First Prize Riddim (2005) - First Name Music

First Prize Tracklist:

Assassin – Break You Down
Blacker – Look Good
Capleton – Thats True
Cecile – Goodie
Chempe – Bad Mind
Desperado – Youth Dem
Elephant Man – Money
Hawkeye – Cash Or Card
B – Suplements
Lady Saw – Like A Dream
Macka Diamond – Nuh Need Yuh
Mr Vegas – Things
Red Rat – This Music
Red Square – Give The Girls
Ric Roc – Thank You
Shane O – Hustler
Spotlight – Girl You Look Sexy
Spragga Benz – A Nuh Now Mi Say
O.K – Ya Ya Ya
Tamone – My Body
Version – First Prize Riddim
Voicemail – Can’t Believe
Wayne Marshall – Lead The Way

First Prize (2005) Release Details

Riddim year: 2005
Style: Dancehall
Total tracks: 23
Unique artists on riddim: 23
Production credits: FIRST NAME MUSIC
Key artists on this riddim: Capleton, Cecile, Elephant Man, Hawkeye, Lady Saw, Macka Diamond
Browse this riddim in year & database lists: 2005 Riddims List · 2005 Dancehall Riddims

First Prize Riddim arrived in 2005 through First Name Music and VP’s Riddim Driven series, a period when dancehall compilations were still leaning hard on one rhythm and a long guest list to keep jukes and selectors fed. The set sits in the middle of that mid-2000s era: polished, radio-friendly, and made for juggling rather than deep album listening.

The rhythm itself comes off brisk and clipped, with a clean digital pulse that leaves plenty of space for the DJs to work. It is not one of those heavy, bass-smeared runners that overwhelms the voice; instead, it keeps the arrangement bright and direct, which suits the way the songs bounce between braggadocio, party talk, money talk, and sly badness. Elephant Man’s “Money” brings the frantic energy he was known for, while Mr. Vegas’ “Things” and Lady Saw’s “Like A Dream” give the set more melodic shape and personality. Capleton’s “That’s True” adds a harder, more militant edge, and Macka Diamond’s “Nuh Need Yuh” draws on the sharp-tongued confidence that made her a fixture in the era. Assassin’s “Break You Down” and Spragga Benz’s cut keep the pressure on with nimble patter, while Voicemail and Wayne Marshall help round out the more playful side of the riddim.

First Prize is not a landmark rhythm, but it captures a very specific 2005 dancehall moment: slick, crowded, and built for sound system rotation, with enough strong voices to keep the groove moving.