Boomshots

Tag: Melanie Fiona

  • 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…)

  • Melanie Fiona Picks Her 10 Favorite Reggae & Dancehall Songs

    Melanie Fiona Picks Her 10 Favorite Reggae & Dancehall Songs

    The Grammy-Winning R&B Star Is A Bashment Girl At Heart

    Melanie Fiona is best known for heart-wrenching hits like “It Kills Me” and “4 A.M.,” which have made the soulful singer a major star among American R&B fans. The two-time Grammy winner grew up in Toronto as the daughter of first-generation Guaynese immigrants. Her Caribbean influences have always been clear to the educated ear, from her dramatic vocal delivery to specific songs like “Somebody Come Get Me,” which was released under her old nom-de-reggae Syren Hall, as well as “No Cigarette Smoke,” her smoldering duet with Stephen Marley. Melanie continues to flaunt her Caribbean colors on “All My Love,” a new reggae-flavored duet with Toronto soul singer Glenn Lewis. Listening to the song there’s no mistaking the fact that Melanie’s Caribbean roots run deep. So we thought it would be cool to ask her to pick her top 10 reggae and dancehall tracks. Her picks speak volumes about her musical taste, her artistic temperment, and (dare we say it?) MF’s wild side. Click through the gallery above to check out Melanie’s selections and then read her candid conversation with Reshma B. Video And Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Melanie Fiona Rocks Tobago Jazz Experience

    Melanie Fiona Rocks Tobago Jazz Experience

    The Grammy-Winning R&B Star Channels Her Caribbean Roots

     
    Last night the heavens opened up on the island of Tobago, just as the Tobago Jazz Experiencec was trying to kick off World Music Night featuring Jamaican reggae legend Freddie McGregor, Fayann Lyons and Bunji Garlin—Trinidad & Tobago’s Royal Couple of soca—and internationally acclaimed R&B star Melanie Fiona. But this Guayanese girl from Toronoto was not about to miss her chance to perform for the Tobago massive.  So the two-time Grammy winner strapped on her mile-high Louboutins and put on the show of a lifetime. She even dipped into her old dancehall catalog and blessed the place with a Supa Dups selection from back in the day when she used to go by the name Syren Hall. Musical thing called “Somebody Come Get Me Before I Kill This Man,” and Melanie sings it like she really means it. Just after stepping off stage, Melanie explained why Syren Hall will always be a part of her. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Tobago Jazz Experience Kicks Off This Week

    Tobago Jazz Experience Kicks Off This Week

    Soca, Reggae, and R&B in A Lush Tropical Setting

    The island of Trinidad is synonymous with carnival and you may still be recovering from February’s ordeal, but in the month of April the focus shifts to the beautifully laid-back sister island of Tobago where it’s all about the Jazz Experience. Sun, sea, sand and soca – whats not to love!?!?! This year the Tobago Jazz Experience sees appearances from international acts India Arie and Melanie Fiona—both of whom have worked with major names in the reggae world such as the Morgan Heritage fam & the Marleys. Full Lineup and Photo Gallery After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Stephen Marley featuring Melanie Fiona “No Cigarette Smoke”

    Fresh Cut From Forthcoming Album Revelation Part 1: The Root of Life

    Here comes something strong for your Monday morning from the Ghetto Youths camp: Brand new music from Stephen Marley’s highly anticipated new album Revelation Part 1: The Root of Life. What do you do when JuJu gives you a boom draw and your hotel room is under heavy manners? (more…)