Did you Know Shabba Ranks did a cover of a Beatles' Song

Whats popping, my music family. We went back in time for this hardly known about gem. Everyone in reggae land knows the  original " Mr. Loverman" "The Emperor ", "A Mi Man" "Dutty Stintking Shabba Ranks" aka  Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon, arguably in the late 80 and early 90 the most popular Jamaican artist in the world.  Known for his hits "Mr. Loverman". "Housecall" with Maxi Priest, "Slow and Sexy" with Johnny Gill, "Respect", "Pirates Anthem", "Trailer Load A Girls", "Wicked inna Bed", "Caan Dun", and "Ting A Ling" and many more  hits.  He won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1992 for As Raw as Ever and in 1993 for X-tra Naked.^[

Little known fact do you  know he did a cover version of a classic Beatles song "She's a Woman." Well almost he did a DJ  feature on the cover but thats qualifies as part of the cover ....it was music magic  

The  song "She's a Woman" was recorded by Scritti Politti a British punk and pop band back in 1991 with featured guest vocals from Shabba Ranks, the song became a UK Top 20 single, song.  

But lawwwd have mercy when  a remix version by dance collective Apollo 440  was  released the song really took off  Here is Shabba Mr Loverman on di track....maaaad.

 

 If you want to here the original with more of Green Gartside's vocals pree this version, but we like Shabba vocals on the remix more

 

Music never Looked this Good

Well the pandemic has really changed things. As we in Jamaica would say you sometimes have to " tun yuh hand fi mek fashion" Or since the buzz word is "pivot" likewise the DJ world has been forced to pivot as they are not able to play at parties, festivals  and clubs like they used to have have found some mad creative ways to showcase their skills.

Discovered they are now shooting their sets from some really awesome locations. the music is EDM which really enhances the visuals. Check out a few of our favourites, firstly Juicy M from the picturesque Siruana Spain

Looking and sounding mad gooood

 

Then if you liked the 1st one check out Sub Focus and Wilkinson  live from  Dorset England (Drum n Bass Style). This one it has lights, fog machines, drones ..man Music never looked this good...maaaaaad

 

When the BBC theme gets the cool treatment

Mashups is the new "hot ticket' I'm sure you heard and seen the social media influence of "Sunshine (The light)" by Orlando's DJ Amorphous. The single featuring Luther Vandross "Never too Much " and Rhianna "Kiss it Better" which went on to become the groovy party hit for for Fat Joe. 

On the heels of this hit there is one mash up that blew me away. We all now the BBC news theme but who knew it could be remixed to sound become a Mad cool dance hit  

Meet Ben Howell aka Ben H, a DJ  from Glasgow, Scotland. So the mix was made while on lock down during the pandemic he used his Garage Band to recreate the theme and then remixed it with Dua Lipas's Hallucinate. The result Mad Musical Magic. 

Don't be surprised if you hear this one at your club ... as soon as this pandemic allows  the parties to restart and opens up its doors again.

Truly a Mad Moment in Music!!!

Christian Music never sounds this Devilishly Good

I know I know,  Christians and Devils  doesn't seem like a  good mix in music, but just give it a listen. I found this artist  who is mad talented and his beats and production are Str8 fire. 

Raise your right hand if you ever heard the music of NF.   

His name is Nathan Feurestein but performing  under his initials NF, he is a rapper with a purpose  with incredible word play, delivery and introspective lyrics  and his cadence on these beats will BLOW you away

No newcomer he has released five studio albums and won several several accolades, some of which include: the Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year (Therapy Session); and  a triple-platinum certified single in the United States which also charted internationally ("Let You Down").

Check out his latest Video Clouds" which speaks for itself,     

No surprise his  idol is Eminem , apart from the obviously characteristic similarity, his melodies , cadence , delivery and metphors are just on point. I though I was watching Eminem 2.0.

 The man badd...no lie ,possibly if he was in the secular world he would be a bigger star. but no shame in the game, talent is talent  If you like his style check out this other video

Maaaad Music MifiTellYuh

Bunny Wailer the Biggest Song you Didn't realize He Wrote

Whaddup Mad Music fans, this week saw the tragic passing of another reggae icon, Bunny Livingston "Jah B" the original Wailer, may his musical soul rest in peace. 

But in all the tributes to his musical legacy there is one song that most may have forgotten, yet it may be the biggest and most successful song he ever wrote and sung. Can you guess?  

Yes it is Electric Boogie which inspired the Electric Slide Dance. It is now known more popularly by the cover version done by his good friend Marcia Griffiths (then a part of the I-Threes). The original was recorded in 1976 well before its time.

 

But it was re recorded by Marcia Griffiths in  1983, but it was really when the song was remixed in 1990 and featured on Griffiths album Carousel  that it truly shaat and became an international hit. Along with the accompanying Electric slide line dance it then built up to the musical juggernaut it is today. 

A staple at any wedding, block party or good old family reunion, this song never fails to draw people to the dance floor. Maaad

 

 

Protoje turning a Maroon?

What up Mad People, been off the radar for a minute. trying to decipher this crazy new Pandemic world. Thanks for all the feedback and well wishes, I am safe and sound and ready to  ready to rebound with a mad crazy sound

So Protoje is practicing rasta so  what's the connection with the Maroons. Well in Jamaica the buzz this week has been the election of the new Colonel of the Maroons Richard Currie. For those who might know the Maroons are a sovereign nation within Jamaica based on a peace treaty with the  British at the end of the Maroon war in 1740. The Maroons have maintained their  culture and history over the years and with election the new Colonel plans to reinstate some of their sovereignty.

But the real story is the picture of the new Colonel that is creating the buzz on social media , women from all over Jamaica ae talking about moving to Accompong Town  and re discovering their  maroon roots based on the handsome looks of the new chief . Some are calling him the Jamaican Back Panther and Wakanda.... I mean Accompong Forever.

But hold up this Maroon Chief has been hiding in plain sight. A good friend of reggae dancehall star Protoje  was even seen in the maroon community campaigning for him But no wonder they go waaaaay back. he sings about him in his mega hit with Popcaan "Like Royalty".

Pree now Colonel Currie in his Maroon look at  0:41   and   3:53 time mark of the video.

Maybe the chief will convince Proto to adopt Maroon as he is true identity

Strength we seh and loyalty........maaaad

Whats the party like in Ibiza!

Lets stay in the UK groove and bring up another British classic that probably is not well known stateside.......Skepta.....Annesia from way back in 2011

This video captures the essence of the Ibiza dance experience.

 Not even a battle of "wahhhta" (0:25 mark ) love the British accent

Love the chorus...Who you trying to diss.......Who did you fight with .....Who did you kiss,.... 

For those particularly interested Skepta apart from being one of the biggest British Rappers (see him also on the Grime remix of Hello-Good Morning by Diddy and Dirty Money ) is known for a very controversial music video "All over the House" Google it …...it is an eye opener....maaad

The Storm over STORMZY

Hey Mad Peeps, back at you again .Firstly I must admit I am a little late with this but yeah I heard Vossi Bop by Stromzy but  really didn't understand the musical magnitude of the Storm that is "Stromzy".

The Uk Grime rapper Stormzy is been hailed as a living music legend. I realized his depth and  reach  when he was the headline performer for the Glastonbury Festival in the UK, this is BIG a show whose previousl headlines  includes heavyweights like Beyoncé and Coldplay

So back to Vossi Bop I heard the song but only recently did I see the video and OMG the beat is hot , the mans got bars, the choreography is lit and the video is pure FIRE maaad. Look out for the little boy popping up throughout the video , maaad creative 



Well to understand the universal appeal of Stormzy you have to see his early videos , this video captures his street appeal and approach ability from 2015. UK Rap is  a little harder to follow  with the accent but TRUST, mad music is universal. #problem #merky. Low Budget but HIGH on Vibes



Then fast forward to 2020 now a superstar with real money for a real BIG video  together with Ed Sheeran( his good friend)  and Burna Boy ( Afro Beat  Don) on a  dancehall beat....maaad Stormzy we see u  duh you ting