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Fusion of Life, Music and Art
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Following a rollout over several months that introduced listeners to a series of individual releases, Ghetto Youths International unveiled the complete No Better Riddim on Friday, October 16.
Produced by Grammy Award-winning artist and producer Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, the 16-track compilation brings together some of reggae’s most distinctive voices while celebrating Jamaica’s one-riddim or “juggling” tradition. The “juggling” tradition is where multiple artists bring their own lyrics, melodies and perspectives to a shared musical track.
The result is a collection that feels connected without sounding repetitive. Across No Better Riddim, established voices and a new generation of reggae artists explore love, relationships, spirituality, consciousness, resilience and personal reflection, demonstrating the versatility of a single riddim when placed in the hands of different storytellers.
The road to the full compilation began earlier this year with Jemere Morgan’s “Know Better,” the release that introduced the riddim’s warm, melodic foundation. Ghetto Youths International continued to unveil the project piece by piece, allowing individual songs and artists to establish their own identities before bringing the complete body of work together.
Among the songs released ahead of the full project are Romain Virgo’s “Lay My Head,” Alaine’s “Love Again,” Pressure Busspipe’s “So Amazing,” Turbulence’s “Twin Flames,” Ghost’s “Coming Again” and Jaz Elise’s “Don’t Spoil Love.”
With the October 16 release, listeners will now hear the complete vision for the first time, including previously unreleased contributions from Sevana, Chino McGregor, Richie Spice, Medisun, Singing Melody, Da’ville, Zaila Jazz and Queen Omega, before closing with Damian Marley’s instrumental “No Better Riddim (Version).”
A MODERN TAKE ON A JAMAICAN TRADITION
At its core, No Better Riddim celebrates a format that has long been central to reggae and dancehall culture. Rather than having an artist simply appear as a “feature,” each performer is given the same musical foundation and the freedom to build an entirely different song around it.
Damian Marley’s production provides the common thread throughout the compilation, blending roots reggae sensibilities, lovers rock warmth and contemporary influences while leaving enough space for each artist’s individual character to take center stage.
The diversity of the lineup is central to that vision. From veteran voices and internationally recognized reggae artists to members of the genre’s contemporary generation, No Better Riddim creates a meeting point between eras while remaining firmly rooted in Jamaican musical tradition.
The project also reflects Ghetto Youths International’s continued commitment to reggae music built around substance, musicianship and authentic storytelling, while demonstrating how the traditional riddim format can continue to evolve for today’s global audience.
NO BETTER RIDDIM — TRACKLIST
1. Jemere Morgan — “Know Better”
2. Romain Virgo — “Lay My Head”
3. Alaine — “Love Again”
4. Pressure Busspipe — “So Amazing”
5. Turbulence — “Twin Flames”
6. Ghost — “Coming Again”
7. Jaz Elise — “Don’t Spoil Love”
8. Sevana — “Fight Fi Di Love”
9. Chino McGregor — “Jah Will Be There”
10. Richie Spice — “Black Foundation”
11. Medisun — “Rastafari Love”
12. Singing Melody — “Rivers To Cross”
13. Da’ville — “You Make It Easy”
14. Zaila Jazz — “Hometown”
15. Queen Omega — “Should Have Known Better”
16. Damian Marley — “No Better Riddim (Version)”
With its full release, No Better Riddim transforms what began as a steady stream of individual singles into one cohesive reggae experience — showcasing the power of one musical foundation to inspire 15 artists to tell distinctly different stories.
No Better Riddim is available, via Ghetto Youths International on all major digital streaming platforms, Stream/purchase today https://onerpm.link/No-Better-
ABOUT GHETTO YOUTHS INTERNATIONAL
Ghetto Youths International is a reggae-focused music label and collective dedicated to developing, producing and amplifying music rooted in Jamaican culture while connecting reggae with audiences around the world. Through releases spanning established and emerging voices, Ghetto Youths International continues to champion authentic storytelling, musical innovation and the global evolution of reggae music.
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Upcoming dancehall artist Micahacim has dropped a new single for his female fans called ‘Back Fi A Bend’. It is produced by the artist himself under his First Draft label and is being distributed by OneRPM.
Released on Friday, September 11th, the track is a provocative, sensual song with innovative lyrics and harmonies that gives the old-school dancehall rhythm a unique blend of melodies and a hard-hitting flow. ‘Back Fi A Bend’ showcases the Mandeville-born artist’s capacity to create a fusion between various elements with the ease of a professional at work.
“I feel like this one kinda hits differently for me primarily because of how it was recorded…on a whim with just one take, which was supposed to be a warm-up. If you think about it, that’s how records were created back in the day,” Micahacim told this writer.
Continuing, Micahacim went on to say, “Let’s not forget that this is a girl’s song and there’s something magical about celebrating a woman’s body and movement and this song in its entirety is about encouraging women to celebrate their sensual nature without the song being raunchy.”
The perfectionist Micahacim had also hopped onto the Hill & Gully Riddim with ‘Hopscotch’, but hasn’t released it yet. The track is an ideal example of his versatility, as he attacks the beat in his own unique fashion. Micahacim is eccentric, humble and never follows the hype, just by being his own person and staying true to himself.
Micahacim, born Micah Wheatle, is a creative director by day for his own advertising business called Great Ideas Company Limited. For his music side, he has enlisted the sagacious expertise of female engineer and selector Tandra “MixedbyLytes” Jhagroo to aid in his journey towards stardom in the dancehall industry.
Though he has several releases under his belt thus far, Micahacim is leaving nothing to chance but believes ‘Back Fi A Bend’ is a step in the right direction.
“I’m hoping to see where this one takes me, where it takes dancehall and what fans will do with it. It has mainstream appeal so I know radio can vibe to it and it also maintains that gritty 90’s dancehall kick that I’m sure the streets will love.”
Contact his PR Lesley Hayles at www.instagram.com/
STREAM/PURCHASE:
Back Fi a Bend - Single by Micahacim
https://onerpm.link/
Source: @lesleyodyssey
One of dancehall’s most exciting artists, 1Ski OG releases Alter Ego, his debut album, via Against Da Grain/Epic Records. The Jamaican breakout star has been generating serious heat with every release, and today he delivers the project the culture was waiting for.
[Watch: 1Ski OG, “The Lord” feat. Sortie]
1Ski OG puts it simply: “We all got mixed personalities that sets us aside from each other. Who you choose to be only you can decide.” Alter Ego is that idea lived out across 15 tracks. Sensual and playful on “Ay Gyal,” raw and introspective on “Stay To Mi Self,” emotionally vulnerable on “Life of a Man” feat. Romieikon, a record he debuted live at On The Radar, and magnetic on “Bounce Remix” feat. Fito Blanko. Every side of him is on this project.
Opening his album with “The Lord” feat. Sortie is a statement. Built around a haunting melody and hard-hitting percussion, the production punctuates the weight of every word he says. 1Ski OG and Sortie are locked in across it, their performances shifting between straight bars and sung passages with total ease. The subject matter reaches far outside the usual territory. This is a record about faith as the last thing standing when everything else has fallen away, and it resonates with the sincerity to match. The video that accompanies it carries the same gravity.
With Alter Ego, 1Ski OG invites listeners fully into his world, where trap meets dancehall and emotion meets the dance floor. “Riches Forever,” “Mad Dem” and “Options” establish the harder edges before “Ratatata” cuts with full force. “Have You Ever” feat. Sortie shifts the mood entirely, flirtatious and groove-driven. “Double Life” and “Feel Like” get personal and honest about desire, while “Wrong Friend” feat. Romieikon confronts betrayal head on and “Miss Independent” celebrates the woman who moves on her own terms.
The campaign that led here has left a trail. Playlist adds from Apple Music and Audiomack, a cover on SoundCloud’s Global Beats Now. Billboard named him one of their Top Caribbean Artists to Watch and dedicated an exclusive feature to his journey and talent, alongside coverage from VIBE, Rolling Out and the Jamaica Observer. He shared the stage at New Rules Festival with dancehall legend Alkaline. Alter Ego is where it all lands.
Before the music there was Valdomore, a social media comedian and actor from Victoria Town in Manchester, Jamaica, who built a devoted following through his charisma and humor. That same energy carried over when he turned to music. His 2023 breakthrough “Dawkniss,” released as 1Ski Mask, went viral and amassed millions of streams, leading to a deal with Against Da Grain/Epic Records. When the name changed to 1Ski OG, he explained it simply: “The power is not in the mask, the power is in me.”
Alter Ego by 1Ski OG is out everywhere now. Stream HERE and watch “The Lord” feat. Sortie video HERE.
ALTER EGO — TRACKLIST:
01. The Lord feat. Sortie
02. Riches Forever
03. Life of a Man feat. Romieikon
04. Stay To Mi Self
05. Mad Dem
06. Options
07. Ratatata
08. Have You Ever feat. Sortie
09. Double Life
10. Wrong Friend feat. Romieikon
11. Feel Like
12. Miss Independent
13. Ay Gyal
14. Bounce Master
15. Bounce Remix feat. Fito Blanko
(Photo Courtesy of Epic Records)
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FOLLOW 1SKI OG: