Brothers Wanna' Flex, They Not Mad Cobra
If you're anything like me, your knowledge of dancehall scarcely extends past Mad Cobra, Beenie Man, Supercat, Shabba Ranks, Buju Banton, Bounty Killer, and the remaining other reggae stars recruited for token New York-meets-Jamaica collabos through the mid-90s. Even though the West Indian-descended Busta and Biggie were two of the few capable of a halfway-decent fake patois, it didn't stop everyone from Queen Latifah to Cube to try to gain access to acres of strong Kingston Sinsemilla. Sadly (or thankfully), this trend stopped sometime around "Hip Hop Opera--" presumably, because Flavor Flav sued Bounty Killer for stealing his look.
Reggae-rap unions still occur, with Mavado, Vybz Kartel, and the semi-dancehall Damian Marley hogging most of the action. But for dilettantes like myself, who listen to about a half-dozen hours worth of dancehall a year, it's hard to even know where to begin. Thankfully, the BBC 1Xtra's Young Lion, does the heavy lifting, handling the 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. spot every Thursday night. His most recent dancehall mix boasts of having "brand new riddims, old school meds and even some reggae-inspired One Drop! The ultimate Dancehall after party!" For those interested in keeping tabs on who (besides U-God) is keeping dancehall strong, it's highly recommended.
Tracklist below the jump.
Download: MP3: Young Lion - The 1Xtra Dancehall Mix (1/30/11)
Tracklist: STARBUCKS RIDDIM Bugle — Tell A Gyal Gyptian — Tell you My Mind Mr Lexx — Good Under Yuh Gappy Ranks — Save You I-Octane — No Love Inna Dem ONE DAY RIDDIM Seanizzle — One Day Beenie Man — I’m Drinking Ft Future Fambo Khago — Nah Sell Out DANCEHALL EFX RIDDIM Versatile, Wasp & Chedda — Youts They Want A Bly Vybz Kartel — Dancehall Hero Vybz Kartel — You Mi Need Mavado — All Dem A Talk Popcaan — Real Badman DUSS RIDDIM Popcaan — Mi Like You Vybz Kartel — Can’t Satisfy Vybz Kartel — Jah Leadeth Me ONE DROP MIX W.A.S.P. — The Government CARDIAC BASS RIDDIM Alaine — Up Craig — In This Life Jah Cure — Before I Leave I-Octane — Hold You In My Arms Vybz Kartel — She Holding On Vybz Kartel — Shape Of My Heart Busy Signal — Tempted To Touch WINNINGS RIDDIM Aidonia — Brace Whine Wayne Wonder & T.O.K — Girl Dem Follow Di Genius — Winnings Instrumental Flexxx — Stepping Razor Mavado — Stullesha Bramma — 24 Bounces Tony Matterhorn — Streets A Talk Vybz Kartel — Touch Yuh Button BLAST FROM THE PAST MIX Every month on the M1X Show Lion drops an old school mix — here’s his January edition! BOOKSHELF RIDDIM Beenie Man — Bookshelf Spragga Benz — Cute Little Tanto Metro & Devonte — Gal Say Wooee Sean Paul — Deport Them Mr. Vegas — Jack It Up Lady Saw — No Matta Me Junior Reid — All Fruits Ripe Capleton — No 1 Pon The Look Louie Culture — Ganga Lee Mad Cobra — Dun Wife (Peanut Punch) Fabby Dolly — Peanut Punch Terror Fabulous — Mr. Big Man Shabba Ranks — Wuck Ah Man Buju Banton — Bogle Capleton — Bogle Mania Joseph Stepper — Wife Buccaneer — Hire Me (Digitally Blend) Buju Banton — Big It Up Elephant Man — Gal A Fight Over Harry Toddler — Pure Gal Lexxus — Reggae Woogie Beenie Man — Matie STARBWOY RIDDIM Mavado — Star Bwoy Baby Boom — Get Nasty Elephant Man — Big & Nasty De Marco — Gal Dem Vex Versatile — Watch Her