Murderation Riddim (2011) – Bmusik Productions

Murderation Riddim keeps its focus on the darker side of dancehall, with a run of gun talk, war tunes, and sharp lyrical jabs that give the whole set a tense, street-level feel. Bmusik Productions lined up ten voices for the 2011 cut, and the title alone tells you the mood: Action’s “Long Time Dem A Fag, ” Acyd Reign’s “The War Is On, ” and First Born’s diss track “Weave Hair Byron Long” all push the clash energy hard, while Cv Aka Da Villain, Draxx, and Elete Squad keep the pressure up with cold, aggressive rides. There’s a little breathing room in the later entries, but not much; Jon Gibeon’s “Murder” and Tussan’s “When Mi Squeeze It” keep the pulse tight, and Zayne’s “The Life I Live” feels like the cleanest closer in the pack.

The sharpest turn comes from First Born, whose direct hit lands like the track everyone else is circling around.