Boomshots

Tag: Gregory Isaacs

  • K Queens: Dancehall Royalty

    K Queens: Dancehall Royalty

     

    Dancehall’s Regal Twins Discuss Their Career and Their Collaborative New Single

    Twin sisters, Kaydine and Kerrine Francis, K Queens, have sung in close harmony from a young age. Sharing the stage for over a decade, K Queens have earned dancehall’s highest ratings. Their latest single “Jamdown Ranking” produced by Sugar Bear, on Rayvon’s GTC (Get That Cheddar Entertainment) Label; distributed by Tuff Gong International, is a remake of Althea and Donna (Althea Forrest and Donna Max de Reid)’s “Uptown Ranking.” The song’s “I’m Still in Love” riddim, was originally produced by Joe Gibbs in 1977. Alton Ellis hit song “I’m Still In Love” on this riddim, was later covered by Marcia Aitkens in 1987. In 2002, Sean Paul and Sasha revitalized the song, “I’m Still in Love” on the album, “Dutty Rock.” In the summer of 2018, Jay-Z and Beyonce used Aitken’s version of “I’m Still in Love” in the promotional ad for their second tour. In November 2018, K Queens laid down Up-to-Date lyrics over the Sugar Bear remodeled beat, for the modern, “Jamdown Ranking.” We caught up with the Duo, K Queens to discuss their music over time and their latest musical projects. Interview After The Jump…

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  • Kabaka Pyramid to Perform at SOBs for US Kontraband Tour

    Kabaka Pyramid to Perform at SOBs for US Kontraband Tour

    Kabaka Pyramid Prepares to Perform at Legendary Venue 

    From the onset of his career, Kabaka Pyramid made it clear, that he would not only make his mark as a lyricist, but also set the stage for conversations of social change. He has perfectly planned every step of his career, to show his evolution as an artist. This Thanksgiving season, specifically “Black Friday,” he will perform live with the “Bebble Rockers” band at the legendary Sounds of Brazil (Sobs) for his US Kontraband Tour. Kontraband is Kabaka Pyramid’s debut album, executively produced by Damian Marley, winner of the 2018 Grammy Award for the Best Reggae Album. More After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Addis Pablo ft. Shanique Marie “From Morning” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Addis Pablo ft. Shanique Marie “From Morning” Official Music Video

    Boomshots Premieres A Hot Dub Collaboration

    We last met up with Addis Pablo in 2017, at the Greensleeves Records 40th Anniversary on his dad, Augustus Pablo’s birthday, June 21.  He spoke of how his dad taught him all the basic chords and melodies and how he was working very hard to become his “own creative force.” Since then Addis Pablo paid tribute to his father in 2018, alongside his sister, Isis Swaby at the Apple Store New York in Williamsburg, drawing a diverse crowd of VP Records executives and “The Nomads.” Now he releases the visual for “From Morning,” a collaboration with Shanique Marie, and a single off his Majestic Melodies EP.   Interview and Video After The Jump…

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  • Macka Diamond: Diamonds Are Forever

    Macka Diamond: Diamonds Are Forever

     Macka Diamond Keeps Getting Better With Time

    Dancehall artist Macka Diamond plans to take her career to the next level in 2017.  With the release of a new single, “25 inches,” her signature high-pitched, breathy vocals sound more fierce than ever. The dancehall arena is for the survival of the fittest and Macka shows that she is fully equipped with promotional photographs in full body paint. Collaborating with the best producers, she aspires to drop a one drop album and embark on a U.S. Tour. This diamond shows clearly shows that she is cut by a cloth of longevity. We spoke to Macka Diamond about how she became an empowered woman in dancehall. Interview After The Jump

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  • Purple Haze Playlist: Keida, Sizzla, Wiz Khalifa, Marlon Asher and More!

    Purple Haze Playlist: Keida, Sizzla, Wiz Khalifa, Marlon Asher and More!

    Songs For Deep Thought and Meditation

    The color is purple, signifying a richness in color or potency.  Purple lyrics have a wealth of consciousness that takes you to higher heights. Most of the songs were selected for purple lyrics or purple live performances in studio or concert that etch an indelible mark on the canvas of the mind. Playlist After The Jump… (more…)

  • The Love Chocolate Playlist

    The Love Chocolate Playlist

    Boomshots Presents A Multi-Genre Playlist for Valentine’s 2016

    It’s that time again, lovers. This article features 14 decadent tunes in Reggae, Jazz, Contemporary, and Rhythm and Blues, for your listening pleasure. The songs were selected based on the artist/talent, lyrical content and overall sound. More After The Jump… (more…)

  • Jah Cure Talks Grammy Nomination, Freedom for Buju & The Life He Lives

    Jah Cure Talks Grammy Nomination, Freedom for Buju & The Life He Lives

    Reshma B Reasons With Iyacure Pon Di Cruise

    Nobody had more fun on this year’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise than Jah Cure. The World Singer is always appreciative when he gets the chance to reach an international audience, particularly since visa issues have prevented fans in the UK and the USA  fr0m seeing him perform in their part of the world. If he stepped onto the ship with an extra spring in his step this year, maybe it was due to the fact that his latest album The Cure, spent several weeks on top of Billboard’s Reggae chart this year. And although he didn’t yet know that it was about to be nominated for a Grammy—the singer’s first—he had a good feeling about it. His performance was nothing short of electrifying. He sang about “the wicked people and badmind, lurking in the dark” but onstage his spirit soared. He took a moment to livicate his performance to incarcerated reggae star Buju Banton, and spoke of how the artist checked for him when he was behind bars. After the performance, Jah Cure sat down with the Reggae Girl About Town for an in-depth conversation. He discussed his strategy in putting his latest album together, how sought to incorporate diverse sounds and styles in a pleasing blend, similar to a fruit cocktail. What comes through in the final analysis is a man who has come through many a struggle without ever seeming “struggled,” and one who feels deeply satisfied with a job well done. “My bad days prepared me for my good days,” he told RGAT. “And I’m so blessed…. I’m living like a King.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Flashback Friday: Red Rose For Gregory

    Flashback Friday: Red Rose For Gregory

    The Unexpected Gift 

    On December 6, 2008,  I arrived at the Hammerstein Ballroom and met  a  large crowd, which gathered together  on a snowy night, for the  Jamrock Magazine, 4th Annual Vintage Fest, promoted by David “Squeeze” Annakie. Unfortunately, the line to purchase tickets  at the door was so long that security announced, “No one else can come in, ”  after a threshold point. A photographer standing next to me said follow me.  As we walked towards a back entrance, she  said “Who do you want to meet, I know everyone.” My first time being back stage at a concert definitely came as a surprise and  I was introduced to several  living legends, including, Frankie Paul,  Sugar Minott,  Brigadier Jerry, Carlton Livingston, Nadine Sutherland and Coco Tea. More After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Jemere Morgan “International Love” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jemere Morgan “International Love” Official Music Video

    Dada’s Son Gives The Ladies Something Sweet Off His New Mixtape

    Jemere Morgan is just like every teenage boy in that he loves to play basketball and Xbox, listens to music, go to the movies and hang out with his friends. However there is one aspect of his life that is not so typical and that is the fact that he was born into one of Reggae’s most influential musical family, Morgan Heritage, his Father, Gramps Morgan and Grandfather, Denroy Morgan. Proving to be a chip off the old block, Jemere’s love affair with music began when he went on the Vans Warped tour with his Father and his family in 2000 for 7 weeks. Seeing his Father and his band mates, Morgan Heritage, perform inspired Jemere so much that he knew that music was the only thing that he wanted to do with his life. In 2011 he got the opportunity of a lifetime when he opened for Morgan Heritage on their European Tour. The experience proved to be a very pivotal moment in his career as he was able to showcase his talents on an international stage.  As a result he’s seen a lot of lovely ladies around the world, and apparently they were the inspiration for this tune, set to the rhythm of Gregory Isaacs’ “Stranger In Town.” The track, produced by Rellee Hayden for A-Team Music, is taken from Jemere’s new mixtape, Jemere’s Jukebox, which you can enjoy in full, after the jump. Audio & Video After The Jump…

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  • Diplo and The Clash Talk “Paper Planes,” Reggae Music

    Diplo and The Clash Talk “Paper Planes,” Reggae Music

    The Seminal UK Punk Band and the Producer Reason with The Reggae Girl About Town

    Combat Rock was the last studio album by seminal UK punk band The Clash. Released in 1982, the disc contained two of the band’s biggest hit, “Rock the Casbah” and “Should I Stay Or Should I Go.” But 25 years later another cut from the album—the reggae-tinged cut “Straight To Hell”—would top the charts around the world. M.I.A. and her DJ Diplo sampled The Clash original to make “Paper Planes,” which became the biggest hit in either artists’ career. The track became so popular that Kanye West sampled the M.I.A. record to make another record called “Swagga Like Us,” which he performed on the Grammys with Jay Z, Lil Wayne, T.I., and a very pregnant M.I.A. It was kind of a big deal. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Melanie Fiona Picks Her 10 Favorite Reggae & Dancehall Songs

    Melanie Fiona Picks Her 10 Favorite Reggae & Dancehall Songs

    The Grammy-Winning R&B Star Is A Bashment Girl At Heart

    Melanie Fiona is best known for heart-wrenching hits like “It Kills Me” and “4 A.M.,” which have made the soulful singer a major star among American R&B fans. The two-time Grammy winner grew up in Toronto as the daughter of first-generation Guaynese immigrants. Her Caribbean influences have always been clear to the educated ear, from her dramatic vocal delivery to specific songs like “Somebody Come Get Me,” which was released under her old nom-de-reggae Syren Hall, as well as “No Cigarette Smoke,” her smoldering duet with Stephen Marley. Melanie continues to flaunt her Caribbean colors on “All My Love,” a new reggae-flavored duet with Toronto soul singer Glenn Lewis. Listening to the song there’s no mistaking the fact that Melanie’s Caribbean roots run deep. So we thought it would be cool to ask her to pick her top 10 reggae and dancehall tracks. Her picks speak volumes about her musical taste, her artistic temperment, and (dare we say it?) MF’s wild side. Click through the gallery above to check out Melanie’s selections and then read her candid conversation with Reshma B. Video And Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Gregory Isaacs “Night Nurse” (Strip Mix)

    Necessary Mayhem Remixes The Cool Ruler
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    Curtis Lynch Jr. has been serving up bass-heavy dancehall tracks with next generation UK artists for a hot minute now. But his latest production on the Necessary Mayhem imprint is very much on the classic tip. Gregory Isaacs Remixes brings the Cool Ruler’s catalog into 2013, reworking those Roots Radics and Sly & Robbie tracks with heaping mounds of bass and fresh new frequencies. Check out what he did with “Night Nurse,” in this exclusive Boomshots premiere. Audio After The Jump…
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