Toppa Top 10: Teddy King & DJ Gravy’s Top ’90s Hip-Hop x Dancehall Remixes

Words by Teddy King and DJ Gravy

Recently, our own DJ Gravy and DJ Teddy King of Boundless NY partnered on Back in Time, a mixtape gathering some of the best hiphop remixes of ’90s dancehall tunes. As you may (or may not) recall, in the ’90s it was fairly common practice for popular dancehall singles–especially ones by street-oriented artists like Bounty Killer, Supercat and Louie Rankin–to be remixed by replacing the original dancehall riddims with familiar hip-hop beats, theoretically enhancing the tunes’ crossover appeal in the States. In a few cases, such as Salaam Remi’s mix of Supercat’s “Ghetto Red Hot” and Lil Jon & Paul’s (yes, that Lil Jon) twist on Capleton’s “Tour,” these would go on to be the best known versions of these respective songs. More often, they simply became underground classics, encapsulating a time when there truly was a great exchange of ideas between hip-hop and dancehall. This kind of stuff is totally our shit, so we had Teddy and Gravy go back in time once more and run down their favorite tunes from the period (and the mixtape, specifically). —Jesse Serwer

Teddy King’s Top Five

5. Unknown Artist, “Do What You Want”
[audio:http://largeup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/2-09-Do-What-You-Want-White-Label-12_1.mp3|titles=2-09 Do What You Want – White Label 12_]

Another one so rare that it’s not even on Youtube. Years after this rare white label 12″ single, which features some exhortational deejaying over a beat blending elements of old school rap classics T Ski Valley’s “Catch the Beat” and the Fearless Four’s “Rockin’ It,” dropped in the ’90s, the artist remains unknown. Do you know who it is?

4. Terror Fabulous, “Women Say So (Remix)”

This incredible remix of Terror Fabulous’ “Women Say So,” over the ever-so-famous 90’s club track “Hey Mr. DJ” by Zhane, is a must-have club banger for DJs.

3. Louie Rankin with Red Hot Lover Tone, “Typewriter”

There’s so much spirit and soul in this underrated gem from Louie Rankin. Between the beat, a hip-hop update of dancehall’s seminal Stalag riddim, Louie’s  rhymes and swagger, and added guest Red Hot Lover Tone (of Trackmasters fame), this is truly an all-star track.

2. Sister Nancy, “Bam Bam (Stretch Armstrong Remix)”
[audio:http://largeup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/2-02-Bam-Bam-Stretch-Armstrong-Remix-Sister-Nancy1.mp3|titles=2-02 Bam Bam (Stretch Armstrong Remix) – Sister Nancy]

Years after pioneering female dancehall artist Sister Nancy dropped the classic “Bam Bam” in 1982, Stretch Armstrong, one of my early inspirations as a radio and mixtape DJ, remixed this timeless tune with a Golden Era 90’s feel. This one’s so rare it’s not even on Youtube, but you can stream it above (or just download it here with the rest of Back in Time).

1.Mega Banton, “Sound Boy Killing (Remix)”

This is my most favorite 90’s dancehall/hip-hop remix—Downtown NYC Reggae flavor at its freshest. Hip-hop heads know this beat as the instrumental from Black Moon’s “I Got Cha Opin” remix, with its sample of Barry White’s classic original,”Playing Your Game Baby.” (Ed’s Note: Nick Catchdubs went in on this tune in our “Throwback Thursdays” feature just last week)

DJ Gravy’s Top 5

5. Spragga Benz, “Dollyhouse”

“Mi nuh care if a sergeant or a general!” It doesn’t get much harder than this one. The always underrated Spragga’s lyrics and attitude make Puff, B.I.G., Kim and co.’s money talk seem pretty tame by comparison.

4. Born Jamericans, “Boom Shak A-Tak”

This was way ahead of its time–I wish these guys were still making records together. The way Edley Shine and Notch married reggae and hip-hop with the “Real Rock” bassline was so natural, and the name says it all: Born Jamericans!

3. Bounty Killer, “Eyes A Bleed”