Hot in 2024: Who really rocked dancehall?

The dancehall music scene was vibrant in 2024, and we saw the emergence of several new musical sleuths coming to the fore, impacting the scene with songs that trended on social media, while some got ample airtime on FM radio and in the parties.

Squash and Vybz Kartel came back hard, hitting their fan bases with trending songs one after the other, while Masicka proved that he is no fluke, dishing hit after hit.

The females were not to be outdone, as the likes of Shenseea and Stalk Ashley maintained their presence year-round.

Below are our Top Ten Dancehall acts of 2024, in no particular order.

Masicka

Masicka maintained a high profile throughout the year. His December 1, 2023, released album Generation of Kings which topped out at #2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, continued to spawn traction on radio with tracks including “Reverse Time”, “Stars R Us”, featuring Popcaan and “Triumph” featuring Chronic Law and Lila Ike.

On the local charts, Masicka ran unchecked with the summer blockbuster hits “20 Matic”, “All Over Again”, the chart-topping “Hit and Run” with Shenseea and Di Genius, “Who Fi Stop We”, “Trophies”, “Whites” and “Never Complain” with Teejay.

Chronic Law

The self-styled Law Boss from the eastern end of the island continued his winning ways, dropping songs, one after the other.  He easily racks up a million views and more on any video on YouTube, a testament to his star power.

Chronic Law did well in 2024 thanks to hard-hitting songs like “Weekend” (Bup Bup) which was produced by Notnice, “Fada Dark”, “Inside Scars” with YGR, “The Therapist” with Ai Milly and DJ Mac,” Scars From War Part 2”, “Fire and Ice”, “Don’t Fall” and the popular “Higher Life” featuring Kranum.

Squash

The 6ixx boss made a triumphant comeback and once he settled in, there was no turning back. “Get Up”, “Like This”, “All Now”, “Shub Out”, “Sweeptstakes Dweet”, “Money Boy” and the long-running summer anthem “Big Breeze”, hit like a ton of bricks and sealed Squash’s fate as a strong contender for “DJ of the Year”.

Kraff

Kraff scored a banger for the summer with “100 Watt” which is featured on DJ Mac’s interpretation of the Fiesta rhythm. On stages, he was the man, as his performances sent fans into overdrive.

“IKATION”, “Infidel”, “Sum Time”,” White Rum” and “Nursery Rhymes”, kept Kraff on the pulse and he remained consistent throughout the year. Easily the “Entertainer of the Year.

Vybz Kartel

Shortly after he was released from prison after serving 13 years, the World Boss, Vybz Kartel set about making his comeback and what a comeback it was. “The Comet” trended on social media and spent four weeks at the top of the YouTube Trending For Music chart.

“Cloudy”, “White Rum”, “Lemonade” and “Man of the Match” with his sons Likkle Vybz and Likkle Addi respectively, were also bangers that connected with his die-hard fan base. To top it all off, he scored a Grammy nomination in the Best Reggae Album category with the album “Party With Me.”

Shenseea

Dancehall’s ‘it girl’ released her sophomore album “Never Gets Late Here” and by November, it picked up a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album. The album contained the blockbuster radio hit “Hit and Run” with Masicka (produced by Di Genius), as well as the Billboard-charting “Work Me Out” (featuring Wizkid).  “Flava” featuring Coi Leray and Dating Szn were also popular bangers.

450

Late last year, “Wild N Rich” topped iTunes charts in multiple Caribbean countries and that song continued the momentum for dancehall artiste 450 in 2024. 

The artiste who performs overseas on most weekends, scored with “Addicted”, “No Attachment” and “What If”. “Crawsis” featuring Shaneil Muir also did the trick for 450, as he maintained a presence on radio and in the dancehall.

Valiant

There was no slowing down for Valiant in 2024 as he continued his winning ways with “Lumbah”, “Godfada”, “Love Problem”, “Dweet” and “Gungo Bwoy”. 

In December last year, he dropped an EP for Sony Music UK, titled “A Gift from Me” to You and a full body of work is expected shortly.

Nigy Boy

It was a great year for dancehall artiste and singer Nigy Boy. He completed studies in Political Science and graduated from Stony Brook University in New York. He was also honoured by the New York State Assembly for his contribution and global impact on the music industry.

On Night Two of Reggae Sumfest in July, he received the 2024 Silver Montego Bay Sumfest City Award from the St James Municipal Corporation for his outstanding achievement in entertainment.

Then on National Heroes Day in October, Nigy Boy was honoured by the St James Municipal Corporation for his global contribution to the music industry.  He received the Mayor’s Award during a civic ceremony at the Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay.

With songs like “Continent”, Nigy Boy rose to the top of the music charts. His other chart-riders included Judgement, “Nomad”, “Jeezum” featuring Rvssian and Skillibeng, “Old Gyalis” and “Unfair” featuring Moyann.

RajahWild

Although he didn’t have the stellar year as he did in 2023, RajahWild still held his own musically and racked up several trending moments throughout 2024.

Some of the songs that kept him on the musical radar include “Trophy Front”, “Few” “Bricks”, “Gone Bad”, “Inferno”, “Carry On”, “Forgive Me”, “Monster” and “Dolly House” featuring Jiggy D.

Honourable mentions

Armanii – He had one of the biggest hits of the Year with the DJ Mac produced “Haad” (Fiesta).

Stalk Ashley – With the release of her debut album “Stalky the Brat”, singer Stalk Ashley proved that talent goes a long way. The album was well-produced and chockful of ear candies. 

Songs including “Really Like U”, “Sneaky Link”, “Big Vibes” and the chart hit “Like Cardi”, kept her name on the musical pulse in 2024.

Pablo YG – The St Ann-based deejay had a good year with “Rich N Richer”, Radar, “Ms Tessa” and “Brick Tall”.

Awards

DJ of the Year – Hands down, the DJ of the Year is Masicka

Breakthrough Artiste of the Year – Nigy Boy

Comeback Artiste – Squash

Entertainer of the Year – Kraff

Song of the Year – Hit and Run – Shenseea, Masicka and Di Genius

Female Artiste of the Year – Shenseea

Collaboration of the Year – Hit and Run – Shenseea and Masicka, Di Genius

Producer of the Year – DJ Mac

Riddim of the Year – Fiesta

Album of the Year – Generation of Kings – Masicka

Honourable mention hits – Busy Signal’s Happy Birthday and “Higher Life – Kranium ft. Chronic Law

By Loop Entertainment writer