DJ Mac is becoming the architect of a movement in dancehall driven by the trap-fusion riddim. Following the success of the WYFL Rhythm compilation album with Crash Dummy in Jamaica and the Caribbean, the young producer is now celebrating a major career milestone after the project peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Reggae iTunes chart. In an exclusive conversation with World Music Views, Mac opened up about his Billboard ambitions and how the “What You Feel Like” (WYFL) wave evolved from a local song into an international cultural moment.
Clearly energized by the achievement, described the success as bigger than anything he initially imagined.
“It’s a good feeling, bro. More than just on a local scale, it’s continental, worldwide, global now than just where it started locally,” Mac said.
While fans celebrated the compilation topping the charts, many noticed the absence of the international collaborations that had been teased online. According to Mac, that was all part of the strategy.
“The international version is supposed to drop next Friday (May 16),” he said. “We space out everything so both projects can get the mileage they need. That one will feature artists from Ghana, Switzerland, Germany, America, and other Caribbean countries.”
Rather than calling it a deluxe edition, Mac says it is a completely separate release, a move that could potentially position him for multiple chart runs.
The WYFL Riddim has become one of dancehall’s most talked-about juggling projects in recent years, reigniting rhythm culture in a generation that had largely shifted toward standalone singles. The phrase “WYFL” itself comes from Skippa’s breakout record, which sent 8 weeks at No. 1 on the YouTube Jamaica Chart.
“Skippa’s song really started the whole barrage of everything going on right now,” he said.
The compilation released May 8, currently includes 45 songs, a number that places it within striking distance of Billboard chart eligibility. Mac, however, believes Billboard success is inevitable.
“Not possibly. For sure we’re going to hit the Billboard chart,” he declared. “With the support and the momentum right now, this is history.”
If successful, the accomplishment would make Mac one of the youngest producers in Jamaica to reach the Billboard Reggae Albums chart in recent years, following in the footsteps of Koffee and her Grammy-winning Rapture EP.
Beyond the personal achievement, Mac sees the moment as transformative for every artist attached to the project.
“It’s going to make over 45 artists Billboard artists at one time,” he said excitedly. “I’m going to fly around the world and give everybody their plaques.”
That vision reflects a much larger ambition Mac has for building a brand. He referenced global DJ-producers like Diplo, Steve Aoki, and Skrillex as models for where he hopes to take dancehall globally.
“We’re touring the world off my own music,” he explained. “Same formula as Diplo or Steve Aoki, but on a dancehall and reggae level.”
Mac, real name Jason McDowell, also revealed that the rhythm began far differently than fans may realize. The first three artists to record on the project were Valiant, Ding Dong, and Skippa.
“They didn’t even know it was a juggling at the time,” Mac said. “Artists need to take more chances with producers instead of waiting until something is already hot.”
The Gen-Z producer credited his business instincts to years of observing Jamaica’s elite production houses and hitmakers while growing up. He studied the moves of producers like DJ Frass, Chimney Records, and other influential creators before developing his own formula.
“I learned from seeing what the greats did before and adding my own style on top of it,” he said.
The rhythm’s journey across the globe also surprised him. While many assumed the movement exploded first in Jamaica, Mac says, “it actually took us to Europe first, then Ghana shot up crazy. We probably have close to a hundred songs from Ghana alone.”
As for the one artist who shocked him by joining the project?
“Buju Banton surprised me,” Mac admitted. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him jump on a juggling like that.”
With the WYFL movement continuing to dominate conversations across clubs, radio, and social media, Mac says his next phase will focus less on volume and more on intentional global collaborations.
“I’m focused more on continental collaborations now,” he explained. “Local artists with international artists. Bridging the gap.”
