Complex Blog » Dancehall

My Style & Design Inspirations: Major Lazer

bfred — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:46:59 +0000

In Complex’s 2009 Style & Design issue (on stands now!), we asked a variety of cultural tastemakers to list their “Inspirations”—things that are affecting their world now, and the things that they feel are going to have an impact moving forward. Representing the “Entertainment” section is none other than Major Lazer, the Jamaican commando and hero of the new Diplo & Switch album Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do (which Complex named The #2 Album of 2009…so far). Read on as the Major reveals his must-haves for an entertaining life…

G.I. JOE MOVIE
Back in ’84, mi fight inna zombie war alongside Sgt. Slaughter and Gen. Hawk. Dem bwoy deh ah mi bredren fi life, and mi glad fi see dem ah tun movie star now.

LIMING
Almost 10 year now me live ah Trinidad, an one ting people love fi do is ‘lime’ or ‘heng out,’ when dem jus cook some food and hol’ some drinks and have a good time.

ATI WEEKEND
Yaad mi born an’ grow, so every Jamaica Independence weekend I MUST BE DERE.

RUSKO ALBUM
Mi rate di yute Rusko. Dubstep ah gwaan big right now, and it ah gwaan bigga fi di summa.

VANS
Me nuh ave nuh sponsor (JAH AH MI SPONSOR!), but inna di summa time mi love wear Vans when me nuh inna mi military boot. Tell dem seh ah size 10 mi wear if dem waan mi feature di ting dem!

GHOSTBUSTA VIDEO GAME
Me nuh too inna di play games ting, but bwoy mek mi tell yu! Any game weh man ah shot ghost and dem ting deh, mi muss have it!

INTANET TV
Me nuh too inna di internet, but mi nah stop watch TV pon mi computa. Mi did ah watch Hulu inna Brooklyn but mi cyaan get it ah Trinidad—chaaaaa!

TERRY LYNN’S KINGSTONLOGIC
Terry di craziest ting outta yaad—after me, Major Lazer.

MAD DECENT SOUND SYSTEM
Diplo an Switch a tour out mi new record. Di vibes a go nice, suh anyweh dem de inna yu city, town, or country, mek sure seh ya check dem out, zeen?

Wake N’ Watch: Major Lazer f/ Vybz Kartel “Pon De Floor”

bfred — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:00:49 +0000

File this one under “collaborations we never thought we’d see”—for “Pon De Floor,” the latest single from Diplo and Switch’s dancehall project Major Lazer, the superproducers recruited Eric Wareheim from Adult Swim’s bizarro lo-fi comedy series Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! to direct the video. Set in a trippy, cartoonish suburbia, “Pon De Floor” features a sampling of Jamaica’s controversial, over-the-top “daggering” dance moves. *Cue America’s inevitable freakout when white children start pile driving each other at middle school dances.*

Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.

Who’s the Hottest Reggae Gold Girl?

prubin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:17:26 +0000

Today marks the release of Reggae Gold 2009, the 17th installment in VP Records’ peerless annual compilation. And sure, there are some of the year’s great tracks on there (Laden’s “Money Over War” is our personal favorite), but for reggae die-hards who already have most of the songs, the real draw is the covers. Not since the Game Recordings singles of the ’90s (shout out to Shecky Green!) has cover art been executed so flawlessly. To that end, we’ve collected our very favorite Reggae Gold (and sister compilation Soca Gold) cover girls, taken a look at some other work they’ve done, and opened it up to you. So take a good hard look and ask yourself: Who’s the dancehall (and one-drop, and lover’s rock) queen?

REGGAE GOLD 2003: NICOLE RICCA

Other Work:

REGGAE GOLD 2004: ESTHER BAXTER

Other Work:

DJ Treats’ Weekly Treats: MGMT, T-Pain & Ricky Blaze

treats — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:30:56 +0000

Each week, Complex’s resident music expert DJ Treats will be bringing you key tracks from a variety of genres. Click on a link below to hear the song and learn about the artist!

ALTERNATIVE/ROCK: MGMT feat. Jim Jones “Electric Feel (Remix)”

R&B: T-Pain “Sweet”

DANCEHALL: Ricky Blaze feat. Ron Browz “Feel Free”

ELECTRONICA/ROCK: The Hours “See the Light” (Calvin Harris Remix)

BRIT-POP: The Smiths “Pretty Girls Make Graves” (Troy Tate Version)

Tami Chynn Talks Akon Collabos & Jamaican Tabloids

treats — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:00:10 +0000

If Shaggy and Sean Paul were the pinnacle of the dancehall’s cross-over success in the mid-to-late ’90s, singer Tami Chynn has the potential to become the female equivalent today. With the exception of Rihanna, singers from the Caribbean have largely been unable to break out of the dancehall mold to achieve lasting success.

One thing’s for sure, it helps to have a major label backing the effort, which Universal did in 2006 when they released Tami Chynn’s debut Out Of Many One. While the rhythms were catchy and sexy to match Tami’s drop-dead-gorgeous looks, they catered to the raw, traditional riddim format of dancehall tracks. But for her sophomore follow-up, she’s going pop under the guidance of Akon and with the support of Steve Rifkin’s SRC label. Last week, Complex chopped it up with Tami about her new album Prima Donna, cat-calling in ATL, and becoming fodder for Jamaican tabloids…

Interview by Richard “DJ Treats” Dryden

Complex: So tell me how you ended up on SRC.

Tami Chynn: You want the real story or the fake one?

Complex: I want the real story.

Tami Chynn: [Laughs] I was originally signed to Cherry at Universal.

Complex: Cherry/Universal? I've never heard of that label.

Tami Chynn: It's actually on the West Coast. I actually released an album in Japan under that label. When it came down to my new album I wanted to work with Akon. And I moved over to the SRC side of the label, and Akon is also signed to SRC.

Complex: So it was your decision to go to SRC?

Tami Chynn: No, it was kind of like a joint decision between leaving Cherry at the time. Universal had split and it went to Rhythm Republic, Motown records, and it seemed like a good fit for me to be. I wanted to do the album with Akon. Especially with Doug Morris and Steve Rifkin who suggested that union, and it worked.

Complex: So what have you been doing since the last time we spoke?

Tami Chynn: Well basically, like I said, I released an album in Japan. You know there was a demand for it and I said, “Well I could either sit on this album or let it go and have it do something good.” The album actually did quite good over there, and then it came time for me to do the new album. We did one song, and we met up maybe six months after that and did the album with Red One in two and a half weeks.

Complex: What was your approach to this one in comparison to your first?

Tami Chynn: I really took the opportunity with this album to introduce myself. People hear Jamaica and they think reggae, and I'm not supposed to look like this, you know. There's some songs that have a dancehall feeling in there, but I'm going to do pop that's infiltrated with '80s.

Complex: The title is Prima Donna'what's the inspiration behind that title? Or are you just a fan of Madonna?

Tami Chynn: I'm really trying to change the vibe of a prima donna. People hear prima donna and they think diva. I really feel like I'm here to tell young girls and women all across the scale like, It’s okay to be confident. There's a fine line between confidence and cockiness but it's okay to be who you are. Like, it's actually okay'problems and all!

Hit “NEXT” to hear how Tami feels about dressing for men, and being a prima donna.

DJ Treats’ Weekly Treats: Kid Cudi, Paul McCartney & More

treats — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:07:16 +0000

Each week, Complex's resident music expert DJ Treats will be bringing you key tracks from a variety of genres. Click below to see this week’s choices !

RAP: Kid Cudi “Superboo”

ELECTRONICA: Paul McCartney a.k.a. The Fireman “Nothing Too Much Just Out of Sight”

ROCK: Fabrizo Moretti “No One’s Better Sake”

R&B: Robin Thicke feat. Mary J. Blige & Wale “Magic” (Mark Ronson Remix)

DANCEHALL: Elephant Man “Nuh Linga”

Vote For The Sexiest Reggae Gold Cover Girl

treats — Thu, 29 May 2008 21:49:42 +0000

One thing reggae fans can look forward to every summer is VP Records‘ annual release of their Reggae Gold series. The compilation, which has gathered the past year’s top hits since 1992, never disappoints (it helps that virtually every major reggae artist is already affiliated with the label).

And aside from the music, it’s always exciting to see the fly female that they choose to grace the cover. As we near the release of Reggae Gold 2008 on June 17th, we decided to compile all the covers from the last 10 years and let you decide which model looks the best. See them all after the jump and vote for the one you think is the baddest.

Reggae Gold: 1998

Reggae Gold: 1999

Reggae Gold: 2000

Reggae Gold: 2001

Reggae Gold: 2002

Reggae Gold: 2003

Reggae Gold: 2004

Reggae Gold: 2005

Reggae Gold: 2006

Reggae Gold: 2007

Reggae Gold: 2008

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Brand Profile: Riddim Driven Clothing

treats — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:07:54 +0000

We all know that clothes make the man. But when you’re Riddim Driven, the clothing line birthed by VP Records'the world’s largest reggae distributor'the music is the tailor. Over fifty years ago, the brand started by VP’s Patricia Chin was simply a line of T-shirts inspired by a monthly compilation series. That promo-tee style has come a long way, evolving into a full-fleged cut-and-sew line, drawing inspiration from the vibrant energy of the dancehall scene, plus a few design flares like the Herb Lubalin type-face for their signature “Roots, Rock, Reggae” tee. This fall, Riddim Driven’s new looks date back to the foundation of ska music and a rugged aviation style. See some samples after the jump.

[Click each image to view larger]

Robyn Jacks Cobra’s Dancehall Style

bfred — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:52:09 +0000

On Letterman last night, hipster guilty-pleasure Robyn performed her 2006 song “Cobrastyle,” a remake of the 2005 Teddybears Sthlm song, which is itself a complete jack of Cobra's 2001 dancehall anthem “Press Trigger.” This daisy chain opens up a huge can of worms for us, but since we're in the business of fellating any and all attempts at cultural cross-pollination, we figured we'd give it a shot. After the jump, hear the songs and read our full analysis.

On one hand, the “original” Teddybears song was done with Cobra (nee Mad Cobra, who you'd probably know from his 1992 song “Flex” during dancehall's first major-label Stateside invasion), so we can't exactly get all high-horsey about Scandinavian grafted devils jacking original man fi him badman chune deh. But yuh dun know, Robyn, if you're going to gank a song from one of the biggest crossover riddims of the decade (The Buzz, which also brought you Sean Paul's “Gimme The Light,” Sizzla's “Pump Up,” and three or four other hits), seems like you should at least try to get the words right. In “Press Trigger,” Cobra says:

Mi press trigger mi nuh press people button
Nuh bodda chat, come face mi with something

But Robyn turns that second line into something like “nobody chaffs,” which might be true, but sounds more like a mistake than anything else. The song's catchy, yeah, but when she brings in the Kid Rock “Bawitdabar” reference to boot, everything collapses into a big hipster wink at silly urban music. It's like Uffie jacking Audio Two on “Pop the Glock” or Ben Folds redoing “Bitches Ain't Shit.” On the scale of offensiveness, this all ranks somewhere between Sugar Ray-featuring-Supercat and Adrien Brody jumping around like a minstrel in a dreadlock wig on Saturday Night Live.

Robyn “Cobrastyle”

Teddybears Sthlm “Cobrastyle” (2005):

Cobra “Press Trigger” (2001)

Mavado’s New Video

treats — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:26:06 +0000

With a new song featuring Jay-Z burning up radio, the dancehall superstar doubles up this week releasing “Last Night,” the latest video from “Gangsta For Life: Mavado The Symphony of David Brooks.”

Go behind the scenes of the video shoot here.

Mavado’s “Last Night” Video Shoot

treats — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:09:14 +0000

Dancehall’s gangsta for life gets gully in the Little X directed video for “Last Night.” Blink and you’ll miss Bounty Killer’s cameo appearance in this behind-the-scenes-look from his self-titled debut, set in his dreary hometown of Cassava Piece Gully Side, Jamaica. Rumor has it, the Alliance (Bounty Killer, Mavado, Elephant Man, Aidonia) are prepping their super-group album due this year. Lick a shot.

[Hype TV > Dancehallreggae.com]

Flash Up Uno Lighters for ‘Reggae Uncensored’

complex — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:00:04 +0000

The world’s greatest entertainer, Dougie Fresh, said it best: “There would be no Hip Hop if there was no reggae.” So if you like Dancehall as much as us, you will be clamoring to get your hands on this new DVD that takes an unfiltered look into the increasingly popular genre of music where shooting guns in homage and making homemade flame throwers is perfectly acceptable. “Reggae Uncensored” is a 90 minute DVD that offers a behind the scenes look at Dancehall culture with off the cuff interviews and back-stage footage of some of the biggest names in the dance. And don’t worry if cyant always overstand what dem say, since there’s English subtitles “to cut through the thick Jamaican Patois.” Expect to see some Dancehall veterans like Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Sizzla Kalonji, Ninja Man, Junior Reid, Louie Ranking, as well as some emerging artists like Movado, Collie Budz, Ding Dong, Aidonia, Macka Diamond, and countless others. It’s set to drop at the end of this month. Check for the trailer after the jump.

Always Bouncing Back

treats — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 16:42:51 +0000

If the slogan “Shit Happens” had a spokesperson it could be dancehall superstar Beenie Man. His 2004 smash Back To Basics should have been a joyful exclamation point on a rich, varied, and controversial career. But the album was crafted in the months following a car accident in which Beenie sustained serious injuries; while he recovered, his longtime road manager and business partner was killed in a drive-by shooting. His new album, Undisputed, didn't find him in a more peaceful frame of mind. He recorded it following the losses of both his older brother and younger sister to what he calls “freak accidents,” and yet another senseless murder claiming friend and dancehall personality Bogle. But don't expect melancholy odes about those living in the sky. “You have to think about the people you love in a joyful way, not a sad or mournful way,” says Beenie.

For “The King Of Dancehall,” joyful equals doing what has always come naturally and celebrating life's more explicit ["illicit"?] pleasures. Building on Basics, blatant cross-genre-hopping is kept to a minimum with Brooke Valentine (”Dutty Wine”), Akon (”Girls”), and Scott Storch (”Jamaican Ting”) blending in with the slick, electronic rhythms from heavyweights like Don Corleon and Tony Kelly. Beenie lays his game down quite flat all over “Hmm Hmm” and “Dreaming of You,” and playfully brags, “International models me dating,” on “Girls.” “My World” adds to the surprisingly ecstatic mood, with Beenie and Lady Saw running tings over Jon Jon's sliding synths and staccato claps. “I've never been down or out or flopped,” Beenie says confidently. “For 13 years I'm standing firm.” Even when shit happens.

By Toshitaka Kondo
Photo by Steve Carty/Contour Photos

Sight For Sore Eyes

treats — Fri, 05 May 2006 23:21:25 +0000

Though the weather in New York has been sporadically wet, we’ve been experiencing a major drought in the dating department. Today the floodgates opened, when up and coming dancehall superstar Tami Chynn strolled through our offices. The formal meet and greet with the Universal Records signee randomly lead to lunch at NYC's Jamaican eatery Negril, where we were left smitten by Tami's sweetness. Groupie love? Yeah, so what? But peep game'we didn't get the number, but with some photos of Tami and a link to her Myspace page, we’ve only just begun.

We’re sure she gets tons of requests a day, but what’s one more?

Smiles, from ear to ear.

Yep, she’s on Myspace too.