Agent Sasco’s Smokin’ New Visuals Will Leave You Shell-Shocked
Agent Sasco’s releasing his first video since his big feature on Kanye West’s Yeezus album and it’s going to leave you shell-shocked. The new video Directed by Michael Burbridge aka @BiggzShip is definitely a bad man sittin. Str8 Shellingz. Video After The Jump…
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Agent Sasco Nices Up The Strictly Boomshots Show—And Shaggy Drops By To Turn It Up Another Notch
This past Monday the #StrictlyBoomshots show celebrated International Reggae Day inna fine style by welcoming Assassin as our special guest. The veteran dancehall star and lyricist extraordinaire has been in the spotlight lately thanks to his ruff, tuff feature on Kanye West’s critically acclaimed album, Yeezus. Agent Sasco kicked it live on RadioLily.com for over an hour—talking about his Yeezy collabo, previewing some of his latest dancehall releases, and freestyling over all types of versions. Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any better, diamond-certified superstar Shaggy grabbed the mic and took the vibes to a whole nother level. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Even Some of Kanye’s Collaborators Seem To Be A Little Confused…
This is Assassin, aka Agent Sasco… the respected Jamaican dancehall artist who spits a verse on “I’m In It,” a track from Kanye West’s dancehall-peppered album Yeezus. For those who have been following his career over the past 12 years, the high-profile feature on the most anticipated rap release of 2013 thus far is an unexpected treat. But for the rest of the music industry it’s a source of confusion. Take, for instance, this article from MySpace.com, a reputable publication that served up a major fail in its entry on I’m In It. The site apparently had no idea who Jeffrey Campbell was despite extensive coverage of the fact that Assassin was featured on this particular track. OK, maybe it’s not fair to expect American journalists to know dancehall artist’s government names off the top of their head, but there is this thing called google that’s really helpful when it comes to telling reggae stars from shoe designers. Here’s what MySpace wrote about the writing credits to “I’m In It”: “Like some writing credits on Yeezus, the paper trail leading back to people can be misleading. While we’re unsure who exactly the Jeffrey Ethan Campbell is that’s credited alongside Jill Scott and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon on ‘I’m In It,’ but all signs point to the shoe designer. Stranger things have happened in the world of the West, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if Campbell was hanging in the studio with Yeezy and offered an idea on how to shape the song.” SMFH. If you think the name game is confusing, just imagine trying to interpret Assassin’s rapid fire patois flow. Lyrical Breakdown After The Jump… (more…)
Let’s Rewind That Original Fireman Selection
It’s been a little over a week since “Yeezus,” Kanye West’s 6th studio album dropped and by now you should already know that it’s full up of Dance Hall samples one in particular is Capleton’s 2000 hit “Forward Inna Dem Clothes (Eye Shop)” off the massive Heat Wave Riddim. Yeezy sampled the fireman for the intro to his controversial record “I Am A God.” Is this a sign of a new fad in Hip Hop? Hit The Jump And Hol A Vibes…
Agent Sasco Says His Phone Started Burning Up on Leak Day
If you aren’t living under a rock, then you know that today Kanye West’s album Yeezus hit stores. And if you read this blog, you know that Yeezus is Kanye’s most dancehall-flavored project yet, with four of ten tracks including vocals by dancehall artists—not to mention the occasional “Dutty Wine” mention. Where most of the tracks are sampled vocals, one Jamaican dancehall star actually spit a new verse on Yeezus. His name is Assassin aka Agent Sasco, and we had a chance to reason with him earlier today. Audio & Interview After The Jump… (more…)
Popcaan, Beenie Man, Capleton and Assassin All Featured Prominently
Last night an A-list hip-hop crowd—including Jay-Z, Beyonce, Q-Tip, and Busta Rhymes—came out on a rainy Monday night and packed into Milk Studios in Manhattan’s meatpacking district for a chance to hear Kanye West’s long-awaited sixth solo album, Yeezus. Kanye spoke at length before pressing play as fly graphics of air force bombers were projected on the walls. He talked about production by Daft Punk and Young Chop. He talked about guest verses by Chief Keef, King Louie, and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. He talked about Rick Rubin’s crucial role in shaping the final project. But one thing he didn’t have to say—because it became very clear after hearing his hard-edged album—is that “Mercy” was not a fluke, and Kanye is becoming a major dancehall fan. We should have known when we heard that subtle Barrington Levy sample on the remix of “I Don’t Like.” Now here comes Yeezus, which has ten tracks in total, four of which feature prominent vocal samples of dancehall stars, including Popcaan (a chopped and screwed portion of his intro to Pusha T’s “Blocka”), Assassin (a new verse), Capleton (“Forward Inna Them Clothes“), and this tune “Send It Up,” featuring a classic Beenie Man cut. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Chronixx Is Not a One-Dimensional Artist, As You Can Hear In His Eclectic Productions
Chronixx is not just a singer and songwriter; he’s also a producer. In fact his breakthrough hit “Behind Curtain” was self-produced. In this third edition of his candid conversations with Boomshots, he talks about his electic approach to reggae production and why he draws inspiration from Yeezus. Video After The Jump… (more…)
That’s The Late Great Don Of Dubplate Intros Nicing Up Kanye West’s New Single “Mercy”
Kanye West has the internet going nuts with his latest G.O.O.D. Music release, “Mercy.” Aside from Yeezy himself, the song features Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz. But the voice you hear at the top of the track may be less well known to rap heads—even though he’s a legend in the dancehall. That’s Fuzzy Jones, whose gift for manic bugged-out braggadoccio made his dubplate intros a must for any selector looking to execute a soundbwoy in a clash situation. Before his death in 2005—when he was hit by a car while riding his bike near Arrow’s dub studio in Kingston, Jamaica—Fuzzy became so well known that his voice was immortalized on numerous soundclash-themed records like the classic King Tubby’s disc seen above. Read on to find out where the “Mercy” sample came from…
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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…)
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…)
“No Boys Allowed” Star Takes It Back To ’92 At VIBE Cover Launch
Interscope Records artist Keri Hilson was in NYC this week celebrating her first VIBE magazine cover and preparing for the launch of her sophomore album No Boys Allowed on December 21. The event at HK Lounge—sponsored by AKOO clothing and Smirnoff Masters of the Mix—was packed by the time Keri took the stage to perform her signature songs like “Turning Me On” (featuring Lil Wayne), “Knock You Down” (featuring Kanye West), as well as her new hit single “Pretty Girl Rock.” Keri also took time out to bust a quick Bogle dance… (more…)
That sound you hear is Chris Brown kicking himself in the ass—hard.
No it’s not reggae. Not even my favorite song off 808s. But that Bajan bombshell sure is a sight for sore eyes. Thank you, Mr. West.