David Attal opens new chapter with Vortex Riddim

French producer David Attal is opening a new chapter for Stargate Productions with Vortex Riddim, a project featuring Nigy Boy, Vanzo, Darrio and Denham Smith. Nigy Boy’s Where Is The Love and its official music video were released on October 16. Vanzo’s Spotlight follows on October 30, ahead of the full Vortex Riddim project’s release on November 13 through VPAL Music. Attal, who founded Stargate Productions in 2018, sees Vortex as a milestone for his label. “For me, Vortex is not the conclusion of the previous two riddims. On the contrary, it feels like the true beginning of Stargate Productions as I have imagined it for years,” he said. Attal composed the riddim, played the instruments and recorded the production in his studio. Denis “Rastyron” Thery at Studio K handled mixing, while Olivier Planchard at Middle Side Mastering completed mastering. The producer describes the sound as heavy, dynamic and contemporary, with deep Jamaican reggae and dancehall influences. Nigy Boy’s performance convinced him to select Where Is The Love as the lead single. “He completely made the riddim his own and delivered something deep, sensitive and conscious,” David said. The song addresses violence, broken families and conflict while calling for peace, unity and personal responsibility. Directed by Romain “Sherkhan” Chiffre, the video was filmed across several Jamaican locations. Extensive post-production transforms the island into a cold, snow-covered landscape. “We wanted to give a visual form to the human coldness that Nigy describes in the song,” David explained. Vanzo’s Spotlight brings confidence and self-belief, Darrio’s Surviva explores endurance and faith, while Denham Smith’s Certain examines mistrust and staying focused. “That was the whole idea: four artistes, four identities, but one Vortex universe,” said Attal. A largely self-taught musician with 25 years of experience, Attal began as a drummer before becoming a multi-instrumentalist. His BU Riddim, released in 2019, featured 17 international artistes, including Luciano, Jah Mason and Exco Levi. The Love Like That Riddim followed in 2021, featuring Pressure Busspipe, Turbulence, Luciano and Prince Levy. David also creates his projects’ visual identity through his graphic design work under Visuals Maker. He views the artwork and music as essential parts of one creative process. “My main goal is to establish a Stargate identity that becomes immediately recognisable,” he said. With further collaborations in development and a Vortex-related surprise planned for 2027, he hopes to strengthen his label’s connection between Europe and Jamaica.