Producer upbeat about new dancehall rhythm

Dancehall veteran Edley Shine, formerly of the influential duo Born Jamericans, has teamed up with producer DJ Jahmar for Broken Dolly, the first single from the ‘Book of Micah’ rhythm.

Released on August 14 alongside its official music video, Broken Dolly pairs Edley Shine’s signature wit and delivery with DJ Jahmar’s dancehall production. The song centres on the exploits of a modern-day ‘dolly’, a term commonly used in Caribbean culture to describe glamorous, confident women known for their enhanced looks and go-getter attitude. The accompanying video was shot in historic Port Royal, using colourful characters and narrative-driven scenes to bring the song’s storyline to life.

Broken Dolly serves as the first release from DJ Jahmar’s Book of Micah rhythm, which features a mix of established and emerging dancehall acts. The Arizona-based DJ and producer said the project is rooted in the traditional Jamaican rhythm format while targeting DJs, selectors and dancehall audiences internationally. Additional singles and visuals are expected to follow. A video for Wasp’s Remember has already been completed, while promotional visuals are planned for singles including Mega Banton’s No Chill, and Singer J’s Wine For Me.

The project draws on the longstanding dancehall tradition of multiple artistes recording over the same instrumental, with each act bringing a different style and perspective to the production. For DJ Jahmar, the Book of Micah also marks another step in his transition from DJ and radio personality to producer, building on his work promoting reggae and dancehall to audiences outside Jamaica.

Edley Shine brings decades of experience to the collaboration. As one half of Born Jamericans, the Jamaican-American duo helped introduce reggae and dancehall to a wider US audience. He has since continued recording as a solo artiste while maintaining the lyrical style associated with his earlier work.