“Strong Me Strong” Blessed Earthstrong King Yellowman
Nuff Respect to a Dancehall Legend Today marks the 65th birthday of Winston Foster, the youth raised in a Jamaican orphanage who was once ostracized for the color of his skin but turned adversity to his advantage on his way to becoming King Yellowman. Born with albinism, the future international celebrity was disowned by his […]
HEAR THIS: Runkus ‘IN:SIDE’ Album PREMIERE
When We’re Not Outside, Take Care of In:Side One of the few redeeming aspects of the year 2020 was the emergence of Runkus as a force to be reckoned with at the forefront of Jamaica’s vibrant music scene. As with many so-called “overnight success” stories, most of the rise of this multitalented singer, deejay, rapper, […]
Skillibeng Creates “Cinema for Ears” on ‘The Prodigy’ Skilltape
Reasoning With Mr. Universe It’s not easy to make a name for yourself in the midst of a viral pandemic, but as Skillibeng explains on his smash hit “Mr. Universe,” he’s built for this. “From before Corona me social distance,” spits Skilli, who celebrated his 24th birthday today with the release of his highly anticipated […]
Buju Banton’s ‘Til Shiloh’ Marks 25 Year Milestone
Reasoning With The Gargamel On The Making of a Classic Before Buju’s landmark album Til Shiloh was released in 1995, he stopped by the VIBE offices to give me a preview. We shut the door of my office, popped a cassette in the stereo, and burned a spliff in the middle of the day while […]
WATCH THIS: Jada Kingdon “Green Dreams” Official Music Video & Exclusive Interview
Twinkle Secures The Bag 2020 will not go down as the easiest year in history, but Jada Kingdom has made the best of a tough situation. “It’s been a difficult year for everybody,” she says, “but I have channeled all my energy into being creative.” The Jamaican recording artist and swimwear designer can look back […]
WATCH THIS: Stonebwoy and Davido Connect In The “ACTIVATE” Music Video #PREMIERE
Ghana x Nigeria Link Up We last tapped in with Ghana’s Afro-Dancehall monarch Stonebwoy when he premiered his “Blaze Dem” freestyle on VIBE x Boomshots to follow up the victory lap for his Anloga Junction album. Now he’s joined forces with Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido, who’s fresh off the relase of his album A Better […]
WATCH THIS: Runkus “Quarantine Slide” Official Music Video PREMIERE
Facetime Flexin’ with the Ladies Fresh off the success of his futuristic posse cut “5Gz,”—which featured the lyrical onslaught of Kabaka Pyramid, Jesse Royal, Royal Blu, and Munga Honorable—Runkus returns on a solo flex with fresh sounds called “Quarantine Slide.” Son of the brilliant if under-rated dancehall DJ Determine, Runkus was surrounded by music from […]
WATCH THIS: Sizzla “Without You” Official Music Video PREMIERE
Some Sweet Love Songs From Kalonji “Righteousness will always get a fight,” Sizzla Kalonji once told me, “and that is only to make you stronger.” That conversation took place in 1997, he year Sizzla electrified lovers of reggae and dancehall music with two landmark albums, Praise Ye Jah and Black Woman & Child. Sizzla has […]
WATCH THIS: David Lyn “Keep Moving” Visualizer PREMIERE
Straight From Miami Via Tuff Gong Studios David Lyn grew up in Miami, surrounded by music from an early age. A Jamaican-American youth who loved Michael Jackson and Usher as well as the stars of his island homeland, David was 13 years old when he got into the studio with his stepbrother, Andron Cross, now […]
Ziggy Marley Votes For The First Time Ever
Music To Inspire A Movement No more long talking from politicians. Today, the people have their say at the ballot box. Judging by the number of voters who showed up early this year, the 2020 election is going to smash all records for voter participation. With a deadly pandemic, wildfires, floods, economic pressure, and a […]
WATCH THIS: Elephant Man “Skankers” Official Music Video PREMIERE
“Dis Yah One Yah Make The Dancer Dem Madd” “All of us put in work to try leave the ghetto,” said Elephant Man as he made his debut in the pages of VIBE back in April 1998. “That’s a feeling that really can’t leave you.” Posing in the photo shoot with an iced-out pachyderm pendant […]
Untold Stories: How Johnny Wonder Buss Bounty Killer
“Big Up Yourself Johnny Wonder” You don’t have to be a dancehall head to know Bounty Killer. He featured on No Doubt’s Grammy-winning pop smash “Hey Baby” and lit up Instagram this May during his epic Verzuz battle with Beenie Man. Arguably the most influential artist in modern dancehall history, Bounty Killer is thoroughly respected […]