Ragga jungle
| Ragga jungle | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | Dub - Ragga hip hop - Reggae fusion - Rave |
| Cultural origins | early 1990s, London, UK |
| Typical instruments | Synthesiser - Drum machine - Sequencer - Keyboard - Sampler |
| Derivative forms | Raggacore |
| Subgenres | |
| New ragga jungle | |
Ragga jungle is the type of music that emerged circa 1989-1990 and is initially heavily based on production of Michael West (Rebel MC, Congo Natty Label). Early pioneers of the genre also include Leenie De Ice and Ragga Twins.
History
This style is credited with engaging the black community within the Jungle scene, and contributed to the 'bad boy' or 'rude boy' subculture within the UK. Ragga Jungle's popularity waned significantly since 1995 in the UK,[1] in part because the more popular DJs have avoided giving the sound airtime. Ragga Jungle is now a niche sound, with a small number of labels releasing music that can be categorised in this manner.
Recently (2001-present), Canadian and American producers have been gaining popularity with their updated version of the sub-genre largely through online networks, sparking a small, yet international renaissance. Prominent producers of this new-school sound are continuing to build bridges, often revoicing classic reggae singers to produce new works for exclusive use (as "Dubplates") and retail sale as 12" vinyl singles and downloadable mp3's.
This renaissance has sparked the return of many oldschool fans and producers alike; who faded from the scene or reinvented themselves when the raves thinned and the music shed its soundsystem roots. A veritable Dark Ages followed for "Ragga Junglists" when club DJ's opted to support the more technical and less vocal-oriented drum and bass productions. Dubwise junglists have welcomed the return of the rub-a-dub sound, and ragga vocals have gradually regained favour, no doubt helped by the crossover of big brother Dancehall.
In 2007, Greensleeves Records released a compilation titled "Ragga Jungle Dubs". This features a jungle remix of many popular dancehall artists, such as Bounty Killer, Admiral Bailey, and Action Man, Barrington Levy and Beenie Man.
Notable artists
- DJ Recoil
- Rebel MC
- Remarc
- Top Buzz
- Shy FX
- Babylon Demolitionist
- R.A.W.
- DJ K
- Soundmurderer
- Diamond Geezer
- Sixteenarmedjack
- Tester
- Jahba
- Trilogy Sound
- Twinhooker
- Rhygin
- Mad Dem Sound
- Jack Murda
- RCola
- Deos
- Bong-Ra
- Human?
- Dub Liner
- Archangel
- Six Foot Unda
- Illicit
- Aczid
- Transdutor
- Criminal Sound
References
- ^ http://www.kmag.co.uk/features.asp?ReviewID=1174&PageNumber=1&SectionID=1031 : "old school ragga jungle that dominated the scene between 1993-1995"
