Boomshots

Tag: The Fugees

  • The Making of Bounty Killer’s “My Xperience”

    The Making of Bounty Killer’s “My Xperience”

    Remembering A Game-Changing Album Twenty Years Later

    All Eyez On Me. The Don Killuminati. Reasonable Doubt. The Score. It Was Written. ATLiens. Nineteen Ninety Six was an epic year for hip hop album releases. It was also a decisive year for dancehall breaking through to urban America. Twenty years ago this month, Bounty Killer released My Xperience on Blunt Recordings, a new joint venture between perennial reggae powerhouse V.P. Records and TVT Records, a New York-based indie specializing in “TV Tunes.” Featuring collabs with some of the biggest rappers and producers in hip hop—The Fugees, Mobb Deep, Raekwon, RZA, Busta Rhymes, Erick Sermon, Jeru the Damaja—My Xperience did that and more. The album truly changed the game for dancehall in the hip hop space. In an exclusive Boomshots interview, Bounty Killer calls it “the greatest album” of his illustrious career and shares his memories of working on the historic project. We also spoke with Killer’s then-manager Johnny Wonder, now the V.P. of 21st Hapilos Digital Distribution to share his experiences making My Xperience. Interviews After The Jump… (more…)

  • Remembering “The People’s Champion” -Muhammad Ali

    Remembering “The People’s Champion” -Muhammad Ali

    A Champion of All Champions

    According to Matthew 22:14, “many are called but few are chosen.” Born in the first month of the year, in Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. seemed to be destined for greatness. He began his boxing journey at 12 years old and by 22 years old, he was the World HeavyWeight Champion (1964). The “People’s Champion” was kingly by nature, and his confidence was inspiring especially for people of African descent, because his title was preceded by the passing of the Civil Rights Act in the same year. His accomplishments left an indelible mark on history, culture and the globe. More After The Jump…

    (more…)

  • Reasoning with Assassin aka Agent Sasco—Rap’s Best Kept Secret Weapon

    Reasoning with Assassin aka Agent Sasco—Rap’s Best Kept Secret Weapon

    First Kardinal, Then Kanye and Kendrick—Assassin Is the Go-To DJ for Dancehall Features.

    He’s your favorite rapper’s favorite dancehall artist. But chances are you’ve never heard his name. That’s because Assassin aka Agent Sasco — his secret-agent alter-ego — has basically gone undercover for his two biggest records: Kanye West’s “I’m In It” off the Yeezus album, and Kendrick Lamar‘s latest single, the lyrical tour-de-force “The Blacker The Berry,” Although Assassin was not properly credited for either feature, word gets around and the DJ is very much in demand. Boomshots caught up with him by telephone to hold a reasoning, and wrote a piece for NPR about it. The full transcript is right here. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Mystic Reflections with Hempress Sativa

    Mystic Reflections with Hempress Sativa

    Kerida Chaka Johnson aka Hempress Sativa, followed in the path of her father, Albert “Ilawi” Johnson’s (original selector for Jah Love Muzik) musical footsteps to become a singer/songwriter. However, she’s clearly her own entity, with a deeply spiritual mind and focus.   More 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…)

  • Wyclef Jean Booked For 30th Anniversary Staging of Sting

    Wyclef Jean Booked For 30th Anniversary Staging of Sting

    Talks Super Cat, Bounty Killer, and The Fugees

    For the past 30 years the day after Christmas has been the dancehall fanatic’s biggest secret Santa gift: a one-night-only no-holds-barred stage-show/battle-royale known as Sting. This year’s headliners include Super Cat, Mavado, 2 Chainz, Ninja Man, Sizzla, Aidonia, Kiprich. And now the Greatest One Day Reggae Show on Earth has announced that they’ve added Wyclef Jean, the multi-Grammy-winning rapper, singer, producer, guitarist, soundbwoy killa, and founding member of The Fugees. Boomshots sat down with Clef to chat about his plans for Sting 2013, his works with Bounty Killer and Super Cat, as well as  his efforts to push dancehall culture into the mainstream hip-hop industry, plus his favorite spots in Jamaica. Well  If you can’t make it down to Jamrock this Holiday Season, do not despair. You can experience this event via Pay-Per-View or stream the action online on BringTheSting.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Ms. Lauryn Hill Talks “Miseducation”

    The Artist Formerly Known As L-Boogie Opens Up—Just A Lil Bit

    Ms. Lauryn Hill takes time out from headlining the “Rock The Bells” tour to reminisce on the making of her classic 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. (more…)