Challenge Riddim (2011) – Russcutazz Music

Russcutazz Music’s Challenge Riddim has a more rootsy, earnest feel than the title might suggest, leaning into conscious reggae rather than any kind of flashy one-drop experiment. The cut list is packed with singers working the same reflective lane — Norrisman on “Learn To Love, ” Mark Wonder on “My Story, ” Perfect on “Over The Years, ” and Jahsenta’s “Strong Black Woman” all sit right at the heart of the project, with songs about survival, self-respect, and pushing through hard times. Even the tougher titles, like Higher Purse’s “Challenges Of Life” and Wippa Demus’ “Don’t Cry, ” keep the mood grounded in everyday pressure. With 22 tracks and 23 voices, the riddim turns into a community session more than a showcase for any one star, and the closing stretch leaves the instrumental’s steady pulse carrying the whole thing home.