A Boomshots Playlist Inspired By The Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise
“Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean sea,” Super Cat once observed. “In case you never know, it fulla mic MCs.” The Land of Wood and Water is also full of boats and fishermen and as such it’s inspired countless reggae songs about the sea. Here’s a few of our favorite selections for all you Nautical Dreads. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
When Gongzilla Puts His Shoulder To The Wheel You Can’t Knock The Hustle
Damian Marley’s first selection off the Set Up Shop Vol. 2 compilation lets you know right off top he’s got his mind on his money and his money on his mind: “Rastaman a hustler so every dollar haffi flip.” But this song is not about flossing (although he makes sure his galfriend definitely gets her choice of beverages, from vintage bubbly to Viva’s roots). Really it’s all about influencing the youths to know anything is possible, bunning out all badmind, and serving notice that “all lazy bwoy fi get dismissed.” Putting in the hard work has always come naturally to the Tuff Gong’s youngest son. And he’s been on that Marcus Garvey since the first “Set Up Shop” days. The lively-up track builds to a wicked acapella breakdown at the 1:33 mark seasoned with a tasty acoustic guitar strum. This tune feels like a timely counteraction to any and all crab-in-a-barrell elements. “Nuff a dem will sell out their best friend’s purse, Zilla only sell out concerts.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)
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…
The Last Time Marsheezy Came to NYC the Whole Ghetto Youths Crew Came Along
Wayne Marshall celebrates the Release of his latest album TRU Colors in NYC tonight at the Delancey. Packed with hits like “I Know,” “Stupid Money,” and the mega-posse cut “Go Hard,” TRU Colors is easily Marshall’s greatest album yet—a must have for reggae and dancehall fans worldwide. Here at Boomshots, we’ve been rocking with Marshall since 2000 and better—so we’ve anticipating this particular project for quite a while. We first heard Marshall had linked up with the Marley Bros back in 2012, and as the project took shape the Boomshots massive has stayed up-to-date on its progress. Congratulations Marsheezy and the whole GYI fam. As the celebration kicks off, let’s rewind back to Labor Day weekend 2013 when the Ghetto Youths crew took over Radio Lily (peep the photograph above by Mark Shaw) then rolled to SOBs for a historic performance courtesy of Boomshots Reggae Mondays. Do you remember? Bust it! Video AFter The Jump… (more…)
The Tuff Gong Turns 69 Today, So Lively Up Yourself
It’s that time of the year again. February 6, the day the King of Reggae was born in the rural village of Nine Mile in the hills of St. Ann, Jamaica. Had he not passed away in 1981 Bob would have turned 69 on this day. It’s a given to say that Bob has represented reggae music on a scale that no other individual has ever achieved. Decades later his music still lives and his face is still at the forefront of the scene. Here are 7 great ways you can feel a little bit of that Bob vibe today. (You know the 8th already—it’s now legal in Colorado.) Happy EarthStrong Bob Marley Continued After The Jump… (more…)
Gongzilla Raises Thought-Provoking Questions About the Real Gangsta Life
Sometime after midnight tonight Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley will be taking the stage at Rebel Salute, Jamaica’s biggest roots reggae festival, which kicks off place just outside Ocho Rios. This morning he’s blessed us with a brand-new tune on the big bad “Rootsman Riddim.” The song asks a simple yet profound question to all those living (or glamorizing) the gunman life. “Is It Worth It?” As you would expect from Gongzilla, the lyrics are catchy, carefully crafted, and creatively thought-provoking, exploring all the nooks and crannies of a real gunman’s life, from his family troubles to his financial pressures. “Does he get nervous just like you and I? Watching out as the police pass by?” Audio After The Jump…
Dutty Paul and Gongzilla Stirring Up Nuff Trouble
“One good thing about music,” a wise man once sang, “when it hits you feel no pain.” You just can’t say the same for a Molotov cocktail. That’s why it’s a good idea to listen to the ghetto yutes when they bawl out their sufferer’s blues. Remember when N.W.A predicted the L.A. Riots and another wise man called hip-hop the “ghetto CNN”? That’s another good thing about music, it can give those with ears to hear an early warning on trouble on the way. “Riot” is that kind of song. The latest single off Sean Paul’s new album Full Frequency, which is due to drop in February, is not another party jam. it’s a hard-hitting reality tune featuring Jr. Gong. Ever since this tune came out, we’ve known it was something special. Now the video has arrived to make the whole thing crystal clear. “Deal with yute dem right or else….” Video After The Jump…
Show Me The Light, And Mek It Shine Bright
Anytime Cham and Dave Kelly connect, they’re going to make a big tune. But when Cham and the Stranger link with Gongzilla? Now that’s history in the making. We’ve been all over this song “Fighter” since it first dropped, but today the visuals were premiered over at Hova’s site, Life & Times. (Now that’s how you roll out a big project.) Love the image of the two Damians playing chess—and making big moves. #Kings. Show them the light.
Video After the Jump… (more…)
Certified Boomshot Off The Tru Colors EP, Dropping Today
Looks like the Ghetto Youths crew have been going extra hard this month, releasing the fruits of their labour. Hot on the heels of Christopher Ellis’s Better Than Love EP comes Wayne Marshall’s Tru Colors EP, which officially hits the streets today. The movement is large and the hard work sure is paying off as Tru Colors is another outstanding piece of work that’s sure to stay in heavy rotation on your playlist until the full album drops in early 2014. Produced by Damian Marley, the EP includes Marshall’s latest certified boomshot, a remix of the dancehall posse cut “Go Hard,” this time aptly renamed “Go Harder” and featuring Ace Hood, Baby Cham & Waka Flocka. It’s a whole next episode in the saga. Audio & Video After The Jump…
Gongzilla Combines With The Kid On This Brand New Madhouse Selection
A new joint from The Stranger (aka Dave Kelly) is an event. He and his brother Tony created the blueprint of modern dancehall. The Stranger’s latest production shows a definite trap/EDM influence but it still sounds just as Stink as ever. Junior Gong sings a hook that sounds like a Bible verse (“We shall reap the riches, plentiful like the grains of sand”) while Cham spits bars on behalf of “The faithful, the ones who never stop till the work is done. Show them the light. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
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…)
Hit The High Seas With Jr. Gong, Stephen Marley, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Tarrus, Cure, Busy, Killer & More
Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley invites you to take a journey to Jamaica with him on the 1st Annual Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise. Leaving Miami with stops in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, this 5-night cruise promises be the ultimate Reggae music adventure. Come experience some of the World’s top tier Reggae artists as they will perform in multiple venues throughout the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship. In addition to the multiple live concerts there will be numerous Sound Systems booming all day and all night throughout the cruise. Sign up now for the latest updates and launch info. More Details After The Jump… (more…)