Reasoning With Cocoa Tea
“A lot of people say to me, ‘Bwoy, Cocoa Tea, you should have been bigger,’ I don’t worry about that… After humility come the glory.” There’s an old song that says, “Music alone shall live.” Lovers of reggae music received an unwelcome reminder of this fact early Tuesday morning when the beloved Jamaican vocalist Calvin […]
WTJRC 2022 Heavy Rotation Playlist
All in the Same Boat, Rockin’ on the Same Rock Once again it’s on. The last time we were on board the Jamrock Cruise was December 2019, before most people had ever heard the words “Covid-19.” Three years later the big ship is ready to rock with artists like Burning Spear, Shabba Ranks, Damian Marley, […]
HEAR THIS: Cocoa Tea “Stay In School”
Ting A Ling A Ling, School Bell Ah Ring ”There is a lack of consciousness from what the music used to be,” says the legendary Cocoa Tea. “it’s becoming what it is not to be.” But rather than criticizing or complaining, the singer is fighting back with word sound and power. “If one of my […]
Rebel Salute 2015 Takes It Higher
Roots Reggae stars shine at the 22nd staging of Rebel Salute Dressed in a sky blue suit, Tony Rebel took the stage at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in the parish of St. Ann on Jamaica’s north coast. “Love you like a fresh vegetable,” he sang on 16th January 2015, the first night of Rebel Salute. “Tell […]
Flashback Friday: Red Rose For Gregory
The Unexpected Gift On December 6, 2008, I arrived at the Hammerstein Ballroom and met a large crowd, which gathered together on a snowy night, for the Jamrock Magazine, 4th Annual Vintage Fest, promoted by David “Squeeze” Annakie. Unfortunately, the line to purchase tickets at the door was so long that security announced, “No one […]
Jabba Pledges Best of the Best 2014 Will Be 100% Caribbean, Says Reggae and Hip-Hop “Come In Like Oil and Water”
Promoter Promises to “Learn From His Mistakes” at BOTB 2014: Reggae & Soca—but NO Hip-Hop For the past eight years Best of the Best has been a fixture of Memorial Day Weekend in Miami, a big outdoor reggae and soca show that normally features top hip-hop acts as well. But this year, Reshma B caught up with Jabba who […]
Colonel Josie Wales Pon Radio Lily
The Outlaw Rides Through The Strictly Boomshots Show. Jesus Christ—We Nice! In A$AP Ferg’s smash hit “Shabba,” the Harlem rapper idolizes Shabba for wearing “eight gold rings” and “one gold tooth.” But if the truth be told, it was not Shabba Ranks but his mentor Josie Wales who originated that style of fanciness. Had […]
Sturgav Hi Fi and Volcano Hi Power at the 02 Academy
Two Big Sounds Rock Brixton Easter Weekend When you’re talking about classical roots rock rub-a-dub sound systems, there are no more celebrated names in the dancehall of fame than King SturGav Hi Fi and Volcano High Power. Sturgav was established by Daddy U Roy, the legendary DJ who made his name on King Tubby’s Home […]
Konshens Pays Respect To 47 Reggae Superstars Who Paved the Way
Who And Who Rates As An Icon Inna The Business? Remember when Shabba Ranks dropped that tune “Respect“? “Step by step you haffi climb the ladder / The elders you haffi show respect fah.” It’s plan to see that Konshens got the message. He may be on top of the game now, but he’s not […]
Miss Lily’s Variety Celebrates First Anniversary
Let’s Look Back At Some of the Most Memorable Radio Lily Moments So Far They’ve been Playing the Peoples’ Music Night and Day for 364 days already. Tomorrow RadioLily.com hits the first year milestone in a big way with the legendary Johnny Osbourne live and direct and other special guests passing through. Make sure to catch […]
HEAR THIS: Cocoa Tea Pon Radio Lily
Cocoa Calls In To The Strictly Boomshots Show We don’t usually do phoners on the Strictly Boomshots show—but we made an exception for Cocoa Tea. The fisherman from Clarendon has caught more than a few classics in the stormy seas of reggae music. Think about all the eras this classical reggae dancehall superstar spans—from Junjo […]
HEAR THIS: Cocoa Tea & D’Angel “Love Is”
Cocoa Tea Makes His Case But D’Angel Nuh Easy At All In the latest release from his own Roaring Lion label, Cocoa Tea flings down some sweet lyrics, pleading his case to rest in D’Angel’s nest. But this girl isn’t so easily impressed. I have a feeling she may be playing hard to get. Go […]