Boomshots

Tag: Jay-Z

  • 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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  • Jay-Z Brings Damian Marley Out to Rock Meadows Festival

    Jay-Z Brings Damian Marley Out to Rock Meadows Festival

    Zilla Joins Hov to Perform “Bam” and “Jamrock”

    Last night at the Meadows Festival in Queens, NYC, Jay-Z brought only one guest out on stage. Tidal shareholder Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and his trust flag waver Donovan stepped out in front of a massive crowd to perform “Bam” with Jay-Z. The song went over so well that Damian stuck around to perform his signature smash “Welcome to Jamrock,” with Hov serving as his hypeman. The two previously performed together at the Made in America festival in Philadelphia, but somehow everything just feels bigger in NYC. Video After The Jump…
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  • New Artist Azia Crosses Cultural Barriers

    New Artist Azia Crosses Cultural Barriers

     Haitian Artist Azia Releases Powerful Music for Change 

    We met up with new artist, Azia during her Labor Day Weekend Tour, which included a series of shows at local venues in New York City and a live performance on the Haitian Allstarz and WBAI 99.5 FM truck, at the West Indian American Day Carnival. We started off our interview with a brief conversation about fashion and we quickly moved into an in-depth conversation about life, music, politics and societal dividers. It was clear that the 22 year old,  Virginia State University alumnus, mastered the art of communication and now wants to use music as a platform to educate and empower. In this article, check out the World Premiere of her video for “Pull Up On Ya,” followed by an up-close and personal interview.   More After The Jump…

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  • Damian Marley Speaks on Jay-Z Collab and ‘Stony Hill’

    Damian Marley Speaks on Jay-Z Collab and ‘Stony Hill’

    Reasoning With Gongzilla

    Just before his big Stony Hill release event at the 40/40 Club in NYC, Damian Marley sat down with Reshma B for an exclusive discussion of his new album and his recent collab with Jay-Z. He reflects on the certified classic status of his song “Welcome to Jamrock,” breaks down the science behind his “Hunting Season” freestyle, explains the cause that makes rude boys “Roar,” and discusses his plans to bring “Medication” to the world. You don’t want to miss this one. Video After The Jump…
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  • Xana Romeo Talks About Her Debut Album “Wake Up” and Finding Her Own Way

    Xana Romeo Talks About Her Debut Album “Wake Up” and Finding Her Own Way

    A Reggae Legend’s Daughter Creating Conscious Reverberations

    Forty years ago Maxwell Livingston Smith, better known as Max Romeo, released his classic album War Inna Babylon on Island Records. The album featured classic hits like “Chase The Devil”  (which would later be sampled by Kanye West for Jay Z’s song “Lucifer”). This song sent fans into a frenzy with its balance of  spiritual and conscious lyrics over the Lee “Scratch” Perry–produced riddim. Max Romeo “put on his iron shirt” and chased the Devil out of Earth with his lyrical prowess—and he’s still making music to this day. Now, four decades later, it should come as no surprise that his daughter is stepping forward along a similar  path. Azana Makeeda Smith, aka Xana Romeo, brings a unique feminine fierceness with her incendiary lyrics. She has a great vocal range and her enunciation is clear and precise, adding to the palpable power of her music. With her  debut album, Wake Up releasing today, we linked with Xana Romeo, CEO of Charmax Music to discuss her debut album. Interview After The Jump…

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  • Reasoning with DJ Khaled: “I’d Love to Make a Record with Bounty Killer and Mavado”

    Reasoning with DJ Khaled: “I’d Love to Make a Record with Bounty Killer and Mavado”

    Live From We The Best Studios in Miami, Khaled Talks Mavado, Killer, and Rinses Some Dubs

    You already know that all DJ Khaled does is win, win, win no matter what, but did you know the founder and CEO of We The Best Music, who has produced some of the biggest anthems in the history of hip-hop, has deep roots in the dancehall soundclash game. Long before he got down with Terror Squad or YMCMB or became president of Def Jam South, the Miami-based hitmaker was cutting dubplates and flying down to Jamaica to compete in clashes like Fully Loaded. Boomshots made the link with Khaled from those days so you dun know our interview is gonna be different than all the rest. Reshma B went deep with Khaled, discussing his work with Mavado, his deep roots with Bounty Killer, and how he’s navigating the friction between the Gully Gad and the Warlord. Khaled even dips into his dubplate collection to brandish some exclusive tunes for the Boomshots massive. Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Gyptian’s “Sex, Love and Reggae” Rises To Higher Heights

    Gyptian’s “Sex, Love and Reggae” Rises To Higher Heights

    Gyppy’s Latest Album Debuted At No. 1 on Billboard’s Reggae Chart

    The night before Gyptian released his latest album Sex, Love & Reggae he spent the evening celebrating his 30th birthday with Rob Kenner on Radio Lily. After the webcast Gyppy and an entourage of his  friends, including Bascom X,  Fyakin, Khago and Danielle D.I. rolled over to the legendary SOB‘s to continue  the celebration at the highly anticipated, SOB’s Reggae Music Fest, presented by Tree Reid Promotions. NYC’s renowned selector DJ Stranger,  X-Caliber Sound warmed up the crowd  awaiting their arrival. Next up, the extraordinary  Derrick Barnett (founder and former bassist for the legendary Jamaican band Sagittarius ) and his Statement Band including Raymond Stewart on  keyboards, Andy Bassford on guitar and Damian Martellie on drums, excited the crowd with an electrifying live session. When Gyptian hit the stage around 10:30pm, the  crowd ignited. Album Review and Video After The Jump…  (more…)

  • Jay-Z Samples Sizzla on “Magna Carta Holy Grail”

    Jay-Z Samples Sizzla on “Magna Carta Holy Grail”

    Jigga’s Track “Crown” is only the latest rap jam to rework Kalonji’s hit “Solid As A Rock”

    Whether or not you bought a new Samsung phone, you’re probably listening to Magna Carta Holy Grail right now. Jay-Z’s 12th studio album  leaked shortly after his exclusive app crashed, short-circuiting a multi-million-dollar promo plan. Oh well—meet the #NewRules, same as the #OldNewRules. More importantly, you may already have noticed that track #8, a song called “Crown,” opens with a long, ghostly slowed-down sample of  Sizzla’s 2002 hit “Solid As A Rock,” taken from his classic Bobby Digital–produced album, Da Real Thing. The Jay-Z tune, Produced by Travi$ Scott and 16-year-old newcomer WundaGirl, has folks buzzing about Magna Carter dissing sports agent Scott Boras. But for reggae lovers, it’s all about the continuing trend of major rap releases sampling dancehall tunes. Like many top dancehall artists, Sizzla has collaborated with rap stars in the past—most notably on his duets with Foxy Brown and Dipset. But more than any other song in Sizzla’s vast catalog, “Solid As A Rock” remains his best known release in hip-hop circles. Who can’t relate to a tune whose first words are “They can’t keep a good man down”? Click through the gallery above to revisit all the various rap versions of this Sizzla classic.

  • HEAR THIS: Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay-Z “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” Remix

    Brooklyn and Compton Together, Now You Know You In Trouble
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    OK so… the same day Mrs. Carter tells the world to “Bow Down,” Jay and Kendrick decide to roll out this official BDKMB RMX? Overkill? You bet. Too much ain’t enough, apparently. “Lookin’ to be the God MC,” K-Dot rhymes, “Look at my hat and see thorns there. Look at the game and see porn there.” Yeah Kendrick fucks with it hard. And Jay does what he does, presenting his verse from the Bombardier Challenger 850 that B gave him for Father’s Day. “Up in the clouds, me and my spouse.” And yeah that turbulence in the air might just be a touch of competitive juices flowing. Peep the Jordan and Kobe cover art then judge for yourself. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Atiba “Love Is Blind” Video

    A Refreshing Acoustic Love Song From K-Licious Music Group

    This dude Atiba sings so sweetly and softly with his aching voice atop gentle acoustic guitar chords, but don’t be deceived. Dude is going hard for the lady who’s caught his eye—even though she has a man in her life. This is a full-contact love song and there will be casualties on the battelfield when all is said and done. “Earlier on in his musical career, Atba was signed to Legendary Producer Rodney Jerkins,” says producer Tony Kelly. “He caught the ears & eyes of Jay-Z, who wanted to sign him when he was the head of Def Jam Music Group. Unfortunely the negociation broke down without success of a deal.” Well now Atiba’s signed to Kelly’s K-Licious Music Group and the sky would seem to be the limit. Anyway, back to the song: “Leave your man for me, time to set you free, help you see the light, cause I know love is blind.” You’ve got to feel bad for this girl’s man. He doesn’t stand a chance.
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  • HEAR THIS: Vybz Kartel “Breddaz In Paris”

    New Remix Featuring The Gaza Emperor Rocking Alongside Jay and Ye

    Dancehall hasn’t quite been the same since Kartel’s incarceration; the Gaza general’s witty lyrics and in-your-face delivery has certainly been missed. Those of you out there who’ve been aching for a Kartel fix fear not, this new track has everything we love about kartel laid superbly over Jay Z and Kanye West’s smash single “N*gg@$ In Paris.” (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Biggie “Notorious In Paris” Remix

    Ain’t Too Many Can Hang With Us—B.I.G. Bad Remix Haffi Bust

    Talk the truth. When you first heard that “Ninjas in Paris” joint you were thinking Jay and Ye are on that Biggie ish. Then Mr. Cee bust the B.i.G. remix over Labor Day, and we’ve been patiently waiting ever since. (more…)