Boomshots

Tag: David Rodigan

  • Music Is A Mission: David Rodigan Speaks His Mind About Today’s Sound Clash Culture

    Music Is A Mission:
    David Rodigan Speaks His Mind About Today’s Sound Clash Culture

    Will Sir RamJam’s Recent Soundclash On The Sea Be His Last?

    UK radio presenter David Rodigan has been described as the “outside world’s greatest ambassador of Jamaica’s musical heritage.” He’s been honored with an MBE by the Queen of England for his contributions to British broadcasting and recently published his memoirs, entitled My Life in Reggae —”the unlikely story of an Army sergeant’s son from the English countryside who has become the man who has taught the world about Reggae.” This year David Rodigan will be touring the globe once more to celebrate his 40th year in the business. He’s cut countless dubplates and won many clashes in his time, but had largely “walked away from clashing” prior to his participation in the recent Soundclash on the Sea during the 2017 Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise. In this exclusive interview, Rodigan speaks to Boomshots about the roots of sound system culture, explains the difference between dub plates and specials, shares his thoughts on the true role of selectors and DJs within the reggae industry, reflects on whether modern clash culture has “spun out of control,” and speaks frankly about where he thinks the music that now inspires so much of the mainstream is heading. Interview After The Jump…
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  • No Long Talk: Daddy Ernie On Freedom of Choice: “Who Want Vex, Vex!”

    No Long Talk: Daddy Ernie On Freedom of Choice: “Who Want Vex, Vex!”

    Host of UK Radio’s Superjam Reflects On His Legacy

    If you weren’t in London from the ’90s, you may not be aware of Daddy Ernie or the power of his radio show, SuperJam. As he says: “Who’s Daddy Ernie? Some black DJ who used to be on a station in Brixton that everybody used to wear big gold chains and rings.” What you should know is he’s one of the most respected and important British contributors in the history of Jamaican music. He’s also the only person in history to present a reggae show Monday to Friday on a legal radio station. And it was prime time from 1990 to (about) 2003/2004. The way things are, it’s likely he’ll be the sole claimant forever. Daddy Ernie’s SuperJam ran alongside Choice FM’s lifespan (1990–2013), becoming one of the stations most listened to shows and amongst the highest paid specialist DJs on the station.  Podcast After The Jump… (more…)

  • A Love We Can Feel: Respect To John Holt

    A Love We Can Feel: Respect To John Holt

    Early Sunday morning, Reggae Legend, John Kenneth Holt, died at the age of 67 in London. Even after collapsing onstage during a performance at this summer’s One Love Festival in the UK, he insisted that his health was fine and said “I’ll be back.” Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1947, he entered talent competitions at an early age, throughout the island. Holt recorded his first single, “I Cried A Tear,” a song about lies and heartbreak, in London, 1963. This melancholy first tune, foreshadowed numerous follow up hits. More After The Jump…

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  • David Rodigan’s RamJam Xmas Bash

    David Rodigan’s RamJam Xmas Bash

    Rodigan Invites A Few Friends Over to Get Things Poppin’ in LondonTown

    Vauxhall’s Fire was burnin’ up last Friday night as David Rodigan played host to his annual RamJam Xmas bash. The lineup of DJs and artists included some of the names that have paved the way for the UK underground scene from yesterday until tomorrow and beyond. The crowd went crazy to a mixture of music that has been the soundtrack of the London streets over the past few years—including jungle, DnB, reggae,  dancehall & dubstep and everything in between. Jungle masters Congo Natty were on great form, set the night alight with their selections. They started their set with Bob Marley’s acoustic “Redemption Song,” and trust & believe that was the calm before the storm ahead as they launched into a mix of jungle & DnB classics. UK dancehall artist Stylo G stepped onto stage and got the room singing to “Call Me a Yardie” and  “Soundbwoy”—they even knew the lyrics to his new tune “Move Back.” David Rodigan dropped bombs throughout his set—the man’s collection of dubplates has been next level for years, but then he dropped a brand new exclusive dub for Cham and Damian Marley’s first ever combination, a thing called “Fighter.” By the time Shy FX hit the decks the room was in a frenzy. The “Original Nuttah” producer went in on his  classics and brought along some nice reggae mixes with Gyptian’s “Hold Yuh” and Chaka Demus and Pliers “Murder She Wrote.” Liam Bailey also touched the stage to perform his latest track produced by Shy FX, “Soon Come.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Brit Reggae Awards 2013

    Brit Reggae Awards 2013

    The UK Reggae Biz Honors its Own

    February is reggae month, so what better time of year for the British Reggae Industry Awards to take place? Last night a who’s who of reggae artists and shot-callers came together at the IndigO2 to give recognition to the workin’ peeps in the biz. The evening was packed with good vibes from award presentations to stage performances. One of My fave’s of the night was watching the Scottish band I Foundation. It’s been a minute since Scottish reggae’s been on the radio! They were super cute and they have a sense of humour too: walking past them backstage I overheard one of them saying “I think we need to go to Scotland to get some sun.” Maybe they were serious!?! Anyone who was out on the town in London last night knows it was bloody freezing!

    David Rodigan turned up to collect his award for “Best Male Radio Personality.” Maxi Priest won “Best Male Vocalist.” Alton Ellis’s daughter Lovella picked up “Best Female newcomer” and she also collected “Best Male newcomer” for her brother Christopher Ellis—who was nominated for not 1 but 3 categories. His single “English” was up for best single, and he was also up for best British Video for his cover of his father’s “Williow Tree.” Looks like the Ghetto youth is makin’ moves, just in time for the launch of the Ghetto Youths album next Tuesday. Skibu bagged Best Album & Video, Gappy Ranks received Best MC and Best Single and Jah Shaka took home the award for “Best British Sound System.” Overall it was a night of good vibes and happy sounds in the place. As the compere said, “We nah pay fe scream—it free!” Full List of Winners & Video Interviews After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Live Stream Notting Hill Carnival

    Just Because You’re Not In London Doesn’t Mean You Have To Miss All The Madness

    The biggest street fair in Europe is raging right now. And you feel like you’re missing all the action cause you’re not there. Well fret not. The Red Bull Music Academy is streaming all the action right now. So what you waiting for? (more…)

  • Interview: Reasoning With Rodigan Part 3

    Sir RamJam’s Royal Recognition, His Radio Clash With Barry G, And His Fears For Reggae’s Future

    David Rodigan‘s trophy case must be getting mighty crowded. This year alone the veteran UK selector and radio personality has won the World Clash, received Member of the British Empire honors at Buckingham Palace,  and earlier this month he bagged the Sony Radio Academy Gold Award for Best Specialist Music Programme in recognition of his recent BBC Radio 2 reggae series. But even as his accolades accumulate, Rodigan wastes no time resting on his laurels. He is fully booked through next year with gigs all around the world. And he seems genuinely concerned about the future of the music he loves—as he explains in the third and final installment of our “Reasoning With Rodigan” series… In the first of our exclusive interviews, Rodigan spoke about how he has been able to reach the dubstep generation, and paid respects to the late, great King Stitt. In part 2, the rude boy gentleman recounted his “baptism by fire” at King Tubbys, revealed how his background in theater helped him become a reggae DJ, and explained why he never talks patois on the air. [In case you somehow missed REASONING WITH RODIGAN PART 1 or PART 2, fret not thyself.] In our third and final installment, Rodigan details the roots of his legendary radio clash with Barry G, talks about receiving MBE honors from Prince Charles earlier this year, and voices his concerns that reggae music may have lost its way. OK, let’s get to it. (more…)

  • Interview: Reasoning With Rodigan Part 2

    The Rudeboy Gentleman’s Long & Winding Road From King Tubby’s Dub Studio To Buckingham Palace

    David Rodigan is sometimes referred to as the rudeboy gentleman, a nickname that sums up the apparent contradictions that make the veteran UK selector and radio personality such a singular character. Who else can say that they have cut dubplates in King Tubby’s studio, juggled tunes in King Jammy’s yard, and received royal honors from the Prince of Wales inside Buckingham Palace? Youth like Prince Harry will have to practice long and hard before they can test Rodigan. Because Rodigan has always been more than a DJ—he’s a cultural historian and educator who elucidates the nuances of Jamaican music to a wide audience (and whose dubplate collection is a veritable musical museum.) He’s also a rigorously trained professional actor on stage and television who might have easily chosen another path in life. Last week the selector talked about how he’s reaching the dubstep generation and paid respects to the late, great King Stitt. In part 2 of our series of exclusive interviews, the legendary selector and radio presenter reveals how his girlfriend first landed him a gig on the radio, how his background in theater helps him as a reggae DJ, and why he never talks patois on the air. OK, let’s get to it. [And if you somehow missed REASONING WITH RODIGAN PART 1, fret not thyself.]

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  • David Rodigan Receives Royal Honor

    Reggae Radio Legend To Join “Most Excellent Order Of British Empire”

    Congratulations to David Rodigan, the legendary UK radio personality who will receive a royal order of chivalry, becoming a member of the “Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” for his contributions to broadcasting. Rodigan has represented all forms of reggae music on British airwaves and beyond for over 30 years—from programs on BBC Radio and on KISS FM to countless sound clashes all over the world. No word yet whether Mr. Ram Jam will receive his honor personally from the Queen, but he’s sure to think of her next time he dips in the box and draws for this one. Dub it with your majesty… Ya know? (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Rodigan Rules

    Here’s a throwback clash video demonstrating why selector extraordinaire David Rodigan is still the baddest gringo in the game: First (@ 21 secs) The man carries a murderous dubplate selection. Second (@ 3:19) He wears his Kangol with pride. Third (@ 4:14) He stays in peak physical condition thanks to a rigorous program of isometric exercises. And Fourth (@ 5:22) He refuses point-blank to put cocaine in his spliff, and encourages others to do likewise. Let it go…