In 1963 an American RnB group called The Impressions recorded a song called Minstrel and the Queen written by group member Curtis Mayfield.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR1tbrWB4i0
In Jamaica during the 60s, the trend for musical acts was to record covers to American RnB songs. The wailers were especially popular for their covers of such songs as Why do fools fall in love by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. However it was another group called The Techniques that recorded a hit cover of the song Minstrel and Queen, renamed as Queen Majesty, produced by one of the great Jamaican producers of his time Arthur āDukeā Reid on his Treasure Isle label. This was in 1967 and rocksteady ruled the dancehall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4DGa_P4NM4
Throughout the 70s Queen Majesty remained popular in the dancehall with a number of artist voicing the riddim including U-roy, Dennis Alcapone, John Holt; many of the ruling artist of the day. In the 80s digitizing of older riddims was the in thing and a young artist seeking to make it in dancehall music recorded the song Roll call over the Queen Majesty riddim in 1984. The riddim was then reintroduced to a new generation with versions following from Michael Palmerās Pull It Up and Sugar Minnotās Nuh Follow No Fashion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX7c4VrC1fw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz3VeVVNDLU
From the 90s till today many more artist have voiced this wonderful foundation riddim from Don Campbell and Luciano to Anthony B and Capleton. Even Heavy D got in on this. This is one of those truly versitile riddims out there a product of Reggae musicās roots and creative birth.
How did I get to know about this riddim? I wasnāt around in the 60s or 70s. In the 80s reggae wasnāt allowed in our home and the 90s were spend listening to hiphop. I first heard this riddim in a movie called Rockers. In it there is a scene where a couple of dreads go to an uptown club where only soul music is played. Dissatisfied one of them rushes the DJās booth and kicks him out and proceeds to āchange the mood.ā Then the sweet, sweet riddim starts to play with the dread toasting over the sound of the Jays and Ranking Trevorās Queen Majesty. Iām talking about this scene right here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G45UCqx9b_E
Musical Disk from the flick of your wrist, as I would say.