Words by Jonathan Cunningham
10. Busy Signal, “One More Night.”
Only Busy would dip into the music well of Phil Collins and turn an ’80s pop ballad into a 2010 reheated classic. This song tore up dance floors around the globe from the moment it was released and captured the ear of hardcore reggae fans as well as those who never pay attention to the genre. That’s not easy to do, but Busy made it happen.
9. Gappy Ranks, “Pumpkin Belly.”
It takes a lot of courage for a 27-year-old who cut his teeth in London’s pirate radio scene to voice over a classic Toots & the Maytals riddim–while stealing the title of a song straight from Tenor Saw.
8. Romain Virgo, “Dark Skin Girl.”
Romain shows off his rich voice over a tune that big ups dark-skin girls all over the world. It’s not just a Jamaican thing–despite the lyrics–as women from Cambodia to India and beyond could embrace this one. It’s also the type of contemporary lovers rock tune that men and women can both love.
7. Jah Cure f. Rick Ross and Mavado, “Like I See It.”
Jah Cure has to make good on his SoBe Entertainment affiliation once a year so it’s no surprise that he did a track featuring Miami artist Rick Ross. What is surprising however is that the tune wins. And since both Jah Cure and Mavado have troubles entering the United States, the line “we don’t need no visas to come through your speakers,” bears extra weight.
6. Mavado, “Nine Life.”
This is one of Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor’s best riddims of 2010. Considering how gully Mavado typically chats on the bulk of his songs, it’s good to hear his more humble side as he acknowledges that “righteousness must prevail.”
5. Assassin, “Dancehall Again.”
This tune goes straight at all of the Jamaican artists that sound a bit too Jamerican for their own good. Assassin gets straight to the point: “Stagalag, Real Rock, Pepperseed, and Giggy /Nuff a dem rap like Tupac and Biggie/New York represented by Jay-Z and Diddy/But I and I represent Kingston city.” The Daseca production team also created a serious throwback riddim with this track and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was straight out of 1989.
4. Busy Signal, “How You Bad So.”
Busy had a banner year and created songs across various genres but this is probably his best straight up dancehall tune of 2010.
3. Etana, “Happy Heart.”
Etana has a way of bringing the necessary female energy to reggae culture that’s needed without playing into any slackness. “Happy Heart” is a subtle yet sexy love song that’s honest without being cheesy.
2. Vybz Kartel f. Popcaan and Gaza Slim, “Clarks.”
Not since Wu-Tang Clan started bigging up Wallabees over a decade ago has one musician given Clarks so much play. The song also tore up dancehalls consistently across the reggae world and is one of the best big tunes of the year.
1. Gappy Ranks, “Longtime.”
There hasn’t been a consistent top reggae star out of England in awhile and rookie of the year Gappy Ranks seems poised to change that. This single from earlier this year wasn’t even on his stellar Put The Stereo On yet it still kicked ass and helped make Gappy’s neighborhood of Harlesden look good.
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