Words by Faction Sound Crew
RVSSIAN photo by Martei Korley
After counting down the best albums, mixtapes, reggae, soca and badman rave, we head into Week 2 of our look back at 2014 with a rundown of all the year’s necessary dancehall riddims. This year, we’ve enlisted the multi-regional Faction Sound Crew—encompassing Vancouver’s DJ Arems, NYC’s DJ Tanner, Miami’s Iron Lyon and our own Deejay Theory out of San Francisco—to give us their field reports, and personal favorites. These riddims got nuff forwards this year, and also helped birth some of the years most successful singles as well.
This one from Baby G’s Yard Vybz label was more a sleeper riddim than a runaway hit but delivered some nice energy. Alkaline continued his stronghold with a tune for all the fake friends and badmind (still a popular theme in dancehall) while Popcaan, Bugle and Beenie Man all voice something for the lovers. You can’t deny a solid guitar-laden dancehall riddim, with this one hitting in a similar vein to the popular Tweety Bird riddim that ran a ton of mixes this year. Nice and easy vibes. – Deejay Theory
Its roots go back to 2010, but we had to include this beast of a digital dancehall riddim from big producer Jah Snowcone. A modern interpretation of arguably the most influential dancehall instrumental to date—Sleng Teng, a/k/a Lodge—the riddim was originally built with none other than Salaam Remi for Spragga Benz’s Shotta Culture album. Four years after Spragga’s vocoder-laced “Duppy No Frighten Vampire,” Snowcone unveiled a full stack of wicked tunes from Beenie Man, Capleton, General Degree, Suku, Mr Vegas (with the original Joe Lickshot!) and, of course, the instant anthem “Sekkle and Cease” from Agent Sasco that was one of our favorites of the year overall. Dancehall nice again with this one. – Deejay Theory
Greatest Creation from Shane Brown’s JukeBoxx Productions lives up to it’s title as one of 2014’s top riddims. After growing up on 90’s dancehall, I can’t help but gravitate toward tunes that bridge the gap from old school to new school and this riddim blends the two seamlessly. With a cast of legendary artists and new-generation superstars running it down over classic drums and modern synths, Greatest Creation manages to create a nostalgic Golden Age feel without sounding dated. This is evident in Konshens’ rendition of “Don Dada” (re-styled as “Don Daddy”), as he pays homage to Super Cat‘s classic, adopting the original Don Dada’s delivery, but in a new-school style.
Another stand out tune is “Big Time Greatest” by Shabba Ranks, as he proves his timeless artistry over a riddim that sounds like it was created just for him. Assassin, Lady Saw and Tarrus Riley also come with nuff vibes over this feelgood riddim, and all in all the content is upbeat and positive on every track. – Iron Lyon
It’s no shock that RVSSIAN has a featured riddim on this list (with a title that’s pretty easy to remember as well)—the Head Concussion Records chief has been one of dancehall’s most consistent producers, cranking out hits for Vybz Kartel, Gyptian and J. Capri. He’s got dembow and perreo in his blood, too, as apparent with Latin-flavored productions like this one and his recent work for Puerto Rican reggaeton star Farruko. Vybz Kartel and J Capri took the riddim with their combination “Mamacita” (DJ’s make sure you have that So Shifty edit), but Sean Paul and Konshens are ready to wine your girl in the batters circle, with “Front & Back” and “Shake,” respectively. – Deejay Theory
When Yellow Moon Records and DJ Sunshine released Wul Dem in late spring it only had three artists on it but that would soon change. The riddim was pure war settings with Alkaline, I Octane and Mavado all calling out badminds – without naming names. It wasn’t long before Vybz Kartel jumped on the riddim, coming full force to remind people that he’s still the Worl Boss with his track “Nuh Play Roun Wid Fyah.” Wul Dem became so big that it spawned the Wul Dem Again Riddim and the just-released Christmas Wul Dem Riddim. both sticking to the war-time concept, with hard-hitting lyrics and a fast-paced beat meant to put all contenders in their place. Alkaline, Kartel, Mavado and I-Octane all came back for this release, along with Elephant Man, Aidonia and Mr Vegas – all with big chunes. Many a wall gets slapped when you run this one. – DJ Arems
The Good Book was a clear highlight from this year, with another minimally-produced 90’s-era backdrop courtesy of H20 Records. Demarco is in his best form on the riddim’s title track, with a razor sharp cut reminding people just where he’s at with raw lyrics. This is one of those riddims where nearly every tune is heat, including shellings from Mavado, Alkaline, Konshens, Popcaan, Sasco, I-Octane, Aidonia, Delly Ranks, Kartel, and a follow-up from Bounty Killer aimed at a certain artiste. Straight badness all around. – Deejay Theory
When ZJ Dymond dropped the Promiscuous riddim back in February I instantly knew it would be a big one for 2014 with its infectious synths, rolling beat and slack lyric topics. Demarco’s “Bad Gyal Anthem” is arguably the biggest chune on the riddim but the offerings from Gage and Kalado definitely helped solidify their place as rising stars in dancehall this year. As the riddim grew bigger, Vybz Kartel jumped on the version in June with “Pretty Position” – proving Promiscuous to be pure dancehall fiyah. – DJ Arems
With the 90’s revival movement in full swing in 2014, DJ Frass chose the perfect time to bring back the vibes of 1998’s iconic Brukout riddim in the form of Gwaan Bad. This release stuck to the hard subject matter familiar from Brukout, with most artists on the Gwaan Bad riddim warning foes not to test. Still, Leftside and Elephant Man managed to sneak in a few dancing chunes, and we got to hear the only new release for 2014 by the still-incarcerated Buju Banton with his youth-inspiring track “Make It.” (See also Federation Sound’s mix of the same name, inspired by the riddim, in our toppa top mixtapes countdown.) – DJ Arems
Chimney Records’ Happy Hour riddim has picked up a lot of steam since its September release, boasting what is now arguably the biggest dancing tune as 2014 turns over. Chi Ching Ching and Popcaan’s “Way Up” has become a massive tune on it’s own, not to mention the compulsory rewind on the remix featuring Beenie Man. Happy Hour has the summer pacing and staying power to be as much a part of your (next) summer as a Gosling’s & Ginger. Vybz comes tough with “Mi Nuh Trush People,” as does Beenie on his solo tune “Badmind People,” and there’s some great cuts from Mavado, Serani and Alkaline. – DJ Tanner
Notnice’s Boom Box got some instant rotations when it dropped in December of 2013, but truly exploded in 2014 becoming arguably the year’s biggest riddim. The slow and deliberate heavy bass created the perfect template for Alkaline’s “Gyal Bruk Out” which soon took over as the most requested song in the clubs. Right alongside it was Spice’s “So Mi Like It,” a track so big it spawned a remix with industry heavyweight Busta Rhymes giving it even more crossover appeal on its way to becoming the year’s most ubiquitous dancehall hit. – DJ Arems
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