Popcaan – Road Haffi Tek On

December 4th, 2012

Following on from the success of ‘Food Haffi Run’, Poppy is back with ‘Road Haffi Tek On’, a new cut on the ever-growing Overtime Riddim produced by JA Productions. Watch out for the brand new Popcaan x Dre Skull video dropping on Mixpak very soon.

Kling Klang video shoots

November 15th, 2012

Dre Skull is over in Jamaica right now shooting a record 3 videos in 4 days for the Kling Klang riddim, with Beenie Man, Tifa and Popcaan. Follow the feed over at Instagram and soundtrack it with this.

Get Gyal Easy (Emynd remix)

October 16th, 2012

We let remix-meister Emynd loose on ‘Get Gyal Easy’ and he’s delivered, in his own words, ‘some melodic trappy dancehall steez’ that’s up for the free download now. Check out the original produced by Dre Skull and released on Mixpak earlier this year, and the original remix package here.

Blow Your Head Zine

September 27th, 2012

Diplo and photographer Shane McCauley are launching the zine series Blow Your Head. Each volume will explore a different country and musical genre. For this volume, the duo traveled through Trenchtown, visiting Tuff Gong Studios, Gee Jam Studios and Sugarman Beach, documenting the most cutting-edge music and dance with candid photographs of the players and venues.

Each volume is an 8 x 10 inch, 96 page black and white softcover printed in a limited edition of 1500 copies.

Order the zine here.

Kling Klang Riddim Out Now

July 24th, 2012

The latest riddim from Dre Skull is out today on Mixpak. Kling Klang features voicings from Beenie Man, Tifa, Popcaan, Suku and Deva Bratt. Get it at iTunes / Juno now.

Though recorded in Kingston, Jamaica earlier this year, Kling Klang is named after Kraftwerk’s legendary German studio and takes some inspiration from their repertoire: Dre Skull’s riddim revs up to the sound of an engine, then breaks into a minimal soundscape powered by cymbals, resonating bass and lasers that waver on computer game aesthetics before accelerating into the chorus.

For his second voicing on a Mixpak riddim, Beenie Man takes a trip in his time machine and delivers “Super Model,” offering a 90s style delivery with throwback content to match: hailing the coca cola bottle shape. Portmore’s Deva Bratt brings it “Hot And Ready,” with his fast-flowing auto-tuned falsetto that impressively barely breaks for a breath. With “So We Do It,” Popcaan yet again picks another style from his wide array, going in for a relaxed storytelling verse that would make Slick Rick proud and a singjay chorus-line to remind you how he do it. Ward 21 deejay and producer Suku brings the deep vibrations of a bass voice on “Mad Sumaddy,” a sonic and lyrical warning against his powerful tunes that drop like bombs. On the same tip, Tifa brings her boasy style as a “Champion Bubbler,” laying claim to more winds than a country road and a repertoire of dances ranging from the 6.30 to Tick It Like A Clock.

Kling Klang Riddim – Preview Video

July 16th, 2012

Dre Skull’s second riddim for the summer, Kling Klang, featuring voicings from Popcaan, Beenie Man, Tifa, Suku and Deva Bratt drops next Tuesday, 24th July. Listen to a preview of all the tracks now, presented by Young Lion (BBC 1Xtra).

Popcaan – ‘Poppy Says’

July 13th, 2012


[Photo by Martei Korley]

It’s all go on the Popcaan news front – the video for ‘The System’ dropped just last week, followed by a medley video, a much deserved Gen F feature on The Fader, and now a new tune produced by TJ set for release next Tuesday. ‘Poppy Says’ on the Looking Glass riddim sees Hot Skull go in for the fast-flow & a serious falsetto.

Pre-order it here.

Beenie Man – ‘Hot Like Fire’ Official Video

July 11th, 2012

The official video for Beenie Man’s cut on the Loudspeaker Riddim landed today. ‘Hot Like Fire’ sees the King of the Dancehall go in for a fast-flowing ode to the female form. Shot in location in Jamaica, and directed by Dayo, this is the second in the official Loudspeaker videos; check out Popcaan’s ‘The System’ here.

Buy ‘Hot Like Fire’ on iTunes.