El Chapo Riddim (2017) – Notnice Records

El Chapo Riddim arrived in 2017 as a Notnice Records juggling that feels sharp, dark, and streetwise rather than glossy. Notnice, born Ainsley Morris in Waterford, St. Catherine, had already built a reputation as one of dancehall’s most dependable young beatmakers, with a catalogue that stretches from Popcaan’s early breakthrough years to some of the scene’s biggest recent anthems. His productions tend to pair heavy drum knock, roomy bass, and melodic touches that give the clash records a little more bounce than brute force.

This one sits comfortably in that lane. The rhythm has a tense, minor-key pull, and the instrumental leaves enough space for deejays to sound hungry without overcrowding the mix. Popcaan’s “El Chapo” is the headline cut, and it makes sense: he was already one of the era’s most international dancehall voices, with a gift for turning raw street language into something catchy and memorable. Masicka’s “The Right Place” adds a more clipped, fast-talking intensity, while Jafrass brings youthful Kingston energy on “War Mi Nuh. ” Teflon’s “En Memoria” shifts the mood toward something more reflective, and Wasp’s “Envy” keeps the pressure on with a grittier, warning-shot delivery.

What makes the riddim work is the balance between those approaches. It has enough bite for the war side of dancehall, but the melody and spacing stop it from feeling one-note. As a set, it captures a moment when Notnice was still sharpening his signature sound into something instantly recognizable.