Toppa Top 10: Jillionaire’s 2012 Best of Everything List

Words by Jillionaire—

LA-via-Port-of-Spain DJ/producer Jillionaire spent the better part of 2012 traveling the world as part of the current incarnation of Major Lazer, spreading Trini vibes everywhere from Ibiza to Macau ‘longside Diplo and Walshy Fire. (Somehow he also found the time to cover everything from Kes the Band to summer cocktails for LargeUp) Among other things, this gave him a unique vantage point from which to observe the spread of Caribbean music and culture worldwide. Click through for his picks for the “best of everything.”

10. NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

I’m from Trinidad and love Trini carnival but this is definitely one of my favorite festivals of the year. With over 250 sound systems crammed into the streets of Notting Hill, it’s a two-day musical journey from roots reggae to drum-n-bass to dancehall and soca and beyond.

9. DAVID RODIGAN

Back in the ’60s it was about ‘records, football and girls’, and almost fifty years later, he’s still educating young listeners across the globe. Even after his controversial exit from KISS FM, Sir David ‘Ram Jam’ Rodigan continues to thrill both hardcore dancehall fans and reggae newcomers alike.

8. THE OLYMPICS

Usain Bolt, Kirani James, Keshorn Walcott. End of text.

7. STYLO G

Son of dancehall legend Poison Chang, the “Call Mi A Yardie” deejay had the biggest summer anthem in the UK this year, with all creeds and races repping the Ites, Gold and Green.

6. TRINIDAD JAMES – All Gold Everything

Repping Trinidad and dodging controversy, this island native is set to be Def Jam’s next big thing.

5. SNOOP LION

“Why did you change your name?” Amidst controversy, Snoop has transformed from a Dogg into a Lion and his hotly anticipated reggae project is gaining new fans—and haters—daily.

4. VYBZ KARTEL

Still in jail, Kartel has continued to define Jamaica’s dancehall scene, whether through his prodigy Popcaan, or by a steady stream of releases from behind bars. He also released a tell-all book, reunited with his old manager, and continues to be a force to be reckoned with — word is he’s already working on his second album with producer Dre Skull, and is to be featured on the next Major Lazer full length.

3. JR BLENDER/ SO SHIFTY, SCHLACHTHOFBRONX, ADDE

With a consistent string of remixes and original releases, these European producers have been redefining the Caribbean sounds of reggae, dancehall and soca from halfway around the globe. Special mention to LargeUp contributor and San Francisco remix king DJ Theory as well.

2. MACHEL MONTANO – BOTTLE OF RUM

An infectious refrain and a breathtaking video made this Machel’s most played song of all time, and my personal favorite track of the year.

1. MAJOR LAZER – GET FREE

In a vast departure from his previous work, executive producer Diplo teamed up with Amber Coffman of the Dirty Projectors to produce this moving ode to post-Katrina New Orleans. He then enlisted Ed Banger art director So Me to produce a hypnotizing, ‘day in the life’ documentary style video shot entirely in Jamaica.