Slightly Stoopid: then & now

Just before the start of the 2019 and February's One Love Cali Reggae Festival in Long Beach, I sat down with Kyle McDonald of the southern California cative band, Slightly Stoopid. We chatted about how they were discovered by Bradley Nowell of Sublime, their relationship with Skunk Records, their musical influences and their relationship with […]

Clint Stevens drops “First Place” single ahead of debut album

Reggae-funk band Clint Stevens is gearing up to drop their debut full-length album, offering fans of the Arizona band a taste ahead of time with their lead single “First Place”. A retrospective reggae-rock anthem centering around a relationship gone wrong, “First Place” is danceable, yet dark track — a yin and a yang. But, this seven-piece […]

WORLD PREMIERE: 9 Mile Roots drops new remix “When In Rome”

Baltimore’s own 9 Mile Roots released today a remix featuring Passafire’s lead singer Ted Bowne — and Top Shelf has the premiere for you to start off your weekend! “When In Rome” is a full remix of their song “Sun” from their most recent LP, ReEvolve. The original track was impactful enough, but the remix […]

A moment with Mike Love at One Love Cali Reggae Fest

One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2019 brought a new era of reggae musicians, all bringing back the true roots sound! One such talented artist was the amazing and eccentric Hawaiian native Mike Love. Back in May of 2018, I attended the Trevor Hall show at The Observatory Theatre in Santa Ana; opening for him was […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: New Kingston “Fyah Nuh Hot Like You”

New Kingston is at it again, with their spicy new single “Fyah Nuh Hot Like You” available on all digital outlets as of tomorrow off Easy Star Records! That said, Top Shelf Reggae is proud to premiere the sizzling track from the Brooklyn band of brothers we all know and love a day early! “Fyah […]

The exceptional KAABOO Cayman experience

Boarding a plane to an island adventure is one thing; knowing your Caribbean vacation includes the first annual KAABOO Cayman is quite another. Following four successful years in San Diego's luxurious Del Mar Fairgrounds, the KAABOO crew decided to branch out of their SoCal bubble, advertising sister festivals on Grand Cayman island and inside the […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: One Culture “Take Control”

East coast self-proclaimed “progressive roots” reggae band on the rise, One Culture, celebrates new music as of today! The latest single, “Take Control” featuring Tony Brand of Cultivated Mind, follows in the band's known activist agenda with a clear call to action: let's take back the planet after centuries of destruction and “build a better […]

The full experience of One Love Cali Reggae Festival 2019

With the statuesque Queen Mary, the glistening Pacific Ocean and the stunning Long Beach skyline as the festival back drop, sold out crowds packed the cold and wet Queen Mary Events Park on Friday February 8th for Day One of the 4th Annual One Love Cali Reggae Festival. LA-based Arise Roots kicked the day off […]

Twiddle & Iya Terra headed to LA’s The Troubadour

If you happen to be in the vicinity of West Hollywood on March 1st, do yourself a solid and head on over to one of LA's most iconic venues, The Troubadour, to catch what is sure to be an EPIC show by the four-piece band, Twiddle, and the boys of Iya Terra. The Troubador, built […]

The smashing success of Arizona Roots Year One

Arizona Roots out-did itself with supreme energy that shown so bright, it’s hard to believe this was a first year festival! From the organizers of Cali Roots (the premiere reggae-rock and hip hop fest, now in its 10th year), it’s actually no surprise that positivity and love surged through the desert the weekend of February 8th […]

New Orleans Jazz Festival set to celebrate 50 years

New Orleans… a city rich with customs, where the American south meets Creole culture meets big band brass meets general debauchery. Tourists near and far flock to the diverse hotspot for many annual celebrations, Mardi Gras being the most regailed. Yet, just as impressive as Bourbon Street on Fat Tuesday, the New Orleans Jazz & […]

Getting to know K-Rizz

Love, Knowledge, Laughter, Joy, Loss, Insecurity, Rage, Respect… The list is thorough for this outspoken middle child raised in the ‘biggest little city’ of Reno, Nevada.  As we speak on the phone, the artist Kris Rodriguez (formally known as 'K-Rizz') and myself vibe instantly, going to work on describing a few of his songs as well […]

Lineup revealed for Levitate Festival 2019

For the first time since its inception seven years ago, the nation's leading jam band jubilee, Levitate Music & Arts Festival, is officially expanding to three days! Returning to the Marshfield Fairgrounds in Marshfield, Massaschusetts, what started out as a modest 10-year anniversary party for a beloved local surf and skate shop, Levitate, has simply […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Analea Brown “Lie To Me”

Reggae goes with rhythm and blues like bubbles goes with champagne. Light, uplifting and intoxicatingly sweet, both genres render a welcoming atmosphere where you just want to kick your feet up and curl up with your loved ones. Love, whether blissful or turbulent, is worth the wild ride and rising RnB star Analea Brown recognizes […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Kelly Hafner “Give Light”

Austin, Texas is a well-known mecca for music, attracting talent from all over the globe as a result. One such up-and-coming superstar is Kelly Hafner, a soulful chanteuse whose impressive vocal range rivals that of mainstream R&B names – both past and present! Migrating to Austin after college from northern California, Hafner has since found […]