Sometimes referred to as the "dancehall canon," or "Dancehall 101," there are many compilation albums that contain these songs, including VP Records' 6-album series of the same name.
Here's the list, including BPM tempos for each track.
- Chakademus & Pliers "Murder She Wrote" (97BPM) Can be played to bridge a set of world music (African, bhangra, cumbia) or similar tempo tracks, one of the most recognizable dancehall tracks of all time (thank you Sly & Robbie!)
- Wayne Wonder "No Letting Go" (100BPM) A pop dancehall number that briefly entered the American R&B charts, uptempo beat with R&B vocals.
- Mr. Vegas "Pull Up" (120BPM) Energetic uptempo track with catchy chorus, about the DJ pulling back the track when the crowd demands it.
- Gyptian "Hold Yuh" (play the clean version) (100BPM) It's a simple, catchy song, and one of the biggest dancehall/R&B crossover hits of the last 5 years.
- Sean Paul "Temperature," (126BPM) "Get Busy," (100BPM) and "We Be Burning" (119BPM) Up-tempo tracks that can bridge to hi-NRG pop, EDM or house music.
- Tanto Metro & Devonte "Every One Falls In Love" (96BPM) Catchy hook and the love theme will suit the wedding crowd.
- Sister Nancy "Bam Bam" (82BPM) On the Stallag riddim, same riddim as Tenor Saw's "Ring The Alarm" this one is the second most popular girls anthem, and number one is…
- Dawn Penn "No No No (You Don't Love Me)" (81 BPM) Play the modern remake version on Big Beat Records, not the classic Studio 1 version. It might not be the ideal wedding song due to the mournful chorus, but it's a sure-fire sing-a-long hit.
- Popcaan "Party Shot" (100BPM) Super catchy tune that came out last year, really captures partying Jamaican-style perfectly.
- Shaggy "It Wasn't Me" (96BPM) (play the clean version) The song is actually on a hip-hop beat, but its consistently one of the best selling, most recognizable dancehall cuts of the '90s.
- Snoop Lion w/Mavado & Jr. Gong "Lighters Up" (74BPM) Snoop Lion's album has been one of the top-3 best selling albums of 2013, this track is a weed and party anthem.
- Buju Banton "Champion" (90BPM) "Walk like a champion, talk like a champion"…one of Buju's biggest mid-career hits, and the beat just rolls and rolls.
Honorable mention: Ini Kamoze "Hot Stepper," Damian "Jr. Gon" Marley "Welcome To Jamrock," Beenie Man "Romie," Sean Paul & Sasha "I'm Still In Love."
