Fashion Fridays: Alpha Boys School 2014 Summer Lookbook
Jamaica's Alpha Boys School launches a 2014 Summer Lookbook for its Alpha Wear JA fashion line featuring Chronixx, Yellowman and Konshens, among others.
Toppa Top 10: The Top Ten Summertime Festivals
Our annual look at the biggest and most notable Caribbean music-focused festivals happening around the world this summer.
Duppies and Vampires: A Haunted Reggae Top 10 For Halloween
Ten classic tunes from the dark side of reggae and dancehall covering vampires, ghosts and other undead themes.
Toppa Top 10: Raggamuffin Gangster Rap
Words by Jesse Serwer—
Back when Shabba and Super Cat were killing the game in the early '90s, the influence of dancehall could be felt throughout hip-hop. While East Coast rappers with Caribbean backg... Read More...
LargeUp Recommends: Alpha Boys School Radio
Words by Jesse Serwer—
The Alpha Boys School in Kingston, Jamaica is one of the most significant places in Jamaican music. The four original members of the Skatalites—Tommy McCook, Johnny “Dizzy” Moore, ... Read More...
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...
Mixtape Mondays: Douster’s “Inna Douster Style N Fashion” (LargeUp Premiere)
Words by Deejay Theory —
It's good to see French tropical/bass/club music maestro Douster moving fully in the dancehall arena with his newest project—a wicked, four- track EP featuring the fresh voices of JA... Read More...
Fashion Fridays: Alpha Boys School, the Birthplace of Ska, Gets Its Own T-Shirts
Words by Jesse Serwer, Photos by Martei Korley—
The Alpha Boys School in Kingston, Jamaica is generally acknowledged as the birthplace of ska music. The four original members of the Skatalites—Tommy McCo... Read More...
Album Stream + CD Giveaway: Yellowman’s “Young, Gifted & Yellow”
Words by Jesse Serwer—
Young, Gifted & Yellow is the name of VP Records/17 North Parade's new Yellowman anthology. The disc, the title of which slyly references Nina Simone's classic "Young, Gifted &... Read More...
Toppa Top 15: Edward Seaga Selects 15 Jamaican Music Classics
Words by Edward Seaga, Daddy Lion Chandell, Donald Clive Davidson and Roy Black—
Whatever your views of Edward Seaga's politics, his contributions to Jamaica's dynamic music industry are indisputable. ... Read More...
Throwback Thursdays: General Trees, “Eye No See”
Words by Simone Serwer—
In the late 80s, my family began revisiting Jamaica for the first time since we'd immigrated to South Florida in 1980. Before these trips back to my birthplace, my cultural herita... Read More...
Visual Culture: Art in the Dancehall
Words by Emily Shapiro—
When dancehall music bust in the 1980's, with it came a new style of art and design. Album covers reflected the music's raw sensibilities with over-the-top cartoons and imagery, w... Read More...