Bad Boy And Police Riddim – Real Betta Life Records

A taut little 2017 dancehall set, “Bad Boy And Police” keeps the focus tight with just four cuts from Empress Zana, Tilly Beng, Nappa Tappa and Tuffest. Real Betta Life Records gives the whole thing a stern, streetwise feel: the title says plenty, and the music follows through with clipped drum programming, a heavy low end and space left open for each voice to jab through cleanly. Empress Zana’s title track lands with the most attitude, while Tilly Beng’s “Attitude” and Tuffest’s “Rude Boy” keep the mood in that rude-boy register without overcomplicating it. Nappa Tappa’s “Fyah Blaze” adds the only real lift, but the riddim never loses its dry, rolling stride, sitting at a mid-tempo pace with a bass line that does most of the talking.