Most people in Jamaica’s Diaspora point to crime as the biggest concern in their homeland. Adrian Hanson, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, is among them.

For the Gruesome Act Riddim, a six-song EP, the music producer called on five artistes to address their thoughts about crime and violence in Jamaica and other parts of the world.

Released in March by Hanson’s Donsome Records, it features songs by Anthony B (Fly Away Home), Turbulence (We Keep Going), Mykal Rose (War Is Not The Answer), Kiprich (No More Crime) and Tommy B Sal (Nah Vote). It is Hanson’s second anti-crime project, the first being Crime Stop Riddim which came out in 2009.

“I wanted a project that would be a follow-up to the Crime Stop Riddim, that has Mama Bawl by Gyptian, Lost Our Way by I Octane, Famine and Drought by I Wayne and The Summary by Influential. All of the tracks tackle the poverty, killing and crime that was out of control in Jamaica,” he said.

The Gruesome Act Riddim was released around the time Jamaica’s government and police touted falling national homicide rates. According to police reports, there has been a 35.9 per cent decline in murders between January 1 and April 5 this year, when compared to the same period in 2024.

Hanson, who is from Clarendon, programmed the Gruesome Act beat in his home studio. Once it was done, he selected familiar artistes he believed would do it justice.

“I sent it to Anthony B and Turbulence first, they both voiced it within 24 hours. I called Kiprich and give him the concept and idea and he came up with No More Crime,” he recalled. “Tommy B Sal and I came from the same community in Clarendon so when I posted the riddim on my whatsapp status, he heard it and call me and said he wanted a piece of the riddim. It was perfect timing ‘cause I always give one less known artiste a spot on all my projects.”

Hanson has released a number of ‘riddim’ compilation albums including Turn It Up, Black Tears, Life’s Amazing and Freedom Sound. He also produced I Give You Love, Rose’s 2023 album.