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| …the throwback sounds on Protoje’s Ancient Future demonstrate that reggae is always rooted in its foundations Photograph: Screengrab |
The Guardian – ” This year the world caught wind of something that Jamaicans have known for decades. Reggae is still great and the best reggae still hails from Jamrock.”
– Even if the standout dancehall track of 2015 came from a man in prison, the Caribbean was pumping out music that infiltrated the top of the global charts…
Protoje, Vybz Kartel and Kabaka Pyramid have been listed as producing some of the best Reggae and Dancehall music that infiltrated the top the global charts in 2015 by The Guardian. Written by Eric MacLeod and published December 30, The Playlist roundup also highlighted some ‘dancehall-influenced‘ moments of 2015 See excerpts below:-
Protoje – Answer to Your Name
This year (2014) the world caught wind of something that Jamaicans have known for decades. Reggae is still great and the best reggae still hails from Jamrock. Even Vogue caught on. It’s been labelled the reggae revival, but the throwback sounds on Protoje’s excellent album Ancient Future, the ska vibes of Answer To Your Name being a case in point, demonstrate that Reggae is always rooted in its foundations. Need more evidence? Check fellow “revivalist” Chronixx’s pair-up with Inner Circle to make Tenement Yard (News Carrying Dread), a revisiting of Jacob Miller’s classic.
Vybz Kartel – Dancehall
Vybz Kartel is in prison for a serious offense, and he’s not getting out any time soon. However, it seems that dancehall can’t find a free and clear competitor for his World Boss crown. Though Gully Bop’s Who She Want alongside the UK’s Stylo G, wasn’t bad, 2015
didn’t confirm the potential demonstrated by 2014’s hugh My God Dem Nah Bad Like Me. So, too, with Alkaline, whose Things Take Time and Fleek are OK, but far too Auto-Tuned and not too memorable. Kranium’s Nobody Has To Know hit the big time in 2015, but the tune is from way back in 2013, and Dexta Dap’s biggest tunes are those with roots in 2014. Hopefully the man who has called himself Di Teacha can continue to educate the up and comers from behind bars: there’s certainly a need for new and interesting Jamaican dancehall.
Kabaka Pyramid – Well Done
Kabaka ended 2014 with a triumphant performance at Sting, Jamaica’s Boxing Day bonanza that is dubbed the “greatest one night reggae show on Earth.” His sharp with and social commentary won over the crowd and continued into 2015. He’s often grouped with the other members of the so-called reggae revival, but deserves a little shine of his own. Well Done is an excellent, sarcastic screed against the government of his own country as well as politics in general….
On Dancehall’s Influence – Justin Bieber (Sorry)
There were a lot of dancehall-influenced moments in 2015. The critically acclaimed I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times) had Jamie XX bringing Popcaan and Young Thug together with a bouncy beat and a 1970s soul sample from the Persuasions. Drake’s cha-cha-cha- shuffle and lazy, bass-y-dancehall swagger gave Hotline Bling a tropical feel. But it was the Bieb’s (Justine Bieber) ressurection and acquisition of coolness that really required engagement with the riddim of dancehall. In his case, it was the dem bow, which many aficionados know as the rhythmic basis of reggaeton. Everything about Sorry is spectacular, especially the dancehall-styled choreography of Parris Goebel, and if you don’t admit that it’s fire, I’ll use Justin’s own words: “Is it too late now to say sorry?”
Read ‘The Playlist’ full story click The Guardian
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