Boomshots

Tag: Shabba Ranks

  • Buju Celebrates Grammy Win

    Before The Dawn Honor Lifts Spirits As The Gargamel’s Trial Resumes

    Although Buju Banton was not able to attend the Grammy Awards ceremony yesterday in Los Angeles, the reggae star—who is still confined to Florida—celebrated his win to the fullest. A member of Buju’s security team was startled when he heard shouting from Buju’s hotel room in Tampa, where the artist faces jury selection in his second trial on drug charges today. “I thought something was wrong,” the guard told The Jamaica Observer. Instead he found out Buju had won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album. (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Steely & Clevie Top 12

    From Studio One To Studio 2000, Dancehall’s Dynamic Duo Did It All


    Steely’s untimely death this week leaves an enormous void that can only be filled by more tunes. At times like these all we can do is say a prayer for the man’s family and loved ones, and honor his legacy by returning again and again to the music he loved so deeply. (more…)

  • Better Days: Reasoning With Steely & Clevie

    Remembering Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson Aug. 18, 1962 – Sep. 1, 2009

    Two The Hard Way: Steely & Clevie did it real big during dancehall’s digital era.

    Even after reading the sobering words of his musical sparring partner Cleveland “Clevie” Browne in this Sunday’s Jamaica Observer, the untimely death of ace Roots Radics keyboardist and pioneering dancehall producer Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson still comes as a terrible shock. The 47-year-old musician, composer, and groovemaster has played such a vital role on so many classic reggae recordings—from Gregory Isaacs’ immortal “Night Nurse” to the ubiqitous Punany riddim to “Sorry” (by “the other Foxy Brown”) to dancehall blasters like Tiger’s “When” and Shabba Ranks’s “Ting a Ling” even soulful cuts like Beres Hammond’s “Double Trouble” and the hit remake of Dawn Penn’s “No No No”—that it’s hard to imagine Jamaican music without him. [UPDATE: V.P.’s new Reggae Anthology pays tribute to Steelie & Clevie] (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Vybz Kartel “Gaza Ting-A-Ling”

    Can Addi Di Teacha step in Shabba’s shoes?

    While dancehall has always freely recycled riddims, hooks, styles and patterns, it’s rare to see a faithful homage by a toppa top artist. (more…)

  • DUNGLOAD: “Birthday Sex” Rub-A-Dub Remix

    Guaranteed 100% Less Annoying than the Original!

    Jeremih’s inescapable R&B bump-n-grinder gets a much-needed upgrade courtesy of rising reggae producer Jon FX. (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Mykal Roze & Shabba “Quick Fi Shoot”

    “The youth dem nowadays take killing fi game”

    John John’s Target riddim hits the bulls eye… two legends on one cut. (more…)