Words by Deejay Theory
Wha gwaan world, Deejay Theory here checking in from San Francisco to christen the inaugural edition of our latest music column, ting call “Selector’s Choice”. I’m looking forward to this column as a way to give the people an inside look at what some badd deejay’s are holding in their record bags and hard drives these days in the reggae/dancehall/soca/tropical/bass world. Here’s a few picks I’ve been running at Tormenta Tropical, a monthly party I host in SF w/ partner Oro11. You can always expect the unexpected at Tormenta so let’s go with a mixed bag of vibes to start the show.
Ape Drums ft. Gappy Ranks – Overload [Mad Decent / Jeffree’s]: Another electro-dancehall banger from the big homie Ape Drums out in Houston. I’ve been running the demo of this for a minute but it’s now getting an official release Oct. 30th via Mad Decent/Jeffree’s. With Ape’s signature production and Pelpa’s machine gun vocals, this one is aimed right for the dancefloor. Let’s not forget the last time these two teamed up … baddest ting.
Road Elf, Real Gyalis [Road Elf]: This is definitely a sleeper tune but already getting big reactions in the dance. Some might recognize Road Elf as the artist formerly known as Terro 3000. His “Pills & Potion” refix definitely is reaching some folks abroad (note our boy DJ Autograph’s amazing “music video“) so I hope we’ll be hearing more from the man soon.
Kerwin Du Bois, Too Real [Full Blown Ent.]: One of my top tunes from 2014 Carnival season was undoubtedly this party scorcher from ’14’s groovy soca monarch Kerwin Du Bois, produced by London Future. This is one of those songs that crosses over to non-soca crowds thanks to the energy and vibes of the tune, in a similarly accessible vein to Machel’s “Vibes Cyah Done.”
Sizzla, Blessed (Deejay Theory remix) [Muti Music]: I’ve gotten a lot of support for this one from friends and DJs and it still murks in the club. It was obviously an honor to remix Kalonji’s “Blessed” for an official release, and the result is this bass-heavy 104bpm ting that channels a very similar energy to my QQ “One Drop” remix. That being said, they blend particularly well together, same key and all … definitely a go-to for my sets.
Mr. Vegas, Heads High (Mozes & Kid Kobra remix) [White]: While we’re on the bashment remix tip can’t leave out this well-tested and certified club killer from young hitters Kid Kobra and Mozes. They’ve taken “Heads High“— one of the most recognizable tunes in dancehall history — and applied a fresh new approach that turns the club upside down every time. This one even reached the hands of Diplo and Skrillex, who have been playing it in their sets as Jack U. Not a bad look.
Happy Colors & G-Buck, Worldwide (Codes remix) [Main Course]: Some badman rave business from Brooklyn’s Codes. Repping Slow Roast Records Codes has a very signature funky 4×4 sound, but went a little darker and UK-meets the tropics with this remix for Happy Colors & G-Buck for the buds at Main Course. You can’t help but bounce to this 125 bpm heater.