Toppa Top 10: The Biggest Dancehall Riddims of 2016

Words by Deejay Theory

Wicked, Wicked, Wicked!

For our penultimate countdown of the year-end list season — pree the dancehall, soca, mixtapes, movies, books and albums lists — Faction Sound Crew member and LargeUp’s own Deejay Theory breaks down the best and most influential juggling rhythms to come out this year. Here’s our picks for the Biggest Dancehall Riddims of 2016, straight from the head top to your desktop. ROAST!

Riddim up right here.

10. Yeng Yeng Riddim (Dunwell Productions)

A three-tune killer from Mario Dunwell of Dunwell Productions, who had a few big ones this year, and hit right on the mark with the high energy Yeng Yeng Riddim a few months back. Dancehall’s reigning king Vybz Kartel takes it with “Win,” while Ding Dong and Bravo Ravers take the gyals on a ride on the “Yeng Yeng” bike. Vroom vroom.

9. Zen Riddim (UIM Records)

Badd Jamaican producer Anju Blaxx and his UIM Records imprint brought us the Zen Riddim this year toting another stacked all-star lineup and a handful of big chunes from the likes of Alkaline with “Company,” Kranium’s “Cool Kid,” Konshens, Chris Martin, Popcaan, Masicka, Bugle, Serani, Dre Island and more. A madd thing fi sure.

8. Wicked Wicked Riddim (Young Vibez Productions)

Title says it all here. Jamie Roberts and Young Vibez Productions, in association with Unruly, brought us one of the baddest riddims of the year with Wicked Wicked. Clocking in at 110bpm and laced with hypnotic desi guitar riffs, the big tunes came from Popcaan’s street anthem “Wicked Man Thing,” Sizzla’s “Mek Sure” and Chi Chi Ching’s calling card of the year with the dancing anthem “Roast or Fry (Breadfruit).” Wickedness increase.

7. Crown Love Riddim (RVSSIAN/Head Concussion Records)

Somewhat of a sleeper riddim this year, Crown Love ended up being a go-to for me for the early warm dancehall sets. A restrained 84bpm dembow production from Rvssian and Head Concussion Records lent itself particularly well to Kartel’s lover’s wine tune One Phone Call,” Konshens’ very NSFW My Own” and one of the biggest tunes in any dance right now, Tarrus Riley’s “Don’t Come Back.”

6. Pile Up Riddim (Yellow Moon Records)

There were 2 huge forwards on the Pile Up Riddim from the Yellow Moon Records camp – Aidonia’s rude boy anthem “Dat A Di Ting” and Mavado’s boasy theme song “We Set The Trend.” Both were stuck in my head nuff this year and will definitely continue to get plays in the coming year.

5. Money Boss Riddim (Mineral Boss Records)

Another staple in the early warm dancehall sets this year was Mineral Boss Records’ Money Boss Riddim. Loving the 85bpm pocket and uplifting chords, perfect backdrop for I Octane’s salute to his real ones on “No Shaky Link” and Mavado who absolutely took it with his single “Progress.” These two tunes caught on big, and ending up spawning a Vol.2 for the riddim featuring Verhson, Jahmiel and more.

4. Ova Dweet Riddim (Notnice Records)

One of the undisputed crossover anthems of Summer ’16 and throughout this year was Popcaan’s “Ova Dweet” cooked by Notnice. The riddim with its catchy stabs and synths led to a couple big tunes as well namely the absolutely wicked “7 Days” from Vershon and the follow up “Ova Dweet Remix” from Demarco. Willy Chin also did a great edit that I’ve been running in favor of the original, and it always goes off.

3. 47th Floor Riddim (Seanizzle Records)

The second I heard the horns come in on this riddim I knew it would bust this year and definitely well into 2017. There’s a handful of ke“epers on here from Busy’s “Play The Horns” and Mavado’s “Way We Roll” and then big late additions from Beenie Man and Vybz Kartel. This riddim from Seanizzle just makes you feel like you’re in the Caribbean and ready for the road. Oh yea, DJ’s don’t miss that Starboy edit from yours truly as well.

2. Cure Pain Riddim (Good Good Productions)

Another big juggling this year was Cure Pain from Good Good Productions, featuring a heavyweight roster of artists who took things down a notch to ride a nice tempo and guitar strings. Lots of big tunes, with Kartel’s “I’ll Take You There,” Mavado’s “Big League,” Vershon’s “Tie Mi,” Jahmiel’s “Where Were U” and Alkaline’s “My Side of the Story” taking the lead.

1. Moskato Riddim (Birchill Records)

The Moskato Riddim from Birchill Records was absolutely inescapable this year at any Caribbean function worldwide and crossed over a bit into hip-hop circles thanks to Konshens’ massive single “Bruk Off” and Charly Black’s “Hoist and Wine.” Tifa does her thing as always on “Big Bumper” as well. Keeping in the uptempo dembow-meets-dancehall formula that’s worked so well for so many riddims the last few years, this one should definitely stand the test of time in the dance.

Honorable Mentions

Jambe-An Riddim (Kurt Riley/Techniques Records)

Originally released in 2014, the Jambe-An Riddim produced by the veteran Kurt Riley saw it’s full shine in 2016 as one of the most recognized riddims throughout dancehall, soca, reggaeton and afrobeats cultures alike. Its instantly recognizable melody has become synonymous with a good party, earning Charly Blacks global recognition and mainstream success with his single Party Animal.” Other huge forwards came from Mavado with Goodbye to My Haters,” Khago with Hey Yah Hey Yah Hey,” Pternsky’s Non Stop” and even a big soca x afrobeats linkup with Timaya and Machel. It’s always refreshing to see dancehall and soca stars on the same riddim, and have it all make sense.

Fire Starta Riddim (Yellow Moon Records)

Another release from 2015 that didn’t reach its full potential until this year was Yellow Moon’s Fire Starta. This is hardcore dancehall juggling at its best with a scorching single from Masicka who bodies raw lyrics on “Hard Ball” – to one of the biggest dancehall forwards of the year thanks to Alkaline’s “Champion Boy.” I rated Beenie on it too with “Suh Mi Grow.” Just bere badness all around.