Boomshots

Tag: Mr. Vegas

  • HEAR THIS: Mr. Vegas “Terrorist In A England”

    HEAR THIS: Mr. Vegas “Terrorist In A England”

    Prayers For Manchester And A Plea For Unity

    Like so many people all around the world, Mr. Vegas was deeply upset by the recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London. He decided to channel his anger into a song and here it is, over Steely & Clevie’s version of the classic ‘Far East’ riddim. Originated by Jamaica’s ace saxophonist Roland Alphonso at the legendary Studio One, and recorded by producer Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd, the “Far East” was brought to further fame by Barry Brown’s classic song ‘Far East.’ Steely & Clevie’s version dates back to 1989 when they recorded a string of singles for their own Steely & Clevie label, including the hits ‘Stop Loving You’ by Freddie McGregor and ‘Spanish Harlem’ by Richie Stephens.  Audio 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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  • WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas “Gi Wi Back Wi Sweet Jamaica” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas “Gi Wi Back Wi Sweet Jamaica” Official Music Video

    Mr. Vegas Makes A Public Appeal On Behalf Of Jamaica’s “Natural Order”

    Mr. Vegas celebrates his beloved homeland in his latest video “Gi Wi Back Wi Sweet Jamaica,” paying homage to the rich heritage and natural beauty that still exists in this jewel of the Caribbean Sea. Images of the North Coast, local attractions, and lavish beaches that were once the playground of all Jamaicans—and have since fallen into the hands of multinational investors attracting tourist dollars with visions paradise. After enjoying mainstream success abroad, the international reggae superstar returns to the Land of Wood and Watr to make a public plea to please conserve Jamaica’s national treasures before it is too late. Video after the jump….
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  • HEAR THIS: Blueberry Haze Riddim Megamix

    HEAR THIS: Blueberry Haze Riddim Megamix

    Maximum Sounds Wraps Up Something Strong

    Carving out a niche in the sweet spot between uptempo roots and modern vintage dancehall, Frenchie’s Maximum Sounds imprint has emerged as one of the most consistent sources of quality reggae music. He just blessed up with a megamix of his latest juggling, a warm & easy midtempo bubble entitled “Blueberry Haze.” As the title suggests, you might want to wrap up a draw before you take in this preview of a juggling that includes standout performances by veterans like Christopher Martin & Mr. Vegas as well as fresh voices like Randy Valentine and Vershon. And no, you’re not too high—Tairo is actually singing in French. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Eye of A Tiger: New Song Highlights The Style of Reggae Veteran Tiger

    Eye of A Tiger: New Song Highlights The Style of Reggae Veteran Tiger

    New Twin of Twins Song  Shines A Bright Light On Tiger’s Classic “When”

    “Bun Again” by Twin of Twins comments on tumultuous relationships in dancehall.  Mr. Vegas, Foota Hype and Gully Bop are featured in the video,  along with  their close encounters with infidelity and domestic violence. The song discusses these serious topics in a satirical way. The beginning of the song also lyrically makes reference to 2016 Grammy Nominated Artist, Barrington Levy  and his classic “Too Experienced.” Produced by Anju Blaxx, the intro is the classic song “Woman is Like A Shadow” by The Meditations.  Moreover, the entire song is a remake of “When” by  living legend, Tiger.  More After The Jump (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas “Dancehall Dabb” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Mr. Vegas “Dancehall Dabb” Official Music Video

    New Year New Style New Dance A Lick—Out And Bad

    The Mass Appeal massive already knows the deal. You’ve heard it straight from Migos: Dabbin’ is a way of fashion. But as you’ve no doubt noticed, this Dab thing is catching on in a big way—from Dabbin Santa to corny-ass college football coaches. Given Jamaica’s love for new dance moves, it was only a matter of time until somebody busted out a yardstyle take on the dab dance. As if on cue, here comes dancehall star Mr. Vegas—the same dude who gave us dance anthems like “Hot Wuk” and “Bruk It Down”—with a fresh new video shot in T-Dot and directed by Ty Black. In short, the ting tun up again. Video After the Jump… (more…)

  • 2016 Kickoff Playlist

    2016 Kickoff Playlist

        Multi-genre Playlist of Songs That Are Already Moving the Massive Internationally in 2016

    The start of the New Year could not be any better.  This playlist highlights ten notable releases between the end of last year and the beginning of this year, that are stirring up the musical anticipation for the rest of 2016.

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  • “Sorry,” Not Sorry: A Justin Bieber Remix Rewind

    “Sorry,” Not Sorry: A Justin Bieber Remix Rewind

    Biebz x Skrillex Have The Dance On Lock

    Ever since the “Tropical House” track “Sorry” dropped last October, it’s been going HAM in the dancehall. If the ragga drum patterns didn’t tip you off, then those New Zealand bashment girls in the official video—Ladies of ReQuest joining forces with the Royal Dance Crew—must have driven the point home. Skrillex has always been a big reggae fan and he’s been spending nuff time in Jamaica lately. It seems the local sounds are definitely rubbing off. But they rub both ways of course. What dancehall artist doesn’t enjoy a good remix? This holiday season the club was flooded with “Sorry” versions. Here are a few of our favorites, without any apology. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Billboard’s Best Reggae Albums of 2015

    Billboard’s Best Reggae Albums of 2015

    Boomshots Selects The Year’s Essential Reggae Discs

    As reggae lovers mark the 70th anniversary of Bob Marley’s birth, the music that the Tuff Gong spread around the globe has come full circle. While dancehall permutations from Major Lazer to Justin Bieber reverberate throughout pop culture, and Brits from Joss Stone to Keith Richards try their hands at Jamaican sounds, the land of this music’s birth is rediscovering its roots. Billboard enlisted Boomshots to pick this year’s best reggae albums, and the results may surprise you: Almost all are Jamaican productions, and almost none have anything to do with dancehall. And just because Bob’s latest live album takes the top ranking spot doesn’t mean this music has any less bright of a future than it did when he walked the earth. As the dreads say: Nothing before the time. Audio After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Lady Bee & Noise Cans ft. Mr. Vegas “Bucka” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Lady Bee & Noise Cans ft. Mr. Vegas “Bucka” Official Music Video

    Mr. Vegas Puts the “V” in “Versatility”

    Clifford Smith, better known to reggae and dancehall fans worldwide as Mr. Vegas, put the V in versatility. Earlier this year, he released the critically acclaimed Lovers Rock and Soul album, an excursion into vintage reggae. After that he dropped a classic ’80s-style dancehall track (set to King Jammy’$ “Magic Moment” riddim) with a gospel message called “Jesus Train.” Now, on his birthday, we present something completely different. Collaborating with Lady Bee and the mysterious Gombey-masked frontman of Noisecans, a Bermuda-based hybrid of EDM, trap, reggae, dancehall, and carnival sounds, the year-to-year dancehall star reworks one of his earliest hits, “Hot Gal Today,” a duet with Sean Paul on Steelie & Clevie’s immortal “Street Sweeper” riddim, Vegas slows it down. from the label Dim Mak Records. The anonymous frontman of the electronic dance act NOISE CANS talks his Bermudan origins, his new EP Bucka. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • A Love We Can Feel: Respect To John Holt

    A Love We Can Feel: Respect To John Holt

    Early Sunday morning, Reggae Legend, John Kenneth Holt, died at the age of 67 in London. Even after collapsing onstage during a performance at this summer’s One Love Festival in the UK, he insisted that his health was fine and said “I’ll be back.” Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1947, he entered talent competitions at an early age, throughout the island. Holt recorded his first single, “I Cried A Tear,” a song about lies and heartbreak, in London, 1963. This melancholy first tune, foreshadowed numerous follow up hits. More After The Jump…

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  • Mr. Vegas “Reggae Euphoria” Album Preview

    Mr. Vegas “Reggae Euphoria” Album Preview

    A Track-By-Track Breakdown of The Dancehall Hitmaker’s Latest Release

    Few artists in the Jamaican music fraternity can rival the track record established by Mr. Vegas since he exploded on the dancehall scene with his 1998 debut album Heads High. Just last September the year-to-year hitmaker delivered Bruk It Down 2.0, a blazing set of high-energy cuts that rode the wave of his international smash “Bruk It Down,” whose accompanying dance move was a favorite of Nicki Minaj among others. While his new album Reggae Euphoria contains plenty of dancehall energy, it presents the full range of his artistry—with elements of roots reggae, mento, rock steady, R&B, hip-hop and gospel and inspirations ranging from Delroy Wilson to Leonard Cohen to Miley Cyrus. No matter what style of music, Vegas is quite simply a master hitmaker with a rare gift for crafting compelling melodies that stick in the brain year after year. The term “Euphoria” refers to a state of extreme happiness familiar to all dancehall fans who’ve had the pleasure of catching Vegas live in concert. It was origianlly a medical term for “the condition of feeling healthy and comfortable (especially when sick),” and derives from the Greek euphoros meaning “power of enduring easily,” or literally “bearing well.” Whatever may be ailing the listener—whether heartsickness, lack of inspiration, or a chronic case of musical mediocrity, Reggae Euphoria is the perfect prescription. Today Mr. Vegas will be launching the album at Miss Lilys, so if you’re in NYC it’s time to head on down to Houston and Sullivan Streets. But if you can’t make it in person don’t worry we’ve got you covered!  Live Stream Link After The Jump…

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