Words by Saxon Baird—
Four years since it originally appeared as “Duppy Nuh Frighten Vampire” on Spragga Benz‘s Shotta Culture LP, the throwback sound of producer Jah Snowcone‘s Nuh Fraid riddim has found forwards and a new life recently, with a new round of tunes.
Having featured everyone from Beenie to Bounty to Capleton and a remix of Mack Wilds’ “Henny” featuring Busta Rhymes, French Montana and Mobb Deep, Nuh Fraid recently received a video treatment starring a few of the deejays who have cut vocals over the hot new riddim.
Filmed at the legendary Killamanjaro Sound’s studio in Jamaica, the visuals perfectly match the riddim’s old-school vibe from Suku’s colorful mesh marina to Mr. Vegas’ gigantic rope chain to the selector’s use of a vinyl dubplate (uncommon now in Jamaica). A true nod to classic digital dancehall in both style and sound, the video, which also features impressive contributions from Savage and Latty J, continues a trend we’ve been noticing lately in Jamaican dancehall (see Aidonia’s “80s Dancehall” clip for a similar, if less humorous, treatment).
The Nuh Fraid riddim also marks the launch of Jah Snowcone’s new label Victory Squad Entertainment with Wyclef Jean.