Boomshots

Month: November 2016

  • HEAR THIS: Tarrus Riley “Crime-Free Christmas”

    HEAR THIS: Tarrus Riley “Crime-Free Christmas”

    Singy Singy Prays “Don’t Let Bloodshed Bruk The Vibes”

    “All I want for Christmas is to stay alive,” sings Tarrus Riley on this brand-new holiday boomshot, “Can’t take the sound of the 45!” Visions of yuletide merriment and “a new brand ride with a thick empress inside” are interspersed with heartfelt pleas for peace over a bouncy dancehall track produced by Lamont “Monte” Savory and mixed by Shane C. Brown of Jukeboxx Productions. “Seasons greetings” the song’s intro states. “Uptown, Downtown, we no wan’ hear no gun sound.” Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Half Pint Speaks on the Making of “Greetings”

    Half Pint Speaks on the Making of “Greetings”

    “You may be raggedy and poor, but you are still rich in spirit”

    If you’ve ever been to a reggae party, it’s pretty much impossible that you’ve never heard “Greetings,” Half Pint’s raggamuffin anthem. Released in 1985 on George Phang’s legendary Powerhouse label, the song finds Half Pint representing for poor people over a hard-driving Sly & Robbie digital remake of the immortal “Heavenless” riddim. While preparing this year’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise Zeen, we reached out the singer who gave us the story behind this classic dancehall anthem. Audio & Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Jah9 “Unafraid” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jah9 “Unafraid” Official Music Video

    Lioness Order Lays Down The Law

    A lot of times when an artist starts to grow in popularity they tend to avoid rocking the boat and shun material that some may find controversial. That isn’t the case with Jah9 who has just released a video for the song “Unafraid,” which deals with the taboo subject of child molestation. When she sings “Nasty likkle teacher bwoy touching on my nephew, stirring up the dragon in my head,” the outrage is understandable. But lines like “Willing to stick a head ‘pon a fence” will definitely make some people uncomfortable. Boomshots reached out to the artist for some insight. “We’re not promoting violence,” she explained, “but we’re not promoting complacency about such a serious thing.” Video and Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: A-Game “Everyday” Official Music video

    WATCH THIS: A-Game “Everyday” Official Music video

    In Comes Swing Ting With A Next Mad Sinting

    You may recall the UK-based label Swing Ting aka “the big bad sound outta Manchester” from that Devin Di Dakta “Bubble” joint we premiered a while back. They’re back at it with another bass-heavy digital excursion pon the version. This tune features an artist known as Alexx A-Game, who got his start in the business as a member of Konshens’ touring band. A-Game dropped a mixtape in 2014 and has been steadily building a core fanbase with his uplifting soulful lyrics. He also featured on “Gangsters,” a next Swing Ting release with UK producer Famous Eno and MCs Serocee & Fox, which showcased “a rawer side to his delivery,” as Swingting’s own Balraj Samrai puts it. The new tune is livicated to “every breadwinner who ah work for the cheese and butter.” The video includes scenes from the Rooftop Dayrave party, a joint venture between Equiknoxx & Swing Ting that took place in Downtown Kingston earlier this year. In this brave new world of Brexit and Trump, the hustling can’t stop, cause from you have life you have needs. Video After The Jump…
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  • HEAR THIS: Slim Smith “Rougher Yet”

    HEAR THIS: Slim Smith “Rougher Yet”

    Special Request to the Trump Posse

    Those who happened to be in London when the Brexit vote went down will recognize the sense of disbelief sweeping America on this morning after. It soon became clear that many people didn’t actually understand what they had voted for. (Google searches for “What is Brexit?” and “What is the EU?” spiked just AFTER the referendum was passed.) The same holds true in this disgraceful presidential race, and as with Brexit, the repercussions of Trump’s victory are just beginning. Audio & Argument After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Hempress Sativa “Fight For Your Rights” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Hempress Sativa “Fight For Your Rights” Official Music Video

    A Luta Continua

    When it comes to female reggae artists on the rise, Jah9 usually gets the lion’s share of the discussion. But she is not alone. Hempress Sativa is rapidly gaining the attention she deserves as a brilliant artist who can sing, dj, and even rap. First introduced to music by her father Albert ‘Ilawi Malawi’ Johnson, selector for the legendary Jah Love Sound System, Kerida Johnson began performing at the age of 13. She chose the name Hempress Sativa which she said represents “a state of euphoria, a state of consciousness, [and] a state of high.” Her music is rooted in her Rastafarian faith and includes songs such as the marijuana anthem “Oo La La La: The Weed Thing,” the sensuous “Kushite Love,” and the homage to sound system culture “Boom (Wa Da Da Deng),” alongside Paolo Baldini DubFiles. Today we focus on the  Hempress’ latest single “Fight For Your Rights,” produced by Conquering Lion Records, mixed by The Original Dub Master “Scientist,” and released to coincide with the 86th coronation of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen. Of the song’s new video Hempress Sativa wrote on her Facebook page “People of African descent were considered underlings and were being denied then and still now some basic human rights! So With the 1930 Coronation, The Royal Family of H.I.M Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen exemplified nobility and a dynasty as long as King Solomon and Queen of Sheba reconciling the fact that we (Black People) were from the beginning indeed the first civilization and not savages as their stories would have us believe.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Popcaan Performs Live At MOBO Awards

    Popcaan Performs Live At MOBO Awards

    Unruly Gang Inna Glasgow

    The last time Popcaan set foot in the United Kingdom, he used an OVO duplate to seal up Mixpak’s decisive victory in the Red Bull Culture Clash. Now comes news that the Unruly Boss will be performing live at the 21st Annual MOBO Awards in Glasgow, Scotland. The awards, which honor Music of Black Origin around the world, will kick off in just a few hours. This year’s Best Reggae Act nominees include Popcaan, Alkaline, Spice, Kranium, and Protoje. (Nuff respect!) Those of us who are not in the UK can pree the red carpet pon Facebook, and keep it locked to Boomshots for more updates. More Details After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Mavado “Get Up”

    HEAR THIS: Mavado “Get Up”

    Brand New Serial From Marvoni Records

    Recently we’ve been hearing a lot of war tunes flying back and forth. Folks getting all excited about a next lyrical skirmish from two battle-tested veterans. While there’s a time and a place for war, life during wartime ain’t no party—and it ain’t no fooling around (word to David Byrne). So when we hear David Brooks singing a crucial message of inspiration for all the hard-working ghetto youths who hang on his every word, we’ve got to give that a big forward. Whether it’s controversial or not. Whether it sells or not. Because it’s only right. That’s what Gully Gaad does. That’s what the music is for—so listen up!  Audio After The Jump… (more…)