Kingston, Jamaica: – The opening bars of the Moroccan Gold Riddim glide in with a smoky, cinematic tension with its Middle Eastern cadence – an unexpected twist that still pulses with the unmistakable heartbeat of dancehall. It’s the latest juggling from Dutty Rock Productions, the label helmed by Sean Paul alongside his long-time collaborators Jigzagula, News, CopperShaun, Suku Ward and Chi Ching Ching – the first official artiste signed to the camp. Since launching in 2011, Dutty Rock has produced a steady stream of high-powered projects that spotlight both seasoned voices and rising talent while keeping the genre’s rich tradition of juggling alive.
With the Moroccan Gold Riddim, the team fused hypnotic, desert-tinged textures with bass-heavy riddim culture, creating a sonic landscape that feels both atmospheric and modern.
“The sample we used has a Moroccan, Middle Eastern feel – that’s what inspired the name. Persons may know moroccan gold as a high-quality oil, precious gold jewellery and even the rare, pure indica strain that’s native to the regions of Morocco. We wanted the riddim to carry the same energy, something rich, different, and top-tier in quality,” explained News, Label Manager and one of the creative minds behind the project.
While the soundscape taps into exotic melodies, make no mistake – Moroccan Gold Riddim remains rooted in the core of Jamaican dancehall. “Anything Dutty Rock does, we try to keep it dancehall-oriented,” News emphasised. “This riddim just adds a new texture to that. We have tonnes of riddims, but between myself, Suku, SP, Jigzag, and CopperShaun, we chose this one to bat for next and each of us added elements to the production, from the mixing to the mastering.”
The project features an exciting mix of artistes including Sean Paul, Spice, Chi Ching Ching and his protégé Castral, Looga Man, Iwaata, Goody Plum, Bayka, and new talent XO Man – an imposing 7-foot-tall artiste who adds his own unique sound to the line-up. News shared, “Spice inspired us to bring more females on board, so we welcomed Goody Plum, who is a feisty addition. We also had Pamputtae, but unfortunately her vocals came in a bit too late.” A total of nine tracks are set to drop this weekend, with more expected to follow.
Standouts include Sean Paul’s Up Inna Di Air, a certified crowd-pleaser, Spice’s Pop Pill, with her unapologetic Queen of the Dancehall flavour, and Chi Ching Ching’s playful Sprinkle, which also has a music video releasing this Friday.
“Spice is spitting straight lyrics – a real walk-out rack for the ladies. Goody Plum’s tune will also get the ladies stepping out in front of the video light. Every track has its own flavour.”
More than just another riddim drop, Moroccan Gold is a statement on the power of juggling culture and its place in modern dancehall. “We’re preserving that riddim juggling tradition, while updating the sound for today’s audience. Back in the day, DJs would run the whole riddim – think Showtime Riddim – we really trying to bring that back,” News declared, adding that, “Nowadays, every time a riddim goes out, we are asked which song to play but we pushing all the tracks. It’s strictly good music.”
Whether you’re drawn to its hypnotic rhythms, powerhouse performances, or the nostalgic pull of classic jugglings, Moroccan Gold Riddim which is available on all streaming platforms this Friday, promises to strike gold with fans across the board.
Watch Chi Ching Ching’s Sprinkle music video here, with more visuals in the pipeline.
