Ova Dweet: Riddims, Albums, and Mixtapes of 2016
One of the Top 3 Dancehall Riddims of the year anchored by Konshens with 'Bruk Off'.
Randy Valentine rides the world's best Hip-Hop instrumentals from the 90's and beyond on the Rap-Tape 'Radio Music'.
This late release from Seanizzle is our favorite Riddim of the Year. The major keys with the horn lines compliment the high tempo, methodic bassline perfectly. Volume 2 of the Riddim includes Demarco, Beenie Man, Jahmiel, Nesbeth, and more
An album that we thought deserved a Grammy nod. 'Stronger' and 'Health and Strength' garnered heavy rotation for months following the release.
One of the Wickedest releases of the year! A great blend of dubplates, 45s, refixes, and skits. Standout track is 'Kabaka vs Pyramid'
The Lyrical Fyah Returns! Signature tracks include 'Dem Ago Burn' ft Capleton, 'Lyrical Fyah', and 'On My Way Home' ft Randy Valentine.
NotNice scores again with the Ova Dweet Riddim voicing Popcaan on the title track.
Favorite Mixtape of the Year
The original production of the title track for the release has enough energy to be a mixtape within itself. Later in the mix he successfully voices on Barrington Levy's classic Prison Oval Rock Riddim where he tells stories from his youth. Chronixx rides 'Sell My Gun' and 'Spirulina' in the same fashion that we remember from not long ago on songs like 'Behind Curtain'.
Chronixx announced 'Majesty' a North American Tour and album release for 2017.
Maximum Sound presents
The crew at Maximum Sound consistently puts out quality Riddim selections. The thumping baseline of the Armour Riddim was highlighted with tunes 'Picture On The Wall' by Gappy Ranks, 'We Want Better' by Tarrus Riley, and 'Yardman' by Exco Levi. The Blueberry Haze RIddim is a lovers Rock journey anchored by Randy Valentine singing 'Hold On' and Christopher Martin's 'London Girl'.
A big Lovers anthem from Romain Virgo that birthed a Riddim of the same name.
'9' was a bold, artistic, unique, and extremely powerful release from Revival songstress Jah9. An album made with meditation in mind.
favorite Compilation Release of the Year
This is a Reggae release in the fullest of the definition. Jesse Royal singing on a remake of Mikey General's 'Roots & Culture', Romain Virgo in singing a love tune in perfect key ('Unbreakable'), Christopher Martin rides a driving Reggae riddim ('This Could Be Murder'), and Agent Sasco puts 'Never Gonna Break You Down' which could have been on the 'Theory of Reggaetivity' album. All these tunes are surrounded by Silly Walks Discotheque's Riddim selections from 'Honey Pot' and 'Brighter Days'.
The brothers McGregor teamed up for a dubplate ready 'Zero Tolerance' very early in 2016.
VP Records presents 'We Remember Dennis Brown' featuring remakes of the Crown Prince of Reggae by Romain Virgo, Jah Cure, Katchafire, The Green, Jah 9, and many more.
Dancehall hitmaker Alkaline scored a massive with 'Block & Delete' and Mavado serenades about recent rewards with 'Money, Girls, & Fun'.
