Beat-maker and producer Damien Ceza is launching his new music label, Roots Records, with the release of the Midnight Run Riddim; out now on all streaming platforms. This is a nine-track dancehall compilation that features veteran Jamaican recording artists Anthony B and Turbulence, as well as several emerging talents.
Having a strong desire to put dance back into the dancehall, Ceza began experimenting with different sounds in his Staten Island, New York studio earlier this year. He eventually ended up with a beat that has a classic 90’s dancehall sound mixed in with a touch of the modern hardcore style.
Once the beat was completed he began shopping it around to various artists and was fortune to get positive responses from both Turbulence and Anthony B; two established names that are currently trending in the reggae / dancehall industry. Damien was very careful when selecting which artists he would feature, as he is not a fan of negative and / or derogatory lyrics.
When asked why he called the riddim Midnight Run, he said the following: “My vision was to have an artist perform the title song “Midnight Run” to give the people hope of normalcy once the pandemic ended. I chose up and coming artist Itse to write and perform the track for me. I specifically featured her for several reasons. The most important reason is because she’s a very talented and inspiring female artist whose lyrics are clean and meaningful. Also, female artists seem to be missing from most of the current productions out there. I want to change what has become the norm.”
