Rototom Sunsplash promotes 25th Annual on the road

In celebration of Rototom Sunsplash's 25th Annual event this August, the international reggae festival of all festivals is taking to the road, visiting five European countries and over a dozen Spanish cities ahead of the big event. Rototom Sunsplash, for those who are unaware, is Europe's largest and most intensive reggae festival, stretching an impressive […]

California Roots Vol. 2 vinyl available

Ever want to take Cali Roots home with you? Well, now you can capture the essence of the 9th Annual California Roots Music and Arts Festival with a limited edition vinyl, featuring a medley of 2018 performing artists! The California Roots Volume 2 vinyl follows in the footsteps of Vol. 1, with two sides of […]

VIDEO PREMIERE: Omari Banks “Oh Africa”, Live at Anguilla Music Academy

Anguillan artist Omari Banks is standing up for peace and justice in this world video premiere of his live “Oh Africa” performance at the Anguilla Music Acadamy. Born and raised in Anguilla, the video recorded at his hometown Music Academy is not only a tribute to African roots, but to Banks’ personal roots as well. […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Junior X “Middle Passage”

Junior X, born Richard White in the Winward Road area of Rockfort, JA, has always been subjected to the hate crimes against his people. Transplanted centuries ago to the Caribbean, Rastafarian reggae artist Junior X isn’t willing to let these the travesties Africans suffered due to slavery slide. Lest we forget, the pain of slavery […]

WORLD SINGLE PREMIERE: Omik “Uncertain Love”

Omik, born Kimo Carpenter, brings a special blend of island vibes, traditional reggae riffs and west coast sounds to create his unique, up-and-coming style. This seems fitting, considering the LA-resident migrated to the mainland from his Hawaii home to continue his musical journey. After teaming up with fellow Mensch House Records and Island Empire friends, […]

WORLD PREMIERE: Gisto “Billionaire” lyric video

The trap-reggae sensationalist, Gisto, is back with a bangin’ new lyric video for “Billionaire” – a track about, well, stacking cash. In this Top Shelf Reggae world premiere of the lyric video for “Billionaire”, celebratory visuals bring to life Gisto’s money-making ethos, like bottles popping and c-notes raining. One day, Gisto is going to be […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Kalalea “Life As We Know It”

Hawaiian artist on the rise, Kalalea, is bringing truth to the masses in this Top Shelf Reggae world video premiere for “Life As We Know It”, a track out off Roots Musician Records featuring William Ka’uhane & Messenjah Selah. Born in Honolulu and raised in Kaua’i, Kalalea has literally lived a lush life and shows […]

School’s Out For Summer Tour starts soon

Colossal reggae rock legends, Slightly Stoopid, is venturing out from their sunny SoCal homes to take on the nation all summer long in their impressive School’s Out For Summer Tour. Performing 43 shows in 28 states is quite a feat in itself, not to mention the monumental direct support attached to the bill – crowd-favorite […]

Ease Up ‘Return to Sender’ EP review

SoCal’s sunny ska-reggae-rock ensemble, Ease Up, is showing off their edgier side with a double-single EP out today off MNO Records. The release consists of two main tracks, “Return To Sender” and ” Turn Around”, both of which cater to the skanking end of the tempo scale. Not feelin’ the skank pit? The double-single also […]

Top Shelf Takes the Street Episode 3: Riddim is a Dancer

In this episode of Top Shelf Takes the Street, journalist Kristy Rose runs around Seaport Village in San Diego, California trying to educate out-of-towners about riddim reggae and see if they will dance. Stay tuned for more Top Shelf shenanigans in the months to come and watch for us on a street near you.

J Boog at The Observatory North Park

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Bumpin Uglies ‘Beast From The East’ album review

Reggae, rock, punk, ska, hip hop – those are the main ingredients that make up the Annapolis-based band Bumpin Uglies. An enigma of sorts, the Bumpin Uglies boys is celebrating a decade of playing music and their punk-rock ethos with their fourth full-length album, Beast From The East. And, yes, this beast of an album […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Jah Bouks “Trod On”

Top Shelf Reggae is pleased to unveil the world premeire of Jah Bouks’ latest music video, “Trod On”. The track consists of heavenly harmonies, African rhythms and diplomatic lyrics to render this year’s greatest ‘act right’ anthem. Born in Winchester, a suburb of St. Thomas, Jamaica, Jah Bouks started playing music at age 12 to […]

Adam Gross “Energy” lyric video

Up-and-coming reggae songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Gross is following up on his debut EP In Control with a lyric video for the latest single off the album, “Energy”. As a New York native, finishing up school at Northwestern University as we speak, Gross has grown up in a city that emits energy like no other. […]

KAABOO Texas announced for 2019

Back in its fourth year at the famous Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego, California, KAABOO Del Mar marks the end of summer with an annual mid-September party too good to pass up. Boasting a 'rock-centered' focus, KAABOO brings forth all kinds of acts from nearly every musical genre – albeit, the finest – throughout […]