dancehall

Robbie Shakespeare, one half of the influential rhythm duo Sly and Robbie, has died. He was 68.

A new book about '90s dancehall is to be released next month.

'Run The Riddim: The Untold Story Of '90s Dancehall To The World' sees London-based writer Marvin Sparks, who is of Jamaican heritage, look at the origins, and the highs and lows, of the genre through his own experiences, as well as through some of the decade's most essential dancehall riddims. The book will be published through Sparks' own NoLongStories.

His observations, and the book as a whole, have been pieced together from interviews with more than 30 DJs, producers and other figures from the dancehall scene.

Jamaican-born dancehall legend Louie Rankin has died in a car crash. He was 61.

The Associated Press reports that Rankin was in a vehicle that was hit by a transport truck in Ontario, Canada. Police say that he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gaika will headline Roundhouse Rising Festival 2019 with a ten-piece ensemble. 

South London's rising star of dancehall-experimental beats, who dropped a startlingly fresh mixtape in May and played MUTEK San Francisco the same month, will be joined on stage by live musicians led by composer Jason Yarde. 

Major Lazer have shared a video for their new single, 'Make It Hot'.

The track features vocals from Brazilian superstar Anitta, giving the outfit's dancehall beats extra life. It's the second time Anitta has worked with the electronic supergroup following 'Sua Cara' back in 2017— which went on to become the fastest YouTube video to reach 1million views, hitting the 25million mark within 24 hours.

Major Lazer have dropped a new video for the single 'Watch Out For This', which features Busy Signal, The Flexican and FS Green. 

The clip has been directed by Jay Will, a friend of the electronic group, who is based in the Jamaican capital of Kingston, where the whole lot was shot. 

Unsurprisingly, then, choreography and sounds— not least those dub sirens— have been inspired by the dancehall scene, with an archive 1990s JBC radio recording, including the voice of legendary announcer Barry G, kicking things off. 

Major Lazer have dropped a video for their new track, ‘Tied Up’. 

The clip arrived this week and is the second to accompany a tune from the 30-minute ‘Afrobeats’ mixtape recently released by the trio, AKA Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire, which showcases some of their favourite African artists. It's also the next instalment in the “new music month” they announced early-September.