Shaggy Taps Vintage Dancehall with New “Badman” Riddim

VP Records and Shaggy’s Ranch Entertainment are excited to announce the release of three new singles from the upcoming “Badman” riddim project. Produced by Shaggy and Shane Hoosong, the first two tracks by Olaf Blackwood, Shaggy, and Junior Cat offer a fresh take on the iconic "Gunman" riddim originally crafted by Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes, blending nostalgia with a modern twist for Dancehall fans. The two singles will be available on August 22, with the third track by the “Queen of Dancehall” Spice following on September 12.

Junjo’s brass-heavy "Gunman" riddim is best remembered as the instrumental behind Michael Prophet's "Gunman," a song that quickly became a sound system favorite and a defining track of early ‘80s Dancehall. Like other “juggling” projects, the “Badman” riddim series will feature multiple artists recording their own songs over the same instrumental, showcasing a diverse range of interpretations.

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The first single, “Selector Pull It,” by Grammy-nominated artist Olaf Blackwood featuring diamond-selling artist Shaggy, celebrates Dancehall’s vibrant culture. The track captures the lively, carefree spirit of dancehall parties, urging the DJ to keep the energy high by replaying the crowd’s favorite tunes. Shaggy, managed by Martin Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, debuted the song during a live performance on On the Radar Radio in late July.

“As a youngster finding my voice, the ‘Gunman’ riddim was one of my go-tos for stage shows, so seeing it come full circle is nothing short of amazing,” said Olaf Blackwood. “Though I co-wrote the song with Shaggy, the concept was his idea. He said, ‘We need a song that captures the essence of a ‘dance’—a song that paints a picture of what it was like to be there during those times when songs played to the end.’”

Shaggy added, “Junjo Lawes has always been the producer I associate with sound system music. His heavy drum and bass from the Roots Radics band were synonymous with the sound system movement throughout the ‘80s and early ‘90s. His music isn’t overlooked, but I feel people don’t always identify him with some of those iconic rhythms as much as they should. I've always been a fan of his style, so I wanted to recreate that vibe as a hybrid, adding some new ideas.”

The music video for “Selector Pull It,” directed by Jay Will, takes viewers into an authentic “dance,” offering glimpses of a party set in Kingston, Jamaica. It also features cameos from dancehall icons such as Bounty Killer, Gyptian, DJ Boom Boom, and more.

“Selector Pull It” is also the first single from Olaf Blackwood’s upcoming album. The second single, “Rude Bwoy Sumthin” by Junior Cat, also drops on August 22. Junior Cat, famously known as “The Wild Indian” and a veteran of the sound system scene, delivers a track that pays homage to the original gangster persona in dancehall culture. With lyrics that delve into themes of street credibility and resilience, Junior Cat’s distinctive style brings vivid storytelling and raw energy to the series.

Stream Olaf Blackwood's music below.