Boomshots

Category: Awards

  • Caribbean Music Awards Honor Iconic Artistes Beres Hammond, Machel Montano, David Rudder, and Vybz Kartel

    Caribbean Music Awards Honor Iconic Artistes Beres Hammond, Machel Montano, David Rudder, and Vybz Kartel

    Hosted By Wyclef Jean Live From Flatbush, Brooklyn

    Inspired by the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House, Kings Theatre on Flatbush Avenue was the appropriately illustrious setting for the first annual Caribbean Music Awards last Thursday night. Hosted by Wyclef Jean and produced by Caribbean Elite Group and streamed via Tempo Networks, this grand celebration of Caribbean creativity honoring icons and rising stars of reggae, dancehall, soca, and kompa was perfectly timed, coming just before Brooklyn’s Labor Day festivities and near the end of a year that’s been filled with endless celebrations of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. Boomshots TV was on the scene from the star-studded red carpet throughout the amazing four-hour ceremony. “Family” said Elite Award Winner Beres Hammond, addressing the audience of 3,600 inside the ornate venue and many more tuning into the live stream. “I’m seeing something that’s so beautiful to us—Caribbean people coming together. You don’t see something like this… I’m out of words.” He then called Wyclef to join him onstage. The Haitian-American multi-platinum rapper, singer, songwriter, musician, and producer whose timeless work as a member of the Fugees and as a solo performer brought Caribbean sounds to the mainstream, bowed down at Hammond’s feet in worship. “Can’t manage you,” Beres said with a laugh as Clef stood up. “Thank you for the vision.”  Video and Winners List After The Jump…

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  • Kabaka Pyramid and Damian Marley Speak On ‘The Kalling’ Grammy

    Kabaka Pyramid and Damian Marley Speak On ‘The Kalling’ Grammy

    Tears of Joy, and Nuff Inspiration

    “Rastafari Live.” On his track “Grateful,” Kabaka said “First all of me giving thanks to the highest creator,” and when the big moment came that’s exactly what he did. Walking to the Grammy Awards stage with his mother at his side and surrounded by his Bebble Rock crew, Kabaka’s expression of faith in Jah followed an expressiong of sheer disbelief that this moment was real. But it was! Kabaka’s album The Kalling had just won Best Reggae Album, rising to the top of an outstanding field of all-Jamaican nominees that included Koffee, Sean Paul, Shaggy, and Protoje. “We’re just some kids from Kingston, Jamaica,” Kabaka said during an emotional acceptance speech, bigging up his team, the album’s producer Damian “Jr Gong” Marley—who also features on the album, along with Stephen Marley, Buju Banton, Tifa, Black Am I, Jemere Morgan, and Protoje—and sending a special livication. “This one is for Jo Mersa Marley who we lost in December.” The significance of the award—bestowed one day before Bob Marley’s 78th birthday—was not lost on the album’s producer. “Kabaka is the first younger, up and coming artist we’ve worked with to help reach that place,” said Damian Marley who also produced Kabaka’s previous album Kontraband. This was Jr. Gong’s second nomination as a producer, as he also helmed Third World’s nominated album More Work To Be Done. “It’s kinda historical in that way where it’s the first album within the family circle that is not a family member who has really reached that status,” Jr. Gong added. “It’s somewhat a continuation of Gong’s vision—having a label that is a force to be reckoned with in the genre that’s not just about him individually but moreso a collective.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Koffee Opens Up About “Lockdown”

    Koffee Opens Up About “Lockdown”

    “Where Will We GO?”

    There’s still a lot of time left in Summer 2020, but on this last day of July we are declaring Koffee’s “Lockdown” Boomshots official 2020 Summer anthem. Produced by Dane “Raygad” Ray from the Unruly camp, the song finds Koffee asking all of the questions everybody in the world is asking themselves right now. What will the future be like “when the quaratine thing done and everybody touch road?” As soon as we heard this tune we knew it was outta here! (That was way before we saw the video with cameos from Popcaan and Dre Island.) More than just a Covid-era contemplation, “Lockdown” is also a poignant love song that speaks to the challenges of romance during a time of viral pandemic. As such, it represents a milestone in Koffee’s catalog. At the ripe old age of 20, the youngest Reggae Grammy winner in history has given us her first love song—and without overthinking it one bit, she might just have given us a follow-up to rival her breakthrough smash “Toast.” When you hear Koffee sing “if you love me, you should let me…” it’s clear she is in her feelings on this one. Of course everybody wants to know who this song was inspired by, but all we can say about that is just cool. In her first interview since “Lockdown” dropped, Koffee tapped in with Reshma B via Instagram Live and spoke about the inspiration behind the tune.  Video After The Jump… 

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  • Shaggy & Sting Win Grammy for Best Reggae Album, And Also Burn Badmind

    Shaggy & Sting Win Grammy for Best Reggae Album, And Also Burn Badmind

    “It’s nice to be nominated… But it’s better to win!”


    Dancehall reggae hitmaker Shaggy was honored twice at the 61st Grammy Awards, held yesterday in Los Angeles. Honor #1: The seven-time Grammy nominee was tapped to host the Grammy Premiere Ceremony, the day’s first round of award presentations, which was live-streamed from the Microsoft Theater, directly across the street from the Staples Center where the televised portion of the Grammy Awards took place. Honor #2: Shaggy’s collaborative project with Sting, 44/876, won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album. It was Shaggy’s second career win (his Boombastic album won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 1995) and Sting’s 16th. “They always say about the Grammys that it’s nice to be nominated,” Shaggy said while accepting the award. “I’m telling you right now, it’s better to win!” Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • Etana Restores Visibility to Women In Reggae Music

    Etana Restores Visibility to Women In Reggae Music

    Etana is the 4th Woman to be Nominated for A Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album

    The announcement of Grammy nominees in the Best Reggae Album category, always sparks a lively discussion. This year is no exception as the field includes Black Uhuru’s As The World Turns, Protoje’s A Matter of Time, Sting & Shaggy’s 44 x 876, Ziggy Marley’s Rebellion Rises and Etana’s Reggae Forever. Etana’s nomination is particularly noteworthy as she is the first woman nominated in the the category since 1997, when Sister Carol’s Lyrically Potent earned a nomination. The two other female nominees were Judy Mowatt and Rita Marley. When the Grammy Award ceremony takes place on February 10, will Etana become the first woman to ever win a Grammy Award? More After The Jump…

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  • 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…)

  • MOBO Awards Announce 2016 Best Reggae Artist Nominees

    MOBO Awards Announce 2016 Best Reggae Artist Nominees

    Will Popcaan Continue His Winning Streak?

    This morning in London the nominees for this year’s MoBo (Music of Black Origin) Awards were announced. Now celebrating its 21st year, the MoBos have often done a better job reflecting the sound of the streets than the Grammy’s, particularly in the Reggae award category, honoring not only the Best Reggae Album (like the Grammy’s) but the overall Best Reggae Artist. Last year’s nominees included UK-based Stylo G, Chronixx, Protoje, Omi [who might have been amused to be included in this category since the Jamaican-born pop artist always made clear that he’s not a reggae artist], with the award going to Mr. “World Cup” himself, Popcaan—who got the nod this year as well. His last trip to England resulted in a MixPak victory at the Red Bull Culture Clash. Check out his competition. Nominee List After The Jump… (more…)

  • Global Spin Awards Announce 2014 Nominees

    Global Spin Awards Announce 2014 Nominees

    Third Annual Award Show Honoring The World’s Best DJs, From Rap to Reggae to EDM

    The 2014 Global Spin Awards held their press conference today at Midtown Manhattan’s Bryant Park Hotel to announce this year’s nominees for the third annual staging of the first award ceremony to focus on the cornerstone of hip-hop, dancehall, EDM, and so many other forms of youth music: The DJ. Boomshots was in the building to announce the nominees for Best Reggae DJ and a few other categories. After the festivities wrapped up, Reshma B caught up with DJ Funkmaster Flex, DJ KId Capri, and DJ Premier to speak about the awards and whether Paris Hilton deserved to be nominated. Nominees and Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Miley Cyrus Inna Dancehall Style

    Miley Cyrus Inna Dancehall Style

    When Pop Culture Gets Down and Dirty, Dancehall Doubles Down

    Who can forget the most provocative performance of 2013? Miley Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards, fully equipped with a foam finger, wagging tongue and twerking dancers in oversized teddy bears costumes. Robin Thicke wore black and white pin stripes which became “Blurred Lines” when Miley let him know the time was 6:30pm. 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar kept the twerking vibes flowing and the conglomerate made for a memorable performance. Check The Dancehall Remixes after the Jump…

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  • Boomshots Cosign: Why Beres Hammond Should Win Best Reggae Album Grammy And Why He Probably Won’t

    Boomshots Cosign: Why Beres Hammond Should Win Best Reggae Album Grammy And Why He Probably Won’t

    The soulful voice of Beres Hammond, the “Otis Redding of Reggae,” has captured our full attention since his 1976 Willie Lindo produced debut “Soul Reggae.” Now, with his 26th studio album, One Love, One Life (VP records), nominated for a “Best Reggae Album” Grammy (the second nomination of his remarkable career), Beres provides the ultimate love experience with 20 skillfully crafted songs for music lovers to enjoy. Taking the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top 10 Reggae Albums chart, and being noted by Rolling Stone as “one of the best albums of a four-decade-long career,” Beres’ latest album proves this artist continues to hone his craft, getting better with time. However will this album receive the Grammy it so richly deserves during today’s ceremony in Los Angeles? Beres faces some tough competition this year. However the final decision rests in the hands of the Grammy Voting Committee and as a member of this Committee, the Recording Academy and expert in music, Rob Kenner breaks down how the process works in Complex Magazine’s “Hate Me Now: What Its Like To Be A Grammy Voter.” In this article he bravely reveals the secrets that make it less likely that such a strong album will  be selected. Story Continues After The Jump…

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  • Bunji Garlin Wins 2013 Soul Train Award For Best International Performance

    Bunji Garlin Wins 2013 Soul Train Award For Best International Performance

    The Viking Of Soca Claims His Prize 

    Trinidadian soca star Bunji Garlin takes home the 2013 Soul Train Award for Best International Performance with the meteoric hit “Differentology.” (more…)

  • Eminem at the EMAs

    Eminem at the EMAs

    Slim Shady Shells Down Amsterdam

    Last weekend at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, the stars came out for the 20th annual MTV EMAs. The European version of MTV’s Video Music Awards has never been bigger, with artists like Miley Cyrus, Iggy Azalea, and Bruno Mars as well as global acts like Icona Pop, Dizzee Rascal and the latest UK sensation, Rudimental. But the biggest star of all was a last-minute addition to the lineup. One day before the awards, Eminem was added to the show, hot on the heels of his MMLP2 release. Reshma B hit  the red carpet to find out what the other nominees and performers think about Slim Shady. She even caught up with legendary anchorman Ron Burgundy, whose favorite Eminem song is somewhat debatable. Video After The Jump…

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