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  • Reasoning with Monty Alexander: “The Party Don’t Stop”

    Reasoning with Monty Alexander: “The Party Don’t Stop”

    The Jamaican-Born World-Renowned Jazz Pianist Celebrates His Reggae Roots

    In the jazz world, Monty Alexander is recognized as a master pianist. In the reggae world, he is respected as a pioneer of Jamaican music, having played keys on countless crucial selections alongside such masters as Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, and Ernest Ranglin. Whenever he takes the stage, Monty loves to blend the best of all his musical traditions into a sublime blend of sounds and styles—and always staying open to working with new upcoming talents and what’s happening now. Just before opening “Jazz Around the West Indies,” his five-night stand at Dizzy’s Place inside Jazz at Lincoln Center NYC, Monty Alexander took time out to reason with the Reggae Grl About Town, reminiscing about his formative years as a session musician for the pioneers of Jamaican music, and explains why he considers Bob Marley to be a jazz man. Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Global Spin Awards Announce 2014 Nominees

    Global Spin Awards Announce 2014 Nominees

    Third Annual Award Show Honoring The World’s Best DJs, From Rap to Reggae to EDM

    The 2014 Global Spin Awards held their press conference today at Midtown Manhattan’s Bryant Park Hotel to announce this year’s nominees for the third annual staging of the first award ceremony to focus on the cornerstone of hip-hop, dancehall, EDM, and so many other forms of youth music: The DJ. Boomshots was in the building to announce the nominees for Best Reggae DJ and a few other categories. After the festivities wrapped up, Reshma B caught up with DJ Funkmaster Flex, DJ KId Capri, and DJ Premier to speak about the awards and whether Paris Hilton deserved to be nominated. Nominees and Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Lee “Scratch” Perry: “The Black Ark Preserve Life and It Kill”

    Reasoning with Lee “Scratch” Perry: “The Black Ark Preserve Life and It Kill”

    “I think the devil is a goat,” and other thoughts of a living legend.

    Whether you prefer to call him a madman or a genius, there’s no doubt that Lee “Scratch” Perry is a living legend. The man who gave the Wailers their “Natural Mystic” and pushed the frontiers of dub music at his Black Ark studio has never lost his creative mojo, even at the age of 78. Next week he will host his first New York art installation, followed by a live performance at Brooklyn Bowl with Subatomic Sound System as part of the annual Dub Champions Festival. In the first installment of Reshma B‘s exclusive interview with The Upsetter aka the Super Ape aka Pipecock Jaxson, he talks about two of his most recent collaborations—the Vibes EP, a collaboration with the Swiss musician Iguana, and the Back on the Controls project for which the London-based Rolling Lion team recreated all the exact recording equipment and techniques used at the Black Ark. “The Ark of the Covenant is a spirtual vibration,” scratch explains. “Ancient spirits speak… Everything is spirit. Because God is a spirit and Satan the devil also is a spirit. But Satan need competition.” In part one of the interview, find out why Scratch sprinkles white rum inside the studio before beginning a recording session. And in the second installment, discover who Scratch was taking revenge on when he built his own studio, The Black Ark, and find out how it had so many awesome powers: “It produce rain, whirlwind, hurricane, tidal wave, thunder, hailstone, earthquake, and it preserve life and it kill. It cripple, it cramp, and paralyze.” Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Capture Land” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Capture Land” Official Music Video

    Chronixx and Zinc Fence Redemption Take It Back To The Real Rock

    One of the toughest tunes off Chronixx recent Dread & Terrible project is this relentless roots rockers reality cut illustrating the concept once expressed by the dub poet who once observed: “If I build a fence round a coconut tree, that would cause you to steal from me.” In Jamaica the phrase “Captcha Land” refers to a grey area of real estate, known in the US as “squatting.” Basically if a parcel of land—perhaps a less-than-prime-location—goes unused for some period of time, less fortunate persons may decide to “capture” it by moving in and erecting zinc fence dwellings and other improvised syructures. But as Chronixx points out in this tune-—with a brand new video dirextwd by Jerome D (a frequent TDE collaborator) and all courtesy of the good folks at LRG (aka Lifted Research Group) — the whole of Jamaica and America is captcha land too. It all depends on who’s doing the capturing. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Damian Marley “Hard Work”

    HEAR THIS: Damian Marley “Hard Work”

    When Gongzilla Puts His Shoulder To The Wheel You Can’t Knock The Hustle

    Damian Marley’s first selection off the Set Up Shop Vol. 2 compilation lets you know right off top he’s got his mind on his money and his money on his mind: “Rastaman a hustler so every dollar haffi flip.” But this song is not about flossing (although he makes sure his galfriend definitely gets her choice of beverages, from vintage bubbly to Viva’s roots). Really it’s all about influencing the youths to know anything is possible, bunning out all badmind, and serving notice that “all lazy bwoy fi get dismissed.” Putting in the hard work has always come naturally to the Tuff Gong’s youngest son. And he’s been on that Marcus Garvey since the first “Set Up Shop” days. The lively-up track builds to a wicked acapella breakdown at the 1:33 mark seasoned with a tasty acoustic guitar strum. This tune feels like a timely counteraction to any and all crab-in-a-barrell elements. “Nuff a dem will sell out their best friend’s purse, Zilla only sell out concerts.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: LL Cool J ft. Mavado “The Hustler” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: LL Cool J ft. Mavado “The Hustler” Official Music Video

    The G.OA.T And The Gully Gad Link For Di Hustlas Dem

    LL drops the visual to his long awaited single “The Hustler” off the highly anticipated “The G.O.A.T. 2.” An unlikely pairing, LL pegs Mavado to lend his distinct vocals to the gritty track. Not to be out done by his younger counterparts, LL reminds us why he’s known as “The Greatest Of All Time.” Video After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Shabba Ranks Rules On Da Reggae Tip 2014

    WATCH THIS: Shabba Ranks Rules On Da Reggae Tip 2014

    Beenie, Shaggy, Sanchez, and Spice Help the Hot 97 Crew Kick off Labor Day Weekend 2014

    This past Friday, just like every other Friday before a Labor Day Weekend in recent memory, a galaxy of reggae and dancehall stars descended on Hot 97’s annual showcase On Da Reggae Tip. Just as in years past, the event was hosted by Bobby Konders and Jabba, whose Sunday-night reggae show has been a fixture on New York’s No. 1 hip-hop station since 1992. And as like in year’s past, there were a few surprise guests from the worlds of R&B, hip-hop, and classic dancehall waiting in the wings. But some things this year were very different, starting with the venue. Instead of the ornate but overcrowded Hammerstein Ballroom, where the perennially sold-out show has always been held, ODRT2014 took place at a much larger outdoor venue, JBL Live at Pier 97 on the edge of Manhattan’s Hudson River. As the sun set on a perfect late-summer evening, the show kicked off with blossoming pop stars like teenage sensation Samantha J, and Tessanne Chin, the Jamaican-born crooner who won the last season of NBC’s The Voice, as well as dancehall acts like Tifa, currently riding high off her single “Bak It Up” and Kranium, the Brooklyn-based DJ whose keep-it-on-the-downlow single “Nobody Has To Know” has made him a name to know. < Full Review And Videos After the Jump… (more…)

  • RGAT x Popcaan Chain Collab

    RGAT x Popcaan Chain Collab

    Reshma B and Papi Connect To Swag You Out

    The ReggaeGirlAboutTown teams up with Popcaan to create an official collab for Reshma B Chains. Inspired by the Unruly Boss’s signature slang, “TR8,” the chains come in three configurations, with small and large iterations of the TR8 chain, and a lengthier TR8NESS chain that features Drizzy Drake’s favorite new slang term.   Video and Detals After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Shaggy ft. Sanchez “With You”

    HEAR THIS: Shaggy ft. Sanchez “With You”

    Two Dancehall Giants Link To Make A Modern Classic

    Maintaining the vibes of his brilliant Sly & Robbie collaboration album Out of Many One Music Shaggy continues to build with some of the greatest talents of the reggae and dancehall genre. On this brand new release he joins forces with the elusive singer Sanchez D to create a next modern classic. “Now you’re tuned to the immortal sound,” Shagsman says and Sanchez chimes in about being “Better when we are together.” Ladies this is yours. Audio After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Addies Intl Presents: Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute

    HEAR THIS: Addies Intl Presents: Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute

    Addies Intl Reminds Us How Deep Their Dub Box Really Is

    Addies bad from how long? Isn’t that how the saying goes. Addies Intl drops a wicked tribute to Gargamel better known as Buju Banton entitled “Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute.” Their new selector A1 digs deep into the crates and pulls out some of the most lethal dubs ever played in a sound clash. Take our word for it, you won’t be disappointed – Shellings After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with SOJA’s Jacob Hemphill: “If I die tomorrow, at least I got to do this tonight”

    Reasoning with SOJA’s Jacob Hemphill: “If I die tomorrow, at least I got to do this tonight”

    Lead Singer of America’s Top Reggae Band Chats About His Ambition To Follow Bob Marley’s Footsteps

    Tonight in D.C. SOJA will celebrate the release of their latest album, Amid the Noise and Haste. The band has developed a massive international following since being founded in Arlington, Virginia 1997. During a recent pass through NYC, SOJA lead vocalist Jacob Hemphill chatted with Rob Kenner about how he and his friends fell in love with reggae and decided to start what’s become one of the biggest reggae bands in the world. “When I was a kid I grew up in Africa,” he says. Based on his observations there, he says, “I thought black people are happier than white people.” Eventually he came to a larger realization: “Life is not about accumulating crap.” Instead of doing “the reggae move” (“girl song, weed song, etc”) he decided to “do the Bob Marley” and try to change the world. “If I squander this opportunity,” he says, “that’ll be the biggest mistake of my life.” The new album—whose thought-provoking title is taken from Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata—was produced in conjunction with dancehall selector turned pop hit maker Supa Dups, and includes features from Damian Marley, J Boog, and Michael Franti among others. Hemphill says he sees SOJA as distinct from the “California Roots” movement, and speaks of an ambition to be bigger than the genre of reggae, not unlike Bob Marley. Speaking about the group’s perception in Jamaica and the rest of the world, Hemphill said “We haven’t been [to Jamaica yet],” he says, “but those guys have so much love for us.” He also speaks on his sense of mission. “If they shoot me, it’s gonna be 20 times bigger than it ever was before they shot me… If I was to die tomorrow, at least I got to do this tonight.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Chronixx & Protoje Live in London

    Chronixx & Protoje Live in London

    Two Leading Lights of Jamaica’s Reggae Revival Touch Down in Brixton

    “If we don’t have new talent there is no future,” said David “RamJam” Rodigan last night onstage at the Electric in Brixton, South London. The elder statesman of British reggae radio has often expressed his concerns about the direction in which Jamaican music has been heading. But last night’s live set by Chronixx and the Zinc Fence Redemption band suggested a brighter tomorrow. Riding high off a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, which sent his Dread & Terrible EP soaring to the top of the reggae charts, Chronixx brought a palpable intensity to the stage from his first tune (“Alpha and Omega”) to his final encore (“Odd Ras”). One highlight of the sold-out show was the surprise appearance of Protoje, fresh off a successful European tour, who stepped in to support his bredren and perform their smash hit “Who Knows” live. After he and Diggy blazed the stage, Chronixx went on to perform “Here Comes Trouble” and even flashed a few lines of Jesse Royal, Jah9, and Damian Marley pon the riddim. As Rodigan exclaimed by show’s end: “History was made tonight… The future of this magnificent music is secure.” Video After The Jump… (more…)