July 2022: 7 Reggae/Dancehall Songs Worth Streaming

“Bro a summer now man fi a find tune fi di gal dem fi go tour di world, or my type a tune dem yuh know? A summa now we n’ave time fi dat!” Jahshi via Terro Don

This sentiment aptly summarizes the theme of this month’s playlist. Everything must have a season and for many, summer is the only season they can get outside, have some vacation time, and also draw closer to significant others, new or old. Here’s this month’s top 7 songs worth listening to.

Gyal Time Again by Konshens & Charly Black

With the official video premiering July 1st, this single epitomizes the main theme of the playlist. With both very successful stars Konshens and Charly Blacks known for these types of songs, the drop hit an audience waiting with bated breath. It squarely addresses one of the main modern criticisms of dancehall music and culture excluding the female element that plays such a large part. Both the sound and the vibes are great for a good time in the summer sun.

Mannaz by Govana & Shaneil Muir

Mannaz is another storytelling banger from the lyrically controversial Govana, and a lyrical general in her own right, Shaneil Muir. The story of a married man and his side woman, finding balance and exercising boundaries, is one that is all too common and relatable. Govana has displayed a penchant for these types of situational songs and he finds a willing and capable partner in Muir who brings an adequate balance. With an infectious beat to accompany and an interesting music video, this new tune is apt for the summer playlist.

Likkle Miss by Skeng

With hits like Curves, Skeng is no stranger to making music f0r the ladies. Likkle Miss has an old-school dancehall beat and yet the young gun manages to deliver and write well enough to mistake for a veteran dancehall artist. The official video manages to enhance the vibe of the song with its wide selection of vixens doing what the lovely women of dancehall are known to do.

Thousand by Squash

Thousand, another song for the ladies courtesy of 6ixx boss Squash, is yet another indication that dancehall has a seasonal expectation when it comes to subject matter and vibes. This hardcore romance tune is perhaps suited to a specific female audience, but it indeed shows that the artists are listening to the calls for more variety and less violence.

Red Gold And Green by Kabaka Pyramid ft Damian Marley

Dancehall is still vibrant but so is reggae music, and artists like Kabaka Pyramid continue to prove that with slaps like Red Gold and Green. This new single by the accurate one, features Damian Marley who also plays the role of producer.  It is in many ways a deeply spiritual and esoteric conversation about the symbolism of red, gold and green in the Ethiopian flag, and the Rastafari flag. While Kabaka talks about the musical aspect and the significance of maintaining the tradition despite changing times, Damian Marley compliments it with an equally lyrically potent verse. Gong waxes poetic about the link between Ethiopia, Haile Selassie and the Rastafari tradition with apparent ease.

Signs by HoodCelebrityy

The summer is for romance, even if it is the shedding of old flames to welcome new ones. HoodCelebrityy, the Walking Trophy artist has released Signs, which tells the tale of moving on from a relationship that had been long overdue. This latest single is fit for almost any setting, with a rhythm that all but compels dancing and vibing. Still, the message from Hoodcelebrityy is in the tragic but important choice of paying attention to the signs that something might not be working out and acting on those insights by moving on to something better.

Pack A Matches by Masicka

Masicka is doing what he’s always done with this new single, which is to remain relevant and feed consistent in feeding his core audience. This core audience has indeed grown in size and expectation in terms of the quality of his music. With singles like this, he manages to meet and exceed the quality of the music on his impressive debut album. A catchy riddim and high-energy, motivational lyrics, are just few of the things that make this song a sure summer slap.