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  • Fuse ODG Talks Collabs with Konshens, Elephant Man & Wyclef Jean

    Fuse ODG Talks Collabs with Konshens, Elephant Man & Wyclef Jean

    “We’re All One People” Says the UK Afrobeat Artist Who’s On A Mission To Make World Music

    UK based Afro-Beat artist Fuse ODG recently sat down with Reshma B to discuss his recent collaborations with Jamaican dancehall stars Konshens and Elephant Man, and the Haitian-American superstar Wyclef Jean. Fuse, whose manager happens to be Jamaican, talks about how he linked up with Konshens for his “Million Pound Girl” Remix and how he tapped Di Energy God for the remix of his dance single “Azonto” But perhaps his biggest collabo to date is the remix of “Antenna” feature Wycelf. “That Fuse ODG, they don’t even know that in America. That’s over 8 million hits on YouTube and it’s No. 1 in the world charts and all of that,” Wyclef told Boomshots. “African music is no stranger to me. I’m all about fusion and now what’s coming out of Africa is actually making it back to America. The kids are definitely influenced by a lot of dancehall, a lot of reggae, and now a lot of dance music, so all of this fusion is coming together.”  Fuse also hopes to collaborate with Sean Paul in the future. “We’re All One People,” says the artist whose parents immigrated from Ghana to England. “To make world music—that’s the mission.” Video After The Jump…

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  • Samantha J Reveals Crush On “Bad Bwoy Bieber”

    Samantha J Reveals Crush On “Bad Bwoy Bieber”

    “Tight Skirt” Teen Star Tells All In Her Complex Individuals Interview

    Seventeen-year-old Jamaican pop sensation Samantha J is making big moves since her single “Tight Skirt” blew up worldwide. Her spicy video was rated “most shared” on MTV.com and BET recently tapped her to kick off 106 & Park’s “Young Starz” week. And speaking of young stars, Samantha J recently revealed to Complex that the artist she’d most like to collab with is none other than Justin Bieber. And you’ll never guess who her celebrity crush is. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Jesse Royal “Modern Day Judas” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jesse Royal “Modern Day Judas” Official Music Video

    Mr. Royal Rides The Rootsman Riddim

    Jesse Royal has had a great 2013. Just listen to his In Comes The Small Axe mixtape (download link here) and you’ll get a strong sense that a powerful new voice has arrived in the rootical dancehall phalanx that includes the likes of Chronixx, Kabaka Pyramid, and Protoje. Today Jesse released a music video for his song “Modern Day Judas,” one of the standout cuts on Kareem Burrell’s Rootsman riddim, in which he burns out backbiters, vampires, all manner of hypocritical two-siders.    Video After The Jump…

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  • Colonel Josie Wales Pon Radio Lily

    Colonel Josie Wales Pon Radio Lily

    The Outlaw Rides Through The Strictly Boomshots Show. Jesus Christ—We Nice!

     

    In A$AP Ferg’s smash hit “Shabba,” the Harlem rapper idolizes Shabba for wearing “eight gold rings” and “one gold tooth.” But if the truth be told, it was not Shabba Ranks but his mentor Josie Wales who originated that style of fanciness. Had Josey Wales done nothing more than carry Cocoa Tea to the studio for the first time or introduce a young Shabba  to King Jammys, his place is dancehall history would be secure, and yet this humble musical soldier—whose official rank in the dancehall militia is Colenol— has done all that and much much more. (Although he modestly states that he has had “no career” to date thus far, he’s now working with the team Irish & Chin, so watch out for big things from The Colonel in days to come.) Born Joseph Winston Sterling in St. Mary, Jamaica, Josie Wales took his DJ name from the 1976 Clint Eastwood movie The Outlaw Josey Wales. He built his reputation on Stur Gav sound system alongside foundation DJs like Daddy U Roy, Brigadier Jerry, and Charlie Chaplin, and recorded classic sides for Junjo Lawes’ Volcano label (“Leggo Me Hand“) George Phang’s Power House label (“Undercover Lover“) and King Jammy’s (“Nah Lef Ya.“) By the mid 1980s he was acknowledged as Jamaica’s ruling dancehall artist. And his influence continues to this day. Queen Latifah borrowed one of his signature styles to make her Grammy-winning hit “U.N.I.T.Y.” and Josie’s voice was heard on last year’s smash hit “Sweet Jamaica.” A certified legend from the streets to the sound systems, he is both eloquent and witty in person, so it was both a treat and an honor to welcome him to the Strictly Boomshots show on Radio Lily.   Audio & Video After The Jump…

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  • Reggae Grammy Nominees Announced For 2013

    Reggae Grammy Nominees Announced For 2013

    The Music Industry’s Highest Honor Will Go To One of These Five Reggae Acts

    If there’s one thing reggae fans love to complain about it’s the Grammy Awards. Well today the nominees for Best Reggae Album category have been revealed, and let’s just say there’s going to be some more lively debates going on. Check out the final five after the jump—and let us know in the comments if you’d like to thank the Academy, or if they missed some of your favorites. Full List of Nominees After The Jump…

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  • FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Junior Murvin “Police & Thieves”

    FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Junior Murvin “Police & Thieves”

    Watch How Dem Fight Outta Street 

    It is with a heavy heart we at Boomshots bring you today’s Flashback Friday tune. It seemed only right to honor the passing of one of Dub music’s foundation artistes, none other than Junior Murvin. (more…)

  • The Journey of Jah Bouks

    The Journey of Jah Bouks

    When Something Is Meant To Be… It Will Be
    Humble, determined, talented and focused, that’s Jah Bouks. I smile as I think about the journey the singer has been on. A journey which began since he was a mere twelve years old. Before he was even conceived, his father had already decided, after watching a karate flick, that he liked the name of the character, Suzuki.He vowed that when he had a son, he would be called Bouki. Determined to make a difference in the world through music, Jah Bouks, with the never-ending support of his mom, who is also his manager, never strayed from his chosen path. There were many challenges and disappointments along the way, but through it all, Jah Bouks never gave in. He pursued his career doggedly. He never stopped writing, recording and performing, as he knew that his time would eventually come. Journey Continues After The Jump… (more…)
  • Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Nelson Mandela

    Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Nelson Mandela

    South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors Speak On Madiba’s Passing

    The Grammy-winning South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo has released this message on the passing of President Nelson Mandela, who once said their music was a great inspiration to him. “The Father of our nation, Nelson Mandela, has finished his journey. One wants to think in terms of big words when describing him, but this would not be right. Among the many things one can say about our Madiba (Nelson Mandela’s tribal name) is that he never thought of himself as big. He was one of us, one of the people. His journey was our journey. And although he has physically left us now, his journey continues within us all. More After The Jump… (more…)

  • Top 10 Nelson Mandela Reggae Selections

    Top 10 Nelson Mandela Reggae Selections

    Singers and Players of Instruments Pay Tribute to the Late Great South African Hero

    Despite his advanced age, the news of Nelson Mandela’s passing came as a terrible shock today. Perhaps that is because the South African leader had become a living icon of human rights and endurance in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. The thought that he might be a mortal man hardly crossed our minds. Long before he became the subhject of major motion pictures, Mandela’s name had become a one-word prayer, a mantra to give strength to those engaged in the universal struggle. And if there’s one genre of music that has consistently kept Mandela’s name in heavy rotation, that would have to be reggae. From the UK to Africa to Jamrock, reggae singers and players of instruments have been beating the drums of freedom for the late great Nelson Mandela. And so on this sad day we present some of the best, in a spirit of honor and respect in all aspect. Ten Crucial Selections After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Cham ft. Damian Marley “Fighter” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Cham ft. Damian Marley “Fighter” Official Music Video

    Show Me The Light, And Mek It Shine Bright

    Anytime Cham and Dave Kelly connect, they’re going to make a big tune. But when Cham and the Stranger link with Gongzilla? Now that’s history in the making. We’ve been all over this song “Fighter” since it first dropped, but today the visuals were premiered over at Hova’s site, Life & Times. (Now that’s how you roll out a big project.) Love the image of the two Damians playing chess—and making big moves. #Kings. Show them the light.
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  • HEAR THIS: Jah Cure “My Love”

    HEAR THIS: Jah Cure “My Love”

    We Gotta Live For This Moment

    If there was anyone who could f*ck up your emotions then count on Jah Cure to do that for sure. Cure has as many love songs as dancehall has whine songs and somehow they don’t get old. “My Love,” his track on Good Good Productions’ Brit Soul Jam riddim, talks straight to the heart AGAIN. “My love is deeper than the ocean.” Cure is never afraid to tell you exactly what he feels and there are not many artists that can make you cry tears of joy. If you’ve ever been to a Beres Hammond concert you can relate to the feeling. Maybe its no coincidence then that Cure also seems to have that same magic touch. Audio After the Jump…

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  • Bunji Garlin Wins 2013 Soul Train Award For Best International Performance

    Bunji Garlin Wins 2013 Soul Train Award For Best International Performance

    The Viking Of Soca Claims His Prize 

    Trinidadian soca star Bunji Garlin takes home the 2013 Soul Train Award for Best International Performance with the meteoric hit “Differentology.” (more…)