There’s a moment in the studio when you know you’ve captured it—that energy that makes heads nod involuntarily, that rhythm that forces feet to move, that vibe that transforms listeners into dancers. That’s the magic of dancehall, and chasing that feeling drives everything I do as Tray Millen.
People often ask me about my creative process: “How do you make music that hits so hard? Where do the ideas come from? What’s your secret to creating that authentic Jamaican energy?”
The truth is, there’s no single formula. But there are principles, practices, and perspectives that guide my approach to creating dancehall music that genuinely moves people—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
This is the behind-the-scenes look at how I create. Not the polished, Instagram-ready version—the real process with all its messiness, frustration, breakthrough moments, and pure joy.
It Starts with the Energy
Before I touch any equipment, before I write a single lyric, before I even think about production—I connect with the energy I want to convey.
Feeling First, Technique Second
Dancehall isn’t about perfection—it’s about feeling. The tracks that move people aren’t necessarily the most technically sophisticated. They’re the ones that capture authentic energy and transmit it through speakers directly into bodies.
My process:
- I ask myself: “What energy do I want people to feel?”
- Is this a turn-up anthem? A motivational track? A vibe for late-night sessions? A celebration song?
- I visualize people experiencing the track—in the club, at a session, in their car, at the gym
- I tap into my own emotional state and amplify it
Why this matters: If I’m not feeling the energy, listeners won’t either. Authenticity is magnetic. When I create from a genuine emotional place, that realness translates.
Drawing from Real Life
My best tracks come from real experiences—things I’ve lived, seen, or felt deeply:
- Struggles I’ve overcome
- Victories I’ve celebrated
- Streets I’ve walked
- People I’ve known
- Emotions I’ve processed
- Moments that defined me
The Jamaican reality: Growing up in Jamaica provides endless creative fuel. The energy of Kingston, the hustle of daily life, the celebration culture, the struggle and triumph—all of this feeds into my music.
I don’t have to manufacture authenticity because I’m pulling from lived experience. That’s the difference between tracks that feel real and tracks that feel manufactured.
The Foundation: Riddim Selection and Creation
Dancehall is built on riddims—the instrumental foundation that carries everything else.
Finding the Right Riddim
Sometimes I work with producers who send me riddims. Other times I’m in the studio creating from scratch. Either way, selecting the right foundation is crucial.
What I listen for:
- The bounce – Does it make me move immediately?
- The bass – Is it powerful without being muddy?
- The pocket – Is there rhythmic space for vocals to sit comfortably?
- The mood – Does it match the energy I’m trying to create?
- The uniqueness – Have I heard this exact vibe a thousand times, or does it feel fresh?
My test: If I can’t immediately imagine how to ride the riddim, it’s not right. The connection should be instant and intuitive.
Creating Original Riddims
When I’m working with producers to create original riddims, the process is collaborative:
Step 1: Establish the vibe
We start with conversation—what feeling are we chasing? What tempo feels right? What references inspire us?
Step 2: Build the drums
Dancehall lives in the drums. We’ll spend hours getting the kick, snare, and hi-hats exactly right. The bounce has to be perfect.
Step 3: Lock the bass
The bassline is dancehall’s heartbeat. It needs to be felt physically, not just heard. We test on multiple systems to ensure it translates everywhere.
Step 4: Add melodic elements
Synths, keys, guitars, or whatever adds color without cluttering. Less is often more—space is crucial.
Step 5: Create variation
Intro, verse sections, hook sections, bridge—each needs subtle variation to maintain interest without losing the core vibe.
The key principle: Every element must serve the groove. If something doesn’t enhance the movement, it gets removed.
The Lyrics: Message Meets Melody
Once the riddim foundation is set, I focus on what I’m saying and how I’m saying it.
Finding the Hook
The hook is everything in dancehall. It’s the part people remember, sing back, and share on social media.
My approach:
- Simplicity wins – The best hooks are easy to remember and repeat
- Melodic catchiness – Even if I’m deejaying, there’s melodic consideration
- Cultural resonance – References that connect with Jamaican experience
- Universal feeling – Specific enough to feel authentic, broad enough to resonate globally
- Repetition with variation – Repeat the core but keep it interesting
Examples of what works:
- Phrases people can adopt in conversation
- Movements that inspire dance challenges
- Emotional declarations people relate to
- Confident assertions that feel empowering
- Clever wordplay that rewards repeated listening
Writing Verses
Verses develop the song’s theme while maintaining the energy established by the hook.
My process:
- Free writing first – I write without editing, letting ideas flow freely
- Rhythm before perfection – How words flow rhythmically matters more than technically perfect lyrics
- Authentic voice – I use patois naturally, mixing English as feels authentic
- Storytelling or imagery – Even in short verses, I create visual scenes or tell micro-narratives
- Energy maintenance – Every line needs to maintain or build energy, never let it drop
What I avoid:
- Overly complex wordplay that interrupts flow
- Losing the pocket trying to be too clever
- Generic lyrics that could be about anything or anyone
- Contradicting the energy established by the riddim and hook
The Balance of Melody and Chat
Modern dancehall blends melodic singing with rhythmic deejaying. Finding the right balance is crucial.
When to sing:
- Hooks almost always benefit from melodic elements
- Emotional peaks in the song
- Sections where you want maximum catchiness
- Moments requiring softer, more intimate energy
When to deejay:
- High-energy sections demanding aggressive delivery
- Complex lyrical ideas requiring faster delivery
- Sections where rhythmic precision is paramount
- Moments establishing street credibility and edge
The sweet spot: Most of my tracks blend both—melodic hooks with deejayed verses, or vice versa. The variety maintains interest and showcases versatility.
The Recording Process
Once lyrics are written, it’s time to lay down vocals.
Studio Setup and Vibe
The studio environment affects performance significantly.
What I need:
- Comfortable temperature – Can’t perform well if physically uncomfortable
- Good lighting – Not too bright (harsh) or too dark (sleepy)
- Minimal distractions – Phone away, interruptions minimized
- Reference tracks playing – Listening to songs with similar energy before recording
- Water and throat care – Hydration is crucial for vocal performance
The mental state: I need to be in the zone—focused but relaxed, confident but open to experimentation, serious about the work but having fun.
Vocal Recording Techniques
Multiple takes:
I rarely nail it on the first take. I’ll record the same section multiple times, capturing different energies and approaches.
Building layers:
Dancehall vocals often feature layers—main vocal, ad-libs, doubled sections, background harmonies. I build these progressively.
Timing and feel:
I’m not rigidly quantized to the grid. Slight timing variations create human feel and groove. Too perfect sounds robotic.
Energy consistency:
I monitor energy levels throughout. If vocal energy drops, listeners feel it immediately. Maintaining consistent intensity is crucial.
Creative spontaneity:
Some of my best moments are unplanned—ad-libs that happen organically, vocal inflections that emerge naturally, rhythmic variations discovered mid-take.
Recording Philosophy
Embrace imperfection: A raw, slightly imperfect take with authentic energy beats a technically perfect but lifeless take every time.
Stay loose: Tension kills performance. I stay physically and mentally relaxed, allowing creativity to flow.
Trust instinct: If something feels right, even if it’s unconventional, I go with it.
Know when to stop: Overworking vocals kills freshness. When I’ve captured the vibe, I move forward rather than endlessly chasing perfection.
The Production and Mixing Phase
With vocals recorded, production and mixing bring everything together.
Vocal Production
Tuning and timing:
I use pitch correction and timing adjustment subtly—enhancing rather than transforming. The goal is polished but still human.
Effects and processing:
- Compression – Controls dynamics, makes vocals sit consistently in the mix
- EQ – Removes unwanted frequencies, enhances clarity
- Reverb and delay – Creates space and depth, makes vocals feel larger
- Saturation – Adds warmth and character, especially on more aggressive sections
The balance: Effects should enhance the vocal without overwhelming it. You should hear the performance, not the processing.
Mixing for Movement
A great mix enhances the music’s physical impact:
Bass management:
The low end needs to be powerful but controlled. Bass should be felt in the chest without being muddy or overwhelming.
Drum presence:
Drums need to punch through the mix with clarity and impact. They’re the engine of movement.
Vocal clarity:
Vocals must sit on top without feeling disconnected from the music. They lead but remain part of the whole.
Spatial dimension:
Using stereo width and depth creates an immersive experience. Elements occupy their own space in the sonic landscape.
Energy curve:
The mix guides emotional journey—building energy, creating peaks and valleys, maintaining engagement throughout.
Reference Checking
I constantly reference my mixes against professional tracks:
What I’m listening for:
- How does my bass compare?
- Are my vocals as clear and present?
- Does my mix translate across different systems—headphones, car speakers, club systems, phone speakers?
- Does it maintain energy at different volumes?
The goal: My tracks should compete sonically with anything else in a playlist or DJ set.
The Intangibles: What Makes It Special
Beyond technical execution, certain intangibles separate good tracks from great ones:
Authenticity
People feel when something is real versus manufactured. I can’t fake being Jamaican, can’t fake street credibility, can’t fake emotions I haven’t experienced.
My advantage: I create from genuine experience. The energy, language, references, and perspective come from actual life, not research or imitation.
Confidence
Dancehall demands confidence. Hesitant delivery kills the energy. I record with the conviction that what I’m saying matters and deserves to be heard.
The balance: Confidence without arrogance. Assured without being dismissive of others.
Cultural Connection
My music is rooted in Jamaican culture—the language, humor, references, energy, and values that define the island.
What this means: Even when I’m creating music for global audiences, the core remains authentically Jamaican. People can feel that realness.
Innovation Within Tradition
I respect dancehall’s foundation while pushing boundaries. I’m not trying to reinvent the genre, but I’m also not simply copying what’s already been done.
The approach: Honor the essential elements—the rhythm, energy, and cultural authenticity—while exploring new sonic territories and thematic directions.
The Motivation Behind the Music
Understanding why I create shapes how I create.
Spreading Positive Energy
My mission is bigger than entertainment. I want people to feel empowered, motivated, and energized when they hear my music.
The intention: Every track should elevate people’s mood, inspire movement, or shift their mindset positively.
Cultural Representation
I’m representing Jamaica and dancehall culture globally. That responsibility influences my creative decisions.
What this means: I’m conscious of how my music reflects on the culture. I want to show dancehall’s depth, intelligence, and positive impact.
Personal Expression
Music is how I process life, express myself, and share my perspective. It’s therapy, celebration, and communication all at once.
The balance: Creating music that’s personally meaningful while being universally accessible.
Building Community
Through music, I’m building a community of people who connect with the energy and message. That community aspect drives me.
The goal: Create music that brings people together, makes them feel less alone, and gives them something to celebrate collectively.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
My creative process has evolved through experience:
Trust the Process
Great tracks don’t always come easily. Sometimes I struggle for hours. Sometimes magic happens in minutes. I’ve learned to trust that the process works even when it’s difficult.
Kill Your Darlings
Just because I spent hours on something doesn’t mean it belongs in the final track. I’ve learned to cut elements that don’t serve the song, even if I love them individually.
Collaboration Enhances Creativity
Working with talented producers, engineers, and other artists makes me better. I’m open to input and collaboration while maintaining creative vision.
Consistency Over Perfection
Releasing good music consistently beats perfectionism that prevents release. I’ve learned when to call something finished and move forward.
Stay Inspired
I actively maintain inspiration—listening widely, experiencing life fully, staying physically and mentally healthy, surrounding myself with creative people.
My Studio Essential Checklist
Physical tools:
- Quality microphone and interface
- Reference headphones and monitors
- DAW and essential plugins
- MIDI controller for production input
- Notebook for capturing ideas
Mental tools:
- Clear intention for the session
- Open, creative mindset
- Willingness to experiment and fail
- Patience with the process
- Confidence in my vision
Spiritual tools:
- Connection to the energy I want to create
- Gratitude for the ability to create
- Respect for dancehall tradition
- Commitment to authenticity
- Focus on service through music
The Moment It Comes Together
There’s a specific moment when everything clicks—when the riddim, lyrics, delivery, mix, and energy align perfectly. That’s what I chase every session.
How it feels:
- Physical response—goosebumps, excitement, involuntary movement
- Emotional resonance—the track affects me deeply
- Confidence—knowing this track will move people
- Completion—feeling it’s exactly what it needed to be
When that moment comes: I know I’ve created something special. That’s the feeling that makes all the work worth it.
To Aspiring Artists: Create from Your Truth
If you’re creating dancehall or any music:
Be authentic: Don’t try to be anyone else. Your unique perspective is your superpower.
Study the craft: Learn production, songwriting, performance. Master your tools.
Honor the culture: If you’re creating dancehall, understand and respect where it comes from.
Focus on feeling: Technical excellence matters, but never at the expense of emotional authenticity.
Keep creating: Your 100th track will be better than your first. Growth requires consistent work.
Trust your voice: What you have to say matters. Say it confidently and unapologetically.
The Journey Continues
Every track teaches me something. Every session reveals new possibilities. The creative process never becomes routine—it remains exciting, challenging, and deeply fulfilling.
Creating dancehall vibes that make people move isn’t just a technical process. It’s a spiritual practice, a cultural responsibility, and a personal calling all at once.
This is my journey as Tray Millen—constantly learning, always evolving, forever chasing that magical moment when music and movement become one.
Let’s keep moving forward together.
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