With the 90’s revival movement in full swing in 2014, DJ Frass chose the perfect time to bring back the vibes of 1998’s iconic Brukout Riddim in the form of Gwaan Bad. This release stuck to the hard subject matter familiar with Brukout, with most artists on the Gwaan Bad riddim warning foes not to test. Still, Leftside and Elephant Man managed to sneak in a few dancing chunes, and we got to hear the only new release for 2014 by the still-incarcerated Buju Banton with his youth-inspiring track “Make It.”. Another incarcerated dancehall star of 2014 (arguably the best for the year), Vybz Kartel also features on the riddim with a song titled “Make Di Star Shine”
Top 10 Dancehall Overview
In 2014, the dancehall scene saw a powerful release with the Top 10 Dancehall Riddim. This project brought together some of the most respected names in Jamaican music production, including Dj Frass, Notnice Records, Chimney Records, Zj Dymond, H20 Records, Yellow Moon Records and Dj Sunshine, Head Concussion Records, Juke Boxx Production, Jah Snow Cone, and Yard Vybz. Each production house added its own touch, helping to shape the unique sound of the riddim. The riddim came together through a mix of creativity and skill found in the top yard studios. The producers worked with the popular singjay style, making sure the vocals matched the energy of the beats. Songs like Gwaan Bad Riddim and Boom Bo Riddim stood out, each bringing a different flavor but keeping the same strong dancehall spirit. The compilation captured the rebellious feeling of the time. The beats were bold and explosive, making listeners want to move. The music reflected what was happening in Jamaica and the world, giving young people a voice and a rhythm to follow. Top 10 Dancehall Riddim proved that Jamaican studios could still lead the way in dancehall music. The teamwork between different producers and studios showed the strength and creativity of the local scene. In a year full of releases, this project became a favorite for many fans. It remains a key example of how yard studios kept dancehall fresh and exciting in 2014.
- Gwaan Bad Riddim – Dj Frass
- Boom Box Riddim – Notnice Records
- Happy Hour Riddim – Chimney Records
- Promiscuous Riddim – Zj Dymond
- The Good Book Riddim – H20 Records
- Wul Dem/Wul Dem Again Riddim – Yellow Moon Records And Dj Sunshine
- Rvssian Riddim – Head Concussion Records
- Greatest Creation Riddim – Juke Boxx Production
- Nuh Fraid Riddim – Jah Snow Cone
- Work Permit Riddim – Yard Vybz
Releases Similar to Top 10 Dancehall Riddims Of 2014
Research and editorial by Riddimz Kalacta & Goltem, sourcing from physical vinyl labels, Discogs, ReggaeFever, Riddim-ID, DancehallMag, and other trusted archives.