Toppa Top 10: Pop Music Catches Reggae-itis 2000-2010

Words by Jason “J-Rockaz” Orford

Reggaeitus–it’s contagious! In the last decade there has been a growing pattern of songs that included (or attempted to include) elements of reggae. A slice of reggae pie with your bubblegum, if you will. There have been horrible tracks that blended about as well as you would expect the flavors of rumcake and bubblegum to compliment each other. But still–we’ve been blessed with some cool tunes as well.

10. Alicia Keys, “You Don’t Know My Name” Reggae Gold remix (2004)

This is my favorite although Alicia has other reggae remixes that followed, like “Ghetto story” with Cham and “No one.” I’m waiting to hear a “New York” version. Are you listening Mrs. Beatz??

9. John Legend & Buju Banton, “Can’t Be My Lover” (2009)

Yeah Johnny Boy, I see you rudebwoy! Keep it going, we’re looking forward
To a full on reggae album some day. Get the Roots and friends for the live show and Brooklyn a buss!.

8. Lil Wayne, “That Reggae Shit” (2007)

Wayne took a very impressive shot on the Cham “Ghetto Story riddim
produced by Dave Kelly—A for effort!

7. Anthony Hamilton, “Everybody” (2005)

I love this track…up there with some of the good old JA soul records of all time!

6. Gwen Stefani f. Eve “Rich Girl”  (2004)

Their remake of the 90s dancehall classic by Michie One and Luchie Lou gets all the girls movin—this probably would have happened sooner but Dre is probably the only rap cat who could afford to pay the royalties on the “Fiddler On the Roof” original. So it had to wait for him to get around to it and we know what kind of schedule he’s on: Detox coming in 2020!

5. MIMS f. Junior Reid & Cham “This is Why I’’m Hot” reggae remix (2007)

One was for the streets…a hot track indeed. Big up my boy MIMS,  one time!

4. Travie McCoy & Bruno Mars, “Billionaire” (2010)

Alright I have to admit this track grew on me. Especially after one
night hangin at a sports Bar in Murray Hill watching all those college
kids sing along…and have you seen all the amateure youTube covers of
the track? I want to be a billionaire too y’all, but not that bad though.

3. Melanie Fiona “Ay Yo” (2009)

I like this girl. Not just because we’re both Guyanese kids and not just
cause she’s hot! You’ll like her too. She’s already rockin with big
boys John Legend and the Roots. She’s that sweet voice on the title
track “Wake Up!

2. Jasmine Sullivan, “I Need You Bad” (2008)

This R&B lioness linked with rude gal producer Missy Elliot
to create a track that made a lot more folks pay attention to the
authentic sounds of reggae while giving us a sneak peak of one
direction the music can head in.

1. Paris Hilton, “Stars are Blind”  (2006)

Sink or swim (you guess which one) Paris does what she wants and laughs

all the way back to the bank and that’s ha ha ha hot.