Reggae and dancehall purists will argue all day and all night about different ‘riddims’ with you but I won’t spend much time on the subject today. Essentially a ‘riddim’, or rhythm in non patois, is the beat to which a particular track is set to.  What used to be associated with the bassline and drum beat – back in the day of Sly & Robbies ‘Bam Bam’ riddim – has now been more widely used to refer to the entire backing track. As to the number of riddims out there today I could not even hazard a guess but I did find a database with 886 and counting over at Reggae Riddims.

Moving on though I wanted to just give you that intro before I announced one riddim that I am really into right now, it’s called the Rub A Dub riddim. I dug up a few tracks by some of my favourite reggae artists that use the Rub A Dub riddim and here are three of the best examples.

Anthony B – Striving

Richie Spice – The Plane Land

Morgan Heritage – Nothing To Smile About

Popularity: 24% [?]

I was having one of those days (classic reggae tune by Sizzla) yesterday and ended up walking home in the pouring rain. A far cry from the Caribbean I know but, with trusty iPod in hand and plugged in to some really great reggae music, I made it home with a smile on my face. I will often be heard as referring to reggae as ‘happy music’ and for those music lovers (of any genre) out there you will know what I mean. Music is a power that can transport you to any place, it can move you, shake you and take you back in time. With the right tune playing you could be anywhere!

I thought that as a treat I would share with you the 50 top played tracks from my ipod this week. I have tried to link them all so you can have the pleasure of hearing them without having to search hard yourself. I’ll put some of my favourites here too. You don’t have to listen them all at once but keep coming back and picking them off. That’s what this site is all about…what’s that brilliant reggae track I heard? I know….it will be on Reggae-Artists.com

Let me know your favourites. I hope you enjoy!

Jah Cure – Forever

Turbulence – Ex-Girlfriend

Luciano – Over The Hills

Sizzla – Be Strong

Natural Ites – Picture On The Wall

Jah Cure – My Life

Tarrus Riley – She’s Royal

T.O.K – Tears

Junior Kelly – Love So Nice

Marcia Griffiths – I shall Sing

Anthony Hamilton – Everybody

Duane Stephenson – August Town

Pressure – Love and Affection

Shaggy – Bonafide Girl

I-Wayne – Lava Ground

Chuck Fender – I swear

Queen Ifrika – Below The Waist

Beres Hammond – Rockaway

Morgan Heritage – New Time, New Sign

Collie Buddz – Mary Jane

Anthony Cruz – Halfway Tree

Richie Spice – Crying Out

Bob Marley – Jah Live

Errol Dunkley – Happiness Forgets

Freddie McGregor – I See It In You

Popularity: 15% [?]