Da Dyre Riddim – Kesta Records

In 2008, when dancehall was still leaning hard on crisp digital drums and sharp hook records, Kesta Records’ Da Dyre Riddim slotted neatly into the year’s straight-to-the-point juggling style. The set pulls in Buju Banton’s “Step Up In Life” alongside Mad Cobra’s “Entry Fee” and Little Meeky’s cheeky “Freaky Freaky, ” with Casta “Kesta” Pearson handling the production under the Kesta Records banner. The tracklist reads like a compact cross-section of mid-2000s dancehall voices, from McCulcha and Cheroky Khidd to Snuupi Aka Dawg twice over, plus a version cut from Ricky “Mad Man” Myrie. At around 104 BPM, the riddim keeps a steady, springy pulse and a clipped bass line that leaves room for the deejays to work the pocket rather than crowd it.

Da Dyre Riddim Tracklist:

1. Mcculcha – No Secret
2. Buju Banton – Step Up In Life
3. Little Meeky – Freaky Freaky – (The Return)
4. Snuupiakadawg – My Time Now
5. Paashot – She Love It Hot
6. Dezey Coyottee – Fi Real Dat
7. Mad Cobra – Entry Fee
8. I.Z – Im Sorry
9. Cheroky Khidd – Romantic
10. Snuupiakadawg – Tight Up Shorts
11. Bouncer – Wise Up
12. Little Meeky – Junky Drunky
13. Little Meeky Feat Snuupi – Freaky Freaky – (Remix)
14. Ricky Mad Man Myrie – Dyre Riddim Version