In this episode of Top Shelf Takes the Street, journalist Kristy Rose runs around Seaport Village in San Diego, California trying to educate out-of-towners about riddim reggae and see if they will dance. Stay tuned for more Top Shelf shenanigans in the months to come and watch for us on a street near you. Tags: web […]
Category Archives: Top Shelf Reggae
J Boog at The Observatory North Park | Top Shelf Reggae
As you walked up to The Observatory North Park's entrance on the night of Thursday, March 29th, you could clearly tell the J Boog show was sold out before you read it on the sign hanging from the Will Call window. A huge line wrapped around the side of the building, as people on the […]
The Movement at The Attic | Top Shelf Reggae
The night of March 28th, 2018 began with all of us 'certifed MVMT junkies' relaxing like royalty in the downstairs bar and lounge area of The Attic in downtown Ybor City of Tampa, FL. As we went our separate ways before the show began and openers Signal Fire hit the stage, The Movement members strolled […]
WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Jah Bouks “Trod On” | Top Shelf Reggae
Top Shelf Reggae is pleased to unveil the world premeire of Jah Bouks' latest music video, “Trod On”. The track consists of heavenly harmonies, African rhythms and diplomatic lyrics to render this year's greatest 'act right' anthem. Born in Winchester, a suburb of St. Thomas, Jamaica, Jah Bouks started playing music at age 12 to […]
3rd Annual Festival at the Farm takes form | Top Shelf Reggae
If you plan on being in Massachusetts on September 15th and 16th, then here’s the latest scoop: the 3rd Annual Festival at the Farm (FatF) will be returning to Prowse Farm in Canton this year, thanks to Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs and Six Chair Productions. The festival grounds are located on an expansive 44-acre […]
KAABOO Texas announced for 2019 | Top Shelf Reggae
Back in its fourth year at the famous Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego, California, KAABOO Del Mar marks the end of summer with an annual mid-September party too good to pass up. Boasting a 'rock-centered' focus, KAABOO brings forth all kinds of acts from nearly every musical genre – albeit, the finest – throughout […]
Long Beach Dub Allstars at SeaLegs | Top Shelf Reggae
SeaLegs at the Beach in Huntington Beach kicked off Season 3 of their Reggae Sunday’s on March 18th with Long Beach Dub Allstars, CAL1FA and Special C, hosted by Nug Radio and Vice TV's Ras Mike. Special C started the day off, getting everyone pumped and ready for the day. Then, Long Beach Dub Allstars […]
WORLD SINGLE PREMIERE: Brother Jerome “Hustle” | Top Shelf Reggae
New York-based reggae-fusion band Brother Jerome has officially launched their debut full-length album Progress as of today! In celebration of its release, this funky reggae four-piece is premiering on Top Shelf Reggae their inaugural single off the album, “Hustle” – a track about, well, hustling. In this life, we need to take time to smell […]
Reggae Rise Up Utah announces first-round artists | Top Shelf Reggae
Reggae Rise Up Utah is back in action with the first wave of artists announced for 2018! Taking place in the wooded glen of Heber City, Utah this August 24th-26th, Reggae Rise Up encourages camping onsite in tents, cabins and bungalows, allowing attendees the full festival experience as they walk between a Local Love Stage and […]
Kaya Fest Preparty at Garden Amp | Top Shelf Reggae
The 2nd Annual Kaya Festival may be right around the corner this April 28th and 29th, but the celebration of everthing herbal officially started as of March 24th with the Kaya Fest Preparty, hosted by Nug Radio and Vice TV's Ras Mike at Garden Grove's Garden Amphitheatre. With the sun high in the sky on […]
Tomorrows Bad Seeds release “Trinity” video | Top Shelf Reggae
SoCal scenery and postive vibrations overflow in the newest music video for “Trinity” from South Bay reggae-rock collective Tomorrows Bad Seeds. From their start in 2004, TBS has consistently been a cornerstone of the Cali reggae movement, combining reggae with rock with pop with hip hop to render one of the top sounds in the […]
Fortunate Youth at Glass House | Top Shelf Reggae
On March 15, 2018 Fortunate Youth’s Wicked Awesome Spring Tour with Tatanka and Ballyhoo! made a stop at the Glass House Concert Hall in Pamona, CA. Tatanka got the night started; it was my first time hearing them and I really enjoyed myself! Next, was Ballyhoo! and they were on fire, as always, even pulling […]
Mellow Mood “Large” album review | Top Shelf Reggae
Italy's premiere reggae roots band, Mellow Mood, is taking a stance against capitalism, materialism and fake news in their forthcoming full-length LP Large, out April 6th off La Tempesta Dub and Believe Distribution Services. Fueled with frustration over the current state of global affairs, this Italian five-piece is calling for unity, equality and, at the […]
Reggae in the Desert to hit Vegas | Top Shelf Reggae
Celebrate rhythms of the Caribbean with Ls Vegas' upcoming Reggae in the Desert! Back by popular demand, this island party is one full day of reggae fun at Nevada's Clark County Amphitheater kicking off at the crack of noon this June 9th, 2018. Like you needed another reason to flock to Viva Las Vegas, anyway… […]
Experiencing Reggae Rise Up Florida 2018 | Top Shelf Reggae
As I am sitting on a plane headed back to LA and reflecting on the past weekend at Reggae Rise Up Florida, I can’t help but feel inspired… and a little exhausted, but mostly inspired. As someone who has gone to many, many reggae festivals, I can tell you there is something special about Reggae […]
KAABOO Del Mar 2018 revealed | Top Shelf Reggae
Few festivals have escalated through the ranks as fast and ferocious as San Diego's KAABOO Del Mar. Over the past three years, KAABOO has been a milestone for the renowned Del Mar fairgrounds, welcoming only the best acts in music, comedy, cuisine and couture. Guests are dazzled the minute they step through the gates and […]
Josh Henrichs at The Observatory OC | Top Shelf Reggae
One February 24th, Josh Heinrichs headlined a sold-out show in the Constellation Room at The Observatory OC in Santa Ana, California. Josh was supported by opening bands White Glove Service and The Steppas, both of which got the packed crowd going and ready for Josh to take the stage. This was my first time seeing […]
Rototom 2018 announces second-wave artists | Top Shelf Reggae
Europe's most renowned reggae roots party Rototom Sunsplash is gearing up for 2018, with second-wave artists joining an already all star lineup. Situated beside the Mediterranean Sea, Rototom stretches seven days of pure reggae enjoyment on the sandy shores of Benicassim (Castellon, Spain). Ibiza might stand as the official party island of Spain, but an […]
Ben Barbic debuts “On My Mind” single | Top Shelf Reggae
Reggae solo artist Ben Barbic is back with his latest hip hoppy love ballad “On My Mind” off Rebel Sound Records. This is the first single for Barbic fans to enjoy since his full-length album The Takeoff took to the airwaves last November (following an EP release in June). Ben Barbic is certainly pumping out the […]
WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: M.D. & The Healers “Insane” | Top Shelf Reggae
New York-based reggae fusion band M.D. & The Healers are prescribing some political commentary in this world video premiere of “Insane”. The track is featured on the band's Welcome to Babylon EP that was released off Rebel Sound Records September 2017. Now, with America's governmental and economic issues clogging our airwaves, the band thought it was […]
Boomshaka Festival 2018 | Top Shelf Reggae
To say that the first annual Boomshaka Festival in San Diego, California was a success would be a massive understatement. Despite landing on a Monday holiday, this President's Day fest packed Valley View Casino Center with wall to wall attendees ready for a roots party to remember. Hosted by 94.9 radio personality DJ Carlos Culture, […]
New Town Kings gets political in “Borderline” video | Top Shelf Reggae
The UK's immigration policies are not too far from those of the United States, having a rigid stance on modern mass migration. As the immigration debate continues to spin its wheels, refugees get caught in the crossfire of a pissing contest between first-world nations, when really it boils down to 'are we going to help […]
Protoje presents “Bout Noon” lyric video | Top Shelf Reggae
Reggae revival artist Protoje unveils a taste of his upcoming album with the lyrical video for its fist single, “Bout Noon”, with animated visuals by Ikem Smith. This is the first new music Protoje has released since his premiere album Ancient Future launched his career back in 2015. Produced by Winta James and Lamont “Monty” Savory, […]
Arise Roots interviews at One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2018 | Top Shelf Reggae
Kristy Rose of Top Shelf Reggae got to chat with Arise Roots after their performance at One Love Cali Reggae Festival 2018 in Long Beach, CA. The band was in high demand, so this short and sweet interview highlights what's new for Arise Roots, what the band has up next and what they like to […]
A talk with Tyrone’s Jacket at One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2018 | Top Shelf Reggae
Kristy Rose of Top Shelf Reggae chatted with enigmatic and energetic band on the rise, Tyrone's Jacket, right after their performance at One Love Cali Reggae Festival 2018 in Long Beach, CA. Watch to find out what's next for the band, how Tyrone's Jacket came to be, what inspires their music and what their individual […]
Exploring the “Enter the DARENOTS” EP | Top Shelf Reggae
Canadian hip hop/reggae/industrial band DARENOTS are back with a vengeance in their latest EP, Enter the DARENOTS, available everywhere off LAW Records as of March 2nd. Following their inaugural full-length album The Now is Truth in 2016 and a three-song EP Strange Love last year, the DARENOTS boys are currently on the fast-track to becoming […]
Experiencing the 1st Annual Boomshaka Festival | Top Shelf Reggae
As numbing gusts of wind blew in every direction across the parking lot of San Diego’s Valley View Casino Center (formerly Sports Arena), Boomshaka Festival attendees quickly sought shelter inside on Monday February 19th, 2018. A festival on a Monday, you ask? Unorthodox, true, yet it did happen to be President’s Day – a day […]
Reggae Splash SD to set sail in May | Top Shelf Reggae
The biggest reggae boat party on the west coast is back Reggae Splash 2018! Embarking out onto the open ocean from downtown San Diego Saturday May 12th, Reggae Splash SD will feature three floors of music, three hours of unforgettable fun and more irie vibes than ever before. Although short and sweet, this is one […]
One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2018: Day One | Top Shelf Reggae
It was the morning of Saturday February 10th, 2018 along the Long Beach bay when the gates of the 3rd Annual One Love Cali Reggae Festival opened to greet attendees with loving arms. Just adjacent to the stoic Queen Mary shipliner, One Love Fest 2018 consisted of two stages, Flav and Main, with a walkway […]
Leilani Wolfgramm stuns with “Live Wire” album | Top Shelf Reggae
Soulful songstress Leilani Wolfgramm ignites passion, prose and purpose in her electrifying new album Live Wire, out today off Raleigh Records. Following two previous full-length LP’s I Burn (2013) and Rebel (2014), Wolfgramm’s third installment is well worth the four-year wait, and even that is an understatement. All the musical constituents that make up Live […]
Roots Of Creation to release “Grateful Dub” tribute album | Top Shelf Reggae
Roots of Creation (RoC) is an all-time, award-winning reggae-rock sensation! On March 9th, the band will be releasing another fantastic RoC full-length album called Grateful Dub off Bombshelter Records, bringing together their love for The Grateful Dead and painting popular Dead songs with their unique reggae dub style. This new Grateful Dub album is like […]
WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Mystic Roots “Remind Me” | Top Shelf Reggae
The five-piece reggae rock fusion Mystic Roots Band (MRB) from Chico, California is back with an infatuating video for their latest love ballad “Remind Me” off Roots Musician Records. A spin off of Naked Eye's 80's pop hit “(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me”, MRB hits nostalgia on the head in more ways than […]