Latest news

You may have aksed yourself what happened (or better: didn´t happen..) here for quite some time. Answer is simple: We been pretty busy with a whole load of other projects and making a lil money to pay the bills etc.

Currently we consider a new concept and a relaunch of the whole site. There is no schedule available yet and it´s not even sure IF it will happen. At least we´re trying to find some spare time to update the site more often again, but that´s no promise too. So, just lean back and see whats happening..

Have a nice time and thanks to all of you who supported us in the past, present and future! Bless!

After the recent first release of the all new Lyric DVD Magazine a new episode is now available featuring Jah Cure, Gyptian and Bogle in a limited edition only and with exclusive video footage and interviews you´ve never seen before!
So make sure to grab your copy now!

Read on for preview-trailer!

Montego Bay, Jamaica - April 2006 - Irish and Chin, Inc. keeps the fire burning with their large scale sound clashes. Their World Clash series of events, which have become wildly popular over the past several years, attract thousands of people and continuously bring sound clash culture to the forefront.

New generation is stepping forward into a new decade - the official slogan for the 21. Summerjam Festival 2006 in Cologne Bay! After we just celebrated the 20th anniversary in 2005 we are heading into a new decate of another 20 years coming up. And who could lead into this new decade better than the sons and daughters of the artists that have been with us for the past 20 years!

Well, two things are quite noticeable in the run-up of this article:
First, we´re very happy to be able to welcome back one of our "long lost children", namely our editor "killaswitch", who should be pretty well-known to everyone who´s been with us any longer than two years. Second, he took the chance to make his debut with one of the rare releases that come from the african continent, called "African Rebel Music - Roots and Dancehall" and shows a good profile of contemporary african reggae music.

About to be released is PowPow Movements 6th Riddim named "First Sight". After it´s latest predecessor, the "Gladiator Riddim", which was a more Dancehall-oriented riddim, it´s now time again for a quieter lovers rock release featuring all well established "Powpow artists" as well as some fresh blood from Europe and Jamaica.
Please read on for review and Riddim-Megamix..

"Goodness Gracious - Reggae From Finland" presents Reggae, Dub and Ska from the deepest swamps of Finland. Fat Belt Records has gathered the best of Finnish reggae onto one album. The featured music stays true to the roots of Jamaican reggae. The album represents a variety of music from Finnish producers, singers and groups. All tracks are previously unreleased.

I guess the man himself needs no further introduction when we announce the latest release by Maguari Productions from Veteran Singer Echo Minott. More interesting may be the fact that "Roots of Dancehall - Anthology 1982-2005" is the first CD ever released by himself in cooperation with the aforementioned french based label.

Recently we obtained a copy of UK-based Marlon Bashments´ latest mix CD called "4 Seasons Dancehall Mix - Winter Addition" who already received highly-rated reviews on our site for his former submissions, namely the " Dancehall and Culture Mixes 2005" where you can also read more about himself. Read on for review, tracklisting and covers of his latest addition..

On October 10th 1977, Joseph Israel was born Joseph Montgomery Fennel in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. In Fayetteville, Arkansas Joseph's father opened a live music venue called "Jose's Restaurant and Club". Growing up, Joseph could often be found at the club engaging with the many musicians that would perform over the years. Joseph showed a natural calling for music from an early age.

The well known Rototom Sunsplash Festival band contest is open to all bands from every european country from now on! Terms and condition to inscribe are the same as for Italy, Germany and Austria so far. Deadline moved from 31st of December to the 28th of February.

Well, in preparation for one of the first german clashes that features an international set of artists - you maybe already heard of " Euro Sound War 2006" - each sound had the chance to give a ´lil interview and set their mark for the upcoming war. Read on for interviews and further information..

The in the GSA well-known duo Mono & Nikitaman coming from Austria and Germany are currently about to release their second album on the Rootdown Music label accompanied by a record release tour covering the whole GSA area. With over 350 gigs in the past and still more coming up, they´re known as a reggae combo with a huge stage experience delivering powerful shows and a huge crowd eagerly expecting their new 16 track studio release named "Für Immer". Read on for more details..

Reggae music and culture is bubbling, especially Dancehall. For years, the explosive art form has set standards and created trends. Now, the exciting genre is captured to the fullest in Lyric DVD Magazine, the first DVD Magazine dedicated to Reggae music and culture. This thrilling quarterly magazine brings Reggae/Dancehall to life with sensational footage of high energy concerts, events, in-depth and personal artist interviews, behind-the-scenes coverage and last but not least videos of top artists. The magazine’s premier issue shook the Reggae music industry, making it one of the genre’s hottest commodities.

Echo Minott was born Noel Phillips in 1963 and grew up in the Maverley area of Kingston, Jamaica. He started singing from an early age, appearing in local talent contests and school concerts.
His first break came in 1980 when he recorded the album "Youthman Vibration" for legendary producer Prince Jammy at the age of 17 years. This album wasn't released in Jamaica and appeared on the Starlight label based in London, U.K.

From the Minor7Flat5 label from spain, who already presented very attractive albums like the recent Anthony B. and Josie Mel releases, comes another hot release - "The Good, The Bad & The Blazin" a concept album for a virtual movie ft. Junior Kelly as "The Good", Bounty as "The Bad" and Capleton as "The Blazing" with 12 exclusive tracks completely reworked or re-recorded.

Read on for review and tracklists.

"The Scrucialists" the backup-band for swiss singjay Phenomden is probably nearly as famous in switzerland as germanys probabably most often-booked backing band, the "Far East Band". In contradiction to Far East, The Scrucialists are now about to present their first own album featuring a lot of well-known jamaican but also not so well-known german and swiss artists.

Read on for review and tracklists.

Roots Reggae lovers can again celebrate the availability of wonderful releases by independent artists and labels striving to provide alternatives to the toxic airwaves we are bombarded with. Mt. Nebo Records is honored to make available for purchase the brand new releases, "Crucial Reggae Vol. 2" (Various Artists) and "Healing" by Malika Madremana.

Again from the Rootdown Music camp comes Maxim with his own longplayer, now for nearly 3 years making a name in the german reggae scene. He is a younger singer with a lot of talent, already with some fame and live-presence due to touring with his label-mate - the german singjay Nosliw.

In case you´ve been missing the british dancehall scene a bit over the recent past, here´s the perfect recommendation from Claat.com to keep up with the latest british dancehall & culture blends because Marlon Bashment sent over his latest contributions for each category..

Update: ~11mins snippets of each mix included for registered users now!!

Well, watch out for and visit raggakings.net tonite (Friday, 21st, ~midnite CET) as it might be very likely that we have a live webcast featuring this years´ Worldclash Winner, namely Sentinel Sound themselves. If you live near Cologne, make sure to visit Stadtgarten, Cologne tonite as it´s going to be hottttt!!!

Please also watch this article for updates although it may be that we cannot update it while being at the event.

(Kingston, Jamaica) - Dancehall Diva Ce’Cile has a vibrant new tune out! While Ce’Cile has often been recognized for racy lyrics; this time she’s delivered a clean powerful provoking song on an old school Riddim. Musicians turned producers/artists Leftside & Esco laid down the newly made – Throwback Giggy Riddim off their Young Legends label distributed through VP Records. Ce'Cile's new song is appropriately titled "Hot like Dat".

(Kingston, Jamaica) - Dancehall singer Mr. Easy has carefully continued to record with top notch producers delivering unparallel songs about relationships, reality and also representing the island’s laid back ultra smooth rudebwoys. His song "Falling" from producer Don Corleon’s Seasons Riddim has experienced wide airplay across Jamaica since summer. The song has also found its way into the mix at mainstream radio, primarily on the East Coast; during a set that fuses TOK’s hit "Footprints" with other strong one drop releases.

After a long night LP international won the annual german Riddim-Soundclash held in Munich, Germany. Contestants this year were Immortal (UK), Caveman (JA), Supersonic (GER) and LP. First sound to go was Caveman with Immortal following in the next round. The final Dub fi Dub was between LP and Supersonic with a lean headstart by LP over Supersonic.

Congratulations to LP and riddim.de for organizing a great clash-night!

Even though we heard quite a good amount of really good mixes lately, there is always the one or other that you´ll play over and over again and probably never become fed up of. One good example of those is Basstone Soundcontrols´ "Hard Times - The Finest in Roots and Culture" Mix-CD with all essential tunes and riddims.

Read on for 12min mp3-snippet, review and playlist..