WATCH THIS: ‘All in the Same Boat’ the Jamrock Cruise Documentary
How Damian Marley’s annual voyage went from a crazy idea to a premier event in global reggae culture. The idea for the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise came to life in an unlikely place—Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s manager, Dan Dalton, was relaxing in his hot tub, burning a spliff, when inspiration struck. “What if there […]
The Genius of Scratch Perry
“The Black Ark preserve life and it kill. It cripple, it cramp, and paralyze.”
WATCH THIS: Stephen and Damian Marley Talk Traffic Jam Tour & Brotherly Love
“Real Reggae Yuh A Look For, Yuh Know Where Fi Find Us” Raggamuffin and Jr. Gong have been performing together for a long while, but this year’s Traffic Jam Tour is the first time they’ve officially touched the road as co-headliners. Boomshots visited their Miami rehearsal studio for an exclusive behind the scene video, where […]
WATCH THIS: Dukes of Roots ft. Natiruts “Try Happy” Official Music Video Premiere
“Life’s Better With A Smile On Your Face” As Bunny Wailer once observed “there’s no stems, leaves, or branches without the roots.” So it makes perfect sense for two global reggae ensembles—Dukes of Roots, representing Africa and Jamaica, and Natiruts, reppin’ Brazil—to join forces on “Try Happy.” Natiruts, of course are one of the world’s […]
“Guess I’ve Been Here Before” Stephen Marley’s ‘Old Soul’
“Inside Me A Legacy Lives On,” Sings Ragga “Anything that sounds good is good,” says Stephen Marley, paraphrasing Duke Ellington. Don’t be surprised to hear the King of Reggae’s son referencing Harlem’s master of the jazz orchestra. Never one to limit his musical horizons, Stephen has always listened without prejudice, letting his inspiration set him […]
Buju Banton’s ‘Born for Greatness’ Sets The Gold Standard
Gargamel Still Has The Stamina I first heard Buju Banton’s ragga-rough voice roaring in 1992, the first year the DJ really buss. Three decades later, as I laid eyes on the album art for Buju’s 12th studio album, Born For Greatness, one thing was clear: The artist who made his name with raw Dancehall Boomshots […]
Caribbean Music Awards Honor Iconic Artistes Beres Hammond, Machel Montano, David Rudder, and Vybz Kartel
Hosted By Wyclef Jean Live From Flatbush, Brooklyn Inspired by the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House, Kings Theatre on Flatbush Avenue was the appropriately illustrious setting for the first annual Caribbean Music Awards last Thursday night. Hosted by Wyclef Jean and produced by Caribbean Elite Group and streamed via Tempo Networks, this […]
WATCH THIS: Jack Johnson x Lee “Scratch” Perry “Traffic in the Sky” Official Music Video PREMIERE
From The Album In Between Dub Jack Johnson is not a reggae musician, but growing up in Hawaii he’s been immersed in the sound and the sensibility as long as he can remember. “Reggae music was kinda like mainstream here,” he recalls. “That was something that was always around. When you jump in someone’s truck […]
WATCH THIS: Kelly Shane x Busy Signal “Ain’t That Loving You” Official Music Video PREMIERE
Tanya’s Dawta Sings With The Turf Prez Kelly Shane has taken the world by surprise—but looking back on it now, it all makes sense. As the child of one of Jamaica’s greatest singer-songwriters, Kelly grew up surrounded by great music. Touring with her mother Tanya Stephens during school vacations and later working as her personal […]
WATCH THIS: Yaadcore x Damage Musiq “Genuine” Official Music Video PREMIERE
“To Build the Confidence of the Black Man” Like all great selectors, Yaadcore has a gift for speaking the right words and playing the right sound at the perfect moment. Bringing all of those strengths together to step up as a deejay is a natural progression. From Daddy U Roy and Super Cat to Tony […]
Kabaka Pyramid and Damian Marley Speak On ‘The Kalling’ Grammy
Tears of Joy, and Nuff Inspiration “Rastafari Live.” On his track “Grateful,” Kabaka said “First all of me giving thanks to the highest creator,” and when the big moment came that’s exactly what he did. Walking to the Grammy Awards stage with his mother at his side and surrounded by his Bebble Rock crew, Kabaka’s […]
Sizzla “Praise Ye Jah” 25th Anniversary Mixtape
Celebrating a Classic Album, Live From Judgment Yard “I did behold!” It’s been a quarter of a century since Sizzla Kalonji’s anthem “Praise Ye Jah” first rang out of sound systems all across Jamaica and electrified the worldwide dancehall reggae massive with his revolutionary sound and energy. When the teen prodigy born Miguel Collins linked […]