Gunshot Riddim – Various Producers

By 1982, dancehall was hardening into something leaner and more confrontational, and Gunshot Riddim fits right into that shift with its blunt title, clipped groove, and the kind of militant pulse that invited singers to get straight to the point. The cut turns up under different voices across the years, from Anthony Johnson’s original “Gunshot” and “Sound Clash” to Bounty Killer’s “Kill For Fun, ” while Cutty Ranks and Cujo Ranks keep the “Yuh Friend Them Boots Yuh” angle in that later, rougher style. There’s also a strong link back to Jah Thomas and Midnight Rock in the early versions, with Roots Radics and Dean Fraser appearing on “Empty Gun, ” which helps pin the sound to Kingston’s heavy bass-and-drum architecture. It’s a dark, no-nonsense riddim built on a tight one-drop feel, grim bassline, and sharp, gunfire-ready vocal delivery.

Gunshot Riddim Tracklist:

1. Anthony Johnson – Gunshot
2. Anthony Johnson – Sound Clash
3. Bounty Killer – Kill For Fun
4. Cane Juice – Gunshot
5. Colourman – Watch The Jeep (Creation)
6. Cujo Ranks – Yuh Friend Them Boots Yuh
7. Cutty Ranks – Yuh Friend Them Boots Yuh
8. Da’ville – It’s Over Now
9. Daddy Blue – Amount A Dub
10. Danny English – Bigga Bus This Year
11. Danny Mangaroo – War & Crime
12. Dean Fraser, Jah Thomas, Roots Radics – Empty Gun
13. Earl Cunningham – Name And Number
14. Early B – Take Up Your Bible
15. Everton Chambers – Walk In Peace
16. Frankie Paul – Just Be My Ldy
17. Frankie Paul – Pass Me The Scale
18. Jack Radics – If You Could See Me Now
19. Jah Thomas – Lyrics For Sale
20. Johnny Osbourne – Upfront Lover Dub
21. Johnny Osbourne – Upfront Lover
22. King Rolex & Anthony Johnson – Everyday A Shot Dem Buss
23. Linval Thompson – Gun Talk
24. Little John – Name And Number.flac
25. Louie Lepkie – Return Of The Champion
26. Mad Cobra – R.i.p
27. Michael Palmer – Happy Merry Christmas
28. Midnight Rock Crew – Gunshot Version
29. Patrick Andy – See Dem A Come
30. Peter Metro – Seven Heroes
31. Philip Frazer – Morning Mr. Officer
32. Ranking Ann – A Wa Do Men
33. Robert Ffrench – I Need Your Loving
34. Sammy Dread – They Been Talking
35. Scientist & Roots Radics – Gunshot
36. Singie Singie – Willing And Able
37. Super Cat – Dance Inna New York (Hedspin Intro Edit)
38. The Roots Radics – Empty Gun
39. Tony Tuff – Gallop For Me
40. U Mike – Turn And Twist
41. Wayne Smith – Rapid Dem Love [discomix]
42. Yellowman – Badness A Madness