Boomshots

Tag: Bunji Garlin

  • HEAR THIS: R. City ft. Adam Levine, Agent Sasco, Popcaan, Kardinal Offishall & Bunji Garlin “Locked Away” Dancehall Remix

    HEAR THIS: R. City ft. Adam Levine, Agent Sasco, Popcaan, Kardinal Offishall & Bunji Garlin “Locked Away” Dancehall Remix

    USVI x JA x TNT x TDot Link Up On This Mega Refix

    Over New Year’s weekend, Shaggy & Friends annual fundraiser went down in Kingston, Jamaica with the usual star-studded guest list—hailing from yard and abroad—all to raise funds for Jamaica’s Bustamante Hospital for Children. (That “one ticket = one life” slogan is no joke.) Amongst the headliners was R. City (formerly Rock City), the songwriting duo responsible for smash hits by the likes of Rihanna, Usher, and Chris Brown who now have some pretty big tunes of their own since dropping their debut album What Dreams Are Made Of last August. Although they’ve always been known as stars in their U.S. Virgin Islands homeland, Timothy and Theron Thomas only recently stepped in the international spotlight as performers and recording artists. Their Adam Levine–featuring single “Locked Away” had the pop charts on lock last year, and just in case you didn’t notice the tune’s dancehall drum pattern, they’ve dropped a remix featuring Assassin, Popcaan, Kardi and Bunji. The Thomas brothers stay repping the Caribbean all day long. Legal shot! Salute! Audio & Download Link 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…)

  • Jabba Pledges Best of the Best 2014 Will Be 100% Caribbean, Says Reggae and Hip-Hop “Come In Like Oil and Water”

    Jabba Pledges Best of the Best 2014 Will Be 100% Caribbean, Says Reggae and Hip-Hop “Come In Like Oil and Water”

    Promoter Promises to “Learn From His Mistakes” at BOTB 2014: Reggae & Soca—but NO Hip-Hop

    For the past eight years Best of the Best has been a fixture of Memorial Day Weekend in Miami, a big outdoor reggae and soca show that normally features top hip-hop acts as well. But this year, Reshma B caught up with Jabba who explained that this year he’s “learned from his mistakes” and made BOTB 2014 a 100% Caribbean festival. That’s right, for the first time the festival will feature reggae and dancehall and soca but NO hip-hop. “Me get back to my roots,” say Jabba. “This year we involve more soca into the show more than just keep mixing the hip-hop and the reggae, because it come in like oil and water. We notice it’s eight years going in. When I first begun I just, you know, coming from a big urban radio station, I feel like hip-hop is part of my culture as well. Because you done know is a Jamaican man who started hip-hop in the Bronx—Kool Herc big up yourself anywhere you deh. So I felt like I can take that mission to a next level and just know say, Hear wah gwan now, let me mix up hip-hop onto reggae on the next level like it’s never been done before. And big respect to all the rappers, but it come in like the worst idea we coulda ever do. But you learn from your mistakes. Because when you come to a Caribbean culture festival, nobody no wan’ hear say “Yo, turn the motherfuckin mic up!” and  “Where’s my niggas at?” You understand?” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Elliphant ft. Bunji Garlin & Diplo “All Or Nothing”

    HEAR THIS: Elliphant ft. Bunji Garlin & Diplo “All Or Nothing”

    Vikings Roll Like Elephant

    Bunji Garlin continues to make good on his promise of spreading soca music worldwide by linking up with Swedish pop artist Elliphant on her stand out track “All Or Nothing.” It’s hard to deny the M.I.A comparisons, but Elliphant definitely holds her own, and it never hurts to have Bunji adding lyrical support to take the track to another level. Tune After The Jump… (more…)

  • Bunji Garlin Is Set To Perform At Hot 97’s Summer Jam

    Bunji Garlin Is Set To Perform At Hot 97’s Summer Jam

    Soca On The Summer Jam Stage

    The Trinidad-born soca star and VP Records recording artist Bunji Garlin has been called up to perform at Hot 97’s epic stage show Summer Jam. The annual concert is one of the biggest showcases for hip-hop stars in the world. On the strength of his crossover smash “Differentology” Bunji joins a bill that includes 50 Cent, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne.  Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • Bunji Garlin’s “Differentology” Major Lazer Remix Free On iTunes

    Bunji Garlin’s “Differentology” Major Lazer Remix Free On iTunes

    One Of The Biggest Remixes Of Last Year Can Be Yours For Free

    Yes, you read that correctly, Bunji Garlin’s “Differentology” (Major Lazer Remix) is free right now on iTunes, but there is a catch. The remix will only be available for one week, so you better get moving. Link After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Bunji Garlin ft. Busta Rhymes “Differentology” Remix

    HEAR THIS: Bunji Garlin ft. Busta Rhymes “Differentology” Remix

    Vikings And Conglomerates Connect. Axes Up!

    Not only was “Differentology” the top-ranking soca jam of 2013 and winner of MTV Iggy’s song of the year compeition, it’s an undeniable outernational smash that’s ready for the road around the world. Now just in time to wrap up the year, “Differentology” gets an outernational refix courtesy of the Dungeon Dragon himself. Vikings—Axes Up! Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Reasoning With Bunji Garlin

    WATCH THIS: Reasoning With Bunji Garlin

    The Viking Of Soca  Talks About The Success Of “Differentology” And Taking Soca to the Next Level

    For someone who calls himself the “Viking Of Soca” his personality couldn’t be further than his moniker, people who associate themselves with such nicknames often look the part. Bunji is not hulking or brooding, but he definitely has a presence. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Bunji Garlin Wins 2013 Soul Train Award For Best International Performance

    Bunji Garlin Wins 2013 Soul Train Award For Best International Performance

    The Viking Of Soca Claims His Prize 

    Trinidadian soca star Bunji Garlin takes home the 2013 Soul Train Award for Best International Performance with the meteoric hit “Differentology.” (more…)

  • Gyptian’s “Sex, Love and Reggae” Rises To Higher Heights

    Gyptian’s “Sex, Love and Reggae” Rises To Higher Heights

    Gyppy’s Latest Album Debuted At No. 1 on Billboard’s Reggae Chart

    The night before Gyptian released his latest album Sex, Love & Reggae he spent the evening celebrating his 30th birthday with Rob Kenner on Radio Lily. After the webcast Gyppy and an entourage of his  friends, including Bascom X,  Fyakin, Khago and Danielle D.I. rolled over to the legendary SOB‘s to continue  the celebration at the highly anticipated, SOB’s Reggae Music Fest, presented by Tree Reid Promotions. NYC’s renowned selector DJ Stranger,  X-Caliber Sound warmed up the crowd  awaiting their arrival. Next up, the extraordinary  Derrick Barnett (founder and former bassist for the legendary Jamaican band Sagittarius ) and his Statement Band including Raymond Stewart on  keyboards, Andy Bassford on guitar and Damian Martellie on drums, excited the crowd with an electrifying live session. When Gyptian hit the stage around 10:30pm, the  crowd ignited. Album Review and Video After The Jump…  (more…)

  • FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Bunji Garlin “Gimme The Brass”

    FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Bunji Garlin “Gimme The Brass”

    Before Differentology There Was Brass

    Yesterday, Thursday 7th of November marked exactly one year since the mega hit “Differentology” was officially released to the world. Fast foward to the present and “Differentology” is still being played at high volumes and remix after remix is coming out the woodwork adding to the longevity of the tune. Bunji is a household name now, but there was a time when he was just another guy who had the talent and trying to make a name for himself performing at local secondary schools around Carnival time. (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Bunji Garlin Feat. Major Lazer & Kubiyashi “It’s A Carnival”

    HEAR THIS: Bunji Garlin Feat. Major Lazer & Kubiyashi “It’s A Carnival”

    Bunji And Lazer Link Up One More Time And Bring Along Kubiyashi For The Ride

    The Black Spaniard Bunji Garlin hasn’t taken his foot off the gas pedal yet, airwaves are still steaming from the remix of “Differentology” that Major Lazer so generously provided that it was only natural that the two powerhouses collided once more. Always one to push the envelope in terms of what Soca music should sound like Bunji, Major Lazer and St. Vincent producer Kubiyashi combine to create what should propel Soca music to higher heights on the global scale. Tune After The Jump…  (more…)