Toppa Top 10: The Year’s Best Dancehall Singles

Words by Jesse Serwer, DJ Theory and Emily Shapiro

There was no exact science to compiling this list—it’s a mixture of the year’s biggest dancehall tunes, and some of our personal favorites. By no one’s estimation was it a banner year for dancehall. No singles crossed over into the mainstream and only a small handful of tunes blew our mind. The fact that the biggest dancehall reaction record at the current moment is probably Beenie Man’s “Rum and Red Bull,” released back in 2010, pretty much says it all. There were a few gems that stood out from the pack, though—here are a few of them.

10. Mr. Vegas, “Bruk It Down”

As the year ends, this Vegas single has emerged as one of the most necessary club anthems in JA and NY. Lyrically, this is just your typical dance tune but the song’s climactic breakdown part and Vegas’ timeless vocal style elevate it beyond that status.

9. Dr. Evil (AKA Leftside), “Wine Up Your Body”

This song probably made less of an impact than anything else on this list, but Leftside quietly had a great year, hitting us with nuff quality tunes. This one, recorded in the voice of his Dr. Evil alter ego, on Kubiyashi Productions’ Ninety riddim (an underrated re-lick of the Haffi Fly Out riddim) was the best of these.

8. Shabba Ranks, “None A Dem”

A civil warning to the young bucks in dancehall today from the veteran deejay Shabba Ranks, this huge tune was also, somewhat ironically, an old-meets-new generation collab with young star producer, Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor. The second this tune dropped I knew it was trouble, with Shabba riding the massive Pepper Riddim in trademark fashion. Ranks makes it clear from the jump that he’s the original article, scolding younger artists, “how can you not rate those who come before you?”

7. I-Octane,”Badmind Fi Di Year”

Octane murdered this one, sending out a big middle finger to all those afflicted with badmind. After the success of late 2010’s highly infectious “No Love Inna Dem” and “Badder Than Them” with Zamunda on the Split Personality Riddim, Octane came back swinging in 2011. In addition to “Badmind Fi Di Year, he hit a few other big tunes this year like “Nuh Dream Bout Boy” and the dangerous “Nuh Ramp Wid Wi,” making sure the people know he’s not going anywhere in ’12.

6. Laza Morgan, “One By One”

5. Mavado, “Star Bwoy”

If there was any confusion about what it means to be a “Star Bwoy,” Mavado cleared it up with this single and its accompanying video, directed by Winston “Tyson” Mayhew. The Gully Gad demonstrates the life of a Star Bwoy; spending money, rolling with beautiful women and hanging out with music icons like Lil’ Kim and Wyclef Jean.

4. Vybz Kartel, “Bike Back (Ducati Batty)”/”Go Go Wine”

Back at the top of the year one might’ve figured this list would consist entirely of Kartel tunes. But then the tide turned, and here we are. Our favorite Di Teacha songs this year were non-single album tracks from his Dre Skull-produced Kingston Story but, on the club tip, the motorcycle-themed “Bike Back” and the strip club-minded “Go Go Wine” (from Kingston Story) spoke the loudest.

3. Stylo G, “Call Mi A Yardie”

One area where there was definitely some positive movement for dancehall was across the pond in the U.K. The biggest anthem to come out of England in some time, Stylo G’s “Call Mi A Yardie” made enough waves to warrant remixes from Canada’s Kardinal Offishall and Nigerian U.K. rapper Sneakbo (“Call Me A Naija”).

2. Popcaan, “Ravin”/“Clean”

Nothing reminds us of sunny days at the beach quite like the Summertime riddim and Popcaan’s “Ravin” was the hottest tune on it—not to mention the biggest hit to date from Vybz Kartel’s Gaza pupil/”Clarks” sidekick. While Popcaan recently followed up on the success of “Ravin'” with “Party Shot (Ravin Part 2),” another lighthearted song about hitting the club, our favorite tune from him this year was “Clean.” Popcaan’s vocal delivery and matching swagger sound undeniably clean over TJ Records’ minimal yet anthemic Snapback Riddim—This is how dancehall is supposed to be done.

1. Stephen Marley feat. Buju Banton and Damian Marley, “Jah Army”

Finally, six years after “Welcome to Jamrock,” Stephen Marley gave us the proper, lighter-raising sequel to his brother Damian’s cultural anthem “Welcome to Jamrock” we’ve been waiting on. Though it failed to score the mainstream crossover it deserved, “Jah Army” was massively well received by the core reggae/dancehall audience thanks in no small part to an arresting—and, for 2011, rare—turn from Buju Banton.

Honorebel Mention/Best Remix
Adele & Jamie XX vs. Cecile, Timberlee and Mr. Lexx—Rolling In The Heat (The Heatwave Remix)

Our very own Gabriel Heatwave over in the UK took this one to another dimension, skillfully blending Jamie XX’s remix of one of the biggest singles of the decade thus far with distinctive yardie vocals from Timberlee, Cecile & Mr Lexx. I (Theory) ran this tune every chance I got this year, and people always went nuttz for it regardless of the setting. (It probably didn’t hurt that that Diplo guy was playing it at festivals either.)  Jamie XX’s remix was already rather amazing, but The Heatwave really brought it to the club adding the necessary airhorns and elements of “Bubble Like Soup,” “Hot Like We“, “Bounce A Gal” and even the NOLA classic “Iko Iko.” Keep an eye on your girlfriend when this one drops…the ting maddd.