Posts tagged: free reggae

Interview: Diplo On The Politics of Outsider Dancehall

March 26, 2012

Words by Jesse Serwer, Interview by Eddie STATS Houghton—

Okayplayer head honcho Eddie STATS Houghton recently sat down with Diplo and Chief Boima of Dutty Artz and Ghetto Bassquake fame for a wide-ranging conversation themed around the politics of the emerging music phenomenon known as tropical bass. The concept was inspired in part by a long-running, Twitter-fueled debate between Boima and Diplo regarding the current globalization of underground music, and set out as its aim bringing that conversation to some sort of resolution. Among too many other topics to name, the conversation touched on the politics behind Major Lazer and Diplo’s interaction with the dancehall. Read below to see how that particular segment of the conversation played out. And if you never have, catch our LargeUp TV episode with Diplo in Jamaica for more on his interaction and background with dancehall culture.

Tags:2011 dancehall, caribbean music, Diplo, England, Europe, free reggae, Jamaica, la reggae, Major Lazer, Mr. Lexx, music on the internet, New York, online music for free, reggae and dancehall, reggae reggae, Spin Magazine, the reggae, Vybz Kartel, What is reggae

Mixtape Mondays: High Grade Sound, Safari Sound, 45 Shootout x Jah Warrior Shelter

March 26, 2012

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Words by DJ Theory—

While some of the LargeUp team is doing just fine in Miami during the WMC festivities (hopefully some of you got to catch the LU x Rice & Peas jumpoff with Mr Vegas last Wednesday) we gotta keep the thing rolling over here as always. Mixtape Mondays this week comes out blazing with a bagga new roots and high grade selections, plus a soca and bashment party from Sweden’s top mixtape authority. Spring is definitely in full effect around here, start your downloads…

Tags:2011 dancehall, 45 shootout, Busy Signal, Dancehall, dj i-vier, DJ Theory, dynasty records, free reggae, high grade sound, Jah Warrior Shelter, Kenny Meez, la reggae, Lustre Kings, Mixpak Records, Mixtape, Mixtape Mondays, music on the internet, online music for free, Reggae, reggae and dancehall, reggae reggae, Roots, safari sound, soca, the reggae, What is reggae, zion high

Impressions: LargeUp x Mr. Vegas x Rice and Peas in Miami

March 23, 2012

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Words by Jesse Serwer, Photos by Tono—

On Wednesday night, Large Up brought the bashment to Winter Music Conference with the first ever Miami edition of New York’s famed Rice and Peas party, featuring a special performance from Mr. Vegas. Rice and Peas DJs Orijahnal Vibez, Max Glazer, DJ Gravy and DJ Maya set the tone for the night with top-notch dancehall selections while super MC Micro Don got the crowd hype with his mic chatter, Mixpak Records chief/Vybz Kartel producer Dre Skull took things to the left with some tropical bass and Trinidadian swimwear designer Elysia Persad debuted her Colly Dolly brand with a brief runway show. Everything, of course, built up to Mr. Vegas’ set, which featured the expected medley of classic hits like “Heads High” and “She’s a Ho.”

Tags:2011 dancehall, DJ Gravy, dj maya, Dre Skull, free reggae, la reggae, Lena the Dancehall Queen, Max Glazer, Micro Don, Miss Likkle Bit, Mr Vegas, music on the internet, online music for free, Orijahnal Vibez, reggae and dancehall, reggae reggae, Rice and Peas, the reggae, What is reggae

LargeUp Interview: Q+A with Walshy Fire

March 21, 2012

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Words by Jesse Serwer—

A good friend of the LargeUp family and a behind-the-scenes contributor as well, Kingston-born Leighton Paul Walsh, A/K/A Walshy Fire, has been holding down South Florida for a decade as a selector and MC on the world famous Black Chiney Sound System. An avid sound system historian with an astounding knowledge of dancehall music, Walshy is also something of an ambassador for Caribbean culture in Miami, bringing a little Jamaican flavor to institutions like the Miami New World Symphony. It’s those qualities that made him the perfect choice for his latest role: as the new MC for Major Lazer, bringing some authentic soundman flavor to Diplo’s over-the-top dancehall project. Here, Walshy speaks for the first time on his new gig and his history in Miami’s dancehall scene.

Tags:2011 dancehall, Black Chiney Sound, Dancehall, Diplo, free reggae, la reggae, Major Lazer, music on the internet, online music for free, reggae and dancehall, reggae reggae, the reggae, Walshy Fire, What is reggae

Mixtape Mondays: Exclusive Premier of DJ Child & Selah Intl’s “The Link Up” + Selah Giveaway

March 19, 2012

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Words by DJ Theory—

This week on Mixtape Mondays, we’re privileged to feature another world premier from Project Groundation’s DJ Child, a dude who can’t seem to sit still for even a second. This one is a new combination mix series with Selah Intl clothing, a conscious lifestyle brand who’s signature throwback football and basketball jerseys can be seen on some of the biggest artists in reggae, and host, longtime collaborator and LargeUp bredrin Jahdan Blakkamoore. In addition to blessing you with this mixtape, we’ll also be giving away one of these limited edition Selah jerseys.

To no surprise The Linkup is another boomshot, featuring strictly quality new roots singles and riddims paired with PGM remixes, exclusives, and a bagga specials from Jahdan. When you blend affiliates Jahdan and Child with an old friend and supporter Marv from Selah, this project is a family affair that’s been a long time coming. A no-brainer for folks looking to add a new roots mixtape to their life, and thanks to Selah maybe a fly new jersey to match as well.

Tags:2011 dancehall, Dancehall, DJ Child, free reggae, free stuff, Jahdan Blakkamoore, la reggae, Mixtape, Mixtape Mondays, music on the internet, online music for free, Project Groundation Massive, Reggae, reggae and dancehall, reggae reggae, Roots, selah intl, the reggae, What is reggae

Roots Inspiration: Visual Artist Phil Frost On Bob Marley

March 15, 2012

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Words by Jesse Serwer, via Hypebeast—

As part of the promotion for director Kevin MacDonald’s long-awaited Bob Marley biopic, Marley, set for a nationwide release in the US on 4/20 (watch the trailer here), artist Phil Frost gave a rare—and truly bizarre—interview on how Marley has influenced and inspired his work. The reclusive artist also lets cameras showcase his extensive reggae record collection, discussing the role music plays in his creative process: “I find myself spending thousands of hours with only myself, so in listening to reggae music, I find the comfort of a friend.” On Marley, he says, “I find a harmony in the rhythm of Bob Marley’s music, which brings my mind to clarity.”

Tags:Bob Marley, free reggae, Kevin MacDonald, la reggae, music on the internet, online music for free, Phil Frost, reggae reggae, the reggae, What is reggae