Romeich is cooking up something special with his major artists.
We’ve heard many hits from the dancehall artists in the Romeich Entertainment camp before, but we are yet to hear them all together on one track. While many fans enjoy the occasional Shenseea song, Teejay tune, or Ding Dong dance track, a joint-record with all three Romeich Entertainment artists is yet to be released.
Romeich Major, head of the label, announced the upcoming collab on Instagram this week, unveiling the cover art for the new single. In the caption, he wrote, “Something special gonna happen very soon!!!!! @uptopboss_official × @dingdongravers × @shenseea × @romeichentertainment New song coming!!!!! Guess the name of it?????”
In the post, all four artists, including Romeich, are clad in color-coordinated fits but posed individually in a shopped photo. It is yet to be confirmed if Romeich will actually be a part of the song or if he just has producer credit, but he did not leave his name out of the lineup, so I guess that means anything is possible here.
The voice you hear speaking on the haunting first track of Skip Marley’s debut EP Higher Place is that of his legendary grandfather Robert Nesta Marley, who once went by the nickname “Skip” himself. “Is something higher,” Bob once said in a 1979 interview, seeking to explain the magnitude of a profound worldwide reckoning that he knows is coming. “Is something no man can stop.”
On the title track of his EP, which was released last week on Tuff Gong / Island Records, Skip sings of his own burning desire to go higher. So what is this higher place all about? “The betterment of mankind,” Skip explained during a recent telephone call from Miami. “A world community where each one do him part and live right and live upful as we should. And it nah go’ happen unless you make that decision today. Cause it start within you first. For yourself. And you have to take I and I higher, forward.”
During a year that’s brought so many downward vibrations, it’s more than a little bit refreshing to hear such optimistic energy. For the past five years, the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has made that sort of thing his specialty. “Music with a message is the music we love,” says Skip. “Good vibrations. Positivity. Conscious influence of the heart and the mind and the soul. Yeah. Blessed are the singers and the players. Can’t take this lightly.” When your mom is Cedella Marley, Bob’s firstborn child and a founding member of the Melody Makers, and your father’s aunt is Marcia Griffiths, one of Jamaica’s most revered singers and a member of Bob Marley’s harmony trio the I Three, taking music lightly isn’t really an option. Yet somehow Skip has found a way to carry the great expectations effortlessly, even as he holds himself to the highest standards.
Dancehallartiste Tashina McKenzie realised a teenage dream when she finally landed a collaboration with her dancehall idol Vybz Kartel.
“Imagine, being a die-hearted Gaza fan and bussing blanks for Vybz Kartel’s bad man song and a bubble to the gal song dem since I was a teenager, so just imagine how mi feel to be able to bubble pon my own song with the Worl’ Boss himself. This is a real dream come true,” Tashina said.
The single, entitled Best Love Ever, which is accompanied with an official music video, was released on the JB Productions label.
Mckenzie has been working towards this goal in her musical career. In March this year she signalled her intentions when she collaborated with dancehall youngblood Intence on Confessions.
Then she raised eyebrows with Don’t Test Me on the new Skool rhythm alongside Vybz Kartel, Sikka Rhymes, I Octane, Teejay and newcomer JB.
Vybz Kartel himself appeared to endorse the song with a post on his Instagram page.
“The video is blowing up all over IG, VEVO, and YouTube. My followers are going up, JB Productions is sending my career to the universe,” said Tashina, who is presently in the US, doing some hip-hop collaborations with Florida-based rappers.
Other songs to look out for include Inna the Shower, Pretty Pretty, and Independent, all of which have been released on the JB Productions label.
“I plan to release an EP later this year which will include dancehall as well as cultural reggae songs, such as I Rise, with a UK-based producer. I have a collaboration with Queen Ifrica, and one with Sizzla as well, so those songs will be on my EP,” she said.
Konshens delivered “Backaz” video despite controversies around it being too explicit.
Konshens releases the butt-filled risqué visuals for his track titled, “Backaz” and it is sure to render viewers awestruck. The Subkonshus boss teased a couple of semi-X-rated scenes from the video a couple of days ago, which sadly did not receive a favorable response from some of his ‘righteous fans’. The dancehall veteran figuratively gave that small lot ‘the finger’ and proceeded to release the music video today and his true die-hard ‘indecent’ fans happy.
“All of da gals av incredible bodies but the 1 in diamond bikini has amazin muscle definition wish me body look so good an love d song too,” wrote one viewer. Another further commented, “Look how them girl yah skin clean n pretty!! Jeezam ?? who a di one wid the hoop earrings and the tattoo pon har thigh? Oh my dayz, and the one inna the leopard print bikini. A it bredda, gyal dem mad up di vid a waaay.” What could be so inspiring and pleasing to the eye for the fans to leave such moving comments?
For starters, the video includes dancers and video vixens Chinny Unique and Sara Bendii, among other lovely and bootylicious ladies. The shots by Xtreme Arts keep you very close to the action, which includes a lot of pool splashing, melon eating, icicle sucking, banana-eating, choking, and did we mention a whole lotta shaking. The video stays true to the Caribbean fruit-inspired theme by using warm yet vibrant color schemes, which further increases the passion throughout the 3 minutes and 30 seconds video. The video for “Backaz” arrives nearly a month after Charly Black’s equally provocative video for ‘Sidung,’ which is also featured on the TJ Records Incredible Riddim compilation.
“Backaz” was released today, August 14th, and it is steadily gaining views as his fans, especially the Kenyans, have declared it as a hot piece. We’re sure the views would have been at record numbers already if not for the plethora of negative reviews from naysayers.
One fan was quick to regard them as hypocrites citing, “I’m sure it’s the older generation in the comment section that are talking about morality, acting all perfect and holy but they were also wild players and hoes back in their days and I’ve seen quite enough videos and pictures of them wilding. The only difference is social media. Remember there’s nothing new under the sun.”
Still, others were tantalized by the beautiful women and the provocative and extremely sexual manner of the visuals, even Konshens himself seemed to have a hard time focusing during the shoot. The artiste did, however, enjoy the making of the steamy production with bloopers added in at the end of the clip showing him acting a fool among his female counterparts.
You can go ahead and check out the new music video “Backaz” from Konshens below. Be sure to bring a bucket of ice!
“‘Same Prayer’ is, in part, a prayer for the younger generation to reflect on internally.”
Do not be deceived by the gorgeous vistas of Jamaican mountainscape displayed in the visuals for Chronixx’s “Same Prayer.”
The subtly crafted song is more concerned with navigating the treacherous terrain of humanity’s inner landscape than enjoying the view outside. And it’s definitely not all zen, yoga, and spirulina. “There’s so much good in the world,” Chronixx sings, “and still evil a lurk.” The song finds him beseeching the Almighty (Jah) to protect him and his loved ones (I and I) “from the ones who nuh care ’bout the fact we share the same air / and the blood that we bleed is alike.” In other words, it’s a song for this exact moment—when people are dying every day and nobody seems to have the answers. A time when we all do what we need to do. Seen? By the end of the third verse, Chronixx is left crying a river of tears and hoping Jah Jah hears. Then it’s time to touch the road—”Tuck it inna me waist and start up the bike.” Today Boomshots and VIBE proudly premiere the official visuals for “Same Prayer.”
This is the second song we’ve heard from Dela Splash, the follow-up to Chronixx’s Grammy-nominated debut Chronology. Where “Dela Move” explored fast-forward flows and trap-influenced drum patterns, the newly released Zion I Kings–produced track is grounded within the ancient traditions of the Niyabinghi order.
Judging by the first fruits of Chronixx’s labor, the sonic palette of the new album will be diverse and the mindset noticeably hardened. Sorta like when 3 Feet High & Rising gave way to De La Soul Is Dead. While any similarities between the Long Island rap trio De La Soul and Jamar McNaughton’s beloved De La Vega City may be coincidental, both artists are attuned to Da Inner Sound Y’all.
“‘Same Prayer’ is, in part, a prayer for the younger generation to reflect on internally,” Chronixx explains to Boomshots. “It’s also a reminder that there is a greater power directing things in the physical space.” On the timeless tune “Exodus,” Bob Marley challenged listeners to “open your eyes and look within.” Chronixx approaches his latest release with similar introspection: “Instead of looking for solutions in our material lives,” he advises, “we can both reach out to this higher power and look deep within ourselves.”
The Chron Dada is joined on this one by longtime sparring partner Kabaka Pyramid. “It seems only a divine Power can help humanity at this point,” says Kabaka. “This song is a call to reach deeply within oneself to find that Power, and ask It to guide and protect against the unknown elements along the way. So many things happening in realms that we are not yet able to perceive with our limited senses. Until we reach that stage we must trust the process with faith and determination.”
The creative chemistry between these two artists is bubbling as usual, although Kabaka is better known for rattling off bar after bar of deadly wordplay, “Same Prayer” finds him in a more melodic mood. “Give thanks for this work of art Chronixx,” he says, “I’m glad to lend some smooth vocals to it 😅” Don’t get it misconstrued though, Kabaka’s lyrics are as accurate as ever. When he declares himself to be “confident in the victory,” he’s quoting Haile Selassie I by way of Bob Marley’s classic anti-racist anthem “War.”
Kabaka first met Chronixx in April 2011 while celebrating his earthstrong (Rasta slang for “birthday”) at Protoje’s house in Kingston. “At the time I was recording my first reggae EP Rebel Music,” Kabaka recalls, “and Protoje had given me some beats produced by Chronixx and Teflon (Zincfence). Our mutual respect was instant and still remains years later.” Since then the pair have given us memorable musical moments like “Mi Alright” and “Blessed is the Man.”
“It’s always a joy to collaborate with Chronman because he’s simply a genius in the studio,” says Kabaka. “Everything he does somehow just works. On ‘Same Prayer’ I wrote my verse and he recorded and coached my vocals at Skyline Levels studio. You can give him a lot of the credit for the sweet vocals I delivered—haha.”
Bounty Killer credits Buju Banton and Ninjaman for influencing his early career in dancehall.
Rodney Basil Price, Bounty Killer’s government name, also goes by the monikers, the Grung Gad, The Warlord, and probably the title he wears closest to his heart, The Poor People Governor. There is a reason he was awarded the special title by the people of Jamaica; he never stops going the extra mile for the meek in society. Even with all the fame Killer has attained, he still finds a way to pay homage to the other greats who have helped to pave the way for his success.
While ‘vibing’ with Serani during a recent studio session, Bounty revealed the persons who have helped him to become the household talent he is today. He listed Buju Banton and Ninjaman as the biggest influences on his career.
Before explaining just how both men aided in his success, he gave Serani and other studio occupants a rundown of just how much of an unruly child he was. He recounted that his reign of terror was between the ages of 12 and 16. However, he really began to listen to his father’s teaching to refrain from wayward friendships after getting shot at the age of 14.
As the interview progressed, Bounty Killer can be heard fusing a section of Buju Baton’s 1992 hit “Batty Rider” with his first hit single, “Copper shot.” Bounty used the opportunity to express just how much he admired Buju, and how much of a role Gargamel played in his hit single.
He explained that this was what made it so difficult to address Buju when he dragged the microphone from a then relatively unknown Vybz Kartel[previously named Addi Banton] after Bounty introduced him at Reloaded in the year 2000. “Gargamel the yout dem of today a the man of tomorrow, take time wid them,” he said, reliving the now iconic words spoken 20 years ago.
“Buju ave a lot fi do with my success…the wol a dancehall” he proudly stated. “Buju help me indirectly, Shabba help me indirectly, Ninjaman help me directly,” Bounty said as he listed some of the best to ever do it in dancehall and reggae.
The direct help from Ninja, which Bounty was alluding to, is the hit single between himself and Desmond Ballentine, “Badman A No Cub Scout,” produced by King Jammy’s.
“Him a the only one me get the combo wid. When me need help inna the young days a Ninjaman gimme. And when Jammy’s say voice with me him never think twice. Him a the fuss big artiste wa say yuh wicked Yout!,” explained Bounty.
The Warlord belted out a profound statement to show just how much he respects Ninja Man. “Outa all a the man dem wa me look up to and idolize, Ninjaman a the man.”
Serani interjected by stating that Bounty Killer was his version of Ninjaman, as Killer is the man who motivated him to step away from the mixer and move into the booth and in front of the microphone. Killer stopped the praises being tossed upon him to issue yet another lesson involving Ninja.
“You see when me voice “New Gun” a so me know Ninjaman. Me come from foreign eno dem time de a big tape a run the place. The man come with a big tape and we wa hear Ninjaman reaction so we go out de and say Ninjaman, we have a likkle yout wa have wa bad tune and him say play it. Nuff big artiste woulda gwaan like him no wa rally roun day – no wa play no new yout.”
“Yuh see when the man hear bloodc____t “New Gun” the man nearly mash up him tape. From de so we extra rate him from we see how him gwaan over we song,” Bounty added.
The Killer saw that moment as the reason Ninja delivered such a solid verse on their collaborative effort. He said, “A the last bad song that Ninja record eno… Him put out him bloodc____t heart pon it cause him convince say a wa badboy me a sing wid. Dem time de me a likkle yout not even know how bad me is. A when me grow further and listen back to how Ninja go hard pon me song me realize say yow you did bad yout.”
Bounty then listed another top icon that Ninjaman helped up the rungs of dancehall. “Ninja help Shabba too. Ninjaman money voice,” he said before singing a line from Shabba’s hit track “Needle Eye.”
