Ranking "Tropical House": From "Yeah Rihanna" to "Oh No Tyga Stop!"

2016 in Lists

Photo: Katie Stein

BY Ryan B. PatrickPublished Dec 14, 2016

This year, Jamaican dancehall-inspired pop reached peak saturation. Call it "tropical house" if you will — but please don't — the fact is, thanks to acts like DJ Kygo, Major Lazer and Justin Bieber's ever-present hit "Sorry," electronically charged Caribbean reggae and Latin reggaeton-and moombahton-influenced rhythmics were heard a lot over the past months. Here are some notable "tropical house" tracks of 2016, from good to not-good.
 
Rihanna "Work"
This dancehall-drenched single leans in on Rihanna's West Indian heritage — complete with classic dancehall riddim and heavy patois.


 
Drake "One Dance"
Equal parts soca and reggae rhythms, Drake's hit also mines UK funky and Nigerian groove points of reference for a thump-heavy track.


 
AlunaGeorge "I'm In Control"
UK dance-pop duo calls on Jamaican dancehall king Popcaan for added authenticity, making its "tropical house" synth riffs all the groovier.


 
Sia "Cheap Thrills"
Originally penned for Rihanna, this Sean Paul-featuring track lounges like a stay at an all-inclusive Caribbean resort — a "there without being there" tropical house flair.


 
Tyga "1 of 1"
An egregious example of chasing the "tropical house" trend, Tyga kills this steel drum-flavoured dancehall wannabe track — although not in the way that he intended.

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