Dancehall spices it up with Latin flavour- Muy Caliente

I have noticed in recent times that maaad potential for a cross over hit with the top dancehall artists blending dancehall flavour into infectious latin pop songs. Jamaica and our Latin American neighbours already share a rich cultural history especially musical elements, so it it should be no surprise to mix the musical spices into the current dancehall latin sonic mash up. You are aware of Reggaeton and this is not the first time the fusion has been attempted, pioneers Sly and Robbie foray with Latreggae in the 90s is testament to its potential.

Now our foremost international artists Sean Paul and Shaggy have captured the vibe. DEM FIIIIIND IT, big ups to Sean Paul, love this song and the video its has all the elements that make for a great visuals, beautiful girls, great locations, football and a unique blend of salsa and dancehall dancing, we love it  maaaaad

Sean is the master of the melody, him and Popcaan have it locked, when the collabo coming. Anyways Enrique is your tune and the tune bad but Sean Paul stylings steals the song in my opinion
Then always on top of the game Shaggy just is gaining momentum  with is hit "I Need your Love" it was released from February 2014 but as it has now found its hit full potential the maaadly huge cross over tune had its video just released last week just in time for summer featuring Mohombi, Faydee and Costi,

If you had any doubts about the crossover potential of reggae culture of these songs just watch the movement and choreography in this Zumba video already hitting over quarter million views alone ...maaaaad..

Best Reggae Riddims Ever (Classic Edition)

On Wednesday was Bob Marley's birthday and this month we all celebrate Black History month and of course Reggae Month. So we figured lets go for something to celebrate all of these achievements.

We got a lot of feedback on our last best riddims feature and we painstakingly pointed out it was just the Dancehall Riddims (Vibes edition) and more was to come so here we go again this time Reggae riddims which we call the Best Reggae Riddims Ever (Classic Edition)

These riddims are considered Classic because of their intrinsic musicality, their longevity and just their inherent popularity. Some other sure signs that these songs are classics are:

• There are endless "lick over"or versions of these tracks.
• Non Jamaican artists use these tracks frequently to try and "reggae-ize" their songs 
• Constant use as samples in hip hop tracks.
• These songs are so timeless you can sing or DJ a modern song over it and it still sounds good
• Any Reggae DJ of any credibility must have one or all in their catalog
• These "chunes" can be pulled at any modern dancehall and still get ratings

And our Maaaad Winners are :

1. STALAG RIDDIM

A very popular riddim or rhythm, which produced by Winston Riley's Techniques label  and became popular in the 1970s. It was a foundation for dub instrumentals.

The rhythm also influenced early hip-hop, and can be recognized on Public Enemy's hit 'Don't Believe the Hype'. In 1980, reggae superstar Bob Marley's band The Wailers used the riddim as an introductory theme to the Uprising Tour concerts, with keyboardist Tyrone Downie chanting "Marley!" over the riddim while Marley comes to the stage (therefore the intro is commonly called "Marley Chant" among fans).

Hits include:
Ring the Alarm - Tenor Saw

2. SLENG TENG RIDDIM

The digital revolution was built around this riddim and it unquestionably started the digital dancehall era.
 
The riddim was voiced in the 90s and is the foundation and used also used in other genres like Dubstep and hip hop tracks. 

I had the privilege of going a while back to to Seaview Gardens and visiting the studio with Wayne Smith himself and the most amazing thing about his studio is its size, I kid you not, it is a least 5 feet by 3 feet you literary have to turn sideways to move through just enough for a voicing room and a mixing board but it is the birthplace of one of the most popular and easily recognized riddms to this day

3. THE REAL ROCK RIDDIM

The Real Rock from Studio One also very recognizable and very unforgettable, released in 1967 the instrumental was done by Sound Dimension, one of the in house bands of producer Coxsone Dodd

According to a 2004 New York Times article, Dodd considered the song his crowning achievement. 

Hits include  such classics as as Dennis Brown's Stop the Fussing and Fighting

4. PUNANNY

A minimal riddim that became and an enormous digital hit. Admiral Bailey voiced on this King Jammy's riddim in  1986  despite its sexual brashness it went on to define a Punanny hysteria with countless versions from every dancehall star and his cousin.


Hits include Needle Eye - Shabba Ranks,
Come back Sonia, Cocoa Tea

5. BAM BAM RIDDIM

Produced and arranged by Sly and Robbie this perennial hit still has currency today and is known for its infectious chant worldwide. Known as the Bam Bam or Murder She Wrote riddim it was released in 1992  and this is a true example of good music has endless legs.

Built around the 1966 festival winning song by Toots Hibbert & the Maytals " Bam Bam " 

The riddim pattern is also  credited as the  foundation for reggaeton rhythms .

Hits include Nardo Ranks Dem a Bleach


Honourable mentions goes to:
TEMPO RIDDIM

A stone cold classic digital riddim,created in Firehouse studio from King Tubby and crew! Anthony Red Rose's version is the definite and original ,but here are plenty good ones!
 Hits include  Tensor Saw"s Fever

Special Mention should go to these other outstanding riddims:
Mad Mad "Diseases" Riddim
Taxi Riddim

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad

Best Dancehall Riddims Ever (VIBES edition)

Today we have the 5 baddest Dancehall riddims ever, the Vibes edition, yes there are hundreds of riddims throughout the years, probably at least 10 new rididms released each week in Jamaica alone. Some become hits and some get forgotten on the wayside simply diluted by the shear volume of music being released in Jamaica. So we sat down and tried to pick out the standouts from over the years. We will have future lists but this list represents the riddims which have the most VIBES and maaaad energy.

When these riddims come on at any dance, sound system, club or anywhere in the world the response is always excitement and energy and invariably any DJ worth his salt can ride it. 

We found that all these riddims have some universal features:

1. Bennie or Bounty have to be on it

2.The riddim name has to be aggressive and

3. No less than 10 artists have recorded on it

4. The riddim causes uncontrollable head bobbing

So the baddest Dancehall Riddims of all times are:

1. Anger Management Riddim


The break out riddim of production gurus DASECA comprising Serani, David and Craig Harrisingh, a truly aggressive and energetic riddim, which among other things brought to the attention of the reggae world a then young rising star named Mavado.

2 . Showtime Riddim

The classic Dave Kelly produced  riddim is a staple of any DJ's catalogue with a simple crowd chant loop that became synonymous with the riddim that seemed to capture the feel and essence of dancehall. 

3. Dem Timed Deh Riddim,

This strong riddim produced by Leftside and Essco (when they were a production and performing duo) infused a new vibe into dancehall not seen before and inspiring the dance of that time "Tek Wey Yourself".


4. Benz and Bimmer Riddim,

Created by the infamous Sly and Robbie for East coast records producer Aiden Jones in 1996, it  features one of the roughest tunes the 5 Star General ever made also and Bennie Man in true gallis mode,"Gal dem way" The riddim is characterized by an orchestral introduction that leads into a booming bass and drum line....maaaad
 

5 Martial Arts riddim

Produced by Cordell "Skatta" Burell this riddim features a unique sample of clashing of samurai swords and a bass line that gives a feel of both lyrical and physical warfare akin to your favourite "kickas" film, The song best captures the frenzied energy is Sizzla Kolonji's " Fire bun de whole of Dem"

Honourable mention must go to the Mission Impossible riddim the timeless interpretation from Sly and Robbie has the distinction of officially having only having one recorded artist on it, Innocent Kru, who did it justice but every major artist wanting to voice on the riddim.