Yaad N Abraad Riddim – Monkey Marc Production

Monkey Marc’s Yaad N Abraad Riddim landed in 2018 on Digikillaz, a roots set with a sharp social edge and a dubwise feel that sits a little outside the usual modern reggae template. Monkey Marc wrote, produced and mixed it from his solar-powered studio in Melbourne, and the release follows his earlier No Surrender Riddim as part of a run that brought heavyweight Jamaican voices into his independent production world.

The title cut with Dre Island sets the tone: a conscious, politically charged chant carried by smooth vocals over a tough, bass-heavy framework. 5 Star’s Cold City adds a more streetwise perspective, while Iba Mahr’s Come Out brings the kind of soulful, roots-minded delivery he has become known for. Aza Lineage’s Prosper is one of the strongest moments on the riddim, pairing her clear, commanding voice with lyrics about survival, focus and self-worth. Earth and the Fullness close out the vocal selections with Living in the Joy, giving the project a warmer, more meditative finish before Monkey Marc’s instrumental version lets the production breathe on its own.

What gives the riddim its character is the way it balances classic reggae fundamentals with a slightly rougher, genre-bending edge. The drums stay steady and militant, the bass stays heavy, and the atmosphere leaves room for each singer to shape the mood without crowding the track. It is a compact set, but the selection feels deliberate, with Dre Island and Aza Lineage doing much of the heavy lifting on the message side.