Producers aim to bring back authentic juggling culture

Producers Jermaine ‘Lenky’ Edwards and Norman ‘Bulpus’ Bryan showcase the essence of reggae-dancehall music with their new riddim titled ‘Hostile Takeover’.

This latest collaboration features Capleton, Busy Signal, Delly Ranx, Munga Honorable, Jah Izrehl and Qrush. This new riddim combines elements from different peak eras in dancehall music. Released on January 7 on all listening platforms, Hostile Takeover, Bryan told The Gleaner, is “unapologetically reggae-dancehall”.

“I am trying to keep the original ‘90s dancehall flow. When we travel internationally, people ask us why we are not releasing songs like this any more, and we decided to fill that gap. When we approaced the atistes to record, everybody loved the riddim and it was no hassle for them to do a song. Radio has been showing love and overall, the response is great,” Bryan stated.

The juggling itself seamlessly pulls together some of the famous elements in the dancehall zeitgeist, from the heavy operatic chords to the one-drop percussive drums and bass guitar. The familiarity of the elements in the riddim makes for a lively and nostalgic experience that is made anew with the lyrics of artistes like Busy Signal. With contemporary lyrics and flows, the featured artiste revitalises a legacy that has been the sonic identity of dancehall for generations. From Vershon’s Ring the Alarm (Stardom); Capleton’s Wah Do Some Clown, to Busy Signal’s In Town, all the featured tracks explore the potential of the riddim in a unique way.

“I would definitely say that right now, it is the Busy [song] and the Capleton [song] that are getting the most play. But as the others soak in, we know that the requests will definitely increase,” a confident Bryan stated.

He feels that this vibrant vintage sound is exactly what dancehall music has needed for a long time, and as “one of the few riddims charting the future of the music using the cultural successes of the past, it’s safe to say juggling culture is in good hands”.

Over the years, Bryan and Edwards have spawned a number of hit riddims, including the ‘Fury Riddim’.