Jamaica's Top 50 songs of 2006

There has been a lot of talk, over the past two years, of a roots revival in Jamaica. But the renewed interest in reggae among the younger generation in 2005 did not particularly translate into a presence in the charts at the end of 2006. And the supremacy of dancehall on the island remains beyond dispute. Unsurprisingly, first place goes to Tony Matterhorn and Dutty Wine, an emblematic tune that comes with a dance of the same name, and unquestionably the song of the year on the island. The former selecta of King Addis (a famous New York sound system of the early 90s) also takes his other hit Goodas fi dem to 14th place. A real achievement.

Behind him, the usual chart heavyweights are well represented: Capleton, who did not exactly make the headlines in 2006, remains a safe bet. He is the artist who places the most tracks in the chart, with no fewer than four titles: Toppa Tings, Forty Sup'em (both in the top 15), Wah dis wah dis, and Hit after hit. Only one other artist does as well: Buju Banton, who made his big comeback in singles last year. He nonetheless falls short of Capleton, since his four titles (including the recent Driver) all sit in the lower half of the table. Behind them, Beenie Man (3 songs) is ahead of Vybz Kartel (2 songs) and Baby Cham, among the most visible with his two hits
Ghetto Story, (another anthem of the year) which comes in 5th, and Rude Boy Pledge at 28th.

Young artists are also well represented, with the breakthrough act Movado having no fewer than three titles in this chart, Aidonia also present thanks to his duet with Bounty Killer (which is, incidentally, Bounty's only charting title), Busy Signal, Voicemail, Assassin, Ras Murdach, and even QQ. On the roots side, note the fine placings of Little Hero, 19th with Oh Lord, and Perfect, 11th with Nuh badda me.

This year-end chart also holds a few surprises. Elephant Man places only Gangster rock, just like Sizzla, who has only Nookie Nookie (and there is no sign of Haffi Get it, which was nonetheless 3rd over the summer). The dancehall quartet T.O.K, very much in the spotlight in 2006 with Bounce, are represented only by their hit Hotta. Who would have guessed that Chuck Fender would finish the year in second place? His hit Gash dem and light dem, banned from radio when it came out, benefited greatly from its ban in arousing the public's curiosity. At the time it was followed in the charts by Chuck Fender's own answer, Freedom of speech.

Other artists stand out by their absence: Kiprich (apart from his trio with Alozade and Chico), Shaggy (whom we should see in this chart next year given the success of Church Heathen right now), or Anthony B and Jah Mason, not very prolific on singles this year. There is no Ward 21 or Spragga Benz either. One last lesson: apart from Macka Diamond, 3rd for her featuring with Black-er (Bun him), and Tanya Stephens, 7th with These Streets, women are scarcely represented: Tessane Chin, 44th with Hideaway, completes the chart's only female trio.


Jamaica's Top 50 songs of 2006 :
1. Dutty wine – Tony Matterhorn
2. Gash dem and light dem – Chuck Fender
3. Bun him – Macka Diamond feat. Blacker
4. Toppa tings – Capleton
5. Ghetto story – Baby Cham
6. On my mind – Daville
7. These streets – Tanya Stephens
8. Heart attack – Beenie Man
9. Do you know – Mr Vegas
10. Weh dem a do – Movado
11. Nuh badda me – Perfect
12. Forty sup'em – Capleton
13. Mama don't cry – Gyptian
14. Goodas fi dem – Tony Matterhorn
15. Oh yes (Nookie nookie) – Sizzla
16. Gangster rock – Elephant Man
17. Bad out deh – Alozade feat. Kiprich & Chico
18. Blazer – Ras Murdach
19. The prayer – Little Hero
20. Let's dance – Voicemail
21. Nothing with dem – Buju Banton
22. Life seeds – I Wayne
23. Wah dis wah dis – Capleton
24. Hot Wuk – Mr Vegas feat. Opal & Hotta Ball
25. Red Bull & Guinness – Delly Ranks feat. Chino
26. Come again – Beenie Man
27. Temperature – Sean Paul
28. Rude boy pledge – Baby Cham
29. Hit after hit – Capleton
30. Driver – Buju Banton
31. Real McKoy – Movado
32. Get crazy – Voicemail
33. From dem dis – Bounty Killer feat. Idonia
34. Coming over tonight – Chuck Fender feat. Cherine Anderson
35. We set the trend – Beenie Man
36. Beyonce wine – Vybz Kartel
37. Hotta – T.O.K
38. Bad man forward – Ding Dong
39. Full clip – Movado feat. Busy Signal
40. Sikka sitten – Lion Cub
41. Talk to me – Buju Banton
42. Forgot them – Wayne Marshall
43. Youths are so cold – Richie Spice
44. Hideaway – Tessane Chin
45. Tic Toc- Vybz Kartel
46. Anywhere we go – Assassin
47. Traffic Jam – Stephen Marley feat. Damian Marley & Buju Banton
48. Love what you got – Guidance
49. Stukie – QQ
50. Please stop the killing – Hit List