Double Barrel: Reggae Samples and Hip Hop Classics with DJ Gravy + Corey Chase (Mixtape)
The history of hip-hop is deep with sounds borrowed from Jamaica.
Toppa Top 10: Kanye West’s Most Jamaican Moments
Words by Richard "Treats" Dryden and Jesse Serwer—
Discussing the musical tone of his new album Yeezus in a rare interview with The New York Times, Kanye West spoke of “trap and drill” and “old Chicago h... Read More...
Heds and Dreds: Sterling Simms, Nas, Kanye + ’80s Dancehall Samples
Words by Jesse Serwer—
This week we're reviving our long-dormant hip-hop x reggae column Heds and Dreds to discuss the growing trend of '80s dancehall samples in rap songs.
Remember a few years back w... Read More...
Terror Fabulous Speaks: A Rare Interview with the Elusive ’90s Dancehall Star
Words by Sherman Escoffery
Photos by Martei Korley
In 1992, dancehall fans went crazy for what many thought was a second track by Buju Banton on the Bogle rhythm. The aggressive delivery, the cadence an... Read More...
Dust A Video Bwoy: Watch Kanye West’s “Mercy” Visuals
Words by Jesse Serwer—
Yesterday, we brought you the story of Super Beagle, the unsung but greatly talented Jamaican singer known for the '90s dancehall classic, "Dust A Sound Boy," a tune itself known ... Read More...
LargeUp Interview: Super Beagle on “Dust A Sound Bwoy” + Kanye’s “Mercy”
Words by Sherman Escoffery, Photos by Martei Korley—
As a teenager growing up in Kingston, my afterschool job was at Techniques Records, where I auditioned artists, sold records, and spent many evening... Read More...
Special Techniques: Winston Riley’s Ten Most Essential Tunes
Words by Jesse Serwer, Photo by David Corio—
As you may have heard, hugely influential and prolific Jamaican producer Winston Riley died last week. As both the producer behind the long-running Techniqu... Read More...