Hott-Est! Busy Signal’s Toppa Top Tunes

Words by LargeUp Crew—

Other artists generate more hype but Busy Signal has, somewhat quietly, been dancehall’s most consistent and technically impressive deejay for over a half decade. Whether voicing soca riddims, bringing African and Latin flavors into dancehall or dropping a whole album of conscious reggae, the lyrically dexterous “Hott Ed” has proven he is a fearless experimenter able to adapt his flow to fit any musical style.

For all these reasons and more, we were bummed to think his career might be silenced, just as it was getting set to go to the next level via a primetime cameo on the new No Doubt record. Ever since we heard last week that he’ll be free, and back in action, by Christmas, we’ve been digging out our favorite Busy records in anticipation of his comeback. Here’s ten of the Busy tunes we rate the most—a mixture of signature hits and slept-on obscurities we just had to bring to your attention—plus a few “honorebel” mentions.

10.Wine Pon Di Edge

Busy’s catalog is deep with hits in every category of dancehall tune, from badman manifestos to dutty sex anthems to conscious culture songs. And of course, he’s had his share of tear-the-club-up girl/dance tunes, the best of which might just be “Wine Pon Di Edge,” one of many high points on his career-best 2008 album, Loaded.—Jesse Serwer

9. Pengaleng

You won’t hear too many DJs spin this one but they should: it’s a super addictive, uptempo song, with an attention-grabbing combination of African and jazz flavor. It’s also an example of how, even on his most dance-friendly songs, Busy always brings a heavy dose of lyrics.—DJ Gravy

8. Cool Baby

Toying around in the studio one day, Busy created Freestyle, the riddim that isn’t a riddim. The sequence of synth stabs, with no drums, would become the basis for another Busy song, “Cyaan Beat We,” (as well as Bling Dawg’s “Jamaica”) but it was the sublime “Cool Baby” that became one of the puzzle pieces that fit together to make Busy’s Loaded (2008) the most eclectic—and strongest—dancehall LP of its day. —Jesse Serwer

7. Too Much Gun

The vibe and major key on “Too Much Gun” gives it a deceivingly happy tone, but it’s actually a serious, yet lyrically playful, tune condemning wild shottas. It may take a few listens to really catch the lyrics, as Busy’s flow here is faster than Twista on meth, but “Too Much Gun” is worth pressing repeat on, as the lyrics are crazy: “If they could, dem would shoot God with the gun!” MAWD! —DJ Gravy

6. Tic Toc

Another very unusual sounding dancehall tune that appeared on ’08’s Loaded, “Tic Toc” was one of that album’s featured singles, and even got the attention of M.I.A., who appeared on a remix. With its East Asia-inspired riddim and female vocals, “Tic Toc” sounded like nothing else at the time of its release and still doesn’t, really. But it wasn’t so weird that it didn’t get strong dancefloor reactions from crowds of all types. —Jesse Serwer

5. Step Out

We can’t say with absolute certainty that it was his first single but “Step Out” was the first many people heard by Busy, putting him on the map and immediately establishing him as one of dancehall’s important new voices. The tune even got a few spins on New York radio behemoth Hot 97, planting Busy’s flag in the U.S. It wouldn’t be long for dancehall fans on this side of the water began to wonder, “why isn’t Busy coming to the U.S. to promote?” Now we know. —Jesse Serwer

4. Up In Her Belly

Busy took his international dance anthem game up to another level when he tapped into the global appeal of Sergio Mendes’ “Magalenha,” putting a singalong-friendly, yardie spin on the Brazilian classic. While it’s almost four years old, it still gets the reaction of a brand-new song at the club—and, if Brazilian or Portuguese people are in the crowd, forget about it. –DJ Gravy

3. Jail

You could tell just by listening to it that “Jail” was one of Busy’s most honest reality tunes, but it turned out to be more autobiographical than people even realized. The irony on this record is pretty, well… ironic. We’re just happy to hear that Hot Ed is getting out and hopefully never going back… again. This one gets a guaranteed forward in any crowd with legal offenders! —DJ Gravy

2. Da Style Deh

Unable to play the U.S., Busy Signal has instead focused much of his international efforts on the comparatively untapped African reggae market. His music has increasingly reflected this influence, most notably on the “Da Style Deh.” (See also: “Jafrican Ting,” et. al) Personally, I love spinning Douster’s trippy Dagger remix, a staple of my uptempo electro/dancehall segment, even more than the original. DJs are always either trying to shazam it, peeking over my shoulder to see what it is. —DJ Gravy

1. Unknown Number (Private Call)

Great artists find poetry in the mundane, and can make brilliant songs from topics typical artists would never find the lyrics in. Point in case:  “Unknown Number (Private Call).” The song’s premise involves communicating a truth shottas hold self-evident but which may be revelatory for those not living the life: Nah pick it up if it’s a private call, gangster nuh answer nuh private call! The result is an authentic badman tune and veritable gunshot salute magnet, without the threats and violence that usually goes along with the territory. Brilliant. —Jesse Serwer

“Black Belt”

As I said in my Fader columnn Ghetto Palms back when “Black Belt” dropped: “Busy again sets the standard for matching lyrics and concepts in dancehall on this little-known gem, stuttering and chopping up syllables hibachi-style—“Bone crush out like a fockin hippopotamus / so we rise the sh-sh-shotty fuss”—over a minimal RZA meets Dave Kelly track made almost solely from kung fu sound effects.” Yeah, it’s like that.—Eddie STATS Houghton

“Tie and Dye Face”

Stepping on the Murder She Wrote riddim for his timely update of Nardo Ranks’ “Dem a Bleach,” Busy really shows he can hold his own alongside some of the greatest and catchiest dancehall tunes ever. —Eddie STATS Houghton

Kingston Town (featuring Damian Marley)

Busy’s Reggae Music Again is easily one of the best Jamaican music albums of this year, which saw the artist turning a new corner in his career and fully immersing himself in reggae riddims and conscious lyrics. The dark, moody “Kingston Town” sounded pretty tough on the album but when Jr. Gong hopped on it, things only got tougher. A strong combination, to say the least.—Jesse Serwer