Words By DJ Arems
As Labor Day weekend winds down, we’ve got a Large Up Premiere to bring back the soca madness, if you’re just getting in from the parade, plus new music from Blak Ryno, and some world vibes from the motherland. Some dope selections for the last week of Summer, so jump right in.
Premiere: Rakka, Soaked in Soca: Belgium’s DJ Rakka just dropped this mix for LargeUp to show you what you’ve been missing if you haven’t been staying on top of your soca game lately. Soaked in Soca compiles some of the biggest hits from the past few years including a few joints you might have slept on if you already consider yourself a Soca Warrior. The mix also includes some original productions from Rakka himself, with features from Mr Lexx and General Levy. The perfect mix to finish off your Labor Day Weekend. Stream and download below:
Blak Ryno X Platinum Kids, Push On: The story of Blak Ryno is a harrowing one. After rising to fame in 2007 with Vybz Kartel’s Portmore Empire, by 2009 he was on every dancehall playlist with huge hits like “Real Stingers” and “Bike Back.” But all was not well in the Portmore camp, and the crew fell apart by the end of 2010. With less shine due to conflicts with Kartel and some of the other members of the camp, Ryno kept on with his deejay career but didn’t get as much support. He’s been consistently putting out good music ever since and Push On, mixed by New York’s Platinum Kids, showcases some of Blak Ryno’s latest music and introduces his new musical group, Garrison. Definitely not one to sleep on. Stream and download below:
Juan G, Zimdancehall to the World: You may have never heard of Zimdancehall but it’s been bubbling in Zimbabwe for a minute and is getting set to explode. Ever since Bob Marley visited Zimbabwe in 1980, and paid tribute to their struggle for Independence with his album Survival, the country has been gravitating towards reggae and dancehall. Jamaica’s stamp on Zimbabwe’s musical scene is chronicled in Juan G’s mix featuring a ton of young artists spitting in their native tongue over dancehall riddims. Zimdancehall to the World accompanies an article and mini documentary that Juan G put together for Mixologi earlier this year that will fill you in on this interesting blend of cultures. Grab this mix and find out how dancehall is taking over the world. Stream and download below: