The full No Better Riddim is finally here. Damian “Jr Gong” Marley released the complete compilation on Friday, October 16, 2026, through Ghetto Youths International, and the name getting the most attention is not one of the singers. It is the drummer.
A father and son rhythm section
Elijah Marley, Damian Marley’s 17-year-old son, played drums across the project, in what DancehallMag reports likely marks his first official appearance on a release. Damian handled percussion himself, so the rhythm section is literally father and son, with Shiah Coore on bass, Ali Darvish on guitar and Sean “Young Pow” Diedrick on keyboards.
For a family that has passed reggae down through three generations already, a teenage Marley keeping time behind some of the genre’s best known voices is a moment worth marking.
Fifteen voices, one riddim
The compilation runs to 16 tracks: 15 vocal cuts plus Damian’s closing instrumental, “No Better Riddim (Version).” It is built on Jamaica’s one-riddim, or juggling, tradition, where every artist records their own song over the same instrumental.
The rollout began earlier this year with Jemere Morgan’s “Know Better,” followed by Romain Virgo’s “Lay My Head,” Alaine’s “Love Again,” Pressure Busspipe’s “So Amazing,” Turbulence’s “Twin Flames,” Ghost’s “Coming Again” and Jaz Elise’s “Don’t Spoil Love.”
The full release adds the previously unheard cuts: Sevana’s “Fight Fi Di Love,” Chino McGregor’s “Jah Will Be There,” Richie Spice’s “Black Foundation,” Medisun’s “Rastafari Love,” Singing Melody’s “Rivers To Cross,” Da’Ville’s “You Make It Easy,” Zaila Jazz’s “Hometown” and Queen Omega’s “Should Have Known Better.”
Why the format still matters
Ghetto Youths International describes the production as a blend of roots reggae, lovers rock warmth and contemporary touches, built to leave room for each singer to lead. The lineup deliberately mixes veterans like Richie Spice, Turbulence and Singing Melody with younger voices like Jemere Morgan, Jaz Elise and Zaila Jazz.
The themes run from love and relationships to spirituality, resilience and personal reflection. In a streaming era built on one-off singles, No Better Riddim is an argument that the riddim album, a backbone of Jamaican music for decades, can still hold a global audience from start to finish.
No Better Riddim is available now on major streaming platforms through Ghetto Youths International and ONErpm.
Source: DancehallMag, October 16, 2026, DancehallMag, October 15, 2026, Riddims World