Emily Shapiro, Author at LargeUp

LargeUp Premiere: Ricky Blaze’s New Single “Lightaz”

Brooklyn's own Fresh Prince, Ricky Blaze has been a player in New York's dancehall scene from a young age. He was making a name for himself at clubs in his teenage years and his hard work and early start ha... Read More...

Gyal a Jiggle: Watch a Dancehall Queen-Inspired Finnish Short Film

Words by Emily Shapiro— There is no question that when your average person thinks of dancehall, they think sex, whether it's Skerrit Bwoy in his daggering days or pumpum short-clad women from Sean Paul o... Read More...

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Interpretive Dancehall: Puma Dance Dictionary x Dre Skull x Popcaan

In dancehall, there is a dance for pretty much every word, action and emotion in existence. You've got "difficult," "sufferer," "confused," even "shovel." One could probably speak in full sentences using on... Read More...

Fashion Fridays: Q+A with Mikaila Brown of Aliakim

Words and Interview by Emily Shapiro— Over the years, we’ve seen clothes to promote religious beliefs, shirts supporting political parties, and even ones promoting breaking celebrities out of jail. Many ... Read More...

Bruk-Up Cinema: “Flex is Kings” Documents Brooklyn’s Caribbean-Inspired Dance Movement

Words by Emily Shapiro— If you've been to a dancehall party in Brooklyn over the past 10 years (or a Rice and Peas), you've seen a flexor. They can contort their bodies in unnatural ways, glide and wave ... Read More...

Fashion Fridays: Aliakim’s “Revolutionary Chic”

Words by Emily Shapiro— When one thinks of glamour, the image of an AK-47 is not usually what pops into your mind. However, bad gyal, designer, intellectual and activist Mikaila Brown has managed to make... Read More...

Pure Vibes: Watch Tarrus Riley’s Video for “Gimme Likkle One Drop”

Words by Emily Shapiro, Photo: DSE Media— — We've got the cure for any mid-week blues you might be feeling today. Tarrus Riley has released a new video for his Chimey Records chune "Gimme Likkle One Drop"... Read More...

Forward March: Watch Protoje’s Video for “I&I”

Words by Emily Shapiro— Protoje has released a new video for his latest 8 Year Affair single "I&I" and we have to commend him for this unique project. The video follows a group of Jamaican youth and ... Read More...

Pon Di Stage: Cedella Marley’s “Three Little Birds” Becomes A Play

Words by Emily Shapiro— Last year, we chatted with Cedella Marley about her amazing and inspiring children’s literature. We talked about the importance of sharing her father’s messages with the youth and... Read More...

Yardie Vision: Watch Stylo G’s Sound Bwoy” Video

Words by Emily Shapiro— Stylo G has been on the up and up as one of the UK's most popular dancehall artists for a while now, with tunes like "Winter Swag" and "Call Mi a Yardie" getting plenty of play on... Read More...

Manicures + An Interview with Designer Samantha (Sammy B) Black

Words by Emily Shapiro Photos by Kevin Ornelas There’s no doubt, when watching an episode of Project Runway’s season 11, that Samantha Black is the one to know. Along with her fresh design aesthetic and uni... Read More...

Di Ting ‘Tun Up’: Watch Mr. Vegas’ New Video

Words by Emily Shapiro— Mr. Vegas' "Party Tun Up" has been heating up clubs for a while and now the song—Vegas' biggest since "Bruk it Down"—has an official video. And, much like the "Bruk It Down" video... Read More...

Author Emily Shapiro