When one tries to consider the complete output in a span of 10 years it becomes obvious that reggae and specifically dancehall reggae is by no means static! In the last decade we saw dancehall artistes continue to work and perform at fever pitch making the task of a review quite a difficult and time-consuming one. But it was fun. It was fun to look back and see how this once struggling genre soared to its greatest heights yet, just in this decade alone. Then there were also the great challenges. International acclaim, steady collabos with mainstream artists was met with the total misrepresentation by the homosexual groups. The emergence of new talents was dampened by the loss of peoplel like Baby Wayne, gatemasters like Gilly Priest and the sidelining of Buju Banton. Much great music was released and choosing only 10 was difficult. We rated albums based not just on popularity or sales figures but quality of music and impact on the genre.
# 10. ART AND LIFE – BEENIE MAN released 2000
This was a breakout album and an extremely good start to the millenium for dancehall and its leading act Beenie Man. Signed to international Virgin Atlantic and featuring a host of big names including Wyclef Jean and Redman, the album immediately raised the profile of dancehall on the urban scene. Musically the album was exceptionally diverse with urban and latin fusions and samples from posterity including Dennis Brown. It won Beenie a Grammy, and with that immense bragging rights in his rivalry with Bounty Killa.
#9. STILL BLAZING –CAPLETON released 2002/WELCOME TO JAMROCK-DAMIAN MARLEYreleased 2005
Capleton was at his roots and dancehall best on this one. He invites guests Luciano, Glen Washington and Morgan Heritage to toast to some classic and some new riddims, excellently produced. Between roots and hardcore he shouts “Whoa”, delivers his trademark many-lined verses and toasts the ladies. With biting militancy he speaks of his prophecy regarding the 9/11 catastrophe that same year, voiced his conspiracy theories and dashed the whole lot in, you know it, a pit of fyah!!
Jamrock was an exceptionally well received album from the youngest Marley son. It broke ground in addressing the disparity between the Jamaica that tourists know and the real Jamaica. Marley`s album was pretty ecclectic with many standout tracks holding their own beside the colossal title track which took its beat from Ini Kamoze`s foundation track. It was in all a dizzying and titilating mix of roots, dancehall, and some hip-hop flavour.
#8. WALK OUT LADY SAW released 2007
Somewhat underplayed and undervalued this album showcased the best of Lady saw at work with the heaviest hitting producers in dancehall. The Album also features the autobiographical “Infertility”also released with video. By the conclusion of the 14 track set it is clear: Marion Hall is a dancehall natural wonder.
#7. ART OF WAR – BOUNTY KILLA released 2002
Art of War showcases the very best of the Warlord`s spirit. The Five Star General`s lyrical shots find their mark time and time again throughout the set, making this one of the best war packages in any genre. He launches an blistering all out attack on Vegas, Beenie, Ninjaman, and Dave Kelly. So lethal is his invective that all attempts by the competition to respond mostly fell flat.
#6. GHETTO STORY – CHAM released 2006
Baby Cham was on fire in the middle of the decade and it culminated in Ghetto Story. He stayed loyal to long-time friend and exceptional producer Dave Kelly and it paid huge dividends. Remaining true to the dancehall sound he scored heavily breaking into multiple international markets with Ghetto Story. In fact the releases of the songs Ghetto Story and Vitamin S threw dancehall into olsd school nostaligia that lasted into the late millenium. It was a significant turnaround coming on the heels of the “get jiggy” period. The album is certainly one of the best packges released in the last decade featuring highlights fom Alicia Keys on the remix of the title track and also Rihanna. It reinforced what it meant to be loyal and still push the barriers of the genre.
REGGAE IS THE ROOT 