THE conservative 'Sleng Teng' was the soundtrack of the dancehall in the 1980s, but when 'Punany' was released in 1986, it started a trend of naming dancehall rhythms with sexual overtones.
And a number of producers with whom The Gleaner spoke said they gave their rhythms sexually suggestive names because of the commercial advantage.
"Sex sells and the rhythms are made for the commercial advantage. The public will jump at a rhythm because it has a sexy sound or a sexy sounding name," said GT Taylor, radio disc jockey and sound system operator.
"But the rhythm has to be good too," the 'dancehall master' cautioned.
"There was a rhythm called 'Get Wet' and that didn't go anywhere. Without a doubt 'Punany' is the most popular and most sustainable rhythm," he said.
Peston Onfroy, radio engineer and creator of the 'Bedroom' rhythm told The Gleaner that producers give rhythms names with sexual connotations because that makes it an "ear grabber".
"In addition rhythms are named because it gives off a certain vibes, because when you hear a rhythm like 'Orgasm' it gives you a vibes, a certain feel," said Mr. Onfroy. "The rhythm itself can sometimes give you an idea of what to name it. My rhythm, the 'Bedroom', was just pounding, so I just imagine being in a bedroom with a girl," he said.
But King Jammys, who made the 'Punany' rhythm, told The Gleaner that he did not think rhythms were named to suggest sex.
"'Punany' is just a name we come up with," the producer said. "Rhythms get their names based on what they sound like. At the time we made the rhythm, we said punany was the nicest thing so we give the rhythm the name," King Jammys said.
Producer/manager True Blue created the 'Condom'. He said that for the most part, rhythms are named just because of "a vibes" and not necessarily for the sex appeal.
"There was a vibes inna de studio and some condom argument came up and so we just name de riddim 'Condom'," he said.
Popular emcee and radio disc jockey Jerry Davey told The Gleaner that rhythms can be named from situations, from the name of a popular song, or from a project.
"Like the 'Sashi' rhythm - which has 'Chi Chi Man' - and the rhythm called 'Vibesmaster' was made in honour of me," he said.
Richard 'Shams' Browning, who created the 'Intercourse', 'Orgasm' and 'Juice' rhythms said he deliberately gave his projects sexual names.
"I give my rhythms sexual names because that creates a buzz. It doesn't help with the sales, but it attracts a lot of attention ...it's just right on the edge of things," the producer said.
In addition to 'Orgasm', 'Punany', 'Bedroom' and 'Orgasm', other rhythms with sexy sounding names are: 'Intercourse', 'Blue Drawers', 'Arrow', 'Joy Ride', 'Wutless Bwoy', 'Juice' and 'Ecstasy'.
