The Joyride Riddim: Dave Kelly’s Slick Blueprint for Modern Dancehall In the mid-1990s, Dancehall was undergoing a transformation. The digital boom of the '80s had matured, and producers were refining their sound — stripping it back while upping the groove. At the center of this shift stood Dave Kelly, the mastermind behind some of Dancehall’s most enduring riddims. Among them, none stood out quite like Joyride Riddim, released in 1996 through his Madhouse Records label. Characterized by its slick, mid-tempo swing, rubbery bassline, and polished drum programming, Joyride Riddim was the definition of smooth. It didn’t hit you over the head...

This edition of the Riddim Breakdown series is a special one as we take a look at what has to be one of the most versioned riddims in the history of Reggae. ‘Real Rock’ was created in the late 1960s by the legendary Jamaican band Sound Dimension at the famous Studio One. This riddim has become a cornerstone of Reggae music, influencing countless artists across genres and generations. Its infectious bassline, driving rhythm, and distinctive organ melodies have made it a foundational groove that continues to resonate in music today. The ‘Real Rock’ riddim was crafted in 1967 under the direction...

In this second instalment of our Riddim Breakdown series, we are looking at one of the most influential Reggae tracks of all time: Wayne Smith's 'Under Mi Sleng Teng.' Released in 1985, this song didn't just top charts; it revolutionised the entire genre. The tale of 'Under Mi Sleng Teng' began when young musician Noel Davey and his pal Wayne Smith got their hands on a Casio MT-40 keyboard. They'd managed to get hold of it from his friend George "Buddy" Haye, a musician who had been touring the US with The Wailing Souls. Davey was hoping for a Yamaha DX7 synthesiser, but...

'Stalag 17' by Ansel Collins & Winston Riley has been used for over 300 versions of Reggae and Dancehall tunes and has been sampled in hundreds more songs in other genres.  Find out the story of one of the most well-known and reused riddims in the history of Reggae music.