Reggae legend Bob Marley created an unforgettable anthem of peace that still resonates in today’s society. This timeless track remains relevant in modern-day society.
Burning Spear’s Marcus Garvey album featured songs that took on difficult subjects in an upbeat way; for example, this track about slavery serves both as an instructional lesson and celebration of Black heritage.
1. Koffee – Toast
Koffee, at just 22 years old, is already an award-winning Grammy artist. As part of the current resurgence in reggae and dancehall music (along with dancehall), she has made more of an impactful statement than any artist her age in recent memory.
Jamaican singer/songwriter Kheronda won the 2020 Grammy for Best Reggae Album with her Rapture EP and has seen her career flourish since. Touring with Cocoa Tea, being included on Barack and Michelle Obama’s end of year playlist and opening up for Harry Styles are among her recent accomplishments.
Gifted is an inspiring debut album from Koffee that’s certain to cement her place in Jamaican musical history. Crossover party anthem ‘Pull Up’ stands out, thanks to its infectious riddim and confident flow and diction. Meanwhile, Defend celebrates resistance, unity, while on Throne she takes aim at political corruption and social inequality.
2. Major Lazer – Watch Out For This
Reggaeton and dancehall music have found favor with Latin trap artists this year, yet the genre has taken longer to make its presence felt in mainstream audiences. But that has changed significantly this year with Jamaican acts like Busy Signal taking part in this movement by including reggaeton’s classic Dem Bow drum pattern on October’s Parts of the Puzzle album; Jamaican A&Rs like Neil “Diamond” Edwards joining forces with Puerto Rican producers in creating hybrid hybrid that pays homage to both roots of reggaeton music while contemporary Caribbean music generally. Read more here
3. Gyptian – Hold Yuh
Gyptian’s ever-popular single “Hold Yuh” has been making waves all summer, playing out on nearly every car radio station and inspiring numerous remixes such as one by Young Money darling Nicki Minaj herself.
Family Artist’s track has appeared on multiple lists of best reggae music youtube 2019 and dancehall parties across the country. Unfortunately, this summer has been a trying one for Reggae and Dancehall with three deaths occurring within four days; veteran deejay Merciless being shot dead while two members of Mighty Diamonds died just four days apart.
Steely and Clevie Productions filed suit against Luis Fonsi for sampling elements of their 1989 song Fish Market or more widely known internationally as Despacito, although its implications are yet to be seen.
4. Althea & Donna – I Strictly Roots
This section begins with an exciting dancehall track by rising deejay Noah Powa, who delivers tough reality lyrics over the catchy riddim Keep The Same Energy. Teejay from MoBay follows with Owna Lane before Akeeme Campbell (formerly Chronic Law) makes an entrance with his catchy tune One Life on White Gad Records’ Global Warming riddim, before Naomi Cowan performs Paradise Plum for White Gad Records & Jah Cure/ Damian “Jr Gong” Marley end their performances and reggae Gold 2019 with Estelle’s Lights Out as lovers vibes from Estelle while Jah Cure/ Damian “Jr Gong’ Marley’s Marijuana is released into their lineup to complete Reggae Gold 2019!
5. Gregory Issacs – Night Nurse
Reggae Gold Series brings together some of the genre’s greatest hits into an essential compilation. This year’s edition kicks off with Gregory Isaacs’ 1982 classic Night Nurse for Island Records; its intricately woven dancehall riddim, twinkling keys, groovy bass and brass instruments all come together perfectly for an iconic listen. Following that up is Noah Powa’s reality tune Keep The Same Energy before deejay Teejay offers up her Owna Lane which boasts harsh life lyrics set against its heavy dancehall riddim.
Bitty McLean and Sly & Robbie deliver strong lovers vibes on Made To Fall In Love while Queen Ifrica follows with her powerful anthem “I See.” Topping off this album is Stylo G’s massive cross-over hit Touch Down Remix featuring Vybz Kartel and Nicki Minaj.
6. Chaka Demus & Pliers – Murder She Wrote
Reggae Gold brings music lovers an essential compilation, featuring some of the genre’s chart toppers each year. This edition begins with Stylo G’s Touch Down Remix which features both Vybz Kartel and Nicki Minaj on one track, followed by Naomi Cowan with her infectious rub-a-dub track Paradise Plum off of Queen of the Minstrels riddim; British singer Estelle joins Naomi on Lights Out while Bitty McLean and riddim twins Sly & Robbie create an infectious lovers anthem in Marijuana; coming up deejay Chronic Law completes this section with Government off White Gad Records Global Warming riddim.
7. Stefflon Don – 16 Shots
Stefflon Don is a London-based music artist known for her dancehall music with influences of hip-hop. Co-directing this music video with Luke Biggins of 54 London Films, Stefflon explores her efforts to save her mother after she had been abducted by a man and uses montage editing that tells a story through different shots – an approach Andrew Goodwin classifies as illustration style videos.
As an illustration of Stefflon Don as a strong female character, compare this medium close up shot of a woman sitting beside a man with fearful expressions with the high angle shot showing Stefflon holding a gun – she clearly displays dominance by not yielding from this situation – to another close-up showing Stefflon pointing it.
As the camera cuts to its conclusion, a nondiegetic sound of a phone ringing can also be heard, signalling that Stefflon Don has returned home to be with her mother.
8. Sean Paul – No Lie
No Lie was first released as the lead single from Jamaican rapper Sean Paul’s first EP Mad Love the Prequel and later on the super deluxe reissue of Dua Lipa: Complete Edition in November 2016. Written by Paul, Andrew Jackson, Emily Warren and Pip Kembo with production by both Sermstyle and Pip Kembo it reached number one on seven different European charts (including UK Singles Chart ). Furthermore it earned double platinum certification in America for both sales and streams (over two billion combined Spotify plays)
Stylo G and Nicki Minaj collaborated for his Touch Down Remix reality tune and up-and-coming artist Chronic Law offered some hard-hitting truths over White Gad Records’ Global Warming riddim for an unmissable reality tune.
9. Shenseea – Blessed
Shenseea makes her major label debut with Blessed, an ode to self-love and empowerment. Amplified by pounding production that blends Latin trap with reggae influences, the rising star cements her position alongside guest Tyga on this track from Arrad-directed visuals that showcase Shenseea dominating streets with seductive moves.
Naomi Cowan brings us romantic vibes with her catchy rub-a-dub song Paradise Plum. UK reggae icon Estelle brings an exciting sound with Lights Out; Jah Cure and Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley deliver Marijuana as a must have; up-and-coming deejays Noah Powa and Teejay from Mobay provide reality tune Keep The Same Energy while legendary singer Beres Hammond closes off the album with Land Of Sunshine.
10. Skip Marley – Slow Down
Skip Marley made history on Tuesday by becoming the first of his legendary Bob Marley family to ascend to number one on Billboard Adult R&B Songs airplay chart with his single Slow Down featuring H.E.R. It originally debuted back in November 2017 but quickly reached number one six months later and earned Skip his first gold certification from RIAA – Rykeyz also produced this feelgood hit that quickly reached #1 spot.
This track explores deep relationships and genuine affection. This song surged to number one this week thanks to an unprecedented 23 percent jump in airplay plays according to Nielsen Music, becoming number one. Following it comes Christopher Martin with Busy Signal on Global Warming riddim from White Gad Records; shortly thereafter comes Naomi Cowan’s Paradise Plum on Queen of Minstrels riddim from White Gad Records – two powerful tracks!