Free Willy Riddim – Free Willy

Rough-edged dancehall energy drives the Free Willy Riddim, a 2002 juggling that leans on big names and singjay sparring rather than any polished concept. The cut opens up for Anthony B and Little Twitch, then swings through Buju Banton’s “Love Is A Mountain, ” Capleton’s taut “Yeah! , ” Lady Saw’s cheeky “Dem Wine Ya, ” and a sharp Vybz Kartel link-up with Wayne Marshall on “I Told Ya. ” It feels like the kind of rhythm Free Willy was leaning into around that period: plainspoken, bass-heavy, and tuned for the dance rather than the radio. Compared with the producer’s later, more melodic outings, this one has a harder, more stripped feel, with the energy spread across a deep roster that also pulls in Beenie Man, Shabba Ranks, Sizzla, Mega Banton and Delly Ranks. It sits neatly in the early-2000s Free Willy catalogue as one of the imprint’s busier, more veteran-loaded dancehall sets.

Free Willy Riddim Tracklist:

1. Anthony B And Little Twitch – Girl
2. Beenie Man And Gringo – Gyal Yuh Fi
3. Buju Banton – Love Is A Mountain
4. Capleton – Yeah!
5. Dave – Cash Money
6. Kanaga – Want Some Dough
7. Lady Saw – Dem Wine Ya
8. Little Kirk And Delly Ranks – Same Vibez
9. Mega Banton – Ghetto Man Dream
10. Shabba Ranks – Indeed
11. Silvercat – Woman Worldwide
12. Sizzla – Girl U Got D Goodness
13. Tanto Metro And Devonte – Slow Tonite
14. Enjoy Your Life
15. Wave U Hand Now
16. Version – Free Willy
17. Vybz Kartel – Gimme
18. Vybz Kartel And Wayne Marshall – I Told Ya
19. Wickerman – Some Hot Girls