Boomshots

Tag: XTM Nation

  • Sizzla “Praise Ye Jah” 25th Anniversary Mixtape

    Sizzla “Praise Ye Jah” 25th Anniversary Mixtape

    Celebrating a Classic Album, Live From Judgment Yard

    “I did behold!” It’s been a quarter of a century since Sizzla Kalonji’s anthem “Praise Ye Jah” first rang out of sound systems all across Jamaica and electrified the worldwide dancehall reggae massive with his revolutionary sound and energy. When the teen prodigy born Miguel Collins linked up with legendary producer Philip “Fatis” Burrell and his Xterminator crew—including saxophonist and musical director Dean Fraser, Sly & Robbie, and a veteran session band known as the Firehouse Crew—musical history was made. Fast forward to 2023 and Fatis’ son Kareem “Remus” Burrell is carrying on the family legacy with XTM Nation. Today XMT is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Sizzla’s landmark album ‘Praise Ye Jah’ by bringing the vibes to a new generation with XTM’s “Praise Ye Jah” mixtape featuring exclusive dubplates by the likes of Tarrus Riley, Spragga Benz, Kabaka Pyramid, Pressure Buss Pipe, Protoje, Lila Ike, and more. The Boomshots crew linked up with XTM and rolled to August Town for an exclusive reasoning with the man they call Dada. He spoke about his memories of working with Fatis, his respect for Remus, and his unique vision for his purpose in life. Sizzla has invested the proceeds of a successful music career, building up his Judgment Yard community, providing a working studio, library, and other economic opportunities, and supporting the Sizzla Youth Foundation. This man’s motivation goes way beyond industry accolades. Time to put some respect on Sizzla’s name. Mixtape & Mini-Doc After The Jump…  (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Dennis Brown “No Man Is An Island” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Dennis Brown “No Man Is An Island” PREMIERE

    Unreleased Classic off Fatis Tapes In The Oven Vol. 2

    When a young Dennis Emannuel Brown made his way to Jamaica’s legendary Studio One, he sang songs that laid the foundation for his legacy as the Crown Prince of Reggae. One of the earliest gems he cut for Coxsone Dodd was “No Man Is An Island,” a powerful single that became the title track for his 1972 album of the same name. A quarter century later D. Brown remade the tune for the late great producer Philip Fatis Burrell. Backed by the Firehouse Crew, Dennis Brown sounds older and wiser and he delivers lyrics of truth that have stood the test of time. This crucial mid-’90s update has never been released before, but thanks to producer Kareem Burrell it will now see the light of day on Fatis Tapes In The Oven Vol. 2. With this important reissue series, Remus carries on his father’s legacy while sharing beautiful music with the world. Give thanks.

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  • HEAR THIS: Meleku “What to Make”

    HEAR THIS: Meleku “What to Make”

    Sizzla Kalonji’s Son Links With XTM Nation & Keeps The Fire Blazing

    Asking the musical question “What to make of this world,” Meleku, the son of Sizzla Kalonji, steps forward on his own quest for wisdom, knowledge and overstanding. Continuing a multi-generational collaboration, Meleku has linked up with Kareem “Remus” Burrell, son of legendary producer Philip “Fatis” Burrell, the man who first championed a young Sizzla (born Miguel Collins) on the mighty Xterminator label. Just as Remus keeps carrying his father’s works forward with his new XTM Nation imprint, likewise Meleku is keeping his father’s lyrical fire blazing.  Audio & Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Jesse Royal “Silent River”

    HEAR THIS: Jesse Royal “Silent River”

    The Palace Pikney’s Lyrics Run Deep

    Opening with a sample of Horsemouth’s speech from the classic Jamaican midnight movie Rockers, Jesse Royal’s latest single, “Silent River” runs as deep as its title suggests. “We step through the valley of death without fear,” he rhymes in his trademark melodic flow, “Lion nuh join squabble with eagle and bear.” Although it reworks a chorus from the version found on Royal’s critically acclaimed Royally Speaking mixtape, this is a totally new version, produced by Kareem “Remus” Burrell for XTM Nation‘s Living Heart Vol. 2, a tribute to the producer’s late father, Philip “Fatis” Burrell. With Kirk ‘Kirkledove’ Bennett on drums, Llamar ‘Riff Raff’ Brown on keyboards, Mitchum ‘Khan’ Chin on guitar, and a legendary horn section featuring Nambo Robinson on trombone and Dean Frasier on sax, the track is an all-star affair, providing a fitting soundscape for the lyrical Beretta to buss.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Kayla Bliss “Red Hott”

    HEAR THIS: Kayla Bliss “Red Hott”

    After dropping a few hot joints alongside the likes of Jesse Royal and Sizzla on XTM Nation productions like the “Long Days, Short Nights” Riddim, Kayla Bliss steps up today with a brand new one-away single called “Red Hott,” which premiered today via Mass Appeal. The rhythm track, an update of Alton Ellis’s classic “Can I Change My Mind” featuring Sly Dunbar on drums and Donald Dennis on bass, bubbles like soup on a fire while Kayla sings about why she, Kareem “Reemus” Burrell, and the whole XTM Family are, in fact, “Red Hott.” Even when the Brooklyn-based singer is making moves with one of Jamaica’s most respected production teams she makes sure her “nails well done… hair intact”—oh yeah, and she always burns “the stinkest of hash.” What better way to mark the late great Phillip “Fatis” Burrell’s birthday than to continue his musical legacy? Audio After The Jump…
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  • Royalty In NYC: Jesse Royal and The King Suns at SOBs

    Royalty In NYC: Jesse Royal and The King Suns at SOBs

    The Palace Pickney Delivers An Emancipation Message During Bob Marley EarthStrong Weekend

    Not many artists can fill SOBs on a snowy winter night with temperatures in the twenties. But Jesse Royal is not just any artist. So this past Monday night, his first time performing at the legendary night club he had a toe-to-toe, overflowing crowd out early. The crowd got warm and cozy with some blazing hits by Lionface (Lion King), Max Glazer & Kenny Meez (Federation Sound), DJ Gravy & Micro Don (Rice N’ Peas), Rob Kenner, SeeBorn, and Charlie Brown (BBC Hi-Fi). The temperature kept rising throughout Jah Bami and Knight Blade’s live session—heightened by a rousing performance of their viral hit “I Got That Weed”—before the special surprise guest was announced by the Host, Rob Kenner.  More After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Ini Kamoze “Hill & Gully Ride (Remix)” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Ini Kamoze “Hill & Gully Ride (Remix)” Official Music Video

    The Lyrical Gangster Rides Again

    You don’t have to be a reggae fanatic to know Ini Kamoze’s voice. He’s the one who sings the hook—”Out in the streets they call it murder“—on Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s 2005 banger “Welcome To Jamrock.” And back in 1994, the “lyrical gangster” was responsible for the worldwide smash hit “Here Comes The Hot Stepper,” which reached the No. 1 spot in the U.S. when remixed by Salaam Remi for the Pret A Porter soundtrack. Kamoze first recorded a different version of “Hot Stepper” for the late great Jamaican producer Fatis Burrell, founder of the legendary Xterminator label. Fatis’ son Kareem Burrell of XTM Nation remixed another Kamoze classic, “Hill & Gully Ride,” first released 30 years ago. (The track will be included on the forthcoming remix album Living Heart vol. 2.) Today we premiere the animated video, directed by Juppi Juppsen. Watch the ride—and hold on good. Video After The Jump… (more…)