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Showing posts with label Dancehall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dancehall. Show all posts

Monday, January 04, 2010

No, Bounty, No...


Bounty, Bounty, Bounty, when will you learn? The iconic Dancehall Artist, Mr Cross, Angry and Miserable Bounty Killer (Rodney Price) certainly lived up to is titles at the Shaggy and Friends charity show which took place on the lawns of Kings House over the weekend.

Bounty Killer is well known for his hit Dancehall songs and as the leader of the Alliance Dancehall conglomerate, but the self proclaimed Poor People Governor is also well known for his incessant onstage tracing (cursing). So much so is his constant bickering and arguing that, that it seems on every performance he has to spend a good portion of his segment cursing someone or some entity.

Not even the upscale Shaggy and Friends Charity show was not spared the onslaught of the famous Bounty lap-skirt-tail cursing! The Jamaica Star, recalls the actions as the unfolded,

Minutes after 2 a.m., Mavado who was not booked for the show, was called onstage by Shaggy.

The Alliance member after reminding everyone that he's So Special, pledged to make a donation but said he could not do it "without him daddy... (Bounty Killer)".

Bounty Killer then entered the stage to a cheers from the crowd.

Those cheers would easily die away and make for a moment of relative silence and a few dropped jaws as the deejay came out blaring, "...... (Fassyhole) an' ...... (Battyman) nuh waa dem aroun mi ..." part of the chorus to his 1997 hit, Eagle And Di Hawk.

"Sorry but me haffi talk," he then said before continuing, "nuff a dem a ... (I figure he said Battyman) dats why dem nuh have nuh pickney ..."

Come on Bounty, after being in the Dancehall business for as long as over twenty years, you still don't know when and where to say certain things? This is a well known, well rated, benefit concert with patrons spanning form the influential business people, politicians, overseas interests, diplomats and the rich "uptown" ("upper" class) people in the society and this is how Bounty Killer conducts himself! According to The Jamaica Star, it is believed that Bounty's action resulted in the premature end of the show and a very embarrassed and upset Shaggy, who left the stage without thanking the patrons for their support. I understand that Bounty as well as basically all Dancehall Artistes are very outspoken against homosexuality, and in Jamaica there is a time, place and audience that will welcome such sentiments. However, Mr. Bounty Killer, this event was not definitely not one of those occasions!

Bounty Killer, has since released an apology for his latest tantrum at the event. But no amount of apologies can undo the effects of his thoughtless, selfish and stupid behaviour at the event. Bounty as well as several other Dancehall artistes need to wake up and learn how to conduct themselves appropriately based on the given environment.

Source: http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20100104/ent/ent1.html

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Gaza Two Mouth?

Picture: OutaRoad.com

By now everyone in Jamaica and Dancehall fans everywhere should have heard about Lisa Hype and her infamous oral sex photograph. This photo received quite a few comments from the Jamaican public as well as fellow Dancehall artistes. One artiste in particular, female DJ Stacious capitalized on this revelation with a song she penned that featured lyrics pertaining to Lisa Hype's oral tendency. however, it seems Lisa Hype's fallout from her oral sex photo did not just stop at the public opinion or the damning words of other Dancehall artistes!

Lisa Hype has been "blown" off,, yes expelled from the Portmore Empire by the their leader Vybez Kartel. According to The Jamaica Star, Vybez has issued a statement saying, "the members of the Empire have unanimously agreed to end our professional relationship especially in light of certain 'developments' that have come to our attention regarding her overall conduct. Conduct that is not consistent with the decorum expected of a member of the Portmore Empire." No doubt this "certain developments regarding Lisa Hype's conduct is in reference to her photo graph and proud admittance of performing oral sex. However, I find this statement and action by Vybez Kartel and his Portmore Empire to be very hypocritical! This is coming from a man who in one of his biggest and most well known song was in full support of a woman performing oral sex! In case you forget, let me drop a quote from his song "Tek Buddy Gyal",

... Tek rod fi di goods from seprod
Plus di ceramic tiles and di gold plate door knob
That a guh cause yuh a blow job...

...
Mines sing and DJ like Lady G
A who pay yuh visa fee?
Grab me cocky and sing pan it like Alicia Key...


If it is fact that the reason Vybez is dismissing Lisa Hype is because of the fact that she was caught performing oral sex, then he is a big hypocrite! She is just, as I see it, living up to the expectation of her mentor, the Gaza king, Vybez Kartel. I even suspect that it was probably Kartel's "mic" she was "deejaying" on, if I read deeply into certain images. Granted I am not coming to the defense of Lisa Hype. I'm not sorry for her, as it's her responsibility to ensure her private acts remain private. However, I just find our Dancehall artistes to be too hypocritical on many topics and the subject of oral sex is one in the forefront. If they hit out against it in their songs and statements, then they shouldn't be practicing it at all (either doing or having it done to them) under the quiet. These DJs need to be true to their words and stop to two mouth, two tongue thing!

Source: http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20091230/ent/ent1.html

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Driva A Stopped!!!


Driver, don't stop at all, drop this Arizona round a Alba Mall
Driver, don't even hitch, collect dat likkle food deh yah and come back quick
Driver, just rememba di damn speed limit
Cau if yuh, run in di Feds my friend dat is it

-Driver A by Buju Banton

Well it seems when Buju penned those words to the song Driver A, he wasn't expecting to be in the hands of the Feds! Well none of his fans, as a matter of fact none of us expected to hear news that one of Jamaica's most well known artiste would be locked up by the American police for dealing in drugs! I bet the entire Jamaica was shocked when they saw the news that Reggae/Dancehall artiste Buju Banton (Mark Anthony Myrie) has been arrested in Miami for cocaine! Buju as well as two other men have been held in a sting operation by undercover DEA agents and it is alleged that they were in the process of purchasing five kilograms of cocaine.

I was shocked to hear the news that he was arrested for drugs, but even more shocked to hear that it was cocaine! I mean if he was being arrested for drugs, the first thought is that it would have been for weed (marijuana), but cocaine! It is alleged by the US law enforcement officers that Buju was instrumental in the drug deal and has been recorded brokering the deal and even recorded tasting the drug for validity. This is one tough pickle Buju is in, even though it is reported that he vigorously denies being a part of the drug deal. However, his denial is not enough to get him off the hook and it certainly not an easy road to beat this charge.

There has been no official word from Buju's management team on the issue and the local law enforcement personnel has not indicated that they have specifics on Buju's charges. However, we do know according to the Associated Press that Buju faces a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and faces up to 20 years in prison. It will be interesting to see how this turns out for Buju, who was just recently nominated for a Grammy for his latest album Rasta Got Soul. All of Buju's fans and of course Jamaicans on a whole are eager to hear the details and the fate of this popular artiste. Is he really innocent? Was he setup? is it a great conspiracy due to his anti-gay songs and recent nomination? I guess we all have to wait to see how this unfortunate ordeal plays out.

Source: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091215/lead/lead1.html, http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091214/lead/lead1.html, http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091213/lead/lead1.html, http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g22fxkrM8bnyJ6iWw7HcA-IycAZQD9CJR8E82

Poll Results

Do you think Buju Banton is guilty of the drug charges?


No
9 (26%)
Yes
19 (55%)
Not sure
5 (14%)
What drug charges?
1 (2%)

Monday, December 22, 2008

Yesterday is History, But It Was Great!


Yesterday is history but it certainly was great flashback to the music that was real music! Great music, great vibes and music that you can actually dance with someone to. The music kept flowing from the speakers with awesome mixes of music from the not too distant past, 90's early 2000. The genres kept the vibes going and ensured that no patron got bored: Dancehall, R&B, Hip Hop and Lovers Rock from the days of my earlier youth. Everywhere you turned you could see people dancing to the music that filled the air at the Mas Camp in New Kingston. Forwards were abundant and the chorus of patrons singing along to their favorite songs from the past, while their waists rocked and wined to the beat.

Since it was Heineken Yesterday, Heineken Beer was free all night long, much to the delight of the partying patrons. I didn't have any beer as I am not that much of a beer fan, so it was mixed drink for me. It wasn't as jam packed as it usually is, but it was still a huge crowd. But the turnout is understandable as there are so many competing events at this time of the year. I had a great time at Heineken Yesterday, as was expected. One thing, Yesterday and Good Times are the real parties, parties where you are guaranteed to have fun! The day one of these events flop, it the last day I go to any party, lol! Yesterday was certainly a good day... or should I say night.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Daggering!


No it is not some violent means of killing people, but if you look at it it certainly looks like a very violent activity! Daggering is one of the latest craze in the Dancehall these days, it may be refereed to as one of the new dances, even though I do not consider it a dance at all. To me Daggering is more like an over exaggerated sexual act or very dangerous and violent dry humping. This new, so-called, dance has been a staple at almost all the Dancehall sessions held on a daily basis... yes I did say daily.

Daggering is a dance that is performed by a male and a female and consist of over the top gyrating, heavy pelvis thrusting and daredevil leaps by both dancers on each other. I am proud of the fact that as Jamaicans our creativity seems to be boundless as we create new dance moves almost every day. However, Daggering is not one of these dances that I am proud to claim as Jamaican, to me it is... barbaric and makes Jamaicans look extremely uncivilized. I am still in disbelieve that people go out on a nightly basis just to behave like this. Well that's just my opinion on this new dance called Daggering, but you decide for yourself.



No sah no Daggering for me!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Red Stripe Attempts to Clean up Dancehall

Recently Red Stripe announced that it has made a decision to withdraw its sponsorship of live music events which it describes as facilitators of "violent and anti-social" lyrics. This move sees Red Strip ceasing to sponsor two of the biggest annual shows in Jamaica, Reggae Sumfest and Sting. In a statement to The Star, the Red Stripe spokesperson said, "... a very negative trend of glorifying violence has crept into some of the music, causing much consternation among well thinking Jamaicans and others at home and abroad. This has far-reaching and damaging implications for the industry and for the country as a whole," the release stated... While our most recent efforts through the Coalition of Corporate Sponsors have met with some measure of success, some performers continue to propagate, through their live performances, violent and anti-social lyrics..."

I applaud Red Stripe for this bold move in an attempt to stem the violence and violent behavior being projected by some of these Dancehall entertainers by means of their songs. I'm not sure if they are being pressured by the government or their international partners, but whatever the driving force is behind this decision, it still is a very good decision in my eyes. I am not anti-Dancehall, in fact I do love Dancehall music! Which Jamaican in his twenties wouldn't? And yes this move by Red Stripe is a blow for Dancehall music as the sponsorship dollars Red Stripe pump into these world renowned events, Reggae Sumfest and Sting, is a much needed boost as people from all over attend these events. But some of the lyrics a lot of these Dancehall artistes radiate through their music and performances do glorify violence and guns, which in turn does affect our society negatively. The crime rate here in Jamaica keeps souring to new limits every year and instead of sending out positive messages, denouncing this trend, these artistes continue to support this trend with the songs they continue to release.

Some may argue, especially some of the artistes, that they are singing about reality and what they see around them in the "garrisons' and "ghettos" and just reflecting what is going on in society. Some of these artistes may also argue that they are not role models and they don't want to be role models and that parents should be the ones to instill good values in their children. All of that is just a load of bull sh..! and a lame way of excusing themselves. Yes, our society is violent, and life in these lower income communities are harsh and marred by violence, gangs and dons. But that doesn't mean you have to glorify violent behaviours, put the gun on a pedestal and encourage "bad man" behaviour. There are many other issues that a Dancehall artiste can use his powerful music to sing about and yet still keep it real! Also, whether an DJ, likes it or not he is a role model. Many youths, teen and adults, look up to these artistes and emulate them, their style of dressing, their slangs, their speech and even the content of their lyrics. Not everyone in Jamaica has the luxury of great parents that will set good values and steer them in the right way or have the level of reasoning to only view these songs only as entertainment and not a way of life. As, such Dancehall artistes have a social responsibility to honour. The fame, the money, the rides, the bling all come with a price, social responsibility. And since these artistes accepted all the goodies, they should also accept the responsibility that comes with it.

Red Stripe has made a step, now the question is will others jump aboard this campaign to cleanup one of Jamaica's best export and local stress relief, Dancehall music? I would love to see other sponsors in corporate Jamaica as well as the media, take a similar step to curb this ugly trend that our great Dancheall music has developed. By doing this they will be sending a message to these artistes and to their producers who are equally responsible, and cleanup our great, powerful, culture defining Dancedall music. That is my two cents on the matter, what do you think?

Friday, January 18, 2008

Pull It Up - Bombastic!

It's Friday again! Yeeahhh! Another weekend and I have one day off, so I guess it won't be that bad. I don't know what I am going to do yet, but I'll think of something. Well, since it is a Friday, the beginning of the weekend, what better way to start the weekend with a blast from the past. This used to be my favorite song back in the day when I was in high school! Ladies you can call me...



Enjoy your weekend!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Pull It Up - "World Dance"

Well tomorrow is Yesterday... hmm, that kinds sound weird! Well, as I was saying, tomorrow is Yesterday. The party where patrons will relive the best of the 90's and work up a sweat as they enjoy themselves and get lost in the music! My company is having a staff party the same evening, so i think I will pass through and eat up some of the free food, try to win the gate prize (like that will happen!). Then after that I hope to head to Yesterday, by that time the party will be in full swing and the vibes will be flowing. Yes my friend people will be whining and dancing up a storm. An speaking of dancing, do you remember this one?



I hope you liked that dance down memory lane. Anyway enjoy yourselves over the weekend and be responsible as you have fun!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Pull It Up! - "Flex (Time to Have Sex)"



Yes my friends it's that time again for Pull It Up! I pulled this one from deep in the archives. this tune was the adolescent male theme song for the girls when I was in my teens! Flex (Time to Have Sex) by Mad Cobra! I hope you enjoy it!

Friday, November 02, 2007

Pull It Up! - "Champion"



As you all know from my posts about Good Times and Yesterday that I am a fan of the 90'a music. Don't get me wrong, I do listen to some of the recent Dancehall songs and actually enjoy quiet a few. But to me the 90's were the best years in Dancehall! Maybe it kind of brings back that nostalgic feel of when I was in my teens and in high school. Aaahhhh yes, the days without stress. But I think I like them more that the songs these days, because the 90's songs to me were the "wine up pon gyal" (No disrespect to the ladies) music!These days when you go to an ordinary session it is common to see groups of males dancing with each other as they try to show off how good the can handle the latest moves. While the women are by themselves dancing. I'm not saying that there are not instances where men and women are dancing and gyrating on each other, but just too much dance moves and division between the sexes. An yuh know Stunner nuh inna the bag a man ting! But Good Times, Yesterday and Mellow Vibes are my kind of parties! Why? Because the play those 90's songs that you can certainly wine up on someone of the opposite sex to. Yeah the good music and the good vibes.

Well all that blabber was just to set the tone for the post. I have decided to pull up some of these songs from back in the days in what I call Pull It Up posts where I will feature the video of one of these popular 90's hits. This is the first of such posts and the song I chose to start things off is Champion (Remix), by Buju Banton. It was released was released in 1995 on Buju's 'Til Siloh album and was one of my favorite songs on that album. I hope you enjoy it and have a good weekend!

Monday, October 01, 2007

So Busy...These Days

No not me, I'm not busy at all right now, just relaxing on the first of my two consecutive days off! After working such a long weekend, I do need to take a break and relax. But I ended up on the road the entire day, helping out my friend who got her vehicle towed away by the dreaded harbour shark traffic cops. Yeah, they are out on he roads on the first of every month like hungry vultures to snatch up anyone with expired motor vehicle registrations, even if you are on your way to do it.

Anyway that's not the reason for this post, as the title said, "Busy", and that's who I'm talking about, the new artiste on the block, busy Signal. Well he is not so new, but he is new compared to the well known Dancehall artistes. But he has quiet a few hot songs on the market and has shown himself to be a very promising Dancehall artiste. Hopefully he keep it up and makes it on the international scene. I recall MB making mention, in one of his posts, of one of his latest song that is certainly rocking the airwaves here in Jamaica, so I decided to give you a look and listen to the song. I too like it (the radio version), even though the unedited version has more than it's fair share of the 'F' word. But it does pack a powerful message and comments on the very tragic state of our society here in Jamaica and also to a larger extent the world. The title of the song is "These Days". Listen carefully and tell me what you think of it.

Warning: The song contains offensive language (I couldn't find a clean version).