Mr. Vegas New Album Review and Interview
Just after leaving the Strictly Boomshots show on September 23, 2013, Mr. Vegas headed uptown to host a listening event at Rosewood in New York City to preview his new release Bruk It Down 2.0 and celebrate what’s sure to be one of the biggest releases of the year. This 16-song album simmers with a culture gumbo, blending ingredients of pop, soca, reggaeton and raw dancehall vibes. Track-by-track Review and Interview After the Jump…!
Spragga, Ragga & Gongzilla: Three Superstars Line Up Like Orion
Stephen “Ragga” Marley just dropped a serious heat rock off his forthcoming album Revelation Part 2: The Fruit of Life. We all know he can sing and produce but this time Ragga’s spitting hot fire alongside two other chamption lyricists, Gongzilla and Spragga the Benz. The beat is as devastatingly simple as the lyrics are devastatingly complex. Beat congo drum till Babylon retire. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Who And Who Rates As An Icon Inna The Business?
Remember when Shabba Ranks dropped that tune “Respect“? “Step by step you haffi climb the ladder / The elders you haffi show respect fah.” It’s plan to see that Konshens got the message. He may be on top of the game now, but he’s not one of those “likkle entertainers” who lose sight of the fact that their opportunities came from icons before him. The Dancehall artist recent single, “Icon,” on the Bad Bounce riddim, pays tribute to a long list of certified icons, all of whom helped “put the spotlight on we island” and established the worldwide success of Jamaican music.Audio & Photo Gallery After The Jump… (more…)
New Visuals Livicated To Friends Far And Near Who Can’t Be Here
As soon as 21st Hapilos dropped the SWA riddim, we could tell it was a special project. But the feeling really hit home today with the release of Spragga’s music video for the title track on the riddim, which is filled with memories and snapshots of loved ones who have passed away. Don’t wait to tell your loved ones how you feel—tomorrow might be too late. Video After The Jump…
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A Backyard Dance Turns Into A Matey Sabotage Saga
It’s been a minute since we heard from Mr. Easy, the ultra-cool singer who used to mash up Saturday night dances in Brooklyn by strolling onstage singing “Easy like Sunday morning.” Easy went on to give us hits like “Funny Man” and “She Drives Me Crazy” and now he’s back with two cuts on the hard-hitting Speak Out riddim—”Badmind Prayer” and a crazy collabo with Spragga Benz called “Nuh Response Fi Dat.” They’ve just dropped the video, which is full of hot girls carrying on at a backyard dance. Before long the jerk chicken, dominoes, and dancing turns into one bag of drama. We’re not exactly sure what all the excitement is about—something to do with who has “the Ziploc punash.” Take in the visuals and let us know your thoughts in the comments. Video after the jump.
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Spragga Benz, Tarrus Riley, I-Octane Featured On The Brand New Juggling From 21st Hapilos
Johnny Wonder and our peoples at 21st Hapilos just dropped their own production today, and it’s full of #CertifiedBoomshots. The riddim is called SWA (Sleep With Angels) and it’s anchored by Spragga Benz, who once did a tune by the same name in honor of his dearly departed son Carlyle. Spragga’s come back with a brand new song for the SWA juggling, but the meds is just as deep. I-Octane also chips in with a conscious tune. Tarrus “Singy Singy” Riley delivers a song about standing—rather than falling—in love. There’s nuff more artists on the riddim, but you can preview a few of our favorites after the jump. (more…)
All Hail The Queen
Photographs by William Richards
Happy (belated) Birthday Dancehall Queen. You’ve heard the phrase “Bad Bitches Bomb First”? Well I fink it was originated by this Lady here. Over the years Marion Hall, aka Lady Saw, has taken the reggae industry by storm, blazing a trail for females in a field that’s supposedly dominated by the boys. Despite being a “lady,” her chat has been tough enough to compete with—and in many cases, excel—her male counterparts. Of course she’s created her fair share of controversy along the way—revolutionaries always do. (more…)
Damian, Stephen and Julian Marley Rock DJ Norie’s Anniversary Show In New York City
The Marley brothers mashed up NYC’s Best Buy Theater last night—with a little help from the Ghetto Youths Crew, including Wayne Marshall, Spragga Benz, and Christophger Eliis, among others… Let’s just say it was a night to remember. In this exclusive video clip Jr. Gong thrills the crowd with a couple of his latest & greatest at DJ Norie’s anniversary jam. (more…)
Spragga’s Name Is Called, But Who Are The Real “Persons Of Interest?”
What’s wrong with this picture? Spragga on tour in Aspen, Colorado.
Reggae fans have endured so much bad news over the past several months that some of us have come to expect the worst. But when f*ckery shows up as expected, do we really have to embrace it with open arms? (more…)
Spragga Benz Still Ah Work While Dem Ah Procrastinate
The second cut from Spragga’s epic Shotta Culture album is a royal combination with Empress Marcia Griffiths called “No Way No How.” Love to see how the DJ has Marcia singing pon sound system in the big new video. Let it go…
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Spragga Benz and Family Remember Carlyle R.I.P. 8/23/08
On the second anniversary of his son’s tragic murder, Spragga the Benz issued the following statement: “Us the Family and Friends of Carlton Kimani Grant aka Carlyle, do sincerely appreciate all the Love and Generous Support that was afforded Us during our time of great grief and sorrow.
Being that the situation is of such that always stays and is universal, we do share our Love and Strength with others experiencing similar pain of loss at this time… The journey continues,the joy is less but still giving thanks for the time spent which makes us know we are blessed…”
And speaking of blessings, in comes a brand new musical blessing called “Stays The Same” featuring Jazmin and Ragga—something new from Spragga’s long-awaited magnum opus Shotta Culture. Run The Track…
Spragga Puts Trust In The Most High, Says to H.I.M. Leave All Vengeance.
A spiritual tune from a consistently top-notch DJ who suffered a life-changing tragedy just over a year ago. On August 23, 2008, Spragga’s first-born son Carlton Grant Jr., aka Carlyle, was shot dead by police in Kingston, Jamaica . “By right the whole place shoulda red,” Spragga chants as Stephen “Ragga” Marley beats the Binghi drum. “But me still ah hold a higher meds.” Let it go…