Octane’s Latest Video Is Something Special For The Ladies
In comes the official music video for I-Octane’s single from the ‘Sex mate riddim’ produced by Markus Records. Directed by BlingBlang, edited by Jamar and Paul Davis, the visuals unfold in the lush mountains above Jamaica as Octane takes his lady to higher heights. Feast your eyes. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Reshma B Kicks It With Spice And Gets To How Grace Hamilton Likes It
Mad Gyal Spice is on top of her game right now. With the official video for her sexy smash hit “So Mi Like It” racking up millions of Vevo views, rap legend Busta Rhymes jumping on the official remix, and not one but three cuts on VP’s latest Ragga Ragga Ragga compilation, the DJ born Grace Hamilton is breaking records and making history that any dancehall artist—male or female—would be proud of. The last time she was in NYC Spice linked up with The ReggaeGirlAboutTown to chat ’bout “So Mi Like It” and explained why she decided to rap on the remix with Busta. She also revealed that the real Grace Hamilton is very different from her onstage image as Spice. Grace is a family woman who’s really “a nice calm girl at home reading who doesn’t drink or smoke.” Spice, on the other hand, was born as a fearless competitor. “Spice is the person to tek on everybody,” she explains. “I was born to do that.” And when it comes to hardcore dancehall shows like Sting, she says “Me govern it.” Videos After The Jump… (more…)
After (Almost) 33 Years in The Game, The King of Soca Tells Reshma B How He Stays Fly
If you don’t know Machel Montano, you don’t know soca. He was nine years old the first time he represented Trinidad & Tobago at Madison Square Garden, and since that time he’s dominated the soca scene from year to year. (In 2014 Machel will celebrate both his 40th birthday and his 33rd year in showbiz—more on that magic numnber later.) When the King of Soca passed through NYC the other day, of course he took time out to link with the Boomshots posse. And just as soon as Machel Motano sat down with Reshma B, they came up with a brand new tune with a dance craze to match called “Mop Di Floor”—it was a rainy night, and RGAT had towels on her feet; long story. That’s what you call inspiration meets creative genius pon di spot. As the conversation continued, they spoke in depth about the development of the soca industry, Machel’s deep roots in NYC, and his forthcoming collaboration with Trinidad James. Machel spoke candidly about his his efforts to gain wider popularity by blending soca and reggae, but also cautioned that it’s important not to get caught up copying other people’s style. He recalled the days when Kes the Band was considered a rock act and Bunji Garlin was calling himself a dancehall artist. In the final analysis, Machel said the secret to soca’s growth was simply to keep making quality music for the whole world, but never forgetting that “you’ve got to be yourself.” Videos After The Jump… (more…)
Why Are These Two ’80s Pop Stars Headlining One of New York’s Biggest Reggae Festivals This Sunday?
This Sunday June 29th, Roy Wilkins Park will feel more like Jamaica West Indies than Jamaica Queens. On that day thousands of reggae fans will converge for Groovin’ In The Park, New York’s most upscale summer music festival, which boasts a lineup that includes Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Chronixx, John Holt, Bob Andy, Judy Mowatt, and L.U.S.T.—all performing their own special brand of classical roots reggae with perhaps a sprinkling of soul (Beres Hammond) or a dash of dancehall (Chronixx). All except one, the Australian-born soft-rock duo Air Supply. Yes, you read that right. The over-the-top pop act who sprinkled the 1980s with gems like “Lost In Love” and “Every Woman in the World” will be performing alongside a full slate of reggae royalty. Shocked? Surprised? To tell the truth, so are they. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
Kelissa alongside Chronixx makes for a winning combination
Your two favorite reggae revival vocalists Kelissa and Chronixx team up to present a brand new single called “Winna”. Just in time for the summer, this motivational music brings purpose to the mundane, giving listeners a reason to get up, get out, and go get the day started. The smooth introduction crescendos into a full-force pop beat as Kelissa starts off “Good morning Mr. Obstacle, how ya doing today?” Chronixx isn’t too far behind as he responds with “If I am living…” and Kelissa completes the thought: “Live It Up!” Audio After The Jump… (more…)
“Natural Mystic Is In The Air, Bob Marley Said Have No Fear, Everything Is Gonna Be Alright”
Every so often Jah Cure blesses us with one of those anthems—a song so good that it’s basically guaranteed to play from now until Kingdom Come. Today must be one of those days, because we just can’t stop running this tune. It’s the kind of song that grabs you from the first line and never lets go. The track, a dubby, dreamy yet crispy take on “Heaveneless,” was produced by ‘Sketch’ Carey for Iyacure Productions. This is the first single from an upcoming album that’s supposed to be released later this year, but if this song’s any indication we need that album like right now. Cure mentions Bob’s name in his lyrics, which would be ill-advised for your average reggae singer. But Cure is anything but average, and he’s in rare form on “Life We Live.” So light up another one and let the music play. Have no fear. This is the life the life the life we live. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Remember Nyla From Brick and Lace? Her Love Is Even Wickeder
Brick & Lace first stepped in the game as a three girl sister act. Nyanda, Nailah, and Tasha Thorbourne brought a fusion of dancehall and R&B with just the right blend of sugar and spice. Tasha would eventually move behind the scenes, helping her sisters write and produce hits like the Diwali banger “Love is Wicked.” After a sting with Akon’s Konvict imprint and touring the world as a group, the sisters decided to go solo. Now Nailah, or make that NYLA, the youngest of the group is all grown up and ready to step out on her own. You’ll see what we mean when you check these brand new visuals for the first time pon Boomshots. Thank us later. Video After The Jump… (more…)
The UK Reggae Superstar’s Birthday Show at BB King’s Was vEasy To Love
When Maxi Priest stepped onstage at BB King’s in New York City on June 11th, he had two reasons to celebrate. First and foremost, the UK reggae superstar had turned 53 just a day earlier. Running a close second was the arrival of his first album in seven years, a lovers-rock-leaning collection of straight-up reggae cuts called ‘Easy To Love’. After many successful years with Virgin Records, Maxi went the indie route, releasing his 2007 album ‘Refused’ on Peppermint Jam Records, and his latest with long-reigning reggae imprint V.P. Records. Full Review & Video After The Jump…
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Lady Chann Drops Big Bombs Like She Name Bagdad
You already know!! Spitting lyrics like fire as usual, Chann’s latest tune, “I Duppy Riddim” is a mash-up of London’s underground scene—dancehall with a bit of jungle, D&B, grime and everything in the middle. In short, Chann’s signature style. Since getting her start with London’s Suncycle crew she’s been throwing out cuts like “Your Eye Too Fast,” “Feel Calm” and “Sticky Situation” and collaborating with the likes of Sticky, Toddla T, Durrty Goodz, Manga, Gappy Ranx, Skibadee and Beenie Man. Now, on the heels of her Dun Dem Season Trilogy mixtape the Norweezy native teams up with producer Benny Page on the I Duppy Riddim released on her own label, Dun Dem Records. The tune officially drops July 6 but it’s already getting rinsed on the radio and now there’s eye-popping video. Never afraid to say what’s on her mind, Chann speaks the truth in her tunes. Tracks like “Eye too fast” show she’s not scared to call a guy out on his bad behaviour. But this time around she makes it clear she has “no time for the chit chit chat”—nothing but straight beats and bars. “We Duppy Riddim cyan’t resuscitate we killin’.” As the song states this one is “Fe De Gyal Dem, Fe De Man Dem, Fe De Gyal Dem.” How nang is that? Video After The Jump… (more…)
Uncle Demon Had a Dream Last Night… Are You Afraid Yet?
If there’s one thing Tommy Lee Sparta understands it’s the power of strong visuals. His latest video, which dropped on Vevo today, is on point as usual. Whether or not you dig the whole demon-thug steez, you can’t front on the man’s CGI effects or the tatted-up seminude models. And if you do he’ll just sick his dogs with the Skeletor masks on you anyway. So stop hating and enjoy the show. What about that dream? Don’t worry—he was just swimming in money and chilling with Jesus Christ. No big deal… Video After The Jump… (more…)
Legends of Reggae, Dancehall and Pure Pop Come Together June 29 At Roy Wilkins Park
Remember the days when love used to reign? We danced all night to the songs they played. Well good news—we can come again, and do it just the same! When? This Sunday June 29. Where? Roy Wilkins Park, Jamaica Queens, less than half an hour from Penn Station on the LIRR. Wha Gwan? The fourth annual staging of NYC’s most upscale reggae festival, Groovin’ In The Park, a family-friendly event filled with good food, great fun, and legendary music. Just how legendary? Read on… Full Lineup and Videos After The Jump… (more…)
The Bad Boys of Reggae Kick A World Cup Anthem
Starting this week the people of planet earth put down their usual obsessions of greed, lust, war, strife, and brutality and turns their attention to soccer, or if you happen to live outside the USA, football. Whether you’re in Brazil for the kickoff, catching the action at your favorite sports bar, or chilling at Circle House in Miami, it’s all about the World Cup, which is—when you get right down to it—all about the ball. The outernationally-minded rootical rhthym section known as Inner Circle aka the “Bad Boys of Reggae” have created a brand new World Cup anthem with a little help from Mykal “Grammy” Roze, former lead singer of Black Uhuru, and a youth named Bizerk, about whom we’ll be hearing more very soon. And the wholw world gets to hear it for the first time right here pon the Boomshots. Kick it.! Audio After The Jump… (more…)