Diwali Riddim

Diwali Riddim

Greensleeves Rhythm Album #27: Diwali, also known as the Diwali Riddim, is an album and popular dancehall riddim that came to prominence in 2002. The riddim is credited to Jamaican producer Steven "Lenky" Marsden and appeared on several international hit songs by Sean Paul, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Lumidee, Brick & Lace (although its single "Love is Wicked" was not released until 2007), and Wayne Wonder. It is recognized as arguably the most prominent and popular riddim of 2002 based on the number of top-ten hit songs that charted in Jamaica or internationally that used the instrumental, such as "Get Busy," "No Letting Go," "Pon de Replay," "Never Leave You," "Overcome," "Elephant Message," "Sufferer," "Party Time," and "Love is Wicked." To this day, the riddim and the songs sampling it are still played on Jamaican radio stations every so often and is considered a classic.

The beat is characterized by syncopated clapping, and it was given the name Diwali for its Indian dance-music influence. The riddim has been featured in American television commercials via Sean Paul's song "Get Busy."