UB40 & Nature Rock the Royal Botanic Gardens
Veteran British Band & A Rising Jamaican Star Shine At England’s Kew The Music Fest It’s been more than 30 years since the British reggae supergroup UB40 dropped their breakthrough album, Labour of Love. These cover versions of classic Jamaican rock steady and reggae tracks—songs like “Red Red Wine” and “Cherry O Baby” and “Johnny […]
Jah Cure Speaks on The Cure Album: “I’m trying something new with a new feel—we need that in reggae.”
“I’m trying to implement some of the old and modify it and move forward,” says Cure. From the first single, to the first video, to the first glimpse of the cover art, Jah Cure’s latest album—titled simply The Cure—has had in suspense for months now. At last the waiting is over and we can dive […]
DOWNLOAD: Konshens Mixtape
“Money Plan Complete”
Like Kanye Said Money Isn’t Everything, Not Having It IS Konshens put it plain from early out. The first time he stopped by the Strictly Boomshots show he explained how he drew a musical line in the sand and said “this year me haffi be the winner.” The reason? Not vanity, but because “me nah […]
HEAR THIS: Michael Rose “Warrior”
Bless Up the Grammy Winner From Waterhouse On Another Earthstrong “Life is a gamble,” sings Michael “Grammy” Rose on the title track from his powerful 2007 roots rock reggae album produced by the Twilight Circus crew. “Cease fire!” Since joining forces with Black Uhuru in 1977, Rose has remained at the forefront of reggae music […]
HEAR THIS: John Holt “My Heart Is Gone”
Celebrating The Birth of a Legend On this day in 1947, Winston “John” Holt was born in Greenwich Farm, Jamaica. His destiny in music was clear before he hit his teenage years, and he soon became a standout at the talent show circuit. His first recordings included “I Cried A Tear” for producer Leslie Kong […]
Flashback Friday: Wayne Wonder, “No Letting Go”
In 2003, when “No Letting Go” hit MTV, Wayne Wonder’s music career went into a projectile motion that continues to reach new heights. Twelve years later, fans are still expressing their love for this song on YouTube and other social media. I caught up with Wayne Wonder this week to find out his inspiration for […]
HEAR THIS: Chronixx “Ghetto People”
All A We Ghetto People It has been a while since we last heard from Chronixx. It’s nice to hear from the yute every now and again as he tells us what he’s up to and what’s on his mind. Namely, teaming up with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, the mastermind behind the “On The Corner” […]
WATCH THIS: Alborosie “Rocky Road” Official Music Video
Puppa Albo On Some Real-Life Shit Alborosie reflects on the cycle of life and his own mortality in this thought-provoking video, portaying himself in a few years’ time, with grey dreads watching videotapes of the memories of his life. Come to think of it, the last time Boomshots caught up with Puppa Albo he […]
WATCH THIS: Lady Saw “Summer Love” Official Music Video PREMIERE
Muma Saw Gets Her Groove Back You already know whenever Muma Saw drops a track it’s going to be hot. But this Summer Saw is on fire. When the first line of a tyne is “I wanna fall deeply in love”…soon followed by “I wanna get so damn drunk!”—well, you get the picture. “This summer […]
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Phillip Fraser “God of My Righteousness”
Reggae Music Legend in the Mecca of Music and Culture, Brooklyn The sun was shinning bright as I walked along New York Avenue, in Brooklyn, New York. I was greeted by a Rastafarian King, left hand over the heart, wearing a sunny yellow hat with a polo to match. I tipped my black shades to […]
ReshmaB Chains Make Runway Debut at Caribbean Fashion Week 2015
The Reggae Girl About Town Flexes Her Design Skills Reshma B, the UK-based music journalist, showed off her design skills at Caribbean Fashion Week in Kingston, Jamaica. ReshmaB Chains—recently included on Mass Appeal‘s round-up of New Streetwear Brands Who Are Killing it Right Now—made their runway debut at CFW’s Friday kick off. Pulse top model Oraine Barrett walked the runway, while three-time Vogue cover […]
OMI “Cheerleader” May Be The Song of the Summer
First Jamaican Release To Crack Top 10 Since Sean Paul’s “Get Busy” What could be a more natural combination than reggae and summertime? Last year the Canadian band MAGIC! made the connection with their pop smash “Rude.” But it’s been quite a while since a Jamaican reggae song was the anthem of the Summer—twelve years […]