Iration teams with Rebelution, Stick Figure in single “Right Here Right Now”

Iration has long since cemented their reign in the reggae rock scene, with six full-length albums, countless singles, a multitude of music videos and tours around the world since their formation over 15 years ago. It’s pointless to argue anything but Iration is king. Other supreme beings in the reggae rock realm include that of […]

Beeb$ spreads the love in “Wake Up” video

Pop-reggae solo artist Beeb$ is back just when we need her the most with a new video for “Wake Up”, featuring the talents of NIKO IS. The trancey chanteuse is known for spreading a little sunshine wherever she goes and with this prolonged quarantine, that’s exactly what we need. The single, previously released in 2019, […]

A brief Reggae Rock history

To date, reggae has had an underrated rap. Out of all categories the Recording Academy credits for their annual GRAMMY Awards, Reggae only gets one slot – which is simply a travesty! Anyone who follows the genre knows that a myriad of subgenres exist that have fractured the larger Reggae umbrella over the years – […]

Enhance early summer with KBong’s “Good To Hear Music” single, feat. Mihali

KBong, Stick Figure keyboardist turned solo artist, has recently released his new single “Good to Hear Music” featuring Mihali of Twiddle! The song features a lighthearted vibe and beachy tone. With such an upbeat timbre and relaxed lyrics, “Good To Hear Music” is sure to make it on your summertime playlist… it’s simply in the […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Jonathan Emile “Keep On Fighting”

Cancer surviving Jamaican-Canadian rapper, poet, singer and activist, Jonathan Emile has released his latest video for the single “Keep On Fighting” off his new album, Spaces In Between. The video, also being released in French entitled “Solidarite”, is relevant and true to the times — and Top Shelf is so proud to host its world […]

Venice Beach Dub Club’s release takes center stage

The debut album from Venice Beach Dub Club consists of 12 original tracks, six outstanding guest appearances and two dozen accomplished musicians, all of which make this release full of finesse. The self-titled VBDC album is impulsive, with assertive and layered lyrical content — poetic at times. VBDC’s debut album is intense , sonically complex […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Operation Culture “Go Far”

Brothers Javier and Daniel Rodriguez have always had a musical knack. Teaming together to form a duo under the name Operation Culture, the two have released a handful of reggae singles to initial acclaim. Following their latest “Way It Goes” single comes this world track premiere for “Go Far”, a lighthearted love story so needed […]

How Cali Roots wins Earth Day, every day

Memorial Day Weekend simply will not be the same this year in Monterey. For the past decade, one festival has grown to be synonymous with the three-day weekend at the Monterey Fairgrounds, the same setting of the historic Monterey Pop Festival — you know, where Jimi Hendrix set his guitar on fire in between Janis, […]

Etana serenades in soothing “Truly” single

Jamaican songstress and ‘Best Reggae Album’ GRAMMY nominee Etana has released the first single, “Truly”, from her forthcoming album G.E.M.I.N.I. originally set to be released in staggers throughout May although new dates for release are pending due to COVID-19. Being in a constant state of the panic and confusion amidst this global quarantine, it’s refreshing […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Joss Jaffe “Play It Again” feat. Kiyoshi

Reggae artist Joss Jaffe is back, unveiling three new songs off his forthcoming full-length album Traveler! After gaining initial success with three albums entitled the Dub Mantra series, Jaffe really hit big with his last LP, Meditation Music, reaching within the Top 10 of the Billboard New Age Charts. With another album on the horizon, […]

Jonathan Emile adds Etana in his “Canopy (Remix)” single

Jamaican-Canadian crooner, activist and poet Jonathan Emile has released a remix of his song, “Canopy”! The addition of sweet, sexy vocals by GRAMMY-nominated reggae artist Etana heightens the sounds of the already old-time ska-meets-tropical vibes, emphasized in her beautiful voice and creative energy.  The two share a sweet and playful exchange as they envision what […]

Top Shelf Music News: Episode 4

Your Top Shelf Music News hosts Matt Cook and Kristy Rose are back for Episode 4… although their sanity is questionable, at best. Under the current COVID-19 circumstances, the music industry has all but ground to a halt, yet these two dedicated news reporters aren’t giving up, assembling what few bits and pieces of music […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Ras Fraser Jr. “Nuh Weh Like Yawd”

Jamaican artist Ras Fraser Jr. couples up his latest single “Nuh Weh Like Yawd” with a brand new music video — both out this week! The infectiously danceable track brightens any day (a much needed break from these trying times), transporting the listener to a party far, far away from reality. How far, you ask? […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Wisdom and Sound “No Negative Vibes”

Reggae music has always been rooted in delivering vital messages of moral principle, preservation and sociopolitical advocacy. These are the ideologies that invigorate the music of Wisdom and Sound, the work of Andrew Mencher, best described as conscious reggae of the modern era. Fusing together the sounds of reggae, hip hop and rock, Mencher’s latest […]

Ben Barbic teams with Craigy-T in “Close 2 Peace” single

Hip hop-meets-reggae anomaly Ben Barbic is back with a brand new single “Close 2 Peace”, featuring the legendary talents of Craigy-T! Best known for his role in the dancehall ensemble T.O.K., Craigy-T has since branched off in a solo direction. Barbic knew Craigy-T’s dynamic Jamaican dancehall would pair well with his American fusion approach, exemplified […]