It starts to feel like I’m repeating myself when I write a best-of-the-year list. I usually write that it’s been a great year, and this year it’s the same story again. The first six months of 2013 have offered so much great reggae music I don’t really know where to begin, so I’ll make it easy for myself and let the list below speak for itself.
The list is in no particular order and collects 25 of my favorite tunes from the first six months 2013.
Included are only singles or tunes taken from riddim compilations and almost every reggae oriented genre is represented – roots, rocksteady, dubstep, dancehall and dub. All but two tracks are easily available on digital platforms and if you’re curious about the songs you can check this playlist on Spotify. Enjoy!
Artist – song title (riddim/label)
Jah Sun – Everyday of the Week (Bombist Records)
New Kingston – Life (Ineffable Records)
Soom T – Our World (Renegade Masters Records)
Chronixx – Here Comes Trouble (Rootsman/Overstand Entertainment)
Micah Shemaiah feat. TJ (Likkle Briggie) & Hempress Sativa & Jahkime & Infinite – Dread at the Control (E.D.B Entertainment)
Lion D & Skarra Mucci – Nuh Ramp (Bizzari Records)
Jah Sun & Kabaka Pyramid – Foundation
Ninjaman – Ninja Mi Ninja (DownSound Records)
Mr. Vegas & Major Mackerel & Natel – Flash Up Unu Lighta (Tin Mackerel/Maximum Sound)
Chronixx feat. Sizzla, Protoje & Kabaka Pyramid – Selassie Souljahz (Royal Order Music)
Morgan Heritage – Perfect Love Song (VP Records)
Randy Valentine – Victory (Number One Station/Maximum Sound)
Major Lazer & Busy Signal – Watch Out For This (Because Music)
Lutan Fyah – She’s Got Soul (Songbird/I Grade Records)
Dreadsquad & El Fata – Dancehall Melody (Digital Rules/Superfly Studio Records)
Lukie D – High (Mightiest/Maximum Sound)
Richie Stephens & U Roy – Real Reggae Music (Kingstone Music)
Sizzla – Precaution (Washington D.C./Bread Back Productions)
The Courtney John Project – Black Cinderella (Fiwi Music)
Stylo G – Soundbwoy (3 Beat Productions Ltd)
Trinity & Barrington Levy – Genocide (Murda Dem/Irie Ites)
Digitaldubs & Brother Culture – Holding Down a Vibe (Muzamba Records)
Makiko – High Stepper (176sound Records)
YT – Issues (Bun Dem/Superfly Studio Records)
Randy Valentine – Girls Alone (Shack/Bassrunner Records)
Reggaemani 