Month: December 2016

  • R.I.P. Sting: The End of an Era in Dancehall

    R.I.P. Sting: The End of an Era in Dancehall

    Remembering The Greatest One Night Reggae and Dancehall Show on Earth

    When the history of dancehall music is written, 2016 will go down as the year when mainstream stars took over the worldwide pop charts using Jamaican styles and sounds. It will also be remembered as the first Boxing Day in over three decades that went down with a staging of Sting. Sad to say the legendary stage show that has seen some of the most talked about performances—and lyrical clashes—in dancehall history is no more. Just three years after celebrating Sting’s 30th anniversary with a star-studded lineup that included the return of the Don Dada Super Cat, American artists 2 Chainz and Wyclef Jean, and an epic clash between Lady Saw and Macka Diamond, Sting founder Isaiah Laing has called it quits. Despite pledging in years past that “if I am alive there will be Sting,”  Laing made it official on Jamaican television’s popular show OnStage, saying that Sting has not made money in several years—despite significant investment from the likes of Josef Bogdanovich, who has since moved on to revamp another great Jamaican festival, Reggae Sumfest. Laing and his longtime partner Heavy D further noted that the artists who are big enough to draw a crowd are not willing to perform on the show. The clashes that made Sting a sort of musical heavyweight bout eventually came to be its undoing. Who can forget the time when Popcaan had to shove Blak Ryno off the stage because the other artist was “somehow” given a live microphone and allowed to rush the stage during Popcaan’s solo set back in 2012? These types of antics eventually take their toll on artist loyalty. Whether Sting will ever come back is anybody’s guess. Talk of a gospel festival sounds like a major departure from the hardcore format we have come to know and love. For the sake of those who don’t know—and the pleasure of those who do—Boomshots takes a moment to remember the best Sting had to offer. Memories After The Jump… (more…)

  • Artist of the Year: Popcaan “Nah Idle”

    Artist of the Year: Popcaan “Nah Idle”

    2016 Was The Unruly Boss’s Biggest Year, As Papi Showed The World How To Over Dweet

    Earlier this week Popcaan dropped the official music video for “Nah Idle,” a tune produced by Mini for UK-based E5 Records that pretty much sums up the Unruly Boss’s amazing year. “We nuh beg people, so no bwoy can style me,” Andrae Hugh Sutherland sings in the video as a focused schoolboy does his best to concentrate inside the unruliest classroom imaginable. Way back in February Popcaan posted to his IG a prayer that he wrote when he himself was a schoolboy. “God is real and he did answer that prayer I pray to him a long time ago🙏🏼 #givethanks.” Around that same time Popcaan also released a web documentary called “Abundant Life,” which revealed a whole new side of the artist once known as the “Raving King” as he read from Psalms 40 and 59 above the sound of a crackling fire and the beat of Niyabinghi drums: “I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me out of the horrible pit and out of the miry clay. He set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song into my mouth…” Since that time what a year Popcaan has had: high-profile collabs, soundtracking Nike advertising campaigns, watching Bolt celebrate his Olympic gold with Popcaan’s tune “World Cup,” celebrating his second consecutive MoBO win for Best Reggae Act with a live performance in Scotland, rocking OVO Fest in Toronto, starring alongside Drake in a short film, winning the Red Bull Culture Clash with a custom dubplate of “One Dance.” While it’s true that Popcaan’s vastly superior version of “Controlla” was omitted from Drake’s album Views, so was Jay Z and Kanye West’s version of “Pop Style.” While Kanye ranted about the decision, Popcaan held his peace. Of course Unruly fans were disappointed on the morning the Drake album finally dropped, but while they were busy filling @ChampagnePapi‘s IG with 🍿🍿🍿 emojis, Popcaan was filling their ears with a brand new banger called “Over Dweet.” Although Popcaan’s Instagram seems to depict a mostly carefree life, none of the blessings he enjoys came easy.  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Breakthrough Artist of The Year: Jahmiel

    Breakthrough Artist of The Year: Jahmiel

    When A Great Man Rise… Recognize

    Ever since the days when Sugar Minott strung up his Youth Promotion sound system, reggae music has been about who’s got next. This year the answer was clear, as we witnessed the emergence of a fresh voice that had been crying out for a few years now, but which suddenly became indispensible, as if it had been, and would be, around forever. A voice for the ages. Jahmiel rose to prominence on the strength of a record released in late 2015 entitled “Gain The World,” Showing no signs of losing his soul, the youth Jahmiel dropped gems like “Where Were U” and “Great Man,” investing dancehall music with wisdom beyond his years as he blended the rock-solid reasoning of roots reggae with the freshest digital rhythm tracks. Somehow he accomplished all this without sounding preachy or cliché. Citing Sizzla and Buju Banton as early inspirations, Jahmiel’s sound is utterly his own and his future is wherever he wants to take it. Sing out youth—we’re all listening. Audio After The Jump…
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  • Unsung Hero of the Year: Sister Nancy

    Unsung Hero of the Year: Sister Nancy

    What a Bam Bam!

    Boomshots sends a special year-end shout out to Dancehall’s Original Muma, Sister Nancy. Alongside featured artists Rihanna and Swizz Beatz, Nancy is the unsung hero of “Famous” by Kanye West, one of the year’s biggest tunes, nominated for two Grammy Awards. For well over a minute of the 3:16 track, Nancy’s voice plays on repeat, the melody slightly pitch-shifted to match RiRi’s, but otherwise unaltered from the 1982 album cut that made her name famous. Big up yourself Muma Nancy. Watch for an in-depth profile coming soon! Video After The Jump…
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  • Reasoning with Garfield “Chin” Bourne: “Authentic Sound Clash Culture is in Jeopardy”

    Reasoning with Garfield “Chin” Bourne:
    “Authentic Sound Clash Culture is in Jeopardy”

    Keeping Sound System Safe From The Culture Vultures

    As co-founder of Irish & Chin, one of the most respected reggae promotion companies in the world, Garfield “Chin” Bourne has left his mark on the music industry and popular culture as a whole. He is the founder of SoundChat Radio and a range of media ventures, but Chin may be best known as a leading advocate of sound system culture at a time where hardcore soundclash audience is aging, and the appropriation of dancehall culture is not limited to international artists reworking Jamaican rhythms to hit the pop charts. The rise of EDM music and the success of the recent Red Bull Culture Clash highlight the impact of Jamaican sound systems on worldwide pop music, even as the originators of the culture who are still active tend to be marginalized.  Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Soundbwoy Burial of the Year: Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise’s Soundclash at Sea

    Soundbwoy Burial of the Year: Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise’s Soundclash at Sea

    Keeping Soundclash Culture Afloat

    There are many reasons to love the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise—the performances, the fans, the total immersion in what the one and only Shinehead has likened to a “Rub-a-dub Disneyland”—but WTJRC’s unfailing support of sound system culture may be the best reason of all. A plethora of legendary sounds—from King Jammy’$ to Stone Love to Metro Media, Bodyguard, Black Scorpio, Bass Odyssey, Downbeat The Ruler, Renaissance Disco, and Mighty Crown—have juggled on board Damian Marley’s cruise over the years, presenting reggae and dancehall music with an intensity of feeling and cultural correctness that no normal disc jockey or cyber playlist could hope to replicate. Moreover, for the past two years WTJRC has presented the world’s first ever Soundclash at Sea, showcasing the excitement of  top-ranking battle-tested selectors going tune for tune in a musical death match with support from respected clash promoters Irish & Chin. Exposing international reggae fans to authentic hardcore sound clash is important for many reasons, especially at a time when Red Bull’s Culture Clash can fill 20,000 capacity arenas. So as Boomshots continues our 2016 Year in Review, we have to acknowledge the rise of the Soundclash at Sea, which is both a burial and a resurrenction of sorts. Video & Photos After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Isha Blender “Tonight” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Isha Blender “Tonight” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Everton’s Daughter Is All Grown Up

    Isha Blender, daughter of the great Everton “Blend Dem” Blender, was born in Clarendon surrounded by musical vibes. Now she’s ready to step up with her debut album Epiphany, whose very title represents a great revelation. As the artist puts it: “I feel like I am at turning point in my career and life, where it’s time for me to officially, fearlessly share myself with the world. This record is a piece of my heart, gift-wrapped for all lovers of good music.” Today Boomshots TV proudly premieres a crucial lovers’ rock selection off —musical thing called “Tonight.” Voiced on a rendition of the classic “Queen of the Minstrel” riddim and produced by UK production house Solid Empire, it’s a fitting introduction to a bright new talent. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • This Year’s Best Dancehall Christmas Songs

    This Year’s Best Dancehall Christmas Songs

    Reshma B Selects The Sounds To Get Your Holiday Party Poppin’

    The Reggae Girl About Town’s new Murda She Wrote column just dropped on Pigeons & Planes, and it’s right on time to help your Christmas jam tun up: “There’s nothing better than Christmas in Jamaica—not just because the balmy Caribbean weather beats a polar vortex every time, but because Jamaicans love Christmas with a passion. The parties start in early December and run all the way through the top of the new year… and the most festive thing of all is the music. Over the years, thousands of reggae Christmas tunes have flooded the internet, but here are Murda She Wrote’s picks for the hottest this year. Full List After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Di Genius & Chino “Family” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Di Genius & Chino “Family” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Musical Christmas Gift From The Big Ship Fam

    Merry Christmas! If you’re truly blessed, right now you’re surrounded by loved ones on this special morning. Friends are friends, and sometimes they come and go—but family is forever. Jamaica’s Big Ship family is no exception. Growing up as the sons of reggae legend Freddie McGregor may have been the greatest gift Daniel and Stephen ever received. Maybe that’s why they’ve gifted the whole Boomshots massive with a musical gift to remind us what the holidays are all about: Di Genius & Chino alongside Di Captain himself with a musical thing called “Family.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Kartel Tops Billboard 10 Best Reggae Albums List

    Kartel Tops Billboard 10 Best Reggae Albums List

    The best of times and the worst of times for lovers of Reggae Music

    For the second year in a row Billboard asked Rob Kenner, founder of Boomshots Media, to pick the 10 Best Reggae Albums of the year. The assignment was particularly significant in this year where Jamaican sounds were all over the airwaves, the pop charts and the Grammy nominations, except that most of the records were not done by Jamaican artists. You could hardly turn on the radio without hearing a half-hour block of dancehall-style tracks, all too often classified under misbegotten names like “tropical house” and “Caribbean bass.” With both Justin Bieber and Rihanna briefly sporting dreadlocks and Drake publicly referring to himself as “the don,” it would be difficult for longtime fans of the music not to catch feelings this year….Consider this list a crib sheet to catch you up on everything you missed while tropical house flooded the airwaves.  Full List After The Jump…
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  • The Biggest Dancehall Riddims of 2016

    The Biggest Dancehall Riddims of 2016

    Who Run The Place? Johnny Wonder, CEO of 21st Hapilos, Counts Down The Year’s Top Juggling

    With Rihanna’s “Work” dominating mainstream airwaves all year, you might think Richie Stephens’ “Sail Away” riddim would take the top spot. Yes that was hot in the streets ten years ago, and shout out to OVO for bringing it back. But here at Boomshots we’re all about the music’s progress forward into the future—and celebrating the innovators over the imitators. After all the Tropical House hype dies down, where does reggae and dancehall go from here? Few people are better qualified to chart the music’s movements than Johnny Wonder, CEO of 21st Hapilos Digital, the leading digital distributor of new reggae and dancehall music from Jamaica. As the man who breaks most big riddims first, Johnny Wonder’s ranking is based strictly on facts—streams and sales—and never payola or politricks. So if you want to know who ran the place in 2016, look no further. Riddim Countdown After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Majesty” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Majesty” Official Music Video

    Chronixx Chooses Love Over Lust

    Inspired by the Studio One Soul Selection, I’ll Be Around” by Otis Gayle as well as The Techniques“Queen Majesty,” Chronixx song “Majesty” is a beautiful love ballad from the “Roots and Chalice” mixtape, a collaboration with Federation Sound. The lyrics emphasize developing a spiritual before physical connection which opposes  the message perpetuated through  popular music today—across all genres. The emphasis of a mental and emotional bond between a man and woman, are woven intricately throughout the lyrics of the song. Messages of monogamy stand out boldly along with the paradigm that true love should emanate from a pure and humble place. Now fans have the opportunity to view the visual interpretation of this song. Video After The Jump…

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