Hitmaking dancehall producer DJ Mac said he was unaware of international hip-hop entertainer Fabolous’ intentions to hop on the popular ‘WYFL’ rhythm — which has skyrocketed to global attention — but nevertheless, is humbled at its continued success.
“It’s a good feeling. We’ve had multiple international successes and acts on the riddim, so this is just another additional that was not expected at all, but we are so grateful for,” DJ Mac told THE STAR. “And Fabolous is a global icon, so having him add his own twist on the riddim, is a good feeling.”
The freestyle, which was first debuted during Fabolous’ recent performance at Vacae Weekend, excited patrons who instantly recognised the beat and the familiar introduction.
“Jus touch down in the yaad. Celebration day, touch down with the squad… ,” Fabolous rapped, paying homage to Stylo G & Fanatix’s Touch Down.
Since its release, the WYFL rhythm has been gaining significant traction both globally, with several dancehall acts contributing to its growing popularity. The project has already featured names such as Buju Banton, Vybz Kartel, and Anthony B – each bringing their own flavour and helping to push the rhythm into heavy rotation.
When asked what he believes has been drawing entertainers from near and wide to jump on the rhythm, DJ Mac explained it has everything to do with the rhythm’s accessibility.
“There’s been a lot of riddims in the past and even in our current generation [where] if you try to jump pan a man riddim, he might tell you ‘Oh, mi nuh want you pan me riddim’ and things like that,” DJ Mac said. “So, there is this kind of like gatekeeping culture where our riddims are concerned… but the initiative that me and [my co-producer] CrashDummy took was that anybody can do what they need to do and just link up with us after. So, I think it is more the accessibility and that has sparked the growth and expansion,” he added.
Fabolous’ freestyle itself has already begun generating buzz online, with fans praising the unexpected freestyle and the way the rapper adapted his flow to the rhythm.
As for DJ Mac, he is looking forward to bigger and better as he and his team continue their musical dominance.
“In everything, mi can’t lef out my co-producer CrashDummy. I think this entire run has separated us from many others in the space and as Jamaica-based producers, and we both feel really good about that, and that momentum will help us to continue working with other big producers and big artistes,” he said.
“We have another juggling we are working on at the moment – can’t discuss right now, but the people can look out for it,” DJ Mac told THE STAR.
