Boomshots

Tag: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley

  • HEAR THIS: Jo Mersa Marley ft. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Point of View” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Jo Mersa Marley ft. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Point of View” PREMIERE

    Zilla Links With His Nephew To Defend The Innocent Youths

    “Gotta do what I gots to,” sings Jo Mersa on his hard-hitting reggae-matic track “Point of View,” which Boomshots proudly premieres today. Tragic headlines of atrocities committed against a 14-year-old girl earlier this year inspired the new song, which happens to be Mersa’s first collab with his uncle Damian. Young Mersa sings the hook and drops some rhymes reminscent of 2Pac’s “Keep Your Head Up.” Aside from spitting fire bars, Gongzilla worked with Jo on the production—followed by a final mix by Stephen “Ragga” Marley. (Producer Rellee Hayden of A-Team also worked on the track along with D.C. Soul.) “You done know Pops is very specific like that,” says Jo Mersa with a smile. “Him and Uncle Damian are both very specific.” As a father himself, Jo Mersa was distressed to hear of the rape and murder of Yetanya Francis, also known as ‘Princess’, in Kingston’s Arnett Gardens community. “Just reading about it upset me so much,” he recalls. “I was like, ‘Bwoy if that was me I’d probably go crazy…’ Them things can drive somebody insane. You bring a life into this world, and somebody just violate them so many ways. It’s not like we’re telling people to turn to violence, but me feel like me woulda kill somebody. Being behind a mic is like being behind a gun for us.” Check the sounds. Audio After The Jump…
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  • The Rockhouse Foundation and Third World Raise One Third of A Million Dollars for the Children of Jamaica, in One Night!

    The Rockhouse Foundation and Third World Raise One Third of A Million Dollars for the Children of Jamaica, in One Night!

    The Rockhouse Foundation Works To Build An Inclusive Educational Community in Negril
    On Tuesday, October 30, 2018, Rockhouse Foundation hosted the foundation’s 14th annual dinner to raise money for its beneficiary, the children of Jamaica. The Foundation to date raised $4.5 million U.S.D to fund projects to improve education in Negril. Most notable is the renovations of six schools (including Negril All Age School, Negril Basic School, Little Bay All Age School, Moreland Hill Primary and the Bunch of Stars E.C.I.) and the Negril Community Library. The Foundation’s most recent endeavor encompassed the building of a new school, Savanna-La-Mar Inclusive Infant Academy (SIIA). The later, contains an inclusive curriculum, offering educational opportunities for children with disabilities. Building a community that is inclusive for all children, lies at the heart of the Rockhouse Foundation’s mission. More After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Autumn Leaves” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Autumn Leaves” Official Music Video

    Gongzilla In Sinatra Mode

    As the days get shorter, the weather becomes cooler, the leaves on trees begin to turn orange and red, it is clear that fall is announcing it’s imminent arrival. Coinciding with the changing season Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley dropped an appropriately titled video for the Stony Hill cut “Autumn Leaves.” Directed by Mark Pellington, the video is full of powerful images of people young and old, interpretive dancers, a string orchestra, and Marley dressed in all white that work together to convey a feeling of both melancholy and hopefulness that fits well with the songs message of navigating the ups and down of love with Zilla singing “don’t give up on me.” With its prominent string arrangement, no bass and no one drop, the song is an example of a growing trend of music that challenges the very definition of what a reggae tune sounds like. Video After The Jump…
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  • Damian Marley Bringing Jamrock To Jamaica Queens

    Damian Marley Bringing Jamrock To Jamaica Queens

    Gongzilla Will Headline Groovin In The Park This Weekend

    Reggae’s most sought after superstar Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley will bring the curtain down on the highly anticipated Groovin In The Park festival that takes place on Sunday, June 24 inside Roy Wilkins Park in New York. The tremendously popular decision to add Marley to the lineup was confirmed earlier. The son of reggae icon Bob Marley and former Miss World 1976 Cindy Brakespeare cemented his own place in the annals of music history when he became the first reggae artist to win a GRAMMY outside of the “reggae” category, taking home an award for ‘Best Urban/Alternative’ performance for his single, “Welcome To Jamrock.”The acclaimed international reggae/dancehall superstar is a fixture on Billboard’s Reggae Digital Singles chart. ‘Welcome to Jamrock,’ from his Grammy winning album of the same name was certified gold in the United States. The single was listed as one of the ‘Top 100 Songs Of The Decade’ by Rolling Stone Magazine. Popular track from the disc include ‘Pimpa’s Paradise,’ ‘Confrontation’ and ‘Hey Girl.’ Story Continues After The Jump…
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  • Boomshots 420 Playlist (2018)

    Boomshots 420 Playlist (2018)

    A Playlist with Smoking Hot Chalice Chunes 

    California was the first state to launch a program for the use of medical marijuana, with Proposition 215 in 1996. This was followed up with the groundbreaking Senate Bill 420 in 2003, to clarify the provisions for medical use and protect those with authorized medical prescriptions from criminalization. This gave way to the 420 movement that is celebrated on April 20 for cannabis culture. Now 29 states allow for the medical use of marijuana, while only 8 states (California, Nevada, Massachusetts, Maine, Florida, North Dakota, Arkansas and Montana) have legalized recreational use in the United States. On a Federal level, marijuana is illegal and viewed as a highly addictive Schedule I drug, with no therapeutic properties.

    Reggae music, as a genre, has always produced music with a high level of consciousness and significant social commentary. Throughout the years, there have been many marijuana anthems promoting freedom of choice, which are highly revered by smokers and non-smokers of this plant. On this 420, also Earth Day we hope to take you on a natural musical and mystic high with the Boomshots 420 Playlist.  Boomshots 420 Playlist After The Jump…

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  • Jay-Z Brings Damian Marley Out to Rock Meadows Festival

    Jay-Z Brings Damian Marley Out to Rock Meadows Festival

    Zilla Joins Hov to Perform “Bam” and “Jamrock”

    Last night at the Meadows Festival in Queens, NYC, Jay-Z brought only one guest out on stage. Tidal shareholder Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and his trust flag waver Donovan stepped out in front of a massive crowd to perform “Bam” with Jay-Z. The song went over so well that Damian stuck around to perform his signature smash “Welcome to Jamrock,” with Hov serving as his hypeman. The two previously performed together at the Made in America festival in Philadelphia, but somehow everything just feels bigger in NYC. Video After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Damian Marley “Medication” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Damian Marley “Medication” Official Music Video

    Zilla x Ragga Sing Praises To The Plant

    Damian Marley has just released the visuals to his 420 anthem “Medication,” a collaboration with his brother Stephen “Ragga” Marley. Produced by Scheme Engine and directed by the ardent photographer and director Nick Walker, the video was shot on location in the California prison that Jr. Gong recently converted to a growing facility. “The video showcases the night and day of what this prison used to be,” says Gongzilla. “This place used to house human beings and now is a place that houses plants—some of those humans were once upon a time locked up because of these plants. We are showing the contrast, and what has become something positive and beneficial for so many people.” The video also features several patients who have benefited from the use of cannabis for healing purposes. As Ragga puts it: “These are living testimonies of the benefits of this plant. This plant saves lives…. Wake Up! Education before Recreation.” You can watch the video now on TIDAL and get a free 3-month subscription, and check out a clip below. (In related news, Jr. Gong and a team of investors recently acquired the O.G. herb publication High Times magazine for $70 million. Big up yuh chest Mr. Gong!) We’re almost a month away from the July 21st release date of Gongzilla’s fourth studio album, Stony Hill. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Kashie Khaos Queening with New Single, “Royal Romance”

    Kashie Khaos Queening with New Single, “Royal Romance”

    Exclusive Interview with New Artist, Kashie Khaos

    With breathy Macy-Gray like vocals, new artist Kashie Khaos, lyrically delivers on her debut single, “Royal Romance.” Kashie’s early years as a poet lead her to publish 4 free-style books. This poetic foundation furnished her ability to write songs and  to capture her beliefs with lyrical prowess. We spoke to this artist about her creative process and what inspires her music. Interview After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Roar Fi A Cause” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley “Roar Fi A Cause” PREMIERE

    When The Lion Roars, The Whole Jungle Trembles

    Gongzilla claps a lyrical gun salute in this hardcore reality tune about the rules & laws & codes of conduct that govern life pon di ends—and the lionheart street soldiers who enforce them. “All who perpetrate hafi pack up and run,” Damian spits with an ill rapid-fire flow on this high energy dancehall track produced by Sean “Pow” Diedrick and featuring what sounds like a Buju sample on the chorus. Like the song says, “No shot nah buss when a man a keep treat.” One more wicked piece of tune from the Stony Hill files. Wickedness increase! Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Boss of the Year: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley

    Boss of the Year: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley

    Junior Gong Is Changing The Game In More Ways Than One

    On “The Struggle Discontinues,” a track from Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s  forthcoming album Stony Hill, Gongzilla offers a thought-provoking critique of reggae’s long history as “sufferer’s music.” As the tune puts it: “I don’t wanna sing a song that says ‘the struggle live on’… when will we overcome?” It really should come as no surprise that the artist who gave us hits like “Set Up Shop” and “Hard Work” is all about self-determination and economic advancement. “What we need in reggae music is business visionaries,” he says. “We have a lot of creative, artistic visionaries.” With that in mind, 2016 was a massively successful year for Bob Marley’s youngest youth. His Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise completed its third annual outing, selling out an even bigger vessel than ever before. While the cruise has inspired a few imitators—the sincerest form of flattery—WTJRC has been hailed by Billboard as “the genre’s premiere event.” With the 2017 lineup already announced, cabins are filling up fast. Meanwhile, Damian Marley also announced a foray into the booming herb industry—partnering with Ocean Grown Extracts, which recently acquired an abandoned prison in California which is being converted into a ganja grower—a potent symbol of poetic justice. The company has also entered a “joint venture” with Tru Cannabis to open a medical and recreational dispensary across the street from the NFL stadium in Denver—offering a new way to help keep Bronco tailgaters a “Mile High.” Don’t get it twisted—Jr. Gong’s main focus remains music, as evidenced by the anticipation for Stony Hill , the follow-up to his classic, certified Gold, double-Grammy-winning album Welcome To Jamrock. But it’s also true that rather than playing along, Zilla’s determined to change the game. “I’m working toward killing the struggle,” says Marley. “Not killing people’s ambition to better themselves, but killing the feeling that you have to be a struggler.” In recognition of his transformative power moves in 2016, Boomshots names Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley the Boss of the Year. Photos And Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Will There Be A Distant Relatives Reunion at This Year’s 9Mile Music Festival?

    Will There Be A Distant Relatives Reunion at This Year’s 9Mile Music Festival?

    If The Stars Align This Weekend In Miami, Anything Can Happen

    The 9 Mile Music Festival was established in 1993 as the brainchild of Cedella Marley Booker in honor of her son, Robert Nesta Marley. Formerly known as Marley Fest and The Caribbean Music Festival, the event has been renamed 9 Mile after Bob’s birthplace as well as his final resting place—the little village in St. Ann Parish that lies at the heart of the Marley legacy. More than a concert,  the 9 Mile Music Festival provides millions of canned goods to local homeless shelters and domestic centers throughout Miami; feeding families in need for months after the show is over. For 22 years, the concert has required canned goods in addition to the price of admission, and it always will. Given its strong ties to the Marley family, the show is always packed with reggae royalty, and this year is no exception, with Stephen “Ragga” Marley, Julian “JuJu Royal” Marley, and their nephew Skip Marley all scheduled to perform this Saturday, February 27th. In addition, both Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Nas are billed—and while each of these living legends will be performing his own set, anticipation is in the air that the two lyrical giants may join forces on stage to recreate the magic of their 2010 album Distant Relatives.  Full Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • Download the House of Marley x Boomshots Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise Zeen

    Download the House of Marley x Boomshots
    Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise Zeen

    Our 2015 Zeen Is The Next Best Thing To Being On Board

    “All in the Same Boat,” Bob Marley sang on The Wailers’ 1971 Boomshot “Don’t Rock My Boat,” produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry, “Rockin’ on the same rock / Got to get together, loving each other.” This lyric isnpired the title for the 2015 Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise Zeen, the official guide to who’s who and what’s happening on our second annual seafaring excursion. The limited edition Zeen contains origjnal interviews and full-color photos of all 23 acts on board—Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Third World, Sly & Robbie, Maxi Priest, Super Cat, Bounty Killer, Popcaan, Elephant Man, Cham, Tarrus Riley, Morgan Heritage, Protoje, Tanya Stephens, and many more—plus all 10 champion sound systems. It also contains QR code links to exclusive Boomshots content—interviews and live performances direct from the cruise.  If you didn’t make it on this year’s cruise, the Zeen is the next best thing to being there. There’s even a discount code for House of Marley audio gear. Download Link After The Jump…
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