Boomshots

Tag: Buju Banton

  • #TBT Buju Banton in VIBE Magazine October 1993

    #TBT Buju Banton in VIBE Magazine October 1993

    The Strength of the Gargamel

    The striking image of Buju Banton was shot by photographer Christian Witkin for the first major profile of the superstar DJ written by Joan Morgan and edited by Boomshots founder and publisher Rob Kenner for the October 1993 issue of Vibe magazine. The story was pegged to the release of his major label debut Voice of Jamaica. Buju’s fist represents his strength through adversity and the Africa ring was an early indication that the controversial young baldhead artist who had taken the dancehall world by storm with the smash hits on his classic Penthouse album Mr. Mention and had already become infamous in the mainstream media for his song “Boom Bye Bye” had much more on his mind than that tune might suggest. Full Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • Soca Shakespeare: Skinny Banton

    Soca Shakespeare: Skinny Banton

    A prominent feature of Caribbean culture is carnival, a seasonal time of celebration and soca competitions. This Carnival season, rising star, Shirlan George aka “Skinny Banton,” and his  incendiary hit “Soak It Good,” produced by MPS Studios, shines a spotlight of international interest on the Tri-State of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.  More After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Addies Intl Presents: Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute

    HEAR THIS: Addies Intl Presents: Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute

    Addies Intl Reminds Us How Deep Their Dub Box Really Is

    Addies bad from how long? Isn’t that how the saying goes. Addies Intl drops a wicked tribute to Gargamel better known as Buju Banton entitled “Mark Myrie AKA Buju Banton Dubplate Salute.” Their new selector A1 digs deep into the crates and pulls out some of the most lethal dubs ever played in a sound clash. Take our word for it, you won’t be disappointed – Shellings After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Buju Banton: “My Life is an Open Book”

    Reasoning with Buju Banton: “My Life is an Open Book”

    Celebrating The Gargamel’s EarthStrong with a Classic ’95 Boomshots Interview from the Til Shiloh Era

    Forty one years ago today Mark Myrie was born in Kingston, Jamaica. By the time he was 19 he’d become the biggest dancehall star on the island with two smash albums—Stamina Daddy and Mr. Mention—under his belt. He soon signed to a major label and began to tour the world, a ghetto youth expanding his horizons in every imaginable way. And then in 1995—19 years ago this Friday July 18th—he released Til Shiloh, an album that marked a turning point in his career. With songs like “Untold Stories,” “Murderer,” and “Til I’m Laid To Rest” Buju announced a musical and spiritual rebirth, shaking off the bad boy pose that had stigmatized him in certain circles. Today Buju sits in federal prison, having become the target of a convicted coke dealer turned informant who ensnared him in an elaborate sting operation. The artist was convicted despite a highly problematic trial. We offer this interview (which first appeared in Ego Trip magazine) as a reminder of the artist that many know and love and a ray of hope for the future. If as he says his life is an open book, perhaps the final chapter has yet to be written.  Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Machel Montano “You’ve Got To Be Yourself”

    Reasoning with Machel Montano “You’ve Got To Be Yourself”

    After (Almost) 33 Years in The Game, The King of Soca Tells Reshma B How He Stays Fly

    If you don’t know Machel Montano, you don’t know soca. He was nine years old the first time he represented Trinidad & Tobago at Madison Square Garden, and since that time he’s dominated the soca scene from year to year. (In 2014 Machel will celebrate both his 40th birthday and his 33rd year in showbiz—more on that magic numnber later.) When the King of Soca passed through NYC the other day, of course he took time out to link with the Boomshots posse. And just as soon as Machel Motano sat down with Reshma B, they came up with a brand new tune with a dance craze to match called “Mop Di Floor”—it was a rainy night, and RGAT had towels on her feet; long story. That’s what you call inspiration meets creative genius pon di spot. As the conversation continued, they spoke in depth about the development of the soca industry, Machel’s deep roots in NYC, and his forthcoming collaboration with Trinidad James. Machel spoke candidly about his his efforts to gain wider popularity by blending soca and reggae, but also cautioned that it’s important not to get caught up copying other people’s style. He recalled the days when Kes the Band was considered a rock act and Bunji Garlin was calling himself a dancehall artist. In the final analysis, Machel said the secret to soca’s growth was simply to keep making quality music for the whole world, but never forgetting that “you’ve got to be yourself.” Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Spragga Benz’s Bongo Bash in Jamaica

    Spragga Benz’s Bongo Bash in Jamaica

    The Dancehall Icon Celebrates A Career Without Compare

    With 22 years in the music industry, Carlton Errington Grant aka Spragga Benz, tours the world, on long journeys from his home in Dunkirk, Kingston, Jamaica. However, despite his worldwide success, the dancehall icon remains deeply rooted to his humble beginnings with LA Benz sound. This weekend,  he will return home for his Bongo Bash at “LA Benz Corner” in Duhaney Park, Lessing Avenue, Kingston 20 on Saturday, May 31, 2014.  Ricky Villa, owner of LA Benz, who has now passed on, encouraged Spragga to first enter the studio and this followed with a big break, when he voiced some dubs for Buju Banton. More After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Aidonia “80s Dancehall Style” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Aidonia “80s Dancehall Style” Official Music Video

    Aidonia Salutes Veterans and Vinyl

    Many of Jamaica’s musical legends never predicted the millions of fans, felt the weight of money or received instant gratification through social media the way today’s artists do. These musical soldiers earned their stripes the real way, with unquestionable authenticity. One must remember , as Supercat indicated in his recent interview with Rob Kenner, the days when a DJ drew the crowd into the dancehall with nothing but a big sound system combined with sheer vocal talent and lyrical ammunition. In a cultural tradition that predates Amateur Night at the Apollo, the crowd would decide whether it was worthwhile to pay admission and enter the party. There was no hiding behind good promotion, Auto-Tune or computerized production and deejaying. Born in 1981, Aidonia may not have been old enough to hang out in dancehall sessions during that time, but he represents for the newer generation, aware of their roots and culture. Aidonia (Didi) pays tribute to this era with his new video for “80’s Dance Style.”   Video After The Jump…

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  • FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Buju Banton “Wanna Be Loved”

    FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Buju Banton “Wanna Be Loved”

    Dedicated To The Lovers

    It’s that dreaded day, Valentine’s Day, the day most people find out where they stand with their significant other. Heartbreak for some but a day to rejoice in the emotion that is love of to feel loved for many. Let’s focus on the latter (sorry side pieces). Love is a beautiful thing and everyone deserves to be loved, but more importantly loved for who they are, isn’t that right Buju? Gargamel himself stated these words on his hit tune “Wanna Be Loved” of his 1995 classic “Til Shiloh.” Buju expressed these same sentiments, he wants love, but only if his lady loves him for him or as he put it “not for who you think I am or who you want me to be could you love me for me?” Tune After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Smif N Wessun ft Junior Reid “Solid Ground” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Smif N Wessun ft Junior Reid “Solid Ground” Official Music Video

    Boot Camp Vets Stand Firm With Mr. “One Blood”

    In the past couple of months, a wave of reggae collaborations has surfaced across genres of music—from the lover’s rock of Shaggy’s “You Girl” featuring Ne-Yo to A$AP Ferg saluting “Shabba Ranks” to Nicki Minaj and Busta Rhymes providing dance lessons with “Twerk It” to Selena Gomez trying to walk “Like A Champion” in Buju Banton’s footsteps. Some collaborations represent sheer genius while others lean on loud yelling and Ja-fakin’ accents. The best usually feature a reggae artist’s vocals, giving the tracks authenticity. Case in point: Boot Camp Clik’s Smif N Wessun (General Steele & Tek) have paid homage to reggae music ever since their inception. Their classic “Sound Bwoy Bureill,” from their 1995 debut album, Dah Shinin, painted on a canvas of echoes from old-school dancehall verbal artillery. The verbal brushstrokes of Fuzzy Jones’s  intro and Smif N’ Wessun’s use of Jamaican patois-infused rap, create a masterpiece of hip-hop reggae fusion that could only have been birthed in Brooklyn. This warning was also sampled on Kanye West smash hit, “Mercy” in 2012. “Sound Bwoy Buriell” also features lyrics from Buju Banton’s “Boom Bye Bye” making it a BoOM tune by far! Video After The Jump…

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  • Melanie Fiona Picks Her 10 Favorite Reggae & Dancehall Songs

    Melanie Fiona Picks Her 10 Favorite Reggae & Dancehall Songs

    The Grammy-Winning R&B Star Is A Bashment Girl At Heart

    Melanie Fiona is best known for heart-wrenching hits like “It Kills Me” and “4 A.M.,” which have made the soulful singer a major star among American R&B fans. The two-time Grammy winner grew up in Toronto as the daughter of first-generation Guaynese immigrants. Her Caribbean influences have always been clear to the educated ear, from her dramatic vocal delivery to specific songs like “Somebody Come Get Me,” which was released under her old nom-de-reggae Syren Hall, as well as “No Cigarette Smoke,” her smoldering duet with Stephen Marley. Melanie continues to flaunt her Caribbean colors on “All My Love,” a new reggae-flavored duet with Toronto soul singer Glenn Lewis. Listening to the song there’s no mistaking the fact that Melanie’s Caribbean roots run deep. So we thought it would be cool to ask her to pick her top 10 reggae and dancehall tracks. Her picks speak volumes about her musical taste, her artistic temperment, and (dare we say it?) MF’s wild side. Click through the gallery above to check out Melanie’s selections and then read her candid conversation with Reshma B. Video And Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Sean Kingston Talks “Back 2 Life,” Reggae Music

    Sean Kingston Talks “Back 2 Life,” Reggae Music

    The Miami-Born Jamaica-Raised Pop Star Picks His 10 Favorite Reggae Jams
    Kington isn’t just Sean Kingston’s last name, it’s also the place where he spent years growing up. The young pop star was born in Miami and grew up in Jamaica where he used to kick it with reggae artists like Buju Banton as a youth. On his new album, Back 2 Life (in stores today) SK shows his Jamaican culture more than ever. He’s even performing in Kingston JA later this month. So we asked him to run through his 10 favorite reggae and dancehall tunes—and we’re not mad at his selections. And if you happen to be in Kingston JA this September 25, get ready to catch Kingston live in Kingston!
    Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Sean Kingston Gets Back to His Jamaican Roots

    Sean Kingston Gets Back to His Jamaican Roots

    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…)