Words by Desmond Alphonso
Photo by Balraj Samrai
Alozade is a certified dancehall legend, a memorable but often overlooked figure in what some would call the genre’s creative peak during the late ’90s and early ’00s. The deejay, known for his swagge-thick badman lyrics and distinctive, guttural delivery, hasn’t been heard from much in recent years, so it’s always a welcome surprise to hear him on something new. For his Mask On riddim, dropping next week via U.K. label Swing Ting, New York City flex kingpin Epic B recruited Alozade who voiced ‘More Gal” in Kingston with an assist from co-writer Gavin “Gavsborg” Blair of Equiknoxx Music and Swing Ting’s Deejay Samrai.
The tracks represent a departure for Epic B, whose Flex Dance Music (FDM) creations are largely instrumental, with Alozade bringing his lyrical A-game/
“Even though I didn’t get to link Alozade in person, his vocals gave me an instantly nostalgic vibe and I kept playing them over and over,” Epic B tells us. “I added additional elements to the track to bring out his unique take on the riddim, and the end result is something that feels personal.”
Run tune below and check out the full Mask On riddim, which also features Eddie Hill, Kemikal and Lady Ice, on March 15.