Sexy Songstress Cherine Hits Us With Another Jamaican Olympic Anthem
The Jamaican track team just tun it up inna London sparking a slew of patriotic filled songs. Not to be left out the beautiful Cherine adds her own into mix comparing JA’s track and field accomplishments to the resilience and fighting spirit born into every proud Jamaican. (more…)
Laza Representing To The Fullest
The man who brought us “One By One” last summer is back with another banger. “We Rep JA” is the name of the tune on the Rep JA riddim, but the music is just the beginning. RepJA is also a Caribbean Streetwear lifestyle brand with a simple message: “Dem Nuh Bad Like We!!!.” Check their tumblr for a glimpse of their designs and pree the tune after the jump.
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“Emancipate Yourselves From Mental Slavery” And Let Every Day Be Emancipation Day
On this day in 1838, Queen Victoria’s Slavery Abolition Act ended slavery throughout the British Empire—decades before President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation abolishing slavery in the United States. Governmental decrees are all well and good, but as Bob Marley reminds us in his timeless classic “Redemption Song,” “none but ourselves can free our minds.” As Jamaica approaches its 50th year of independence, the Gong’s words ring truer than ever. Video after the jump. (more…)
A Full Clip Of Certified Boomshots From The Late Great Dancehall Singer
One of the greatest vocalists of the New York dancehall scene, Sluggy Ranks, died this past weekend at the age of 44 following a car crash in Kingston. Born Andrew Gregory in Jamaica, Sluggy moved to Brooklyn as a youth and soon began recording for local producers, releasing numerous classic tracks on the Jah Life, Witty’s, Park Heights, Shelly’s, Digital English, Tan Yah, and Wild Apache labels throughout the 1980s and ’90s. He eventually became a foundation artist within the NYC reggae community. A mainstay at Don One dub studio, Sluggy was known for hard-edged yet conscious lyrics and his trademark “EEE” ad-lib. Although he could charge top dollar to put his voice on dubplate, Sluggy was always willing to work with a small sound to help another “Ghetto Youth Buss.” Anytime he took up the mic in a live dancehall session, excitement was sure to follow. According to his obituary on Billboard.biz, he adopted the name Sluggy Ranks as a means of “shooting the slugs of destruction, murder and chaos with righteousness, unity and forgiveness.” Let’s take a look back at the man’s musical legacy. Rest In Power Mr. Slug.
New Film Tells The Story Of How Snoop Dogg Became Snoop Lion
Yesterday was a big day for Snoop Dogg Lion, and for reggae music. One of the biggest icons in hip-hop history called a press conference to discuss his first-ever reggae album, titled Reincarnated. But the record—produced by Diplo and the Major Lazer posse—is only the beginning. Snoop’s epic trip to Jamaica and his transformation from Snoop Dogg, hardcore rap star to Snoop Lion, Rasta reggae singer is chronicled in a documentary film produced by VICE Media that will premiere this fall at the Toronto Film Festival. Check out the official trailer after the jump. (more…)
Gong To The Zilla Blazes Sumfest On His Birthday, Then Chops It Up With The Reggae Girl About Town
After mashing up the final night of Reggae Sumfest 2012, Junior Gong tells Reshma B all about the new Ghetto Youths movement. Video after the jump.
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Happy Birthday To The King of Kings
Exactly 120 years ago today, Tafari Makonnen was born in the Harar province of Ethiopia. He would go on to become His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, still revered by the Rastafarian movement and countless reggae songs as the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. In short, a Black God incarnate. When Emperor Selassie visited Jamaica On April 21, 1966 he was greeted like a messiah. Video after the jump. (more…)
The Maybach Music Bawse Blazes It Up In Jamrock
Ricky Rozay flashed down to Jamaica last weekend to blaze some trees, put on a show, and holla at de gyal dem. “I see so many beautiful ladies in the crowd,” Ross said between tunes. “Y’all know how to take care of the big-belly rudeboy.” Check the video after the jump. (more…)
Singjay Says His Own Tune Would Be A Better Choice; Blames “Bias and Favoritism”
Never one to hold his tongue, Mr. Vegas has made his feelings known about “On A Mission,” the song Shaggy produced to celebrate Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence. “No disrespect to the producers or artists on this 50th anniversary song,” the singer wrote in an online message board, “but if this is the music that best represent our 50 years of independence, then I need to fall back to sleep & don’t wake up.” (more…)
Brand New Combination From The London Boy and the Starbwoy
First they teamed up for “Every Gal,” now Chip & Mavado are after “More Gyal.” Their strategy to get them is a simple matter of supply & demand. Supply more money and you’re sure to be very much in demand. (more…)
Rumor Has It That Some Very Big Names Are Still To Be Added
Reggae Sumfest, a.k.a. “The Greatest Reggae Show on Earth,” will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this July. Year in and year out, Sumfest has showcased the best of Jamaican music and brought some of the world’s best known international artists to rock out alongside reggae’s biggest stars. But don’t get it twisted—while folks like Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, and Lil Wayne tend to get most of the media hype, the fact is that Thursday’s Dancehall Night always draws the biggest crowds each and every year. The lineup for this year’s Dancehall Night has just been announced, so click through to find out who will be blazing up the stage this year.
The Original Dancehall General Passes Through Radio Lily To Nice Up The Strictly Boomshots Show
Brigadier Jerry has more lyrics in his big toe than most DJs have in their whole catalog. This living legend of dancehall culture blessed Miss Lily’s last night with an hour-long reasoning and lyrics session. But if you missed last night’s show, fret not thyself—you can check out a small taste after the jump. Photos and video by the man called Gizmo. (more…)