Dancehall Riddim Juggling Making Resurgence Amid Slew of Recent Hits

Kedean BrownSeptember 3, 2023

In the ’90s and early 2000s, a period many consider to be the golden age of dancehall, riddim juggling was as commonplace as the knee-high leather boots, extravagant wigs, baggy jeans, and jerseys worn by partygoers. A slew of hits by several different artistes could be heard on a single riddim, but like the fading of the fashion that defined an era, so too did the popularity of juggling slowly disappear.

However, with the release of riddims such as the Banga Rock/Drift and Big Bunx Riddim featuring multiple successful singles, riddim juggling has seemingly been making a slow resurgence in dancehall.

Over the years, many have questioned what caused the fading of juggling when it had been such an integral thread in dancehall culture. Some have placed the blame on producers, while others on the artists.

During an interview on Dancehall Hot Seat LLC, promoter Walk and Talk reasoned that both artistes and producers were responsible for juggling’s decline.

But the promoter explained that juggling was making a return as producers could now see that it was more profitable to feature several artistes on a single riddim. Mentioned in the interview, were some successful recent releases: the Banga Rock Riddim produced by Panda, the Inna Dem Head Riddim by Romeich Entertainment, and the Big Bunx Riddim by Zimmi Records.

Though they have not reached the heights of success of riddims such as 2001’s Buy Out riddim, which featured hits such as Sean Paul’s Like Glue and Mr. Eazy’s Drive Me Crazy, they are rapidly gaining more attention. Featured on the Inna Dem Head Riddim are artistes Valiant on the track Motorcade, Chronic Law (Choke), Roze Don (White Rum), Ding Dong (Bup Bup Bup), and Stalk Ashley (Dutty Casamigos).

Featured on the Big Bunx Riddim are artistes such as Valiant on Mad Out, RajahWild (Wild Out), and Najeeriii (Paddle Boat).

The Banga Rock Riddim features the international hit single Drift by Teejay. Despite recent controversy surrounding the riddim, it is arguably the most successful of the three, with dancer/deejay Kaka Highflamez and Chronic Law also appearing on the beat.

Kedean BrownSeptember 3, 2023