Brand New Old School Riddim – Fresh Ear Productions

Fresh Ear Productions gave dancehall one of its more nostalgic 2022 juggling sets with Brand New Old School Riddim, a project that folds classic dancehall energy into a cleaner, modern digital shell. Arif Cooper’s imprint had already built a reputation for polished, radio-friendly riddims and for shaping some of the scene’s most recognizable compilation eras, and this one fits squarely into that lineage. It landed on September 9, 2022, and the version count makes the setup plain: clean and raw cuts for some voices, plus an instrumental that keeps the rhythm itself front and center.

The beat sits at a brisk 105 BPM on most of the vocal versions, with a bright minor-key bounce and a snappy, almost throwback swing that recalls the early-2000s dancehall era without sounding dusty. The instrumental and a couple of the songs pull the tempo feel down to 79 BPM, which gives the set some room to breathe. That shift lets the riddim move between tough street chatter and more laid-back melodic phrasing.

Vybz Kartel opens with Which Hairstyle (Model), a cheeky, fashion-conscious cut that plays to his sharp-tongued, phrase-heavy style. Busy Signal’s Put It On and Elephant Man’s You Can bring the livelier, stage-ready energy, both artists sounding exactly like veterans who know how to ride a jumping riddim without crowding it. Delly Ranx adds a grittier edge on Upfront Appearance, while Darrio’s Clean Lakka Whistle and Jae Xo’s Live My Life give the project a little more room for personality. Vanzo’s Slimmaz and the brand’s own instrumental tie the whole thing together.