Before And After Riddim -Notnice Records

Before And After Riddim arrived in 2014 from Notnice Records, the Kingston imprint headed by Ainsley “Notnice” Morris, a producer whose name had already become closely tied to sharp, melodic dancehall work and a strong run of hit-making in the early 2010s. The label’s catalogue sits comfortably between street-level dancehall and cleaner, more radio-ready modern production, and this riddim lands right in that lane with a stripped, acoustic-minded feel that leaves the vocals exposed.

The project runs eleven cuts deep and pulls in a useful mix of established and rising voices. Bugle opens with “Insecurities, ” bringing the kind of reflective, message-heavy writing that has long defined his work. I-Octane’s “Money” taps into his blend of conscious writing and dancehall grit, while Jah Vinci’s “Live Inna Fear” and Jahmiel’s “Struggles” give the set a younger, emotionally direct edge. Khago’s “Life” and Merital’s “Grow Wid” deepen the roster with songs that fit the riddim’s personal, survival-minded tone.

What gives the release its shape is the acoustic framing: the songs feel more bare and intimate than a hard-shell dancehall juggling, with the production leaving space for melody, confession, and everyday pressure. “Before and After” closes the set as the instrumental statement, and that matters here, because the riddim itself is doing a lot of the talking. The mood is sober rather than explosive, and the strongest cuts are the ones that turn that restraint into emotional weight.