Japanese remakes dancehall classics

Japan-born dancehall producer Gacha Medz has completed an 18- track instrumental project, which is a remake of many classic Jamaican dancehall rhythms.

The project, Dub Riddim Box, which was released last week, includes remakes of rhythms such as Stagalag, Real Rock and Java.

"In recent years, there have been fewer remakes of golden era riddims in Jamaica, and since I can play musical instruments, I thought I'd take this opportunity to create my own," Gacha Medz said.

The producer, who has been involved in dancehall production since 2009, said Dub Riddim Box is made up of tracks that were played in clubs when he lived in Japan, and tracks that have been played on the streets since he moved to Jamaica.

Among his motivations for the remake, he said he wanted to familiarise younger listeners with the rhythms.

"I want riddims from the golden age to reach younger generations and people from different regions. We are planning a release event in Japan," he said.

Gacha Medz, whose given name is Yu Sagayama, is affiliated with Medz Music and has produced songs for Vybz Kartel, Popcaan, Alkaline, Mavado, Squash, and Bayka. He also manages Japanese artiste Zendaman.

He began playing in reggae and dancehall bands in Japan at age 17, and moved to Jamaica in 2008 at the age of 23.

"I had brought my laptop and guitar with me from Japan, so I was constantly making riddim tracks. One of the tracks was liked [on social media] by Konshens, and I ended up producing a song called Out the Ghetto," Gacha Medz said.