Whats unique about dancehall reggae? specifically the beats

[davek]

3 beats in a four measure is 3/4 time, is it not???

Possibly I am confused

You are.

The meter, or time signature of a song has nothing to do with how many times the drummer hits his drums. What's confusing you is that in reggae, there is often an accentuated "drop" on the third beat. But if you count through some examples, you'll find yourself counting to "4" before the first beat of the next bar arrives, not "3" as you would in a waltz. Try it on a few songs and you'll see what I mean.

[Gabranth]

Okay let me give it a shot.... If you count the Hi-Hat one two three four...
One Drop Roots Reggae: Bass Drum and Snare Drum on 3.
Early Dancehall: Bass Drum on 1 (and 3) - Snare Drum on 3 (plus possible Bass Drum variations).

Then came that new style that later became Ragga I guess. Check Barrington Levy "Here I come/Broader than Broadway" where the beat changes back and forth (through the mixing) from Early Dancehall to what later became some kinda "early Ragga type of beat".

Early 90s (Ninjaman/Cutty Ranks) Dancehall often had said new style:
Bass Drum on 1 and 2,5 - Snare Drum on 4. That's kinda what Courtney meant earlier in this thread I think. Not 100% sure about the second kick being exactly on 2 and a half though.

This kinda was the formula for that "classic" Late 90s Dancehall/Ragga Beenie Man Sim Simma, Red Rat, Sean Paul...

2014 Dancehall though... I don't know if it has a specific formula, I think it doesn't. The son of Freddie McGregor (Stephan) was the lead riddim-maker of the last couple of years I guess, he somewhat changed the style again imho. Very hard to define a typical 2014 Dancehall beat.

If I would have to produce a new school Dancehall beat I would use Late 90s Riddims as a formula and start from there. A lot of people I know would actually love it if Dancehall beats were like that again. This post is too long, I know

[Balughetto]

nah man it's a good post.

you know how dem say: teach the youth!

youth would be me in that case that sounds somewhat odd tho...

[jahsteppa]

You could possibly always turn a dancehall beat into reggae just by adding the guitar or piano chop on the 2 and 4......nuff early dancehall was like this in the first place as its just another offshoot from reggae anyway."!!

And early dancehall was roots music anyway, such as early Junjo stuff or even before that....