Boomshots

Month: July 2014

  • HEAR THIS: Major Lazer x Walshy Fire Present Jesse Royal “Royally Speaking”

    HEAR THIS: Major Lazer x Walshy Fire Present Jesse Royal “Royally Speaking”

    The Small Axe Jesse Royal collaborates with Major Lazer to premiere a hot new summer mixtape

    The Small Axe, better known as Jesse Royal, is chopping up new tunes for the upcoming  BRAND NEW mixtape Royally Speaking. Jamaican star Jesse Royal and Internationally renowned DJ Walshy Fire of Major Lazer are putting a fresh spin on previously released singles including tracks from Royal’s EP In Comes The Small Axe. The two creative forces  have been working diligently to produce new material and plan to launch the mixtape July 14. The last up-and-coming reggae artist Walshy linked with to make a mixtape was somebody named Chronixx—and we all know how that turned out.  Audio After The Jump
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  • WATCH THIS: Tifa “Bak It Up” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Tifa “Bak It Up” Official Music Video

    She Wine Sweet Like Moscato, Bubble Bubble Like a Champagne

    The last time we caught up with Tifa back in January she warned us that 2014 was going to be a crazy year. You think she was jokin’? In the past six months the dancehall diva has signed a deal with Island King records, launched a fly official website, announced a brand-new line of signature headphones, and just yesterday she rolled through Hot 97 FM  in New York City where her latest single “Bak It Up” is getting nuff spins. You can catch her  interview with Ebro, the station’s PD, this morning. There’s even talk about booking her for Hot 97’s annual “On Da Reggae Tip” show this September. That’s a long ways away though. Next week it’s all about Reggae Sumfest. Yes, Tifa will be performing on the big stage on Dancehall Night (that’s this coming Thursday!) And you already know we’re gonna make sure to catch up with her down in MoBay. But right now let’s get into the official video for her latest banger. Apparently it’s all about the wine—and that’s why some man get tie like goat. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Denyque “Smile For The World” (Raise Your Hand For The Deejay)

    HEAR THIS: Denyque “Smile For The World” (Raise Your Hand For The Deejay)

    Johnny Wonder Breaks Down The Making of Another 21st Hapilos Production.

    New Single by Denyque. Adde Made the Riddim and I produced the song. Had Dreday mix it. He did a damn good job, LOL. My Songwriter Dice wrote the song. Also have a nice Jah Vinci on the same Riddim. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Jemere Morgan “International Love” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jemere Morgan “International Love” Official Music Video

    Dada’s Son Gives The Ladies Something Sweet Off His New Mixtape

    Jemere Morgan is just like every teenage boy in that he loves to play basketball and Xbox, listens to music, go to the movies and hang out with his friends. However there is one aspect of his life that is not so typical and that is the fact that he was born into one of Reggae’s most influential musical family, Morgan Heritage, his Father, Gramps Morgan and Grandfather, Denroy Morgan. Proving to be a chip off the old block, Jemere’s love affair with music began when he went on the Vans Warped tour with his Father and his family in 2000 for 7 weeks. Seeing his Father and his band mates, Morgan Heritage, perform inspired Jemere so much that he knew that music was the only thing that he wanted to do with his life. In 2011 he got the opportunity of a lifetime when he opened for Morgan Heritage on their European Tour. The experience proved to be a very pivotal moment in his career as he was able to showcase his talents on an international stage.  As a result he’s seen a lot of lovely ladies around the world, and apparently they were the inspiration for this tune, set to the rhythm of Gregory Isaacs’ “Stranger In Town.” The track, produced by Rellee Hayden for A-Team Music, is taken from Jemere’s new mixtape, Jemere’s Jukebox, which you can enjoy in full, after the jump. Audio & Video After The Jump…

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  • HEAR THIS: Bunny Rugs “Alone Again”

    HEAR THIS: Bunny Rugs “Alone Again”

    A Lost Session With Sly & Robbie Comes To Light

    This morning’s email contained a rare gift for all reggae lovers to cherish: a message from Guillaume Bougard, sharing this never-before-heard recording of the melancholy ballad “Alone Again” voiced the late great Bunny Rugs backed by Sly & Robbie. “Bunny Rugs recorded ‘Alone Again’ in 2010 during a day off of a Third World tour in Europe,” Bougard explained. “Here is a rough mix that I just stumbled upon.” On his Facebook page, Bougard elaborates that “We had recorded the instrumental originally for Horace Andy but Horace didn’t like the song, so I kept it and submitted it to Rugs who liked it, despite the overall sadness of the lyrics. He managed to retain the emotion and yet instill his usual joy. Lovely. Rugs knew he did very well on that take. Listen carefully to the last 2 seconds: he says ‘Bwoy Guillaume, you have a whole a money for me now.’ When Jamaican artists think they’ve done a great take, they believe the song is going to sell well and generate big royalties for them.” No amount of money can equal the joy of a new song by Bunny Rugs, who died of leukemia this past February 6 (which is also Bob Marley’s birthday) leaving an irreparable breach in the reggae matrix. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • The Queen of Reggae Gets Her Groove On at Groovin’ In The Park

    The Queen of Reggae Gets Her Groove On at Groovin’ In The Park

    “This is My Moment,” said Marcia Griffiths, “And I’m Gonna Live It.”

    Marcia Griffiths, the undisputed Queen of reggae, hit Jamaica Queens NYC to celebate 50 years in the music biz at Groovin in the Park this June 29. Now in its 4th year, Groovin in the Park is an upscale affair that attracted 25,000 punters to ‘Roy Wilkins Park’ with a line-up that boasts some of the greatest names in Reggae history—many of whom have worked with Marcia at one time or another. With at least half a dozen outfit changes Ms. Griffiths was prepared for anything. She first hit the stage around 3pm—warming things up with her international pop hit ‘Electric Boogie’, which spawned a dance craze that continues till this day—and kept going strong with internmittent breaks until 9pm. Full Review and Videos after the Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Alborosie: “Everybody Receive The Music Nice”

    Reasoning with Alborosie: “Everybody Receive The Music Nice”

    Albo’s Got a New Album Featuring All-Star Duets

    When the Italian-born reggae singer Alborosie is not touring the world, he makes his home in Jamaica, where he spends most of his time in his studio. The latest product of his labors is the album Specialist Presents: Alborosie & Friends, a collection of his duets with a wide range of reggae and dancehall talent, which dropped on V.P. Records June 17th. The 24 tracks include duets with Michael Rose, Horace Andy, Etana, Busy Signal, Sizzla, and fellow European reggae star Gentleman. During a recent tour stop in Miami, Reshma B caught up with Albo to talk about how he’s not just a producer and performer but also a proud, hands-on papa. ”I change him pampers,” says Albo of his new routine in the studio. But that doesn’t mean he takes his music any less seriously. In fact, the reggae global ambassador reveals, “The day i don’t feel the vibe anymore i will retire quietly.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Japanese Melodica Master Anna i Talks Augustus Pablo and His “Far East Style”

    Japanese Melodica Master Anna i Talks Augustus Pablo and His “Far East Style”

    Classical Piano Lessons At Age Eight Didn’t Thrill Her, Then She Discovered Augustus Pablo

    July 1st marks the 20th anniversary of International Reggae Day a celebration of the global impact of Jamaica’s musical culture. And there’s no greater representative than Tokyo-born Anna i. She always loved music, so at the age of eight her parents gave her classical piano lessons. But her passion for playing wasn’t sparked until a vinyl-collecting friend introduced her to soul, jazz, and especially reggae. She was particularly drawn to the “Far East” dub style of Jamaican melodica master Augustus Pablo. Absorbing his sound, she taught herself to play the instrument and within a few years she was playing with the German punk band The Slits on tracks like the 2009 banger “Babylon.”  Earlier this summer she joined Jamaican keyboard master Monty Alexander during his birthday celebration at B.B. King’s, improvising “Happy Birthday to You” during a dub-jazz jam session. She’s now under the wing of Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin—the P in VP Records—who has big plans for the young melodica master. The ReggaeGirlAboutTown recently caught up with Anna i at VP headquarters for an in-depth conversation. Anna even treated Boomshots to an off-the-cuff performance. Video After The Jump…

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