A big fan of 1990s dancehall music, E-Dee recalls sounds from that decade for Water Run, his latest song, which he-co-produced with Jahsee. It is one of several songs on the LA Champ Riddim.
The Los Angeles-based singjay wanted a particular focus for the song which was released in late March.
“The idea was to blend Afrobeats with dancehall while infusing a ’90s reggae feel — bringing back that classic, good vibe energy to dancehall. I wanted the track to feel fresh, yet nostalgic, something that connects both old-school and modern listeners,” E-Dee explained.
Ginjah, Dilgin and Dizzle JA are some of the other acts on the LA Champ beat. Getting multiple artistes on a ‘riddim’ has worked wonders for dancehall acts and producers for decades, something the lanky E-Dee is aware of.
“It can be highly beneficial for several reasons. Your song gets heard alongside other artists, potentially introducing you to their fan base,” he noted. “Sharing a riddim also pushes you to stand out and bring your best performance.”
From rural Clarendon parish in southern Jamaica, E-Dee has doubled as a recording artiste and actor for almost 20 years. In addition to releasing three albums and numerous singles, his acting credits include roles in movies like Out The Gate, Gangland The Musical, Chocolate City 3 and Mother In Law.
The autobiographical Out The Gate also starred fellow Jamaicans Oliver Samuels and Paul Campbell.
-Howard Campbell