Ugly Riddim (2015) – Ghettolynxx Wasp Records

Ugly Riddim came out in 2015 from Ghettolynxx Records and Wasp Records, and it lands in that mid-2010s dancehall zone where a hard, stripped-back juggling leaves plenty of room for personalities. The project runs 17 tracks and, beyond the title cut, the lineup pulls in a mix of veterans and singers who know how to ride a riddim without crowding it.

Mega Banton opens with “Big Up Every Garrison, ” and his seasoned deejay tone gives the set an old-school flash. Natural Black’s “Chikungunya Song” is one of the more immediately memorable cuts, using a topical subject and a more melodic delivery to break up the tougher chants around it. Jah Mason’s “Juggling” and General Trees’ “Life Of Living” both sit nicely on the groove, with roots-conscious voices cutting through a dancehall framework. Perfect Giddimani’s “Girl Miss A Boy” adds a sharper, more playful edge, while Macka Beard’s “Gimmie Di Change” keeps things in the everyday street-talk lane.

Turbulence linking with Sunny Terrible on “Quick Fi Lou” adds another strong moment, and the set closes with the instrumental “Ugly Riddim, ” which confirms this as a proper showcase for the production rather than just a loose compilation. The beat itself feels roomy and bass-heavy, with a steady pulse that lets each vocalist stamp a different mood on the same foundation.