Boomshots

Tag: Dancehall

  • Lost In Translation: Does Drake’s Dancehall Obsession Benefit Anyone But Himself?

    Lost In Translation: Does Drake’s Dancehall Obsession Benefit Anyone But Himself?

    EXCLUSIVE GENIUS EXCERPT: Please Don’t Call Drake “King of the Dancehall”

    While revealing the release date of his long-awaited album, Views From The 6, on Beats Radio, Drake sought to evoke the denseness, complexity, and overall quality of the record by stating that “It’s not a short ting.” His use of patois, although not surprising for any native of Toronto—a city where Caribbean culture has seeped into many aspects of mainstream language, food, and music in much the same way it has in London, Miami, or Nigeria—was no accident. Excerpt Continues After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Beniton “Work” InstaMix

    HEAR THIS: Beniton “Work” InstaMix

    The Man Called Jack Frostt Nah Ramp With Lazy People

    Since its release in January, Rihanna’s “Work” off her eighth studio album “Anti,” has seen a fair share of underground street mixes from the likes of A$AP Ferg and Dave East. However, neither rapper was successful in making a lasting impression on the final product. This isn’t because the aforementioned recording artists’ lack talent, but moreso because “Work” is a dancehall record and out of their lane. Much like the original version of “Work,” the spinoffs that circulate the net lack authenticity—that is until Jamaican deejay Beniton aka Jack Frostt stepped inside the booth to add some real island flavor to the mix, a necessary ingredient that could only be provided by someone who is of the culture, rather than a fan who simply enjoys the music.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas “Gi Wi Back Wi Sweet Jamaica” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas “Gi Wi Back Wi Sweet Jamaica” Official Music Video

    Mr. Vegas Makes A Public Appeal On Behalf Of Jamaica’s “Natural Order”

    Mr. Vegas celebrates his beloved homeland in his latest video “Gi Wi Back Wi Sweet Jamaica,” paying homage to the rich heritage and natural beauty that still exists in this jewel of the Caribbean Sea. Images of the North Coast, local attractions, and lavish beaches that were once the playground of all Jamaicans—and have since fallen into the hands of multinational investors attracting tourist dollars with visions paradise. After enjoying mainstream success abroad, the international reggae superstar returns to the Land of Wood and Watr to make a public plea to please conserve Jamaica’s national treasures before it is too late. Video after the jump….
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  • Real Talk With Tanya Stephens: “I’m Telling The Truth—That’s The Only Thing I Know”

    Real Talk With Tanya Stephens: “I’m Telling The Truth—That’s The Only Thing I Know”

    Maybe You Can Handle The Ride—But Can You Handle The Truth?

    It may be true that women are far and few between in the reggae industry. But there’s no disputing the fact that Tanya Stephen is one of the best in the business. And not the good for a female—she’s one of the greatest songwriters Jamaican music history, full stop. Tanya has written some of the baddest tunes ever and has never let herself be pigeonholed into other peoples perception of what an artist should be. Whether singing about taking another woman’s man or exploring other sensitive real-life situations, Tanya continues to keep it all the way real, bringing her listeners along wherever her imagination takes her. After two decades in the game she’s still growing as an artist, and we still haven’t found anybody to rival her talent. During the latest Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, she blessed Boomshots with an in-depth interview with no subject off limits, from sex to religion to general stupidness and why she doesn’t like to clash. She even shared her true thoughts on marriage—”whoever decided that marriage should be an institution should be instituionalized!”—despite the fact that she is currently married. Tanya  will  be performing at SXSW during this year’s Irie Jam x Boomshots SXSW Reggae Showcase. Whether you’re in the house or not, take a moment to get to know one of the most fascinating minds around. Just make sure you fasten your seatbelt, cause this is going to be a wild ride. Videos After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Nesbeth “My Dream” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Nesbeth “My Dream” Official Music Video

    From Trenchtown, A Next Star Arise

    Released last month, “My Dream” features the veteran reggae singer reflecting on the struggles he’s faced in Jamaica and focusing on not giving up. A superb track from start to finish, it’s a progressive take on roots reggae with a dash of picked pop guitar and a catchy bounce. The video release, directed by RD Studios, is a fitting complement to the unique sound of “My Dream” and captivates immediately. Opening with wide-angle montages of Jamaica’s breathtaking coast, Nesbeth appears draped in the flag singing “Mek wi start dah one yah, like how Martin Luther King would ah start it.” The song goes on to tell the story of a young boy who’s driven to success against all odds. The Jamaica-based artist finished 2015 on a high, thanks to “My Dream,” and the video certainly reflects the success of his aptly titled new album, Victory. From Trenchtown a next star arise. Video After the Jump…

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  • Collie Buddz Talks “Blue Dreamz” EP and Herbal Inspiration

    Collie Buddz Talks “Blue Dreamz” EP and Herbal Inspiration

    “When I’m home I really don’t smoke,” says Bermuda’s Biggest Dancehall Star

    Collie Buddz rolled through NYC this Labor Day weekend to celebrate the release of his new EP Blue Dreamz. The Bermuda-born DJ said he recorded most of the new EP during a recent trip to Jamaica. The title track, produced by Johnny Wonder on his brand new “Ice Cold” riddim, refers to a popular strain of high-grade ganja that Collie discovered during a tour stop in Northern California. Although herb laws are reforming all over the world, Collie says that in his native Bermuda the wisdom weed is still far from legal. “When I’m home I really don’t smoke,” says the artist who first blew up off the ganja tune “Come Around.” The final track of the album is called “Prescription” and refers to a day when the healing of the nation will be available to all. Check out Collie Buddz reasoning with Reshma B about the new EP as well as some real talk about reggae and race and the inspiration behind his classic cut “Blind to You” (Haters).  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Randy Valentine Is “Still Pushing”

    Randy Valentine Is “Still Pushing”

    The UK Singer Won’t Let You Pass Him By

    “We still a push, we still a try,” Randy Valentine wails on the title track to his EP Still Pushing. “The gideon train is coming and mi cyan let it pass mi by/And when my well is running dry I don’t sit down and cry/We still a push, Almighty know we have to fly.” This is a pretty apt definition of the inspiration behind RV’s latest compilation of tracks—steadfast tenacity in trying times and the upliftment of people who strive toward better days. The EP’s first single “Wake The Town” has been in heavy rotation across the world, yielding various chart positions. Video & Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Kartel Busts The Billboard Charts

    Kartel Busts The Billboard Charts

    The Unstoppable WorldBoss Just Keeps On Winning

    Controversial Deejay Vybz Kartel‘s latest album Viking (Vybz Is King) made a grand debut at #3 on the Billboard‘s Reggae Album Chart and currently sits comfortably at #6. At the moment, he is the only dancehall artist to have an album in this chart’s Top Ten. This milestone marks the highest debut of his career, adding to Kartel’s string of successful musical feats since he has been incarcerated for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. Against all odds, he has remained at the forefront of the dancehall music scene—regularly releasing new songs, dominating radio airwaves and winning awards even as detractors denounce him. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Ghetto Youths International Posse Tour the U.S. In Support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2

    Ghetto Youths International Posse Tour the U.S. In Support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2

    Cham, Wayne Marshall, Jo Mersa, Christopher Ellis & Black-Am-I Touch The Road

    There is a famous saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” and for the heirs of reggae legend Bob Marley, Damian, Stephen and Julian Marley, their actions prove just that. Just as their father founded the Tuff Gong imprint, his youths see big things looming for their fresh record label Ghetto Youths International (GYI). For lovers of the perfect mixture of blues, calypso and rock and roll, Jamaica’s own reggae, GYI has a tour in the works next week. With the Marley imprint behind this initiative one can expect nothing less than a star-studded lineup of acts including Cham,Wayne Marshall, Black-Am-I, Jo Mersa, and Christopher Ellis. Said GYI participants are of course featured on the Billboard chart-topper, Set Up Shop Volume 2, a compilation that represents a full spectrum of music, from reggae to dancehall and futuristic fusion. With such a stellar selection of artists on tour, backed by the Lawless band, who wouldn’t be excited? Tour Schedule After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread)” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Inner Circle ft. Chronixx & Jacob Miller “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread)” Official Music Video

    In comes the official music video for the big bad certified Boomshot, Inner Circle featuring the young general Chronixx alongside Jacob Killer Miller with the musical thing called “Tenement Yard (News Carryin’ Dread).” The video was directed by produced by Inner Circle and directed by Gil Green for 305 Films. Forty years after Jakes first sang it, Chronixx message is essentially the same—but instead of watchy watchy tenement yard dwellers, it’s watchy watchy cellular phone owners. No more long talkin’ let’s get to the photos by (by Bones Vision) and peep RGAT‘s behind the scenes report.  Video After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel Birthday Bash 2002

    WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel Birthday Bash 2002

    Witness the Birth of a Dancehall Legend

    Thirteen years ago today, Vybz Kartel (or as the videographer spelled it Vibes Cartel) celebrated his 25th birthday with an action-packed session at Club La Roose on Port Henderson Road in Portmore. Judging by the massive turnout of artists on the stage and the reaction of the ram-jam crowd inside the venue—not to mention the ridiculously futuristic flows emanating from his microphone—it’s clear that Kartel is a young champion on the rise. Having graduated from street mixtapes to writing hits for the likes of Bounty Killer, Kartel now had a major hit on Don Corleon’s Mad Ants riddim, “New Millennim” featuring Wayne Marshall. His debut album for Greensleeves Records, Up 2 Di Time, was still a year away, but anybody in La Roose that night knew something big was happening. Much has changed since that time: for one thing, when’s the last time you saw Kartel rocking a Nets jersey and a durag? Moreover, Kartel’s name is now known all around the planet, although much of the world is more familiar with his controversial exploits than his cutting-edge music. But one thing has stayed the same from that time until this : even as Kartel marks his third consecutive birthday behind bars, the Werlboss still has the streets on lock, and despite his predicament Kartel remains the most influential dancehall artist in the game, period. In honor of Adidja Azim Palmer’s earthstrong, let’s take it back to 2002, and bear witness to the birth of a legend.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel & Rvssian “New Jordans” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel & Rvssian “New Jordans” Official Music Video

    Does This Mean Clarks Are Over?

    The unstoppable Worldboss (aka Adi Innocent) links with Head Concussion for a tribute to fly kicks—and we don’t mean Clarks. The latest video production to meet the challenge of shooting visuals without the star of the song comes up with a creative solution: part Rvssian flossfest, part hot girls, and part lyric video with Kartel Karikatures. Does it work? You be the judge. Log on and lace up your new Jordans. It Adi Hypest Ting! Video After The Jump…
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