DJ Kash Credits Jamaican Sound System Culture with Shaping his Sound

Special guest DJ Kash shares his perspective as a DJ/producer who has worked with various artists in the diaspora. 

DJ Kash just released a new single called All Night Long featuring Tifa and is working on his debut EP. We get his take on the industry, artists, culture, and how his contributions propel the music.

During this conversation we uncovered:

• How did the song with Tifa, “All Night Long,” come about?
• How was DJ Kash able to champion Caribbean music on ATL commercial radio?
• How did Kash get popular on the ATL club scene and start touring?
• How does the Jamaican sound system culture influence his style of DJing and MCing?
• How did he get into music production?

“The best DJs in the world are Caribbean DJs …because we are the king of genres.”

DJ Kash

Buzzworthy, Tastemaker, and Sound Clash Update

[Documentary] Chasing the Sound: Major Lazer – Travel with Major Lazer to Ghana and Nigeria to make the world smaller by making the party bigger.

[Single] All Night Long by DJ Kash and Tifa.

[Soundclash News] The No Jing Bang clash tournament Grand Final was Saturday, October 10th. Sponsored by the world’s #1 DJ software platform Serato, the final featured Tek 9 from Brooklyn versus Kanabis from Antigua.

[Podcast Interview] Sean Paul responds to criticisms for labeling dancehall clash culture as “slavery mentality.” – Watch Now via The Fix

[Sound Clash Audio] Eagle Force vs Love People vs Super Gold vs Inferno 10/20 (45 Shop Lock) JA ( Finals) – Listen

I-Octane to Conquer the Globe – Reggae Lover Podcast # 104

I caught up with I-Octane to dive into the story of his reggae journey. The bright reggae-dancehall star explained that he didn’t choose music. Music chose him.

“Music became like a person that I could correspond with and express myself… then I fell in love with music.”

Click to Download: Reggae Lover Interview | I-Octane | Podcast Episode 104

In 2018 Octane committed to growth by giving his fans a better live music experience. Bringing old-school standards to the new school, he will be performing with a live band as much as possible moving forward.

“Reggae music is the biggest music world wide… i’ve been to places in Africa where they don’t know about Jay-Z, but they know Bob Marley.”

I Octane is the executive producer of his new studio album, “Love & Life.” The album is an independent project recorded at his studio for his label, Conquer The Globe Productions. He talks about why he chose that route instead of signing with an international major label.

This artist is serious about applying proven business principles to solidify his career. Listen as he talks about his future goals, creative process, and reasons for his success. 

IHEARTRADIO: LISTEN AND FOLLOW HERE.

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LISTEN ON YOUTUBE.

More Fire! – Reggae Lover Podcast 60

Top Reality Songs in 1990s Reggae Dancehall Music

It was a time when Bounty Killer was given the title “Poor People Governor” and had a streak of hit songs banned from radio airplay in Jamaica because he spoke out against corruption and divisiveness in political policies and sang about ineptitude and abuse by local law enforcement. There was a resurgence of lyrical protest songs uniting and re-energizing the dancehall followers in the streets of Jamaica with positive messages earning the biggest crowd responses. Buju Banton, who emerged as the “Voice of Jamaica” delivered words of wisdom and warning to his fan base and his lyrical ideals deepened right along with his Rastafarian faith.

MORE FIRE! Top Reality Songs in 1990s Reggae Dancehall Music | Reggae Lover Podcast Episode 60

The same went for Capleton who was dominant and was dubbed “The Fire Man.” Capleton burned the hottest fire with a string of releases that dissected and illustrated all the faults he found with “Babylon system” and during his live stage performances, massive eruptions of energy occurred. Artists such as Sizzla, Luciano, and Anthony B were also extremely influential within this conscious movement of the 1990s.

The up-tempo (dancehall) riddims being produced in this era of Jamaican music offered very diverse story lines so there were songs about the latest dance moves, gunman tunes, girls anthems, and ganja dedications surrounded by songs about spirituality, African liberation, “burning out” current corrupt government officials and taboo trends, or the struggles of the poor in the ghetto.

Top Reality Songs in 1990s Reggae Dancehall Music

This mix focuses on the danceable selections of that period that kept it real. Reality tunes, similar in content to the roots reggae standards of reggae’s foundation era, but aligned with the most popular riddims that dominated the dancehall. This was the music that could be heard at the climax of sound system sessions primarily from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. Please press play and take a brief trip back to “fire time.” More Fire!

Playlist:

1. Sweet C – Natty Dread
2. Spragga Benz – Moving Up The Line
3. Beenie Man – Music A Di Beat
4. Louie Culture – Ganga Lee
5. Beenie Man – Blessed
6. Bushman ft. I Lue – Send Them Come
7. Zebra – Selassie Warning
8. Capleton – No Carbon Copy
9. Bounty Killer – Babylon System A Go Down
10. Capleton – Good So
11. Buju Banton – Deportees (Tings Change)
12. Beenie Man – Foundation
13. Capleton – Stay Far From Trouble
14. Terry Ganzie – Ragga Ragga
15. Sizzla – Dem A Gaze
16. Capleton – Bad Mind
17. Bounty Killer – Fed Up
18. Spragga Benz – Peace
19. Louie Culture – Don’t Get Weary
20. Capleton – Almshouse
21. Little Hero, Merciless & Action Fire – God Alone
22. Capleton ft. Jah Thunder – Fire
23. Capleton – Badness
24. Sizzla – Karate
25. Buju Banton – Rampage
26. Capleton – Cuyah Cuyah Cuyah
27. Capleton – Things Are Happening
28. Capleton – More Prophet
29. Bounty Killer – Anytime
30. Beenie Man – Gospel Time

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What to Do on Mother’s Day in Atlanta – Reggae Music

Rub-A-Dub ATL Mother’s Day Tribute, Sun, May 14, 2017 at 6 pm

Come and join us to celebrate Mother’s Day. For this special edition of Rub-A-Dub Sundays, we’re bringing 3 female guest DJs juggling tunes for reggae sound system lovers! WildPitch Music Hall will be the place to pay tribute to the women in all of our lives and celebrate all mothers in ONE LOVE and harmony!

Rub-A-Dub ATL presents: THE 2nd ANNUAL MOTHER’S DAY TRIBUTE | SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017

Sound System / DJ Sets: (6pm-12am)

• Highlanda Sound with Kahlil Wonda
• Empress Movements
• DJ Passport
• DJ Hourglass
• DJ Rasyrious

WildPitch Music Hall

255 Trinity Ave. Atlanta 30303

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Rub A Dub is the Perfect Event for those who are Happier on Old-School Reggae

For this special March edition of Rub-A-Dub ATL, the Reggae Party, we’re featuring a singer/musician for fans of live music plus 4 DJs showcasing their best tunes for reggae sound system lovers!

Rub-A-Dub ATL | 3.12.17 at Wildpitch

Doors will open at 6 pm on Sunday, March 12, 2017, with a live reggae music mixer from 6 to 8 pm featuring an acoustic performance by Dawit Selassie, lead singer of the Atlanta-based reggae band Eastern Standard.

Four sound system selectors will set the dance floor on fire with DJ Sets from 8 pm to 12 am.  Residents DJ Passport and Highlanda Sound featuring Kahlil Wonda will be joined by guests Selector Webba, formerly of Jamaica’s “year-t0-year sound,” Metro Media, and DJ Chung from Boston’s Sound International Entertainment.  DJ Chung recently relocated to Georgia and this will be his debut performance at Rub-A-Dub ATL.

Also by popular demand, we’re bringing back free jerk chicken and will have Rub-A-Dub apparel on sale.

Webba’s Jerk Hut will be offering FREE Caribbean food until 9 PM and available for purchase after while supplies last.  SHOP for Rub-A-Dub branded T-shirts and Hoodies for men and women along with other featured styles from The Honorary Citizen’s apparel catalog.  

This all takes place at WildPitch Music Hall (255 Trinity Ave. Atlanta 30303) featuring high-definition sound by D.A.S. Audio.  A limited number of pre-sales tickets are available for $5 online (+fee) and general admission is $10 at the door.

Click to Find “Rub-A-Dub ATL” Pre-sales Tickets

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RUB-A-DUB ATL, the Best Reggae Music live Dancehall Audio to Download

The 70s, 80s, and 90s were prolific decades for dancehall music and many strides were made in Jamaican music during that time.

The 1970s is still heralded as the golden age of Jamaican reggae music, but with the advent of digital technology, the 80s and 90s decades became known as the sweetest time for commercially successful crossover dancehall fusion, sound clashes and juggling dances alike.  The transitional period out of the golden age and into the digital era is when the term rub-a-dub emerged as both a description of the musical style (heavy drum patterns accompanied by swinging basslines) and a verbal representation of the popular hip-to-hip movements between dance partners of the time.

To this day in cities around the world, there remains a high demand for the fashion of dancing with accompanying classic riddims and anthems that rocked the dancehalls of yesteryear.

As such, it brings me great pleasure to present Rub-A-Dub ATL – dedicated to you, the reggae lover.

Rub-A-Dub ATL January 2017 | Click Image to Listen or Download

Rub-A-Dub ATL ft. DJ Passport, Highlanda Sound, DJ Rootsqueen, and Jah Prince at Wildpitch on 1.8.17.

Reggae party, Rub-A-Dub ATL, is a nightlife event that includes many sub-genres of reggae music including ska, rocksteady, lovers rock, Roots, dub and dancehall with live DJ sets and live music performances monthly on Second Sundays in Atlanta at WildPitch Music Hall.

More ways to listen to Rub-A-Dub ATL reggae music audio:

1. Listen on iTunes
2. Listen on Google Play Music
3. Listen on Soundcloud

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Rub-A-Dub ATL (Nov. 13) to benefit Hurricane Matthew victims in Haiti, featuring DJ set by John Wayne, and Webba’s Jerk Hut FREE buffet

Every second Sunday, join one of the most unique international monthly events in Atlanta and revel in a flavorful retro reggae experience.

Sounds by: Highlanda Sound and DJ Passport + Guest DJ: John Wayne + Free Food

On Sunday, November 13, 2016, rock to sounds by Highlanda Sound and DJ Passport alongside guest selector, John Wayne, of John Wayne Movements.

Doors open at 8pm and ladies party for free until 9:30pm.  Enjoy a complimentary buffet until 10pm courtesy of Webba’s Jerk Hut and drink specials including $3 Heineken, Guinness, and Red Stripe until 10pm.  General admission at the door will be $10, and $5 tickets can be ordered in advance via this link.  

A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to benefit Hurricane relief efforts in Haiti.

The setting for Rub-A-Dub ATL, WildPitch Music Hall, is located at 255 Trinity Avenue, downtown Atlanta, and features a high-level custom sound system by D.A.S. Audio.

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Free Shots this Friday at Club Pisces Atlanta with Craig Lion, Revolution, and John Wayne

ATLANTA ROOTS REGGAE EVENT *Rocksteady ATL* MOVES TO NEW NIGHT, BIGGER VENUE

ATLANTA ROOTS REGGAE EVENT MOVES TO NEW NIGHT, BIGGER VENUE

For the past year, Rocksteady ATL, the only roots reggae event held regularly in the entire city of Atlanta, has been celebrated on the first Sunday of each month at Downtown Atlanta’s The Sound Table, located on Edgewood Avenue. Now the festivities will be moving to a bigger venue on a new night – Fridays, the night of the week perhaps most synonymous with going out and having a good time.

The new venue is Studio No. 7, at 393 Marietta Street in Atlanta, Georgia 30313. Rocksteady ATL will henceforth be held on the first Friday of each month, with the inaugural show hosted by Red Carpet Shelley at Studio No 7, booked for Friday September 4^th, starting at 9pm and ending at 2am. Popular acts Highlanda Sound, DJ Passport, DJ Roots Queen and SuperPEC have already signed on for the event’s re-launch at the new venue.

In its first incarnation, Rocksteady ATL rapidly developed a strong reputation as a unique old-school reggae soiree powered by some of the best reggae roots acts in the South. At the new and bigger venue, guests will continue to enjoy world-class mixology along with critically acclaimed music in the same unique tradition that nightlife enthusiasts simply can’t find at any other spot in the city.

There is a $5 cover charge, with ladies admitted free until 12am. For more information about the bigger and better Rocksteady ATL, contact Kahlil Wonda at 404-552-0492 or email rocksteadyatl@gmail.com.

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Late 70’s and Early 80’s Downtempo Roots Reggae

Featured within this episode are a hand-full of rootsy downtempo one-drop riddims with the best singers of the era from 1977 to about 1982.  Catch Them Jah Jah, Three Blind Mice, Ain’t No Sunshine, Worries In The Dance, and Jumpy Girl are the riddims highlighted.

The great Lee Perry, Scientist, King Tubby, Dr. Alimantado, and Augustus Pablo are all in the mix with different dubwise versions here so a variety of effects and styles are presented along with toasting and singing from Frankie Paul, Leroy Smart, I Roy, Barrington Levy, Jacob Miller, Yami Bolo, Junior Reid, Anthony Johnson, Jah Thomas and more.

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Rocksteady ATL Day Party July 2015 Pictures: Little Pinchers + Isis Swaby…

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ROCKSTEADY, a Classic Affair Sunday Sept. 7th @ The Sound Table

Rocksteady, a recurring festive occasion now being celebrated on 1st Sundays in downtown Atlanta’s re-born Old Forth Ward neighborhood presents a retro Caribbean soundtrack at a now classic locale, The Sound Table, located at 483 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312.

This is a unique old-school style themed reggae soiree powered by Highlanda Sound System and DJ Passport.  Enjoy world-class mixology infused with crucial music selection you won’t get at other spots in the city.

More on the genre Rocksteady: 

Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica during the late 1960s, after SKA and before REGGAE. Rocksteady and the early reggae that followed, was built around the “one drop” drum beat, characterized by a heavy accent on the second and fourth beat of every bar, played by the bass drum and the snare together.  The bass line eventually became one of the most recognizable characteristics of Jamaican music.

Despite its short lifespan, rocksteady’s influence is great as most of the reggae artists started out in Rocksteady and/or SKA.  Many reggae songs became focused less on romance and more on black consciousness, politics and protest. The release of the film “The Harder They Come” and the rise of Jamaican superstar Bob Marley brought reggae to an international level that rocksteady never reached.

Although rocksteady was a short-lived phase of Jamaican popular music (about 2 years), it was hugely influential on reggae, dub and dancehall. Many bass lines originally created for rocksteady songs continue to be used in contemporary Jamaican music, such as the rhythm from “Never Let You Go” by Slim Smith (sometimes known as the Answer rhythm) and the Hi-Fashion rhythm from “Bobby Babylon” by Freddie McGregor.

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“Top Shelf (feat. Shooks)” Official Music Video from Artist Feedo Redsquare

“Top Shelf (feat. Shooks)” Official Music Video from Artist Feedo Redsquare

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Penthouse Records 25 Years The Journey Continues #reggae

Donovan Germain and Penthouse Studio productions are firmly entrenched in the history of reggae music. The studio, originally located at 56 Slipe Road in Kingston was the birth place of many classic hits.

The 2 CD/DVD collection presents 47 classic and current hits for a timeless listening experience.

To commemorate twenty five years since the founding of the Penthouse recording studio, VP Records is proud to announce the January 14th release of “Penthouse Records 25Years – The Journey Continues.”

The selection presented here offers a ‘best of’ Penthouse yesterday, today and tomorrow. The label has nurtured some of the biggest names in reggae on the microphone and behind the mixing boards, with much of their work included here.

The bonus DVD is a newly created tribute to the label and its founder featuring interviews with many key players from the Penthouse Records story.  

Source: VP Records

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