R I D D I M!

One rhythm. "Riddim" in Jamaican musical vocabulary is a rhythm pattern. Basically it is a special bass and drum line. Sometimes a small melody accompanies the riddim, but the main ingredient is the bass line (in another musical context the riddim could be called a groove). Most riddims originate from a line, a bass and drum pattern that achieved success, acceptance among the public, and usually in this case the riddim title ends up taking the name of the song from which it emerged as a base.

Even today, the most played riddims are more than 20 years old, and studies indicate that most of them were created by the legendary STUDIO ONE, of Sir. Coxsone Dodd in Kingston. Many other producers of the time were also responsible for several classic riddims, but none of them was able to compete with Studio One's production in the late 60s and early 70s. For example, versions of "Moving Away", "Pretty Looks", "Nanny Goat", "Drum Song", "Jah Shakey", "Full Up", "Real Rock", "Skylarking" and "Joe Frazier" are riddims we will probably hear in any DJ session, at any reggae party or event we attend.

Even today (2003) there is ongoing debate about the use of these old riddims. Older producers and artists criticize current musical creation for re-exploring old riddims, and also claim that this exploitation ends up losing and inhibiting originality and creativity. They say it is easy to make a version of "Real Rock" with current technological resources and samplers, but very difficult to create something new. In contrast, current artists claim that using old riddims is a heritage and tradition they should be proud of. Using classic riddims as inspiration is a way to pay tribute and honor all those who originated the riddims.

In fact, the creators of the original riddims would prefer these tributes to be converted into something tangible (copyright money), because most never even charged for the release of the original riddim. And also, in fact, most Jamaican producers rely excessively on versions and old success formulas of ancient riddims. The Jamaican music industry is and always has been a business with lots of followers and very few leaders. Even so, Jamaican music has demonstrated and still demonstrates being one of the most imaginative and creative in the world. Styles and fashions are big business at a given time and no longer exist the following semester.

Precisely from this perspective, originality becomes the key to the business, success in reaching an audience. As an example, the rapid development of ragga in recent years yielded a series of good riddims. Many of them were heard and went unnoticed by the public's ears, but others have surely already become classics, and will be recycled by the next generation of Jamaican and worldwide producers.

Time passes and success formulas change, but the old riddims never die. Surely your favorite classic song, sooner or later, will again be the rhythm that most excites the crowd at reggae parties and dances around the world.