Badman Rave: The Best Reggae x EDM Records of 2016

Words by Noise Cans
Photo by Pheobe Sotomang

WOW! It’s amazing how fast time flies. It seems like just yesterday I was here giving my Top 10 Badman Rave tunes for 2015, and the year is over??? There’s no doubt that 2016 had its ups and downs but the one thing I feel that keeps us all united is music. However, divided the world can seem at times, music never fails to transcend cultures and differences.

A prominent example of this is the sounds and vibes of the Caribbean, which are still penetrating the mainstream and underground scenes across the world and are always a good pick-me-up during a time of need.

Here is a list of my favorite Reggae x EDM tunes for 2016 that kept me vibing, including one of mine. I had to, come on!

One love.

Run Chune…

10. MORTEN feat. Mr. Vegas, “Love”

This one came a little later in the year but quickly became one of my favorites. Mr. Vegas blazed the track with his melodic, catchy vocal. MAAD tune, Morten!

9. The Wixard and KD Soundsystem, “Anywhere We Go”

I ran across Anywhere We Go, an EP from KD Soundsystem and Jamaica’s The Wixard (Beres Hammond’s daughter and one of the island’s only female producers) a few months ago and quickly added the title track to my list of favorites. I had a hard time choosing, as the rest of the EP is equally as good, but this is the tune.

8. Rocky Wellstack and Jillionaire feat. RDX, “Big Bumpa Gyal”

Coming off of a massive year with Major Lazer, Jillionire dropped his own gyal anthem alongside Holland’s Rocky Wellstack, with catchy vocals from Jamaica’s dymanic duo RDX.

7. Henry Fong feat. Richie Loop, “Drop it Down Low” (BrainDeaD Remix)

Henry Fong had a big tune in the Caribbean space this year with “Drop It Down Low.” A bunch of heavyweights remixed this tune but this BrainDeaD version quickly became one of my favorites.

6. Sak Noel and Salvi feat. Sean Paul, “Trumpets”

My Spanish bredren Sak Noel teamed up with Salvi and Sean Paul for this Moombahton smash. Amazing timing having Sean Paul on the vocal, I might add, as this has been a huge year for Sean Paul…

5. Ape Drums feat. Major Lazer and Busy Signal, “The Way We Do This”

Big tune from Ape Drums, Major Lazer and Busy Signal. Anytime time you combine these three powerhouses together, it is hard not to make a hit.

4. Ackeejuice Rockers, “Murderer”

Been a huge fan of Ackeejuice Rockers for a while. Their flip on this Barrington Levy classic is pure fire!

3. Retrohandz (feat. Virtus), “Warning” (Tropkillaz Remix)

I was already a fan of the original from Retrohandz and Virtus, but one of my favorite producer duos, Tropkillaz, made it that much more special with their remix.

2. Bad Royale (feat. IAmStylezMusic), “Dutty Heart”

Always forward with their sounds, Bad Royale is always near the top of my list. This track is one of favorites and featured in a few of my mixes and sets.

1. Sam Spiegel and Ape Drums feat. Agent Sasco, “Mutant Brain”

My favorite record of the year. Not only was this record included in the latest KENZO commercial, but it was directed by one of my favorite directors, Spike Jonze. Assassin murdered this vocal, by the way.

+1: Noise Cans feat. Skinny Fabulous and Danielle Viera, “Do It Like AH Pro”

I released this one a few months ago on Jillionaire’s Feel Up Records. It’s always amazing when you can collaborate with an artist that you are genuinely a fan of. Skinny Fabulous murdered this vocal — definitely a tune you should add to your playlist! 2017 is shaping up to be an amazing year with lots of new Caribbean vibes and the release of my debut EP on Dim Mak Records. Till next time, keep the vibes up. Bless.