5 Homegrown Dancehall Artists To Watch in 2023

Reggaeologist Lloyd Laing drops a list of 5 emerging Jamaican born Dancehall artists to watch in 2023

1. Kraff Gad

Kraff Gad

Kraff Gad, a Dancehall fusion artist, made a notable impact in 2022 with his hit single "Deniro" and has continued to release new music in an effort to maintain his success. While his ability to blend hip-hop and dancehall may appear effortless, it is debatable whether it brings something new and original to the genre. 

He closed out 2022 with an EP entitled "11:11" which could be considered as showcasing his versatility as an artist, but it is up for debate whether it truly displays his undeniable musical talent, with irresistible melodies and sharp lyrics.

Kraff Gad is seen by some as an artist with potential for growth, but whether he can sustain his current level of success is yet to be determined. 

He has already released several songs that have gained traction in the music scene, but it remains to be seen if he can make a lasting impact in the broader music space.

2. Dexta Daps

Dexta Daps

Dexta Daps is a prominent figure in the US East Coast Reggae scene, known for his unique style as a dancehall balladeer. He consistently delivers titillating tunes to his growing audience, both at home and abroad. 

He has a dedicated fanbase, as evidenced by his over 500,000 monthly Spotify listeners and close to 3.5 million monthly Spotify streams across his catalogue. 

His ability to connect with his audience through his music and his devoted fanbase has put him on a trajectory to become a mainstream artist. 

However, as with any Homegrown artist, it will be interesting to observe how he continues to evolve and maintain relevance to attract mainstream music industry opportunities.

3. Valiant

Valiant

Valiant, who has recently emerged as a sensation in the music industry, made a strong impact in Q3 2022 by releasing a string of hit songs that resonated with audiences in the dancehall arena. While it is true that his 2018 single "This is What I Want" does showcase a different side to the artist, who is known for his controversial lyrics about "bad bitches", it is not enough to hide the fact that his music lacks originality and depth. 

However, it is worth noting that Valiant has been able to capture the attention of the audience and maintain a level of popularity which is not an easy task. Critics are watching closely to see if he can sustain his creativity and evolve as an artist, to produce meaningful and lasting work that showcases his true potential.

4. Chronic Law

Chronic Law

Chronic Law is a rising star in the music industry who has taken a careful and calculated approach to building his brand over the years. His focus on building his presence on YouTube has paid off organically as he has now achieved an impressive average of 1.2 million Spotify streams and over 15 million Youtube streams monthly. 

This is a testament to his unique approach to the mainstream music industry, and his ability to connect with a large audience through his videocentric dancehall talent. 

It's clear that Chronic Law is not only dedicated to his craft but also has a good understanding of the current music industry and how to navigate it. However, it will be interesting to see how he will transistion into the mainstream.

5. Bayka

Bayka

Bayka is a rising musician from Spanish Town who made his debut in 2021 with his single "Mobster", which was a commercial hit and helped establish him as a prominent figure in the dancehall scene. 

With a unique style that combines traditional dancehall beats with modern electronic elements, he has a dedicated fanbase and impressive streaming numbers, generating over 1.2 million Spotify streams per month and just under 1.5 million Youtube streams monthly. 

He is becoming one of the most sought-after artists in the dancehall scene, but it will be interesting to see how he evolves as an artist.