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HEAR THIS: Kabaka Pyramid ft. Chronixx “Ghetto Blues” PREMIERE

Let Them Sing A Sweet Song For You

Livity Movements titled their new Kabaka mixtape “The Lyricist” for a reason. His rapid-fire flow is jam-packed with gems of wisdom, knowledge, and over standing on this crucial compilation, spearheaded by the Parris Agency and Destine Media. Here he joins forces with long-time sparring partner Chronixx on an exclusive track from “The Lyricist,” which drops next week. The song is called “Ghetto Blues” and Kabaka really blacks out on this one. As the roots revival continues. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

November 14, 2014
WATCH THIS: Ini Kamoze “Hill & Gully Ride (Remix)” Official Music Video

The Lyrical Gangster Rides Again

You don’t have to be a reggae fanatic to know Ini Kamoze’s voice. He’s the one who sings the hook—”Out in the streets they call it murder“—on Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s 2005 banger “Welcome To Jamrock.” And back in 1994, the “lyrical gangster” was responsible for the worldwide smash hit “Here Comes The Hot Stepper,” which reached the No. 1 spot in the U.S. when remixed by Salaam Remi for the Pret A Porter soundtrack. Kamoze first recorded a different version of “Hot Stepper” for the late great Jamaican producer Fatis Burrell, founder of the legendary Xterminator label. Fatis’ son Kareem Burrell of XTM Nation remixed another Kamoze classic, “Hill & Gully Ride,” first released 30 years ago. (The track will be included on the forthcoming remix album Living Heart vol. 2.) Today we premiere the animated video, directed by Juppi Juppsen. Watch the ride—and hold on good. Video After The Jump… (more…)

November 14, 2014
HEAR THIS: Alkaline “Anywhere We Go” & “In This World”

Plug Into Both Sides Of The Alkaline Battery

An Alkaline battery has two sides, one positive and one negative. The same goes for the controversial dancehall star of the same name. When I sat down to chat with him last December at 21st Hapilos headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, he was already emerging as one of the most powerful new voices in Jamaican music—and all this past year he’s continued to charge up his ever-growing fan base with an unpredictable I-care-zero approach to making music. Two fresh selections—one produced by DJ Frass, one by ZJ Chrome—highlight both sides of this polarizing young artist. On “In This World” he touches on the realities of life and sufferation and on “Anywhere We Go” he disses Bounty Killer and Foota Hype. Hate it or love it, you cannot deny Alkaline’s talent nor his ability to electrify the streets of Kingston. Audio After The Jump…
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November 14, 2014
WATCH THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto” Live Pon The WTJ Cruise

I and I Tour Currently Cruising Through The United States

When the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise set sail last month, the first artist to touch the main deck stage was none other than Black-Am-I. The culturally inclined singjay rocked the big boat, closing out an energetic set with his latest song “In The Ghetto,” a track taken from the forthcoming Set Up Shop Vol. 2 compilation, due out later this year. Black-Am-I, who hails from Nine Mile, the birthplace of Bob Marley, is currently on tour of the U.S. with I-Wayne. Watch for them coming to a town near you. Video After The Jump… (more…)

November 13, 2014
WATCH THIS: Black Lion & The Wizard ft. Kat Dahlia, Nyanda & Kemist “Mash It Up” Official Music Video

What could be more fun than rolling through Kingston street dances with Kat Dahlia, Nyanda (of Brick & Lace), and The Wizard? How about adding Black Lion and Kemist to the mix—and shooting a music video for their posse cut “Mash It Up” while you’re at it? Like the song says, “they do what they do and and don’t give a fvck! The crew look like they are having a blast as pass the mic and rave all night till morning light. You can barely tell that this was Kat’s first trip to Jamaica. The genre-bending singer/songwriter signed to Epic Records looks right at home shocking out on a sound system. Whether MIA or JA, she already warned you: “we coming to your city and we mash it up.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

November 12, 2014
WATCH THIS: Timberlee “Shmurda Freestyle” Video

The Man Dem Say She Body Well Shampoo Squeaky

Remember Timberlee, the dancehall chica who made you “Bubble Like Soup” in a pot? She’s the latest to jump on the beat to Bobby Shmurda’s “Hot Nigga” with a fiery freestyle. Although the dancehall artist confirms that she’s “definitely not changing my musical style,” she does want to serve notice that “you can expect anything and everything from Timberlee.” She even made a guerilla-style video of the hip-hop freestyle, complete with a closing monologue from some dude at the end rambling ’bout “butter bean and dem ting deh.” See me? Not really. But the tune bad still. Keep an eye out for the Jamaican dancehall damsel supporting her new “Beat It” mixtape with shows in NYC, Florida, and the Virgin Islands. There’s also a “mini South American tour” planned for January because move haffi mek. Go get that shmoney gyal. Video After The Jump… (more…)

November 10, 2014
WATCH THIS: Ini Kamoze “Hill & Gully Ride (Remix)” Music Video Teaser

You Better Hold On Good

The original Hot Stepper (aka the “Lyrical Gangsta”—Murdera!) links up with Jamaican producer Kareem Burrell of XTM Nation (son of the late great Fatis Burrell, founder of the legendary Xterminator label) for this 2014 update of a classic Fatis production, first released 30 years ago. Today we get the first look at the animated video, which bears a major resemblance to a certain laser-beam-toting superhero who terrorized the Caribbean, cannibalizing the indigenous cultures therein. Hey, the only way to save the universe from pirates is more piracy. Watch the ride—and hold on good. Video & Audio After The Jump… (more…)

November 8, 2014
Who is Shifta?

Born In Jamaica, Based In Miami, Ready For The World

Dancehall is undergoing a changing of the guard right now with new talent bubbling up from the underground to the top of the game faster than ever. One of the new names to catch our eye and our ear is a youth called Shifta, whose music combines dancehall energy with warm and easy pop appeal. His single “Do You Wanna,” produced by Timeless Music, is making waves already on Miami radio (check the behind the scenes video shoot footage below). And his latest release, on TJ Records “Drink Up” Riddim, features his frequent collaborator, Che’Nelle, a Malaysian-Australian singer who’s had major success in Japan. The Reggae Girl About Town (@RGAT) recently caught up with Shifta at Miami’s Circle House Studio to hear about his deep dancehall roots and his plans to shift the game into overdrive. Video After The Jump… (more…)

November 5, 2014
Spice & Vybz Kartel “Conjugal Visit” Official Music Video

Prepare Yourself For Romping Shop Part Few

It’s been quite a while since Spice and Vybz Kartel hooked up. So much has changed in the six years since their smash hit “Romping Shop.” That sexy selection became one of the biggest international hits for both artists, even as it created a furor in Jamaica leading to strict new radio airplay regulations and sparking debates about free speech and censorship. Fast forward to 2014 and TJ Records has brought the hitmaking duo together for a “Conjugal Visit,” which will be released on Spice’s highly anticipated EP So Mi Like It on VP Records this December 2014. Directed by Xtreme Arts and shot on location in Kingston, Jamaica using a skillfully selected cast of orange-clad extras, the video premiered yesterday on WorldStarHipHop, where it racked in over 1.7 million views. Hit the jump to see what all the excitement is about. Video After The Jump… (more…)

November 3, 2014
Damian Marley & Friends Rock The Boat on the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

As Bob Marley Once Sang, We Were “All In The Same Boat, Rockin on The Same Rock”

When The Wailers linked with Lee “Scratch” Perry to record their classic African Herbsman selection “Don’t Rock My Boat” back in 1973, chances are Bob Marley had no idea that 40-plus years in the future his family would be rocking the biggest boat in reggae history. But when the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise pulled away from the Port of Miami on Monday October 20th, the 2400 artists, selectors, and reggae lovers on board the luxury liner Norwegian Pearl were just as Bob sang, “All in the same boat, rocking on the same rock.” Continued After The Jump… (more…)

November 2, 2014
His Imperial Majesty

On November 2, 1930, the official crowning of a monarch occurred in Ethiopia

Peoples of African descent, come from a lineage of kings and queens, as referenced in the bible. On this day, November 2, in 1930, Emperor Haile Selassie I and his wife, Empress Menen Asfaw were formally crowned with regalia, together in Ethiopia.
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November 2, 2014
Full Moon Playlist

Ten Scary Selections for Your Halloween Party Playlist

With fall comes one of the most festive holidays, Halloween. Elaborate costumes emulate scary and fictional characters; superheroes and sexy alter-egos. Children trick or treat for sweet candies and visit pumpkin patches. However, the holiday was created to remember the dead saints or “hallows.” This Boomshots full moon playlist highlights songs that comment on the dead rising theme in reggae, dancehall and soca. The playlist contains ten tunes, some focusing on the Halloween/horror theme, while others go beyond the theme and comment on social issues, and a few are highlighted for a wicked production. Audio After The Jump…

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October 28, 2014