Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I and Jo Mersa Storm the Strictly Boomshots Show
Just before the Ghetto Youths crew shelled down SOBs, they passed through Radio Lily to nice up the Strictly Boomshots show. Jo Mersa, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I, and Wayne Marshall passed the mic around like a coconut chalice. Everybody took a hit—little bit of interview, little bit of freestyle, and a whole heap of vibes. You know how the crew do. Audio After The Jump…
The Singer and DJ Take It Back To Street Dance Days on their Gallis Anthem
We’ve been rinsing this tune for a minute now. When you comebine two of the music brightest young stars in a singer and DJ combination over Super Cat’s “Come Down” riddim you’re bound to have a classic on your hands. But somehow this video escaped our attention until now. Konshens sips a Guiness while Virgo sings out his heart over a streetside sound system, then the DJ takes up the mic and before you know it, they’re bigging up the fat sexy girls to the max. Don’t worry. Ah just so it go. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Stephen, Damian & Julian Marley Join Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I & Joe Mersa
Last night was Labor Day, the biggest reggae night of the year in NYC, perfect time for another edition of Boomshots Reggae Mondays at SOBs. We knew the Ghetto Youths International showcase was going to be a special. After all we’ve been rocking with GYI since long before their big album “Set Up Shop vol. 1” hit stores, so we know what Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I, and Jo Mersa are capable of. Also we caught Damian & Stephen Marley’s sets at Hot 97’s On Da Reggae tip (Friday) and at Barclays Center for the Caribbean Fever Music Fest (Sunday) so we knew the potential for some serious vibes. Still this show exceeded all expectations. Jr. Gong and Ragga Marley were officially just hosting the showcase but they decided to go hard with a full set including Julian “Ju Ju Royal” Marley and a guest appearance by Spragga Benz. Boomshots family wishes to thank the Ghetto Youths posse for blessings us with an epic night of real reggae music. EveryTINGtun up. Video After The Jump…
Turns Out The Ja-Fakin’ Mayoral Candidate Is a Big Capleton Fan
It’s not unusual to see politicians pandering at “ethnic” events like yesterday’s West Indian Day parade in Brooklyn NYC. What is more unusual is to see mayoral candidates shouting Bo! Bo! Bo! pon the Parkway (even without the gun-finger in the air). Or to hear them singing along to dancehall tunes that say “all sodomite dem fi dead.” But then again, when the mayoral candidate in question happens to be Anthony “Dick Pic” Weiner, can anyone say they are truly surprised? Still he keeps finding ways to redefine “reckless.” Video after the jump…
Super Cat the Don Dada Mashes Up On Hot 97 Da Reggae Tip 
At Friday night’s Hot 97 On Da Reggae Tip concert lots of artists brought guests out on stage with them. That in itself is nothing new. Ever since New York’s top hip-hop station began this annual pre-Labor Day reggae dancehall and soca show hosted by radio personalities Bobby Konders and Jabba, it has been a forum for celebrity stunting. This is the same show where, in years past, Cham brought out Alicia Keys, Elephant Man brought out Chris Brown, and Mavado brought out Wyclef Jean (who then began getting booked on his own and bringing out other people on his set.) So when Jabba told the sold-out crowd last Friday that there was “more pon more” artists backstage, we all knew we were in for some special guests. And we could only hope that those in charge kept in mind one of the most important rules of live music performance politics: some guests are more special than others. Any artist who’s booked on a major stage show wants their performance to stand out from the rest. Bringing an unexpected guest performer on stage with them can be a great way to spice things up. But there are drawbacks too: What if the guest performer flops—or worse still, what if they upstage the main act? And then there are the guests who overstay their welcome, lingering longer than they are needed or wanted, and gobbling up precious time. But this year was all about some very special special guests. Cham brought out his wife O, who rocked the building when she said “My pum pum tun up.” Beenie Man brought out Tifa who gave him a nice Matie Wine. And Shaggy brought out Assassin who got the place rocking. But the best was yet to come… Videos After The Jump… (more…)
Sean Kingston’s 10 Favorite Reggae Songs—PLUS His New Tune w Busta Rhymes
Ever since Sean Kingston first burst on the music scene as a teenage pop sensation with a runaway debut hit “Beautiful Girls,” we’ve been hearing how he grew up in Jamaica and his music was influenced by reggae. As hard as we listened we never really heard much evidence of that influence beyond song titles like “Fire Burning.” But that seems to be changing with his new album, Back 2 Life, SK’s first full-length project since he sustained serious insuries in a jet-ski accident. The first indication was the lead-off single “Shotta Luv” feautring 2 Chainz. And then we stopped by his record-listening in NYC and heard a straight-up dancehall track featuring Busta Rhymes. Sean seemed to like it so much he played it like three times in a row. The next day we asked him to run down his ten favorite reggae and dancehall tracks—and we are not mad at the selections. He even says he wants to work with Shabba Ranks! So hit the jump to learn the half that’s never been told about Mr. Kingston. Videos After The Jump… (more…)
The Best of Radio Lily’s Live Performances On Cassette
Radio Lily has been playing the people’s music night & day for a hot minute now, and over the months we’ve seen some amazing live performances. So we were well pleased to hear about the forthcoming mixtape This is Radio Lily Clash, which is coming soon. This being Miss Lily’s, of course, a mixtape is not a download link. It’s a real mixtape, as in a cassette. We’re talking limited edition bizness. So if you don’t make your way down to Houston and Sullivan to cop yours quick quick quick, you probably won’t get to hear it. But fret not thyself—Boomshots has got you covered with this exclusive preview of Side A featuring exceptional live performances by Chronixx, Beenie Man, Tifa, and Konshens. We do this for our culture. Thank us later. Audio After The Jump…
Shabba Ranks, Damian and Stephen Marley, I-Octane, Bunji Garlin, Fayann Lyons, and Alison Hinds Headline As Caribbean Fever Music Festival Celebrates Caribbean Music at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center This Labor Day
“This concert is a collaborative effort between Bobby Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam Media and Caribbean Fever” Dahveed Levy, CEO of Caribbean Fever, draped with Caribbean beauties wearing elaborate headpieces and vibrant body paint, confirmed at the press conference held at Milk River. He went on to describe the concert theme for each night. Friday, August 30 “International Night” will feature music predominately from the French Caribbean with artists such as Wyclef Jean, Kassav, Tabou Combo and Djakout #1. Saturday, August 31 “Carnival Mania Night” will have acts like Allison Hinds, Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons, Edwin Yearwood, Iwer George and Tallpree “preparing the massive for Eastern Parkway and the true culture of Carnival.” Details After The Jump… (more…)
He Wasn’t The Lord For Nothing 
As the work day winds to close most of us (myself included) are already thinking about what trouble to get in to this fine Labor Day weekend. The numerous fetes, boat rides and tonight especially Hot 97’s On The Reggae Tip concert going down at the Hammerstein Ballroom are just a few things leading up to the West Indian Day parade which graces Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway on Monday. The Labor Day parade has involved into more than just a celebration of what island you were born from or what island your parents were born from, its a become a symbol of unity even if you’re not from the caribbean, one day out of the year you can be from any one you choose. So let’s start your weekend of right and take it back to one of the foundation artist in this business, calypsonian Lord Kitchender and his 1978 classic “Sugar Bum Bum.” Tune After The Jump…
Beenie Man, Wayne Wonder, and Mr. Vegas Star on Pre-Labor Day Special
With Labor Day weekend right around the corner, New York is buzzing with anticipation for a weekend of Caribbean culture. Even hip-hop and R&B stations are pumping up their reggae, dancehall, and soca playlists. Not to be outdone, BET’s top-rated music show 106 & Park will be devoting today’s show to dancehall stars Beenie Man, Wayne Wonder and Mr. Vegas. Even the music videos on the show representing Caribbean culture, and the audience and hosts are repping their favorite islands. Boomshots got the early heads-up so we made our way to BET’s studios for the taping and snagged some backstage interviews. We chopped it up with Beenie Man, who debuted a new video on the show (“Thug Love” featuring Ce’Cile) and Mr. Vegas, who told us about his big Beyonce remix “Standing on the Sun” and his forthcoming dancehall album, Bruk It Down 2.0. Make sure to tune in to 106 & Park today at 6pm to set the mood for your Labor Day festivities. Interviews After The Jump…
People Search Their Whole Life To Find It
Snoop is in a good place right now and it clearly shows in the visual for his latest of his critically acclaimed “Reincarnated” album appropriately titled “Good Good.” Snoop brings the whole family in on the action, proving that the message he was trying to convey as Snoop Lion and his new music of peace, love and happiness is clearly shown on the faces of the Broadus clan. “Good Good” has different meanings, but to Snoop it is happiness, healthiness and the love of his family. What’s your “Good Good?” Video After The Jump… (more…)
Vegas Only Wants The Baddest Gyal
Vegas is definitely up to his old tricks remind the ladies who really runs this bedroom business, but don’t feel it will be an easy task, Vegas doesn’t want just any girl he wants the baddest. You gyals think you can ramp with V? Hit The Jump To Find Out… (more…)