Tag: reggae

Throwback: Happy 90th Birthday, Lee “Scratch” Perry!

JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates the 90th anniversary of the birth of Lee “Scratch” Perry.

New Video: Cyprus’ A!MS and Antaeus Team Up With Julian Marley and Hypertone on a Swaggering and Uplifting Dancehall Anthem

Currently based in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, A!MS is an emerging and rising artist, who has developed a sound and approach that he has dubbed “Global Street,” which is informed by his multicultural background and blends hip-hop’s spirit, street culture, global sounds and digital-era creativity. The Cyprus-based artist sees this new, hybrid sub-genre as a home for artists beyond traditional scenes, that will unite voices from overlooked corners of the globe with a “as street, as it is worldwide” ethos.

The Aiya Napa-based artist’s latest single, the Antaeus-produced “Light & Love,” features Julian Marley and Hypertone, on a swaggering dancehall/reggae anthem that includes subtle and brief nods to Anatolian music and house music, anchored around club rocking tweeter and woofer rattling beats, twinkling and arpeggiated keys, a sultry dance floor friendly groove and a remarkably catchy hook and chorus. While being a fun, summery bop, each vocalist delivers a desperately-needed message of love, unity, uplift, and cultural exchange and understanding through music — in a fraught, uneasy time.

“Light & Love” is the lead single to the Cypriot-based artist’s forthcoming album, slated for release next month, which will reportedly see him firmly cementing the Global Street sound.

The accompanying video captures the swaggering, attention grabbing energy of the song while being remarkably stylish.

New Video: Mariaa Siga Teams Up With ODDY on Hopeful “Boukanack”

Over the past handful of years, I’ve spilled quite a bit of virtual ink covering Senegalese singer/songwriter, musician and JOVM mainstay Mariaa Siga

Siga continues an ongoing collaboration with ODDY on the slow-burning and heartfelt “Boukanack,” which pairs a shuffling and twinkling reggae riddims, bursts of soulful and meditative horn with the Senegalese JOVM mainstay’s gorgeous and expressive delivery. “Boukanack” continues a run of material that blurs and transcends cultural and international boundaries while celebrating diversity in all forms. With “Boukanack” in particular, the song is anchored in a much-needed message of peace and hope for all humanity.

Directed by Mao Sidibé, the gorgeously shot accompanying visual for “Boukanack” is set in beautiful Senegal and offers a slice of daily life in that country; but perhaps more importantly, the video celebrates diversity — both within the country and outside.