Boomshots

Tag: Super Cat

  • The Heatmakerz’ Baddest Reggae Samples

    The Heatmakerz’ Baddest Reggae Samples

    Rsonist Breaks Down The Reggae Roots Of The Heatmakerz’ Crack Music

    Gregory Green aka Rsonist was born in Mandeville, Jamaica and moved to NYC as a youth. He was fascinated by music all his life, and grew up to establish The Heatmakerz production team in the early 2000s. They made their name working with Cam’Ron and The Diplomats, as well as other big name rappers like Lil Wayne and Fat Joe. The Heatmakerz production style features lots of high-energy beats, sped-up soul loops, and reggae samples galore—a sound that came to be known as “Crack Music.” After shooting an episode of Rhythm Roulette for our peoples at Mass Appeal, Rsonist spoke with Boomshots and broke down the inspiration behind some of his best-known reggae flips. Interview After The Jump & Countdown Above In The Gallery (more…)

  • Dada Playlist: 10 Songs Dedicated to Fathers

    Dada Playlist: 10 Songs Dedicated to Fathers

    Boomshots Magazine Presents Multi-genre Playlist for Father’s Day 2015

    In honor of the wonderful fathers who present themselves as role models for their children, Boomshots Magazine brings you the finest selection of tunes dedicated to Dada. This 10 song playlist covers several genres including reggae, hip hop, gospel, dub,  rhythm & blues and jazz. Countdown After The Jump… (more…)

  • Boris Gardiner Is A Star

    Boris Gardiner Is A Star

    The First Voice Heard on Kendrick Lamar’s New Album Is An Old-School Jamaican Legend

    When Kendrick Lamar’s eagerly anticipated album To Pimp A Butterfly dropped unexpectedly last weekend, it was streamed 9.6 million times the first day alone, breaking the record for the most streams per day in Spotify history. The first voice all those listeners heard, above the delightful sound of crakling vinyl, was Boris Gardiner singing the phrase “Every Nigger Is A Star” over and over to open the song “Wesley’s Theory,” which kicks off K.Dot’s hip-hop masterpiece. But who is Boris Gardiner? Like so many other Jamaican musical innovators, his work is much better known than his name. Let’s rectify that situation right now. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Free Up The Herbs: 40 of Reggae’s Highest-Grade Ganja Anthems

    Free Up The Herbs: 40 of Reggae’s Highest-Grade Ganja Anthems

    Marijuana Laws May Be Changing, But These Rebel Music Selections Will Keep Playing Forever

    Every day brings new headlines about voters in the U.S.A. passing medical marijuana laws and American states decriminalizing reefer—even as the Federal government reserves the right to swoop in and prosecute whoever however whenever. Meanwhile venture capitalists continue to align themselves with the Bob Marley estate in order to build a global ganja brand. It feels like a bright new day in the long-running batttle to legalize Jamaica’s national herb. But don’t sleep: the Governor General has yet to sign the proposal that would allow Rastas to cultivate for personal use and corporations to cultivate for profit. And Jamaica’s Governor General still answers to the Queen of England, so there’s no telling what will happen. Meanwhile youths all over the world are still getting locked up for illegal possession of the wisdom weed. So the binghi drums have to beat and songs like these have to play, words sounds and power. These are not just “weed tunes” but songs about the real-life struggles surrounding ganja prohibition. say are they just one-line shout-outs, like the tune where Bounty and Cham said “tell the government free up the weed policy,” as wicked as that was. These are the rabble-rousing songs dedicated to defending marijuana growers and sellers and smokers from all forms of downpression. Some relate to the nitty-gritty details of the hustler’s life, others focus on police efforts to fight against the weed, while others make the case for legalization. Any topic that could inspire so much great music has to be important. Just like Josey Wales said on track #20, “It Haffi Bun.” And these songs have to play. Audio After The Jump; Countdown Continues Above (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Live Pon The Reggae Cruise 2015

    WATCH THIS: Live Pon The Reggae Cruise 2015

    They Said “What Happens On The Cruise Stays On The Cruise”—But They Were Wrong!

    Having successfully completed its second annual mission, Damian Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise goes down in history as another amazing experience for lovers of reggae and dancehall music. This year featured not one but two back-to-back cruises loaded with no fewer than 23 different acts—not including guest artists—plus another 10 “sound systems,” three of whom engaged in an epic battle dubbed the first ever “sound clash on the sea.” Not a single detail was overlooked: from the movies showing in the ship’s theater to the music playing in the hallways when you step out of your cabin—even the buckets of Guiness sold hot or cold—everything was chosen to appeal to lovers of Jamaican culture. Roughly half the passengers hailed from the United States, with twenty or so other nationalities representing the UK, Europe, Asia, South America, the Pacific Islands, and of course the Caribbean. Rumor has it that there was even an early morning Niyabinghi session on the uppermost deck of the ship at dawn.
    For the second year in a row, the Boomshots team was on board to catch all the action. Check out the photo gallery above and watch this space for highlights of performances by Super Cat, Ragga Marley, King Jammy’$ Super Power and much much more. Video After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Konshens’ “Don Daddy” Video Shoot Behind-The-Scenes EXCLUSIVE

    WATCH THIS: Konshens’ “Don Daddy” Video Shoot Behind-The-Scenes EXCLUSIVE

    Konshens Pays Tribute to the Wild Apache and The ReggaeGirlAboutTown Scores An All-Access Pass

    Jukeboxx Productions’ “Greatest Creation” Riddim is all about reaching for the next level in dancehall. From Shabba Ranks to Lady Saw to Tarrus Riley and Sasco, the lineup on this juggling is straight toppa-top status. Inspired by such prestigious company, Konshens decided to up the ante by making his tune a musical homage to Super Cat‘s 1991 smash “Don Dada,” subtly retitled “Don Daddy.” Boomshots got the invitation from for an exclusive visit to the video shoot and headed for downtown Brooklyn—only to find that the location had been shut down. But with Konshens jetting off to Europe the following morning, rescheduling was not an option. So the entire production team headed straight down Utica Avenue to Nova nightclub—who opened their doors in the wee small hours of the morning—but the journey was well worth it. (Shouts to producer Ronnie Tomlinson, director Anju Val, and nuff respect to Maximus R. Irving who created the wicked Super Cat painting seen above DJ Kevin Crown.) Roll with the ReggaeGirlAboutTown as she chats with Konshens about why it’s so important for dancehall’s new generation to pay respect to the icons in the business, or rather culture—and she even got to kick it with Colenol Josey Wales himself. Because a Don is a Don, and not a Dondelion. So while you wait for the official video to drop, pree the World Premiere of this exclusive teaser. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Aidonia “80s Dancehall Style” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Aidonia “80s Dancehall Style” Official Music Video

    Aidonia Salutes Veterans and Vinyl

    Many of Jamaica’s musical legends never predicted the millions of fans, felt the weight of money or received instant gratification through social media the way today’s artists do. These musical soldiers earned their stripes the real way, with unquestionable authenticity. One must remember , as Supercat indicated in his recent interview with Rob Kenner, the days when a DJ drew the crowd into the dancehall with nothing but a big sound system combined with sheer vocal talent and lyrical ammunition. In a cultural tradition that predates Amateur Night at the Apollo, the crowd would decide whether it was worthwhile to pay admission and enter the party. There was no hiding behind good promotion, Auto-Tune or computerized production and deejaying. Born in 1981, Aidonia may not have been old enough to hang out in dancehall sessions during that time, but he represents for the newer generation, aware of their roots and culture. Aidonia (Didi) pays tribute to this era with his new video for “80’s Dance Style.”   Video After The Jump…

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  • Top 10 Philip Smart Selections

    Top 10 Philip Smart Selections

    Click On The Image Above To Start The Countdown

    Childhood friends with Augustus Pablo, teenage apprentice to King Tubbys, “Prince” Philip Smart would later move from Kington to New York and establish the most important reggae recording studio in the USA. The very first song produced at HC&F Studios was a crossover hit for the band Monyaka, who’d invested sweat equity into their recording time by helping to construct the Freeport, Long Island studio with their own hands. Over the years, numerous historic recording sessions went down at Smart’s soundlab that helped to spread reggae music into the American pop charts and around the world, as did his weekly radio show on WNYU FM, Get Smart! As friends, family and music lovers mourn the man—who passed away last week—what better time to take a deep dive into the music and reflect on all the works one man in his late 50s could accomplish on earth. Many of Philip Smart’s hardest selections, including Scion Sashay Success futuristic digi-dancehall cut “The Trainer,” are includied on the hard-to-find compilation Five Borough Fire, which is well worth the effort of hunting down on eBay. In one of many tributes that appeared following the tragic news, Clinton Lindsay quotes Sting International saying, Father Phil was “a man who gave so much and asked for nothing.” Make sure to tune into the next episode of the Strictly Boomshots show on RadioLily.com for a musical celebration of the man known affectionately by so many as “Father Phil.”  Click Through The Gallery Above To Start The Countdown

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  • Reasoning With Philip Smart “Music Is My Life”

    Reasoning With Philip Smart “Music Is My Life”

    Exclusive Interview With the Late Great Producer Who Was The Cornerstone of NYC’s Reggae Scene

    This has been a rough month for reggae music. After the untimely deaths of Bunny Rugs and Wayne Smith comes news that legendary producer Philip Smart has died after a battle with cancer. The humble, soft-spoken genius learned his trade from the great King Tubby and played a crucial role in the development of the NYC reggae scene, producing classic sides by Shaggy and Super Cat and nurturing countless other producers at his studio and on his Get Smart radio show. Last year Boomshots stopped by HC&F Studio in Long Island where Philip was keeping one of his usual late-night sessions. He didn’t feel very well that day—said he had a cold—but luckily he found the strength for a long conversation with Reshma B. To say that Father Phil will be missed is a serious understatement. Respect in all aspect. Music alone shall live. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Wyclef Jean “The Truth Is The Truth, And We Gonna Speak It”

    Wyclef Jean “The Truth Is The Truth, And We Gonna Speak It”

    “I was born in Haiti,” said Wyclef Jean shortly after rocking a tough Jamaican crowd at Sting. “I was born in a hut. I used to eat dirt off the floor if you read my book All we had was the music.” Although Clef was raised in New Jersey amidst a streetwise soundscape of hip-hop, soul, and reggae music, his affinity for Jamaican sounds the multi-multi-platinum 3-time-Grammy-winning rapper, singer, songwriter, producer and former member of The Fugees. After he stepped off stage in his dapper black tux, Clef took a moment to chat with Reshma B. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Super Cat Speaks On His Return To Jamaica

    Super Cat Speaks On His Return To Jamaica

    Reasoning With The Wild Apache After Sting 2013

    It’s been eleven years since William Maragh, aka Super Cat aka the Don Dada of reggae music inna dancehall style has performed in his native Jamaica, or as he prefers to call it, “I-Mek-yah.” A master of words, Cat is also very much a man of action, and in his final few hours in Jamrock he spent his time relating a few of his colorful exploits in the streets and dancehalls of Kingston and worldwide. While some that conversation will remain strictly off the record, he did sit down with Reshma B on the final day of his return to Jamaica to reflect on his majestic performance at Sting 2013, and explain why the Don Dada will never lose his people. Video After The Jump…

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  • The Don Dada Rides Again

    The Don Dada Rides Again

    Super Cat’s Triumphant Return Continues

    Reggae fans around the world are having a very good Christmas today because one of the true icons in the business has returned to the game as if out of nowhere. Super Cat aka The Wild Apache aka the Don Dada has been missing in action for a long while now. But with Cat back in Jamaica, and set to take the stage at Sting tomorrow night, you can feel the excitement is in the air. If you’re not fortunate enough to witness the action in person tomorrow, you can watch this historic show on Pay Per View or hit up BringTheSting.com to stream the show online. Some tan so back and some a dem a rally forward. Videos After The Jump…

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