Jamaican dancehall artist Sikka Rymes is one of a clutch of rising stars featured on FRESH CLIPP'D, a new compilation from Sun Araw founder Cameron Stallones' label, Duppy Gun Productions. Sikka's contribution is "Love Di People," which finds him and his pal John D freestyling over a raw yet minimal joint by L.A. producer Genesis Hull, dropping bars that recall the deep relationship between dancehall and grime.
"I got an email from the Duppy Gun label saying they wish to link up with me, and they would love for me to voice on their riddims they sent me," Sikka Rymes told The FADER over email. "Later that day I downloaded the riddims on my computer in my room—I have my own studio at home—and I create the Pro-Tools session and let the riddims talk to my heart, soul, and mind. After that I started to voice the song without a book or pencil to write because everything the riddim is telling me is the same thing my heart is saying: go hardcore. It wasn't hard because, as I said, the riddim was telling me what to say, so I freestyle. This song means a lot to me because this is showing my versatility and style of music to the world."
FRESH CLIPP'D is out now (buy it here). If you're a producer or DJ, there's the option to cop a "Dubplate Extension" package (which includes full instrumental riddims, acapellas, and drops in WAV format) for a couple extra dollars.