Vikings And Conglomerates Connect. Axes Up!
Not only was “Differentology” the top-ranking soca jam of 2013 and winner of MTV Iggy’s song of the year compeition, it’s an undeniable outernational smash that’s ready for the road around the world. Now just in time to wrap up the year, “Differentology” gets an outernational refix courtesy of the Dungeon Dragon himself. Vikings—Axes Up! Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Reasoning With The Wild Apache After Sting 2013
It’s been eleven years since William Maragh, aka Super Cat aka the Don Dada of reggae music inna dancehall style has performed in his native Jamaica, or as he prefers to call it, “I-Mek-yah.” A master of words, Cat is also very much a man of action, and in his final few hours in Jamrock he spent his time relating a few of his colorful exploits in the streets and dancehalls of Kingston and worldwide. While some that conversation will remain strictly off the record, he did sit down with Reshma B on the final day of his return to Jamaica to reflect on his majestic performance at Sting 2013, and explain why the Don Dada will never lose his people. Video After The Jump…
Defiant Miss Dye Dye Resfuses to Say Die
Beaten but unbowed, Macka Diamond was chilling in the parking lot outside Jamworld following her highly anticipated clash with Lady Saw. Although the audience chose Muma Saw as the decisive winner, Macka explained that she felt victorious because she proved she was not a coward by stepping onstage to face the Queen of the Dancehall after all the diss records and Twitter beef. Macka vows that their lyrical war is just beginning, but it looks like she may not be in such a rush to get that crowd after all, as she says… “If that crown make me so unhappy, me no want it.” Video After The Jump…
The Queen Defends Her Crown
The 30th anniversary staging of Sting offered many highlights, from the return of Super Cat to Tommy Lee’s courageous comeback after a near-fatal car crash and international stars like Wyclef Jean and 2Chainz. In the clash department, Kiprich battled Blak Ryno for a US$30,000 prize, but nothing could match the raw energy and excitement of Lady Saw’s long-awaited head-to-head confrontation with Macka Diamond. After weeks of diss songs, Twitter beef, interviews and speculation, these two dancehall stars put on their solider gear and war paint and launched into lyrical combat. Shortly after her decisive triumph, the Queen of the Dancehall sat down with Boomshots to share her thoughts on the clash—and why she says it will be her last. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Super Cat’s Triumphant Return Continues
Reggae fans around the world are having a very good Christmas today because one of the true icons in the business has returned to the game as if out of nowhere. Super Cat aka The Wild Apache aka the Don Dada has been missing in action for a long while now. But with Cat back in Jamaica, and set to take the stage at Sting tomorrow night, you can feel the excitement is in the air. If you’re not fortunate enough to witness the action in person tomorrow, you can watch this historic show on Pay Per View or hit up BringTheSting.com to stream the show online. Some tan so back and some a dem a rally forward. Videos After The Jump…
Teenage Island Pop Star Stands Up To Defend Her Sexy Hit Tune
Samantha J is a Jamaican high-school student turned pop starlet. The 17-year-old has got a major hit song on her hands. MTV calls it “Buzzworthy” and BET invites her to perform on 106 & Park. The track—co-written with Alaine and produced by Conroy Forte for Washroom Entertainment—has made this girl grow up fast, and luckily her friends are supporting her 100%. A few critics have come forward to charge that her song is too sexy and that it degrades young girls. But as a dancehall fan herself—Samantha’s favorite arists include Alaine, Tifa, and Konshens—she’s not scared of a little controversy. “There’s nothing wrong with saying that I look good,” she says. “The song is not meant to degrade women or girls. It’s actually meant to uplift.” Video After The Jump…
America Isn’t All That It Seems
Everyday people all over the world, pack up their belongings, grab their families and hop on a plane, boat or what have you all in hopes of a better life. Most find their way to the good ol’ U.S of A with the promise of the elusive “American Dream.” Alpha Blondy wasn’t so fortunate, his American dreams as he states was a nightmare, and for more than a few immigrants the pressures of a new life can be scary. The one comfort all immigrants share is that if anything goes wrong, we can always go home. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Rodigan Invites A Few Friends Over to Get Things Poppin’ in LondonTown
Vauxhall’s Fire was burnin’ up last Friday night as David Rodigan played host to his annual RamJam Xmas bash. The lineup of DJs and artists included some of the names that have paved the way for the UK underground scene from yesterday until tomorrow and beyond. The crowd went crazy to a mixture of music that has been the soundtrack of the London streets over the past few years—including jungle, DnB, reggae, dancehall & dubstep and everything in between. Jungle masters Congo Natty were on great form, set the night alight with their selections. They started their set with Bob Marley’s acoustic “Redemption Song,” and trust & believe that was the calm before the storm ahead as they launched into a mix of jungle & DnB classics. UK dancehall artist Stylo G stepped onto stage and got the room singing to “Call Me a Yardie” and “Soundbwoy”—they even knew the lyrics to his new tune “Move Back.” David Rodigan dropped bombs throughout his set—the man’s collection of dubplates has been next level for years, but then he dropped a brand new exclusive dub for Cham and Damian Marley’s first ever combination, a thing called “Fighter.” By the time Shy FX hit the decks the room was in a frenzy. The “Original Nuttah” producer went in on his classics and brought along some nice reggae mixes with Gyptian’s “Hold Yuh” and Chaka Demus and Pliers “Murder She Wrote.” Liam Bailey also touched the stage to perform his latest track produced by Shy FX, “Soon Come.” Video After The Jump… (more…)
Dutty Paul and Gongzilla Stirring Up Nuff Trouble
“One good thing about music,” a wise man once sang, “when it hits you feel no pain.” You just can’t say the same for a Molotov cocktail. That’s why it’s a good idea to listen to the ghetto yutes when they bawl out their sufferer’s blues. Remember when N.W.A predicted the L.A. Riots and another wise man called hip-hop the “ghetto CNN”? That’s another good thing about music, it can give those with ears to hear an early warning on trouble on the way. “Riot” is that kind of song. The latest single off Sean Paul’s new album Full Frequency, which is due to drop in February, is not another party jam. it’s a hard-hitting reality tune featuring Jr. Gong. Ever since this tune came out, we’ve known it was something special. Now the video has arrived to make the whole thing crystal clear. “Deal with yute dem right or else….” Video After The Jump…
Live Inna London But Original Yardman
Stylo knows a few things about original dons in the game having soaked up plenty of firsthand experience from his dad Poison Chang. He knows what it takes to stand amongst the best in the biz and on his new tune ”Move Back” he pays respect to some to the pioneers in the game. Stylo himself has become somewhat of a pioneer fusing the original dancehall sounds with the sounds of the London underground and now stands at the forefront of the UK dancehall scene, I guess they don’t call him the lyrical badman for nothing. As always Stylo’s put has stammed his signature style on the tune which is catchy as hell. “Come trouble yourself with the London don,” he chats—and for those who are gonna be in the vicinity, tonight Stylo will be unleashing his swag at at Rodigan’s Ram Jam Xmas party —which is sure to be, well, rammmm jammmed! Don’t be surprised if this Stylo selection finds its way to the top playlist of your holiday party too! Audio After The Jump…
The Viking Of Soca Talks About The Success Of “Differentology” And Taking Soca to the Next Level
For someone who calls himself the “Viking Of Soca” his personality couldn’t be further than his moniker, people who associate themselves with such nicknames often look the part. Bunji is not hulking or brooding, but he definitely has a presence. Video After The Jump… (more…)
“Our Music No Die,” says the Don Dada. “We A Rock of Ages and the Music Live In We Same Way”
The Wild Apache has been missing in action for a while but Boomshots was blessed to catch up with him in NYC during a rehearsal session for his big comeback shows. Tomorrow night at Amazura NYC Cat and Junior Demus will slip into some Clarks and white linen and take NYC back to the glory days of the Biltmore Ballroom. After that Cat will forward straight to Jamaica for the 30th Anniversary staging of Sting on December 26. “I never get to finish that show,” Cat says. “Because it was a clash between me and Ninja Man.” Cat says this time around there’s no clash planned, but he’s definitely looking to deal with some unfinished business. Sounds like a can’t-miss show. But if you can’t make it Jamrock, do not despair. Just hit up BringTheSting.com to learn how you can view the show via PayPerView or webstream. In part one off this exclusive interview Cat touches on the Maccabee Bible, the roots of sound system culture, and also speaks on his respect for Shaggy and how his old friend came to check him when he was having a rough time. “Man like you don’t stay down fe long,” Shaggy told him, they came up with a plan to bring Cat out as a surprise guest this past Labor Day—and the rest is history. The last time Super Cat worked Sting it was the biggest show in Jamaican history. This year promises to be a major event, and a fitting way to commeorate 30 years of Sting. Video After The Jump… (more…)