Rootical Richie Sends Greetings To All Raggamuffins
You can always count on Richie Spice to sing something positive for the youths. So imagine how happy we were to hear this brand new musical biscuit from Bulby and the Fat Eyes family. Richie sounds nice and spicy singing over the riddim track from Half Pint’s dancehall anthem “Greetings.”
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Search results for: “spice”
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HEAR THIS: Richie Spice “Youths A Live Up”
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HEAR THIS: Spice “Body Great”
Mad Gyal Spice x Madhouse Tun Up Riddim = Greater Than Good
Some gyal say them good, but Spice is extraordinary. We’ve known it since her earliest Madhouse recordings, long before “Ramping Shop” days. She makes another compelling case on this fresh new Dave Kelly-produced cut from the big bad “Tun Up” riddim. Don’t believe she’s great? Just ask her man “when him see me ah wine and vibrate.” (more…) -
WATCH THIS: Spice “What I’ve Been Through”
Mad Gal Spice Keeps It Mad Real: “We Know What It’s Like To Struggle”
Though she’s best known for racy tunes like “Rampin’ Shop” there’s another side to the dancehall diva known as Spice.
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God Bless Jamaica
“Anyone who’s ever had a great time in Jamaica, give ten dollars, give one dollar. Anything you can. But do it right now.” —Sean Paul
Hurricane Melissa had a catastrophic and devastating impact on Jamaica, making landfall as an extremely powerful Category 5 storm, the strongest in the island’s recorded history. The entire island was declared a disaster area by the Prime Minister and the toll in lives and property damage is not yet known. Severe flooding, landslides, island-wide power and telephone outages, and blocked roads are hampering relief efforts. Many hospitals, clinics, and schools sustained damage, and the agricultural heartland was severely affected, raising concerns about long-term food security. In western and southern parishes like St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Manchester, nearly every structure was damaged or destroyed, particularly in the town of Black River. Popular tourist destinations like Montego Bay and Trelawny were hit hard. “People are homeless. They have no running water, can’t bathe,” says Jamaican superstar Sean Paul during an interview on CNN. “How people are surviving is almsost impossible.” Links to Support Jamaica After The Jump… (more…)
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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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WATCH THIS: Sean Paul “Scorcha” Official Music Video
Style a Style, Scorcha a Scorcha
Don’t sleep on Sean Paul. IThe dancehall phenomenon released his debut album, Stage One, 20 years ago and went on to hit the No. 1 spot on the U.S. pop charts not once but four times — first with his own single, “Get Busy,” then with his fire Beyoncé collab “Baby Boy.” SP went on to repeat the feat in 2005 with “Temperature,” and again in 2016 with Sia on “Cheap Thrills.” Along the way he’s elevated respect levels for the dancehall genre worldwide and racked up eight Grammy nominations, taking home the Best Reggae Album trophy for Dutty Rock in 2003. Over the years Sean’s hairstyle has changed from cornrow braids to a Mohawk, and even now that he’s rockin’ a buzzcut, one thing remains the same: The dutty yute spits fire every time he steps in the booth. His rare gift for crafting irresistible hooks has powered guest appearances with everyone from global pop stars like Rihanna to U.K.-style joints like “Boasty” with Wiley, Idris Elba and Stefflon Don to uncut dancehall tracks like Stylo G’s “Dumpling” Remix alongside Spice. Taking control of his business dealines, SP established his own label, Dutty Rock Productions, through which he’s released various artist riddim compilations like the “Gang Gang” and the “Callaloo.” He released his own hardcore dancehall project Live N Livin last month, featuring the likes of Buju Banton, Busy Signal, Jesse Royal, Masicka, Skillibemg, and Squash. Today SP drops his latest music video off the project, “Scorcha,” which finds him flowing over Chimney Records’ red-hot “Style a Style” riddim. The visuals were directed by Jay Will so you know it’s Game Over. From “Gimme the Light” to “Temperature” Sean always brings the fire, so when he says “man a scorcha” you best believe it. Video After The Jump… (more…)
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WATCH THIS: Etana ft. Vybz Kartel “Baby O” Official Music Video PREMIERE
The Strong One x The Worl Boss
Blessed with a powerful voice and a resilient spirit, Etana got her start in the music industry as a harmony singer for reggae star Richie Spice. Since stepping out on her own over a decade ago, she’s been representing for roots and culture fans ever since. Her 2018 album Reggae Forever was nominated for a Best Reggae Album Grammy, making her only the fourth female artist to receive that honor. But on her forthcoming studio album Pamoja, the roots daughter — whose name is Swahili for “Strong One” — explores more contemporary sounds, setting her uplifting messages to dancehall and Afrobeats rhythms. Today, Boomshots proudly premieres the visuals for “Baby O,” Etana’s first collab with the Worl’ Boss himself, Vybz Kartel. “Pamoja means ‘together’ and it’s the title of my eighth studio album,” Etana tells Boomshots. “It’s packed with 14 sweet tracks for my fans and music lovers to jam to. I gave you ‘Proppa’ featuring Stonebwoy and now you have ‘Baby O’ featuring Vybz Kartel. Watch the video and experience another piece of Pamoja!!!!” Video After The Jump…
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Reasoning with Skillibeng “I’m Still Trying To Write My Best Song”
“New Flows Always”
“Victory with an easy entrance” proclaimed Skillibeng on his dubplate for Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness ahead of the landslide victory in the 2020 election. Likewise, Skilli himself has been victorious this year in spite of the global pandemic, establishing himself as Jamaica’s new force, specialising in elevating lyrical standards. Seen by many as a face of the rising Trap Dancehall wave, the 23-year old reflects influences ranging from Vybz Kartel to deceased US drill bastion, Pop Smoke, paying tribute in remix of club-smash “Dior.”
Born in the eastern parish of St. Thomas, his passionate East Syder fanbase grows exponentially on a daily basis, drawn in by inventive flows and sharp lyricism. The vibrant countryside parish, better known historically for Paul Bogle, the Morant Bay Rebellion and rich Afrocentric traditions, is one of the trending regions for talents in dancehall. Skillibeng is the latest attraction alongside 6ixx’s Chronic Law and the unstoppable OVO-signed, Gaza-alumni star, Popcaan.
With co-signs ranging from Jamaican pocket rocket Koffee, incarcerated reigning dancehall king Vybz Kartel to rapper Young MA, the lyrical technician is making huge strides in his relatively new career. Since breaking through in early 2019 with the acclaimed Prodigy mixtape, a slew of releases including guest spots on Jada Kingdom’s popular mixtape E-Syde Queen: The Twinkle Playlist, the weed ode “50 Bag” and “Mr. Universe,” along with controversial hit “Brik Pan Brik” sparking debates around Scamming songs (songs about the lifestyle of lottery scammers—an increasingly popular hustle tied to organized crime in Jamaica), all aided the young talent in establishing himself as a forerunner among the new generation. Marvin Sparks speaks with Skillibeng about his year 2020 rise in lockdown, Popcaan friendship, collaborating with Vybz Kartel, lottery scamming culture and recording a dubplate for the Jamaican Prime Minister. Q&A After The Jump…
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Stefflon Don Speaks On Making a Dancehall “Move”
“Something Hype, Feisty & Rooted”
Stefflon Don is getting back to her bashment roots with a new single called “Move,” produced by Troyon the dancehall hitmaker who crafted Sean Paul’s worldwide smash “Gimme The Light.” We linked the UK bad gyal who spoke on her latest release for Quality Control Music / Motown. “‘Move’ is inspired by the old me, the Steff that the world was first introduced to,” says the artist who made waves with her late 2016 mixtape Real Ting. “I felt like it was needed to come back with something hype, feisty and rooted.” Check out Stefflon Don’s latest video right now. Video After The Jump…
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Vybz Kartel Speaks Of Dons and Of Divas
Crocodile Skin Sneakers
Little known fact: the very first post on Boomshots.com went live February 10, 2009. The title? “Don’t Ramp With Kartel.” Adidja Palmer and Grace Hamilton’s smash collab “Rampin Shop,” an X-rated excursion on Ne-Yo’s “Miss Independent” version, was taking the streets by storm and had the internet spinnin’ like a satellite dish—just as a new platform for dancehall and reggae was born. VIBE magazine had not yet ceased print publication but the mighty Boomshots brand, which started as a monthly column in Quincy Jones’ glossy hip hop magazine, was already leveling up on the digital frontier—at the same moment Kartel and Spice were about to elevate hardcore dancehall to new heights. Over the years Boomshots and Kartel have kept in touch. The first of our timeless interviews, “Reasoning with Di Teacha,” was just the beginning. Boomshots founder Rob Kenner published a profile of Kartel in The New York Times in 2011. From time to time we would link up with the Worlboss and various representatives of the Portmore Empire—search BoomshotsTV for a refresher if you’re playing catch-up. Back in 2013 we held a reasoning via email due to circumstances beyond our control, which would be Kartel’s first interview behind bars. He has come a long way since then. Check the stats: Over half a billion streams, 100+ #1 songs in Jamaica, not to mention all the dancehall stars he brought to the world’s attention, from Popcaan to Tommy Lee to Gaza Slim—and the list goes on straight up to Sikka Rhymes and UTG. And don’t forget the international collabs with the likes of Rihanna, Missy, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Major Lazer, Akon, and Eminem. And just the other day Kartel received his first solo plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America for the certified gold single “Fever” off his album King of the Dancehall. In honor of this accomplishment, not to mention the release of his latest magnum opus, Of Dons & Divas, the time seemed right to catch up and hold a reasoning with Adi. Interview After The Jump…
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WATCH THIS: Etana “Truly” Official Music Video PREMIERE
“First Time I Saw Your Eyes…”
The first we heard Etana sing we knew she had a special gift. This was back in the mid2000s when the young vocalist had stepped out from her role providing harmonies for Richie Spice to sing her own songs. Etana had stopped by the NYC offices of VIBE magazine to drop off her new video for a powerful song called “Wrong Address” and decided to bless us with an acapella performance. Wow. The sheer power of her delivery left no doubt in anyone’s mind that we were truly in the presence of greatness. Since then we’ve watched the rest of the world catch onto what we understood that day. Etana has grown into a world-renowned recording artist who made history for women in reggae with her 2018 Grammy nomination. So it gives Boomshots a great sense of satisfaction to present the world premiere of Etana’s new music video today. “‘Truly’ was written to inspire more strength in Love,” the singer says. “This one takes my mind into a place where love is deep and sweet.” As Etana lets her voice fly over a warm & easy lovers rock groove the result is magic—and the visuals match the vibe perfectly. Ready for some real Lovers Rock? Video After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Alkaline “Never Lose Hope”
One of Dancehall’s Top Streaming Artists Releases Conscious Reggae Song
At the start of his career, many coined Alkaline as a shock-value artist that would not have longevity. However, Alkaline continues to make hits, second only to Vybz Kartel for top streams at 25.3 million in 2018. Now, the artist releases new song entitled, “Never Loose Hope,” produced by DJ Frass Records. More After The Jump…