The year 2012 saw some inspiring and infectious songs in reggae. Both veterans and new artists in dancehall delivered some of the most popular songs we’ve seen in the genre in years.
In this segment we will countdown the top 10 singles that rocked reggae/dancehall in 2012.
Without doubts this was a very difficult list to compile given the fact that there were so many hit songs to go through. A lot of you might feel that certain songs should have made the list. But rest assure that songs didn’t made the list because they weren’t good enough, but because of the competitiveness of the dancehall landscape.
The list was compiled based on radio play, sales, social media reach, and overall popularity.
Now lets get down to business starting from 10 to 1.
Click Next below to start the list.
10. Mavado – Caribbean Girls
It is no surprise that Mavado’s single “Caribbean Girls” was a major hit in the Caribbean.
With his signature sound over a catchy beat, Mavado scores one of the biggest hits in dancehall in 2012 with “Caribbean Girls.” The single received over 1.5 million views on YouTube.
9. Tommy Lee – Some Bwoy
For a large part of 2012 the lyrics on dancehall fans tongue was:
“Gaza man crazy, no, we insane, some bwoy si we link and feel a di link pon di chain.”
Arguably “Some Bwoy” is the single that catapult Tommy Lee into dancehall mainstream. There is not a single club, dancehall, or party in Jamaica that you will not hear the single.
Tommy Lee “Some Bwoy” received more than 2 million views on Youtube.
8. Vybz Kartel – Party Me Say
Vybz Kartel scored one of the biggest hits in dancehall in 2012 from behind bars with his feel good single “Party Me Say.” Released in February 2012, the single became an instant success in clubs and on the airwaves.
“Party Me Say” tops 2 million views on YouTube.
7. Konshens – Gal A Bubble
You can’t shot a dancehall video for a club banger like this without lots of scantily clad females, and Konshens did just that.
Konshens scored one of the biggest hits of his career with “Gyal A Bubble.” The single received more than 5 million views on YouTube and plenty airplay.
6. Popcaan – Party Shot
Although Popcaan released “Party Shot” in late 2011, it wasn’t until her drop the music video in 2012 that they song really became viral.
The ex-gaza member has consistently graced dancehall with hits since Vybz Kartel introduced him to the masses in 2010
“Party Shot” top 7 million views on YouTube.
5. Snoop Lion – La La La
Nobody took Snoop Lion transformation to rasta reggae seriously until he dropped his first reggae joint “La La La” in the summer of 2012. The best thing for Snoop Lion was that fans took noticed and tuned into his new found love for reggae music.
The Major Lazer-produced single featured an appearance from reggae singer Jovi Rockwell. Although the single was not as big in Jamaica as in the United States, it received more than 8 million views on YouTube.
4. Laza Morgan Ft. Mavado – One By One
No one really knew who Laza Morgan was until the single “One By One” became a global hit single. The catchy single was one of the biggest dancehall worldwide hit in 2012.
There is not a club, street dance, or party you’ve been to without hearing “One By One” echoing out of a speaker box.
Laza Morgan and Mavado “One By One” received more than 4 million views on YouTube.
3. Damian Marley – Affairs Of The Heart
Damian Marley scored one of the biggest reggae/dancehall hits of 2012 with his lovers rock single “Affairs Of The Heart.”
Junior Gong showed a different side to his music with this soothing love ballad. “Affairs Of The Heart” tops 6.5 million views on YouTube.
2. Sean Paul – Touch The Sky
Sean Paul may not be as popular locally as Vybz Kartel and Mavado, but outside of Jamaica he is a global phenom with immense popularity.
His single “Touch The Sky” was one of the biggest worldwide dancehall hits of 2012. Receiving more than 9 million views on YouTube.
1. Mr. Vegas – Bruk It Down
“Bruk, bruk, bruk, bruk, burk it down, Bruk it down, bruk it down, bruk it down, bruk it down.”
Mr. Vegas scored the biggest hit in dancehall in 2012 with his single “Bruk It Down.” Thanks to this huge success of this single Mr. Vegas had one of the best year of his career in 2012. The Single top 10 million views on YouTube and found its way into the hearts of dancehall music fans from Jamaica all the way to Japan.
“Bruk It Down” defines what a hardcore dancehall banger is. And yes the music video lived up to the hype.
So let’s give Mr. Vegas a round of applause for creating this work of art called “Bruk It Down.”
Rounding out the top 15 reggae/dancehall songs of 2012.
11. Wayne Marshall – Go Hard Feat. Damian Marley, Aidonia, I-Octane, Assassin, Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel – Go Hard
12. I-Octane Ft. Bounty Killer – Badmind Dem A Pree
13. Aidonia – Tan Tuddy
14. Sean Paul Ft. Kelly Rowland – How Deep Is Your Love
15. Leftside Ft. Konshens – Clap Dat
how med dat list?
vybz kartel fi the #1 party me say king a dancehall vk.
whe dii ra$$ why them don’t put come round- movadoo? them madd.
The number five song should be removed, I refuse to support an artist who wants to turn towards the reggae music only to his own needs.
Thank God ‘Shook’ isn’t up there!
Thank God ‘Shook’ isn’t up there!
Octane and Bounty “Badmind Dem A Pree shoulda make the list.
OH, AS GONE A NORTHER ONE BORN.
I didn’t know “Touch The Sky” by Sean Paul was considered dancehall or reggae :.
I didn’t know “Touch The Sky” by Sean Paul was considered dancehall or reggae :.
God know how Snoop Lion mek de list and Popcaaaaaaaaan ain’t..