DENM drops “Wild Trip” with Landon McNamara

DENM — SoCal’s favorite bad boy (and rad dad) — teams up with the son of the North Shore, Landon MaNamara, in the first collaboration from the Slum Beach Posse aptly named, “Wild Trip”, released via Ineffable Records on August 25th. The first of what is sure to be many, this group effort came to […]

Slightly Stoopid concludes Summer Traditions Tour with hometown celebration

Labor Day Weekend has always traditionally symbolized the end of summer. To celebrate, Slightly Stoopid and friends brought the Summer Traditions Tour to a close in their hometown of San Diego. Amid an unprecedented southern California heat wave, fans braved the scorching sun to sing and dance with friends and family to the tunes of […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Ha’angana “Wondering”

Rising island reggae artist Ha’angana combines illustrious illustrations with lyrics full of sorrow in the this world video premiere for “Wondering”! The single, out as of July 28th, builds towards what can only be a well-welcomed full-length album, due out September 30th via Rebel Sound Records. Sweet melodies and sorrowful themes combine in this island […]

California Roots 2022: Day Four

The fourth and final day of Cali Roots 2022 was one for the books. We laughed, we cried, we danced, we loved, we sang, we vibed and we all connected on a level that no one can describe quantitatively without sounding a little ‘woo-woo’. Simply put — it was magic. We were magic. Day Four […]

The Black Seeds unleash ample ‘Love & Fire’ in new LP

Summertime, feeling fine. Love& Fire, The Black Seeds’ seventh full-length studio album, is a sunny and bright collection of 10 easy-listening, dubby tracks with ‘beach day’ written all over them. The New Zealand eight-piece dropped the record June 17th via Proville Records/Kartel Music Group in Europe and New York-based reggae label Easy Star Records in North […]

California Roots 2022: Day Three

Cali Roots Day Three arrived with a bang Saturday. Despite Rebelution’s blow-out 90-minute light show spectacular of a set the previous night, over 14,000 reggae lovers of all genres and walks of life lined up on Fairground Road and entered with newfound energy, fresh outfits and all the love in the world. The sun was […]

BeachLife Festival 2022: Day Three

Day Three of BeachLife 2022 in Redondo Beach, California encompassed the perfect blend of live music energy with the low-key vibes of a beautiful Sunday on the beach. The day kicked off with performances from ALO and The Altons. Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and Wall of Sound helped kick the party off. Midday, there was […]

California Roots 2022: Day Two

“I’m gonna get you high today, ’cause it’s Friday; you ain’t got no job… and you ain’t got shit to do…” Even though Ice Cube’s set wasn’t until Sunday, the famous words resonated Friday at Cali Roots and the pep in our step and stars in our eyes confirmed that magic was in the air. […]

Stephen Marley brings Babylon by Bus Tour to Saratoga

On Thursday June 9th, Stephen Marley — son of the legendary Bob Marley — brought his Babylon by Bus Tour to Saratoga’s Mountain Winery. The tour had just kicked off at Cali Roots Festival and continues on, featuring different reggae acts depending on location. Tonight’s show featured Skip Marley, grandson of Bob Marley, as well […]

Dry Diggings drops second reveal for 2022

“One of my favorites, ever!” That’s what I tell anyone that asks me about Dry Diggings, an easygoing backyard vibe of a festival held in the tree-shaded grass of the aptly named Grass Valley Fairgrounds in Nevada County, CA. The lineup blends classic roots and culture with a healthy dose of west coast reggae and […]

California Roots 2022: Day One

Cali Roots 2022 came and went, and we are all the better for it. All the waiting, wishing, praying was worth it — just like we had faith it would be. Patience was a small price to pay for what we experienced Memorial Day Weekend and those hugs, smiles, laughs were the currency. Most of […]

An interview with Amy Sheehan of California Roots

Join us as Top Shelf Music journalist Allie Adams interviews Amy Sheehan, Operations Manager for California Roots Music and Arts Festival 2022. Amy has been a pivotal part of the festival’s growth towards becoming the FIRST green-certified festival in California. In this interview, Allie focuses on the festival’s green initiatives and why that is so […]

Cali Roots presents 5th Annual Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival

Summer is heating up in South Lake! California Roots has partnered with Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Lake Tahoe to bring you a reggae lineup of straight fire to the famed venue on the water. Pan-reggae heavy-hitters Slightly Stoopid, Dirty Heads, SOJA, Tribal Seeds and Common Kings join forces with hometown-and-beyond favorites Fortunate Youth, Artikal […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Doralee “Seu Sorriso (Your Smile)”

Los Angeles-based, island-infused singer-songwriter Doralee adds beautiful visuals to her soft, sweet “Seu Sorriso” single! Meaning ‘my smile’ in Portuguese, this track is all the bossa nova sugar you need to get your summer going. Bossa novo music and sprawling beach scenes? Yes, please. Doralee shines as she dances and sings, super innocently, around a […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Pipe Down “Smile”, feat. Rilen’ Out

Reggae is relatable anywhere. Take it from island reggae band Pipe Down, strumming sweet and sultry reggae tunes on a snow-covered Lake Tahoe mountaintop wearing a Hawaiian T-shirt. It doesn’t get much cooler than that… well, except for the fact that the official video for the track is premiering exclusively today on Top Shelf Music! […]