Boomshots

Tag: Gentleman

  • Kartel Tops Billboard 10 Best Reggae Albums List

    Kartel Tops Billboard 10 Best Reggae Albums List

    The best of times and the worst of times for lovers of Reggae Music

    For the second year in a row Billboard asked Rob Kenner, founder of Boomshots Media, to pick the 10 Best Reggae Albums of the year. The assignment was particularly significant in this year where Jamaican sounds were all over the airwaves, the pop charts and the Grammy nominations, except that most of the records were not done by Jamaican artists. You could hardly turn on the radio without hearing a half-hour block of dancehall-style tracks, all too often classified under misbegotten names like “tropical house” and “Caribbean bass.” With both Justin Bieber and Rihanna briefly sporting dreadlocks and Drake publicly referring to himself as “the don,” it would be difficult for longtime fans of the music not to catch feelings this year….Consider this list a crib sheet to catch you up on everything you missed while tropical house flooded the airwaves.  Full List After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Gentleman ft. Ky-Mani Marley “Tomorrow” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Gentleman ft. Ky-Mani Marley “Tomorrow” Official Music Video

    Cross-Cultural Collab Imagines A Brighter Future

    Strolling through the streets of old Havana, Gentleman & Ky-Mani invite the listener to “Step out of your comfort zone” on “Tomorrow,” the latest video from their collaborative album, Conversations. Breaking down the walls of musical and cultural apartheid, these eclectic artists—who share a love and respect for reggae while remaining open to all inspiration— joined forces to create a new project free of all self-imposed boundaries, written and recorded in JA with worldwide talents like Shane Brown and Clay in the mix. “Wonder what the world will bring tomorrow?” sings Gentleman on the track, visually interpreted by director Noël Dernesch for It’s Us Media.. “Will it be joy, will it be sorrow?” Ky-Mani offers no easy answers but puts the conversation in broader context. “The world is on the verge of change when nothing stays the same. But if by chance you find it strange. It’s just a part of what’s ordained.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • How Gentleman Buss As A Reggae Artist

    How Gentleman Buss As A Reggae Artist

    The Tunes That Turned This Teenager From Köln, Germany Into A Certified Jamaican Star

    In late 2014 MTV invited Gentleman to record an “Unplugged” album, marking the first time any reggae artist had joined that respected series which has included the likes of Jay Z, Nirvana, and Lauryn Hill. With guest appearances by Shaggy, Ky-Mani Marley, Tanya Stephens, and Christopher Martin as well as the German duo Milky Chance, Gentleman and his acoustic band repped reggae music to the fullest. If it seems strange that a white man born in Germany should be chosen to represent a musical art form created in the Caribbean amongst the surviving descendants of African slaves, then you don’t know Tilmann Otto.  Boomshots recently caught up with the conscious German reggae singer—known to his fans as Gentleman—and spoke with him about his unlikely rise to the top of the reggae business, why it’s such an honor to record the MTV Ungplugged project, and what stories are dominating his attention these days and for the foreseeable future (Think: Songs About The Syrian Refugee Crisis.) Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • PREMIERE: I-Octane “Hello” Mixtape

    PREMIERE: I-Octane “Hello” Mixtape

    Download A Musical Holiday Present From Conquer The Globe X Street Team

    “Them say we would not turn a star but we now become an icon,” sings I-Octane on his aptly titled rub-a-dub selection “Life is What You Make It.” Since setting his mission statement in the establishment of Conquer The Globe productions, the “Hot Ras” has wasted no time moving toward his stated goal. Along the way, I-Octane has proven to be one of those rare artists who are equally adept at classical reggae and straight-up dancehall, one who can keep it conscious while always maintaining his presence in the streets. (Never selling out “the linky” yet managing to stay away from “the waste man dem.”) Witness the artist’s latest mixtape, titled “Hello,” which Boomshots proudly premieres tonight. Mixed by DJ Cory of Street Team (Alkaline’s official tour DJ), this 43-track juggling comprises a succinct survey of Octane’s latest & greatest recordings to date, ranging from reality tunes like “Time Will Come” and “It’s Alright” featuring Gentleman, all the way to  hardcore tracks like “Flick Duppy” and “Straight Stinger” not to mention “Above Dem,” Octane’s big collab with the Gully Gad and Alkaline. For the diehard fans, call it a holiday present. For those who haven’t been paying such close attention, consider it a wake up call. HELLO! Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Richie Stephens & Gentleman Speak On Their New Album

    Richie Stephens & Gentleman Talk International Collaboration with Winford Williams at “OnStageTV”

    Sometimes the best collaborations just happen when you least expect it. In the case of Richie Stephens and Gentleman, it began with a tragedy. Richie Stephens’ son, Demar Graham, also known as Copper Cat, was shot down in front of his house and passed away. As a way to help ease the singer’s pain, the German reggae star Gentleman invited Stephens to come tour with him for a bit and they created the very popular single, “Live Your Life.” The single received such positive feedback that Stephens and Gentleman decided to get to work and make an album together. Finally ready to share with everyone their highly anticipated album, Stephens and Gentleman decided to head to OnStageTV to share the good news. Video after the jump…

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