WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Mutual Groove “Funky Butternut”

Let’s face it, this COVID-19 lockdown is getting to people. Monetary circumstances aside, the prolonged forced isolation is resulting in high numbers of depression and anxiety worldwide. Answering the call aren’t politicians or doctors — it’s funk group Mutual Groove out of Nashville! Mutual Groove, former touring members for hip hop artist Stealing Oceans and […]

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 […]

Getting baked with Vana Liya

Learn how to make snickerdoodle cookies quarantine-style, as Top Shelf Music journalist Alexia Johnson interviews rising star Vana Liya! The reggae rock queen signed to LAW Records chats about upcoming works, plans and life in general over some sweet home cooking. Vana Liya links: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website

TSM Artist #HotList: April 5th, 2020

Top Shelf Music Artist #HotList with your host Alexia Johnson, April 5th 2020 Edition. Follow Alexia as she outlines hot new music from up-and-coming bands! This week our lineup features “Waves” by AVA, “Michigan Winter” by Sunday Morning, “No Negative Vibes” by Wisdom and Sound ft. Blaine Dillinger (of HIRIE) and “Rock With You” by […]

TSM #HotList: March 29th, 2020

We’re proud to present Top Shelf Music Artist #Hotlist with your host Alexia Johnson, March 29th Edition! This time, our lineup features Blarre Bianchi & Iam Christarz, DJ Greenguy and Reime Schemes, Fantan Mojah and Rome (of Sublime With Rome) with Duddy B (of Dirty Heads)! With so much going on in the world right […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Kalalea “This Is Country”

Hawaiian solo artist Kalalea surprises all in his latest self-produced EP This Is Country that dropped late last night. The typically characterized reggae artist has pivoted his sound after parting ways with his former Roots Musician Records label, from roots to, dare we say it, more of a trap demeanor??? First off, in this day […]

Top Shelf Music News: Episode 3

Welcome to Top Shelf Music News Episode Three, with your hosts Matt Cook & Kristy Rose. Also making an appearance is field reporters Alexia Johnson, Danny Brophy, a basketball and at least a half dozen Coronas. The current pandemonium with the spreading Coronavirus has led the music industry to be disrupted when it comes to […]

TSM #HotList: February 20th, 2020

Welcome to another installment of our Top Shelf Music Artist #HotList, with host Alexia Johnson! This episode brings forth the talents of Skunk Funk, The Irie, Boca 45 and Pacific Roots… which makes a pretty funky bunch! Follow us on social media (specifically Instagram) @topshelfmusicmag to be the first to know more music news as […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Inna Vision “The Dollar”

Island reggae rapper Inna Vision is back at it again, with his unending hustler mentality embedded throughout his new video for “The Dollar” off his latest Link Up album. IV is no stranger to the game, the desperation one faces when trying to make ends meet. “The Dollar” lists all the ways to make one, […]

Top Shelf Music News: Episode 2

Welcome to another valiant edition of Top Shelf Music News, with your hosts Matt Cook & Kristy Rose. With the New Year behind us, it’s time to look into spring fests, comment on the GRAMMYs and obsess over Shakira’s and J Lo’s smoking Super Bowl halftime performance. Hear about some new music with this month’s […]

Julian Marley interviews days ahead of 62nd GRAMMYs

GRAMMY-nominated reggae legend Julian Marley sits down with Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose, days ahead of the 62nd GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles. Up for ‘Best Reggae Album’ for his fourth full-length album As I Am, Julian Marley shares his feelings on his first nomination from the Academy, what’s to come for 2020, how […]

TSM #HotList: January 15th, 2020

Host Alexia Johnson is back to share the artists you should know! This week, our Top Shelf Music Artist #HotList highlights Tent City Christ, The Dirtnaps, Mo Moshiri and The Resinators — all with a diverse sound, ranging from reggae to hip hop. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @topshelfmusicmag to be the first […]

Top Shelf Music News: Episode 1

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Top Shelf Music News, with your host Matt Cook & Kristy Rose guiding you on this daring quest. It being right after the holidays, a lot is going on in the music industry, from festival announcements to new music to hot gossip of the bands you love. This episode […]