A new song called “Serious” features the combined powers of Sean Paul, Busy Signal and Busta Rhymes (audio only):

A brand new documentary on reggae culture will reveal what really gwaan behind the scenes, on the road, backstage and inna di yard. The 90-minute flick is called “Reggae Uncensored” and features personal interviews with Buju Banton, Ninjaman, Sean Paul, Mavado, Beenie Man, Damien Marley, Macka Diamond, Sizzla, Junior Reid and many many more. The story is helped along by the doc’s host Chyna and English subtitles for the patois-challenged. ([More →])

New Sean Paul choon called “Pepperpot”:

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Ever wonder what everyone else is listening to? Today’s list of Top Rankin Tunes is compiled from what was most popular among ([HearingTest]) readers in 2007. This is definitely the most pop-oriented of all the lists; starting with the the most-played tune: Alicia Keys and Jr. Reid’s reggae soul remix of “No One” followed by the tune that Jah Cure released at the same time he himself was released from Tower Prison. These two tunes were receiving thousands of plays per day for weeks! Recently, the audio CD that comes with Ghostface Killah’s new book “The World According To Pretty Toney” has been streaming pretty much round the clock on computers around the globe and linked to on numerous hip hop BBs. Other big contenders include Foxy Brown’s don diva anthem with Mavado – “We’re On Fire” – released during her incarceration in Rykers Island and the club anthem of the year in UK – T2 and Jodie Aysha’s incredible infectious “Heartbroken” which puts the bounce in Bassline music! ([More →])

The new episode of Boondocks is up now. It’s a good one too – Attack of the Killer Kung Fu Wolf Bitch! This one shows a bit of crossover with Afro-Samurai and references to Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon movie. Plus it features music by 9th Wonder and a song on the Applause riddim that I haven’t heard yet. If you know who/what it is, holla in the comments.

New Boondocks epidsode on HearingTest

Applause is the riddim under Sean Paul’s “Temperature” tune, check the vid to hear it:

Freddie McGregor is working on his next album, while his son Stephen has been busy in the studio producing a dark series of riddims, such as “Darker Shadow” and “Dark Again.” A handful of major record companies have been vying for Stephen’s signature lately and the producer chose to go with EMI. This will gain him a lot of attention internationally and will open a lot of doors for him to bring his music to his fans. He’s been working on albums for Vybz Kartel, Sean Paul and Elephant Man this year and I hope that he will create a tune or two for his father’s next album. Vibe Magazine recently named Stephen MacGregor a “producer to look out for.” ([More →])

RWD Magazine has published one great interview after another every day this week. RWD caught up with Eve to discuss hip hop, beats, her new album, record labels and reppin. Just yesterday, they published one of the best interviews with M.I.A. talking about the Tamil Tigers, Timbaland (including what she thinks of Timbaland using her tune on a Snoop Dogg track) and other treasures. We’ve got those interviews and a bunch of music from the new albums… ([More →])

I have been absolutely giddy over the recent release of Shaggy’s “Church Heathen” with Ninjaman spittin brimstone over the riddim! The music is so powerful, so chilling. The message is strong too: condemning corruption in the church, from crooked preachers to Saturday night sinners who act like saints on Sunday morning. Shaggy’s voice and style commands attention, but when Don Gorgon shows up – POW! Ninjaman may dress all in white now, as a reformed gunman turned preacher, but his mouth still shoots pure fire! I LOVE the look on Ninjaman’s face when he is chanting the Babylon system down at the end of the video! ([More →])

Sean Paul has a couple of shows scheduled in the US and Canada this summer. Yes, I did denounce Sean Paul as Reggae Artist of the Year, but the rhythms that he raps over are pure FIRE! I bet he puts on a great live show. Just don’t show up expecting reggae and everything will be kosher… ([More →])

The new video for Eve’s “Give It To You” featuring Sean Paul is here! The fire on screen is HOT!! This is the second single off her new album Here I Am which drops August 7th. ([More →])

Now I know that ASCAP is a crooked business. This is just proof…

They say that music is a matter of taste and that not everyone will agree with who wins the awards or who sells the most albums and nonesuch. I agree. I don’t tend to like the music that gets a lot of mainstream attention, so I’m accustomed to being disappointed that the same watered down music gets more money and recognition each year while super-creative and conscious musicians continue the struggle to gain audience. ASCAP is one of those companies that creates these situations and enforces that they remain in place. Usually I dismiss ASCAP entirely, until they back a band that is both super-creative and unable to be watered down. Yeah Yeah Yeahs being a fantastic example. Other times, ASCAP enters my radar because of how horribly narrow-minded they are. This is one of those latter times. ([More →])

Eve has a new album coming out on August 7th, titled Here I Am. The first single, “Tambourine” features Swizz Beats (see the vid below) while the second single, “Give It To You” features the lovely lady wiggling on the hip of Sean Paul. ([More →])

Have you ever wanted a hipsters’ education in chart-topping dancehall music like Sean Paul, Shaggy, and Macka Diamond? Well, for this week only, Vice Magazine’s online music channel has just that. Interviews, music videos, fashion do’s and dont’s, etc. You probably won’t find M.I.A. or Ninjaman, but you will definitely hear from Lutan Fiyah, Sizzla, and see lots of gorgeous Jamaican countryside. If that doesn’t sound sexy enough, you can fill your eyes with the serpentine dance moves of the dancehall queens.

Just head over to VBS.com for your selection. You can find more like this from their video affiliate (or maybe parent company?) Brightcove… Brightcove also produces cable tele straight from Kingston Jamaica, such as RETV which has even more dancehall tv for your viewing pleasure.
Enjoy!

Eve is ready to drop a new album, Here I Am, on August 7th. It has quite a diversity of flavors from collaborations with Mary J. Blige, Sean Paul, Robin Thicke, T.I., Timbaland and Swizz Beatz. It also has the Philly lady stretching her vocals and testing some area outside of her usual comfort zone. She lists “All Night Long” as her favorite song on the album, but also the one that was most challenging for her. She sings the whole song, rather than rapping, so it has become something she really has to work at. She told MTV news, “Now I felt like I’d take the gamble because it is the fourth album, and why buy my album if you’re going to hear the same thing you heard three years ago?” ([More →])