The Story Behind Gyptian’s ‘Serious Times’
When Reggae star Gyptian recorded his breakout single, Serious Times in 2004, Jamaica teetered on the brink of total anarchy as blazing guns obliterated 1400 lives that year.
Opinion, reviews, interviews, staff lists, rankings, and other long talking about Reggae and Dancehall music and culture.
When Reggae star Gyptian recorded his breakout single, Serious Times in 2004, Jamaica teetered on the brink of total anarchy as blazing guns obliterated 1400 lives that year.

In recent times, the Jamaican Government, specifically the Prime Minister has voiced concerns that Dancehall music is the cause of the country’s surge in violent crimes.

One of Dancehall music’s most distinct sound patterns is that of the Punaany Riddim. That memorable and very recognizable beat architecture can be attributed to the innovations of second city-born record producer Lloyd ‘King Jammy’ James, who honed his craft under the stewardship of late music industry deity and dub premier Osbourne ‘King Tubby’ Ruddock.

The number one Reggae album in the world on iTunes is Fire & Stone (Prince Fatty Presents) by Stick Figures.

Spice’s debut album TEN drops this summer, and if her new song and video Go Down Deh is any indication, her fanbase can look forward to an insane production.

Bounty Killer is undeniably one of the biggest names to emerge from Dancehall music. His pivotal moments in the early ’90s unveiled the rough-neck rude boy that still armors his persona today, some three decades later.

Dancehall veteran Beenie Man owes his four decades of success to incredible work ethic and a penchant for causing controversy every now and then.

Constantin “Costi” Ioniță is the producer of Spice’s latest Dancehall hit with Shaggy and Sean Paul, Go Down Deh, which was released on April 30 ahead of her upcoming debut album, TEN.

This weekend was a solid one for new Dancehall and Reggae releases. Whether you were keeping an ear out for the next big summer scorcher, or just browsing for new jams to add to your drive-time playlist, you would have found something to match your vibe.

Stage shows and parties are integral to Reggae and Dancehall in Jamaica. So, whether you are a local or someone just visiting the island, you have probably heard about weekly sessions—some of the street dances—like Uptown Mondays, Boasy Tuesdays, and Weddy Weddy Wednesdays.

For a long time, artist discovery in Jamaica was limited to traditional studio culture and the “quality control” involved in vetting before recording said artists.

Beenie Man has been at the top of Dancehall music since the 1990s. The 47-year-old’s stage performance and musical abilities have given him a Grammy award and several Mobo awards.

DJ Khaled has been promoting Khaled Khaled since his last album dropped in 2019. No one really knows why and how Khaled is able to have more guest appearances than an Obama All Black White House party.

Spice’s latest single, the long awaited ladies anthem Go Down Deh is a slick and sexy “historic” collaboration all set to burn up the airwaves.

Walshy Fire’s 14 favorite Reggae and Dancehall songs, which he hand-picked for VP Record’s Riddimentary Selection, were sparked from a place of nostalgia as well as the Toast co-producer’s sentimental side.

Reggae-Dancehall artist Christopher Martin has been reaping success in the music industry ever since winning Digicel’s Rising Stars talent show in 2005.

For a vibrant display of the Jamaican trifecta — cunning, creativity, competitiveness — look no further than the island’s rich sound system heritage.

Reggae songstress Naomi Cowan has written all her tracks for the ambitious project being undertaken alongside Toast co-producer, Walshy Fire.

Dancehall star Mr. Easy delivered a marquis performance to hundreds of screaming fans in Studio 54 in upstate New York over the weekend.

Dancehall artist Shane O is seemingly expanding his skills in the entertainment industry, having directed the music video for one of his latest releases, Dark Lonely Road.