Koffee Opens Up About “Lockdown”
“Where Will We GO?” There’s still a lot of time left in Summer 2020, but on this last day of July we are declaring Koffee’s “Lockdown” Boomshots official 2020 Summer anthem. Produced by Dane “Raygad” Ray from the Unruly camp, the song finds Koffee asking all of the questions everybody in the world is asking […]
WATCH THIS: Tarrus Riley “Fresh Prince of JA” Official Music Video
Pandemic Got You Feeling Blue? T-4000 To The Rescue! Versatility is Tarrus Riley’s middle name. Just the other day he previewed a soul-stirring acoustic prayer called “Remember Me” that was inspired by the trying times all of us have been going through amidst this dreadful pandemic. That was a glimpse of Tarrus in Singy Singy […]
Junior Gong Pon Di Strong
Reasoning With Zilla 25 Years Ago Damian Marley was never intimidated by great expectations. Born on this day in 1978, the youngest son of Robert Nest Marley did not hesitate to follow in some very large footsteps, entering the music industry at an early age. He started out singing in a group called The Shepherds, […]
Buju Banton Covers VIBE x Boomshots Collab
A VIBE x Boomshots Collab: Redemption Songs Jamaica’s Undefeated Champion Returns “Forward ever,” the late great Jacob “Killer” Miller used to sing. “And backward never.” Reggae music has always been about forward motion, the movement of Jah people, up from downpression and forward to Holy Mount Zion, because freedom is a must. Still, every once […]
Buju Banton and Stephen Marley Speak on “Duppy Conqueror (Yes Mi Friend)”
A Celebration of Real Friendship, 50 Years After The Wailers Original “Yes me friend, we deh pon street again.” 50 years after The Wailers’ original “Duppy Conqueror,” Stephen Marley and Buju Banton lift up their voices and join together in one harmony to create a crucial selection off Buju’s highly anticipated new album ‘Upside Down.’ […]
WATCH THIS: Chronixx ft. Kabaka Pyramid “Same Prayer” Official Visuals PREMIERE
“Look deep within ourselves” Do not be deceived by the gorgeous vistas of Jamaican mountainscape displayed in the visuals for “Same Prayer.” This subtly crafted song is more concerned with navigating the treacherous terrain of humanity’s inner landscape than enjoying the view outside. And it’s definitely not all zen, yoga, and spirulina. “There’s so much […]
Richie Spice Running “Red Hot” on ‘Together We Stand’
Singing Music With A Mission “The almighty savior was a poor man,” says roots reggae icon Richie Spice “but still rich because he ruled all of the earth, air, and water — which we don’t have control over. He was born in a manger. So the message is: no matter how poor you born, you can […]
Dre Island Elevates With Debut Album ‘Now I Rise’
“We rise to the top… cause we know what it takes” “We rise to the top,” Dre Island sings on “We Pray,” his massive collab with Popcaan, “cause we know what it takes.” Building on that theme of musical and spiritual elevation, the multi-talented musician—singer, deejay, songwriter, producer, and pianist—has just released his debut album […]
Tune For Tune: Breaking Down Bounty & Beenie’s Verzuz Battle
Jamaica Won, The Culture Won—no doubt about it—But Which Selections Won? Why was this night different from all other Verzuz battles? Streamed live from Kingston, Jamaica, the Memorial Day “Soundclash Edition” of Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s flagship IG Live series was easily the most exciting and entertaining yet, as well as the first to […]
The Art of War: Bounty Killer Verzuz Beenie Man
Dancehall Icons Speak on Rivalry & Respect Ever since the whole Swizz Beatz and Timbaland created social media battle platform Verzuz wave kicked off, bringing a much-needed spark of joy and excitement to the dreadful pandemic grind, those of us who love and respect dancehall music and Jamaican sound system culture have been asking ourselves […]
WATCH THIS: Sean Paul “Back It Up Deh” Official Music Video PREMIERE
Peep SP’s IGTV Interview With Reshma B As the first—and only—dancehall artist to appear on the cover of VIBE magazine, Sean Paul has been making history and breaking down musical barriers throughout his career. The Grammy-winning hitmaker has collaborated with some of the biggest stars in urban music, from Beyoncé and Rihanna to DMX and […]
WATCH THIS: Etana “Truly” Official Music Video PREMIERE
“First Time I Saw Your Eyes…” The first we heard Etana sing we knew she had a special gift. This was back in the mid2000s when the young vocalist had stepped out from her role providing harmonies for Richie Spice to sing her own songs. Etana had stopped by the NYC offices of VIBE magazine […]