A month ago the blogosphere went crazy for Rihanna’s Gun, the new collaboration between super-hyped Miami reggae singer/songwriter Cris Cab and super-awesome Jamaican dancehall-turned-rap star Mavado. After some 70,000 plays on Soundcloud and radio airplay across the world, this week saw the release of the video featuring some fancy camera-work alongside the obligatory studio shots. Check the video for yourself above, whilst Perez Hilton, Soul Culture and Stupid Dope have already done their best to ensure you’ll be dancing to this wherever you are this weekend.

3:37 am  •  23 February 2012  •  1 note

Extra Curricular present The Heatwave at the Cellar this Saturday for what promises to be the biggest carnival party outside of the Caribbean. With all advanced tickets now sold out, there will be a limited batch available on the night at £7 a pop. With doors at 10pm, and local promo/DJ team Heavy Duty opening the proceedings, make sure you get down nice and early to avoid disappointment. At 11pm, we’ll be plugging in our shit and playing some big reggae/dancehall/dub/crossover tunes (Lord ‘av Mercy!) nicely warming up for arguably Europe’s biggest dancehall crew. At midnight The Heatwave smash the party to pieces with a two-hour set accompanied by MC Rubi Dan. Expect the baddest bashment, the sweetest soca and anything & everything in between. Read our previous article here, get on the Facebook page for more details, and check the video & latest radio show below to whet your appetite…

3:54 am  •  22 February 2012

In the year or so we’ve been running this website, we’ve made no excuse of our love for bashment. The clues in the name, right? But with so many decent local events often our attention is drawn towards Oxford gigs and away from the music we promised to cover. Today, we pick up on the dancehall tip with a focus on one of our favourite riddims from 2010; the fantastic Badda Don riddim. Click the Read More link below for the full audio-included focus.

Read More

8:02 am  •  21 February 2012

DJ Derek (pictured above, left) returns to the Cellar on Friday 2nd March alongside The Caroloregians for Oxford’s biggest reggae monthly residency, Skylakin’ Soundsystem. After a fantastic February session hosting The Drop and Mr Benn, ‘The Count’ continues the classic DJ/band combo that’s made his night’s one of the best in the city. For a measly fiver in advance, you get six hours of reggae, funk, dub and dancehall in Oxford’s best late-night venue; get on the Facebook page, invite your friends and kop your tickets, ‘cos it’s a night not to be missed.

DJ Derek returns after eight weeks away, a relatively long time for the 70-year old disk jockey with a clear attachment to the city. His appearace at Aidan’s Christmas session at Hi-Lo in December was his forth Oxford show of the year, always a drawing a big crowd. The Caroloregians hail from Belgium and pack a hefty funky reggae punch after touring across the US and Europe. Check out Rudie is Here to Stay from their 2008 record Pum Pum Hotel:

We were lucky to play alongside JSTAR and East Park Reggae Collective back at the December Skylarkin’ night, our first show outside of own Lord ‘av Mercy! sessions. Since then we’ve landed a monthly residency at The Library on Cowley Road on the last Friday of the month, shared the decks with Mungo’s Hi-Fi at the Bully, and this weekend join The Heatwave crew at the Cellar for a sold-out dancehall extravaganza; get on the Facebook and look out for more details this week.

3:21 am  •  20 February 2012

Recorded on the year of my birth, Tiger’s No Wanga Gut warns of the dangers of greed and gluttony in 1980s Jamaica, and is often cited as one of the first dancehall videos. Rolling on a deep bass dancehall riddim, the song title focuses on food (“dem sell out Marcus Garvey for rice and peas”) but the message runs deeper, urging listeners to think consciously and refrain from selfishness; strictly ital vibes (“no bother grudge nobody”). 

Sorry for the lack of updates this week. Next week we’ll have previews to some fantastic upcoming shows in Oxford, including Mad Professor, Iration Steppas, DJ Derek and a salivating lovers rock night at the Bully featuring Paul Dawkins playing classic tracks from his late-1970s British reggae group Tradition. As well as the local focus, we’ll throw in a look at the worldwide dancehall & reggae scene with new tunes, news, videos and features. Once again, thank you for your continued support. 

5:59 am  •  17 February 2012