You could say that rap and dancehall reggae had something of a mutual appreciation society in the 1980s and 1990s -- dancehall was a major influence on rappers ranging from KRS-One and
Queen Latifah to Just-Ice, and hip-hop greatly influenced such dancehall artists as
Shabba Ranks, Lieutenant Stitchie and
Bounty Killer. The thing that sets
Faded apart from so much of the dancehall/hip-hop fusion that was going on the 1990s is
Don Jagwarr's variety of influences.
Jagwarr was born in Trinidad and lived in Brooklyn before moving to Los Angeles, and on this CD, the influence of Jamaican dancehall, East Coast hardcore rap and West Coast gangsta rap (especially
Dr. Dre and his associates) come together to create an unorthodox style. Dancehall albums can be limited and one-dimensional, but
Jagwarr opts for variety and makes
Faded fairly unpredictable. Boasting cameos by
Ice Cube and the late 2Pac Shakur,
Faded is a decent, if uneven, outing that will appeal to those who are seeking something fresh from dancehall. ~ Alex Henderson