Boomshots

Tag: Boomshots

  • Why Buju Banton’s Supreme Collab Really & Truly Matters

    Why Buju Banton’s Supreme Collab Really & Truly Matters

    Much More Than a T-Shirt

    This past Sunday, Supreme shared a very special video with its 12.9 million IG followers. The clip features Buju Banton toasting over King Tubby’s dub version of the classic “Love I Can Feel” riddim. Capturing a spontaneous moment of celebration, the video was shot just after the legendary reggae artist wrapped up a Supreme photo shoot at his Gargamel Music headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica. The voice you hear in the background throwing out ad-libs—“Oh Gosh!” … “Really & truly!”—is my own. Something magical happened in that moment, as it often does on this magical island. Right place, right people, right time. Video & Full Story After The Jump…

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  • Sasco, Cham, Tanya, Jovi & Omari Shell Down SXSW 2016, Represent Reggae & Dancehall To The Fullest

    Sasco, Cham, Tanya, Jovi & Omari Shell Down SXSW 2016, Represent Reggae & Dancehall To The Fullest

    Irie Jam x Boomshots Make History at SXSW 2016

    With tens of thousands of performers, panels, and premieres packed into nine short days, SXSW is all about FOMO. Whether you’re in Austin or not, Fear Of Missing Out is simply inevitable. So fret not thyself if you didn’t get a chance to witness Irie Jam and Boomshots making history with the greatest reggae and dancehall showcase in SXSW history. We’ve got you covered.  Video & Photos After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Kelissa “Best Kept Secret” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Kelissa “Best Kept Secret” Official Music Video

    Kelissa McDonald “Best Kept Secret” Video Celebrates Her Earthstrong and Women’s History Month

    Big up to Kelissa, one of the Caribbean’s favorite rising talents of the reggae revival. You may remember this lovely young empress from her Vogue feature on Jamaica’s resurgence of conscious music. Lately, this African queen has taken a break from touring to record more classic music and create engaging visuals for fans. In the latest video for her single “Best Kept Secret” Kelissa demonstrates her outstanding vocal ability, youthful appearance, and queenly character for the ladies seeking love in the Spring. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Nesbeth “My Dream” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Nesbeth “My Dream” Official Music Video

    From Trenchtown, A Next Star Arise

    Released last month, “My Dream” features the veteran reggae singer reflecting on the struggles he’s faced in Jamaica and focusing on not giving up. A superb track from start to finish, it’s a progressive take on roots reggae with a dash of picked pop guitar and a catchy bounce. The video release, directed by RD Studios, is a fitting complement to the unique sound of “My Dream” and captivates immediately. Opening with wide-angle montages of Jamaica’s breathtaking coast, Nesbeth appears draped in the flag singing “Mek wi start dah one yah, like how Martin Luther King would ah start it.” The song goes on to tell the story of a young boy who’s driven to success against all odds. The Jamaica-based artist finished 2015 on a high, thanks to “My Dream,” and the video certainly reflects the success of his aptly titled new album, Victory. From Trenchtown a next star arise. Video After the Jump…

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  • The Biggest Riddims of 2015

    The Biggest Riddims of 2015

    Who Run The Place? Johnny Wonder, CEO of 21st Hapilos, Counts Down The Year’s Top Juggling

    When pressed to identify his most influential rhythm track or “riddim” of all time, the late Clement S. “Coxsone” Dodd chose the “Real Rock.” And Downbeat ought to know, half a century ago his house band, Sound Dimension, laid down an instrumental track that provided the blueprint for countless reggae classics, as well as hits by international artists from The Clash to Boogie Down Productions. Such is the power of a great riddim. Fast forward to 30 years ago, when King Jammy’$ first released the mighty “Sleng Teng,” ushering in dancehall’s digital era. Such is the power of a great riddim. So where does reggae and dancehall music go from here? Few people are better qualified to predict the music’s future than Johnny Wonder, CEO of 21st Hapilos Digital, the leading digital distributor of new reggae and dancehall music. As the man who breaks most big riddims first, Johnny Wonder’s  ranking is based strictly on sales—never payola or political influence. So if you want to know who ran the place in 2015, look no further. Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: The Skints ft. Horseman & Tippa Irie “London Town” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: The Skints ft. Horseman & Tippa Irie “London Town” Official Music Video

    The Skints are a London-based group who record dub, punk, ska, and predominantly reggae music. Since forming in 2008, they have garnered a loyal fan-base who are crazy about their “East London” sound. The group have even received backative from the Beeb (via BBC Radio 1) which is indicative of their major scope! Dubbed ‘one of the hardest working bands in the UK’, the quirky quartet have collated with legendary producers Prince Fatty and Mad Professor and continue to gig all over the world, selling out venues in their own right, and supporting acts such as The Gym Class Heroes, The Slackers and The King Blues. But, when all is said and done, there is no place like home. We learn that much from The Skints’ latest single “London Town,” a rhythmic ode to the ends that mentions UK keywords like Saxon Sound System, Brixton and Victoria Line. What’s more, Jamie, Jonathan, Joshua and Marcia called upon foundation DJs Horseman and Tippa Irie to pass through and chat two lyrics on the mic!  Video After The Jump…

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  • Kartel Busts The Billboard Charts

    Kartel Busts The Billboard Charts

    The Unstoppable WorldBoss Just Keeps On Winning

    Controversial Deejay Vybz Kartel‘s latest album Viking (Vybz Is King) made a grand debut at #3 on the Billboard‘s Reggae Album Chart and currently sits comfortably at #6. At the moment, he is the only dancehall artist to have an album in this chart’s Top Ten. This milestone marks the highest debut of his career, adding to Kartel’s string of successful musical feats since he has been incarcerated for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. Against all odds, he has remained at the forefront of the dancehall music scene—regularly releasing new songs, dominating radio airwaves and winning awards even as detractors denounce him. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Tifa “Bak It Up” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Tifa “Bak It Up” Official Music Video

    She Wine Sweet Like Moscato, Bubble Bubble Like a Champagne

    The last time we caught up with Tifa back in January she warned us that 2014 was going to be a crazy year. You think she was jokin’? In the past six months the dancehall diva has signed a deal with Island King records, launched a fly official website, announced a brand-new line of signature headphones, and just yesterday she rolled through Hot 97 FM  in New York City where her latest single “Bak It Up” is getting nuff spins. You can catch her  interview with Ebro, the station’s PD, this morning. There’s even talk about booking her for Hot 97’s annual “On Da Reggae Tip” show this September. That’s a long ways away though. Next week it’s all about Reggae Sumfest. Yes, Tifa will be performing on the big stage on Dancehall Night (that’s this coming Thursday!) And you already know we’re gonna make sure to catch up with her down in MoBay. But right now let’s get into the official video for her latest banger. Apparently it’s all about the wine—and that’s why some man get tie like goat. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: I-Octane “Jah Jah Warrior” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: I-Octane “Jah Jah Warrior” PREMIERE

    Brand New Exclusive Preview Of The My Journey Album

    I-Octane has described his forthcoming album My Journey as an evolution towards a more rootical approach to the music. The dreadlocked dancehall singjay’s music has always exercised a certain level of consciousness in terms of lyrical content and sheer songwriting ability, the rhythm tracks and production favored a digital dancehall style over traditional live drum and bass reggae tracks. On this exclusive pre-release Octane brandishes his lyrical sword atop a warm and easy DJ Frass production that bridges the gap between new and classic. If this is any indication My Journey—which will be released Tuesday on independent Reggae imprint, Tads Records—is a journey we can’t wait to begin. Check out the new tune and  then pree Livity Movements album mix after the jump…  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Chronixx & Zinc Fence Redemption Start A Fire In NYC

    Chronixx & Zinc Fence Redemption Start A Fire In NYC

    Reggae History In The Making At SOBs

    History was made at SOBs last night when rising reggae star Chronixx made his first-ever New York City appearance in front of a packed-to-the roof 100% sold out house. Those who could not make it inside stood out on the sidewalk rocking to the sounds of Zinc Fence Redemption band as they backed Chronixx and his opening act Kelissa. The young roots lion gave an impressive performance, reasoning with the crowd between songs about life in New York City and absorbing energy from the crowd and kickin’ up his heels as they sang along to his catalog of modern reggae classics. At the end of the night, he was joined by the legendary Barrington Levy, who sang one of Chronixx’s father’s songs and then got into a tune-for-tune segment with Chronixx before declaring that he would be a “big artist.” If that’s not a powerful co-sign then what else do you want? If you missed the show, you missed something special. But don’t fret—Chronixx will be playing in New Jersey tonight and this weekend he comes to C-Pac in Brooklyn. Here Comes Trouble! Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Chronixx “Me’s a Dancehall Man”

    Reasoning with Chronixx “Me’s a Dancehall Man”

    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…)

  • Tommy Lee and the Sparta Clan at Reggae Sumfest

    Uncle Demon Storms Dancehall Night—And He’s Rolling Deep
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    Tommy Lee was raised in the Flankers section of Montego Bay, so every time he touches the stage at Reggae Sumfest he gets much love from the hometown crowd. Last year was his first solo set on the Greatest Reggae on Earth, so this year Tommy had to tun it up by bringing along his whole Sparta Clan. Taking a leaf out of Di Teachas’ playbook, Tommy Lee is leveraging his talent to big up the next generation of dancehall stars. Just after he tore down Catherine Hall in his black facemask, spiked cape, and demonic red contact lenses, Uncle Demon took time out to kick it with Reshma B and introduce her to the Sparta Clan. Video After The Jump… (more…)