Boomshots

Tag: Beenie Man

  • Buju Banton Covers VIBE x Boomshots Collab

    Buju Banton Covers VIBE x Boomshots Collab

    A VIBE x Boomshots Collab: Redemption Songs
    Jamaica’s Undefeated Champion Returns

    “Forward ever,” the late great Jacob “Killer” Miller used to sing. “And backward never.” Reggae music has always been about forward motion, the movement of Jah people, up from downpression and forward to Holy Mount Zion, because freedom is a must. Still, every once in awhile, it doesn’t hurt to take a glance over your shoulder, if only to take the measure of one’s progress. Just to remember the long walk, and to make sure that history is not a mystery. Some stories have got to be told. Story Continues After The Jump…  (more…)

  • Bounty & Beenie on Verzuz: Jamaica’s version of ‘The Last Dance’

    Bounty & Beenie on Verzuz: Jamaica’s version of ‘The Last Dance’

    What Could Top This Legendary Moment?

     

    The VERZUZ series led by Swizz Beats and Timbaland has been an oasis in the midst of a pandemic. Week after week, music lovers have enjoyed the nostalgia, the spontaneous comedy, and the opportunity to bring the proverbial roses to their favorite artists. 

    The anticipation was at a fever pitch when it was announced that dancehall giants, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer, would headline VERZUZ for a Memorial Day soundclash. 

    Excitement mixed with anxiety. Dancehall fans have always wanted our music to receive its proper due on the global stage. It is a great genre that has birthed hip-hop, reggaeton, Afrobeat, influenced the sound of songs on the top 40 but does not always receive its rightful recognition. 

    For these legendary artists, their fans, and dancehall culture overall, the stakes were high, to say the least. Would the VERZUZ audience, primarily Hip-Hop and R&B fans, receive these giants well? Would their misunderstanding—or even worse, ridicule—lead to embarrassment? Story Continues After The Jump…
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  • Tune For Tune: Breaking Down Bounty & Beenie’s Verzuz Battle

    Tune For Tune: Breaking Down Bounty & Beenie’s Verzuz Battle

    Jamaica Won, The Culture Won—no doubt about it—But Which Selections Won?

     

    Why was this night different from all other Verzuz battles? Streamed live from Kingston, Jamaica, the Memorial Day “Soundclash Edition” of Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s flagship IG Live series was easily the most exciting and entertaining yet, as well as the first to delve into dancehall reggae. Considering the fact that Jamaican sound systems pioneered the sort of “beat battles” have made Verzuz a social media sensation well over half a century ago, the creative decision was more than fitting. By pitting two icons of the genre, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man, in head-to-head competition, this Verzuz battle did not just showcase two of its most respected lyricists ever to hold a microphone, it also tapped into an epic rivalry that stretches back more than a quarter of a century. Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • The Art of War: Bounty Killer Verzuz Beenie Man

    The Art of War: Bounty Killer Verzuz Beenie Man

    Dancehall Icons Speak on Rivalry & Respect 

    Ever since the whole Swizz Beatz and Timbaland created social media battle platform Verzuz wave kicked off, bringing a much-needed spark of joy and excitement to the dreadful pandemic grind, those of us who love and respect dancehall music and Jamaican sound system culture have been asking ourselves when (if ever) the world would finally recognize that this whole digital sensation was based on the concept of sound clash. Which is to say that it’s all rooted in the rich history of Jamaican music, which gave us cultural icons like Bob Marley (respect is always due) and Kool Herc, who became The Godfather of Hip Hop by transplanting Yard-style sound system tactics/techniques/technology to the Bronx, and King Tubby the Dub master (who really invented the remix way before Puff Daddy) and Daddy U-Roy, who became the world’s first “rap star” by recording three chart-topping hits in 1969 that served to “Wake The Town and Tell The People” that “deejay” music was not just a matter of toasting and boasting in the dancehall, it was an art form unto itself. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Bulby x Christopher Martin x Beenie Man “Lots of Signs” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Bulby x Christopher Martin x Beenie Man “Lots of Signs” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Brand New Visuals Off The Master Blaster Album

    Originally recorded for Sugar Minott’s Youth Promotion label, “Lots of Sign” was one of those extra-special tracks that made Tenor Saw a legend of Jamaican Music. The song’s timeless message, encouraging listeners to “face reality all the time,” inspired producer and engineer extraordinaire Colin “Bulby York” to update the tune on his recent Master Blaster project. “It was an honor get Chris and Beenie Man to rework this Tenor Saw classic,” says Bulby who blesses the Boomshots massive with today’s exclusive premiere. “Now the video will document the vibes for eternity.” Having worked with many of the legends of Jamaican music—as well as international acts like Chaka Khan, No Doubt, and Rihanna—Bulby chose Christopher Martin for the lead vocal. “When I was first contacted, it was awesome to receive that call,” says Martin, “and then it was incredible to find out that Beenie Man was included on it.” The Doctor offered a similar diagnosis of the process: “Working with Bulby is always magic—mi longtime friend,” says Beenie. “Is like Chris ah mi bredda. We just show up and boom! It done. One take. Laughs and vibes.” As for the video itself? Martin describes the shoot as “effortless,” adding that “the final product really tied everything together. Now I’m just looking forward to people watching it and loving it as much as I do.” Video After The Jump… (more…)
  • WATCH THIS: Beenie Man “Lifestyle (Dweet)” Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Beenie Man “Lifestyle (Dweet)” Music Video

    Moses With The Musical Motivation

    The King of the Dancehall touches down on Damage Musiq’s Safe House Riddim with some words of motivation. Distributed by 21st Hapilos, the single is available via all digital outlets. Today Mass Appeal premiered the video, directed by UK-based Kevin Hudson and shot in Tower Hill, Frens for Real studio and Author Wale Bar, site of the popular Boom Thursdays dance in Kingston, Jamaica. “’Dweet’ gives you summer, party vibes, and feel good in Jamaica,” says Beenie Man. “All the people that hustle and work hard it’s to motivate to keep going, to just DWEET!” Check the visuals right now. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Seanizzle Realizes His Higher Purpose In Music

    Seanizzle Realizes His Higher Purpose In Music

    A Life Threatening Accident Causes Seanizzle to Produce Music With A Message

    In the fall of 2016, Sean Reid, Seanizzle was basking in the glory of the “47 Floor” riddim, with it’s bosterous trumpet propagating over waves of jazz sounds.  Two months later, on November 27, 2016,  the producer experienced moments that changed his life forever. As Seanizzle recovered at Kingston Public Hospital, he felt thankful to be alive and had a greater appreciation for making music. We spoke with Seanizzle about his musical path and spiritual enlightenment. More After The Jump…

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  • R.I.P. Sting: The End of an Era in Dancehall

    R.I.P. Sting: The End of an Era in Dancehall

    Remembering The Greatest One Night Reggae and Dancehall Show on Earth

    When the history of dancehall music is written, 2016 will go down as the year when mainstream stars took over the worldwide pop charts using Jamaican styles and sounds. It will also be remembered as the first Boxing Day in over three decades that went down with a staging of Sting. Sad to say the legendary stage show that has seen some of the most talked about performances—and lyrical clashes—in dancehall history is no more. Just three years after celebrating Sting’s 30th anniversary with a star-studded lineup that included the return of the Don Dada Super Cat, American artists 2 Chainz and Wyclef Jean, and an epic clash between Lady Saw and Macka Diamond, Sting founder Isaiah Laing has called it quits. Despite pledging in years past that “if I am alive there will be Sting,”  Laing made it official on Jamaican television’s popular show OnStage, saying that Sting has not made money in several years—despite significant investment from the likes of Josef Bogdanovich, who has since moved on to revamp another great Jamaican festival, Reggae Sumfest. Laing and his longtime partner Heavy D further noted that the artists who are big enough to draw a crowd are not willing to perform on the show. The clashes that made Sting a sort of musical heavyweight bout eventually came to be its undoing. Who can forget the time when Popcaan had to shove Blak Ryno off the stage because the other artist was “somehow” given a live microphone and allowed to rush the stage during Popcaan’s solo set back in 2012? These types of antics eventually take their toll on artist loyalty. Whether Sting will ever come back is anybody’s guess. Talk of a gospel festival sounds like a major departure from the hardcore format we have come to know and love. For the sake of those who don’t know—and the pleasure of those who do—Boomshots takes a moment to remember the best Sting had to offer. Memories After The Jump… (more…)

  • Kartel Tops Billboard 10 Best Reggae Albums List

    Kartel Tops Billboard 10 Best Reggae Albums List

    The best of times and the worst of times for lovers of Reggae Music

    For the second year in a row Billboard asked Rob Kenner, founder of Boomshots Media, to pick the 10 Best Reggae Albums of the year. The assignment was particularly significant in this year where Jamaican sounds were all over the airwaves, the pop charts and the Grammy nominations, except that most of the records were not done by Jamaican artists. You could hardly turn on the radio without hearing a half-hour block of dancehall-style tracks, all too often classified under misbegotten names like “tropical house” and “Caribbean bass.” With both Justin Bieber and Rihanna briefly sporting dreadlocks and Drake publicly referring to himself as “the don,” it would be difficult for longtime fans of the music not to catch feelings this year….Consider this list a crib sheet to catch you up on everything you missed while tropical house flooded the airwaves.  Full List After The Jump…
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  • Xana Romeo Talks About Her Debut Album “Wake Up” and Finding Her Own Way

    Xana Romeo Talks About Her Debut Album “Wake Up” and Finding Her Own Way

    A Reggae Legend’s Daughter Creating Conscious Reverberations

    Forty years ago Maxwell Livingston Smith, better known as Max Romeo, released his classic album War Inna Babylon on Island Records. The album featured classic hits like “Chase The Devil”  (which would later be sampled by Kanye West for Jay Z’s song “Lucifer”). This song sent fans into a frenzy with its balance of  spiritual and conscious lyrics over the Lee “Scratch” Perry–produced riddim. Max Romeo “put on his iron shirt” and chased the Devil out of Earth with his lyrical prowess—and he’s still making music to this day. Now, four decades later, it should come as no surprise that his daughter is stepping forward along a similar  path. Azana Makeeda Smith, aka Xana Romeo, brings a unique feminine fierceness with her incendiary lyrics. She has a great vocal range and her enunciation is clear and precise, adding to the palpable power of her music. With her  debut album, Wake Up releasing today, we linked with Xana Romeo, CEO of Charmax Music to discuss her debut album. Interview After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Jahmiel “Years To Come” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jahmiel “Years To Come” Official Music Video

    Another Conscious Head Banger from Jahmiel

    Performing since the age of seven, Jahmiel catapulted his career to stardom with hard work and perseverance. Now he expresses the challenges along the way in his new song, entitled “Years To Come.” In this song, the artist born Jamiel Foster discusses the unwarranted truth of people who didn’t want to see him overcome the hurdles in his path. Relying on his spiritual faith and talent in order to prosper, the crafty lyricist cites Psalm 118 in the Bible.   More After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Tarrus Riley, Ding Dong, Beenie Man, Tifa & Charly Black “Bring Di Beat” (Jamaica Remix)

    HEAR THIS: Tarrus Riley, Ding Dong, Beenie Man, Tifa & Charly Black “Bring Di Beat” (Jamaica Remix)

    Now A Straight Winnings

    With Olympic fever in full swing, you already know “Bring The Beat,” the big tune by Machel Montano and Tessane Chin, is in heavy rotation. Now, just in time for the Rio Olympiad Chimney Records is bringing the beat with a “Jamaica Remix” of the winnings anthem with musical Gold Medalists Tarrus Riley, Ding Dong, Beenie Man, Tifa & Charly Black blazing the lyrical torch. So what if you deh pon one big lazy par and skip the torch ceremony? As long as you know when to press gas!  Audio After the Jump… (more…)