"Boom Shack-A-Lak" is a song by British singer-songwriter and reggaeDJApache Indian, released in August 1993 by Mango Records and also included on his extended 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 the UK 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. The promotional video for the track won the Best Reggae Video award at the 1994 Black Music Awards in London.[1]
Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "a wacky blend of guttural toasting and retro-pop shuffle beats." He felt that "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."[2]The Guardian called it a "cute" hit.[3] Andy Beevers from Music Week named it Pick of the Week in the category of Dance, declaring it as "a bouncey Shaggy-style party track that is destined to get plenty of summertime radio play."[4]
David Quantick from NME viewed it as "so jovial and bouncy".[5] Tony Cross from Smash Hits gave it 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 a Rowntree's fruit pastille. Apache's belly-wriggler is fabber than Shabba and shaggier than Shaggy, and his Brummy raggamuffin beat is a dance hall dream come true. Apache invites everybody to join him in one massive ragga party, putting his Bhangra roots on the back burner for the summer. A great record that will surely mean the big time at last for the Apache..."[6]
