Blog

  • Stream Popcaan’s Debut Album “Where We Come From”

    Stream Popcaan’s Debut Album “Where We Come From”

    Preview Papi’s Full LP Before You Head Over To iTunes & Support Di Ting

    “Popcaan is something of an unlikely hero in the world of dancehall,” writes National Public Radio’s Natalie Wiener of the Jamaican star, whose debut album got a big boost from America’s offiicial government broadcast. “He grew up in the Jamaican projects without becoming a hard-edged “rude boy.” And he’s neither crooner nor spitfire MC — instead, he stands happily between those extremes. The deejay’s debut album, Where We Come From, is equal parts dancefloor anthems and “conscious” tunes about Jamaican life, unified by breezy, fresh production from Brooklyn’s Dre Skull. He’s known to family and fans alike as the “Unruly Boss,” not so much for bad behavior as for a fierce independent streak, manifest in his idiosyncratic vernacular, style and music. Audio, Video & Production Notes After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Enrique Iglesias “Bailando” Remix featuring Sean Paul

    WATCH THIS: Enrique Iglesias “Bailando” Remix featuring Sean Paul

    Singer-songwriter, Enrique Iglesia brings us the muy caliente single, “Bailando” (Dancing) off his tenth album, “Sex and Love.” The original song is #59 on the Billboard Top 100 and #1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs of 2014 (This is Enrique’s 25th No.1 in this category). The lava in this song will make you shake it, with vocals from the reggaeton group with hip hop swag, Gente de Zona and Descemer Bueno (the extraordinary composer and songwriter, who co-wrote this tune and composed music for the film, “Havana Blues”). Enrique made a spanish-english fused remix which features dancehall icon, Sean Paul.  Sean Paul put the dancehall stamp on several reggaeton smash hits and this collaboration stands as a noteworthy achievement. More After The Jump

    (more…)

  • Tarrus Riley & Friends Pop-Up Shop—Way Up & Stay Up

    Tarrus Riley & Friends Pop-Up Shop—Way Up & Stay Up

    Singy Singy’s Love Situation Tour Continues Tonight at BB King’s in NYC

    Tarrus Riley’s album Love Situation is a modern take on Jamaica’s rich rock steady tradition, an independent release that topped the Billboard reggae charts. The singer is currently touring on the strength of the record and will perform live tonight at BB King’s. Earlier this week he hit New York City to open a Pop Up Shop at Miss Lily’s which took place during the Strictly Boomshots show. Hosted by Rob Kenner alongside guest selectors Max Glazer and Kenny Meez of Federation Sound, and special guest Kardinall Offishal on the mi, it was truly a night to remember.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Alkaline “F___ Up”

    HEAR THIS: Alkaline “F___ Up”

    Alkaline Creates The Realest Vent Song

    Music is medicine that feeds the soul. It ranges from the daily bread of spiritual uplifting music to thought provoking social commentary music to club bangers and heart warming love songs. But every now and then, one needs a good vent song, which addresses the up and downs of personal relationships. Alkaline’s new song “F-Up” on the Work Permit Riddim, discusses friendships and the saddest discovery that a friend is actually an enemy. The “Young and Baddest” artist, blasted by many for slackness lyrics, brings us the realest  vent song in dancehall.  More After The Jump

    (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Junior Reid “Undeniable” Mixtape

    HEAR THIS: Junior Reid “Undeniable” Mixtape

    Junior Reid drop Undeniable mixtape with remixes of his hottest Hip-Hop collabs

    “Undeniable” is the official Junior Reid mixtape brought to you by The Wu World Wide DJ Coalition mixed by their own selector “DJ Flipcyide”. The collection includes some of Junior Reid’s major collaborations with popular artists Fabolous, Bun B, Swizz Beats, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Alicia Keys, and more. Born as Delroy “Junior” Reid, the roots reggae artist made a name for himself as the lead singer for Grammy award-winning band Black Uhuru. As an independent vocalist, Junior Reid has enjoyed crossover success with songs “One Blood” with The Game and “This Is Why I’m Hot” alongside rapper Mims and Jamaican emcee Cham. “Undeniable” is a fitting title considering the artist’s elaborate roster of top tracks. This collection of greatest hits is exemplary of his latest work with mainstream talent in Hip-Hop, Reggae, and R&B. Reid’s undeniable voice and signature chant is synonymous with over 30 years of Dub music and culture. Audio after the jump… (more…)

  • Popcaan Covers The Fader

    Popcaan Covers The Fader

    The Unruly Boss Graces The Mag’s Summer Music Issue

    Dancehall star Popcaan is one of the four artists featured on the cover of The Fader‘s new music issue as the promotions for his Where We Come From album ramp up ahead of next Tuesday’s release.  In the story music journalist Jesse Serwer journeys up to Papi’s birthplace, the rural village of Hayfield in the Jamaican parish of St. Thomas. Along the way he learns the roots of Papi’s nickname. “This call-it-what-I-want approach to language—[Popcaan]’s music is similarly rich with fresh terminology—is perhaps summed up best by the term he’s becoming synonymous with: unruly. It’s a word that Popcaan recalls hearing during childhood scoldings, and which he’s flipped into a badge of independence, proudly worn in song lyrics, social media hashtags, homemade T-shirts and a tattoo on his chest that reads “Unruly Boss” (his followers and associates have likewise dubbed themselves the Unruly Gang). More After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Mavado “Nuh Trust Friend”

    HEAR THIS: Mavado “Nuh Trust Friend”

    DJ Frass New “Gwaan Bad” Riddim A Murda, But This Gully Gad Tune Is So Special

    “Cut dem off yuh fi cut dem off,” sings Mavado on this brand-new selection off DJ Frass’s crazy new juggling, the Gwaan Bad riddim—reminiscent of certain classic Dave Kelly beats from the 90s. The riddim features new songs from Buju Banton (!), Vybz Kartel, Lady Saw, Elephant Man, and nuff more artists. All of dem bad, but this new Gully Gad selection is extra special. Sounds like singa has a lot on his mind right about now. “From badmind can’t stop yuh, yuh special too.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Joyner Lucas ft. Busy Signal “Riding Solo” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Joyner Lucas ft. Busy Signal “Riding Solo” PREMIERE

    Rapper on the Rise Links with The Turf President

    Joyner’s a lyrically inclined rapper from Worcester, Massachusetts who’s been making waves on the mixtape circuit for a minute now, and whose last track “Half N____r” (which isn’t half as ignant as it sounds) premiered on Pitchfork. For the first single off his album Along Came Joyner, he enlisted Busy Signal who blessed the young MC with X-amount of Auto-Tune niceness inna Hott-hed style. Jeff Guertin on the track. Premiering right here pon de Boomshots. What u know bout dat? Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Tarrus Riley “1, 2, 3 I Love You” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Tarrus Riley “1, 2, 3 I Love You” Official Music Video

    Singy Singy Turns Up The Music—And Throws A Pop-Up Shop At Miss Lily’s NYC

    Tarrus Riley is turning heads with the lover’s rock anthem “Dem A Watch” from his rock-steady album Love Situation. This was Tarrus’ first album to top Billboard‘s reggae album chart a week following the project launch on Feburary 4 of this year. The album was independently produced and distributed by Tarrus Riley along with Cannon, Riley’s BSMG (Blak Soil Music Group), Riley co-manager Shane Brown’s Jukeboxx Productions, and South Florida based digital reggae distributor Zojak Worldwide LLC. . Tarrus will be hosting a list of shows this summer and kicked off his tour with a performance at Best of The Best in the Miami. Meanwhile the ever-versatile artist dropped a more dance-oriented single “Tun Up The Music” featuring Chi Ching Ching, produced by Chimney Records. We are looking forward to more crossover-style releases from Singy Singy, but who can resist the smooth vocals and romantic theme behind “123 I Love You”?  With continual support from reggae musicians like the great Dean Fraser, Tarrus Riley is positined to keep producing quality music for years and years to come. Videos After The Jump…

    (more…)

  • Busy Signal Revives “Gal Yuh Good”

    Busy Signal Revives “Gal Yuh Good”

     In 2013, rapper A$AP Ferg made the song, “Shabba” which featured a cameo in the video, from the “Dancehall Emperor” himself  and rapper, A$AP Rocky; “8 Gold Rings Like I’m Shabba Shabba Ranks!” The admiration for the two-time Grammy Award winner in this song, was a clear indication that Shabba Ranks’ music, transcends across genres and into the ears of today’s generation of listeners.  The reggae legend has a trailer load of tunes, including roots and culture songs, but the sexy ones remain imprinted on music minds.  Mr. Loverman’s, “Wicked In A Bed” was featured on the top selling video game of all time, “Grand Theft Auto, San Andreas” for Playstation 2. To name a few more, who can forget classic Shabba smash hits:  “Telephone Love,” “Caa’n Done,” “Slow and Sexy,” “Love Punany Bad,” “Bedroom Bully”  and fan favorite, “Gal Yuh Good.” Busy Signal just revived the latter, from the 90’s, with his new video release, saluting Shabba Ranks for his original song and adding  signature vocals.  More After The Jump…

    (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Ricky Blaze’s “Uptown Julie” Riddim

    HEAR THIS: Ricky Blaze’s “Uptown Julie” Riddim

    BK Trancehall Innovator Drops a Sexy New Juggling To Hot Up Your  Summer

    Every so often the trap door on Ricky Blaze‘s basement studio in East Flatbush Brooklyn bursts open and the artist, producer, and trancehall innovator emerges amidst a cloud of smoke to bless us all with another banger. This is one of those days. FME Records’ “Uptown Julie” riddim is a compact juggling, comprising four songs—”Stunta” by Gyptian, “Endless Summer” by Kes Dieffenthaller of Kes The Band fame, “Sell Off” by Zoelah, and “All I Need” by Mr. Blaze himself—each of which rocks in its own special way, revealing essential aspects each artist’s personality. In the hands of a skilled selector, these tracks mesh to form an irresistible and never-ending soundscape. Like most great dancehall cuts—and all of Blaze’s -catalog—the riddim itself is deceptively simple: a gentle keyboard chord progression floats above the kind of pulse-pounding drum pattern that sets bodies into motion, starting with a head nod and quickly spreading to shoulders and hips. In short, Julie represents just what every summer needs: a feel-good party groove perfect for pool parties, cookouts, and sweaty late-night wining sessions—and maybe, just maybe, the soundtrack to a new romance. Summer just got a likkle bit hotter. No wonder his name is Ricky Blaze.   Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Spragga Benz’s Bongo Bash in Jamaica

    Spragga Benz’s Bongo Bash in Jamaica

    The Dancehall Icon Celebrates A Career Without Compare

    With 22 years in the music industry, Carlton Errington Grant aka Spragga Benz, tours the world, on long journeys from his home in Dunkirk, Kingston, Jamaica. However, despite his worldwide success, the dancehall icon remains deeply rooted to his humble beginnings with LA Benz sound. This weekend,  he will return home for his Bongo Bash at “LA Benz Corner” in Duhaney Park, Lessing Avenue, Kingston 20 on Saturday, May 31, 2014.  Ricky Villa, owner of LA Benz, who has now passed on, encouraged Spragga to first enter the studio and this followed with a big break, when he voiced some dubs for Buju Banton. More After The Jump…

    (more…)