Can You Feel It? 
Love is a powerful emotion, so powerful that it engulfs you and only that special one can put out the flames. Neo-soul singer Musiq Soulchild teams up with R&B songstress Syleena Johnson and jumps on the reggae tip creating a smooth love song. Produced by Kemar “Flava” McGregor “Feel This Fire” will definitely have you thinking about leaving whatever you’re doing and rushing home to your beau. Tune After The Jump… (more…)
Dutty Paul Tells A Tale of Love That Didn’t Stick Like Glue
Sean Paul just dropped a video for “Other Side of Love,” one of two songs released thus far off of his forthcoming as-yet-untitled sixth studio album, due out later this year on Atlantic/VP Records. The song was co-produced by Benny Blanco and The Cataracs and the video was directed by Jon J. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Octane Talks About Closing Dancehall Night at Sumfest
I-Octane has come a long way since he first hit the Digicel side stage at Reggae Sumfest five years ago. In the early hours of last Friday morning he was the closing act at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, and although the sun was shining brightly by the time he hit the stage (with special guest artist Bounty Killer) the capacity crowd was still standing strong with him as he turned in a triumphant, career-making performance. As the crowd went home, Octane sat down with Reshma B to talk about the latest milestone on his mission to Conquer the Globe. [Photos and Video by Mark Shaw] Video After The Jump… (more…)
Christian Tavares Finson Says The Werlboss’s Biggest Fight Is Behind Him
Hours after winning a decisive victory in Vybz Kartel’s two-year battle against murder charges, his lead attorney Christian Tavares-Finson sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss how Jamaican police have failed to prove their case against his client, and talk about his legal strategy for freeing the Worl’ boss. Next stop: a new bail application, and then the final criminal case in November. And once the criminal case is decided, Tavares-Finson says he and his client will be looking very carefully at a civil action to recover lost earnings during the DJ’s lengthy incarceration. Video After The Jump…
How Portmore Night Club Drops A New Juggling Produced by Richie D
The newly opened Famous Nightclub in Portmore has linked with esteemed dancehall producer Richard “Richie D” Martin to drop a brand new juggling called the Club Famous riddim featuring new tracks from the Warlord, Bounty Killer, the Doctor Beenie Man, Voicemail, Stacious, Richie Loop and the “drunken master” Future Fambo. “The Famous riddim is a beat done with live drums and bass,” says producer Richie D. “I’ve always wanted to produce live music with an original dancehall (live stage show) kinda vibe. The riddim track was original named “stage show,” but after speaking with Gary Matalon about doing a track for Famous Night Club, we decided to rename it “Famous.” Bounty Killa’s song “Still Gamous” was the first song I wrote for the beat and the “Killa” killed it. Working with Fambo, Stacious, Richie Loops and Stein was an adventure—especially being off the production scene for a few years—all are very talented and great to work with. Beenie Man did a great job as well. Look out for other songs to be released on the Famous riddim soon. We’re also working on Famous 2 coming this Christmas.”
“KLE Group’s second nightclub concept is named Famous Nightclub,” says Gary Matalon, a partner in KLE Group. “Famous Nightclub is located in Portmore Jamaica. Its 12,000 square feet of amazing decor, light and sound. Since Cactus Nightclub, which closed over 10 years ago, there hasn’t been a premium, world-class club in this area. The concept was developed as a home for Jamaican music. Famous boasts the best in live entertainment including top selectors and artists as well as showcases upcoming talent.”
“We decided that a great way to embed our brand in the dancehall community would be contribute to the music directly,” Matalon said of the club’s decision to drop a riddim. The idea of leveraging our relationships with some of the greatest talent in the industry gives us a great opportunity to do just that. The songs on the Famous riddim will be great exposure and promotion for the club while the club provides a perfect platform to push the songs.”
Richie D prepared a special Boomshots mix especially for this premiere to show off all the new tracks on the juggling. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
Bussa Buss and Barbz Inna Mad Sittin
Busta Rhymes and Nicki Minaj are two hip-hop stars who have consistently shown their love for dancehall culture. It comes out in little ways sometimes, a touch of slang here, a collabo there. So when the two of them linked up to make a straight-up dancehall record the results were explosive. And now here’s the video that tuns the whole thing up till it buck. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Dancehall Nights Kicks Off Tomorrow—Who is Going to Shell Down Sumfest This Year?
Reggae Sumfest has been taking place for 20 years and every year has out done the last. Last year, Reggae veteran, Shabba Ranks, wowed fans with his first performance in a decade. Trey Songz brought his sex appeal to Sumfest 2012 and had fans swooning in the crowd. R. Kelly performed his ultimate hit, “Bump N’ Grind,” in a rare acapella style. Quite the event, it may seem as if Reggae Sumfest 2o12 can’t be topped but this 21st year of Reggae Sumfest is already turning to be unforgettable and it hasn’t even begun yet.
With a line-up that includes returning artists, Damian Marley, Aidonia, Popcaan and newcomers, Miguel, Flo Rida, Ashley Martin and many more, there’s no telling what will be in store for the concert-goers. It has already been confirmed that I-Octane will be closing Dancehall Night and Jah Cure will be closing International Night One. Macka Diamond and Lady Saw will both be at Reggae Sumfest so there might be some healthy competition between the two for fans to enjoy. Popular Reggae artist, Beres Hammond, is also in the line-up and concert attendees are excited to see him perform tracks off of his newest album, One Love, One Life. And then there is always the special guests, surprise performances and unexpected stage antics. Reggae Sumfest 2013 has a line-up that will have thousands of fans anxiously waiting for the next Sumfest.
Though Reggae Sumfest is this week, it isn’t too late to buy yourself a ticket to join in the festivities! Check out the entire line-up in the photo gallery.
Worl’Boss Speaks Out About His Triumph In Court
Following this morning’s Not Guilty verdict, imprisoned dancehall star Vybz Kartel had an ear-to-ear grin, but said little in court. Now he has released the following statement. Text After The Jump…
The Werlboss Has Beaten The First Case—One More To Go
Vybz Kartel is one step closer to being set free on themurder charges. Days after deliberating in Jamaica’s Home Circuit Court, Judge Bryan Sykes has denied the motion to review statements from two witnesses. Since the trial began, reports have surfaced that the prosecution’s arguments have been weak and Judge Sykes has stated that not enough action was taken to locate other witnesses. Details After The Jump… (more…)
Ghetto Youths Intl & Game Over Films Present A Wicked New Piece of Visuals
Wayne Marshall’s rub-a-dub scorcher “I Know” has been on heavy rotation since we premiered it right here on Boommshots. And now director Jay Will has released a video that’s just as wicked as we wanted it to be. Think zinc fences. A dancehall session. Hot gals with smartphones. Bad bwoys with heavy waists. And one bag ah screwface. But just remember he who gets the girl in the end wins. Get the picture?
Video After The Jump…
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Just Before Blazing The Niyabinghi Fire, Sizzla Checked in With The Strictly Boomshots Show
Today marks the 121st anniversary of the birth of Tafari Makonnen Woldemikael, who would go on to become Haile Selassie I, emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. Selassie holds a special place for the Rastafarian faithful, and his birthday is celebrated by the blazing of the Niyabinghi fire and days of drumming and chanting. During last night’s Strictly Boomshots show, we were blessed with an exclusive telephone call from Sizzla Kalonji, who was on his way to the Niyabinghi. He took some time to speak on his new album The Messiah, broke down the importance of Haile Selassie, the meaning of Niyabinghi, and even chanted a few lines over the phone line. All those who have ears, let them hear. Interview Audio After The Jump… (more…)
A Rare Interview with the Trap Lord
A$AP Ferg’s summer scorcher “Shabba” has set the streets of NYC on fire—and the mad music video featuring the whole A$AP Mob and Shabba Ranks himself has everybody wondering why a youth from Harlem decided to pay homage to Shabba. The A$AP Mob is known for their ’90s nostalgia, and who was a bigger dancehall star in the early 90s than Shabba Ranks? And of course if you listen to A$AP Rocky’s hit “Pe$o” you can hear the dancehall influence runs deep amongst the mob. But still Ferg’s connection to Shabba runs even deeper. Born into a Trinidadian family, Ferg used to visit Jamaica as a youth. Boomshots’ own Reshma B sat down with Ferg for an in-depth discussion of “Shabba” and a preview of Ferg’s debut album, Trap Lord. Video After The Jump… (more…)