NorCal collides with SoCal in the collaborative group Skanks Roots Project — a musical endeavor set in motion way back in the early 2000s. Headed by lyrical frontman DJ Skanks, SRP has released a myriad of reggae rootsy albums and EPs since their inception, all of which reflect the revolving group’s signature spoken word-meets-hip hop […]
International reggae superstars SOJA have returned with the release of their latest project: an EP recorded over the years, consisting of renditions of some of the band’s favorite songs and ones that have inspired them throughout the decades. Simply titled The Covers EP, the release covers legends like Bob Marley with “So Much Trouble In […]
San Diego, California has always been a hot spot for roots reggae and reggae rock music. From Slightly Stoopid to Big Mountain to Tribal Seeds, the city continues to proffer acts who have changed the course the reggae genre’s collective history. Yet, there are countless artists and bands that reside within the middle of the […]
Eddie Skuller is coming in hot this new year with the release of his reggae/dub cover of David Essex’s 1973 classic “Rock On”. The two-song set was released on January 1st and is now available on all streaming platforms. The track was produced by Latin GRAMMY Award-winning engineer, musician, producer and dub master Victor Rice; […]
Drummers, with the exception of a few backline frontmen, rarely get enough love. Katchafire’s Jordan Bell likes to live a little differently. His family band, originally started by father Grenville Bell and alongside brother Logan Bell, has since grown to be a staple of New Zealand and roots reggae music altogether. Jordan Bell goes centerstage, […]
Denver collaborative collective The Autos share their debut recording “Trespass” today on all digital outlets, following the track’s New Year’s Day premiere on Rootfire. And, what a way to start the year! 2020 has brought many challenges for all, yet hindered most were those trying to make ends meet in the art, music and film […]
There are only a few souls that can transcend any particular genre of art. From da Vinci to Banksy with paint. The likes of James Baldwin, Maya Angelou or Hunter S. Thompson with words. Well, Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert was one of those few souls for music — more specifically, reggae music. On par with Bob Marley […]
Brothers Daniel and Javier Rodriguez have just brought about their debut album under the moniker Operation Culture — in the midst of a pandemic year, no less! After premiering their single “Go Far” with us back in April of this year, this reggae-loving duo out of Wilmington, North Carolina has finally unleashed their full-length, Real […]
Welcome to the Election Tuesday episode of Top Shelf Music’s Artist #HotList, with your host Alexia Johnson. Considering this week is all about Democracy, the catharsis of the most heated and aggressive U.S. election to date, Alexia has compiled songs centering around political action from up-and-coming artists of all genres. “Thunder Clap” — I Am […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Before this massive escalation in American reggae, far ahead of the reggae festivals marking the calendar year, people grew up honoring the roots. Roots, rock, reggae — dub, ska, dancehall, lover’s rock, mento, rocksteady, raggamuffin. These genres are the infrastructure making up reggae as we know it. One person who knew it all too well […]
Who’s ready for an all-new Project: Out of Bounds? For those in the American reggae scene, it would be a crime if you don’t know P.O.B. by now… These hardworking San Diego boys have been there from the birth of reggae rock’s popularity, particularly in southern California, with their first two albums in 2008 and […]
Rap-reggae producer and artist RastaBwoyKell might have been born and raised out of southside Chicago, yet his roots grow strong in Rastafarianism. Bringing the biblical verse Revelations 19 to life in his latest EP, the religious and political activist poses several Truths in the face of widespread misinformation and oppression — we simply don’t know […]
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