VP Releases ‘Strictly The Best’ Vol. 62

VP Records has released Strictly The Best Vol. 62, the latest entry in the longstanding Reggae and Dancehall compilation series. 

For this instalment, the music selection varies across formats. The digital release is stacked with songs by several of the current rising stars and newcomers within Dancehall. The limited-edition CD pairs the hits among these with some of the defining roots Reggae and lover’s rock songs of 2022.

Songs like Meesh by Jahshii, Kingpin by Intence, and MONEY-POWER-RESPECT by Jahvillani appear on both the digital and physical release. The CD version combines these songs with music by Tarrus Riley, Romain Virgo, Spice, and others. 

Ahead of Vol. 62’s debut, VP Records released the songs Feel Great by I-Waata and NEW WAVES by Trance 1GOV, both recorded exclusively for the project. Similarly, Yaksta’s Ready received a video release in July to lead this volume’s rollout.

VP’s Strictly The Best has become the longest-running compilation series in Reggae and Dancehall.  It was first conceptualized in 1990 by Karl Miller, who is credited on those early editions up through number 12.  Joel Chin became involved starting with Strictly The Best 13 in 1994.

Since 2016, Richard “Shams the Producer” Browne has led the curation process.

In a note shared with DancehallMag, Browne said, “The original intention of Strictly The Best was to showcase the ‘BIG’ tunes (in the Jamaican diaspora) of that year, all in one collection, on CDs and/or vinyl LP.”

He continued: “I’ve been A&R for the series since 2016 and kept true to the original concept until the inception of volume 62. This year we decided to showcase the “new kids on the block,” artists who are poised to be next big thing, as well as those who are running things, so-to-speak.”

In addition to curating the project, Browne produced the song Clean by Noah Power, which is featured on both formats. Producers SupaDups, Di Genius, and Kareem Burrell are credited on the CD version. The artist Spliffington designed the album cover. 

In recent years, VP Records has adapted its curation of Caribbean music to match the rising popularity of digital streaming platforms. Across the major services, the record label offers a host of playlists ranging from artist essentials to genre staples to regularly-updated Reggae and Dancehall hits lists.

Still, VP sees the value in physical releases.

Browne explained the idea behind tailoring the compilation to different formats.

“Whereas streaming platforms seem to attract an overall younger demographic, consumers of physical products — like CDs and vinyl records — are usually over 40 years old. Creating a ‘special edition volume 62’ physical product that appeals to both demographics made sense.”

“These various artist compilations have been embedded in our culture. Compilations have always been the GO-TO when consumers need to keep up with who’s hot or what’s hot in our music. These compilations represented a hard copy of what millennials and Gen Z now know as a Spotify or Apple Music playlist.”

Strictly The Best highlights trending dancehall and reggae songs that are breaking or about to break. Started in 1990 and leading off with Foxy Brown’s  “Sorry,” Strictly The Best reached its 62nd edition in 2022.

In recent years, alternate editions have focused on reggae and dancehall, respectively. The series exploded in popularity in its early years, featuring four editions in both 1992 and 1993. Inclusion on the set has been a coveted first step for emerging artists and a point of pride for established performers. The artists with the most songs included in the series are Beres Hammond, Beenie Man, Sanchez, and Mr. Vegas.

More than 350 artists have been featured in the series to date.