The influence that dancehall has right now is pretty hard to overstate with so many big tunes still using air-horns and vocal snippets for added hype. Even on a more subtle level though the bugged out percussion, synths and effects of club music at the moment seem to borrow heavily from Jamaican music. All this has been made blindingly obvious by last week’s release of the Major Lazer album I know but hey, any excuse to post some heat right? This here selection represents my three favorite riddims all getting heavy play in my sets right now.
First up Timberlee and Ward 21 on Rae Riddim. Her voice always has such a sense of urgency to it, switching effortlessly between two perfectly contrasting styles. Rae Riddim is so minimal and bad ass with that saw tooth bass directed squarely at the dancefloor.
Next up is Warrior Queen on Piano Riddim with The Heatwave’s beats such a perfect match for her calm and casual flow.
Finally South Rakkas and Bounty Killer on their very own Bionic Ras Riddim. The wobbly bassline and stabs of synth strings sounding like some Toddla T style production. Definitely a strong UK garage / bashment feel going on here.
