Sounds Of Joy Riddim – 324 New Empire

324 New Empire’s Sounds Of Joy Riddim arrived in April 2016 as a short, rootsy reggae set with a devotional pull. The production sits in a midtempo pocket at around 176 BPM, but it doesn’t feel rushed; the groove has enough bounce for juggling while keeping a calm, prayerful tone. The instrumental at the end leaves the rhythm itself exposed, and that smooth, steady bed is what gives the whole package its shape.

The line-up is tight and familiar to reggae listeners: Chino on Pass and Gone, I-Octane on Jah Is Life and Set Me Free, Sizzla on Still a Hold the Faith, and Turbulence on Love You Like I Do. I-Octane’s double appearance matters because he brings two different shades to the same rhythm, one more spiritually direct and the other more pleading and reflective. Chino’s cut adds a clean melodic edge, while Sizzla and Turbulence give the riddim its strongest conscious weight, both leaning into faith, endurance and uplift.

324 New Empire was still early in its catalogue at the time, but this release already showed the label’s ear for conscious reggae rather than hard dancehall pressure. Sounds Of Joy Riddim works best as a compact faith record: warm, meditative, and built for singers who can carry message over mood.