Boomshots

Tag: Vybz Kartel

  • Spice Drops ‘Mirror 25,’ Reflects on 25 Years of Dominance and Celebrates Kartel’s Homecoming

    Spice Drops ‘Mirror 25,’ Reflects on 25 Years of Dominance and Celebrates Kartel’s Homecoming

    When Spice Pulls Up It’s Always a Movie

    The Queen of Dancehall’s third studio album Mirror 25 dropped today and like everything Spice-related it’s got the internet goin’ nuts. Lead-off single “2085 Tea” set the tone of hardcore dancehall with a dash up mix-up while the country-hip-hop hybrid “Round Round” featuring Busta Rhymes showed the album’s versatility. “Ex Boyfriend” is a masterpiece of melodic pop while her Chronic Law collab “Gangsta” shows a harder side of Grace Hamilton. Now we’ve heard the full 25 tracks it’s clear that Mirror 25 is Spice’s best body of work ever. The musical offerings range from inspirational tunes like “You Are Worthy” to mad collabs like featuring “Cry” featuring Lola Brooke and of course “Super Hero” featuring Pamputtae and Jada Kingdom aka Harley Quint, Bumpa Incredible and Tightimus Prime. Last time Spice was in NYC she sat down with Reshma B who dug into her archive and pulled out a very rare CD that brought back some emotional memories for Spice. You don’t want to miss this interiew.  Check out the full story on Complex.  Video After The Jump…  (more…)

  • Caribbean Music Awards Honor Iconic Artistes Beres Hammond, Machel Montano, David Rudder, and Vybz Kartel

    Caribbean Music Awards Honor Iconic Artistes Beres Hammond, Machel Montano, David Rudder, and Vybz Kartel

    Hosted By Wyclef Jean Live From Flatbush, Brooklyn

    Inspired by the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House, Kings Theatre on Flatbush Avenue was the appropriately illustrious setting for the first annual Caribbean Music Awards last Thursday night. Hosted by Wyclef Jean and produced by Caribbean Elite Group and streamed via Tempo Networks, this grand celebration of Caribbean creativity honoring icons and rising stars of reggae, dancehall, soca, and kompa was perfectly timed, coming just before Brooklyn’s Labor Day festivities and near the end of a year that’s been filled with endless celebrations of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. Boomshots TV was on the scene from the star-studded red carpet throughout the amazing four-hour ceremony. “Family” said Elite Award Winner Beres Hammond, addressing the audience of 3,600 inside the ornate venue and many more tuning into the live stream. “I’m seeing something that’s so beautiful to us—Caribbean people coming together. You don’t see something like this… I’m out of words.” He then called Wyclef to join him onstage. The Haitian-American multi-platinum rapper, singer, songwriter, musician, and producer whose timeless work as a member of the Fugees and as a solo performer brought Caribbean sounds to the mainstream, bowed down at Hammond’s feet in worship. “Can’t manage you,” Beres said with a laugh as Clef stood up. “Thank you for the vision.”  Video and Winners List After The Jump…

    (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Etana ft. Vybz Kartel “Baby O” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Etana ft. Vybz Kartel “Baby O” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    The Strong One x The Worl Boss

    Blessed with a powerful voice and a resilient spirit, Etana got her start in the music industry as a harmony singer for reggae star Richie Spice. Since stepping out on her own over a decade ago, she’s been representing for roots and culture fans ever since. Her 2018 album Reggae Forever was nominated for a Best Reggae Album Grammy, making her only the fourth female artist to receive that honor. But on her forthcoming studio album Pamoja, the roots daughter — whose name is Swahili for “Strong One” — explores more contemporary sounds, setting her uplifting messages to dancehall and Afrobeats rhythms. Today, Boomshots proudly premieres the visuals for “Baby O,” Etana’s first collab with the Worl’ Boss himself, Vybz Kartel. “Pamoja means ‘together’ and it’s the title of my eighth studio album,” Etana tells Boomshots. “It’s packed with 14 sweet tracks for my fans and music lovers to jam to. I gave you ‘Proppa’ featuring Stonebwoy and now you have ‘Baby O’ featuring Vybz Kartel.  Watch the video and experience another piece of Pamoja!!!!” Video After The Jump…

    (more…)

  • Vybz Kartel Speaks Of Dons and Of Divas

    Vybz Kartel Speaks Of Dons and Of Divas

    Crocodile Skin Sneakers

    Little known fact: the very first post on Boomshots.com went live February 10, 2009. The title? “Don’t Ramp With Kartel.” Adidja Palmer and Grace Hamilton’s smash collab “Rampin Shop,” an X-rated excursion on Ne-Yo’s “Miss Independent” version, was taking the streets by storm and had the internet  spinnin’ like a satellite dish—just as a new platform for dancehall and reggae was born. VIBE magazine had not yet ceased print publication but the mighty Boomshots brand, which started as a monthly column in Quincy Jones’ glossy hip hop magazine, was already leveling up on the digital frontier—at the same moment Kartel and Spice were about to elevate hardcore dancehall to new heights. Over the years Boomshots and Kartel have kept in touch. The first of our timeless interviews, “Reasoning with Di Teacha,” was just the beginning. Boomshots founder Rob Kenner published a profile of Kartel in The New York Times in 2011. From time to time we would link up with the Worlboss and various representatives of the Portmore Empire—search BoomshotsTV for a refresher if you’re playing catch-up. Back in 2013 we held a reasoning via email due to circumstances beyond our control, which would be Kartel’s first interview behind bars. He has come a long way since then. Check the stats: Over half a billion streams, 100+ #1 songs in Jamaica, not to mention all the dancehall stars he brought to the world’s attention, from Popcaan to Tommy Lee to Gaza Slim—and the list goes on straight up to Sikka Rhymes and UTG. And don’t forget the international collabs with the likes of Rihanna, Missy, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Major Lazer, Akon, and Eminem. And just the other day Kartel received his first solo plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America for the certified gold single “Fever” off his album King of the Dancehall. In honor of this accomplishment, not to mention the release of his latest magnum opus, Of Dons & Divas, the time seemed right to catch up and hold a reasoning with Adi. Interview After The Jump…
    (more…)

  • UTG Carry On Family Legacy With ‘Skinny Jeans’ EP

    UTG Carry On Family Legacy With ‘Skinny Jeans’ EP

    Likkle Addi & Likkle Vybz Bring That UpTown Greatness

    As a new decade dawns in 2020, a new era in Jamaican music has arrived with the rise of UTG, also known as Uptown Greatness. Over the previous 10 years, Vybz Kartel set the standard as dancehall’s undisputed World Boss, re-branding his Portmore ends as “Di Gaza” and sparking a cultural movement that bubbled up from the streets and shifted global pop culture. Now Likkle Vybz and Likkle Addi are taking that energy to another dimension, blessed to live a lifestyle made possible by their father’s success and their mother’s loving guidance. Building on that solid foundation, the teenage brothers are stepping up to carry the torch with their debut album ‘Skinny Jeans’ produced by Short Boss Music and distributed by Johnny Wonder. The album dropped today and the brothers are already featured on the cover of Tidal’s Dancehall Rising playlist. Audio After The Jump…
    (more…)

  • Dubbin’ with Bulby: Exclusive ‘Master Blaster’ Mixdown

    Dubbin’ with Bulby: Exclusive ‘Master Blaster’ Mixdown

    Legendary Producer and Engineer Dubs Beres, Busy & Kartel Live in the Studio

    A graduate of King Tubby’s Dub University, Colin “Bulby” Yorke has done his teacher proud. Over the course of nearly 30 years in the music industry, Bulby has produced, mixed, and engineered a plethora of certified boomshots—recordings by most of the top artists in dancehall and reggae pantheon—both as part of the Fat Eyes camp and under his own banner. Having worked with the likes of No Doubt and Rihanna as well, it was only right for Bulby to begin releasing albums himself. His solo debut, Epic & Ting, was so well received that he recently dropped a follow-up entitled Master Blaster. During a recent promo run through NYC, Bulby invited Boomshots up to Grey Noise recording studio in Times Square for a very special musical treat. Sitting down next to Reshma B at the mixing board, Bulby ran through an exclusive dub mixdown of three crucial tracks from Master Blaster: “Freedom” featuring Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, J Boog & Lutah Fyah, “Cherry Oh Baby” featuring Busy Signal and Patrice Roberts, and “Cyan Dween Like We” featuring Vybz Kartel alongside Lola Monroe and Candy Gloster. In between tracks, Bulby dropped knowledge about the art of Dub while RGAT witnessed a master at work. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Boomshots and Mix Master J Presents – The Baba Mix-A Father’s Day Playlist

    Boomshots and Mix Master J Presents – The Baba Mix-A Father’s Day Playlist

    The Official 2018 Father’s Day Playlist for Boomshots Magazine 

    In 2015, Boomshots Magazine premiered a multi-genre playlist of songs, entitled “Dada Playlist,” which included songs from reggae, hip hop, gospel, dub, rhythm & blues and jazz, dedicated to fathers.  This year, the magazine’s staff took on the challenge of creating a “strictly reggae” playlist dedicated to Fathers. We also took into consideration, the readers request to make the playlist accessible through a music application. We recruited one of the Top Tier dee-jays out of London, Mix Master J, the brother of reggae legend, Shinehead (Kingston 12), to add his expertise in sound mastery. The result is the “Baba Mix,” a unique reggae and Father- themed playlist.  Baba means father in Ki-Swahili and this mix considers various aspects of “The Father.” The mix begins and ends with reverence to the Almighty Father with songs like Buju Banton -“Our Father,” AJ Brown- “Father Friend, ” Luciano- “Father I Love Thee” and two Dennis Emmanuel Brown selections. The playlist then addresses the importance of the Father’s role in society, with songs like Konshens-“Original Daddy,” Jahmiel-“Real Father,” and Christopher Martin- “Just Like You.”  The juxtaposition of songs discussing a Father’s sex appeal such as Buju Banton-“Stamina Daddy” and the father-in-charge, with songs like Supercat – “Don Dadda” and Johnny Osbourne- “Dancehall Daddy,” adds playfulness to the mix. We sincerely hope that this will be a memorable Father’s Day Playlist for all who listen to it. Playlist After The Jump…

    (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Vybz Kartel -“Euphoria”

    HEAR THIS: Vybz Kartel -“Euphoria”

    Vybz Kartel Makes A Sentimental Tribute To His Long Time Love

    Adversity teaches appreciation for  life and relationships. Vybz Kartel lays out heartfelt lyrics to the woman who has been there for him through thick and thin, in a new track, entitled,  “Euphoria.” The tone of the song is a melancholy one despite the title. The World Boss reflects on his relationship with Tanisha Johnson, mother of his children. The lyrics sway ironically between various emotional tones: “You’re my Euphoria and I’m so sorry.”  More After The Jump…

    (more…)

  • Vybz Kartel Appeal Moves Forward

    Vybz Kartel Appeal Moves Forward

    Gaza Fans Rejoice But There’s Still A Long Road Ahead

    Gaza fans are celebrating at today’s news that Vybz Kartel and his co-defendants have been granted “leave” to pursue his appeal. His Lawyer Tom Tavares-Finson told the Jamaica Observer that this was an important step in the case. “It’s the first but critical step in the appeal process,” the prominent attorney explained. “A single judge, Justice Frank Williams, has read all the papers from the trial and determined that there are grounds on which an appeal could be allowed, so he has given the green light to proceed. We will move on to a full appeal in September. It is a limited victory, but an important moral victory for my client, as it reinforces the notion in his mind that justice will be srved and he will be acquitted.” Full Story & Video After The Jump…  (more…)

  • Dameon Gayle: Behind The Lens

    Dameon Gayle: Behind The Lens

    Envisioning Music with Director (Warrior Films) and Producer (Warrior Musick Productions), Dameon Gayle

    Dameon Gayle, is to reggae and dancehall what Hype Williams is to hip hop. He grew up in Waterhouse and learned to play drum, keyboard and bass guitar by ear, as a child. By 18, he began  hanging out with local musicians in his community including,  Bob Andy. This early introduction to music would shape his life and career. More After The Jump…

    (more…)

  • R.I.P. Sting: The End of an Era in Dancehall

    R.I.P. Sting: The End of an Era in Dancehall

    Remembering The Greatest One Night Reggae and Dancehall Show on Earth

    When the history of dancehall music is written, 2016 will go down as the year when mainstream stars took over the worldwide pop charts using Jamaican styles and sounds. It will also be remembered as the first Boxing Day in over three decades that went down with a staging of Sting. Sad to say the legendary stage show that has seen some of the most talked about performances—and lyrical clashes—in dancehall history is no more. Just three years after celebrating Sting’s 30th anniversary with a star-studded lineup that included the return of the Don Dada Super Cat, American artists 2 Chainz and Wyclef Jean, and an epic clash between Lady Saw and Macka Diamond, Sting founder Isaiah Laing has called it quits. Despite pledging in years past that “if I am alive there will be Sting,”  Laing made it official on Jamaican television’s popular show OnStage, saying that Sting has not made money in several years—despite significant investment from the likes of Josef Bogdanovich, who has since moved on to revamp another great Jamaican festival, Reggae Sumfest. Laing and his longtime partner Heavy D further noted that the artists who are big enough to draw a crowd are not willing to perform on the show. The clashes that made Sting a sort of musical heavyweight bout eventually came to be its undoing. Who can forget the time when Popcaan had to shove Blak Ryno off the stage because the other artist was “somehow” given a live microphone and allowed to rush the stage during Popcaan’s solo set back in 2012? These types of antics eventually take their toll on artist loyalty. Whether Sting will ever come back is anybody’s guess. Talk of a gospel festival sounds like a major departure from the hardcore format we have come to know and love. For the sake of those who don’t know—and the pleasure of those who do—Boomshots takes a moment to remember the best Sting had to offer. Memories After The Jump… (more…)

  • This Year’s Best Dancehall Christmas Songs

    This Year’s Best Dancehall Christmas Songs

    Reshma B Selects The Sounds To Get Your Holiday Party Poppin’

    The Reggae Girl About Town’s new Murda She Wrote column just dropped on Pigeons & Planes, and it’s right on time to help your Christmas jam tun up: “There’s nothing better than Christmas in Jamaica—not just because the balmy Caribbean weather beats a polar vortex every time, but because Jamaicans love Christmas with a passion. The parties start in early December and run all the way through the top of the new year… and the most festive thing of all is the music. Over the years, thousands of reggae Christmas tunes have flooded the internet, but here are Murda She Wrote’s picks for the hottest this year. Full List After The Jump… (more…)