Crying Game Riddim – First Class Records

First Class Records keeps this one in the ZimDancehall lane rather than chasing a broad commercial dancehall sound, and that local focus is exactly what makes Crying Game Riddim feel lived-in. Released in 2021, the juggling pulls in 14 tracks from 14 different artists, with Codeblax getting two appearances right at the top and Nactaz linking with Skeo Mufaso for “Manera” in the middle of the run. There’s a bittersweet, melodic pressure running through the whole sequence, especially on cuts like Jah Mision’s “Zvinorwadza” and Lucas Green’s “Muchibhema, ” while Taylor Made It’s “First Class” sounds like a deliberate nod back to the label itself. The tracklist is arranged like a proper showcase, moving from double entries and featured collaborations into a final stretch that keeps the mood steady rather than front-loading the biggest names.