Digital Dancehall

Digital dancehall is the era from the mid-1980s when programmed riddims replaced many live bands — Sleng Teng being the watershed — enabling rapid voicing turnover and a harder, more electronic yard sound.

Why it matters: Digital production democratised hits and intensified riddim competition. It birthed modern juggling, clash dubplate culture on drum machines, and the template for today's streaming-era release schedules.