Digital Riddim

A digital riddim is a rhythm track built with drum machines, keyboards, and sequencers rather than a full live band — dominant from the mid-1980s after landmark productions like Sleng Teng reshaped dancehall economics.

Why it matters: Digital production lowered barriers and sped voicing turnover. Hundreds of artists can voice the same digital bassline, intensifying competition and globalising dancehall faster than the vinyl era alone.