WATCH THIS: Timberlee “Shmurda Freestyle” Video
The Man Dem Say She Body Well Shampoo Squeaky Remember Timberlee, the dancehall chica who made you “Bubble Like Soup” in a pot? She’s the latest to jump on the beat to Bobby Shmurda’s “Hot Nigga” with a fiery freestyle. Although the dancehall artist confirms that she’s “definitely not changing my musical style,” she does […]
WATCH THIS: Ini Kamoze “Hill & Gully Ride (Remix)” Music Video Teaser
You Better Hold On Good The original Hot Stepper (aka the “Lyrical Gangsta”—Murdera!) links up with Jamaican producer Kareem Burrell of XTM Nation (son of the late great Fatis Burrell, founder of the legendary Xterminator label) for this 2014 update of a classic Fatis production, first released 30 years ago. Today we get the first […]
Who is Shifta?
Born In Jamaica, Based In Miami, Ready For The World Dancehall is undergoing a changing of the guard right now with new talent bubbling up from the underground to the top of the game faster than ever. One of the new names to catch our eye and our ear is a youth called Shifta, whose […]
Spice & Vybz Kartel “Conjugal Visit” Official Music Video
Prepare Yourself For Romping Shop Part Few It’s been quite a while since Spice and Vybz Kartel hooked up. So much has changed in the six years since their smash hit “Romping Shop.” That sexy selection became one of the biggest international hits for both artists, even as it created a furor in Jamaica leading […]
WATCH THIS: I-Octane “What a Way We Shattin'” Official Music Video
The Shot Heard Round The Globe As mentioned in the latest Mass Appeal cover story, “Gunman World,” Jamaican music has a long tradition of songs in which a metaphorical gun salute is the highest form of praise. The title of I-Octane’s latest track, “What a Way We Shattin,” voiced on DJ Sunshine’s “Wul Dem” riddim, […]
HEAR THIS: Black-Am-I “In The Ghetto”
Life Rough Rough Rough Rough Rough But The Music Sweet Striaght out of Nine Mile, birthplace of the King of Reggae, comes a new recruit to the Ghetto Youths Intl’ crew, Black-Am-I. You may remember his standout cuts “Modern Day Freedom” and “Samson Strength,”‘ but the rootical Rasta singer is just getting started. His latest […]
WATCH THIS: Mavado “My Own” Official Music Video
“Cars A My Own, House A My Own” The visuals for the Gully Gad’s tune “My Own”—off ZJ Liquid’s big bad Good Book riddim—dropped this weekend. The latest video from We The Best Films features Mavado and Dj Khaled poppin’ bottles of Ricky Rozay’s Belaire bubbly, while flossing beside what might just be Mavado’s own Lamborghini. There’s also a brief clip […]
Reasoning with DJ Khaled: “I’d Love to Make a Record with Bounty Killer and Mavado”
Live From We The Best Studios in Miami, Khaled Talks Mavado, Killer, and Rinses Some Dubs You already know that all DJ Khaled does is win, win, win no matter what, but did you know the founder and CEO of We The Best Music, who has produced some of the biggest anthems in the history […]
Reasoning with Lee “Scratch” Perry, The 2nd Chapter: “Too Much Weed, So I Get Crazy”
Scratch Shares His Thoughts on Sex, Ganja, and the Illuminati When we last caught up with the Upsetter, he was sharing his thoughts on music—both his latest releases, and his seminal early recordings at the Black Ark. Of course, Scratch being Scratch, the conversation also veered into related topics such as Duppies, the true racial […]
WATCH THIS: Jah Cure “Life We Live” Official Music Video
Much has been said about a “roots revival” going on in Jamaican music at the moment. Artists like Chronixx and Protoje and Jesse Royal have created much excitement with their fresh take on reggae music, but let’s not forget that these talents have built upon the efforts of elder artists who have been putting in […]
Reasoning with Monty Alexander: “The Party Don’t Stop”
The Jamaican-Born World-Renowned Jazz Pianist Celebrates His Reggae Roots In the jazz world, Monty Alexander is recognized as a master pianist. In the reggae world, he is respected as a pioneer of Jamaican music, having played keys on countless crucial selections alongside such masters as Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, and Ernest Ranglin. Whenever he takes […]
Reasoning with Lee “Scratch” Perry: “The Black Ark Preserve Life and It Kill”
“I think the devil is a goat,” and other thoughts of a living legend. Whether you prefer to call him a madman or a genius, there’s no doubt that Lee “Scratch” Perry is a living legend. The man who gave the Wailers their “Natural Mystic” and pushed the frontiers of dub music at his Black […]