Toppa Top 10: The Best Dancehall Singles of 2012

Words by LargeUp Crew—

For our Top 10 dancehall singles of 2012, we’ve put together a cross-section of the biggest, most undeniable and ubiquitous tunes of the year, along with some gems we just genuinely loved, regardless of their commercial status. The goal, overall, was to compile a list of tracks that we expect to keep hearing for years to come.

As is often the case in dancehall, some of the biggest hits this year were actually released in the year prior. Songs released in 2011 were eligible to be included in our 2012 Top 10, but only if they weren’t already in last year’s Top 10. Hence the absence of Vegas’ “Bruk it Down”—arguably the year’s biggest dancehall tune, but also No. 10 on last year’s chart. That said, read on for our picks for the best dancehall singles of 2012.

10. Bounty Killer and Cecille, “Ride”

Bounty Killer quietly had a strong year, musically speaking at least. While most of the attention generated by the Warlord in 2012 derived, somewhat unfortunately, from his feud with dancehall’s man-of-the-hour, Tommy Lee Sparta, Bounty cranked out lots of quality tunes—“No Long Talking,” on Jah Snowcone’s Antibiotic riddim was a favorite—with minimal hype. The one new Bounty that caught on was “Ride,” his collaboration with a now-pregnant Cecile. (That last detail may explain why “Ride” never got a video).

9. Tommy Lee, “Psycho”

There’s little middle ground when it comes to Tommy Lee Sparta, and his big breakout single, “Psycho.” You’re either fully on board with the gothic dancehall program, or loathe to even speak its name. But what can’t be argued is that Lee and “Psycho” were game-changers. Other dancehall acts have employed dark imagery before but none have made it such a focal point as Lee did on “Psycho” and follow-up efforts like “Uncle Demon.” Throw in one of 2012’s most memorable—and explicit—videos, and you had the unlikeliest of soundtracks for what was otherwise Jamaica’s sunniest, most positive summer in years.

8. Konshens, “So Mi Tan”

Konshens definitely had a huge, breakout campaign in 2012. “So Mi Tan” wasn’t his biggest tune this year but, for those questioning some of the moves that the deejay made this year, it was the surest reminder of his ability to make authentic, gimmick-free dancehall.

7. RDX, “Jump”

In a year where some might say soca surpassed dancehall as the Caribbean’s most vital music genre, RDX’s “Jump” was perfectly positioned. Veteran dancehall duo Renegade and Delomar’s hit straddled the edge of both, making it a perfect tool for DJs moving between the styles. At any proper bashment this year, you were sure to hear “Jump” played during peak hour.

6. Potential Kidd, “Yah Suh Nice”

Potential Kidd came from out of nowhere with “Yah Suh Nice,” a tune so ubiquitous for a brief moment in Jamaica that there were two completely different versions of it running… then he basically disappeared as quickly as he had arrived. “A Yah Suh Nice” was great fun while it lasted, though, giving us one of the year’s most memorable metaphors: “She just a bubble bubble bubble like a chicken gravy.”

5. Popcaan, “The System”

Selecting a Popcaan for this year’s Top 10 was tricky. “Only Man She Want” became Poppy’s first tune to crossover to US radio, but it did most of its damage last year. “Summa Wave” was big, but it felt so much like last year’s big hits, “Ravin” and “Party Shot.” “No Yes Man” was our favorite Popcaan tune this year, but didn’t make as much noise as it should have. So we’re going with the dark horse “The System.” Fry Yiy’s tune on Dre Skull’s Loudspeaker riddim saw the Gaza deejay graduate from party mode and throw his his hat into the social commentary arena, a sure sign of growth. “The System” wasn’t heard much at clubs, but thanks to one of the best dancehall videos of the year, it became something of a cult, Internet-propelled hit.

4/3. Cham, “Tun Up”/”Lawless”

Without too much hype, Cham had the comeback of the year in 2012. Starting 2012 off with the appropriately titled “Tun Up” (and also dropping the equally timely “Wine,” also with guest vocals from his wife, “O,”) the deejay formerly known as Baby Cham later dropped a candidate for tuffest tune of the year, in “Lawless.” To top it all off, he went and murdered JA Productions’ Overtime riddim one more time, too. “Lawless” was the tune that

2. Mavado, “Cyaa Hold Me Again”

Most of the talk surrounding Mavado this year related to his signing with DJ Khaled’s YMCMB-affiliated We the Best label. While that was a big move, in our eyes the biggest thing the Gully Gad did this year was release the most positive, simple, life-affirming dancehall tune of the year in “Cyaa Hold Me Again,” on Stephen McGregor’s Tenement Yard riddim. We haven’t always been there with ‘Vado as he’s moved away from the hardcore badman tunes that established him a half-decade ago, but this is the place we want to see him going.

1. Konshens, “Gal a Bubble”

If you’ve heard a DJ play dancehall in 2012, whether it was New Year’s Eve or last night, you’ve heard Konshens’ “Gal a Bubble” get rinsed. Like the dutty wine and Tony Matterhorn, Konshens and bubbling will forever be connected thanks to the tune.

Honorebel Mention. Mr Vegas, “Bruk it Down” and “Party Tun Up”

“Bruk it Down” was the first dancehall tune to make a significant impact at US radio since “Rum and Red Bull” probably, and Vegas’ biggest hit in recent years. Even if did make our Top 10 list last year, removing it from inclusion on the list this year, it’s deserving of some sort of recognition here. As does “Party Tun Up,” Vegas’ followup and one of the original dancehall tunes contained on the bonus disc of his vintage reggae-driven Sweet Jamaica album.

Honorebel Mention. Busy Signal, “Kingston Town,” “Come Shock Out” and “Artiste”

The embattled Busy Signal’s biggest contribution to music this year was Reggae Music Again, a full-throttle venture into roots reggae and organic sounds that the skillful deejay released just prior to his arrest and extradition to the US last year. The album also included some dancehall vibes on “Kingston Town,” which sounded like vintage dancehall as envisioned by hip-hop beat legend J Dilla. Busy spent most of the year in a US prison but ever since getting his freedom back last month, he’s been releasing shellings, most notably the vintage dancehall style of “Come Shock Out” and the critical commentary of “Artiste.”