Photo by Martei Korley
Each week, we add the best new tracks from across the Caribbean and the Diaspora to our Now Things playlist on Apple Music. While the playlist is always available to listen to here, keep up with the latest additions in our weekly new music roundup.
This week’s update features lovelorn rub-a-dub from In.Digg.Nation’s Lila Iké, bare duttiness from Jada Kingdom, and an all-star combination tune off Agent Sasco‘s upcoming LP, plus one of our favorite tracks from Ricky Blaze’s brand-new X Rated EP.
Run tune below, and find all of our playlists over on our Apple Music channel here.
One of the most promising new voices out of Jamaica releases her third single, via Protoje’s In.Digg.Nation Collection and the new Delicious Vinyl Island imprint. “Second Chance” is a blend of vulnerability and allure inna rub-a-dub style that will have you falling in love on first listen. — Ronnia Cherry
As if summer couldn’t get any hotter, Jada Kingdom gets loose with a new banger. “Banana” features Ms. Kingdom’s honey-drizzled vocals over a sweet rhythm produced by Tessellated & Valleyz (“Pine & Ginger”) alongside Jaxx. Gwaan and get your fruit. —Ronnia Cherry
Agent Sasco feat. Stonebwoy, Kabaka Pyramid + Spragga Benz, “Change”
Agent Sasco just announced his upcoming fourth album, Hope River (out Aug. 31 on the deejay’s own Diamond Studios label) with this heavyweight collaboration featuring reggae all-stars Kabaka Pyramid and Spragga Benz, alongside Ghana’s Stonebwoy. This is one of those tracks where each artist brings their own distinctive style and palette to the table; If you’re a fan of any of these artists, “Change” is worth a spin. — Desmond Alphonso
Samory I, maybe the most underrated singer in Jamaica right now, links the XTM.Nation crew for another solid addition to his catalog of righteous Rasta anthems. Reggae royalty in the making. — Desmond Alphonso
Not to be confused with 2017’s “U Me Love,” Jahmiel dropped off this previously unreleased tune as part of the freshly issued 25th anniversary edition of VP Records’ Reggae Gold. — Desmond Alphonso
Zion I Kings, “Check Me After Dark”
The Zion I Kings — Tippy I, Andrew “Moon” Bain and Jah David — are the production trio behind so much of the great roots reggae coming out of the U.S. Virgin Islands (Akae Beka, etc.) and beyond. On the solo cut “Check Me After Dark,” the crew get weird with a fresh dub that sounds like King Tubby’s meets Daft Punk. — Jesse Serwer
Shouts to Kanye and G.O.O.D. Music, but Ricky Blaze’s X-Rated might be our favorite seven-song EP of the summer. The set is packed with bangers, and some genuinely experimental takes on dancehall, but “In My Face” is the lead candidate for bashment anthem status. “So much gyal in dis place, don’t wan see man my face” might be the best dancehall hook in a minute. — Jesse Serwer
Listen to the Now Things playlist here: