Roots Walk Riddim – Rockaz Elements/Jtr

Iya Champs’ “Mamma” is the quickest way into Roots Walk Riddim, because her cut carries the kind of focused, earthy toast that gives the whole project its backbone. Rockaz Elements and JTR keep the rhythm stripped down but muscular, with a rolling bassline and a patient, walking pulse that leaves room for each singer to lean into the message. Jaydak’s “Trodding to the Hills” and Rekka’s “Make Use of Your Time” push the consciousness angle, while Shakka Pee’s “Africa Is My Home” and Venomus’s “Distance” keep the vibe reflective and rooted. Rockaz Elements even steps in with “I Speak Life, ” which ties the set together nicely. Released in January 2019 as a six-track EP, it sits right in that late-2010s dancehall pocket where roots phrasing and modern riddim craft were meeting in the middle.