"Boom Shack-A-Lak" is a song by British singer, songwriter andreggaedeejayApache Indian, released in August 1993 byIsland Records and also included on hisextended playNuff Vibes. The song was written by Steven Kapur (real name of Apache Indian) and gave him his biggest hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number five on theUK Singles Chart. The single and EP were also released worldwide, reaching the top 10 in both Ireland and the Netherlands while reaching the top 20 in Austria and New Zealand. It was nominated in the category for 12-Inch at theNAIRD 1994 and the music video won an award at the 1994 Black Music Awards.[3][4]
Larry Flick fromBillboard magazine described the song as "a wacky blend of gutturaltoasting and retro-pop shuffle beats." He felt the hook "has the potential to take up permanent residence in your brain, while the fun array of sound effects are sure to get those shoulders shakin' out of control." He also encouraged, "Seek it out and give it a whirl."[1]The Guardian called it a "cute" hit.[5] Andy Beevers fromMusic Week named it Pick of the Week in the category of Dance, declaring it as "a bounceyShaggy-style party track that is destined to get plenty of summertime radio play."[6]
David Quantick fromNME viewed it as "so jovial and bouncy".[7] Tony Cross fromSmash Hits gave it a full score of five out of five, naming it Best New Single. He wrote, "Trying not to wind your body down to this is like trying not to chew aRowntree's fruit pastille. Apache's belly-wriggler is fabber thanShabba and shaggier than Shaggy, and his Brummyraggamuffin beat is adance hall dream come true. Apache invites everybody to join him in one massiveragga party, putting hisBhangra roots on the back burner for the summer. A great record that will surely mean the big time at last for the Apache..."[2]
The accompanying music video for "Boom Shack-A-Lak" was directed by British film director, DJ and musicianDon Letts and produced by Frank Hilton for Gravity. It was released on 9 August 1993 and includes footage of Apache's hectic Indian tour.[8] The video won the Best Reggae Video award at the 1994 Black Music Awards inLondon.[4]
