Dancehall music has always possessed a global appeal with its unique sound and style, especially from the production standpoint, so much so attracting artistes from other genres to record on the dancehall riddims. Given the renewed focus on “Juggling” and greater interest in the genre, we look at a few productions that have created mainstream impact.
Coolie Dance – 2003
Produced by Cordel “Skatta” Burrell, this 2003 release yielded a plethora of hits locally and regionally, such as Elephant Man’s “Geenie Wine”, T.O.K “Unknown Language,” and Vybz Kartel’s “Please ” among its over 20 recordings. As popular as the riddim was, its cross-over appeal was reaffirmed after the US girl group Nina Sky scored Billboard’s top five placing with “Move Your Body“.
The single peaked at number four and spent 28 weeks on the Hot 100. Elephant Man also added to the production’s Hot 100 entries with “Jook Gal” featuring “Ying Yang Twins.”
Rap star Pitbull also recorded a titled “Culo” on the production.
Diwali –2002
Regarded as one of the productions to define Dancehall music, the iconic Diwali Riddim, produced by legendary producer Steven “Lenky” Marsden churned out a plethora of hit records, which experienced international success, such as Wayne Wonder’s “No Letting Go” Lumidee’s “Never Leave”(Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) and “Get Busy,” by Sean Paul.
Wonder and Lumidee earned their first Billboard Hot 100 entries with “No Letting” peaking at No.11 and “Never Leave” tapping out at number three, spending 20 weeks on the chart. Nicki Minaj later sampled the track for her 2023 release “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” the lead single for her “Pink Friday 2” album.
Sean Paul’s multi-platinum-selling “Get Busy,” which formed part of his ultra-successful “Dutty Rock” album, went all the way, topping the chart, where it spent three of its 52 weeks in the Hot 100.
The Sly and Robbie production remains one of Dancehall’s most noted releases from the iconic “Riddim Twins,” which was led by Chakka Demus Pliers’ 1992 hit, “Murder She Wrote.”
The single peaked at #57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 where it spent 17 weeks, while it reached #27 in the UK.
The track has also been among the top sampled songs from the genre, most notably on Omarion‘s “Post to Be and French Montana‘s “Freaks. It has also been sampled in Pitbull‘s “El Taxi and Jason Derulo‘s “Too Hot.
Produced by Linton “TJ” White, its throwback “bashment” sound reminiscent of the ’90s era was another solid production from the A-list producer which yielded several songs that caught the ears of the international market, such as Mavado’s hit “So Special“ and Serani’s Billboard-charter “No Games.” The latter peaked at #53 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
The Justus-created beat was a smooth, island groove feel, reminiscent of the early 2000s dancehall, which was enough to attract British pop star Daniel Bedingfield, who recorded his 2011 single “Sometimes You Just Know,” further underscoring the mass appeal of Jamaican sound.
Applause Riddim – 2005
This iconic production by Rohan “Jah Snowcone’ Fuller,” still compels as strong a feeling of excitement two decades later with its hard-hitting baseline and its signature hand claps. It shot to the top of Billboard via Sean Paul‘s hit single “Temperature.”
