The Golden Era of Dancehall: Why the 90s Stood Out
The 1990s was undeniably one of the greatest eras in Dancehall music. The sound was distinctive, featuring infectious riddims with a syncopated groove that made it impossible to stand still. The beats had a raw energy that resonated deeply with fans, whether in the streets of Kingston or at international dance parties. When a 90s Dancehall track dropped, it brought an electrifying vibe that commanded the dancefloor.
If you're a DJ playing for a mature audience at a Reggae or Dancehall event, incorporating 90s Dancehall into your set is a surefire way to get the crowd moving. The nostalgic yet timeless sound continues to captivate listeners, making it a staple for any high-energy reggae session.
What Made 90s Dancehall Unique?
Unlike Hip-Hop or R&B, where individual hit singles dominated the charts, 90s Dancehall was built around riddims. A riddim refers to an instrumental track that multiple artists voiced over, creating different versions of a song using the same beat. This approach allowed for incredible versatility and creativity, as each artist brought their own unique style and lyrical flow to the same underlying rhythm.
Preview My 90's Dancehall Mix
For those who may not be familiar with 90s Dancehall, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite riddims from the 90s and early 2000s. These classics are essential for any DJ or Dancehall enthusiast looking to bring that authentic, high-energy vibe to their playlist.
90s Dancehall Riddim Playlist and Riddim Download
1990 – Batty Rider Riddim
1990-2000 – Bam Bam Riddim
1990-2000 – Punaany aka Lion Attack Riddim
1990 – Answer Riddim
1990 – Punanny Tegereg Riddim
1991 – Wicked Riddim
1992 – Big It Up Riddim
1992 – Dem Bow Riddim
1992 – Wicked Inna Bed Riddim
1993 – Bogle Fever Riddim
1993 – Carry Go Bring Come Riddim
1993 – Oh Carolina Riddim
1994 – Acid Riddim
1994 – Gum Riddim
1994 – Pepper Seed Riddim
1995 – Big Door Slam Riddim
1995 – Big Squa Riddim
1995 – Hot Wax Riddim
1995 – Living Dangerously Riddim
1995 – More Gal Riddim
1995 – Skettel Riddim
1996 – Columbian Necktie Riddim
1996 – Damsel Pandemonium Riddim
1996 – Fish & Rice Riddim
1996 – Haunted Riddim
1996 – Joyride Riddim
1996 – Mecca Riddim
1996 – Robin Hood Riddim
1996 – Slam Riddim
1996 – Stink Riddim
1996 – Virgin Riddim
1997 – Bomb Threat Riddim
1997 – Cloak & Dagger Riddim
1997 – Filthy Riddim
1997 – JDF Riddim
1997 – Playground Riddim
1997 – Pot Of Gold Riddim (Italee)
1997 – Showtime Riddim
1997 – Slop Dem Riddim
1998 – Bagpipe Riddim
1998 – Black Widow Riddim
1998 – Bookshelf Riddims
1998 – Bruck Bottle Riddim
1998 – Bruck Out Riddim
1998 – Hype a.k.a Iff Riddim
1998 – Jah Jah City Riddim
1998 – Nice Little Baby Riddim
1998 – Ringworm Riddim
1998 – Sail Away Riddim
1998 – Serging Riddim
1998 – Splash Riddim
1998 – Up Close And Personal Riddim
1999 – 1999 Riddim
1999 – Ants Nest Riddim
1999 – Baddis Riddim
1999 – Badman Riddim (Bad Fowl)
1999 – Barracuda Riddim
1999 – Bitter Blood Riddim
1999 – Champaygne Riddim
1999 – Congress Riddim
1999 – Crash Riddim
1999 – Da Joint Riddim
1999 – Dirty Money Riddim
1999 – Dry Cough Riddim
1999 – Empress Riddim
1999 – Goblin Riddim
1999 – Grass Cyaat Riddim
1999 – Intercourse Riddim
1999 – Kiki Riddim
1999 – Reload Riddim
2000 – Asthma Riddim
2000 – Bellyas Riddim
2000 – Bobo Spice Riddim
2000 – Busta Riddim
2000 – Doorslam Riddim
2000 – Headache Riddim
2000 – Icepick Riddim
2000 – Killa Wasp Riddim
2000 – Latino & Boasy Gal Riddim
2000 – Mad Sex Riddim
2000 – Mistake Riddim
2000 – Mungral Dog Riddim
2000 – Ole Mon Riddim
2000 – Orgasm Riddim
2000 – Pickle peppa riddim
2000 – Press Mi Button Riddim
2000 – Scarface Riddim
2000 – Stress Riddim
2000 – The Joker Riddim
2000 – Typhoid Riddim
2000 – Vagina Riddim
2000 – Voicemail Riddim
2000 – Youngster Riddim
2001 – Anaconda Riddim
2001 – Blaze Riddim
2001 – Buy Out Riddim
2001 – Buzz Riddim
2001 – Dot Com riddim
2001 – Double Jeopardy Riddim
2001 – Juice Riddim
2001 – Martial Arts Riddim
2001 – Pressure Cooker Riddim
2001 – Redder Fire Riddim
2001 – Rice & Peas Riddim
2001 – Spawn Riddim
2001 – The Itch Riddim
2001 – Thong Riddim
2002 – Bollywood Riddim
2002 – Diwali Riddim
2002 – Escalade Riddim
2002 – Good Vybes Riddim
2002 – Grippa Riddim
2002 – Mutton Snappa Riddim
2002 – Violin Riddim
2003 – Bad Company Riddim
2003 – Celebration Riddim
2003 – Hallelujah Party Riddim
2003 – Juicy Riddim
2003 – Party Time Riddim
2003 – Project X Riddim
2003 – The Wave Riddim
2003 – Time Travel Riddim
2004 – Blackout Riddim
2004 – Dreamweaver Riddim
I did not have a few of the 90's Dancehall Riddims. Fortunately, a friend pointed me in the right direction, a platform called tune bank. I downloaded all the riddim packs, my library has never been the same since...
