Beres Hammond Interview: “There’s A Power Within Love Songs”
The Maestro Speaks On The State of Reggae Today, The Real Buju Banton, and His Own Musical Legacy For me, it started with Full Attention. Hugh Beresford Hammond’s first album for V.P. Records began with a drum roll and a saxophone tendril that laid the foundation for the textured tenor to plead his case with […]
HEAR THIS: Inner Circle & Peetah Morgan “Broken Hearted”
Brand New Lovers Rock Selection from the album Inner Circle Dubets Ever since the tragic death of Jacob “Killer” Miller in a 1980 car crash, the legendary Jamaican band Inner Circle has worked with a range of vocalists. But on their upcoming album Dubets, the Bad Boys of Reggae collaborate with a range of great […]
Top 10 Ganja Legalization Tunes
Legalize It And I Will Advertise It Why is Peter Tosh smiling? The ongoing struggle to repeal the prohibition of marijuana has inspired countless great records—and earlier this month it inspired a historic moment at the ballot box. Starting December 6 in the state of Washington and January 1 in Colorado, the dream of legal […]
WATCH THIS: Giants of Lovers Rock
Fresh From London: Reshma B Interviews Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson, Peter Hunnigale, and More Reggae may have been born in Jamaica, but these days it’s a worldwide phenomenon. And the first place it spread was toEngland, where Jamaicans abroad created their own unique sound that came to be known as Lovers Rock. One of the […]
WATCH THIS: Dub Scandal Rocks “Portlandia”
Mayor Holds A Press Conference To Confession His Dirty Secret: Dub If you thought Ras Trent was annoying… If Andy Milonakis inna dancehall style gets on your nerves… If you’re perturbed by this French dude Bigga Ranks… Then you’ll probably appreciate this VICE essay. But if that looks way too long to read, get a […]
With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemies?
VICE Defends Reggae To White People Who Don’t Like Reggae So you’ve decided you don’t like reggae. I can respect this decision. There’s some good thinking involved in this decision. Whenever I talk to a fellow white person who has decided they don’t like reggae, they usually make the following points: 1. I don’t really […]
HEAR THIS: Sadiki “Jah Is The Only King”
Singer Hails The King of Kings Sadiki is one of those best-kept-secret-type singers. He may not have the biggest name in the game, but if you’ve been paying attention you know his records speak for themselves. Blending a staccato singjay attack and soaring melodies, Sadiki’s got what it takes to rock the mike right. His “Gal […]
WATCH THIS: Atiba “Love Is Blind” Video
A Refreshing Acoustic Love Song From K-Licious Music Group This dude Atiba sings so sweetly and softly with his aching voice atop gentle acoustic guitar chords, but don’t be deceived. Dude is going hard for the lady who’s caught his eye—even though she has a man in her life. This is a full-contact love song […]
INTERVIEW: Up Close With Kehv
Find Out Why They Call Him “The Prince Of Reggae Soul” Kehv is a soulful reggae artist who’s been doing his thing for quite some time now—almost a decade to be exact. You may not know his name yet but pay attention: Kehv has international appeal and fans across the globe. We’re going to give […]
INTERVIEW: Tanya Stephens, Forever Vocal
We Can Always Depend on Tanya to Tell It Like It Is When it comes to the reggae/dancehall genre, the competition is fierce—and mostly dominated by males. There is no shortage of female artists however, holding their own and showing their prowess. Many come and go, while a select few have earned their veteran stripes. […]
INTERVIEW: Rayvon Still Going Strong, Getting That Cheddar
The Ladies Love Sugar RayRay Just last night in New York City Shaggy and Rayvon performed at the RockHouse Foundation benefit to raise funds for the education of Jamaica’s youth. They’ve been doing their thing since the late Eighties in good ol’ Brooklyn, where Rayvon and Shaggy first linked as the ultimate dancehall duo, dropping […]
Review: Scientist & Roots Radics Rock The Dub Champions Fest 2012
Dub vets Scientist and the Roots Radics took over this year’s Dub Champion Fest—Amy Wachtel reports Like any respectable “creature of the night,” I got to BB Kings just before the bewitching hour of midnight, an appropriate hour for both vampires and night nurses. Deadly Dragon’s sound system filled the air with the sounds of drum, bass […]