R.I.P. Sting: The End of an Era in Dancehall
Remembering The Greatest One Night Reggae and Dancehall Show on Earth When the history of dancehall music is written, 2016 will go down as the year when mainstream stars took over the worldwide pop charts using Jamaican styles and sounds. It will also be remembered as the first Boxing Day in over three decades that […]
Artist of the Year: Popcaan “Nah Idle”
2016 Was The Unruly Boss’s Biggest Year, As Papi Showed The World How To Over Dweet Earlier this week Popcaan dropped the official music video for “Nah Idle,” a tune produced by Mini for UK-based E5 Records that pretty much sums up the Unruly Boss’s amazing year. “We nuh beg people, so no bwoy can style […]
Breakthrough Artist of The Year: Jahmiel
When A Great Man Rise… Recognize Ever since the days when Sugar Minott strung up his Youth Promotion sound system, reggae music has been about who’s got next. This year the answer was clear, as we witnessed the emergence of a fresh voice that had been crying out for a few years now, but which […]
Unsung Hero of the Year: Sister Nancy
What a Bam Bam! Boomshots sends a special year-end shout out to Dancehall’s Original Muma, Sister Nancy. Alongside featured artists Rihanna and Swizz Beatz, Nancy is the unsung hero of “Famous” by Kanye West, one of the year’s biggest tunes, nominated for two Grammy Awards. For well over a minute of the 3:16 track, Nancy’s […]
Reasoning with Garfield “Chin” Bourne:
“Authentic Sound Clash Culture is in Jeopardy”
Keeping Sound System Safe From The Culture Vultures As co-founder of Irish & Chin, one of the most respected reggae promotion companies in the world, Garfield “Chin” Bourne has left his mark on the music industry and popular culture as a whole. He is the founder of SoundChat Radio and a range of media ventures, […]
Soundbwoy Burial of the Year: Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise’s Soundclash at Sea
Keeping Soundclash Culture Afloat There are many reasons to love the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise—the performances, the fans, the total immersion in what the one and only Shinehead has likened to a “Rub-a-dub Disneyland”—but WTJRC’s unfailing support of sound system culture may be the best reason of all. A plethora of legendary sounds—from King […]
WATCH THIS: Isha Blender “Tonight” Official Music Video PREMIERE
Everton’s Daughter Is All Grown Up Isha Blender, daughter of the great Everton “Blend Dem” Blender, was born in Clarendon surrounded by musical vibes. Now she’s ready to step up with her debut album Epiphany, whose very title represents a great revelation. As the artist puts it: “I feel like I am at turning point […]
This Year’s Best Dancehall Christmas Songs
Reshma B Selects The Sounds To Get Your Holiday Party Poppin’ The Reggae Girl About Town’s new Murda She Wrote column just dropped on Pigeons & Planes, and it’s right on time to help your Christmas jam tun up: “There’s nothing better than Christmas in Jamaica—not just because the balmy Caribbean weather beats a polar […]
WATCH THIS: Di Genius & Chino “Family” Official Music Video PREMIERE
Musical Christmas Gift From The Big Ship Fam Merry Christmas! If you’re truly blessed, right now you’re surrounded by loved ones on this special morning. Friends are friends, and sometimes they come and go—but family is forever. Jamaica’s Big Ship family is no exception. Growing up as the sons of reggae legend Freddie McGregor may […]
Kartel Tops Billboard 10 Best Reggae Albums List
The best of times and the worst of times for lovers of Reggae Music For the second year in a row Billboard asked Rob Kenner, founder of Boomshots Media, to pick the 10 Best Reggae Albums of the year. The assignment was particularly significant in this year where Jamaican sounds were all over the airwaves, […]
The Biggest Dancehall Riddims of 2016
Who Run The Place? Johnny Wonder, CEO of 21st Hapilos, Counts Down The Year’s Top Juggling With Rihanna’s “Work” dominating mainstream airwaves all year, you might think Richie Stephens’ “Sail Away” riddim would take the top spot. Yes that was hot in the streets ten years ago, and shout out to OVO for bringing it […]
WATCH THIS: Chronixx “Majesty” Official Music Video
Chronixx Chooses Love Over Lust Inspired by the Studio One Soul Selection, “I’ll Be Around” by Otis Gayle as well as The Techniques‘ “Queen Majesty,” Chronixx song “Majesty” is a beautiful love ballad from the “Roots and Chalice” mixtape, a collaboration with Federation Sound. The lyrics emphasize developing a spiritual before physical connection which opposes the message perpetuated […]