Clive Hunt Pays Tribute to Bobby Ellis
Legendary Producer Remembers Jamaica’s Late Great Hornsman One of Jamaica’s most accomplished musicians, trumpet master Bobby Ellis, died on Tuesday at the University Hospital of the West Indies. The Jamaica Observer reports that he was admitted in late September suffering from pneumonia. During his 84 years on earth, Bobby Ellis and his trusty horn made […]
Reasoning With The Ranks:
“Every day, another star is born from the ghetto. A star isn’t born from the hills and society either. It’s from the ghetts that the youth dem ah push up.”
In Honor of Shabba’s Order of Distinction, We Present An In-Depth Interview with the Dancehall Emperor “Triumphant,” said Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon, better known to music lovers as Shabba Ranks. “Dat a my feeling right now because, as my mother used to tell me from I was little, hard work does pay off.” The dancehall […]
Ten Classic Rita Marley Tunes You Need To Stop Sleeping On
Half The Story Has Never Been Told The whole world knows the Bob Marley legend, but how many overstand the fact that his wife Rita is an accomplished singer in her own right? Alpharita Constantia “Rita” Anderson was born 70 years ago in Santiago, Cuba and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. She first met Robert Nesta Marley […]
HEAR THIS: Busy Signal “Colder”
The Turf Prez Touches Up A Classic King Jammy’s Riddim Some things just can’t be improved upon, but that doesn’t mean they should be left alone. King Jammy’s 1987 “Score” Riddim is a perfect example, a track that defines digital lovers rock. There was something about Steely’s warm and easy computer bassline and those crstyal-clear […]
Super Cat Confirmed for Reggae Sumfest 2016
The Don Dada Will Headline Reggae Night Super Cat will make his Reggae Sumfest debut on July 23, 2016, headlining the festival’s Reggae Night in Montego Bay, Jamaica. “Our headline act on Saturday night—which is Reggae Night—will be none other than the Don Dada himself,” said Josef Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Records, which took over the […]
Reasoning with Sly Dunbar: “I’ve Seen All The Changes”
The Master Drummer Turns 64 Today Perhaps the most celebrated drum and bass duo in history—regardless of genre—Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare were both accomplished studio musicians before they met in the mid 1970s. “You know that record that goes ‘I am the magnificent!’?” says Dunbar, speaking of Dave & Ansel Collins’ 1971 smash “Double […]
SPECIAL REQUEST: Willi Williams “Armagideon Time”
Don’t Mix Up The Studio One Star With The First Black LAPD Chief, Who Passed Away Today What’s in a name? Willie L. Williams became Los Angeles’ first African American police chief in the aftermath of the 1992 riots, died today of pancreatic cancer at the age of 72, reports the L.A. Times. Williams stepped […]
Reasoning with Capleton: “Music Is A Mission”
Throwback Q&A with The Prophet • New York City 2000 A.D. I had been listening to Capleton for years before I got the chance to interview him at Def Jam Records offices on Varick Street in Manhattan. He sat smoking beedies and a spliff with his manager Stuart Brown a.k.a. African Star in the record […]
The Don Dada Returns To NYC: Super Cat Confirmed for Memorial Day Performance
Irie Jam Productions Confirms Super Cat For Oracabessa Festival 2016 Although it took root in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica, Reggae has always been a majestic music. From the days of Bob Marley and Dennis Brown there have been certain artists who always bring that royal vibes to forefront. And while many great artists have […]
HEAR THIS: Bongo Herman “Drum of Long Story”
Mek Rolling Stone Dem Know—Half The Story Has Never Been Told Just the other day Rolling Stone published a list of the supposed Greatest Drummers of All Time. Carlton Barrett of the Hippy Boys—a two-man duo comprising him and his brother Aston “Family Man” Barrett, who once backed Scratch Perry at the Black Ark and […]
WATCH THIS: Jimmy Riley “Rougher Yet”
Live in Tivoli Gardens 2008
Rest In Power Jimmy Riley (1954–2016) Music Alone Shall Live Martin James Norman Riley, a distinguished singer and songwriter known to music lovers the world over as Jimmy Riley passed away around the dawning of March 23rd. Mr. Riley grew up in the musically blessed and economically stressed Waterhouse section of Western Kingston, and attended […]
WATCH THIS: Chronixx x Eesah “Perfect Tree” Official Music Video
Chronixx x Eesah Engage in a Melodic Steam Session Chronixx opens with horns blazing, as he rides effortlessly over the beat from Black Star’s “Respiration” exhaling words of righteousness: “High grade never hurt nobody. Let herb be free on earth nuh daddy.” You’ve guessed it: it’s another ganja anthem, but this one requires a higher meditation to […]