by Lesly Hayles
Reviving older riddims has become a trend lately, ever since Rvssian did it with his 2010 compilation Go-Go Club Riddim and rebranded it as the Dutty Money Riddim in December 2023. American sound system stalwart, Bobby Konders from Massive B Sound and Hot 97 FM in New York, has been producing music for years and making hits after hits from some of Jamaica’s biggest superstars.
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One such production was the highly acclaimed Riot Squad Riddim, which came out in 2011 and featured Bramma, Burru Banton, Elephant Man, Future Fambo, Khago, Major Mackerel, Mr. Vegas, Pamputae and the iconic Vybz Kartel with his mega hit “Get Gal Eazy”. Depending on who you ask, some might say it’s his biggest production yet. This time around, Konders has revamped it as the Riot Squad 24 Riddim, adding ‘24’ to represent the year 2024.
However, instead of releasing a full compilation album first, Konders has decided to release one single at a time to facilitate equal opportunity for each track to receive the same amount of promotion and attention. He also sought out to give the younger generation of talented artists the chance to voice on such an iconic beat many worldwide have come to enjoy. This added a unique and newer sound to this older beat.
Choosing the right set of artists would always be on the basis of including mainly the younger artists such as Nigy Boy, Nadg and Pablo YG, with his track, “Tun Up The Club”, being the first to be released from June 7. Iwaata, as a young superstar in his own right, was just added to the Riot Squad 24 Riddim, and possibly a few others in the works. Konders has also secured a veteran, in the legendary Spragga Benz, his song being a collaboration with his RedSquare camp protégé, Xyclone, a chart-topper known for making waves in recent times.
“Tun Up The Club” has been doing very well so far, being in heavy rotation on several radio stations and streaming services. Working with Pablo YG was a joy, according to Konders, who believes in the next generation of artists in dancehall music.
“Nadg had linked me to send the riddim. He was aware of all the support I gave and got him off his big hip-hop song ‘We A Run Di Grung’. Nigy Boy is one of the hottest artists in dancehall and lives in NYC! I also supported him before him bust and his manager, Dr Love, was very positive to get him on the riddim,” expressed Konders.
“Pablo is fire! Great personality and work ethics. Very funny on social media. He has a bright future! His manager, YG, knows what they’re doing! I can’t comment on others (artists) that I don’t know. I enjoy the energy of young artists. It’s their time now! As someone that’s older, you better move with the times! I can definitely big up Skeng though. I’ve worked with him in Brooklyn,” Konders said in response to being asked about artists of this generation.
In three weeks, Konders will be dropping another single from the Riot Squad 24 Riddim, and the other singles every three weeks afterwards just the same. Therefore, by the end of August, the entire rhythm compilation should be done. This way, he can keep the energy up with songs dropping consistently and receiving equal promotion.
His 2004 Truth & Rights Riddim gave us the Richie Spice hit “Youths So Cold”. It would be Konders’ next riddim to revive and he hopes to get a few young cultural artists on it, as well as some foundation artists.
