From the beginning of 2019, members of dancehall group the 6ix, were heralded as the next ‘big things’ in dancehall.The Montego-based entourage, which includes the likes of Chronic Law, Daddy 1 and Squash, have been making a huge impact on the local music scene.As the year draws to a close, their vice-like grip on the industry is being reflected in a huge way on the mega streaming platform, YouTube. Although incarcerated deejay Vybz Kartel remains in the top spot as the most streamed entertainer out of Jamaica, Chronic Law and Squash have blazed on to the list as new entrants.
Not only did they make the list, but the two entertainers managed to land in the top five spots, outstreaming artistes like Masicka and Popcaan who were in the top five last year. Chronic Law came in at number three amassing 20.9 million streams over the past 12 months, while Squash came in at number five with 15.3 million streams. In addition to Kartel, Alkaline, Chronic Law, Teejay, Squash, Masicka and Popcaan, the top 10 is rounded out by Shenseea, who comes in at number 8 as the sole female, with Tommy Lee Sparta and Dexta Daps holding the ninth and 10th spots respectively.
According to music analyst Donovan Watkis, this 6ixes presence on this year’s YouTube list comes as no surprise. He said that Jamaica definitely represented for the 6ix although they didn’t see them on stage as much. Points of interest”(But) In terms of their digital footprint, they have been very impressive. Their music is actually quite trendy, it’s the sound many artistes are emulating and it is seen as the future sound of dancehall whether we like it or not,” Watkis said. “Plus, their personal lives seem to be points of interest for people so they became trending topics and that may be part of the reason why persons are consuming their music. The 6ix’s streaming is real and it’s good that they’re making a digital impact, they just need to now transfer that impact to the stage.”While he was not shocked at the 6ix’s streaming presence, Watkis said the list did bear some surprises for him.
The biggest he admitted was Popcaan not making it to the top five. In his opinion, the ‘Unruly Boss’ possesses countless hits, and after signing with Drake at the close of 2018, he hoped the deal would bear fruit for the St Thomas native. Watkis also revealed satisfaction with the artist who copped the top spot on the chart. He explained that despite the dancehall game constantly undergoing changes, he doesn’t foresee Kartel’s reign as king ending anytime soon.”Vybz Kartel is definitely a force to be reckoned with. He releases music quite often, more than anybody else on the list. His music is more impactful than anyone on the list. If you go to any dance, his music is powerful and that’s why even though he’s not performing either, persons are still streaming his music,” he said.Still, despite the buzz among dancehall’s hottest artistes, it is a reggae artist whose song is the most streamed song out of Jamaica. Koffee’s Toast holds the coveted top spot with 3.91 million streams over the past 12 months. Tommy Lee’s Blessing is in the number two spot having garnered 3.49 million streams. Teejay’s Owna Lane (3.02), Kartel’s Any Weather (2.41) and Squash’s Beat Dem Bad (2.03) round up the top five.
Leave a Reply