Words by Jesse Serwer
We’ve got a special Mixtape Mondays treat for you this week in the form of a world premiere from one of our favorite singers right now, Romain Virgo. Romain might have come to fame on Digicel Rising Stars, Jamaica’s answer to American Idol (back as a teenager in ’07), but he’s operated like anything but a prefabricated pop star since then, traveling deeper and deeper into authentic reggae sounds with each passing year.
After helping to set off the vintage dancehall trend with Konshens in “We No Worry About Dem” in 2013, the crooner linked with Tek 9 Movements earlier this year for the Tribute to Foundation Riddims mixtape, showcasing his deejay chops and adeptness in the rub-a-dub realm. Now he’s at again, connecting with Champion Squad’s DJ Reem for yet another showcase of his soundman skills.
Inna Rub A Dub Style is exactly as advertised: pure exclusives and dubplates delivered in a rub-a-dub-style over foundation riddims. Beginning things with a tribute to the one and only Alton Ellis, Romain touches a treasure chest of rocksteady, reggae and dancehall riddims, including Real Rock, Death in the Arena and Pretty Looks. If you’re a rub-a-dub enthusiast, or just enjoyed Romain’s work on “We No Worry About Dem,” we’re sure this mixtape will be staying in your rotation this holiday and through the New Year. Stream and download Inna Rub a Dub Style below, and get the tracked version here.
