Tag: Irie Jam

  • Reasoning with Jack Scorpio: “Good Music Come In Like The Bible”

    Reasoning with Jack Scorpio: “Good Music Come In Like The Bible”

    Heartical Words of Wisdom From the Founder of Black Scorpio Sound System And Record Label

    Among the many icons, legends and superstars we were able to link up at Irie Jam’s recent 23 anniversary celebration concert was elder statesman Jack Scorpio of Black Scorpio sound. A giant in the industry and among men, this powerful pioneer has had his hands on the careers of a cornucopia of crème de la crème cultural current creators from Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs to Garnet Silk and Luciano to Beenie Man, Buju and Mega Banton to Capleton, Bounty Killer, Barrington Levy and Shabba Ranks of Jamaica’s Order of Distinction.  As a man who has launched legacies and banged out hits with the best of the best, Jack Scorpio knows a thing or two about the rules of engagement in the love and war of Dancehall and Roots and Culture Reggae. “My history too long fi talk,” said the tall man dressed in full white—but with a bit of perseverance, we convinced him to give it a try, and he took the time to share his insights with the BOOMSHOTS TV cameras.

    Jack Scorpio doesn’t come out to events often, but he was pleased that he attended Irie Jam’s 23rd anniversary and had positive vibes to share, especially of rising sun, Jahmiel, who he wants to work with, and the things Jahmiel had to share in terms of critiques of the current Dancehall culture. Scorpio likened today’s Dancehall to destructive drug dealing and called for balance. “Good music come like the bible,” he says, and it’s time for artists, and the selectors who play the chunes, to take it to the next level and make immortal music. Turn on and tune in as Jack Scorpio reasons on Dancehall dimensions, trends on the changing winds, and why hit songs with stamina and staying power solidify like Holy Scripture. Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Irie Jam Sizzles with Sizzla, Anthony B & Friends

    Irie Jam Sizzles with Sizzla, Anthony B & Friends

    Tropical Storm Stays Far, Roots Vibrations Catch A Fire At Queens Stage Show

    On Sunday, September 4, boom chunes reverberated from early afternoon across the pristine greens of Queens’ Roy Wilkins Park. It was Irie Jam Radio’s 23rd Anniversary and heavyweights were out in full force to celebrate. Though fallout from a tropical storm was supposed to drown out the festivities, Bobby Clarke and the Irie Jam family kept on “Holding Firm” and in the end the only thunder and lightning came from the line-up of roots rock reggae entertainers. The jewel in the crown of these royal revelries was the return of Sizzla Kalonji to the New York City stage. After enduring over eight years of the artist’s absence, being reunited never felt so good. Photos After The Jump…
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  • “LAVAAA!!!” The Irie Flame of I-Wayne

    “LAVAAA!!!” The Irie Flame of I-Wayne

    Lava Splash! Fire Dash! Everything Burn To Ash

    Sunday September 4th marked Irie Jam’s 23rd Anniversary concert spotlighting Sizzla Kalonji’s return-to-New-York performance after eight long years of absence. The supporting superstar line-up to the sizzling stage show included an artist who personifies lines from Kalonji’s “King in the Jungle.”  Seated up so high, yet so humble, I-Wayne brought his celestial presence and the hard/soft balance of his cool and deadly style to the Irie Jam Radio massive in the leafy green confines of Roy Wilkins Park. Mainstream airwaves aren’t the lane for I-Wayne. As the Prophet Capleton once put it, he is on a mission, not in a competition. To see him truly manifest is to catch him live in the flesh. After a seething set that made knowledge born that his musical ministry is service to the people—not about bulleting Billboard or gaining Grammys—we linked up with the Loyal Soliders Promotion crew backstage. I-Wayne broke it down with Boomshots as to what the Irie Jam performance meant to him, burning a righteous fire, and shedding light on the livity of a lava lyricist. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Sizzla: “I’m a Different Sort; I Man a Rasta”

    Reasoning with Sizzla: “I’m a Different Sort;
    I Man a Rasta”

    Kalonji Speaks on U.S. Tour and Black Lives Matter

    It’s been 8 years since Sizzla Kalonji has touched down in NYC, so history was made yesterday he officially announced his big return to New York for Irie Jamboree this Labor Day weekend Sept 4, 2016. Passing through town on the way home from what he calls an “awesome” performance at Reggae on the River, Sizzla Kalonji stopped by Irie Jam Media HQ to connect with his Tristate fans and let them know that he really is back in U.S. once again after years of visa issues. Before going on the air with Jabba and Dubbmaster Chris, Sizzla sat down with Robert Cooper, doing his first interview for Boomshots TV. They spoke about Sizzla’s plans for touring and recording while in the U.S., and took time out to discuss Kalonji’s thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Sasco, Cham, Tanya, Jovi & Omari Shell Down SXSW 2016, Represent Reggae & Dancehall To The Fullest

    Sasco, Cham, Tanya, Jovi & Omari Shell Down SXSW 2016, Represent Reggae & Dancehall To The Fullest

    Irie Jam x Boomshots Make History at SXSW 2016

    With tens of thousands of performers, panels, and premieres packed into nine short days, SXSW is all about FOMO. Whether you’re in Austin or not, Fear Of Missing Out is simply inevitable. So fret not thyself if you didn’t get a chance to witness Irie Jam and Boomshots making history with the greatest reggae and dancehall showcase in SXSW history. We’ve got you covered.  Video & Photos After The Jump… (more…)

  • The Don Dada Returns To NYC: Super Cat Confirmed for Memorial Day Performance

    The Don Dada Returns To NYC: Super Cat Confirmed for Memorial Day Performance

    Irie Jam Productions Confirms Super Cat For Oracabessa Festival 2016

    Although it took root in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica, Reggae has always been a majestic music. From the days of Bob Marley and Dennis Brown there have been certain artists who always bring that royal vibes to forefront. And while many great artists have played their part within the music fraternity, many shall be called and few chosen. These are the artists whose every public appearance, every performance, indeed every utterance is a major event for lovers of reggae music. In the dancehall era  living legends live Shabba Ranks have carried the music forward to the highest heights. Another such name is that of the Wild Apache, the Don Dada, Super Cat. Today Irie Jam Productions confirmed that Super Cat will take the stage at the Oracabessa Music Festival in Jamaica Queens this Memorial Day—Monday, May 30th. Mr. Cat joins an all-star lineup that includes Mavado, Ken Boothe, The Mighty Sparrow, Nesbeth, and rising star Vershon making this all-day festival a must-see event. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • “Sounds From The Caribbean Stage” Showcase at SXSW Reps Reggae & Dancehall To The World

    “Sounds From The Caribbean Stage” Showcase at SXSW Reps Reggae & Dancehall To The World

    W&R Projects x Irie Jam x Boomshots Link Up To Make Music History

    Launching as a regional music festival in 1987, SXSW (pronounced “South By Southwest”) has grown by leaps and bounds to become one of the biggest cultural events in the world—expanding to a nine-day marathon encompassing Film and Interactive as well as Music. Major motion pictures like Neighbors, 21 Jump Street, and Bridesmaids as well as the TV series Girls have premiered and secured distribution deals at SXSW. Major digital startups like Twitter and Foursquare debuted at SXSW. But music is the lifeblood of the festival, with over 28,000 artists participating last year, from unknown hopefuls (John Mayer and James Blunt are just two of the future stars to be discovered at SXSW in years past) to bonafide megastars (Kanye West, Prince, Lil Wayne and Jay Z have all performed there in recent years). One area that has been woefully under-represented at SXSW has been Reggae. But this year, W&R Projects have linked with Irie Jam and Boomshots to represent reggae and dancehall music to the world at this influential gathering of media tastemakers and industry power-players.  Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • Just Kickin’ It At Irie Jam’s Celebrity Soccer Match

    Artiste All-Stars defeated in a shoot out… Ajamu shoots all the action.

    Don’t watch the pretty smile—when it comes to football, Spice is not rampin’.

    It just wouldn’t be summer without the Irie Jam Celebrity Soccer Match, one of the coolest places to meet and greet your favorite reggae stars in a relaxed setting. One week ago today the 10th Anniversary showdown went down in Roy Wilikins Park in Queens, co-sponsored by the late great Asylum Nightclub. As you’ll see after the jump, an irie time was had by all (and the ladies in the crowd were stylin’ extra hard). We woulda posted these shots for you sooner but these biting blogs out here got us watermarking each and every one of Ajamu’s priceless images. (more…)