Dancehall Reggae is a musical form that is gathering steam. Rooted in the third-world squalor of the West Indies, dancehall is a rough and tumble collage of regular reggae, dub, hip-hop and electronica.
 
    The melodic beats and repeater tones of classic reggae are the foundations of this high impact music. Sounds from roots reggae notables, such as Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and King Tubby can be extracted from this new hybrid version of Rasta gospel music.
 
    Rasta is a religion that was spawn from the brutal oppression of African slaves in the Caribbean corner of American colonialism. Often parodied but seldom understood, the Rastafarian faith is rooted in monotheistic Christian tradition.
 
    Practitioners of the faith have created a niche market in the pop music industry. Writing, producing and performing reggae music is a form of outreach and a tool to expand the message of the Rasta faith.
 
    Classic roots reggae continues to be popular. Albums such as Bob Marley’s Legend will be listened to for generations. For many, Marley is comparable to the Beatles or the Rolling Stones.
 
    Dancehall is the latest in a series of variations of reggae music. Ska, dub, calypso, soca, reggaton and others are variations of the same core principles of West Indian pop music.
    The undeclared king of dancehall music is Sizzla Kalonji. Known by many to be the major force behind dancehalls upsurge in popularity, Kalonji has a style unlike anybody else. Kalonji’s gravelly voice can dive into multiple octaves as he rings loudly about the blessings of his faith.
 
    Da Real Thing, Kalonji’s eighth album, is a dancehall tour de force down the back allies of Kingston Jamaica.
 
    Kalonji opens up with a commanding message to his spiritual foe, Babylon, on the first track “'Mash Dem Down,' Yo you got the riches -- you must share what you have-ah -- Farmer plat the food and stop the people them from starve-ah -- yo Jah lead us with his rod and with his staff-ah -- all pagan mi know them must get cut off -- Babylon your breath get shut off.”
 
    The Rasta is embroiled in a struggle to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Dignity, self determination and justice are all major topics on most Kalonji tracks.
 
    Police interrogation and illegal search and seizure is an injustice to all freedom loving people everywhere, but to Kalonji it is a test of his faith. In the third track of the album “Solid as a Rock," Kalonji lets his fans know how he deals with the vile crimes of misguided authority, “When they come with there evilest thoughts, i just listen whenever they talk -- Jah is the light into my dark -- he cut and tear my path -- they fight without a cause tryin to make my life so hard -- the king of kings and the lord of lords, give it all rewards.”
 
    Dancehall is religious music based in a gospel of salvation through faith. Despite the strife and foul conditions of the ghetto, Kalonji shouts on high the benefits of his faith in Rejoice. “Some fighting for power when love lead the multitude -- every second every hour children calling out for food -- they want to go to school in clean clothes and pretty shoes -- give us now, because mama says promise is a comfort to a fool.”
   
    I recommend this album to all who are interested in social justice, reggae and righteousness.