HEAR THIS: Major Lazer x Bad Royale
(ft. Toots & The Maytals) “My Number”
“The Dons of Caribbean Bass” Shamelessly Jack “54-46” The latest Major Lazer heat rock comes courtesy of living legend Toots Hibbert, the man who popularized the term “reggae” on his 1968 song “Do The Reggay.” As such, you might think Toots would be afforded a certain amount of respect—perhaps even have his name mentioned in […]
American Reggae Acts Dominate 2017 Grammy Nominations
Three Out of Six Nominees Are Based in the U.S.A. Earlier today The Recording Academy announced the 2017 Grammy Award nominations. Beyoncé topped all nominees with nine nods while Drake, Rihanna, and Kanye West snagged eight each. Rihanna & Drake’s dancehall cut “Work” was nominated for Record of the Year, although Drizzy’s chart-toppers “One Dance” and “Controller” were snubbed. […]
HEAR THIS: “Super Hi-Fi Plays Nirvana”
(Full Album Stream) PREMIERE
Grunge In Dub With Nuff Trombone Back when Ezra Gale—the bassist for undergound Brooklyn ensemble Super Hi-Fi—was in college, another band he played in opened for Nirvana. Now, 25 years after the Seattle trio’s classic Nevermind, he and Super Hi-Fi decided to put a very different spin on Kurt Cobain’s songbook. Super Hi-Fi Plays Nirvana […]
WATCH THIS: Elephant Man x Starface
“Tek Wuk” Official Music Video PREMIERE
When Elephants Play The Grass Gets Trampled “The main idea was to paint a vivid picture of a twisted fantasy,” says director Peter Parkkerr of his latest video. “Starface played the role of a sexy French maid who serviced Elephant Man’s room. It’s definitely gonna light up your TV screens.” After one glass of wine, […]
HEAR THIS: Tarrus Riley “Crime-Free Christmas”
Singy Singy Prays “Don’t Let Bloodshed Bruk The Vibes” “All I want for Christmas is to stay alive,” sings Tarrus Riley on this brand-new holiday boomshot, “Can’t take the sound of the 45!” Visions of yuletide merriment and “a new brand ride with a thick empress inside” are interspersed with heartfelt pleas for peace over […]
Half Pint Speaks on the Making of “Greetings”
“You may be raggedy and poor, but you are still rich in spirit” If you’ve ever been to a reggae party, it’s pretty much impossible that you’ve never heard “Greetings,” Half Pint’s raggamuffin anthem. Released in 1985 on George Phang’s legendary Powerhouse label, the song finds Half Pint representing for poor people over a hard-driving […]
WATCH THIS: A-Game “Everyday” Official Music video
In Comes Swing Ting With A Next Mad Sinting You may recall the UK-based label Swing Ting aka “the big bad sound outta Manchester” from that Devin Di Dakta “Bubble” joint we premiered a while back. They’re back at it with another bass-heavy digital excursion pon the version. This tune features an artist known as […]
HEAR THIS: Slim Smith “Rougher Yet”
Special Request to the Trump Posse Those who happened to be in London when the Brexit vote went down will recognize the sense of disbelief sweeping America on this morning after. It soon became clear that many people didn’t actually understand what they had voted for. (Google searches for “What is Brexit?” and “What is […]
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 […]
HEAR THIS: Mavado “Get Up”
Brand New Serial From Marvoni Records Recently we’ve been hearing a lot of war tunes flying back and forth. Folks getting all excited about a next lyrical skirmish from two battle-tested veterans. While there’s a time and a place for war, life during wartime ain’t no party—and it ain’t no fooling around (word to David […]
WATCH THIS: Raging Fyah “Dash Wata” Official Music Video
Go Ahead And Go Chasing Waterfalls The latest single off Raging Fyah’s third album, Everlasting, has a brand new splashy video shot in the most amazing waterfall this side of Niagra—and with a tune like this you won’t need Viagra. You see, Raging Fyah’s song, producde by Lamar “Riff Raff” Brown, isn’t actually about water […]
HEAR THIS: Maximum Sound “Royal Step Riddim” Megamix
In Comes Frenchie With A Thing Called Roots Plus Culture Over the past couple of decades Maximum Sound has distinguished itself as one of the more dependable modern reggae imprints when it comes to consistent high-quality music. Frenchie, the elusive producer behind the label, was born in France before relocating to the UK. His sound […]