Boomshots

Tag: Lovers Rock

  • Estelle Talks ‘Lovers Rock’ and Why Reggae Should Never Be Called “Tropical Music”

    Estelle Talks ‘Lovers Rock’ and Why Reggae Should Never Be Called “Tropical Music”

    100% Real Talk When Two Girls From West London Link

    Estelle’s brand-spankin-new Lovers Rock (released her own label Established 1980 Inc and VP Records) has been described as the Grammy-winning UK singer’s most personal album to date. We’ve been looking forward to this one since last year, when she first told us about it. The album is not only a retelling of her parents’ love story, but also her first time tapping fully into her West Indian roots with a full-fledged reggae album, with touches of Afro-beats, dancehall and soca and features from the likes of Tarrus Riley, Chronixx, Hood Celebrityy, Kranium, and Konshens. Just don’t call the sounds “tropical” or “island pop”! Having grown up steeped in England’s reggae culture—her father produced on Louisa Mark’s debut album—Estelle is not jumping on anybody’s bandwagon, and being a West London girl she is not one to hold her tongue or to suffer fools gladly. Every time Reshma B and Estelle link up it’s 100% real talk. Don’t believe us? Check out the reasoning right now. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Estelle ft. Tarrus Riley “A Love Like Ours” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Estelle ft. Tarrus Riley “A Love Like Ours” Official Music Video

    What do you get when you combine British R&B singer Estelle with reggae artist Tarrus Riley? You get new lovers rock anthem in the song “A Love Like Ours,” which is featured exclusively on VP Records Reggae Gold 2017 compilation album. The video for the song directed by Denzel Williams features a beautifully green forest as the backdrop, with Gabbi Neal and Guy Peel Jr. portraying a couple in love, while Estelle and Tarrus both dressed in white by stylist Shani James trade verses over a silky one drop riddim. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Jah Cure Talks Grammy Nomination, Freedom for Buju & The Life He Lives

    Jah Cure Talks Grammy Nomination, Freedom for Buju & The Life He Lives

    Reshma B Reasons With Iyacure Pon Di Cruise

    Nobody had more fun on this year’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise than Jah Cure. The World Singer is always appreciative when he gets the chance to reach an international audience, particularly since visa issues have prevented fans in the UK and the USA  fr0m seeing him perform in their part of the world. If he stepped onto the ship with an extra spring in his step this year, maybe it was due to the fact that his latest album The Cure, spent several weeks on top of Billboard’s Reggae chart this year. And although he didn’t yet know that it was about to be nominated for a Grammy—the singer’s first—he had a good feeling about it. His performance was nothing short of electrifying. He sang about “the wicked people and badmind, lurking in the dark” but onstage his spirit soared. He took a moment to livicate his performance to incarcerated reggae star Buju Banton, and spoke of how the artist checked for him when he was behind bars. After the performance, Jah Cure sat down with the Reggae Girl About Town for an in-depth conversation. He discussed his strategy in putting his latest album together, how sought to incorporate diverse sounds and styles in a pleasing blend, similar to a fruit cocktail. What comes through in the final analysis is a man who has come through many a struggle without ever seeming “struggled,” and one who feels deeply satisfied with a job well done. “My bad days prepared me for my good days,” he told RGAT. “And I’m so blessed…. I’m living like a King.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Fuse ODG “Top of my Charts” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Fuse ODG “Top of my Charts” Official Music Video

    The UK Afro-Beat Star Drops Some Straight Lovers Rock

    Born in Ghana and based in London, Fuse ODG champions a musical wave known as AfroBeat in the UK, but to island ears it sometimes sounds a lot like reggae music. On this particular track—which hits stoees next week—he’s taking it straight to Jamrock by way of West London. After all it was the UK that pioneered the whole Lovers’ Rock movement. The video has a nice block party vibes—special request to all the lovers who know they’re in it to win it. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Randy Valentine “The Sound of a Young Rebel”

    WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Randy Valentine “The Sound of a Young Rebel”

    UK Reggae Rebel Rocks London With Tarrus Riley, Talks “Break The Chain” EP With Reshma B

    Tarrus Riley’s Love Situation tour passes through the UK tonight at the Forum in Kentish Town. Always ready to support rising talent, Singy Singy’s opening acts include Jamaican songstress Alaine and a young UK rebel by the name of Randy Valentine. RV’s been making waves with his powerful voice and no-nonsense approach to the music, as first glimpsed on his 2012 mixtape Bring Back the Love, which showcased the young artist’s writing and vocal abilities against some timeless Studio One instrumentals. His Break The Chain EP dropped in May and shot straight to No. 1 in Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland’s iTunes Reggae charts. The EP also reached No2 in Italy, and No3 in both Canada and the UK. RV’s ‘Break The Chain Tour’ kicked off in May, and he’s done shows in 20 countries all over Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, France, and the UK. In the first of his chats with Reshma B, Randy talks about his musical influences and why he’s never going to sell his soul (or anything else) for radio play. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Maxi Priest Meet and Greet Tomorrow in NYC

    Maxi Priest Meet and Greet Tomorrow in NYC

    Win a Chance To Meet The Singer And Hear His New Album, Easy To Love

    NYC peeps, win a chance to meet Maxi Priest and attend a private listening session for his upcoming album Easy To Love, available June 24th on VP Records. The private affair will be held tomorrow (Wednesday May 7) from 6-9pm ET at an undisclosed location in Midtown Manhattan. Hit the jump for your chance to be all up in there. Contest Rules After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Mr. Vegas “Whenever You’re Lonely”

    Vegas Sings A Long-Distance Livication to his One and Only
    Suriname-Riddim-Cover    The latest release from MV Music is the Suriname riddim, a classic midtempo reggae groove with bubbling guitars and a hot horn section. The juggling features voices Gyptian, Nadine Sutherland, Natel, Lady G, and more. Since it is his production it’s fitting that Mr. Vegas turns in an outstanding performance, singing about a girl who’s can’t be by his side right now. No matter how much people try to keep them apart, it sounds like she definitely has his heart.   Audio After The Jump…

    (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Wilfred Limonious “Young Love”

    Who Knew That Dancehall’s Greatest Graphic Artist Was A Wicked Singer Too?

    When Matt Goias sent me this tune via email the subject line read simply “Peep The Singer,” I had no idea what to make of it. On first listen “Young Love” sounded like just another reggae rarity — a slightly randy lover’s rock selection about a lonely old man man who’s had his eye on a pretty young thing for years. But then Matt forwarded the seven-inch single’s label, lovingly rendered in shades of blue. No doubt about it, that’s the work of Limonious, the undisputed champion of dancehall album art. The prolific—and sadly now deceased—artist has attracted something of a cult following.  And that was before we knew he could sing too.

    (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Singing Melody “Collide”

    World Premiere: Official Music Video From The New Album

    “Even the best fall down sometimes.” Welcome back Mr. Melody. We’ve been missing you. (more…)

  • Unforgettable: Reasoning With Sanchez, Part 1

    From The Church To The Dancehall, Sanchez D Hits All The Right Notes.

    Sanchez is one of those year-to-year singers who’s too often forgotten. So consistently stellar are his crystalline vocals, so unwavering is his standard of excellence, that we sometimes take him for granted. In such cases the best thing to do is walk away for a few years and make them miss you. After all, the man has been singing his heart out since the late ’80s, investing improbable pop songs with so much drama and passion that you forget all about the originals. Then he drops an album like the all-original 1995 masterpiece Praise Him, and the reggae world goes into a frenzy. But apart from being sampled all over the “Dipset Anthem,” mainstream success has eluded this supremely gifted vocalist. Not that he’s hurting in the least. 

    (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: WORLD PREMIERE Sheba & Bounty Killa “Love This Lifetime (Remix)”

    Online Premiere Of New Video From The Real Sheba & The Warlord

    When Sheba Sahlemariam calls herself The Real Sheba, you best believe it. Descended from Ethiopian Royalty (King Solomon + Queen Sheba = Line of King David) Sheba carries herself with a certain majesty, and she thinks about time and space a bit differently than most. (“Yes my love for you can break the bonds of space-time,” she sings…Whoa.) Sheba’s journey this lifetime has brought her all the way from Africa to Kingston by way of Brooklyn, Port of Spain, and parts unknown. In short, Sheba’s uniquely qualified to rock your world. Did I mention she can sing? This sultry lover’s tune with a supernatural twist has been bubbling all year in Jamaica. Sheba says her love is “perfect and divine” plus the Warlord came through to give her the big co-sign. Boom-boom-bam.

    (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Heavy D “No Matter What”

    The Overweight Lover Inna Rub a Dub Style—Big, Bad, and Broad

    Yes big man—run things fe years without tears and fears. (more…)