A Big Bad Bloodclaat Juggling
Wayne Marhsheezy kicks off the latest juggling from Ghetto Youths International crew with a hilarious tune about a certain medical condition that might be easily misconstrued as a different sup’m. Also on the juggling: Jo Mersa, Assassin, Aidonia, and Frisco Kid (!) In other words, it’s a big bloodclaat riddim. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
The Young Roots Lion Chats About Reggae Versus Ragga, Real Producers, and His Dancehall Daddy
(Photography and Videos by Mark Shaw)
Fresh off his first ever performance at Reggae Sumfest, rising reggae star Chronixx sat down to reason with Reshma B. “Me’s a dancehall man,” he tells her, “Nothing like me Shabba Ranks and me Supercat.” The young singer/songwriter/producer who’s been credited with helping to lead a “roots revival” takes care not to stir up any roots-versus-dancehall “genre war” but instead focuses on quality songwriting and conscious content. Before becoming the hottest new artist in reggae, Chronixx was a producer, creating his own tracks like “Behind Curtain” and “Warrior.” In part 2 of his reasoning with Reshma B, Chronixx bigs up all the “real producers” and talks about his admiration for Kanye West, although he admits that YEEZUS is probably not his favorite Yeezy album. He also speaks on how he likes to bring his family along with him when he performs, including his father Chronicle, whom Chronixx describes as “the original dancehall daddy.” Chronixx also reveals that he is “the biggest Jr. Gong fan in the world” and bigs up Gongzilla to the max. The young roots lion is currently on his first tour of the U.S. and his first-ever New York City performance goes down at SOBs. Before you catch the show, hold a reasoning with the artiste. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Dancehall’s Hottest Husband & Wife Team Are At It Again…
What could be better than recording some of the sexiest tunes in dancehall rotation and then performing them with the same hot girl you share your bed with on a nightly basis? Well that’s the blessing bestowed upon Cham and his lovely wife Miss O. When they’re not making raising their youths, they’re making beautiful music together—literally. From “Backshot” to “Tun Up,” these two could teach a lot of married couples how to keep their relationship spicy. The next chapter of their instructional manual has just arrived in our inbox this morning courtesy of Coppershot Productions. No more long talking cause the title kinda says it all… Audio After The Jump… (more…)
The Dancehall Hitmaker Was Shot To Death Last Night In Kingston
This morning brings the sad news that Patrick Samuels, better known in dancehall circles as “Roach,” was shot and killed in Kingston this morning. According to published reports, the shooting occurred at 4:12 am, when three shots were fired into his Chevrolet Avalanche at the Texaco Gas Station at Mary Brown’s corner. As Roach tried to drive away, three more shots were fired, and his vehicle crashed on Mannings Hill Road. Samuels was formerly Vybz Kartel’s road manager and produced the popular “Siren” riddim containing hits like Kartel’s “Emergency” and Sean Paul’s “Breakout” off SP’s hit album, The Trinity. Roach later linked up with Justus Arison to create the massive “Overproof” riddim, which spawned hits like Mavado’s “Settle Down.” On Justus Twitter feed, he poured out his feelings about his production partner and the terrible loss to the music industry. “Rain of tears fall from heaven,” Justus wrote. “Deeply an sadly gonna miss roach dawg, real ute.” He also added “Roach nuh do nobody nothing more than talk the truth without apology.” Never one to bite his tongue, Roach publicly aired his conflicts with other producers and artists in the business. No suspects have been named in the shooting. Condolences go out to Roach’s friends and family. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Unno Tell Me Wa Really A Gwan Star
Thrust upon the scene just before the turn of the new millennium, the artist formerly known as Assassin (now Agent Sasco for googlebility reasons) showed form early he was a force in the Dancehall realm. Boasting an unmistakable style and command for lyrics Assassin broke out with his 2000 hit “Wa Gwan” of the popular Bug Out Riddim. Sasco bad from long time, Tune After The Jump… (more…)
Her Name Is Denyque And She Doesn’t Believe You
Denyque Dontre’s first song, called “Can’t Breathe,” dropped back in 2009 and she’s been taking our breath away ever since. The beautiful and brainy singer / songwriter (and former Rum Cream model) is about to drop an EP called Her Name Is Denyque with production by Daseca, Big Ship, and Ricky Blaze. So when she says it’s gonna be “Sure fire” believe that. Consider this video, for a song produced by Di Genius, an early warning shot. They don’t call her “supergirl” for nothing. Video After The Jump… (more…)
JA-Born Queens-Raised Lyricist Lives By The Joe Grine Law: Get And No Chat
The Twenty-three-year-old NYC dancehall artist Kranium will be dropping his first single on Frequent Flyer Records October 15th. The artwork, courtesy of RavieOne, hearkens back to the classic Super Cat LP Si Boops Deh. And on Kranium’s single “Nobody Has To Know,” (or actually “nobody nah fi know”) co-produced by the artist and LMR, he’s nobody’s sugar daddy. Kranium is more like that Joe Grine who sees to a lady’s urgent needs—you know, like “use me cocky play guitar with your lungs”—on the low. As the late great Captain Barkey once put it: Original Get and No Chat. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Werlboss Handles His Biz on a New Single From the Album Kartel Forever Trilogy
Two years into his incarceration, Vybz Kartel continues to exert a phenomenal influence over the worldwide dancehall scene. It is no small feat to be one of the most prolific artists in Jamaican music history, but somehow Kartel has put in so much work that his fans have been able to hear new music uninterrupted for two years now. Now comes word that Tad Records will be releasing a three-disc album entitled the Kartel Forever Trilogy on September 24. The album contains three never-before-heard singles that are currently blowing up dancehalls all over Jamaica, and none more than this TJ Records production. Strictly business—never personal. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Muma Saw Now Ridin with the Flo
After her storming performance at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center during last weekend’s Irie Jamboree’s Caribbean Fever Music Fest, Lady Saw fans can put their minds at rest. It seems like the Queen is gonna hang on to that crown for a little longer. Muma Saw wasted no time before dispelling the recent rumors about her leaving the dancehall industry. “I said I would retire on the 31st,” she said as she took the stage at Barclays. “But I didn’t say what month! I’ll be retiring on the 31st of the 31st month of 2031!” To celebrate the occasion Saw’s teamed up with Flo-Rida to drop a remix of her latest chart-topper “Heels On.” Both artists performed at Reggae Sumfest in July so maybe the inspiration for this collab happened around that time. Hey she’s free to do as she pleases cause “Man ah de least” of her problems innit? Whatever the case let the music play! Audio After The Jump…
Grandpa Morgan Links With India Again on Songversation
The first time Gramps Morgan met India Arie she enthused about how much she loved his voice, particularly his song “Psalms 23” with Buju Banton. They kept things on a spiritual tip as they went on to forge a strong creative relationship, working on songs for each other’s albums and even touring together for a time. Their latest reggae duet appears on Songversation, India’s first album in over four years. Its earnestly prayerful lyrics are back by a majestic horn section and dubby echo effects. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Hit The High Seas With Jr. Gong, Stephen Marley, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Tarrus, Cure, Busy, Killer & More
Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley invites you to take a journey to Jamaica with him on the 1st Annual Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise. Leaving Miami with stops in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, this 5-night cruise promises be the ultimate Reggae music adventure. Come experience some of the World’s top tier Reggae artists as they will perform in multiple venues throughout the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship. In addition to the multiple live concerts there will be numerous Sound Systems booming all day and all night throughout the cruise. Sign up now for the latest updates and launch info. More Details After The Jump… (more…)