Skip Marley releases the 'Higher Place' EP

Today Skip Marley, whose history-making global hit "Slow Down" with Grammy Award-winning artist H.E.R. reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Adult R&B chart this past spring – a first for a Jamaican-born artist – releases his anticipated debut EP, HIGHER PLACE, via Tuff Gong Intl./Island Records. 

The 7-track project was named Higher Place as a call to action to Skip's generation, fans, and listeners to inspire people to ascend to a higher place of love and level of consciousness.  The project includes new ideas and experiences as well as wisdom that has been passed down the Marley lineage that Skip likes to call "Marley Mantras."  On the release, Skip states, "It is a joy and a blessing for me to share this music with the world. When we say 'Higher Place,' we mean good vibrations. Positivity. Conscious influence of the heart and the mind and the soul. Music with a message is the music we love."

In addition to "Slow Down," which has amassed over 80 million streams, HIGHER PLACE includes "Make Me Feel" featuring fellow Miami hitmaker Rick Ross and R&B songstress Ari Lennox.  The track, which is the #1 most added song at R&B Adult radio, is highlighted by Ross’s effortless flow and Lennox’s sweet and soulful melodies, as she sings “let’s make this a good life even through the bad times,” a mantra that resonates loudly today.  Also included on the EP will be "No Love" co-written by Sebastian Kole (Alessia Cara) and Trey Campbell (Ella Mai), which Skip worked on with legendary mentor and Miami family friend Betty Wright, who passed away earlier in May.  Its gritty reggae vibe samples Wu-Tang Clan’s “Tearz,” a track from their 1993 LP, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).  The 7-track EPalso contain “That’s Not True,” a collabo featuring Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley (Skip’s uncle) and the opening title track, “Higher Place” which features music legend and Skip’s grandfather, Bob Marley.

Skip has earned critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Fader, Hypebeast, 

Vibe, and others.  Most recently during the quarantine, Skip has performed acoustic sets for the launch of the Essence Music Monday series, 

Billboard Live, Global Citizen & World Health Organization and most recently shared the stage with The Wailers, Cedella Marley, Pedró Capó, Rauw Alejandro, Camilo and Kany García for a an opening performance on the 17th Annual Premios Juventud. - words by Tuff Gong International

Listen to Higher Place on Spotify. Skip Marley · Album · 2020 · 7 songs.

Xterminator: Earth Feel It

VP Records revisits the reggae legacy of Fatis Burrell's Xterminator label with a special Record Store Day singles collection, Earth Feel It, featuring Beres Hammond, Dennis Brown, Marcia Griffiths, Luciano, Sizzla, and more...

Available on Record Store Day, August 29, 2020 (rescheduled from April 2020) - Earth Feel It is a reggae 45 collector's dream, a beautifully packaged, 7X7-inch vinyl box set of deep cuts, rarities, and previously unreleased recordings from Fatis Burrell's iconic reggae and dancehall label Xterminator.

The collection, which spans 1993-2009, was drawn in part from XTM.Nation's two-volume digital releases, Fatis Tapes In The Oven Vols. 1 & 2; from unissued recordings in the VP Records archives; and also includes several deep cuts not previously available on the 7-inch format.

The title is taken from the topical track "Earth Feel It" by Chezidek and also features Dennis Brown's rare 1990s remake of his Studio One hit "No Man Is An Island," Marcia Griffith's deep roots burner "Jah Is," Luciano's heartful adaptation of eden ahbez's "Nature Boy," Beres Hammond's "What A Gwan" (from Full Attention); plus tracks from Sizzla ("Hail Selassie" and "Distance Away"), Turbulence ("You Never Been There" and "True Story"), Nadine Sutherland ("Don't Throw Pearls"), Gott-Yo ("Jah Protect Me"), and Singing Cologne ("Do Some Good"). While five of the seven singles are double A-sides, two feature signature Xterminator / Firehouse Crew dub mixes.

This set was compiled by vinyl specialist DJ Carter Van Pelt, curator of VP's acclaimed Down In Jamaica 40-year retrospective box set. The deluxe album package was hand illustrated by Costantinos Pissourios and includes a 14-inch by 14-inch poster of the original cover art, plus liner notes.

Eesah - Irie

Lovin’ the vibe inna the Caribbean... “Irie”, the second single from Eesah’s upcoming project Ghetto Sunset with DJ-Producer / tastemaker King I-Vier and 3x Grammy Nominated production duo Loud City Music.

After the release off the gritty track "Move" (the first single of the project), "Irie" depicts the more enjoyable side of growing up in Kingston, Jamaica. A feel good track to help full-joy the last days of summer during this insane year. Dat bad Eesah “feeling irie” inna sweet, sweet Jamdown. - words by Musical Impact

Ikaya - All Woman

One of the most soul-filled voices performing in our genre belongs to Ikaya.  This certified songstress has the votes of fans and the fraternity because her music speaks to and resonates in our hearts.  Her discography includes notable songs such as “Ugly Girl,” “Leave You Alone” featuring Jesse Royal and “Hard Way.”  Today Ikaya adds another notable song to her catalog.

“All Woman” is an undeniable anthem.  The song comes from the Reggae Gold 2020 compilation disc due to be released August 28th, 2020 by VP Records.

Produced by Jeremy Harding, Ikaya sings lyrics that are hard to deny: “Woke up this morning in the same black skin / No makeup, no weave, mi nuh got no tracks in / Feeling like a queen on this black hill / Don’t need your validation / A true empress within….”

“All Woman” empowers women from all walks of life.  The song celebrates the way we look, how we speak, what we think and where we are from.  The song unifies us and reminds us that we have more in common than not, and dare I say, the song encourages men to love us just as we are too!

Sonically, you will savour Jeremy’s choice of contemporary one-drop to support Ikaya’s performance.  The bass line is progressive, like the footpath of women over the centuries, and the accent of the harp represents the softer feminine side.  The tap of the drumstick on the rim of the snare drum keeps the production on time and in-step.  This song will be on repeat!

Roots and Tings - All of This [Full Album]

Until embarking on the Roots & Tings project, the Bay Area based artists, Lateef, Jah Yzer and Winstrong have known each other separately for more than 10 years. Coming together for this project, a collaboration was immediately born as they clicked effortlessly over a relatively unstructured creative process on the new project. Lateef comments, “Roots & Tings came about as an organic evolution of an idea to do remixes for a mixtape, that led to more conversations and original ideas, which led to more songs.” He continues, “The name Roots & Tings came from the idea that the music should reflect the source, the soul- or the ‘Root’- of the music we were making, and all of the ways that we added on to those original ideas with new ideas and interpretations would be the ‘Tings’.”

The new record, All Of This was recorded primarily at Zoo Labs in Oakland, CA, and by the first session they had 9 songs laid down. Having now worked together for 3 years on this project and with almost 50 songs recorded, the trio are excited that they are finally putting forth their first full length project, All Of This, available August 21, 2020.

The Second Album, “TImeBomb” will be available before the Election

Junior Reid & Julian Marley - Mother Nature

Two titans of reggae Julian Marley and Junior Reid join forces on the lyrically social commentary track Mother Nature. Highlighting continuing issues of our treatment of  both the earth and ourselves. The track is a combined production of Breaking Expectations and J-Rod Records.

They enlisted the top flight mixing engineer Veer V. Dhaniram together with Background Vocalist Sherieta Lewis and Mastering genius Duane "Midilord" Summers. Cover Artwork was done by the talented Waleo Molere and Move With Time executed the creative lyric music video.

Kabaka Pyramid - Nice UP The Dance

Kabaka Pyramid has become an iconic artist representing the younger generation of performing artists.  The enthusiasm he brings to his artistry, and his fierce lyrical word play make him one of the most respected creators of music.  If you have ever attended one of his shows (when show did ah keep), you know that fans get into his lyrics and sing them as if they wrote the phrases!

“Nice Up The Dance” showcases Kabaka’s respect for two icons who came before him (Michigan & Smiley).  The track is also the second release from the Jeremy Harding produced compilation, Dancehall Anthems, for VP Records.  The projects official release date is October 9th, 2020.

Performed to a remake of the Real Rock riddim, Kabaka’s version incorporates original lyrics and brings the song into a contemporary context with slight lyrical edits that come een like weapons!  Not only will this vibes-filled chune nice up your speakers and earphones, the music video will have you glued to your smartphone!  The visually rich video was shot in Jamaica; produced by Davida-Mae Chambers and directed by 300K, and will be released in the next few days.

Dancehall Anthems is a collection of new recordings of classic reggae and dancehall songs. Dancehall Anthems features Kabaka Pyramid, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Agent Sasco, Wayne Marshall, Runkus, Blvk H3ro, Bugle, and Royal Blu among others, taking on classic material from Yellowman, Michigan & Smiley, Ken Boothe, Tenor Saw, Papa San, Louie Culture, et al. The first track from the album was Beenie Man’s take on Yellowman’s “Zungguzungguguzungguzeng.”   

Kabaka Pyramid is one of the most celebrated and versatile MCs of the Reggae Revival movement, breaking out with the popular 2017 album Kontraband, produced by Damian Marley. Pyramid’s work shows a generational interest in hip-hop, integrating the MC’s flow with classic reggae and contemporary dancehall rhythms.

In addition to "Who Am I," Jeremy Harding is known for Mr. Vegas's "Nike Air" and Sean Paul's "Infiltrate" (Playground riddim); and Tanto Metro and Devonte's "Give It To Her" (Liquid riddim). Harding was Sean Paul's manager through the apex of his career and produced three tracks on the platinum Dutty Rock album, the biggest selling title in VP Records' history. More recently Harding produced "Heaven" for Jah9, found on her "Note To Self" album.  

Bobby Hustle X Yung Tripp - Stories

I am so excited to present this project to you. “Stories” is a collection of seven songs written over the last two years. Every track was produced by my friend and longtime tour dj, Yungg Trip. As a producer, he comes from a Reggae, EDM and Future Dancehall background, but we both agreed that we love even more types of music. We talked a lot about how we could create a different sound that was authentic to who we were. I’ve been singing in a reggae style as long as I can remember singing, but these days if you were to see my personal playlists I bet you’d be surprised at the diversity. “Stories” is an attempt to blend some of the styles we love into a new sound.

With the exception of two tracks, it was mixed by my friend Dee Brown. I originally met Dee, who is a Grammy nominated recording/mixing engineer (YG/Kendrick Lamar etc.), through a mutual friend (shout out Dinga!) while I was stuck in Costa Rica in 2017. Flash forward three years and we link up in Los Angeles, where we both now reside. Dee was kind enough to lend his ear to the project and I’m forever grateful for the help.

I want to thank a few more people. Thanks to our bro in Spain, Andy Frenx, for his composition help and mixing work on “Late Nights” and “One Shot”. I’m happy we got to collaborate again!

Listen to Stories on Spotify. Bobby Hustle · Album · 2020 · 7 songs.

The last song on the project, “Pour Up (Campfire Mix)”, features my talented friend Jus Goodie on guitar. Thank you Goodie! you shelled it!!! Everybody go follow him and check his new songs as well.

Thank you to Lee Hook from Mad Light Creative in Italy for the mastering work and positive feedback throughout the finishing process.

It might sound cliche, but it’s true. We are independent artists, but it takes a community of people to manifest an idea. Now, we give it to an even greater community of our friends and fans.

Anyways, “Stories” is my latest offering to you. I hope you give it a chance and love it as much as we do!! http://smarturl.it/StoriesAlbum

Protoje announces new album + singles

The second single from Protoje's 5th Album "In Search of Lost Time" due to be released August 28th. Pre-order link https://smarturl.it/InSearchOfLostTime

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Kabaka Pyramid - Energy

The follow-up to ‘Babylon Falling’ Kabaka Pyramid solidifies his presence as a top-notch lyricist willing to tackle the topics of economic and systemic oppresison.