HEAR THIS: Stephen “Ragga” Marley ft. Jo Mersa & Cedella Marley “Revelation Party”
Ragga, Joseph & Nice Time Keeping The Party Of Their Life Talk about right on time. Between terror attacks and fearmongering folly-ticians, the world seems to have gone mad in recent days and weeks. Leave it to the Marley fam to bring about a cure for our ills—even if only for a while. Today Stephen […]
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 […]
HEAR THIS: Meleku “What to Make”
Sizzla Kalonji’s Son Links With XTM Nation & Keeps The Fire Blazing Asking the musical question “What to make of this world,” Meleku, the son of Sizzla Kalonji, steps forward on his own quest for wisdom, knowledge and overstanding. Continuing a multi-generational collaboration, Meleku has linked up with Kareem “Remus” Burrell, son of legendary producer […]
Reasoning with Christopher Martin:
“I’m a Lover from Birth”
“SssMartin” Speaks on Spearheading the Sugar Reggae Movement Ever since winning Digicel Rising Stars way back in 2005, Christopher Martin has emerged as one of Jamaica’s premiere entertainers, topping the charts with hits like “Cheaters Prayer” and starring in the recent motion picture Destiny. But his rise to the top of the game stretches back […]
HEAR THIS: Akae Beka “Like Rhyme”
Vaughn Benjamin’s Poetry In Song A master of word play, Vaughn Benjamin (Akae Beka), the prolific songwriter of Midnite Band, supersedes our expectations on his recent solo album, “Portals,” I-grade Records. This July, the artist from St. Croix trods out for the “Portals Summer Tour.” Manager, Preston Powell predicts that venues will be bursting at […]
A Musical Response to Injustice
Lyrics for a Perilous Time This is a reflective Sabbath, with the killing of two African American males by police officers. What followed was an uproar on social media and peaceful protests across the United States. The recorded narratives of “what happened” reveal the loss of human life for trivial reasons such as a routine […]
WATCH THIS: Protoje Talks “Can’t Feel No Way”
Diggy British Talks “Royalty Free” Since Protoje’s remarkable Ancient Future joined the legions of crucial reggae albums overlooked by the Grammy Awards, Diggy British hasn’t slowed down at all. The five songs comprising the B-side of his latest release, Royalty Free, have set the Internets ablaze since it was uploaded to his Soundcloud, demonstrating the […]
WATCH THIS: Micah Shemaiah featuring Rassi Hardknocks “Legal” Official Music Video
Check out the new video for “Legal” with Cameos from Yaadcore, Keida and Exile Di Brave The decriminalization of marijuana remains a huge topic of interest for reggae music in 2016. Reggae has always been a medium for social commentary and these lyrics reflect global changes regarding this plant. The highly anticipated visual for the Uncle […]
WATCH THIS: Omari Banks ft. Duane Stephenson “System Set” Official Music Video PREMIERE
Omari Fights The Right Fight The quest for wisdom knowledge and overstanding is not about having all the answers. The real major key—shout to DJ Khaled—is asking the right questions. The Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Emmanuel Brown, once sang a song that asked “Do you know what it means to have a revolution?” Elsewhere […]
HEAR THIS: Jah 9 “Humble Mi”
Tune in to Jah9’s Frequency A few months ago, Jah9 performed a new song for one of BBC 1Xtra’s Jamaica live sessions, voicing out at Anchor Studios in Kingston. The official version of the song is here and it’s evey bit as powerful as that version. “Try to be humble cause blessed are the meek,” […]
NO LONG TALK: Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor on the Red Bull & Guinness Decade
Dancehall’s First Podcast Hits #10 In Fine Style To commemorate the series tenth episode, Man Like Marvin Sparks drew for the decade’s defining producer, Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor. 2016 marks ten years on from his classic breakthrough riddim, Red Bull & Guinness. The riddim boasted voicings from Vybz Kartel, Wayne Marshall and Sizzla to a […]
WATCH THIS: Sojah “Pon Di Corner” In Memory of Delus
Delmark Spence Is Gone But Not Forgotten When people say, as they often do, that music lives on forever, they don’t mean that songs stay the same, like fossils or footprints set in cement. Music literally lives—it’s an organic, ever-changing force that unfolds within its own time and affects each listener a different way. Sometimes […]