Purplehayzzz Riddim – Island Life Records

Purplehayzzz Riddim came out in 2012 on Island Life Records, the label founded by Erwin “Purple” Ewing, with Zimbabwean producer Jusa Dementor handling the production alongside the imprint. It sits in that early-2010s dancehall space where hard digital drums and party-ready hooks met a strong, club-minded presentation, and the name itself points back to Ewing’s Purple nickname.

The riddim carries 12 cuts and draws on a clean, brisk dancehall pulse rather than anything heavy or steppers-driven. The songs keep the energy on the dancefloor, with plenty of talk around partying, style, swagger and attention. Beenie Man’s “Clean Like This” is one of the sharpest entries, pairing his veteran ease with a title and theme built for the selector. Lady Saw’s “Party All ‘Bout” pushes the same social vibe with her usual directness, while Kiprich’s “Dash Wey Liquor” and ZJ Liquid’s “Latest Brand Dem” give the set a sharper street flavor. Patexxx, Taranchyla, Blacka Dan, Jah Sent, Scotch Bonnett, Jupiter and DJ Sunshine round out a lineup that mixes established names with voices that fit the riddim’s youthful, celebratory tone.

The strongest detail in the release is how unified it feels around dancehall nightlife without becoming one-note. It is a straightforward juggling piece, but the mix of Beenie Man, Lady Saw and Kiprich with lesser-known cuts gives it enough range to work both as a dancefloor tool and as a snapshot of the scene in 2012.