Diwali Riddim Explained

Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
Type:compilation
Artist:Various artists
Cover:DiwaliRiddim.jpg
Released:May 21, 2002
May 25, 2010 (Gold Edition)
Recorded:2002
Genre:
Length:64:20
Label:Greensleeves
Producer:Steven "Lenky" Marsden
Prev Title:Hard Drive
Prev Year:2002
Next Title:Hard Drive Pt. 2
Next Year:2002

Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali, also known as the Diwali Riddim, is an album and popular dancehall riddim that came to prominence in 2002. The riddim is credited to Jamaican producer Steven "Lenky" Marsden. This has appeared on several international hit songs by Sean Paul, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Lumidee, Brick & Lace (although their single "Love Is Wicked" was not released until 2007), and Wayne Wonder. The New York Times described the song as "one of the most popular reggae rhythms of all time, spawning hits, sequels and– inevitably– rip-offs. If ever there was a beat that deserved its own Behind the Music, this is it." Similarly, the album was heralded as the best reggae album released in 2002.[1]

It is recognized as arguably the most prominent and popular riddim of 2002 based on the number of top-ten hit songs that charted in Jamaica or internationally that used the instrumental, such as "Get Busy", "No Letting Go", "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)", "Overcome", "Elephant Message", "Sufferer", "Party Time", and "Love Is Wicked". To this day, the riddim and the songs sampling it are still played on Jamaican radio stations every so often and is considered a classic.

The beat is characterized by syncopated clapping, and it was given the name Diwali for its Indian dance-music influence.[1] The riddim has been featured in American television commercials via Sean Paul's song "Get Busy".[2]

List of songs using Diwali Riddim

ArtistSongAlbum
"Lealy Nahary" Lealy Nahary
"Girls Buss" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
"Ruffest & Tuffest" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
"That's Right" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
Beenie Man "War Is Over"
Bounty Killer feat. Wayne Marshall "Sufferer" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
Bling Dawg "All Right for You"
"Love Is Wicked" Love Is Wicked
"Tra La La"
"Capitano" Greatest Hits
Cecile "Respect Yuh Wife" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
Crissy D "Make It Real Good" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
Danny English & Egg Nog "Party Time" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
Diwali "XM24 Version" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
"Elephant Message" Higher Level / Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
"Inna" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
Hawkeye "Bubble & Wine"
"Never Leave You" (slightly altered from the original riddim), produced by DJ Tedsmooth & Trendsetta Almost Famous/Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali (Gold Edition)
Madd Anju "Dem Ago Hard"
"Hijo de Africa" Mach 6
"It's OK" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
"Lollipop" Life in Cartoon Motion
"Pass That Dutch" This Is Not a Test!
Mr Reggaenarator "Art de Rue Police (Police Freak)"
"Pon de Replay" Music of the Sun
"Shake Yo Bam Bam" Live and Die in Afrika
"Get Busy" Dutty Rock / Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali (Gold Edition)
"Da One"
Shakti "Ay Yo!"
"Dirty Kuffar"
"Can't Touch Me No More" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
"Galang Gal" Unknown Language / Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
"Overcome" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
"No Letting Go" No Holding Back
"Night & Day" WSTRN Season, Vol. 2
Zumjay "Zumjay Is My Name" Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali
"Gonna Fight"
Tiwa SavageOnce Upon a Time
Wizkid"London Girl" Empire Mates State of Mind
M.O.G. (Men of God) "Let Him Go"
"W4W Word for Word"
Odunsi (The Engine) "In the Morning"
"Come Back to Me"
"Moods (Diwali Remix)" Caramel Music

Charts

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20210210201508/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/arts/music-the-rhythm-that-reggae-s-clapping-to.html. February 10, 2021. MUSIC; The Rhythm That Reggae's Clapping To. Kelefa. Sanneh. The New York Times. Wayback Machine. March 9, 2003. October 24, 2021.
  2. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=117249&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=724178&highlight= CKE Restaurants
  3. Top Reggae Albums. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. 28. 115. 18. 0006-2510. Google Books. 3 May 2003. October 24, 2021.