Where to start with Jamaican Dancehall
Jamaican Dancehall is a genre from Kingston, Jamaica, 1979–1995. Its principal artists include Yellowman, Shabba Ranks and King Jammy. This issue covers 8 essential albums and 14 dated events.
Start here
- 1
Mister Yellowman
Yellowman · 1982Original release: Greensleeves Records · GREL 35 · 12″ Vinyl · UK 1982This debut established slackness style on record and proved dancehall could sell internationally, making Yellowman a star almost overnight.
- 2
Sleng Teng Extravaganza
Various Artists · 1985It documents the digital riddim that changed dancehall production for good, the technological turning point behind the genre's sound.
- 3
As Raw as Ever
Shabba Ranks · 1991Original release: Epic · 468102 2 · CD · US 1991This Grammy-winning album carried 'Mr. Loverman' onto pop radio worldwide, proving dancehall could crossover without losing its edge.
Go deeper
- 4
Zungguzungguguzungguzeng
Yellowman · 1983Original release: Greensleeves Records · GREL 57 · 12″ Vinyl · UK 1983The title track became one of the most sampled dancehall riddims ever made, picked up by KRS-One for Boogie Down Productions' "Remix for P Is Free" in 1987 and by…
- 5
Just Reality
Shabba Ranks · 1990Original release: VP Records · VP1117 · 12″ Vinyl · US 1990Just Reality contained "Dem Bow," the riddim that would go on to define reggaeton and reroute the direction of Latin popular music.
- 6
X-tra Naked
Shabba Ranks · 1992Original release: Epic · E 52464 · 12″ Vinyl · US 1992X-tra Naked delivered Shabba's second consecutive Grammy for Best Reggae Album at the 1993 ceremony, a run that confirmed dancehall's commercial standing in the American market.
- 7
Dutty Rock
Sean Paul · 2002Original release: Atlantic · 83621-2 · CD · US 2002Dutty Rock was Sean Paul's mainstream breakthrough, carrying "Get Busy" to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, the first dancehall single ever to do so.
For the obsessed
- 8
New Level Unlocked
Alkaline · 2016New Level Unlocked topped the Billboard Reggae Charts for eighteen weeks in 2016, breaking a five-year drought during which no dancehall record had reached number one in its own category.
The stories behind every record are in Jamaican Dancehall, a members' issue.