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Words by Gabriel Heatwave
Mr. Williamz
It’s been a bumper few weeks for UK dancehall. In last month’s update, I mentioned that there are many reasons to be optimistic about the current state of the music over here. Here are some of those reasons:
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Words by Jesse Serwer, via the Guardian
A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to interview rising UK reggae star Gappy Ranks for an article, “From Harlesden to Yokohama,” which appeared in today’s edition of esteemed British newspaper, the Guardian. While the original plan was simply to discuss Gappy’s recent success in reviving the British reggae scene, as well as his upcoming sophomore LP, Thanks & Praise, (since delayed from an April release, to June) events intervened. In the time between our first contact and the interview, Ranks traveled to Japan, where he bore witness to the devastating earthquake of March 11, just two hours after his arrival for a tour there. When we spoke, just days after his return home to London, Ranks had already recorded a song about the experience, called “I Was There,” and he discussed in detail his experience in Japan. Check out the video for “I Was There,” shot on the streets of Yokohama and on his plane, below, and read Gappy’s full account of his experience in Japan after the jump.
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Words by Jesse Serwer
Thanks & Praise is not just the title of Gappy Ranks‘ upcoming LP for VP/Greensleeves: It’s what the U.K. singjay is giving after experiencing the calamitous earthquake that has left large portions of Japan devastated and on the brink of nuclear fallout. According to his Twitter and Facebook, and an e-mail rundown Gappy just CC’ed us on, England’s current top ranking reggae ambassador arrived in Yokohama, Japan, for the start of a Japanese tour just two hours before the earthquake hit. Amazingly, Ranks’ show in Osaka the following night went on as planned (“It was a very emotional show,” Ranks says), though later dates in Tokyo and Northern Japan, site of the greatest damage, were canceled.
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Words by DJ Gravy
In honor of the Hallmark holiday, we had to bring you a roundup of (relatively recent) lovers tunes today (and check out last year’s V-Day post for some more bedroom heat). No long talking! It’s dutty love time.
