HOW BASHMENT SOUND IS ENGINEERING THE NEW ERA OF DANCEHALL, FROM MIAMI UNDERGROUND TO GLOBAL CHARTS [2026 INTERVIEW]
BASHMENT SOUND INTERVIEW: From the underground heat of Miami’s Grand Central to the summit of the global charts, Bashment Sound has evolved from a grassroots party series into a definitive cultural powerhouse. By seamlessly stitching together the raw energy of the Caribbean with the polished requirements of the modern dancefloor, they have become the architects of a sound that knows no borders.
Fresh off the monumental success of ‘Shake It to the Max’—a record that dominated 2025 with over a billion streams and claimed the top spot on both the UK Afrobeats and Hip Hop charts—the collective continues to push the envelope. Their latest offering, ‘Ballerina’, serves as a masterclass in cross-continental synergy, uniting the distinct flavours of Kingston and Africa to create a moment that feels both inevitable and entirely fresh.
As they navigate a 2026 landscape where viral potential often competes with pure musicality, Bashment Sound remains grounded by their roots as DJs, ensuring every production is built for the crowd first. We caught up with them to discuss the evolution of Shatta Dancehall, the importance of ego-free collaboration, and their mission to strengthen the creative bridge between the Caribbean, Africa, and the UK.
‘Ballerina’ feels like a massive cross-continental moment. How did the collaboration between Rema and Skillibeng come together, and what was the energy like in the studio blending Kingston grit with Afrobeats finesse?
Well we flew to Kingston, Jamaica and recorded Skillibeng’s part in Kingston. Rema recorded his part in Africa and we put everything together in Miami. We knew their styles would sound good together and make another Dancehall/AfroBeat connection so we were excited once we got all the vocals in.
You’ve been instrumental in the rise of Shatta Dancehall. For the uninitiated, how would you describe this high-energy hybrid, and why do you think it’s the sound defining the genre’s global evolution right now?
The core of it is still Classic Golden Era Dancehall feel with the BPM and sound. This record has a memorising, hypnotic, infectious energy to it. Once you hear it start, it brings you right into its world.
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