Ghetto Raid Riddim – Various Artists

By 2004, the Ghetto Raid name already had a little catalogue weight behind it, and this third volume keeps that French Caribbean dancehall energy moving with a tighter, more local lineup than a big-name showcase. Aziz’s “Bondie Gran” and Stone-J’s “Mixe” sit alongside cuts from Lovy Jam, One Day, and the duo of Shakala and La Fripouille, while the riddim itself leans on a rough, compact pulse that leaves plenty of room for rapid-fire Creole-toasted vocals and singjay hooks. Stone-J had already been turning heads in the scene around this period, and his appearance here feels like part of that same run. The set runs ten tracks in all, with Supa Gana Lee closing it out on “Dued Babylon Met Sa Red. ”