WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Blakkamoore “Mek It Play”

Hip hop-reggae artist Blakkamoore releases his highly-anticipated new single “Mek It Play” on October 30th, an entity only available off his forthcoming Upward Spiral Deluxe Edition LP with Lustre Kings out November 13th. You read that right: welcome to the world premiere of “Mek It Play”, one whole day of streaming before the single hits […]

Top Shelf Music News: Episode 9

Velcome to the vonderfully scary vorld of Top Shelf Music News [evil laugh]! This extra haunted Halloween episode extraordinaire stars your hosts Matt Cook & Kristy Rose, with Kyle Smith joining as musical guest! Explore the rotten music world of COVID-19, with updates on artist news, upcoming releases and all-around good-to-know knowledge. See you all […]

Jack Hinson enlivens in “Journey Within” single

Singer-songwriter Jack Hinson relishes life and the “Journey Within” in his latest single — the first of six he’s releasing over the next six months! Following two tracks that made it to Rootfire‘s ‘First Listens’ list, Hinson has now teamed with roots producer E.N Young to render “Journey Within” at Young’s Imperial Sound Studio in […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Sunny State “Unite & Be”

Sunny State returns with a world video premiere ahead of their latest single, “Unite & Be”, out this Friday, October 30th! An anthem to unite a country divided, Sunny State reflects on the vast amount of diversity within the United States, days before the most tumultuous election this country has had to date. With Election […]

Tropidelic drops “Sunny Days” single & video, feat. Devin The Dude

The hard-working boys from Cleveland are back in action with not only a nostalgic new single featuring Devin The Dude, but a bangin’ new video to boot! That’s right, Tropidelic — the horn-heavy, reggae-hip hop conglomerate — has partnered with one of Houston’s top emcees to render “Sunny Days”, a song about reflecting on simpler […]

Roots and Tings’ “Election Time” surges with raw political honesty

Every four years we feel it. Every four years we dread it. The overwhelming frustration and, for some, fear that comes with ‘Election Time’ in America. The never-ending flood of lies and misinformation, cheap political promises and in the case of the current administration, the blatant and obvious sexism, classism and racism seem to invade our […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Double Tiger “Drop Sound”, feat. Slightly Stoopid

Double Tiger, aka Jay Spaker, is back in action premiering lead single “Drop Sound” off his forthcoming album today on Top Shelf Music before it hits digital outlets tomorrow! The song is the first to surface from sophomore album, The Journey, a much-anticipated follow-up to his debut solo venture Sharp & Ready, both off Easy […]

Crucial Blend offers ode to OB in “Need You” music video

Cali reggae band Crucial Blend captures an ode to Ocean Beach in their new music video for “Need You”, a sweet slow jam off their No Bad Daze album. Being based out of San Diego, any resident of the city knows there’s nothing like OB: the easygoing mecca of lovable misfits, the beach that, let’s […]

Slightly Stoopid & friends perform Del Mar drive-in show

San Diego-based Slightly Stoopid joined the Concerts In Your Car Series on Saturday, October 10th at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for their first show since the COVID shutdown in March 2020. During the sold-out drive-in show, the band brought the good vibes, the party and the explosive energy we’ve been needing with the deprivation of […]

Surfer Girl’s debut single “Hero” hails political change

Aer frontman Carter Schultz is back in action — calling for an action hero, that is. Resurfacing from his last Aer release in 2016, Schultz debuts the first single “Hero” today under the new sobriquet Surfer Girl off Ineffable Records. Surfer Girl might sound laidback, yet they are far from politically passive. “Hero” has all […]

The Steppas return with “Stay” single

Hawaiian reggae staple The Steppas return from a brief dormancy with “Stay”, a song equally about loss and acceptance. The single off Easy Star Records follows a string of personal grievances for the band over the past few years, including the sudden and saddening death of longtime friend and band manager Kaliko Keawe’ehu. Not willing […]

Akae Beka teams with Chronixx in “Black Carbon”

A mastermind of spiritually-conscious reggae, Rastafarian Vaughn Benjamin brings forth music from the grave in his new Akae Beka single “Black Carbon”, featuring reggae revival catalyst Chronixx. Vaughn’s untimely passing in 2019 did not deter Akae Beka’s co-founding member Ron, brother of Vaughn, from releasing yet another beautifully-executed call to action with the late singer […]

Fortunate Youth drive-in concert at The Grove: Night Two

On September 26th, Fortunate Youth continued their second of two headlining shows at The City National Grove of Anaheim. The weather was great and the vibes were just right. There were even more friends and family in attendance than the night before! You could feel the anticipation of all the fans there, enjoying quite possibly […]

Sublime With Rome drive-in concert at Alameda Fairgrounds

A Drive-In Concert Experience featuring Sublime With Rome and Bikini Trill stretched two nights at the Alameda Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Night One was a smoky due to the California fires, but that didn’t stop reggae-rock fans from coming out with their family and friends and enjoying their Friday night to the fullest! Vibes were high and […]