Month: May 2021

  • WATCH THIS: Cham “Lock Down” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Cham “Lock Down” Official Music Video

    Cham Links with Bolt, Speaks Truth to Power

    “Lawless!” says dancehall legend Cham at the top of his latest tune, shouting out his own brand and reaffirming his rebel mindset. “You know how long we nuh go outside?” Speaking for the voiceless people of Jamaica is what Cham does best, and on “Lock Down” he gives voice to a rising sense of restlessness and frustration. Dancehall culture has always been a much needed release as well as an economic engine and a means of communication and community building. But even without street dances, the art form allows artists like Cham to speak truth to power. In this case, the same Prime Minster who held elections in the midst of the pandemic—and hired dancehall artists to voice dubplates in support of his candidacy—and has now instituted a total lockdown. The song “Lock Down” was produced by Usain Bolt, who’s been known for breaking records in track and field competition since the late 2000s. More recently he’s been focused on making records in the studio. Famous athletes sometimes dabble in music as a hobby or a vanity project, but the world’s fastest man has become a legitimate force in the dancehall arena, as Bolt’s new Clockwork riddim clearly demonstrates. The hardcore juggling released under the A-Team Lifestyle imprint features such top talents as Vybz Kartel, Teejay, Charly Black and Christopher Martin—with Cham being the latest addition to the star-studded lineup. The artist formerly known as Baby Cham blazed a trail throughout the 1990s and 2000s with Jamaica’s iconic Madhouse productions, going on to collaborate with the likes of Alicia Keys, Rihanna and Damian Marley. His first collaboration with Bolt is a track entitled “Lock Down” — not to be confused with Koffee’s song of the same name. Check the visuals and get ready for an exclusive IG chat with Bolt and Cham today on @vibemagazine hosted by Reshma B Video After The Jump… 

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  • WATCH THIS: Sean Paul ft. Busy Signal “Boom” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Sean Paul ft. Busy Signal “Boom” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Promoting Unity within the Dancehall Genre

    When Sean Paul began elevating uncut Jamaican dancehall into the pop charts during the early 2000s, the records that impacted popular culture were not crossover attempts dreamed up by major label A&R reps. They were juggling riddims like 2Hard Productions’ Playground riddim, Troyton’s Buzz riddim, Lenky’s Diwali riddim, and Tony Kelly’s Buyout riddim. Besides topping the charts, winning a Grammy for his 2002 breakout album Dutty Rock, and appearing on the cover of VIBE magazine, Sean Paul went on to work with global superstars from Beyoncé and Rihanna to Busta Rhymes and DMX. Despite his global achievements, Sean Paul never separated himself from the authentic dancehall sounds of Jamaica. His latest album Live N Livin, released on the artists’ own Dutty Rock Productions imprint, finds him collaborating with a galaxy of stars from Jamaican dancehall culture, ranging from household names like Damian Marley and Mavado to rising stars like Intence and Govana—giving them a strength and promoting a much-needed spirit of unity within dancehall. “I am still signed to Island Records,” says Sean. “They’ve done something real unconventional so I really have to tip my hat to them. They’ve always given me permission to work with local producers like Jordan from Chimney and Stephen McGregor. But this is something that’s never been done before. They’ve given me permission to release an album on my own label.” Today Boomshots and VIBE proudly premieres the brand new visuals for “Boom,” a wicked collaboration between Sean Paul and the Turf President himself, Busy Signal. “I rate him as one of the best lyricists in the genre,” Sean says of Busy. “For me this is an attempt to really shine a light on his career. He’s done amazing works from the hardcore dancehall to people like Major Lazer. So this song is my way of saying that I would endorse this dude as one of the dopest.” Video After The Jump…  (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Leno Banton “Big”

    HEAR THIS: Leno Banton “Big”

    Burro’s Son Keeps Elevating His Game

    Back in 2015 a young artist who was then known as Lord Leno released his first official project, a song called “Yardie” on Massive B’s Skateland Riddim. Singing the praises of his native land, the 19-year-old son declared his love for Jamaica under the proud gaze of his father, dancehall legend Burro Banton. As the youth followed his dad’s footsteps in the music industry, he adapted the name Leno Banton as a way of paying respect to the family legacy. Leno even went on to collaborate with his father on the 2020 selection “Better Days.” He explores new sounds and styles on his latest release, entitled “Big,” which was created with Juss Kool, who says he’s very proud to be working with Leno. “At his age I didn’t have the knowledge that he has,” says the veteran producer. “He’s an artist in the truest sense because he pays attention to detail in regards to everything—from the sound in the riddim, to his production, to his presentation, to marketing, to the business side.” The song’s aspirational lyrics speak success into reality. “The song ‘Big’ is about how I envision myself in the future,” says Leno. “How I see myself being a force to be reckoned with in multiple aspects, not just music alone, you get me? Like in real estate. Like in creating jobs for other people. Just being a very household brand.”  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Badda General x ZJ Liquid x Stylo G x Shatta Wale “The Barrel” Remix Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Badda General x ZJ Liquid x Stylo G x Shatta Wale “The Barrel” Remix Official Music Video PREMIERE

    From Jamaica to America, London to Ghana

    Badda and ZJ Liquid are taking their barrel movement to a worldwide level. “A barrel is a traditional thing that keeps connections with people overseas,” ZJ Liquid explained to Reshma B in her latest Murda She Wrote column for Tidal. “You can put a lot into a barrel. When you get a barrel, you good for six months. You don’t need to buy anything — you got rice, ketchup, beans, peas, syrup, soap, clothes. It’s very helpful to families, and people can share with more than just their immediate relatives. Sometimes people don’t even have food, and you can give them something out of a barrel so they can cook dinner.” Ever since the release of “Barrel” this past February, Badda General and ZJ Liquid’s conversational collab has taken on a life of its own—being reposted all over social media and buzzing in the streets of Jamaica. “It just become a thing,” said Liquid. “Everywhere I go people are like, ‘Yo Liquid, what can I get out of the barrel?’” The song’s popularity prompted other artists to call in hopes of jumping on a remix. “A lot of people reached out,” said Badda. “But in my brain it didn’t make sense for an artist to send a barrel from Jamaica to Jamaica.” When U.K. dancehall star Stylo G called to say he loved the song, Badda jumped at the chance to collab — especially since some listeners have pointed out certain similarities in their vocal tone and lyrical flow. “Stylo is a great artist,” said Badda, who resisted “outside forces” who tried to draw them into a clash. “For someone to compare me and Stylo, that is not a minus, that is definitely a plus. I am ego-free,” he added. “I am just here to make music and put smiles on people’s face. We just unite and kill the noise.” Gold Up, the song’s producer, had a link to Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale, who also jumped on the remix, adding some African flavor to the musical barrel. “I have actually never met none of them in real life,” Badda admitted, “but music is a thing that connects all of us together.” Video After The Jump…

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  • Spice’s “Go Down Deh” Goin’ UP Deh With A Little Help From Shaggy and Sean Paul

    Spice’s “Go Down Deh” Goin’ UP Deh With A Little Help From Shaggy and Sean Paul

    Amazing Grace Brings The Heat & Tops The Chart

    One thing about Spice—she knows how to make an entrance! The reigning Queen of Dancehall arrived at the official release party for her highly anticipated new single “Go Down Deh” this weekend dressed like Cleopatra, reclining on a golden couch held aloft by four muscular bare-chested men in ancient Egyptian finery. The event took place in Atlanta, which has been a sort of home away from home for Spice ever since the Jamaican-born star became a recurring character on VH1’s hit reality show Love & HIp Hop Atlanta. Now back in production after a coronavirus hiatus, the show’s cameras filmed Spice’s big launch event for its upcoming season. Dancehall hitmaker Shaggy was in the building to support Spice for the special night—he and Sean Paul are both featured on the infectiously catchy song, bringing some serious star power to the tune, which shot straight to the top of the iTunes Reggae Chart. The video, directed by Jay Will, is full of flashing lights and sexy bodies in motion, and it’s closing in on its first 1 million views as of this writing.  Video After The Jump… 

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