Boomshots

Tag: Reggae

  • Chronixx & Protoje Live in London

    Chronixx & Protoje Live in London

    Two Leading Lights of Jamaica’s Reggae Revival Touch Down in Brixton

    “If we don’t have new talent there is no future,” said David “RamJam” Rodigan last night onstage at the Electric in Brixton, South London. The elder statesman of British reggae radio has often expressed his concerns about the direction in which Jamaican music has been heading. But last night’s live set by Chronixx and the Zinc Fence Redemption band suggested a brighter tomorrow. Riding high off a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, which sent his Dread & Terrible EP soaring to the top of the reggae charts, Chronixx brought a palpable intensity to the stage from his first tune (“Alpha and Omega”) to his final encore (“Odd Ras”). One highlight of the sold-out show was the surprise appearance of Protoje, fresh off a successful European tour, who stepped in to support his bredren and perform their smash hit “Who Knows” live. After he and Diggy blazed the stage, Chronixx went on to perform “Here Comes Trouble” and even flashed a few lines of Jesse Royal, Jah9, and Damian Marley pon the riddim. As Rodigan exclaimed by show’s end: “History was made tonight… The future of this magnificent music is secure.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Randy Valentine “The Sound of a Young Rebel”

    WATCH THIS: Reasoning with Randy Valentine “The Sound of a Young Rebel”

    UK Reggae Rebel Rocks London With Tarrus Riley, Talks “Break The Chain” EP With Reshma B

    Tarrus Riley’s Love Situation tour passes through the UK tonight at the Forum in Kentish Town. Always ready to support rising talent, Singy Singy’s opening acts include Jamaican songstress Alaine and a young UK rebel by the name of Randy Valentine. RV’s been making waves with his powerful voice and no-nonsense approach to the music, as first glimpsed on his 2012 mixtape Bring Back the Love, which showcased the young artist’s writing and vocal abilities against some timeless Studio One instrumentals. His Break The Chain EP dropped in May and shot straight to No. 1 in Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland’s iTunes Reggae charts. The EP also reached No2 in Italy, and No3 in both Canada and the UK. RV’s ‘Break The Chain Tour’ kicked off in May, and he’s done shows in 20 countries all over Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, France, and the UK. In the first of his chats with Reshma B, Randy talks about his musical influences and why he’s never going to sell his soul (or anything else) for radio play. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Protoje: “It’s Our Time to Govern the Music”

    Reasoning with Protoje: “It’s Our Time to Govern the Music”

    “There Is A Rising Consciousness that’s Obviously Happening. There Is a Movement As Well.”

    While passing through the concrete jungle the other day, Protoje dropped by Plex HQ to reason about life and the state of the music. We started off discussing his big tune with Chronixx “Who Knows,” and how Storm Saulter—of Better Mus Come fame—came to direct the song’s epic music video. Diggy said Winta James came up with the video’s basic concept, which he described as “You start off with everything and as the day goes on you lose stuff, and it’s either you’re gonna turn around and go home or keep pushing forward.” So it’s all about the Bounce Back, which is a fitting transition to our discussion of the shift within Jamaican music right now. “We want to change the perception of what people think reggae is,” Protoje explained. “Cause I see what people think the genre is, and the reality of what it is now—and It’s far.” Protoje made the point that he’d rather not be pigeon-holed within the category of reggae just because he is from Jamaica. “Chronixx and I make two different sounds,” he asserted. “Sonically our music sounds different, but we’re still under the same heading of reggae music.” He calls his current sound—which has amassed a huge following in Europe, where he will be touring this summer—”a real hybrid,” citing Junjo Lawes and Jimi Hendrix as infuences. Nevertheless, he goes on to state that he and Chronixx and s number of other like-minded artists and producers are all part of a cultural movement within Jamaica right now.  “There is a rising consciousness that’s obviously happening. There is a movement as well… 2010 to 2020 is our time to govern them music.”  Video and Summer Tour Dates After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Alborosie: “Everybody Receive The Music Nice”

    Reasoning with Alborosie: “Everybody Receive The Music Nice”

    Albo’s Got a New Album Featuring All-Star Duets

    When the Italian-born reggae singer Alborosie is not touring the world, he makes his home in Jamaica, where he spends most of his time in his studio. The latest product of his labors is the album Specialist Presents: Alborosie & Friends, a collection of his duets with a wide range of reggae and dancehall talent, which dropped on V.P. Records June 17th. The 24 tracks include duets with Michael Rose, Horace Andy, Etana, Busy Signal, Sizzla, and fellow European reggae star Gentleman. During a recent tour stop in Miami, Reshma B caught up with Albo to talk about how he’s not just a producer and performer but also a proud, hands-on papa. ”I change him pampers,” says Albo of his new routine in the studio. But that doesn’t mean he takes his music any less seriously. In fact, the reggae global ambassador reveals, “The day i don’t feel the vibe anymore i will retire quietly.” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Jah Cure “Life We Live”

    HEAR THIS: Jah Cure “Life We Live”

    “Natural Mystic Is In The Air, Bob Marley Said Have No Fear, Everything Is Gonna Be Alright”

    Every so often Jah Cure blesses us with one of those anthems—a song so good that it’s basically guaranteed to play from now until Kingdom Come. Today must be one of those days, because we just can’t stop running this tune. It’s the kind of song that grabs you from the first line and never lets go. The track, a dubby, dreamy yet crispy take on “Heaveneless,” was produced by ‘Sketch’ Carey for Iyacure Productions. This is the first single from an upcoming album that’s supposed to be released later this year, but if this song’s any indication we need that album like right now. Cure mentions Bob’s name in his lyrics, which would be ill-advised for your average reggae singer. But Cure is anything but average, and he’s in rare form on “Life We Live.” So light up another one and let the music play. Have no fear. This is the life the life the life we live. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Chronixx & Air Supply Headline Groovin in the Park 2014

    Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Chronixx & Air Supply Headline Groovin in the Park 2014

    Legends of Reggae, Dancehall and Pure Pop Come Together June 29 At Roy Wilkins Park

    Remember the days when love used to reign? We danced all night to the songs they played. Well good news—we can come again, and do it just the same! When? This Sunday June 29. Where? Roy Wilkins Park, Jamaica Queens, less than half an hour from Penn Station on the LIRR. Wha Gwan? The fourth annual staging of NYC’s most upscale reggae festival, Groovin’ In The Park, a family-friendly event filled with good food, great fun, and legendary music. Just how legendary? Read on… Full Lineup and Videos After The Jump… (more…)

  • Jabba Pledges Best of the Best 2014 Will Be 100% Caribbean, Says Reggae and Hip-Hop “Come In Like Oil and Water”

    Jabba Pledges Best of the Best 2014 Will Be 100% Caribbean, Says Reggae and Hip-Hop “Come In Like Oil and Water”

    Promoter Promises to “Learn From His Mistakes” at BOTB 2014: Reggae & Soca—but NO Hip-Hop

    For the past eight years Best of the Best has been a fixture of Memorial Day Weekend in Miami, a big outdoor reggae and soca show that normally features top hip-hop acts as well. But this year, Reshma B caught up with Jabba who explained that this year he’s “learned from his mistakes” and made BOTB 2014 a 100% Caribbean festival. That’s right, for the first time the festival will feature reggae and dancehall and soca but NO hip-hop. “Me get back to my roots,” say Jabba. “This year we involve more soca into the show more than just keep mixing the hip-hop and the reggae, because it come in like oil and water. We notice it’s eight years going in. When I first begun I just, you know, coming from a big urban radio station, I feel like hip-hop is part of my culture as well. Because you done know is a Jamaican man who started hip-hop in the Bronx—Kool Herc big up yourself anywhere you deh. So I felt like I can take that mission to a next level and just know say, Hear wah gwan now, let me mix up hip-hop onto reggae on the next level like it’s never been done before. And big respect to all the rappers, but it come in like the worst idea we coulda ever do. But you learn from your mistakes. Because when you come to a Caribbean culture festival, nobody no wan’ hear say “Yo, turn the motherfuckin mic up!” and  “Where’s my niggas at?” You understand?” Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: SOJA ft. Michael Franti & Nahko “I Believe”

    HEAR THIS: SOJA ft. Michael Franti & Nahko “I Believe”

    Soldiers of Jah Army Link With Supa Dups For New Album, Announce Summer Tour Dates

    D.C.-based roots rock reggae band SOJA just dropped the first single off their fifth full-length album, which is set for release this summer on ATO Records. “I Believe” was produced by Grammy-award-winning Jamaican producer Supa Dups of Black Chiney sound (who’s made hits for Bruno Mars, Eminem, Rihanna, and John Legend) and recorded at Circle House Studios in Miami. “’I Believe’ is about life; being kind to others and making the most out of the time we have with those that surround us,” says lead singer/guitarist Jacob Hemphill. “Whether we are family, friends or strangers, how we treat one another and energy we share dictates our existence.” Audio & Tour Dates After The Jump… (more…)

  • Maxi Priest Meet and Greet Tomorrow in NYC

    Maxi Priest Meet and Greet Tomorrow in NYC

    Win a Chance To Meet The Singer And Hear His New Album, Easy To Love

    NYC peeps, win a chance to meet Maxi Priest and attend a private listening session for his upcoming album Easy To Love, available June 24th on VP Records. The private affair will be held tomorrow (Wednesday May 7) from 6-9pm ET at an undisclosed location in Midtown Manhattan. Hit the jump for your chance to be all up in there. Contest Rules After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Protoje ft. Chronixx “Who Knows” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Protoje ft. Chronixx “Who Knows” Official Music Video

    Diggy & Nix Send Love to Their Friends And Foes With A Fresh New Video Directed By Storm

    Friends since 2010, Protoje and Chronixx have emerged as leaders of the new school of roots rock reggae coming out of Jamrock. And now, after four years, they’ve finally made a record together. “From the first day we met,” Protoje says, “we have talked about doing music together when the time was right. The stars have now aligned.” We first heard the song months ago,  now comes an eye-popping music video directed by the acclaimed Jamaican film maker Storm, which shows off Jamaica’s lush natural beauty and brings out the co-stars’ ital swag and unforced sense of humor. There’s even a celebrity cameo by Jah Youth as the driver (beats being a Screaming Target). So don’t stop at all, check these visuals prento! Video After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Kabaka Pyramid “Never Gonna Be A Slave” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Kabaka Pyramid “Never Gonna Be A Slave” Official Music Video

    Video After The Jump…

    In comes the original rootsman chanter Kabaka Pyramid with some brand new musical sounds to make you jump & rave called “Never Gonna Be a Slave.” Kabaka spits hot fire pon the warm & easy Can River Riddim produced by the man called DJ Frass the bigga boss. Zeen? Video courtesy of DJ Frass and the man dem from Royalty Productions and Bebble Rock Music said speed—an Eric Christian King film. Way up an’ stay up—Uzeet! Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Popcaan Gets Unruly in Ocho Rios, Says “Most Jamaicans Will Be Surprised” By His New Album

    Popcaan Gets Unruly in Ocho Rios, Says “Most Jamaicans Will Be Surprised” By His New Album

    Watch the Unruly Boss Shell Down a Stage Show and Talk About His Debut Album

    When we last caught up with him at the 2013 staging of Reggae Sumfest, Popcaan told Reshma B that his debut album would be coming next year and that it would be “totally different,” with more “uplifting” songs. Now that the album is completed, he can shed a little bit more light on the project, which is titled Where We Come From and will be dropping on Mixpak Records June 10. Known for hits like “Ravin” and “Party Shot” and “Only Man She Want,” Papi shows a different side on the new album, starting with the single “Everything Nice” which blends the serious realities of life with an uplifting forget-your-troubles-and-dance vibe. After years of playing his position in the Gaza camp as Vybz Kartel’s protege, Popcaan is now acknowledged as a major star in his own right who rolls with his own clique, Team Unruly. The Reggae Girl About Town recently rolled with the team to a stage show in Ochi, and got the full scoop backstage, onstage, and after the show in the parking lot. Find out why Popcaan says “most Jamaicans will be surprised,” by the new album.  Videos After The Jump…

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