The dancehall genre continues to evolve as the rise of Afro-Beats continues. 2019 saw the cementing of Burna Boy as a giant on the global stage. His album ‘African Giant’ gained critical acclaim and was recognised all over the world with artists like Elton John dapping the Nigerian artist. There was much debate in Jamaica as people started to compare the new Afro-beats sound to that of reggae and dancehall. Skatta Burrell a renowned producer concluded that dancehall music was no longer grand due to a lack of unity among local recording artists and producers.
Vybz Kartel weighed in on the argument concluding that the main reason for reggaes sidelining was because record labels did not sign enough local artists. He went on to attack Skatta Burrell saying,
“Unuh buy music none at all or support ntn? S**k unuh mada a social media mek unuh tink unuh opinion matters …youths dictate what music is so stfu and go sort out unuh life unuh cyaa stop ntn.â€
“Shaggy or Sean Paul do “authentic dancehallâ€? No! but dem sell because major label de behind dem. If a major label de behind Mackerel she sell gold or platinum a maanin, so stfu and stop chat off unuh mouth cause unuh na buy music, s*ckunumuma,â€
In an attempt to diffuse the argument I have come up with a top 10 list of tracks which merge Dancehall and Afro Beats. The usual suspects are Afro B, Busy Signal, Popcaan, Stonebwoy, Burna Boy and Kranium who all have 2 entries. Take a look at the list below.
10. Popcaan ft Kranium – Last Night
09. Busy Signal ft Afro B – Go dance
08. Burna Boy ft Serani and jeremih – Secret
07. Beenie Man ft Stonebwoy – Shuga
06. Walshy Fire ft Mr Eazie and Kranium – Call Me
05. Tarrus Riley ft Stonebwoy – G.Y.A.L.
04. Vybz Kartel ft Afro B – Shape Nice
03. Burna Boy ft Damien Marley – Difference
02. Popcaan ft Davido – Risky
01. Busy Signal Afro B – 100%
