born in Kingston and raised in Miami, Skip’s music is not limited by genre. He describes this song as “a message for this girl I know, well really a message for everybody who seems to focus on their insecurities… I’m just saying it’s cool to be who you are. Don’t let society deceive you and make you believe you’re not enough.” With penetrating, thoughtful lyrics and haunting melodies, this is one tune you don’t want to skip. Audio After The Jump… (more…)