Boomshots

Tag: Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

  • WTJRC 2022 Heavy Rotation Playlist

    WTJRC 2022 Heavy Rotation Playlist

    All in the Same Boat, Rockin’ on the Same Rock

    Once again it’s on. The last time we were on board the Jamrock Cruise was December 2019, before most people had ever heard the words “Covid-19.” Three years later the big ship is ready to rock with artists like Burning Spear, Shabba Ranks, Damian Marley, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, and more. Check out this Boomshots playlist featuring the latest sounds from all the artists performing on this year’s Jamrock Cruise.
    Heavy Rotation Playlist After The Jump…  (more…)

  • Dre Island Speaks On “We Pray” Collab With Popcaan

    Dre Island Speaks On “We Pray” Collab With Popcaan

    “They Don’t Want To See The Unity Between Dancehall and Reggae”

    “It’s a joy to see what Rastafari has done, said Dre Island shortly after stepping off the main deck stage of the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise. Having joined Popcaan to perform their hit duet “We Pray,” Dre Island was in a reverent mood when he spoke with Reshma B backstage. “For me it’s not even having faith in God it’s knowing that Jah is real,” the singer and producer explained. “Pocaan is my bredda, as he would say, family with a capital F. So it’s only fitting that we should do a song together.” When others questioned his choice of the Unruly Boss for the collab, Dre Island dismissed their doubts. “Unity is strength. Divided we fall. And we’re not going to fall we’re going to stay up forever.” Video After The Jump…
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  • Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise Crossword Puzzle Playlist 2018

    Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise Crossword Puzzle Playlist 2018

    Listen Up For Clues To Solve The Puzzle And Win A Copy Of the Fifth Anniversary WTJRC Zeen

    TKTK

    Puzzle After The Jump…
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  • Boss of the Year: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley

    Boss of the Year: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley

    Junior Gong Is Changing The Game In More Ways Than One

    On “The Struggle Discontinues,” a track from Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s  forthcoming album Stony Hill, Gongzilla offers a thought-provoking critique of reggae’s long history as “sufferer’s music.” As the tune puts it: “I don’t wanna sing a song that says ‘the struggle live on’… when will we overcome?” It really should come as no surprise that the artist who gave us hits like “Set Up Shop” and “Hard Work” is all about self-determination and economic advancement. “What we need in reggae music is business visionaries,” he says. “We have a lot of creative, artistic visionaries.” With that in mind, 2016 was a massively successful year for Bob Marley’s youngest youth. His Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise completed its third annual outing, selling out an even bigger vessel than ever before. While the cruise has inspired a few imitators—the sincerest form of flattery—WTJRC has been hailed by Billboard as “the genre’s premiere event.” With the 2017 lineup already announced, cabins are filling up fast. Meanwhile, Damian Marley also announced a foray into the booming herb industry—partnering with Ocean Grown Extracts, which recently acquired an abandoned prison in California which is being converted into a ganja grower—a potent symbol of poetic justice. The company has also entered a “joint venture” with Tru Cannabis to open a medical and recreational dispensary across the street from the NFL stadium in Denver—offering a new way to help keep Bronco tailgaters a “Mile High.” Don’t get it twisted—Jr. Gong’s main focus remains music, as evidenced by the anticipation for Stony Hill , the follow-up to his classic, certified Gold, double-Grammy-winning album Welcome To Jamrock. But it’s also true that rather than playing along, Zilla’s determined to change the game. “I’m working toward killing the struggle,” says Marley. “Not killing people’s ambition to better themselves, but killing the feeling that you have to be a struggler.” In recognition of his transformative power moves in 2016, Boomshots names Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley the Boss of the Year. Photos And Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Cham Exclusive “When I’m In The Studio I’m Floating—And I Don’t Smoke”

    WATCH THIS: Cham Exclusive “When I’m In The Studio I’m Floating—And I Don’t Smoke”

    Live From The Reggae Cruise, The Kid Chops It Up With The Reggae Girl About Town

    On board the second annual Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise, Boomshots caught up with Cham for an exclusive in-depth interview. We got the inside scoop on Lawless, his first album since the classic Ghetto Story, scheduled to drop in early 2016. (In the meantime you can download the Lawless mixtape after the jump.) “When I’m in the studio I’m floating,” says Cham. “And I don’t smoke—I go wherever I want to go, musically.” Cham also gave us a sneak preview of his latest tunes live—and found out why he and legendary producer Dave Kelly are returning to hardcore dancehall.  He also spoke about his classic cut “Ghetto Story,” and why it resonates all around the globe. Cham broke down how he and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley came to collaborate on the song “Fighter,” what their link means for both artists in the future. Finally Cham gave us some guidelines for living lawless pon di cruise: “No time for resting in the days,” he says. “And in the night we go all flippin’ night.”  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Download the House of Marley x Boomshots Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise Zeen

    Download the House of Marley x Boomshots
    Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise Zeen

    Our 2015 Zeen Is The Next Best Thing To Being On Board

    “All in the Same Boat,” Bob Marley sang on The Wailers’ 1971 Boomshot “Don’t Rock My Boat,” produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry, “Rockin’ on the same rock / Got to get together, loving each other.” This lyric isnpired the title for the 2015 Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise Zeen, the official guide to who’s who and what’s happening on our second annual seafaring excursion. The limited edition Zeen contains origjnal interviews and full-color photos of all 23 acts on board—Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Third World, Sly & Robbie, Maxi Priest, Super Cat, Bounty Killer, Popcaan, Elephant Man, Cham, Tarrus Riley, Morgan Heritage, Protoje, Tanya Stephens, and many more—plus all 10 champion sound systems. It also contains QR code links to exclusive Boomshots content—interviews and live performances direct from the cruise.  If you didn’t make it on this year’s cruise, the Zeen is the next best thing to being there. There’s even a discount code for House of Marley audio gear. Download Link After The Jump…
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  • Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise 2: Twice As Nice

    Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise 2: Twice As Nice

    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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  • Reasoning with Keith Walford from Bass Odyssey

    Reasoning with Keith Walford from Bass Odyssey

    The Sound System’s Founder Talks Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise and the Sound Clash on the Sea

    In the mid 1970s Keith Walford expanded his father’s mechanic business in Alexandria, St. Ann into distributing and stocking jukeboxes all over Jamaica. His used to spin music at private fetes before officially launching Bass Odyssey in 1989 along with then-partner Bunny Hayles and selector Tinna-One, who was later joined by Glamma G and the legendary Kevin “Squingy” Bennett. Squingy referred to himself as “the Michael Jordan of clash” and he helped to make Bass Odyssey a musical killing machine. Sadly he fell ill and passed away in 2009 but the sound has kept his legacy alive thanks to young selectors like Dwayne, Worm,  Skinny, and Charly Black who’s gone on to become a successful recording artist. Although Keith entered the political life in 2011, becoming a Member of Parliament representing St. Ann, his “World Sound From Way Out in the Country” is still going strong. Last year the sound celebrated its 25th anniversary by launching Jamaica’s first ever sound system festival, with plans to make it an annual event. This coming November Bass Odyssey will challenge longtime sparring partner Metro Media and Far East Rulers Mighty Crown during the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise’s first-ever Sound Clash on the Sea. Boomshots spoke with Keith as his sound prepares to make waves.  Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Father Metro

    Reasoning with Father Metro

    Metro Media Top Selector Talks Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise Sound Clash on the Sea

    Jimmy Metro, aka Haldane James, took over Metro Media in 1976 after the sound’s original founder, Lou Gooden, emigrated from the island. Building up the sound’s following in the Woodford Park area of central Kin, Jimmy had a great ear for raw talent. He discovered future superstar DJ Peter Metro in 1981 and later Tanto Metro (who would go on to become an international hitmaker as a duo with Devonte) not to mention Zuzu, the late great Massive Dread, Ashman, Chicken Chest, Dickie Ranking (aka Snagga Puss), and Niggah Mikey. The X-factor for the sound was Dominic, a British journalist who fell in love with dancehall culture and became the first bonafide white artist in Jamaican music. The sound soon added a young selector named Skyjuice whose belly and reputation would increase considerably in years to come. Father Metro was able to quit his job at Dynamic studios when the sound got big enough to tour England in 1984. “That really helped us build a foundation overseas,” he told the Jamaica Gleaner. “And we haven’t looked back.” Metro may be experienced overseas, but this coming November they will be playing on the seas when Metro Media clashes Bass Odyssey and Mighty Crown during the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise’s first-ever Sound Clash on the Sea. Boomshots spoke with the dancehall pioneer as his year-to-year sound prepares to make history all over again.  Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise to Host First Ever Soundclash on the Sea

    Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise to Host First Ever Soundclash on the Sea

    Mighty Crown vs Metro Media vs Bass Odyssey—Some Selector Get Chuck Overboard

    From the moment Jr. Gong first announced the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, the concept was clearly a game-changer. Bringing an outernational audience of reggae lovers on board a luxury liner with a stellar lineup of reggae and dancehall talent made last year’s maiden voyage such a success that this year the cruise will set off from Miami to Jamaica and back not once but twice. As crucial as the main deck stage shows were, a huge part of the cruise’s unique vibes were the spontaneous sound system freestyle sessions. And this year the sound systems will play an even bigger role. Stone Love Movement and Jammy’$ Super Power will return again—Papa Jammy promises to bring a few surprise guests along this year. Shinehead will return as well, having made a powerful impression with Kingston 12 sound. The UK champion sound Saxon Studio will be making its first appearance on the cruise along with fast-chat DJ legend Papa Levi of “Mi God Mi King” fame. But perhaps the most exciting announcement is that this year’s cruise will include the first-ever Soundclash on the Sea. Which sounds will have to walk the plank? Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Busy Signal “WhatsApp”

    HEAR THIS: Busy Signal “WhatsApp”

    Turf Prez Inna Soca Style

    Back in 1984 when Byron Lee and the Dragonaires created their classic hit, “Tiny Winey,” they could not have predicted that this song about a provocative dancer could inspire another soca tune, thirty-one years later. Busy Signal explains that he particularly enjoyed the tune’s exuberant narrative—as well as its infectious riddim—and wanted to create a song,  similar in  style. This gave rise to his recent release, “WhatsApp” which is getting heavy rotation throughout the Caribbean, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago. The lyrics don’t stray far from the topic of “wining, ” as in “Tiney Winey,”  but they also address the impact of social media on today’s society. The man stays busy—so it’s no surprise to hear another crossover hit from this artist.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise Doubles Up for 2015

    Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise Doubles Up for 2015

    Cabins Going Fast As Barrington, Maxi , Elly, Popcaan, Capleton Confirmed

    Due to overwhelming demand, the second annual Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise will offer two back-to-back cruises in 2015, from November 30th to December 10th. According to the cruise’s official Facebook page, the newly confirmed talent for 2015 includes Ky-Mani Marley, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Capleton, Elephant Man, Popcaan,  and Maxi Priest. They will perform Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Stephen “Ragga” Marley, Julian “JuJu Royal” Marley, Bounty Killer, Busy Signal and other returning members of the Ghetto Youths International family. Representing the best of sound system culture, the Welcome to Jamrock Cruise 2015 proudly present the original Saxon Studio posse from London including Philip “Papa” Levi of “Mi God Mi King” fame. They will join King Jammy’s Super Power, whose performance on last October’s cruise was legendary. Stay tuned for more breaking news about sound system action the cruise. All aboard! Full Lineup and Videos After The Jump… (more…)