Chimney Records Producer Issues “Jugglin Challenge” To Reignite Dancehall’s Riddim Culture
Esteemed Jamaican Dancehall producer Jordan McClure wants to reignite Dancehall’s riddim juggling culture. The Chimney Records musician has proposed a challenge to his fellow producers to help the cause.
In an Instagram post two days ago, McClure said “mi kinda waan get back the juggling ting pon a level so we a go do a likkle challenge. It’s not a typical challenge like a IG challenge… Mi a challenge unno fi do one, just one single juggling fi di year.”
“Mi know sometimes juggling tek long but at the end of the day a ten and a half months unno have to produce one juggling. You can produce as many as you want. Fi tell you the truth mi a plan fi produce more than one but as mi a seh just one,” he said.
McClure went on to tag a bevy of producers to get on board, adding, “I’m a big fan ah everybody work, mi tag up everybody… Is at least 20 producers mi tag inna di comment section so dat mean seh 20 juggling. We can get this back pon track so mek we dweet. Looking forward to it.”
Several Dancehall producers who were tagged commented on their intention to participate. “Jus one?” asked Sean Paul. “Jah jah know. Bout 4 meed wah go. Lol.”
“Me have bout 3 line up,” said DJ Frass.
“In it to win it,” said ZJ Chrome, while Slyda Di Wizard added, “I’m in bro.”
Other producers and production labels that were tagged included Romeich Entertainment, Anju Blaxx, David Daseca, Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor, Dane Ray, Hemton Music, NotNice, Frankie Music, Kurt Riley, ZJ Liquid, Shab Don Records, Lee Miller Productions, Good Good Productions, Gutty Bling and DJ Cashflow Neil.
Dancehall’s riddim juggling culture was formed from the origin of the genre in the sound system space, where artists toasted live on the B-side of records for sound systems. Its much-discussed death has popularised in recent years because of a production shift to singles, the proliferation of the Trap Dancehall era, and some producers being exclusively associated with some artists.
Producer Dwayne ‘Damage‘ Parkinson pointed to the latter in his comment on McClure’s post.
“Yes bro good move,” he said. “I hope artist put them ego aside and work with the producers them to stop the side thing, music no live a nobody yard.”
Dancehall artists also chimed in on the challenge.
“Yes now! And we the young artist that have no links and suh get the chance to voice and show up our talents… Can that add too? Cause most times we don’t get noooo riddim and especially the ones that make sense…I’m manifesting this in the comment section,” said Dovey Magnum.
Kabaka Pyramid added, “February 26th, my first juggling. Hopefully I’ll earn a producer mention/tag by di end of the year lol.”
Chimney Records, which is also helmed by David ‘Hizzle’ Hayle, recently dropped the Style A Style riddim project which has been buzzing in the Dancehall space with records like Aidonia‘s Dat Easy, Moyann‘s Backseat, Ding Dong‘s Watch A Style Yah, Tarrus Riley‘s EZ Nuh, and Shenseea‘s Upset.
The record label has built its name with a slew of hit juggling productions including Star Bwoy (2010), Island Vibes (2011), Tropical Escape (2013), Happy Hour (2014), After Party (2015), and Aircraft (2019).
The last ‘juggling’ to successfully feature a varied list of Jamaican stars was producer Zum’s Liquid Sunshine riddim, released in September last year. The Good Good Production project included 19 tracks from established artists including Vybz Kartel and his long time rival Mavado. Dexta Daps, Elephant Man , Konshens, Shenseea, TeeJay, Jahmiel, Ding Dong, I-Octane, Sikka Rymes, and Kemar Highcon, Shaneil Muir, and Denyque also appeared.