Katana Riddim (2004) – K.Licious Music

Tony “CD” Kelly’s K-Licious Music was already a serious name in dancehall by the time Katana landed in 2004, with Kelly’s reputation built on sleek, radio-ready riddims that still kept enough street pressure for sound system play. Katana sits squarely in that lane: a bright, forward-driving juggling with a sharp digital edge, a taut bounce, and enough space for hooks to cut through cleanly. It has the kind of polished tension Kelly became known for, where the rhythm feels lightweight but the attitude stays hard.

The biggest names on the riddim tell the story immediately. Bounty Killer’s Top Billing brings his trademark gruff authority, while Shaggy’s Ready Fi Di Ride pushes the project toward crossover territory without losing the dancehall swing. Delly Ranks gets two looks, including the Delly Ranks and Voicemail pairing on Katana, and that combination gives the riddim one of its most memorable moments by mixing rugged deejay energy with Voicemail’s catchy group style. Wayne Wonder’s Di Agony and Tanya Stephens’ Female Pimping widen the palette further, and Hawkeye’s Full Dem Up and Jagwa and Voicemail’s Want It All Day keep the juggling lively. Chico, Bud, Cezar, Delicious, Stacy Ann, Tami, Kymberli, Matik and Luddy round out a set that feels rooted in the early-2000s dancehall transition, when local street records and glossy singles were often sharing the same space.

Kelly’s hand is easy to hear throughout: neat production, crisp drums, and a rhythm that invites big voices rather than clutter. Katana works best as a producer’s document, and Bounty Killer, Shaggy, Delly Ranks and Voicemail give it the cuts that linger.