Month: June 2020

  • Buju Banton Covers VIBE x Boomshots Collab

    Buju Banton Covers VIBE x Boomshots Collab

    A VIBE x Boomshots Collab: Redemption Songs
    Jamaica’s Undefeated Champion Returns

    Forward ever,” the late great Jacob “Killer” Miller used to sing. “And backward never.” Reggae music has always been about forward motion, the movement of Jah people, up from downpression and forward to Holy Mount Zion, because freedom is a must. Still, every once in awhile, it doesn’t hurt to take a glance over your shoulder, if only to take the measure of one’s progress. Just to remember the long walk, and to make sure that history is not a mystery. Some stories have got to be told. Story Continues After The Jump…  (more…)

  • Buju Banton and Stephen Marley Speak on “Duppy Conqueror (Yes Mi Friend)”

    Buju Banton and Stephen Marley Speak on “Duppy Conqueror (Yes Mi Friend)”

    A Celebration of Real Friendship, 50 Years After The Wailers Original

    “Yes me friend, we deh pon street again.” 50 years after The Wailers’ original “Duppy Conqueror,” Stephen Marley and Buju Banton lift up their voices and join together in one harmony to create a crucial selection off Buju’s highly anticipated new album ‘Upside Down.’ After watching them perform the song together for the first time on the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, Reshma B reasoned with Ragga about the story behind the song. A few monthe later she caught up with Buju at Gargamel Studios in Kingston to hear his perspective on this powerful new song with a timeless vibration. Let the reasoning begin. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Chronixx ft. Kabaka Pyramid “Same Prayer” Official Visuals PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Chronixx ft. Kabaka Pyramid “Same Prayer” Official Visuals PREMIERE

    “Look deep within ourselves”

    Do not be deceived by the gorgeous vistas of Jamaican mountainscape displayed in the visuals for “Same Prayer.” This subtly crafted song is more concerned with navigating the treacherous terrain of humanity’s inner landscape than enjoying the view outside. And it’s definitely not all zen, yoga, and spirulina. “There’s so much good in the world,” Chronixx sings, “And still evil a lurk.” The song finds him beseeching the Almighty (JAH) to protect him and his loved ones (I and I) “from the ones who nuh care ’bout the fact we share the same air / and the blood that we bleed is alike.” In other words, it’s a song for this exact moment. When people are dying every day and nobody seems to have the answers. A time when we all do what we need to do. Seen? By the end of the third verse, Chronixx is  crying a river of tears and hoping Jah Jah hears. Then it’s time to touch the road—”Tuck it inna me waist and start up the bike.” Today Boomshots and VIBE proudly premiere the official visuals for “Same Prayer.”  Video After The Jump…

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  • Richie Spice Running “Red Hot” on ‘Together We Stand’

    Richie Spice Running “Red Hot” on ‘Together We Stand’

    Singing Music With A Mission

    “The almighty savior was a poor man,” says roots reggae icon Richie Spice “but still rich because he ruled all of the earth, air, and water — which we don’t have control over. He was born in a manger. So the message is: no matter how poor you born, you can still be a great person in life.” Richie Spice himself has risen up from humble beginnings to establish himself among the leading reggae artists of his generation over the past two decades. His latest single, “Valley of Jehoshaphat (Red Hot),” continues his mission of singing righteous songs for the upliftment of mankind. “When Jah come from Bozrah with his garment dipped in blood / It a go red hot, red hot, red hot down in Jehoshaphat,” he croons passionately on the Clive Hunt-produced single, driven by commanding horns and a steady bassline that anchors Richie’s message. The song has a slew of biblical references, something which Richie hasn’t shied away from throughout his career, in keeping with his Rastafarian faith. (Burning Spear referenced the same passage from the Book of Revelations in his classic 1975 track “Jordan River.”) The song’s official music video—directed by Samo Kush-I Johnson—follows an elder through lush scenes of nature that is interspersed with fiery images of our world crumbling before our very eyes. Video After The Jump… (more…)