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  • RGAT x Anya Collab to Create CANYAval Chains

    RGAT x Anya Collab to Create CANYAval Chains

    Reshma B and Anya Ayoung-Chee Set The CANYAval Off With a Fly New Collab

    When it’s carnival time in Trinidad everything tun up… The music, the drinks, and of course the girls. Who knows that better than Anya Ayoung Chee and Reshma B? The fashion designer who won Project Runway a couple years ago is also a former Miss Trinidad who has shot fashion stories on the road in Port of Spain Trinidad while playing Mas same time. Meanwhile in the UK Reshma B, who came up right in the heart of London’s Notting Hill Carnival, the biggest street fair in all of Europe, is now internationally known as the Reggae Girl About Town [RGAT], a blogger and fashion designer whose line of chains has been seen on the necks of celebs from Lauryn Hill to Lady Saw… and even Popcaan. ANYAxRGAT linked up to create an exclusive design for Anya’s CANYAval event in NYC. She’s just posted the design on her official Instagram. In case you didn’t make it out to Milk Studios for the big event, you can still cop an exclusive chain while supplies last. Video, Photos, and Buying Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Playing for Change “Reggae Got Soul” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Playing for Change “Reggae Got Soul” Official Music Video

    Toots Hibbert, Ernest Ranglin & Taj Mahal Join Musicians Around The World To Make a Soulful Noise

    Lots of people talk about how music is a “universal language,” but few have put the concept into practice as effectively as the organization Playing For Change. Conceived in 2002  by Mark Johnson and Whitney Kroenke, the original idea was to hit the streets Alan Lomax style with a mobile recording studio—plus some video cameras, which Lomax did not have back in the day. What began as an award-winning documentary, Playing for Change: A Cinematic Discovery of Street Musicians, has evolved into an ongoing creative and humanitarian project that encompasses live concerts, albums, DVDs, and a charitable foundation, all tapping into the power of music to unite people around the world for a good cause and a good time. Among the songs included on PFC3: Songs Around The World, there is a noticeable preponderance of reggae—”if everybody was going to join hands and march through the streets for a cause, reggae would be a good soundtrack for that,” Mark Johnson explained after a recent screening. One of the standouts is this Toots & The Maytals classic, as interpreted by a variety of singers and players both known and unknown—hailing from Japan, L.A., Congo, Jamaica, Harlem, and Italy. The recording, which debuted on the PFC Youtube channel last night, appears on Boomshots today for the first time.  “We brought together Toots, Taj Mahal, Ernest Ranglin and many many more musicians [click through the gallery above to see a few of them] to contribute to this worldwide reggae anthem,” writes Mark Johnson.  “Turn it up, spread it around and support Playing For Change by purchasing our new album, PFC 3: Songs Around The World“, and sharing it with everyone you can!” Video After The Jump…

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  • Reasoning with Protoje: “It’s Our Time to Govern the Music”

    Reasoning with Protoje: “It’s Our Time to Govern the Music”

    “There Is A Rising Consciousness that’s Obviously Happening. There Is a Movement As Well.”

    While passing through the concrete jungle the other day, Protoje dropped by Plex HQ to reason about life and the state of the music. We started off discussing his big tune with Chronixx “Who Knows,” and how Storm Saulter—of Better Mus Come fame—came to direct the song’s epic music video. Diggy said Winta James came up with the video’s basic concept, which he described as “You start off with everything and as the day goes on you lose stuff, and it’s either you’re gonna turn around and go home or keep pushing forward.” So it’s all about the Bounce Back, which is a fitting transition to our discussion of the shift within Jamaican music right now. “We want to change the perception of what people think reggae is,” Protoje explained. “Cause I see what people think the genre is, and the reality of what it is now—and It’s far.” Protoje made the point that he’d rather not be pigeon-holed within the category of reggae just because he is from Jamaica. “Chronixx and I make two different sounds,” he asserted. “Sonically our music sounds different, but we’re still under the same heading of reggae music.” He calls his current sound—which has amassed a huge following in Europe, where he will be touring this summer—”a real hybrid,” citing Junjo Lawes and Jimi Hendrix as infuences. Nevertheless, he goes on to state that he and Chronixx and s number of other like-minded artists and producers are all part of a cultural movement within Jamaica right now.  “There is a rising consciousness that’s obviously happening. There is a movement as well… 2010 to 2020 is our time to govern them music.”  Video and Summer Tour Dates After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Major Lazer x Walshy Fire Present Jesse Royal “Royally Speaking”

    HEAR THIS: Major Lazer x Walshy Fire Present Jesse Royal “Royally Speaking”

    The Small Axe Jesse Royal collaborates with Major Lazer to premiere a hot new summer mixtape

    The Small Axe, better known as Jesse Royal, is chopping up new tunes for the upcoming  BRAND NEW mixtape Royally Speaking. Jamaican star Jesse Royal and Internationally renowned DJ Walshy Fire of Major Lazer are putting a fresh spin on previously released singles including tracks from Royal’s EP In Comes The Small Axe. The two creative forces  have been working diligently to produce new material and plan to launch the mixtape July 14. The last up-and-coming reggae artist Walshy linked with to make a mixtape was somebody named Chronixx—and we all know how that turned out.  Audio After The Jump
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  • WATCH THIS: Tifa “Bak It Up” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Tifa “Bak It Up” Official Music Video

    She Wine Sweet Like Moscato, Bubble Bubble Like a Champagne

    The last time we caught up with Tifa back in January she warned us that 2014 was going to be a crazy year. You think she was jokin’? In the past six months the dancehall diva has signed a deal with Island King records, launched a fly official website, announced a brand-new line of signature headphones, and just yesterday she rolled through Hot 97 FM  in New York City where her latest single “Bak It Up” is getting nuff spins. You can catch her  interview with Ebro, the station’s PD, this morning. There’s even talk about booking her for Hot 97’s annual “On Da Reggae Tip” show this September. That’s a long ways away though. Next week it’s all about Reggae Sumfest. Yes, Tifa will be performing on the big stage on Dancehall Night (that’s this coming Thursday!) And you already know we’re gonna make sure to catch up with her down in MoBay. But right now let’s get into the official video for her latest banger. Apparently it’s all about the wine—and that’s why some man get tie like goat. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Denyque “Smile For The World” (Raise Your Hand For The Deejay)

    HEAR THIS: Denyque “Smile For The World” (Raise Your Hand For The Deejay)

    Johnny Wonder Breaks Down The Making of Another 21st Hapilos Production.

    New Single by Denyque. Adde Made the Riddim and I produced the song. Had Dreday mix it. He did a damn good job, LOL. My Songwriter Dice wrote the song. Also have a nice Jah Vinci on the same Riddim. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Jemere Morgan “International Love” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jemere Morgan “International Love” Official Music Video

    Dada’s Son Gives The Ladies Something Sweet Off His New Mixtape

    Jemere Morgan is just like every teenage boy in that he loves to play basketball and Xbox, listens to music, go to the movies and hang out with his friends. However there is one aspect of his life that is not so typical and that is the fact that he was born into one of Reggae’s most influential musical family, Morgan Heritage, his Father, Gramps Morgan and Grandfather, Denroy Morgan. Proving to be a chip off the old block, Jemere’s love affair with music began when he went on the Vans Warped tour with his Father and his family in 2000 for 7 weeks. Seeing his Father and his band mates, Morgan Heritage, perform inspired Jemere so much that he knew that music was the only thing that he wanted to do with his life. In 2011 he got the opportunity of a lifetime when he opened for Morgan Heritage on their European Tour. The experience proved to be a very pivotal moment in his career as he was able to showcase his talents on an international stage.  As a result he’s seen a lot of lovely ladies around the world, and apparently they were the inspiration for this tune, set to the rhythm of Gregory Isaacs’ “Stranger In Town.” The track, produced by Rellee Hayden for A-Team Music, is taken from Jemere’s new mixtape, Jemere’s Jukebox, which you can enjoy in full, after the jump. Audio & Video After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Bunny Rugs “Alone Again”

    HEAR THIS: Bunny Rugs “Alone Again”

    A Lost Session With Sly & Robbie Comes To Light

    This morning’s email contained a rare gift for all reggae lovers to cherish: a message from Guillaume Bougard, sharing this never-before-heard recording of the melancholy ballad “Alone Again” voiced the late great Bunny Rugs backed by Sly & Robbie. “Bunny Rugs recorded ‘Alone Again’ in 2010 during a day off of a Third World tour in Europe,” Bougard explained. “Here is a rough mix that I just stumbled upon.” On his Facebook page, Bougard elaborates that “We had recorded the instrumental originally for Horace Andy but Horace didn’t like the song, so I kept it and submitted it to Rugs who liked it, despite the overall sadness of the lyrics. He managed to retain the emotion and yet instill his usual joy. Lovely. Rugs knew he did very well on that take. Listen carefully to the last 2 seconds: he says ‘Bwoy Guillaume, you have a whole a money for me now.’ When Jamaican artists think they’ve done a great take, they believe the song is going to sell well and generate big royalties for them.” No amount of money can equal the joy of a new song by Bunny Rugs, who died of leukemia this past February 6 (which is also Bob Marley’s birthday) leaving an irreparable breach in the reggae matrix. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • The Queen of Reggae Gets Her Groove On at Groovin’ In The Park

    The Queen of Reggae Gets Her Groove On at Groovin’ In The Park

    “This is My Moment,” said Marcia Griffiths, “And I’m Gonna Live It.”

    Marcia Griffiths, the undisputed Queen of reggae, hit Jamaica Queens NYC to celebate 50 years in the music biz at Groovin in the Park this June 29. Now in its 4th year, Groovin in the Park is an upscale affair that attracted 25,000 punters to ‘Roy Wilkins Park’ with a line-up that boasts some of the greatest names in Reggae history—many of whom have worked with Marcia at one time or another. With at least half a dozen outfit changes Ms. Griffiths was prepared for anything. She first hit the stage around 3pm—warming things up with her international pop hit ‘Electric Boogie’, which spawned a dance craze that continues till this day—and kept going strong with internmittent breaks until 9pm. Full Review and Videos after the Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Alborosie: “Everybody Receive The Music Nice”

    Reasoning with Alborosie: “Everybody Receive The Music Nice”

    Albo’s Got a New Album Featuring All-Star Duets

    When the Italian-born reggae singer Alborosie is not touring the world, he makes his home in Jamaica, where he spends most of his time in his studio. The latest product of his labors is the album Specialist Presents: Alborosie & Friends, a collection of his duets with a wide range of reggae and dancehall talent, which dropped on V.P. Records June 17th. The 24 tracks include duets with Michael Rose, Horace Andy, Etana, Busy Signal, Sizzla, and fellow European reggae star Gentleman. During a recent tour stop in Miami, Reshma B caught up with Albo to talk about how he’s not just a producer and performer but also a proud, hands-on papa. ”I change him pampers,” says Albo of his new routine in the studio. But that doesn’t mean he takes his music any less seriously. In fact, the reggae global ambassador reveals, “The day i don’t feel the vibe anymore i will retire quietly.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Japanese Melodica Master Anna i Talks Augustus Pablo and His “Far East Style”

    Japanese Melodica Master Anna i Talks Augustus Pablo and His “Far East Style”

    Classical Piano Lessons At Age Eight Didn’t Thrill Her, Then She Discovered Augustus Pablo

    July 1st marks the 20th anniversary of International Reggae Day a celebration of the global impact of Jamaica’s musical culture. And there’s no greater representative than Tokyo-born Anna i. She always loved music, so at the age of eight her parents gave her classical piano lessons. But her passion for playing wasn’t sparked until a vinyl-collecting friend introduced her to soul, jazz, and especially reggae. She was particularly drawn to the “Far East” dub style of Jamaican melodica master Augustus Pablo. Absorbing his sound, she taught herself to play the instrument and within a few years she was playing with the German punk band The Slits on tracks like the 2009 banger “Babylon.”  Earlier this summer she joined Jamaican keyboard master Monty Alexander during his birthday celebration at B.B. King’s, improvising “Happy Birthday to You” during a dub-jazz jam session. She’s now under the wing of Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin—the P in VP Records—who has big plans for the young melodica master. The ReggaeGirlAboutTown recently caught up with Anna i at VP headquarters for an in-depth conversation. Anna even treated Boomshots to an off-the-cuff performance. Video After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Mr. Vegas ft. Latty J “Who Rule”

    HEAR THIS: Mr. Vegas ft. Latty J “Who Rule”

    Vegas Latty Wage A Classic Battle of the Sexes—Inna Dancehall Style

    Dancehall superstar Mr. Vegas links with his protege Latty J for a classic battle of the sexes inna dancehall style. Flipping Shabba’s “Twice My Age” riddim, Vegas and Latty go line for line as they try to prove who really rules the world—or at least the household—Man or Woman? Listen for yourself and let us know who got the upper hand! During a recent Mr. Vegas performance in Florida, Reshma B caught up with Latty J and got to know the rising female DJ who first broke through with a wicked tune called “Put Up Uno Hand” on the “Nuh Frighten Vampire” diddim. Latty’s now doing music full time under Mr. Vegas’ management and it sounds like #TeamHustle is going hard. Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)