Boomshots

Tag: Cocoa Tea

  • WTJRC 2022 Heavy Rotation Playlist

    WTJRC 2022 Heavy Rotation Playlist

    All in the Same Boat, Rockin’ on the Same Rock

    Once again it’s on. The last time we were on board the Jamrock Cruise was December 2019, before most people had ever heard the words “Covid-19.” Three years later the big ship is ready to rock with artists like Burning Spear, Shabba Ranks, Damian Marley, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, and more. Check out this Boomshots playlist featuring the latest sounds from all the artists performing on this year’s Jamrock Cruise.
    Heavy Rotation Playlist After The Jump…  (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Cocoa Tea “Stay In School”

    HEAR THIS: Cocoa Tea “Stay In School”

    Ting A Ling A Ling, School Bell Ah Ring

    ”There is a lack of consciousness from what the music used to be,” says the legendary Cocoa Tea. “it’s becoming what it is not to be.” But rather than criticizing or complaining, the singer is fighting back with word sound and power. “If one of my songs can be remembered and or quoted, and be of inspiration or guidance to anyone, then I shall be forever happy with my contribution musically.” After pursuing work as a jockey and a fisherman, it was the birth of his first child back in the early ’80s that strengthened Cocoa Tea’s decision to launch into music full time. And with this tune, he continues his legacy of teaching the youths consciousness through music. All proceeds from “Stay in School”—to be released by VP Records—will be donated to charity.  Audio After the Jump… (more…)

  • Rebel Salute 2015 Takes It Higher

    Rebel Salute 2015 Takes It Higher

    Roots Reggae stars shine at the 22nd staging of Rebel Salute

    Dressed in a sky blue suit, Tony Rebel took the stage at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in the parish of St. Ann on Jamaica’s north coast. “Love you like a fresh vegetable,” he sang on 16th January 2015, the first night of Rebel Salute. “Tell me if you love Tony Rebel”. Although it’s been almost a quarter century since that song was released, the answer was still clear. Yes, the crowd loved the veteran dancehall entertainer who is also the promoter of the annual show that started 22 years ago as a simple birthday party and has turned into one of the most successful music festivals in Jamaica. Read More After The Jump…. (more…)

  • Flashback Friday: Red Rose For Gregory

    Flashback Friday: Red Rose For Gregory

    The Unexpected Gift 

    On December 6, 2008,  I arrived at the Hammerstein Ballroom and met  a  large crowd, which gathered together  on a snowy night, for the  Jamrock Magazine, 4th Annual Vintage Fest, promoted by David “Squeeze” Annakie. Unfortunately, the line to purchase tickets  at the door was so long that security announced, “No one else can come in, ”  after a threshold point. A photographer standing next to me said follow me.  As we walked towards a back entrance, she  said “Who do you want to meet, I know everyone.” My first time being back stage at a concert definitely came as a surprise and  I was introduced to several  living legends, including, Frankie Paul,  Sugar Minott,  Brigadier Jerry, Carlton Livingston, Nadine Sutherland and Coco Tea. More After The Jump…

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  • 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…)

  • Colonel Josie Wales Pon Radio Lily

    Colonel Josie Wales Pon Radio Lily

    The Outlaw Rides Through The Strictly Boomshots Show. Jesus Christ—We Nice!

     

    In A$AP Ferg’s smash hit “Shabba,” the Harlem rapper idolizes Shabba for wearing “eight gold rings” and “one gold tooth.” But if the truth be told, it was not Shabba Ranks but his mentor Josie Wales who originated that style of fanciness. Had Josey Wales done nothing more than carry Cocoa Tea to the studio for the first time or introduce a young Shabba  to King Jammys, his place is dancehall history would be secure, and yet this humble musical soldier—whose official rank in the dancehall militia is Colenol— has done all that and much much more. (Although he modestly states that he has had “no career” to date thus far, he’s now working with the team Irish & Chin, so watch out for big things from The Colonel in days to come.) Born Joseph Winston Sterling in St. Mary, Jamaica, Josie Wales took his DJ name from the 1976 Clint Eastwood movie The Outlaw Josey Wales. He built his reputation on Stur Gav sound system alongside foundation DJs like Daddy U Roy, Brigadier Jerry, and Charlie Chaplin, and recorded classic sides for Junjo Lawes’ Volcano label (“Leggo Me Hand“) George Phang’s Power House label (“Undercover Lover“) and King Jammy’s (“Nah Lef Ya.“) By the mid 1980s he was acknowledged as Jamaica’s ruling dancehall artist. And his influence continues to this day. Queen Latifah borrowed one of his signature styles to make her Grammy-winning hit “U.N.I.T.Y.” and Josie’s voice was heard on last year’s smash hit “Sweet Jamaica.” A certified legend from the streets to the sound systems, he is both eloquent and witty in person, so it was both a treat and an honor to welcome him to the Strictly Boomshots show on Radio Lily.   Audio & Video After The Jump…

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  • Sturgav Hi Fi and Volcano Hi Power at the 02 Academy

    Sturgav Hi Fi and Volcano Hi Power at the 02 Academy

    Two Big Sounds Rock Brixton Easter Weekend

    When you’re talking about classical roots rock rub-a-dub sound systems, there are no more celebrated names in the dancehall of fame than King SturGav Hi Fi and Volcano High Power. Sturgav was established by Daddy U Roy, the legendary DJ who made his name on King Tubby’s Home Town Hi-Fi but went on to create a sound system of his own to provide a means for younger aspiring talents to develop their microphone skills.

    Volcano was founded by the late great Henry “Junjo” Lawes, one of the most renowned producers of the 1970s and 1980s. His music formed a bridge between the roots reggae of Studio One and Joe Gibbs and the dancehall era. Immortal selections like Cocoa Tea’s “Sonia” and Yellowman’s “Zunguzunguzeng” made the Volcano label a trusted brand for any selector looking to pick up a certified boomshot to drop in the dance.

    Bank holiday weekend saw Bagga John Productions pull it all out of the bag as they brought these two legendary sounds to the O2 Academy Brixton. But it wasn’t enough just to bring the champion sounds to the stage—they also brought some serious talent to rock the mic live and direct. Singers like Cocoa Tea, Frankie Paul and Little John joined forces with DJs like Yellowman, Brigadier Jerry, General Trees, and Little Twitch. And of course Daddy U Roy himself worked the stage making this session a night of sweet nostalgia for longtime dancehall fans. The venue was heaving, the crowd excited, emotional and thirsty.

    The girls went wild when Little Twitch gyrated to “No Licky Licky” and they mobbed Cocoa Tea when he reached out to touch the crowd. Some tears were also shed during his version of “Jamaica Farewell.” And when Yellowman came on it was a #f*ckingproblem!! He lapped the stage with jumps and sprints; his trainers hardly touched the floor. One other small problem—although Cocoa Tea sang brilliantly, he stormed off the stage in frustration with the mix he received from selector Danny Dread. #SelectorDontF*ckAroundAndMashUpTheDance. However the music went on and everybody went home with their fill of sweet rub-a-dub vibes. You know what they say—there’s no business like dancehall business. Video After The Jump…

  • Konshens Pays Respect To 47 Reggae Superstars Who Paved the Way

    Konshens Pays Respect To 47 Reggae Superstars Who Paved the Way

    Who And Who Rates As An Icon Inna The Business?

    Remember when Shabba Ranks dropped that tune “Respect“? “Step by step you haffi climb the ladder / The elders you haffi show respect fah.” It’s plan to see that Konshens got the message. He may be on top of the game now, but he’s not one of those “likkle entertainers” who lose sight of the fact that their opportunities came from icons before him. The Dancehall artist recent single, “Icon,” on the Bad Bounce riddim, pays tribute to a long list of certified icons, all of whom helped “put the spotlight on we island” and established the worldwide success of Jamaican music.Audio & Photo Gallery After The Jump… (more…)

  • Miss Lily’s Variety Celebrates First Anniversary

    Miss Lily’s Variety Celebrates First Anniversary

    Let’s Look Back At Some of the Most Memorable Radio Lily Moments So Far

    They’ve been Playing the Peoples’ Music Night and Day for 364 days already. Tomorrow RadioLily.com hits the first year milestone in a big way with the legendary Johnny Osbourne live and direct and other special guests passing through. Make sure to catch The Best of Strictly Boomshots 2012 Saturday at 7pm. But for now, here are some of our favorite RadioLily moments so far. Audio After The Jump….

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  • HEAR THIS: Cocoa Tea Pon Radio Lily

    Cocoa Calls In To The Strictly Boomshots Show

    We don’t usually do phoners on the Strictly Boomshots show—but we made an exception for Cocoa Tea. The fisherman from Clarendon has caught more than a few classics in the stormy seas of reggae music. Think about all the eras this classical reggae dancehall superstar spans—from Junjo to Jammys to  Music Works to Bobby Digital to Xterminator and most recently his own Roaring Lion productions—we’re talking hits pon top of hits. Long story short, the Miss Lily’s fam was more than happy to have Cocoa ring up this Monday. We reasoned about his forthcoming album Ina Di Red, and his big collabo with D’Angel—which has folks speculating whether he’s really resting in her nest. (For the record he has the utmost respect for her DJ skills, as for the rest of the rumors… draw your own conclusions.) He even dropped some science on Christopher Come-Rob-Us, broke down the true meaning of “dancehall,” and made a plea to free up his bredren Buju Banton. You don’t want to miss this one. Interview And Live Session After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Cocoa Tea & D’Angel “Love Is”

    Cocoa Tea Makes His Case But D’Angel Nuh Easy At All

    In the latest release from his own Roaring Lion label, Cocoa Tea flings down some sweet lyrics, pleading his case to rest in D’Angel’s nest. But this girl isn’t so easily impressed. I have a feeling she may be playing hard to get. Go deh Cocoa.
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  • WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas & Friends “Sweet Jamaica” All-Star Remix Video

    Who Say Jamaica Sweet? Mr. Vegas, Shaggy, Josey Wales, U Roy, Barrington Levy, Cocoa Tea, Christopher Martin, Freddie McGregor, Leroy Sibbles, Marcia Griffiths, Ce’Cecile, Singing Melody, Tony Curtis, Beenie Man, and T.O.K. That’s Who.

    Of all the tunes released in honor of Jamaica’s Golden Anniversary, the people’s choice appears to be “Sweet Jamaica” by Mr. Vegas featuring Shaggy and Josey Wales. Never one to bite his tongue, Mr. Vegas vigorously defended his own tune when another song—”On A Mission,” produced by Shaggy no less—was designated the official theme of Jamaica’s independence celebration. As if the original version wasn’t sweet enough, Vegas just dropped the maddest remix of “Sweet Jamaica” with another Jay Will video to match. When Vegas calls this an “All-Star” remix he isn’t kidding—we’re talking DJs from Daddy U-Roy to Beenie Man, singers from Leroy Sibbles to Cocoa Tea to Marcia Griffiths to Barrington Levy—and many many more. With all this talent on one track, this selection simply cannot be denied. #CertifiedBoomshot. Memo to the tourist board—maybe it’s time for a new theme song.

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