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Words by DJ Theory—
Posted entirely in Europe this round, we have three different angles combining energy from Sweden, Italy and The UK. Instrumental dancehall productions, brand new hits, and a full-strength live tape build just another week here at Mixtape Mondays. Run chune.
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Words by Jesse Serwer—
The good folks at Jamaican record label/production team Truckback Records (a/k/a brothers Steve and Adrian Locke) have given LargeUp their latest riddim track to premiere, and we’re glad they did because it’s a scorcher. Inspired by Jamaica’s 50th anniversary, Freedom Shines is a re-lick of Freedom Blues, a vintage riddim that’s been kicking around since Studio One days and is probably best known in the early ’90s incarnation voiced by the likes of Admiral Tibett, Buju and others. Voicing Freedom Shines are a small but impressive crew of artists, each with the requisite timeless appeal to simmer on a rhythm like this: Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, Gyptian, Warrior King and—this is a name we haven’t heard in a while— Turbulence. All of the tracks tun up but Tarrus’ “Original Dancehall” is definitely the theme song, an anthemic call for a return to old-time, good-natured dancehall vibes. Stream and download each track below, or get the whole thing here.
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Words by DJ Theory—
It’s a new week, which means more mixes and vibes coming your way from different corners of the world here on Mixtape Mondays. This week we touch down in Vancouver, NYC, Germany, Austria with some brand new one drop, big duplates, moombahton, and even some throwback hip-hop. Suit up.
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Words by j-RockaZ
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Words by DJ Theory
Demarco’s new video “Show It” (ft Craig from Voicemail) has broken through the tough outer skin of commercial Hip Hop/R&B (and god forbid reggae) in the states courtesy of its recent debut on 106 & Park on BET. As you may know, 106 & Park is one of the most influential platforms for any artist to appear on, and rarely is a reggae/dancehall artist featured (one “reggae” artist who’s videos air on the show regularly would be Sean Kingston, but that’s mostly due to his relentlessly commercial appeal, teenage fan base, and bubble gum pop lyrics). As the official video (watch it after the jump) demonstrates, “Show It” is a definite club-banger poised for commercial success, and it goes without saying that Demarco and Craig would have no reservations about seeing some of that mainstream $$ find it’s way into their pockets…
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Words & Photos: Martei Korley
One way to ensure some heavy riddim for your buck is to call up some good musicians. Firehouse Crew comprises of exactly that. The members have played together for the last 20 years and have built a rock solid reputation for heavy and creative sound and electrifying live performances. Many know Firehouse Crew(a pun on Waterhouse/KGN11 where tempers tend to run hot) as Sizzla’s backing band(now you know what he means when he turns around to face his band on stage and says” Fire!”), but they are more than that. As a studio outfit they regularly contribute material for a host of artists and producers. We caught up with them at Anchor Studios where they were cooking up some fat riddims while admirers of their sound kept filing in and out of the cramped Studio II.
