Boomshots

Tag: Freddie McGregor

  • WATCH THIS: Di Genius & Chino “Family” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Di Genius & Chino “Family” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Musical Christmas Gift From The Big Ship Fam

    Merry Christmas! If you’re truly blessed, right now you’re surrounded by loved ones on this special morning. Friends are friends, and sometimes they come and go—but family is forever. Jamaica’s Big Ship family is no exception. Growing up as the sons of reggae legend Freddie McGregor may have been the greatest gift Daniel and Stephen ever received. Maybe that’s why they’ve gifted the whole Boomshots massive with a musical gift to remind us what the holidays are all about: Di Genius & Chino alongside Di Captain himself with a musical thing called “Family.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Top Ten At-Sea Selections

    Top Ten At-Sea Selections

    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…)

  • Freddie McGregor & Chino Pon Radio Lily

    Freddie McGregor & Chino Pon Radio Lily

    The Big Ship Family Sails Through The Strictly Boomshots Show

    Last week’s show was an epic two-parter. No sooner had Mr. Easy vacated RadioLily on his way to a Brooklyn studio session than we got word that the Big Ship crew was in town. Of course Di Captain and Chino had many moves to make, but they found time to drop anchor at Houston and Sullivan for some late night reasoning and a couple of freestyles too. Listen to Chino spitting hot fire over the Duck riddim, and listen to Freddie McGregor talking about the construction of Big Ship studio and what he learned from Bob Marley at Studio One.  Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Chino & Di Genius “Roots Sound”

    We Nah Trade Nothing for the Reggae Roots Rock
    FreddyStephenChinoMcGregorBoomshots
    The Big Ship brothers are best known for blazing up dancehall tracks. Now they’ve come together to bless lovers of classical reggae with “Roots Sound,” a new song that pays tribute to the musical tradition that allowed their father Freddie McGregor to build up the studio they work in every day. Of course Chino and Di Genius gave the whole thing their own next-generation 2013 flair, all while tipping their hat to their father as well as classic tunes by Dennis Brown and Tony Rebel. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Tobago Jazz Experience Kicks Off This Week

    Tobago Jazz Experience Kicks Off This Week

    Soca, Reggae, and R&B in A Lush Tropical Setting

    The island of Trinidad is synonymous with carnival and you may still be recovering from February’s ordeal, but in the month of April the focus shifts to the beautifully laid-back sister island of Tobago where it’s all about the Jazz Experience. Sun, sea, sand and soca – whats not to love!?!?! This year the Tobago Jazz Experience sees appearances from international acts India Arie and Melanie Fiona—both of whom have worked with major names in the reggae world such as the Morgan Heritage fam & the Marleys. Full Lineup and Photo Gallery After The Jump… (more…)

  • Konshens Pays Respect To 47 Reggae Superstars Who Paved the Way

    Konshens Pays Respect To 47 Reggae Superstars Who Paved the Way

    Who And Who Rates As An Icon Inna The Business?

    Remember when Shabba Ranks dropped that tune “Respect“? “Step by step you haffi climb the ladder / The elders you haffi show respect fah.” It’s plan to see that Konshens got the message. He may be on top of the game now, but he’s not one of those “likkle entertainers” who lose sight of the fact that their opportunities came from icons before him. The Dancehall artist recent single, “Icon,” on the Bad Bounce riddim, pays tribute to a long list of certified icons, all of whom helped “put the spotlight on we island” and established the worldwide success of Jamaican music.Audio & Photo Gallery After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Freddie McGregor “Equal Rights”

    A Fresh Take On A Studio Classic Off The New Album, Di Captain—In Stores Today
    freddie_mcgregor3BOOM
    “These songs were very specially chosen,” says reggae stalwart Freddie McGregor of the selections on his latest album, Di Captain. The album’s title refers to Freddie’s signature hit “Big Ship,” also the name of his renowned Kingston recording studio, whose name has been kept hot by his music-making sons Stephen “Di Genius” and Chino. “We took the greatest pains in making sure these would be classic songs that will last for a long time. I chose songs like ‘Equal Rights’ because I love the message and because the youth need to hear it. Featuring live bass and harmonies by former Heptones frontman Leroy Sibbles himself, this remake of a song that was first released in the midst of the Civil Rights struggle is more than a cover version; it’s a celebration. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas & Friends “Sweet Jamaica” All-Star Remix Video

    Who Say Jamaica Sweet? Mr. Vegas, Shaggy, Josey Wales, U Roy, Barrington Levy, Cocoa Tea, Christopher Martin, Freddie McGregor, Leroy Sibbles, Marcia Griffiths, Ce’Cecile, Singing Melody, Tony Curtis, Beenie Man, and T.O.K. That’s Who.

    Of all the tunes released in honor of Jamaica’s Golden Anniversary, the people’s choice appears to be “Sweet Jamaica” by Mr. Vegas featuring Shaggy and Josey Wales. Never one to bite his tongue, Mr. Vegas vigorously defended his own tune when another song—”On A Mission,” produced by Shaggy no less—was designated the official theme of Jamaica’s independence celebration. As if the original version wasn’t sweet enough, Vegas just dropped the maddest remix of “Sweet Jamaica” with another Jay Will video to match. When Vegas calls this an “All-Star” remix he isn’t kidding—we’re talking DJs from Daddy U-Roy to Beenie Man, singers from Leroy Sibbles to Cocoa Tea to Marcia Griffiths to Barrington Levy—and many many more. With all this talent on one track, this selection simply cannot be denied. #CertifiedBoomshot. Memo to the tourist board—maybe it’s time for a new theme song.

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  • Junior Gong To Set Up Shop at London’s Indig02 TWICE

    Damian, Stephen, and Julian Marley—With The Whole Ghetto Youths Crew—Kick Off Respect Jamaica 50

    The UK’s gonna be ram-a-jam this summer. Not only will London be hosting the 2012 Olympics but it’s also the site of 12 consecutive nights of reggae shows at the Indig02 in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence. Kicking off the string of concerts on Wednesday July 26th will be Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, who will be joined by his brothers Stephen and Julian as well as the Ghetto Youths crew—Wayne “Go Hard” Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I, and Joe Mersa. They recently added an extra show on Thursday the 27th due to popular demand. If you were at the Marley concert at the Best Buy Theatre in NYC this Spring, then you already know this show is going to be A-Mazing!  (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Freddie McGregor “You Won’t See Me”

    First Single From The New Big Ship Album “The Captain”

    These days the name “Big Ship” brings to mind the cutting-edge dancehall productions of Stephen and Chino McGregor, but make no mistake, father Freddie is the captain of the ship. In case you didn’t know, the studio was named for one of Freddie’s best loved hits—”Big ship sailing on the ocean / We don’t need no commotion.” Just in time for Father’s Day, Freddie has come back with a nice new reggae-matic cover of a classic Beatles selection. Check it out after the jump. (more…)

  • Buju Announces “Before The Dawn” Show Lineup

    First Concert In A Year To Take Place Jan. 16 At Miami’s Bayfront Park

    (Photograph by Marlon “Ajamu” Myrie)

    After spending the past year behind bars on drug charges, Grammy-nominated Reggae star Buju Banton is free on bail and making plans to return to the stage at Miami’s Bayfront Memorial Park one month from today. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Chino “From Morning” Live

    From Big Ship Studio Kingston, JA to Santos Party House NYC

    Brother 2 brother, here’s Chino live in session with Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, plus the Big Ship Family live on stage in NYC doing the big tune “From Morning” plus a thing called “Bad Mind.” Strictly Boomshots.com.