Phenominal Riddim – Next Gena Musiq

Tense and rugged, the Phenominal Riddim keeps its focus on straight dancehall pressure, with Next Gena Musiq lining up eight cuts from seven artists and leaving plenty of room for the riddim itself to do the talking. Oven Boss’ “Bumbo Klaat” and 1DEDO’s “Car Tire” bring the sharpest bite, while Guesswah Boss’ “Milli Milli (Duffle Bag)” and Danger King’s “Banger Life” push the project into harder street territory. It feels in step with Next Gena Musiq’s run of 2021 work, but there’s a little more snap and urgency here than on some of the earlier label pieces. The production sits in that modern, no-frills dancehall pocket, all weight and motion, which makes Pinnacle X’s title track a tidy closer and a good marker for where the producer’s catalogue was headed at the time.