Posted in DANCEHALL

The 100 Best Dancehall Songs from the 1980s: A Golden Decade of Bashment Vibes

Author admin Estimated read time 4 min read
The 100 Best Dancehall Songs from the 1980s: A Golden Decade of Bashment Vibes

#DancehallMuseum #ReggaeMuseum

The 1980s marked a golden era in the evolution of Jamaican music. Dancehall, born from reggae’s roots, exploded with raw energy, digital riddims, street storytelling, and charismatic DJs and singers. From the analog warmth of early ’80s rub-a-dub to the digital revolution sparked by the “Sleng Teng” riddim, this decade shaped the sound of modern dancehall and laid the foundation for the genre’s global dominance.

Here’s a curated list of 100 of the best dancehall songs from the 1980s, showcasing artists who defined the era and tracks that still mash up dances today.

ICONIC DANCEHALL ANTHEMS

  1. Wayne Smith – Under Mi Sleng Teng (1985)

  2. Yellowman – Zungguzungguguzungguzeng (1982)

  3. Tenor Saw – Ring the Alarm (1985)

  4. Barrington Levy – Here I Come (Broader than Broadway) (1985)

  5. Eek-A-Mouse – Wa-Do-Dem (1981)

  6. Johnny Osbourne – Buddy Bye (1985)

  7. Sister Nancy – Bam Bam (1982)

  8. Super Cat – Boops (1985)

  9. Shabba Ranks – Needle Eye Pum Pum (1988)

  10. Cutty Ranks – The Stopper (1986)

 FOUNDATION ARTISTS & EARLY DANCEHALL VIBES

  1. Josey Wales – Undercover Lover

  2. Brigadier Jerry – Every Man a Me Bredda

  3. Ranking Joe – Natty Dread

  4. Charlie Chaplin – Que Dem A Do

  5. General Echo – Arleen

  6. U-Roy – Hustling

  7. Early B – Visit of King Selassie

  8. Trinity – Uptown Girl

  9. Jah Thomas – Shoulder Move

  10. Michigan & Smiley – Diseases

 DIGITAL REVOLUTION & RUB-A-DUB CLASSICS

  1. King Kong – Trouble Again

  2. Nitty Gritty – Hog inna Minty

  3. Admiral Bailey – Punanny

  4. Flourgon – We Run Things

  5. Red Dragon – Hol’ a Fresh

  6. Echo Minott – Lazy Body

  7. Half Pint – Greetings

  8. Sugar Minott – Herbman Hustling

  9. Frankie Paul – Worries in the Dance

  10. Little John – Yes Mama

 LOVERS’ DANCEHALL & SWEET MELODIES

  1. Barrington Levy – My Woman

  2. Carlene Davis – Stealing Love

  3. Freddie McGregor – Push Come to Shove

  4. JC Lodge – Someone Loves You Honey

  5. Dennis Brown – Your Love Got a Hold on Me

  6. Sanchez – Wild Sanchez

  7. Pinchers – Agony

  8. Cocoa Tea – Rocking Dolly

  9. Leroy Gibbons – Four Season Lover

  10. Tony Tuff – Come Fi Mash It

 SOUND SYSTEM & CLASH FAVORITES

  1. Papa San – DJ Business

  2. Peter Metro – Don’t Give Me That

  3. Major Worries – Babylon Boops

  4. Little Twitch – Respect Due

  5. Chaka Demus – Original Kuff

  6. Tippa Lee & Rappa Robert – No Trouble We

  7. Screwdriver – We Rule

  8. Tiger – When

  9. Lecturer – Yardman Skank

  10. Anthony Red Rose – Tempo

 BADMAN & STREET ANTHEMS

  1. Burro Banton – Boom Wah Dis

  2. Super Cat – Trash and Ready

  3. Ninjaman – Protection

  4. Junior Demus – Old School

  5. Pad Anthony – Shake Dem Down

  6. Ranking Dread – Fattie Boom Boom

  7. Jr. Cat – Kill a Sound Boy

  8. Captain Barkey – Gun

  9. Clement Irie – Leave the Trees

  10. Derrick Irie – Hotter Reggae Music

 RIDDIM CLASSICS & DANCEFLOOR STAPLES

  1. Little Kirk – Ghetto People Broke

  2. Wayne Fire – Love Yuh Man

  3. Pliers – Bam Bam Remix

  4. Terror Fabulous – Gun Jezebel

  5. Sluggy Ranks – Ghetto Youth Bust

  6. Screechie Dan – Pose Off

  7. Chaka Demus – Everybody Loves Chaka

  8. Lone Ranger – M16

  9. Wayne Wonder – Long & Lasting Love

  10. Trevor Sparks – Nah Test Me

 CULTURAL & CONSCIOUS DANCEHALL

  1. Tony Rebel – Sweet Jamaica

  2. Junior Reid – One Blood

  3. Echo Minott – What the Hell the Police Can Do

  4. King Everald – After All

  5. Carl Meeks – Weh Dem Fah

  6. Nicodemus – Suzy Wong

  7. Little Bimbo – Mama

  8. Ricky Tuffy – My God is Real

  9. Hopeton Lindo – Territory

  10. Simpleton – Ghetto People

DANCEHALL LEGENDS MAKING WAVES

  1. Beenie Man – Too Fancy

  2. Papa San – Perdominant

  3. Junior Reid – Strong Survive

  4. Daddy Lizard – Inna Me House

  5. Admiral Tibet – Serious Time

  6. Major Mackerel – Pretty Looks Done

  7. Lukie D – Centre of Attraction

  8. Lilly Melody – Fresh

  9. Prince Mohammed – 53rd & 3rd

  10. Michael Prophet – Gunman

DEEP CUTS & UNDERGROUND GEMS

  1. Peter Ranking – Girls a Mad Mi

  2. Junior Murvin – Muggers in the Street

  3. Robert Lee – Come Now

  4. General Trees – Mini Bus

  5. Danny Dread – Dread at the Controls

  6. Super Black – Rock It Tonight

  7. Al Campbell – Leave Herb Business

  8. Sassafrass – Pocomania Jump

  9. Ruddy Thomas – Long Time Girl I Never See You

  10. Tonto Irie – Life Story

Final Thoughts

The 1980s was the era where dancehall broke away from roots reggae and defined its own identity. It was bold, rebellious, raw, sexy, conscious, and innovative. These 100 songs reflect the versatility of dancehall in the decade where it truly became a cultural force—both in Jamaica and around the world.

Whether you’re a veteran selector or new to the dancehall scene, this playlist is essential listening to understand the genre’s origins and influence.

#DancehallMuseum #ReggaeMuseum
#80sDancehall #GoldenEraDancehall #RubADub #SlengTengGeneration

Related Posts:

Related