Author Archives
GEN F: Bola
Volume 7, as the name suggests, is the seventh release from Bola, who, along with a handful of others, has pioneered the fusion of traditional kologo music (the kologo being a two-stringed lute made from … read more »
GEN F: Erup
The hyper-competitive nature of dancehall tends to make it a hothouse for suckers with colorful names. But every so often a deejay pseudonym evokes something more profound, and Erup, the stage name of Kevin Nickolas … read more »
Ghetto Palms: Catching Up with The Very Best + “Yalira (Douster Remix)” MP3
Time flies. It seems like, not yesterday, but definitely not four years ago, that I found myself sharing some sort of faux-Arabic pizza device with Johan Hugo and Etienne Tron of Radioclit, the three of … read more »
Vybz Kartel: Beyond the Pale
Vybz Kartel is dancehall’s biggest star and most beloved folk hero. He’s also its newest face. Bleaching, in Jamaica, can mean one of two things. 1. Applying prescription-only steroid cream for extremely off-label use, leaching … read more »
GEN F: Mr. OK
Earlier this year, Haitian rapper Mr. OK—freshly transplanted in Montreal from Port-au-Prince—grabbed the attention of globally-minded audiophiles with a digital EP called Me Mwen, brimming with images of ballers, angels and the beautiful panoramas of … read more »
Ghetto Palms: Chief Boima x Okayafrica
EARTH PEOPLE. You may recall I used to do a weekly column round here titled Ghetto Palms. But lately, Ghetto Palms has been on a bit of a tropical vacation, while I’ve been chasing the … read more »
Ghetto Palms 135: Murlo, TVOTR x XXXChange, Hungry Dawg Riddim
Since the last time we spoke, radiation from Japan blew over the Caribbean and Bunji Garlin cut off his dreads. Dutty Artz dropped this excellent LP from Atropolis and Diplo got simultaneously vilified in hardstyle … read more »
Ghetto Palms 134: Natalie Storm / Beenie Man / Bottle Party Riddim
Let’s see, things of interest: I traveled to Puerto Rico while most of the music industry world was in Texas last week. Meanwhile Ghetto Palms guest selectors Jillionaire and Walshy Fire are gearing up for … read more »
Ghetto Palms 133: Akwaaba / AfroGospel / Jahdan x SoShifty
Where to start with this one? The vertebrae that make up the spinal column of this blend are a couple of 21st century African gospel/spiritual tracks that will probably need a little contextualization for most … read more »
Ghetto Palms 132: Petrona Martinez / Maria Mulata / D’Angel / Rayvon
So after teasing a vocal intro from Geko Jones’ Maria Mulata refix into my bacchanal blend last week, I decided to just say fuck it and go full on dancehall bullerengue this week. To my … read more »
