Since its inception in 1999, the French Irie Ites record label has established a good reputation through a string of consistently high-quality releases. These have included both original riddims and fresh takes on classic riddims. Following the release of several one drop roots riddims, the Irie Ites production team ventured into revitalizing a dancehall sound in 2010.
The Billie Jean Riddim gained significant traction in dance halls when the versatile artist Shinehead made waves in the global reggae scene in 1985 with his standout 12″ single Billie Jean / Mama Used To Say. This track cleverly fused elements from the Michael Jackson and Junior Giscombe’s songs with a refreshed version of Bumps Oakley’s Studio One classic, Get A Lick, from 1968. Besides Shinehead, who recorded two additional songs on this riddim, no other artist has recorded a tune utilizing that specific riddim track.
During the early 1990s, producer Bobby “Digital” Dixon revitalized the riddim for several tracks including Cocoa Tea’s Party People, Yami Bolo’s Hot Stepping, and Garnet Silk’s Bless Me. The Irie Ites All Stars offered a fresh, faster take on the Billie Jean Riddim, making it more enticing compared to the versions by Shinehead and Bobby “Digital” Dixon. In 2010, Irie Ites released the riddim project on CD, which led to a 2022 reissue featuring three 7″ singles that included five newly mixed and mastered vocal tracks alongside the instrumental.
The first 7″ vinyl showcases Sizzla on the A-side, highlighting his lyrical prowess in the impactful Police Oppression. This tune remains relevant, displaying Sizzla’s impressive delivery. Although his earlier work had become inconsistent, he truly shines with this standout track. On the flip side, Mark Wonder reaffirms his talent with the exceptional conscious tune People Need Security, proving again that he deserves more recognition.
The second single features Lutan Fyah who delivers I Bun Police, which explores themes akin to Sizzla’s Police Oppression. The talented singjay from Spanish Town critiques police misconduct with a remarkable performance. Lutan Fyah’s track is paired with Konshens’ She Love Money. While this song diverges from the roots-driven themes, it remains an engaging listen.
Additionally, there’s Jamaican artist Spectacular, who began his career in 1993 and recorded his first track, I Love This Girl, in 1996. By 2004, he collaborated with various producers in Europe, including Irie Ites. His first single for the French label was Rasta on the Zion Riddim. This was followed by more productions for Irie Ites Records, leading to the release of the autobiographical Born In The Ghetto on the Billie Jean Riddim. The flip side of the single features the ‘clean version’ of the riddim.