Destiny Riddim (2001) – True Blue

True Blue’s Destiny Riddim arrived in 2001 with that rough-edged early-2000s dancehall-reggae swing that sits somewhere between chanting street talk and melodic singjay lift. John Dunkley’s production name has been tied to a run of True Blue and Cartel Family projects around that period, and this one fits neatly in that catalogue of tough, radio-ready juggling rhythm pieces.

The line-up is deep enough to feel like a snapshot of the era. Anthony B’s Babylon Bwoy brings the righteous fire he made his name on, while Alley Cat’s Peace and Bobby Crystal’s Dont Come Back give the rhythm a more conversational, everyday feel. Captain Barkey’s Pull Lock and Flourgon’s Boom Song keep the set rooted in the harder dancehall side, and Lukie D’s There For Me adds a smoother vocal colour that opens the riddim up. Hawkeye’s Man And Woman Of Today, Singing Melody’s Bless Your Heart, and Tony Curtis’ Shizzle help balance the set with brighter, more melodic turns. Nitty Kutchie, Determine, Saba Tooth, and the duo cuts from Roundhead and Ghost, Powerman and Steve Machete, and Mr Chicken and Weekend give it extra weight across the juggling.

What makes Destiny interesting is the contrast: the rhythm has a firm, unhurried stomp, but the voices keep shifting it into different moods, from warning talk and social commentary to lover’s-rock sweetness. It feels like a True Blue set designed for selectors who wanted variety without losing the backbone of the groove.