Eyes Open Riddim (2022) – Ciga Records

Eyes Open Riddim finds Ciga Records in strong juggling mode, pairing veteran fire with younger voices across one midtempo dancehall groove. The set arrived in 2022 and was issued under Ciga Records, the Jamaica-based label and talent outfit tied to Shawn Baptiste, who has been pushing the imprint as a route for authentic reggae and dancehall into wider markets.

The riddim’s feel is stern and reflective rather than carnival-heavy: a steady 100-BPM pulse, dark enough for street-level concerns but open enough for melody. Alaine opens with “If I Have Faith, ” bringing a patient, uplifting tone; Beenie Man’s “Mankind” adds the authority of a dancehall elder talking plain about people and behavior; and Bounty Killer’s “Firm N’ Strong” gives the project its hardest edge, all gravel and conviction. Chronic Law’s “Scars” and Jahshii’s “Senseless” keep the emotional weight on the table, while Shane O’s “Wicked People” cuts through with his sharp, animated delivery. Kibaki’s “Proud” and Yaksta’s “Heartless” round out the voicings with more fresh energy and a newer-school cadence.

What makes Eyes Open work is the balance between message and menace. It has the kind of pulse that lets singers stretch out, but it still leaves room for deejays to sound defiant. In a year packed with riddims, this one earned its place by mixing established names and rising voices without blurring their personalities.