The cover story from this month’s Village Voice takes an in depth look at the rivalry between Vybz Kartel and Mavado and explores why they “might be the Biggie and Tupac of Dancehall.” Good read.
Posts Tagged ‘Skull Riddim’
Reggae’s Civil War
Friday, March 5th, 2010Hey Bonjay!
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Hailing from Toronto, Bonjay (island slang for “Good God!”) are emerging as a force to be reckoned with. Utilizing bits and pieces from dancehall, heavy bass music, soul, reggae and R&B, Alanna (vocals) and Pho (beats) have assembled a sound that’s accessible & layered- satisfying for lovers of underground dance music and pop enthusiasts alike. Here’s a cut from last year’s “Gimme Gimme” EP, which you can grab on Amazon or iTunes. Keep watch, big things will be coming from these two.
Ms. Thing & Psycho Tanbad “Bonify” Out Now!
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Mixpak is proud to release Ms. Thing and Psycho Tanbad’s new single “Bonify.”
“Bonify” is their take on Dre Skull’s Smoke Machine Riddim (the riddim underlying Vybz Kartel’s “Yuh Love”). The video has been causing some controversy in Jamaica which landed a front page story in the Jamaica Star.
VIDEO: Sticky f. Natalie Storm – Look Pon Me
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
This is the official video for the “Look Pon Me” single from Sticky’s recently released Jumeirah Riddim EP out now on Mixpak. Shot in Kingston, Jamaica and starring Natalie Storm, this video, like the single, represents one of the strongest funky bashment collaborations between London and Kingston to date.
2009 In Reggae And Dancehall
Monday, January 11th, 2010
2009 is done. Mavado and Vybz Kartel are pals, Buju Banton is in jail, and Sting—billed as the greatest stageshow on earth—was underwhelming as all get out. How did we get here? Last year ended with fretting about the fact that reggae music was less and less Jamaican—Matisyahu being on top of the charts and such. This year ended in pretty much the same way. However, despite worries about the state of music—the Jamaica Gleaner spent pages of its December 27 issue questioning dancehall’s parties, professors and punny printers, wondering in print about what the future holds for reggae—and the widely circulated report of an eight-copy sale figure for Vybz Kartel’s Pon Di Gaza in its first week, it was also a banner year for dancehall on the world stage.
If you want a nice comprehensive look back at 2009 in the world of reggae and dancehall, look no further than Soundclash’s two part, year in review.
The Heatwave Bashment Review 2009
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
The Heatwave comes in big with this 2009 bashment year in review featuring nearly 100 of the biggest dancehall tunes from the past twelve months. Fire!!
Inside The Mind Of Vybz Kartel
Monday, October 19th, 2009
According this study from the University of the West Indies, Vybz Kartel is the most popular dancehall artist right now. And yet, even with Kartel’s single “Rompin Shop” getting heavy radio spins and grabbing Billboard Hot 100 placement in the US, for a number of reasons (including not being able to get a visa to travel to the US), he doesn’t always get in depth coverage in the magazines, so you might not be getting a good look at who he is and what’s going on in his world. Luckily, Boomshots has tracked down Kartel for an extensive two part interview in which he thoughtfully discusses the current state of dancehall and how he chooses to focus his energy. On the issue of getting a visa to travel to the US, he explains.
I know, well a lot of people is trying but as I said I’m just concentrating on music. When they send for me I will appear. Otherwise, me just focus on music. Portmore Empire is signed to us. We have a digital distribution deal for them and locally we have a physical distribution deal. We’re doing videos for them, promoting them as much as possible. Trying to do things like a real business. Y’nawmean? Yeah, and you know we have the Vybz Rum and the Daggerin’ condoms. We’re just concentrating on Jamaica right now. You done know anything that’s big in Jamaica always spread across the world. Just keep it real from the root, and then then blossom will drop inna America, it will drop inna England, drop inna Europe.
The Heatwave’s October Charts
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009Shouts to The Heatwave blog for picking Vybz Kartel’s “Yuh Love” for their October charts. If you are checking on Dancehall or Funky or the intersection of the two genres then add The Heatwave to your feedreader. There are not enough blogs that go as deep. And speaking of deepness check out the “Funky Bashment” podcast that The Heatwave just turned in for the XLR8R podcast series…and if you check that tracklist closely, you might just spot an exclusive early appearance of an upcoming Mixpak release.
Assassin’s “Hand Ina Di Air” grabbed the number one spot on The Heatwave Dancehall charts (see the video above). Big track!!!
