Xiuhtezcatl interviews at Cali Roots 10

Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose sits down with hip hop-reggae socially-conscious artist Xiuhtezcatl at California Roots 10, following his morning performance. With an EP on the way, a summer tour and a book published (with props from mega-actor Leonardo DiCaprio), the young protégé shares what drives him forward, his thoughts on planet sustainability and […]

Hollywood Reggae Night XVII, with Damian Marley

The glittery California sun dipped down behind the famous Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, July 7, 2019, as Reggae Night XVII began. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, along with local public radio station KCRW, celebrated the 20th Anniversary of their World Festival, as excited fans filled the Bowl grounds early. Fans were picnicking on the open […]

Locos por Juana ‘Crazy for Jane’ album review

This year Locos por Juana has added to their already prolific list of studio offerings with a new album entitled Crazy for Jane, which features some of their best works to date. The album is overwhelming in not only the striking beauty of the music, but also in its wealth of diverse compositions. Crazy for […]

Rebelution at the OC Fair: Night One

Rebelution’s Good Vibes Summer tour, with special guests Collie Buddz and Iya Terra, made the first of its two-night stop at Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 12th, 2019.  Rebelution came to the stage and the packed crowd lit up, dancing and smiling to every song Starting the night off, openers Iya Terra […]

An interview with Ishmael I

Ishmael Turner, known as Ishmael I, is an independent reggae artist, writer and producer, currently spreading his Jamaican roots vibes to the American public and beyond. A humanitarian at heart, Ishmael I transcends borders with socially-conscious music in an effort to make the world a better place. I recently had the opportunity to chat with […]

The Movement’s Josh Swain talks new album, ‘Ways Of The World’

For those of you reading, completely unaware of who or maybe even what The Movement is, back in the day, some Columbia, South Carolina teenagers started up a band. They traveled and acquired more members, adding and changing up some bandmates, but ultimately settled on the current four-piece band we see today. The Movement was […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Among Criminals “60,000 Messages”

The punky, dubby Philly-based band Among Criminals is back with new music! Blending turn-of-millennia alternative with Jamaican rhythms, Among Criminals gained a fast following with their debut self-titled album in 2012, which spurred anticipation for their sophomore album to drop the following year entitled The Break, leading to their latest Kill The Precedent in 2017 […]

Cali Roots 2019: Day Three

Mixed weather didn’t deter Cali Roots X attendees from enjoying the third and final day in Monterey to the fullest. With two days down, Day Three at the fairgrounds brought with it one of the most stacked lineups to date when it comes to reggae rock. The morning started off with The Elovaters’ high-energy set […]

Kyle Smith at Huntington Beach’s Sealegs

As the sun shone bright and the ocean glistened like diamonds, with the familiar summer scent of sunscreen filling the air, Ventura locals Kyle Smith and his fantastic band set out to headline Reggae Sunday’s at the gorgeous beachside venue of Sealegs in Huntington Beach, CA on Sunday, June 9th, 2019. Fans and pups of […]

Prince Fatty drops new single & Top Reggae Influencer playlist

After releasing his new single with Big Youth and George Dekker “Get Ready”, a cover of Smokey Robinson’s classic hit, we asked production maestro Prince Fatty to put together a playlist of his Top Reggae Influencers. On creating the playlist, he also added, “In one way or another, these tracks have been with me along […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Marcus Upbeat “She’s So Sweet”

Marcus Upbeat, aka Downbeat, has had himself quite the impressive career. Gaining fandom in the UK from his former band, No.1 Station, Upbeat not only worked closely with Lee Scratch Perry, but further toured with Roxy Music in the height of their prime! Now a solo artist, Upbeat is ready to release new music — […]

Tropidelic ‘Here In The Heights’ album review

Tropidelic is in a category all its own. Their latest album, Here In The Heights, is a product of successfully combining funk, reggae, rock and hip hop with excellent and creative songwriting. With passion, soul, funky guitar and brass instrumentals, the six-piece band from Cleveland, Ohio gives Here In The Heights the band’s trademark sound. […]

Project 432 ‘Passenger’ album review

Denver-based band Project 432 is a unique one, to say the least. After bursting onto the recording scene in 2017 with their debut album The Science of Numbers, the band quickly gained recognition for their approach as much as their music. The inaugural album — combining reggae with dub with hip hop all wrapped into […]

Cruising the Hudson with The Expendables

The ship set sail on June 12th, cruising through New York’s Hudson River. Aboard this kickin’ yacht party was Tropidelic and The Expendables, who treated their fans to an unforgettable night of good old reggae rock vibes. Both bands rock the boat in true reggae fashion by ‘lighting’ up the stage with sweet sounds of […]

Rebelution at San Diego’s North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

Chula Vista concerts are a trademark of summertime. The weather is finally warm enough to enjoy an outdoor event, strangers mingle amongst each other with drinks on the lawn, friends bond in every direction by the sheer act of live music. A concert arena that has boasted many names, The North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre […]