Boomshots

Tag: Vybz Kartel

  • Kartel Tops Billboard 10 Best Reggae Albums List

    Kartel Tops Billboard 10 Best Reggae Albums List

    The best of times and the worst of times for lovers of Reggae Music

    For the second year in a row Billboard asked Rob Kenner, founder of Boomshots Media, to pick the 10 Best Reggae Albums of the year. The assignment was particularly significant in this year where Jamaican sounds were all over the airwaves, the pop charts and the Grammy nominations, except that most of the records were not done by Jamaican artists. You could hardly turn on the radio without hearing a half-hour block of dancehall-style tracks, all too often classified under misbegotten names like “tropical house” and “Caribbean bass.” With both Justin Bieber and Rihanna briefly sporting dreadlocks and Drake publicly referring to himself as “the don,” it would be difficult for longtime fans of the music not to catch feelings this year….Consider this list a crib sheet to catch you up on everything you missed while tropical house flooded the airwaves.  Full List After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel “Best Place Pon Earth” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel “Best Place Pon Earth” Official Music Video

    If You Could Go Anywhere Right Now, Where Would It Be?

    Close your eyes and imagine paradise. What does it feel like? How do you get there? The latest visuals from the Dancehall WorlBoss explore the mysteries of that inner sanctum from whence all men are born—and where many wish to return. An Xtremely X-rated tune, released last August on the artist’s own Adidjaheim imprint and distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos, “Best Place Pon Earth” is surely one of Kartel’s best tunes of the year. Speaking about one of his favorite topics, the artist sounds like he’s in the zone on this one. Enjoy the video but be prepared for a rude awakening near the end.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Spice talks Culture Clash and Why She Doesn’t Want You To Call Her Queen of the Dancehall

    Spice talks Culture Clash and Why She Doesn’t Want You To Call Her Queen of the Dancehall

    Just Call The Mad Gyal “Queen of the Stage”

    One day before the Red Bull Culture Clash, Reshma B sat down with  Spice for an exclusive Boomshots interview. As usual the Mad Gyal and the Reggae Girl About Town kept it 100% real. In the first segment of their epic 3-part reasoning session, they speak about Spice’s huge international fanbase, her latest tunes to touch the road, and how to do the “Indicator” dance. In the second segment, they speak about whether Vybz Kartel is the new King of the Dancehall, what that means for Beenie Man, and why she doesn’t want to be called the Queen of the Dancehall. As usual the Mad Gyal and the Reggae Girl About Town kept it 100% real. In the third and final segment of their epic reasoning session, Spice shares her thoughts on the Red Bull Culture Clash, how she will do whatever it takes to win, and why Mixpak’s dancehall lineup should not be considered “under dogs” since Jamaica originated the whole clash culture. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • NO LONG TALK: Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor on the Red Bull & Guinness Decade

    NO LONG TALK: Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor on the Red Bull & Guinness Decade

    Dancehall’s First Podcast Hits #10 In Fine Style

    To commemorate the series tenth episode, Man Like Marvin Sparks drew for the decade’s defining producer, Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor. 2016 marks ten years on from his classic breakthrough riddim, Red Bull & Guinness. The riddim boasted voicings from Vybz Kartel, Wayne Marshall and Sizzla to a then-emerging singjay called Mavado. “Weh Dem A Do” went on to become an immovable anthem which still draws gun fingers and pull-ups as it did all those years ago. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Vybz Kartel Tops the Charts & Claims His Crown on “King of the Dancehall”

    Vybz Kartel Tops the Charts & Claims His Crown on “King of the Dancehall”

    The World Boss Backs Up The Big Chat

    “So all my time just gone?” Vybz Kartel intones at the start of the tenth track on his thirteenth album, King of the Dancehall. “All these years—them waste it. If me rob every watch inna the jewelry store, me can’t get back the time.” This is the closest Adidja Palmer comes to addressing the five years (and counting) that he’s spent behind bars on his new album King of the Dancehall, which debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Reggae chart today. Then again, he hasn’t exactly wasted his time. The album, produced by TJ Records, is a powerful piece of work, displaying all aspects of Kartel’s artistry and backing up its bold titular boast. While Beenie Man, the last Jamaican superstar to claim the title of dancehall king, has expressed his doubts about Kartel snatching the crown, Bounty Killer—who had a serious falling out with his former protege—recently appeared OnStage and weighed in on the musical game of thrones, openly admitting that 1) the album title is obviously designed to provoke Beenie Man and 2) there is no denying that Kartel is this generation’s dancehall king.   Review Continues After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Beenie Man: “The music is Jamaican; the problem is, America can make it too.”

    Reasoning with Beenie Man: “The music is Jamaican; the problem is, America can make it too.”

    The Doctor Talks Drake, Popcaan & Kartel

    “Drake from Canada—Beenie Man from Jamaica—dah one yah a murda! Zagga.” When Drake’s album Views dropped at the end of April, Popcaan fans were surprised to hear a new voice on “Controlla”—a vintage Beenie Man sample appeared where Popcaan’s lyrics used to be. With Drake’s album topping the charts and breaking sales records this was obviously a big deal, and it set off all sorts of debates about why the 6 God made that move—and whether he truly respected reggae and dancehall or was just tapping into the flavor of the moment. But Beenie Man is not bothered. Having collabed with the likes of Wyclef and Janet Jackson the Grammy-winning DJ who dropped the single “King of the Dancehall” back in 2004 is taking the whole situation in stride and focusing on his new album Unstoppable, which features collabs with Sean Paul and Busta Rhymes among others. We caught up with Beenie near the end of his European tour to talk about Drake, Popcaan and his thoughts about Vybz Kartel’s new album title. (In case you missed the memo, Kartel’s dropping an album tomorrow provocatively titled King of the Dancehall.) “The name of an album and the name of a person different,” said Bounty Killer during a recent appearance On Stage. “But me know say it provoking still. Him provoke Beenie fe true, just like when Beenie Man say him ah de king, him did provoke Yellow Man. And tell you what: is not one king. You have the king of all kings, but there are several kings. Kings come down different generations. So I guess Kartel is trying to say that him ah the king of this generation.” Pressed on the point Killer admitted that his former protege Kartel (who he’s definitely had some issues with over the years) is now ruling the dancehal. “He is the king of this generation, you can’t deny that. Weh you ah go do, fight it? For the last ten years, ah him. Me can’t say nuttin’—him ah de young king deh. If him wan’ piece of the king ting—him can hold on pon the young king. He’s not no prince anymore, after a decade. I’m not being biased. Him a young king, mon.” Let’s see what Beenie has to say about that. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel “I’ll Take You There” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Vybz Kartel “I’ll Take You There” Official Music Video

    What’s Your Favorite Way To Cure Pain?

    The Vybz Kartel Vevo channel sure is poppin’ these days. With Kartel’s highly anticipated King of the Dancehall album set to drop next week, the  “Fever” video has been burning up the place, approaching the million-view mark after just two weeks. And then, early this morning, another set of visuals dropped for the World Boss’s track on Good Good Productions’ Cure Pain Riddim, distributed by the mighty 21st Hapilos. This one is called “I’ll Take You There” and we’ve got it for you bright and early. A sexy beach video—what better way to get you in the weekend mood?  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • That Time Drake Almost Got Arrested With “Mava-Dado” & Other Exciting Tales

    That Time Drake Almost Got Arrested With “Mava-Dado” & Other Exciting Tales

    40 And The 6 God Regale Nardwuar With Dancehall War Stories

    Earlier this week Drizzy linked with fellow Canadian phenom Nardwuar aka the Human Serviette for a typically epic interview/gift-giving-b/show-and-tell session. Amongst many highlights gleaned by the good folks at Billboard were several dancehall-related anecdotes—including a massive big up for the World Boss Vybz Kartel. But not until we watched the video did we come to fully appreciate certain gems like Nardwuar’s question about “Mava-Dado.” (Must be seen to be believed.)  To be fair Nardwuar seems to be more of an old-school cat, as he presents Drizzy with a King Tubby’s Dance Hall Style Dub album on vinyl. Nuff respect. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Vybz Kartel or Buju Banton: Which Show Would You Attend?

    Vybz Kartel or Buju Banton: Which Show Would You Attend?

    Imagine: Two Big DJs, One Night Only—The Choice Is Yours

    If you’re a reggae and dancehall fan then you know some of the music’s biggest stars are stuck behind bars. While Busy Signal and Jah Cure have happily come home, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton are still in captivity. And even though The World Boss finds a way to keep the streets supplied with new tunes on a fairly regular basis, we haven’t seen either artist live in YEARS. Just imagine if both artists were released for just one day, to perform a show for their fans. Now—hypothetically speaking—imagine that both shows were happening on the same night (not in the same place, mind you). In other words, if you had to choose between seeing Kartel or Buju live—right now—which show would you attend? That was the question Chiney K posed to a sampling of her fellow Jamaicans. The results were pretty interesting to say the least. Let’s just say which artist you choose reveals a lot about your personality. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • No Long Talk: Spice “The Dancehall Heiress”

    No Long Talk: Spice “The Dancehall Heiress”

    Whenever You Hear “Scorrrrnnnn Dem!” You Know The Deal

    No long talk has been out of action for a bit but they live by the quotes: “If you’ve got nothing constructive to say, say nothing” / “Better to say nothing than chat shit.” And no long talk has their first female. And who better than the hottest female out right now, Spice! “Scorrrrnnnn Dem!” Ahead of the #MoreLife2016 show in London’s o2 Brixton Academy (alongside Tarrus Riley and Assassin aka Agent Sasco), Spice speaks to No Long Talk about her gospel beginnings to X-rated dancehall, almost quitting, why her daughter “does not know who Spice is”, whether dark skin hinders progression in showbiz, and the importance of social media. Audio & Video After The Jump.. (more…)

  • Reasoning with Chronixx: “I’m Not Ashamed of My Weaknesses”

    Reasoning with Chronixx:
    “I’m Not Ashamed of My Weaknesses”

    Di Steam Ministah Talks Coachella, Roots & Chalice Mixtape, and Controversy With his “Big Brother” Vybz Kartel

    Just after his historic performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Di Steam Ministah sat down with Reshma B for an exclusive interview. They speak about the challenges of being an artist in a material world, the joy of performing live, and how he sees himself as only being in his “infancy” as an artist, as he puts it: “baby stage.” Chronixx talks about being booked on Damian Marley’s 2016 “Welcome to Jamrock Cruise” and goes on to name some of his “Big Brothers” in the reggae music fraternity, mentioning names like Jr. Gong, Mavado, and Vybz Kartel. Chronixx also addresses the controversy surrounding his comments on a recent VICELAND TV show “Noisey Jamaica,” explaining that he overstands the fact that the media is more concerned with clicks and views than with telling a fair and balanced story. “Artists have to be artists, media have to be media. I can’t make the media determine how I feel.” Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: ZJ Liquid x Vybz Kartel “Forever” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: ZJ Liquid x Vybz Kartel “Forever” PREMIERE

    A Brand New Modern Classic Off The Producer’s MSquared Album

    ZJ Liquid’s career has progressed through many stages. The “Zip Jock” who’s famous for his next-level mixes on the top Jamaican radio station Zip FM was once known as “Lippo” when he was coming up in Montego Bay. Every Wednesday he used to hold a vibes at Pier One, chatting on the mic with various local sound systems. Eventually he got the chance to play music on Hot 102 radio in MoBay. He took the name Liquid when he relocated to Kingston 13 years ago with the inception of Zip. Since then he’s evolved into more than just an internationally known DJ—who has spun all over the world and live on BET—he’s also a top producer and an artist in his own right. “Some people may say ‘You ah do too much,’” Liquid told Reshma B in an exclusive interview. “But Jah bless we to do it or we woulda falter along the way.” Since establishing the H20 label in 2004 with the French Vanilla riddim, Liquid has emerged as one of Jamaica’s top producers, with top riddims like “Good Book” and “Fix Up” running the dancehall. But this April 15 he will celebrate another career milestone when he releases his debut album, MSquared via the mighty 21st Hapilos Digital Distribution. “It’s not a juggling, with all the songs on the same riddim,” Liquid explains. “It’s a compilation album putting together some of Jamaica’s best artists and I myself have two songs on it.” Today Boomshots proudly premieres one of the album’s standout tracks, a  romantic, melodic, energetic tune from the dancehall World Boss Vybz Kartel. Over a dreamy rhythm track, Kartel demonstrates his songwriting prowess, singing about his everlasting love for a girl who “moves so smooth, like acrobat” inspiring such deep feelings that he wants to give her “more love than you mama.” Flipping a line from Shakespeare’s As You Like It Kartel sings “The world is a stage; it’s all an act” over a relentless beat whose energy builds from a hard-hitting drum pattern, strings, and shimmering chord progressions. “Just live in the moment,” he sings euphorically, “It’s all we got.” Although Kartel remains one of the most prolific artists the world has ever seen, this sounds like a special song, with the potential to go around the world and back.  Like the song says, this one’s gonna “be here Forever.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)