Justice Riddim (2004) – Dejavu Records

Dejavu Records’ Justice Riddim lands in that early-2000s stretch when roots-conscious singers and sharper dancehall voices were still sharing the same juggling space. Marlon Cooke’s Dejavu imprint is the force behind it, and the set comes in 2004 with five vocal cuts that keep the message side of reggae front and center.

Anthony B opens with “Good Will Conquer, ” bringing the militant uplift he was already known for, while Anthony Cruz follows with “One Of Those Times, ” a more reflective turn from an artist who has long moved between lovers rock, culture songs and reality talk. Luciano’s “For Old Times Sakes” gives the riddim its warmest, most spiritual lift; his roots delivery sits right in the lane that made him one of the defining conscious voices of the era. Norris Man’s “Babylon” pushes the same anti-oppression theme with a rougher edge, and Vybz Kartel’s “Life Over Death” adds the set’s most striking contrast, with his early-2000s dancehall energy cutting through the heavier roots framing.

The riddim itself has that earthy, mid-tempo pull that suits songs about survival, faith and resistance. It leaves enough space for the singers to stretch phrases and sell the message, but it still has enough drive to keep a juggling moving in the dance. As a project, Justice works because every cut circles the same idea from a different angle: standing firm, rejecting Babylon, and choosing principle over pressure.