Dtape Riddim – Down Sound Records

Down Sound’s D’Tape Riddim comes off a little rougher and more direct than the cleaner, radio-friendly dancehall the label could lean into, and that edge suits the songs on it. Sizzla’s “Stop The Killing” pushes the forward-leaning, message-heavy side of the riddim, while Lion Cub’s “Glamorous Girls” keeps it on the dancefloor with a slyer, more playful vibe. The cut also pulled in a pretty deep 2006 line-up — Anthony B, Perfect, Junior Reid, Frisco Kid, Harry Toddler and others all rode it — which tells you this one had proper pull in the scene. It landed in a year when Down Sound was busy enough to keep its name moving through the riddim circuit, and D’Tape fits neatly into that mid-2000s stretch of sharp, compact dancehall productions.