WASHROOM Entertainment continues its brand-building year with the release of the video for the Matrimoney Riddim, their immensely popular collaborative effort with Wayne Marshall’s Tru Music.

The self-described “movie” for the medley version includes songs from the riddim such as Good Ole Wife by Wayne Marshall, Lady Saw’s title track Matrimoney, ZJ Liquid’s Wife Material, Wedding Chapel by Tifa, Mr. G and Chico’s Seh Dem a Wifey, and Wedding Crashers by Sean Paul and Fambo. Celebrity cameos include ZJ Bambino, Infamous Dancers, Tami Chynn, G-Wizz, Milk, Denyque, Camar, Jam2, and Lady Renee.

The video was directed by Michael Cushnie on set at the Pollyanna’s and is based on a treatment written by Wayne Marshall. Cushnie also provided the editing for the video with the quality of any overseas Hollywood production. The video’s styling was done by Charl Baker and Dexter Pottinger, with Cathy Stephenson providing the makeup for the set.

The video isn’t a movie only because of its seven minute length, but because of the amazing execution of the video’s conceptual storyline.

The movie has elderly versions of the artistes on the riddim gathering to watch a taped recording of Wayne Marshall’s and Tami Chynn’s wedding. Throughout the video amusing clips of the artistes are shown in response to watching the drama of the wedding unfold.

The wedding in the video is actually a humourous recreation of the actual wedding with various subplots to serve the songs on the riddim. The various subplots perfectly suit the “matrimony” theme of the riddim, but are also sequenced in a manner that is perfectly gelled with the storyline of each song. For this, Cushnie must be commended again as each shot excellently transitioned.

For Wayne Marshall’s Good Ole Wife, he proudly struts down the aisle while awaiting his spouse who is miming the background vocals on the track with her bridesmaids. Wayne Marshall’s segment concludes as he places the wedding ring on Tami Chynn’s finger.

Lady Saw’s aggressive title track is up next and she makes no mistake in showing her distaste and disappointment with regards to her partner who wishes to marry her. She even hits away the ring he attempts to give her and this eventually falls below the feet of ZJ Liquid.

A cunning ZJ Liquid picks up the ring and then takes the reins with his Wifey Material as he attempts to woo a young lady in attendance at the wedding.

The wrong-sized ring given by ZJ Liquid falls to the ground and is picked up by Jam 2, whose partner in the video, Tifa, simultaneously wins the bouquet toss. During these scenes Tifa performs Wedding Chapel.

The disc jockey for the evening Chico then commences with his collaboration with Mr G, Seh Dem A Wifey. Mr G performs his verse after making a toast to Wayne Marshall and Tami Chynn.

Sean Paul and Fambo’s comedic standout Wedding Crashers closes the shots for the songs on the riddim with shots that won’t disappoint any viewer when seen — we won’t tell you about them here, but rather let you discover them on your own.

The video concludes with blooper-like outtakes of both the present day and elderly versions of the movie’s actors and actresses (as they deserve to be called).

The “movie” for the Matrimoney Riddim is easily the video of the year so far and has set the bar high for all other contenders from industry peers. Hopefully, other producers will attempt to match it, producing more great videos for dancehall fans to enjoy.

— Dominic Bell