What do you get when you combine British R&B singer Estelle with reggae artist Tarrus Riley? You get new lovers rock anthem in the song “A Love Like Ours,” which is featured exclusively on VP Records Reggae Gold 2017 compilation album. The video for the song directed by Denzel Williams features a beautifully green forest as the backdrop, with Gabbi Neal and Guy Peel Jr. portraying a couple in love, while Estelle and Tarrus both dressed in white by stylist Shani James trade verses over a silky one drop riddim. Video After The Jump… Read more »
Reasoning With Estelle: “Reggae Is In My Soul”
West London Singer Delves Deep Into Her Reggae Roots
The first time most of the world heard about Estelle Fanta Swaray, she was collaborating with Kanye West on the Grammy-winning smash “American Boy.” That song, which featured Kanye spitting his best soundboy slang—”Here comes the number-one champion sound!”—appeared on her 2008 album Shine, along with a handful of straight-up reggae tracks, like “Magnificent,” featuring Kardinall Offishall. Although she’s often described as an R&B artist, this West London girl, the daughter of a reggae session drummer, has always been as musically diverse as the city she grew up in, freely exploring genres from grime to dancehall. “Come Over,” her collab with Sean Paul showed another side of her versatility. After fielding requests for years, she’s finallyembarked on a full-on reggae album, with production by the likes of Supa Dups. Our first taste of the project, a collab with Tarrus Riley called “Love Like Ours” is nothing less than remarkable. After her surprise appearance alongside Tarrus at Groovin’ in the Park 2017, Estelle invited Reshma B to hop inside her black SUV for 100% real interview. No subject was off-limits. Video After The Jump…
Gyptian’s “Sex, Love and Reggae” Rises To Higher Heights
Gyppy’s Latest Album Debuted At No. 1 on Billboard’s Reggae Chart
The night before Gyptian released his latest album Sex, Love & Reggae he spent the evening celebrating his 30th birthday with Rob Kenner on Radio Lily. After the webcast Gyppy and an entourage of his friends, including Bascom X, Fyakin, Khago and Danielle D.I. rolled over to the legendary SOB‘s to continue the celebration at the highly anticipated, SOB’s Reggae Music Fest, presented by Tree Reid Promotions. NYC’s renowned selector DJ Stranger, X-Caliber Sound warmed up the crowd awaiting their arrival. Next up, the extraordinary Derrick Barnett (founder and former bassist for the legendary Jamaican band Sagittarius ) and his Statement Band including Raymond Stewart on keyboards, Andy Bassford on guitar and Damian Martellie on drums, excited the crowd with an electrifying live session. When Gyptian hit the stage around 10:30pm, the crowd ignited. Album Review and Video After The Jump… Read more »
Tarrus Riley Spreads The Reggae Virus
“Much Better Than The Swine Flu” says Tarrus, a Singer On A Mission
Today’s Sunday New York Times calls Tarrus Riley a “Reggae Singer With A Legacy, A Following, And A Mission.” I know this because I wrote the blasted piece. Read more »
WATCH THIS: Sean Paul & Estelle “Come Over” LIVE
Estelle Nices Up Sean Paul’s Imperial Blaze Release Party in NYC
The biggest dancehall star on the planet celebrated the release of his fourth album Imperial Blaze last night with a sold-out show at the Highline Ballroom in New York City. Read more »
The Post Reggae Era
Remember that LKJ poem “It Noh Funny“?
“People sayin’ dis, people sayin’ dat / bout the youth of today / how dem gone astray / And it noh funny”
Well people have been saying this and that about the decline of reggae music lately. Despite the efforts of dancehall bashers, fossilized old-school devotees, the government, the church, and assorted gay-rights organizations, despite declining record sales, the theft or embezzlement of Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation’s entire record collection, and widespread abuse and exploitation, reggae isn’t dead. No, it’s just been appropriated by R&B and hip hop. Or, put another way, Jamaican music’s influence is so pervasive as to be almost imperceptible. And it no funny. Read more »
