Hypocritical Riddim – Shakes

Muted roots sway. Anthony Shakes’ Hypocritical Riddim from 2002 leans into that early-2000s conscious reggae pocket, with Anthony B’s “Homeless People” giving the set its sharpest social edge while Courtney Melody’s “Round Here” keeps the message grounded and streetwise. Shakes also steps in on “Hypocrites, ” which nudges the riddim toward the kind of self-produced showcase feel he’d use elsewhere, but here the focus stays on the singers and the chant-heavy mood. John Wayne, Puddy Roots and Othe close things out with “King Selassie I Live, ” a proper roots assembly that gives the release its most overtly devotional moment. With just four cuts, the riddim sits neatly in Shakes’ catalogue as a lean, vocal-forward roots plate rather than a sprawling juggling session.