Gully Gaad And Gaza’s Most Wanted Pulling Triggers On The RiRi-Mix
Big shout 2 the Gully Gaad, the Teacha, and—as L.A. says—the Good Girl Gone Bad For Good. (Easy nuh Breezy.) Big shout 2 Chimney Productions (aka Chimney Motion Pictures) for the big bad “Movie Star” riddim. Big shout 2 Mike D on the RiRi-Mix. Big up Johnny Wonder anyweh u deh—blessed earthday. Let it go…
[audio:https://www.boomshots.com/tunes/MovieStarRemix3.mp3]40 Years Later The Mighty Diamonds Trinity Is Harder Than Ever
Fifteen years ago I had the distinct pleasure of reasoning with Tabby Diamonds, the man seated on the center stool in this classic clip from a session at the legendary Channel One Studio. Our conversation that day took place at another studio—the also legendary Don One dub studio in Brooklyn. The bright, upful spirit that you sense watching Tabby lay down his sensitive vocals is the same spirit that he brings in person. And despite being a 25-year veteran of the reggae industry, he was strikingly youthful. “Every interview we do, people remark on how youthful he looks,” said his bredren who carried Tabby to the studio that day. “They want to know what is his secret.” (more…)
“No Games” Singer Picks Landmark Reggae Records For VIBE.com
With smash hits like “No Games” and “She Loves Me,” Jamaican producer/vocalist Serani has a gift for taking raw uncut dancehall to the pop charts. With his debut album No Games about to drop October 27 on Phase One Records, the new & improved VIBE.com asked him to pick 5 of his favorite hardcore reggae cuts that broke through outernationally, paving the way for him to climb the ladder of success. (more…)
Mad Gal Spice Keeps It Mad Real: “We Know What It’s Like To Struggle”
Though she’s best known for racy tunes like “Rampin’ Shop” there’s another side to the dancehall diva known as Spice.
15 Years After Bob Marley, A Second Reggae Artist Is In The Running
“Very few single albums can be said to have changed music forever,” reads the official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ballot entry for Jimmy Cliff, who’s in the running to be inducted in 2009, the 25th year of the Hall’s existence. “Jimmy Cliff’s The Harder They Come is one. The album—and the movie that spawned it—introduced reggae to a worldwide audience and changed the image of the genre from a cruise ship soundtrack to music of inspiration and rebellion.” (more…)
Sweet New Singer On The Scene Defends His Position
“My life soon sort out,” sings G Whizz on the slow-rolling Moodswing riddim from TJ Productions. And now that his tune has topped the Hype TV Top 20 chart for two weeks in a row, his words are coming true. But the competition isn’t sleeping… (more…)
You Wonder Who’s Next From The Gully? Wonder No More…
Live and direct from Cassava Piece, Chase to the Cross runs through some big selections from his growing catalog, displaying the stylistic versatility that has people talking about this Gully representer who’s quick to flip from bluesy singing to a straight-up rap flow. (more…)
Winston Rodney Dashes Another Fire Under The Genovese Explorer
It might not be his favorite holiday, but this Monday may be Burning Spear’s best Columbus Day ever. The roots reggae legend has been calling Christopher Columbus “a damn blasted liar” since 1980, when he dropped Hail H.I.M. (more…)
Vybz Kartel Speaks On Mavado, Mad Max, And Those Masonic Rumors
In last week’s episode, Kartel broke down his roots of the Gaza/Gully conflict, and insisted that his lyrics were strictly entertainment, even as he called himself “the realest thing.” But what is the truth about his interest in Freemasonry? And is there any lyric that even he would consider too much? (more…)
As New Album Drops, Kartel Speaks On Music, War, and Life Pon Di Gaza
Adidja Palmer is a study in contradictions. According to a recent survey commissioned by the University of the West Indies, the DJ known as Vybz Kartel is dancehall’s most popular artist. On the other hand, his one-time mentor Bounty Killer recently said the biggest regret of his career was helping to “buss” the young lyricial prodigy from Portmore. “Kartel is the worst thing to happen to dancehall music,” Killer said of the artist who inspired his recent tune “Ungrateful Hell Bwoy” (a response to his former protege’s scathing “Bownty’s Killer”). After Kartel and Mavado’s epic confrontation at Sting 2008, anticipation is building for this year’s lyrical contest between di Teacha and the Warlord. But Kartel’s complexities don’t stop there. When we spoke last week by telelphone, the man behind controversial tunes like “Rampin’ Shop” and “Virginity” had just completed a back-to-school book giveaway, and was organizing a new juggling called the Schoolyard riddim, encouraging students to stay in school and out of trouble. Yet even as the Gaza vs Gully rivalry continues to simmer in the streets, the prolific, provocative lyricist insists on absolute artistic freedom, no matter the consequences. So who is the real Vybz Kartel? And what is di Teacha really teaching? Tune in and decide for yourself…
Trying To Live Peacefully But… “They keep mixing me up in politics.”
The former Shower Posse boss as he appeared on BET’s American Gangster.
This past week, rumors that Vivian Blake had been killed in Kingston were running wild. Ever since the former Shower Posse leader returned to Jamaica this past January after serving time in U.S. Federal prison, he has kept a low profile and focused on writing and taking care of his health and his family. When reports of his death began circulating on the evening of September 21, U.S.-based film producer Curtis Scoon reached out to Blake, who granted this exclusive interview in hopes of separating fact from fiction. (more…)
Federation Sound, Business Class, & Equinoxx Longside J.O.P. So Sick!
Pree the preview, then click through for the brand new mix from the DJ who spits strictly rapidfire lyrics. (more…)