Toppa Top ’15: The Top Dancehall Riddims of 2015

Words by Faction Sound Crew

Kickout!

It was another major year for dancehall riddims, and as a bonus this year we decided to toss in a mega-mix of each of our top picks courtesy of Vancouver ace selector and #MixtapeMondays contributor DJ Arems. The juggling is raw, uncut, and NSFW — as dancehall and bashment should be! Stream/download on the last page of the list. You know we go!

But, first the countdown, with a blow-by-blow rundown of the year’s top riddims, plus a few extra picks for a baker’s dozen, from the Faction Sound Crew.

Run tune here.

12. Blacklight Riddim (Mixpak)

Straight out of Greenpoint BK, Dre Skull cooked up one this year’s most interesting riddims, in Blacklight. Originally slated for a Shakira song, this riddim has only four artists on it — Tifa, Konshens, QQ and Spice — and each performance is a banger. A blurring of dancehall, dembow, and electronic production borrowing some masterfully understated twerk claps, Dre Skull continues to assert a consistent presence in the game. – DJ Tanner

11. Highland Riddim (Federation Sound)

Dancehall generals and NYC stalwarts Federation Sound returned to the dancehall production arena this year with their original and stacked Highland Riddim. Co-produced with Selecta 7 out in LA, the riddim calls heavily on the stripped-down, minimal, 90’s-era sound Federation loves – and so do we – and keeps the energy moving into 2016. Extra large features from longtime Federation family Vybz Kartel with “Sumn Sumn,” along with big tunes from Tifa, Marcy Chin, Ward 21, Mr Lexx, Red Fox and more. Don’t talk it if yuh nuh mean it … – Deejay Theory

10. Seh Feh (TJ Records)

TJ Records blessed us with another big riddim this year with Seh Feh. Beenie Man, I-Octane and Dexta Daps came hard on this one but the stand out was Vybz Kartel and Chi Ching Ching‘s “Farout.” We’ve seen Ching putting in work for years but it was really 2014 that saw him gain traction with “Way Up, Stay Up” and his new track on Seh Feh stays in the same lane toting more catchy lyrics on his path to more success. Kartel dropped two joints on the riddim ,with “Too Badmind” taking the cake. The catchy melody stays with you and made the riddim an easy top 10 choice. – DJ Arems

9. Mildew (UIM Records)

Produced by Anju Blaxx, who had another huge year behind the boards, for UIM Records, Mildew brought together a mixed range of artists who all rode the riddim with upfront, singy lyrics. The unruly boss undoubtedly took this one with 2015’s trend setting declaration “Way Up” plus big accompaniments from the likes of Alky, Bugle, Mavado, Chris Martin, Cecile and more. – Deejay Theory

8. Jelly Wata (DJ Frass)

Another riddim that pulled some 90’s upbeat major chord strings this year was the DJ Frass-produced Jelly Wata. Star studded lineup from front to back with Beenie Man, Mavado, I Octane and Assassin joining 2 of the year’s most rated singers and deejays Kranium and Alkaline. These were kinda quiet tunes overall but I could see them run the dance still for years to come. All riddims aside don’t sleep on a cold jelly wata – a hydrate wi seh for 2016. – Deejay Theory

7. Success & Strive (Fresh Ear Productions)

In a year that saw most of it’s big riddims come in at a slow to medium tempo, Success and Strive was the exception with a dance floor driven beat that had hands in the air from the moment it dropped. Mr Vegas and Ovamarz showed us how to do the “Hot Rice Dance” while Alkaline, Vybz Kartel, Konshens and Charly Black provided more happy go lucky chunes that seem hard to find in today’s dancehall climate. Fresh Ear Productions brought the positive vibes on this one so buss di Hot Rice and give thanks for life. – DJ Arems

6. Voice Note (Bigga Dondon Records)

Perhaps a title Vybz Kartel is all too familiar with at the moment – it’s hard to keep from moving when he hits this beat and his flow on “Key Stone” is one of the baddest of the year. Voice Note also saw the return of Shawn Storm with his hilarious track on exactly why he was “Calling,” but the stand out song came from Kartel’s two sons and their group PG-13. We first heard Little Vybz and Little Addi in 2014 and it was cute, but they showed us how much they’ve improved on the track “Radio” this year where they sing the praises of music and its importance to them – while also managing to diss Popcaan, who their dad has been angry with for a while. Tune into Voice Note to see what the future of dancehall may hold. – DJ Arems

5. Fix Up (H2O Records)

Badman settings straight – ski mask way. Dark and unapologetic lyrics from dancehall A-listers with respective singles from Vybz Kartel with the title track, Popcaan‘s rifle anthem “Slap One” plus huge forwards from Mavado, Alkaline, Sasco and I-Octane. Wicked minimal production from ZJ Liquid‘s H20 Records imprint. This compilation is littered with shellings and will definitely continue to beat next year yard and abroad. – Deejay Theory

4. Money Me A Look (True Loyal Records)

One of this year’s biggest chunes came out on the Money Me A Look riddim from Alkaline with “Love Yuh Everything” better known as “Pum Pum On Fleek.” The slow and seductive intro gives way to a bouncy riddim that found Alkaline singing the praises of the female anatomy and professing his love for it. Kartel came with another hit on Money Me A Look but in a totally different light as he sheds some light on his frugal upbringing. When most riddims seem to stick to the same subject matter I-Octane rounds out this riddim with the badman chune “Queng Dem” making Money Me A Look one of the most versatile productions of the year. – DJ Arems

3. After Party (Chimney Records)

Fireeeee! The Chimney Records duo were at it again with easily one of the biggest riddims of the year, and one that’s currently beating up dances worldwide. Poppy takes it home with the gyal tune “Inna Di Lobby” and then followed up with a badman counterpart “Slap Round Deh”. We saw a new dance with Chi Ching Ching‘s “Coob Dem Up” as well as ganja anthems from Sean Paul and Aidonia. More heat from Alkaline, Beenie Man, Sasco, Demarco and more. Sure to remain a big bashment riddim in 2016. – Deejay Theory

2. Ghetto Bible (Full Charge Records)

This was maybe my most rated riddim this year in dancehall. It feels like the soundtrack for a new day, perhaps the first sunrise after the apocalypse – or just a rough and rugged garrison soundtrack – and either way it’s pure gold. Huge title track from Mavado joined by Kartel‘s “Straight & Narrow,” Kalado‘s “Ghetto Youth Want Money” and necessary adds from I-Octane and Alkaline. Crisp synth stabs and piano licks set the scene courtesy of ZJ Dymond‘s Full Charge Records. – Deejay Theory

1. Liquor Riddim (Good Good Productions)

The Liquor Riddim takes top spot on our list as the hands down number one riddim for 2015. With Kartel’s massive song “Party” and more big hits from Mavado, I-Octane and Alkaline, Good Good Production provided a soundtrack to the summer with this feel good riddim that instantly puts a smile on your face. The lighthearted fun instrumental didn’t seem very dancefloor driven but the vibe it gives you coupled with a host of amazing songs makes Liquor Riddim undeniable for top spot this year.  – DJ Arems

Honorable Mention: Happy Hour (Chimney Records)

2014’s number one riddim has definitely not been forgotten as it continues to pack dance floors everywhere like it just came out last week. A lot of music seems disposable these days but the Happy Hour Riddim held it’s ground with brand new additions from several artists in 2015 including Ding Dong’s “Lowe Mi Nuh” which dropped in February and continued the dance move craze that Way Up and Stay Up started on this riddim. If you don’t know these two dancehall moves by now, you probably don’t go out much. Stay Up! – DJ Arems

The Toppa Top Dancehall Riddims of 2015 – Mixed by DJ Arems (Faction Sound Crew)

Stream and download below, full tracklist here.