Diwali Riddim
Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali, also known as the Diwali Riddim, is an album and popular dancehall riddim that came to prominence in 2002. The riddim is credited to Jamaican producer Steven "Lenky" Marsden. This has appeared on several international hit songs by Sean Paul, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Lumidee, Brick & Lace (although their single "Love Is Wicked" was not released until 2007), and Wayne Wonder. The New York Times described the song as 'one of the most popular reggae rhythms of all time, spawning hits, sequels and -- inevitably -- rip-offs. If ever there was a beat that deserved its own Behind the Music, this is it.' Similarly, the album was heralded as 'the best reggae album' released in 2002.[2]
Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali | ||||
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Compilation album by Various artists | ||||
Released | May 21, 2002 May 25, 2010 (Gold Edition) | |||
Recorded | 2002 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 64:20 | |||
Label | Greensleeves | |||
Producer | Steven "Lenky" Marsden | |||
Various artists chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
It is recognized as arguably the most prominent and popular riddim of 2002 based on the number of top-ten hit songs that charted in Jamaica or internationally that used the instrumental, such as "Get Busy", "No Letting Go", "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)", "Overcome", "Elephant Message", "Sufferer", "Party Time", and "Love Is Wicked". To this day, the riddim and the songs sampling it are still played on Jamaican radio stations every so often and is considered a classic.
The beat is characterized by syncopated clapping, and it was given the name Diwali for its Indian dance-music influence.[2] The riddim has been featured in American television commercials via Sean Paul's song "Get Busy".[3]
List of songs using Diwali Riddim
Artist | Song | Album |
---|---|---|
Amr Diab | "Lealy Nahary" | Lealy Nahary |
Anthony B | "Girls Buss" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Assassin | "Ruffest & Tuffest" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Beenie Man | "That's Right" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Beenie Man | "War Is Over" | |
Bounty Killer feat. Wayne Marshall | "Sufferer" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Bling Dawg | "All Right for You" | |
Brick & Lace | "Love Is Wicked" | Love Is Wicked |
Buju Banton | "Tra La La" | |
Captain Jack | "Capitano" | Greatest Hits |
Cecile | "Respect Yuh Wife" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Crissy D | "Make It Real Good" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Danny English & Egg Nog | "Party Time" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Diwali | "XM24 Version" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Elephant Man | "Elephant Message" | Higher Level / Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
General Degree | "Inna" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Hawkeye | "Bubble & Wine" | |
Lumidee | "Never Leave You" (slightly altered from the original riddim), produced by DJ Tedsmooth & Trendsetta | Almost Famous/Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali (Gold Edition) |
Madd Anju | "Dem Ago Hard" | |
MC Solaar | "Hijo de Africa" | Mach 6 |
Mega Banton | "It's OK" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Mika | "Lollipop" | Life in Cartoon Motion |
Mr Reggaenarator | "Art de Rue Police (Police Freak)" | |
Rihanna | "Pon de Replay" | Music of the Sun |
Sauti Sol | "Shake Yo Bam Bam" | Live and Die in Afrika |
Sean Paul | "Get Busy" | Dutty Rock / Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali (Gold Edition) |
Spragga Benz | "Da One" | |
Shakti | "Ay Yo!" | |
Sheikh Terra & the Soul Salah Crew | "Dirty Kuffar" | |
Tanya Stephens | "Can't Touch Me No More" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
T.O.K. | "Galang Gal" | Unknown Language / Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Wayne Marshall | "Overcome" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Wayne Wonder | "No Letting Go" | No Holding Back |
Zumjay | "Zumjay Is My Name" | Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali |
Spragga Benz | "Gonna Fight" | |
Tiwa Savage | "Without My Heart" feat. Don Jazzy | Once Upon a Time |
Wizkid | "London Girl" | Empire Mates State of Mind |
M.O.G. (Men of God) | "Let Him Go" | |
Omarion | "W4W Word for Word" | |
Odunsi (The Engine) | "In the Morning" | |
Tory Lanez | "Come Back to Me" | |
World Famous DJ FINAL | "Moods (Diwali Remix)" | Caramel Music |
Charts
References
- AllMusic review
- Sanneh, Kelefa (March 9, 2003). "MUSIC; The Rhythm That Reggae's Clapping To". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
- CKE Restaurants
- "Various Artists Chart History (Reggae Albums)". Billboard.
- "Top Reggae Albums". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 18. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 3 May 2003. p. 28. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved October 24, 2021 – via Google Books.