10 things you didn’t know you could do at KAABOO

Few festivals go above and beyond. Sure, the point of these three-day endeavors is to have the best time possible, considering most cost hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars for a mere weekend’s worth of music. For that price, the experience better be transformational. A decade ago, there used to only be a core three events […]

Sammy J sits down at Cali Roots 9

Sammy “J” Johnson sits down after his Day One performance on the main Bowl Stage at Cali Roots 9 in Monterey, California to chat with Top Shelf Reggae’s Kristy Rose. Coming off of his Sleepwalker tour, Sammy J chats about his latest Sleepwalker EP, his upbringing, getting back in the studio, his eternal love for […]

Catching up with New Kingston at California Roots 2018

Brooklyn-based family band, New Kingston, sits down with Top Shelf Reggae journalist Kristy Rose after they kicked off the Bowl Stage Day Three at the 9th Annual California Roots Music & Arts Festival in Monterey, California. With their dad resting, the three brothers of New Kingston talk about their upcoming European summer tour, the vibes […]

Arroyo Seco Weekend 2018: Day Two vlog

Top Shelf Reggae journalist Kristy Rose returns to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California for Day Two of Arroyo Seco Weekend 2018, capturing the entire day in top vlog fashion. Following sensational Day One performances, such as Jack White, Neil Young and The Pretenders, Day Two attendees were ready to rage, starting with a Prince […]

A smoke break with Yaadcore at Cali Roots 2018

Protoje personal DJ Yaadcore takes a break from spinning the Bowl Stage at Cali Roots 9 in Monterey, California to chat with journalist Kristy Rose of Top Shelf Reggae – all the while smoking a much earned spliff! Being the first to spin Kabaka Pyramid and Chronixx on the airwaves, Yaadcore has quickly become one […]

The Hip Abduction chats at Cali Roots 2018

The Hip Abduction chats with Top Shelf Reggae journalist Kristy Rose after their Bowl Stage performance at Cali Roots 2018 in Monterey, California. With their fourth full-length album coming, The Hip Abduction members chat about their first California show, what’s next for the band, the meaning behind their band name, their ice cream addiction and […]

WORLD SINGLE PREMIERE: Eastbourne “Vida”

New Jersey-based Latin, reggae, punk threepiece Eastbourne is at it again, with a premiere single off their forthcoming sophomore album Barrio! Get a first taste the band's second full-length project, following their debut No Vacancy album, with “Vida”: a downtempo track with a vibey walking bass, cool guitar chords and enough reverb to have you […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Inna Vision “O.G IV”

Maui’s original roots musician Inna Vision is taking his status literally in his new hip hop-meets-Hawaii single “O.G IV” off the latest Link Up album via Roots Musician Records and produced by Rick Haze: a track who’s subject matter converges everything the artist has worked so hard for over the years with the family that […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Ataru “Salvation”

More from the recent African Trod Riddim compilation off Rebel Sound Records, Ataru chants “salvation out there and I know I’m going to find it” in this world video premiere for “Salvation” shot by Small Axe Entertainment’s Cally B and APS Columbian Films. With fast cutting, the video begins with a backwards montage of Ataru […]

Arroyo Seco Weekend 2018: Day One vlog

Experience what it was like to attend one of the best fests in southern California, as Top Shelf Reggae journalist Kristy Rose covers Day One of Arroyo Seco Weekend 2018 at the Pasadena Rose Bowl vlog style. Getting there a little late, the video explores half the first day’s festivities, featuring headliner Neil Young, ska […]

Looking back on Levitate Music Festival 2018

The east coast has a different air about their music festivals than the west coast does. Both are valid experiences, both proffer the best of the best in arts and entertainment to the stage. However, festivals back east, like the annual Levitate Music and Arts Festival, have a certain sense of community that remains absent […]

Get ready for Life Is Beautiful 2018

For the past six years, there has been one fall festival that has not only reigned at the top of the live entertainment list, but influenced the likes of KAABOO Del Mar, Coachella and beyond. Situated in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, Life Is Beautiful Music and Arts Festival has revolutionized Fremont Street, adding […]

Kyle Smith sits down at Cali Roots 9

Kyle Smith and drummer Scotty B sit down with Top Shelf Reggae journalist Kristy Rose Day 2 at California Roots Festival 2018. Kyle Smith won the Pop-Up contest to be featured that weekend on the Weedmaps Stage, so the band talks their upcoming performance, what’s to come this summer and hypothetical collabs. Artist links: Facebook […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Harsh Armadillo “Animal”

New England’s funky, hip hop conglomerate Harsh Armadillo goes primal in “Animal” off their latest, self-released BITE LP. A jazzy, downtempo track about certain passions known to overwhelm the senses after sundown, “Animal” is quintessential of the band’s kinky groove, brought to you visually by Xander Hayes of XZH Visuals in this Top Shelf Reggae […]

Slightly Stoopid ‘Everyday Life, Everyday People’ album review

Reggae rock is what it is today from the direct influence of few bands – Sublime being the breadwinning bellwether. But, Sublime made its mark on music in many ways, a primary one being when frontman Bradley Nowell unknowingly left his legacy in the hands of two adolescent Ocean Beach boys after signing them to […]