Boomshots

Tag: Dancehall

  • HEAR THIS: Strictly the Best Vol. 50 The Mixtape

    HEAR THIS: Strictly the Best Vol. 50 The Mixtape

    Rico Vibes of Natural Vibes and Da Flava Radio Pon The Megamix

    Over the past 35 years, VP Records has established themslves as the dominant distributor of Jamaican music, and the 50th and 51st installments of their Strictly the Best compilation series drops today. As per usual, the first volume focuses more on roots and lovers rock singers while the second dives direct into the dancehall. And because this year marks a landmark anniversary for VP—or simply to tickle the fancy of the “Don’t make em like they used to” posse—each volume of the anthology includes a second disc jam-packed with classic selections culled from earlier STB editions. Today we present a megamix of Volume 50 cuts curated by selector Rico Vibes. From Half Pint‘s Greetings and Luciano‘s “Sweep Over My Soul” straight back to Etana‘s “Trigger” and Jah Cure‘s “Life We Live,” this one is total niceness. No matter how cold it is where you are right now, press play and prepare yourself for a virtual vacation to Jamaica’s sunny shores. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Alkaline “Anywhere We Go” & “In This World”

    HEAR THIS: Alkaline “Anywhere We Go” & “In This World”

    Plug Into Both Sides Of The Alkaline Battery

    An Alkaline battery has two sides, one positive and one negative. The same goes for the controversial dancehall star of the same name. When I sat down to chat with him last December at 21st Hapilos headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, he was already emerging as one of the most powerful new voices in Jamaican music—and all this past year he’s continued to charge up his ever-growing fan base with an unpredictable I-care-zero approach to making music. Two fresh selections—one produced by DJ Frass, one by ZJ Chrome—highlight both sides of this polarizing young artist. On “In This World” he touches on the realities of life and sufferation and on “Anywhere We Go” he disses Bounty Killer and Foota Hype. Hate it or love it, you cannot deny Alkaline’s talent nor his ability to electrify the streets of Kingston. Audio After The Jump…
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  • Chronixx & Protoje Live in London

    Chronixx & Protoje Live in London

    Two Leading Lights of Jamaica’s Reggae Revival Touch Down in Brixton

    “If we don’t have new talent there is no future,” said David “RamJam” Rodigan last night onstage at the Electric in Brixton, South London. The elder statesman of British reggae radio has often expressed his concerns about the direction in which Jamaican music has been heading. But last night’s live set by Chronixx and the Zinc Fence Redemption band suggested a brighter tomorrow. Riding high off a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, which sent his Dread & Terrible EP soaring to the top of the reggae charts, Chronixx brought a palpable intensity to the stage from his first tune (“Alpha and Omega”) to his final encore (“Odd Ras”). One highlight of the sold-out show was the surprise appearance of Protoje, fresh off a successful European tour, who stepped in to support his bredren and perform their smash hit “Who Knows” live. After he and Diggy blazed the stage, Chronixx went on to perform “Here Comes Trouble” and even flashed a few lines of Jesse Royal, Jah9, and Damian Marley pon the riddim. As Rodigan exclaimed by show’s end: “History was made tonight… The future of this magnificent music is secure.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Stephen Marley ft. Capleton & Sizzla “Rockstone” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Stephen Marley ft. Capleton & Sizzla “Rockstone” Official Music Video

    Ragga Marley Brandishes Some Hardcore Visuals Pon BET

    Ever since Stephen “Ragga” Marley dropped the “Rockstone” single off his highly anticipated album Revelation Part 2: The Fruit of Life, the song has been in heavy rotation on all conscious stations. But clearly Ragga is not just “preaching to the choir” so to speak. When it came time to premiere the video for the tune, he took it to the leading music show on TV, BET’s 106 & Park. When’s the last time you saw King Shango and Kalonji getting love pon BET? And this ain’t no pop tune. These visuals are on some Burning Spear vibes, as in “Do you remember the days of slavery?” Did somebody say “Play I on the BET—want all my people to see.” OK, nuff said. We’ve got a feeling that somewhere Gong is smiling right about now. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Randy Valentine “The Sound of a Young Rebel”

    WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Randy Valentine “The Sound of a Young Rebel”

    UK Reggae Rebel Rocks London With Tarrus Riley, Talks “Break The Chain” EP With Reshma B

    Tarrus Riley’s Love Situation tour passes through the UK tonight at the Forum in Kentish Town. Always ready to support rising talent, Singy Singy’s opening acts include Jamaican songstress Alaine and a young UK rebel by the name of Randy Valentine. RV’s been making waves with his powerful voice and no-nonsense approach to the music, as first glimpsed on his 2012 mixtape Bring Back the Love, which showcased the young artist’s writing and vocal abilities against some timeless Studio One instrumentals. His Break The Chain EP dropped in May and shot straight to No. 1 in Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland’s iTunes Reggae charts. The EP also reached No2 in Italy, and No3 in both Canada and the UK. RV’s ‘Break The Chain Tour’ kicked off in May, and he’s done shows in 20 countries all over Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, France, and the UK. In the first of his chats with Reshma B, Randy talks about his musical influences and why he’s never going to sell his soul (or anything else) for radio play. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas & Latty J “Who Rule” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas & Latty J “Who Rule” Official Music Video

    The Battle of the Sexes Rages On With A Music Video And All-New Lyrics

    Vegas and Latty’s creative chemistry nah stop bubble. Ever since Vegas linked up with the feisty young singer and DJ from August Town Lane (formerly known as Digicel Rising Stars contestant Latoya Jackson, who was bigged up by Tessanne Chin for her performance) the veteran artist and his protege have been on a roll. Their first duet, “Who Rule,” has taken #TeamHustle to another level. MV Music’s hilarious battle of the sexes, voiced over a riddim reminiscent of Shabba’s vintage dancehall track “Twice my Age,” now has a music video, directed by DeeGo and Colin Young. The lyrics for the music video version are brand new—and while no less humorous they are somewhat less scandalous than the original raw version first heard on Boomshots. Moving from bedroom capers to kitchen and laundry (with a light touch of sexual innuendo) this second installment of the oldest argument in the world promises to become a modern classic. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Protoje: “It’s Our Time to Govern the Music”

    Reasoning with Protoje: “It’s Our Time to Govern the Music”

    “There Is A Rising Consciousness that’s Obviously Happening. There Is a Movement As Well.”

    While passing through the concrete jungle the other day, Protoje dropped by Plex HQ to reason about life and the state of the music. We started off discussing his big tune with Chronixx “Who Knows,” and how Storm Saulter—of Better Mus Come fame—came to direct the song’s epic music video. Diggy said Winta James came up with the video’s basic concept, which he described as “You start off with everything and as the day goes on you lose stuff, and it’s either you’re gonna turn around and go home or keep pushing forward.” So it’s all about the Bounce Back, which is a fitting transition to our discussion of the shift within Jamaican music right now. “We want to change the perception of what people think reggae is,” Protoje explained. “Cause I see what people think the genre is, and the reality of what it is now—and It’s far.” Protoje made the point that he’d rather not be pigeon-holed within the category of reggae just because he is from Jamaica. “Chronixx and I make two different sounds,” he asserted. “Sonically our music sounds different, but we’re still under the same heading of reggae music.” He calls his current sound—which has amassed a huge following in Europe, where he will be touring this summer—”a real hybrid,” citing Junjo Lawes and Jimi Hendrix as infuences. Nevertheless, he goes on to state that he and Chronixx and s number of other like-minded artists and producers are all part of a cultural movement within Jamaica right now.  “There is a rising consciousness that’s obviously happening. There is a movement as well… 2010 to 2020 is our time to govern them music.”  Video and Summer Tour Dates After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Alborosie: “Everybody Receive The Music Nice”

    Reasoning with Alborosie: “Everybody Receive The Music Nice”

    Albo’s Got a New Album Featuring All-Star Duets

    When the Italian-born reggae singer Alborosie is not touring the world, he makes his home in Jamaica, where he spends most of his time in his studio. The latest product of his labors is the album Specialist Presents: Alborosie & Friends, a collection of his duets with a wide range of reggae and dancehall talent, which dropped on V.P. Records June 17th. The 24 tracks include duets with Michael Rose, Horace Andy, Etana, Busy Signal, Sizzla, and fellow European reggae star Gentleman. During a recent tour stop in Miami, Reshma B caught up with Albo to talk about how he’s not just a producer and performer but also a proud, hands-on papa. ”I change him pampers,” says Albo of his new routine in the studio. But that doesn’t mean he takes his music any less seriously. In fact, the reggae global ambassador reveals, “The day i don’t feel the vibe anymore i will retire quietly.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Spice Speaks on “So Mi Like It,” Rappin’ with Busta Rhymes and Ragga Ragga Ragga 2014

    Spice Speaks on “So Mi Like It,” Rappin’ with Busta Rhymes and Ragga Ragga Ragga 2014

    Reshma B Kicks It With Spice And Gets To How Grace Hamilton Likes It

    Mad Gyal Spice is on top of her game right now. With the official video for her sexy smash hit “So Mi Like It” racking up millions of Vevo views, rap legend Busta Rhymes jumping on the official remix, and not one but three cuts on VP’s latest Ragga Ragga Ragga compilation, the DJ born Grace Hamilton is breaking records and making history that any dancehall artist—male or female—would be proud of. The last time she was in NYC Spice linked up with The ReggaeGirlAboutTown to chat ’bout “So Mi Like It” and explained why she decided to rap on the remix with Busta. She also revealed that the real Grace Hamilton is very different from her onstage image as Spice. Grace is a family woman who’s really “a nice calm girl at home reading who doesn’t drink or smoke.” Spice, on the other hand, was born as a fearless competitor. “Spice is the person to tek on everybody,” she explains. “I was born to do that.” And when it comes to hardcore dancehall shows like Sting, she says “Me govern it.” Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Tommy Lee Sparta “Dream (Don’t Ramp With Me BC Food)” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Tommy Lee Sparta “Dream (Don’t Ramp With Me BC Food)” Official Music Video

    Uncle Demon Had a Dream Last Night… Are You Afraid Yet?

    If there’s one thing Tommy Lee Sparta understands it’s the power of strong visuals. His latest video, which dropped on Vevo today, is on point as usual. Whether or not you dig the whole demon-thug steez, you can’t front on the man’s CGI effects or the tatted-up seminude models. And if you do he’ll just sick his dogs with the Skeletor masks on you anyway. So stop hating and enjoy the show. What about that dream? Don’t worry—he was just swimming in money and chilling with Jesus Christ. No big deal… Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Stream Popcaan’s Debut Album “Where We Come From”

    Stream Popcaan’s Debut Album “Where We Come From”

    Preview Papi’s Full LP Before You Head Over To iTunes & Support Di Ting

    “Popcaan is something of an unlikely hero in the world of dancehall,” writes National Public Radio’s Natalie Wiener of the Jamaican star, whose debut album got a big boost from America’s offiicial government broadcast. “He grew up in the Jamaican projects without becoming a hard-edged “rude boy.” And he’s neither crooner nor spitfire MC — instead, he stands happily between those extremes. The deejay’s debut album, Where We Come From, is equal parts dancefloor anthems and “conscious” tunes about Jamaican life, unified by breezy, fresh production from Brooklyn’s Dre Skull. He’s known to family and fans alike as the “Unruly Boss,” not so much for bad behavior as for a fierce independent streak, manifest in his idiosyncratic vernacular, style and music. Audio, Video & Production Notes After The Jump… (more…)

  • Shabba Records First Song In JA For Three Years

    Shabba Records First Song In JA For Three Years

    If you want to work with Shabba Ranks, don’t bring “Monkey Money”—make sure it’s “Gorilla Money”!

    Shabba Ranks decides to record a new track in Jamaica after ceasing his production there for years. (His last Jamaican production was “None A Dem” for Di Genius in 2011.) While in New York the Dancehall Emperor collaborated with American rappers A$AP Ferg and A$AP Rocky on the official remix of a eponymous song “Shabba Ranks”. The Grammy award winning DJ boasts an elaborate list of hits from his travels from yard to the United States. On his most recent visit back to JA, Shabba discusses his new musical projects, his pay rate—”no monkey money, we take gorilla money”—and his clothing line E.R.E. : Emperor. We expect more crossover success from the “Mr.Loverman” singer. Video After The Jump…

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