[Soopafly]

Ladies & Gentlemen,
The Original Gangstas couldn't be here today, neither could the divas and balladeers make it here today. I have the pleasure of introducing to you, for the very first time in Mashada, a different breed of artists... Ladies & Gentlemen, put your hands together for the Dancehall Dons.
{Thunderous Applause}

I'd like to pay tribute to some of the hottest dancehall/ragamuffin acts, some unsung heroes that despite playing some critical music, don't usually get to platinum status simply because any offshoot of Reggae isn't popular with folks. Let's face it, Reggae and it's sibling Ragga are still viewed as part of Rastafarianism or a cult thing, but I admire dancehall for the versatility of the DJs and singers.

What comes to mind with the mention of names like Supercat, Cutty Ranks, Nicodemus (R.I.P.), Dirtsman (R.I.P.), Chakademus, Pliers, Shaggy Spragga Benz,Daddy Freddy, Mr. Vegas, General Degree, Buccaneer, Machel Montano, Sean Paul(a re-incarnation of Supercat), Mad Lion, Born Jamericans, Monster Shack Crew, Cutty Ranks, Bounty Killer, ARP, The Taxi Gang, Chevelle Franklin, Frankie Paul, Hawkeye, Lexus, Patra, Lady Saw, Lady G... e.t.c. When I hear such names in a dancefloor, I know 4 sho it's gonna be kickin like a nonsense!

TOP THIRTY OF THE REALEST TRACKS:
1. 'Murder She Wrote'- Chakademus & Pliers
2. 'Unda Water Medley'- Dancehall Magnificent 7: Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Mr. Vegas, Sean Paul, Buccaneer, Machel Montano, General Degree
3. 'Flex'- Mad Cobra
4. 'Action'- Terror Fabulous
5. 'Big Up'- Shaggy & Rayvon
6. 'Let Him Go'- Beenie Man
7. 'Heads High'- Mr. Vegas
8. 'Riker's Island'- Cocoa T & Nardo Ranks
9. 'Champion'- Buju Banton
10. 'Who Am I'- Beenie Man
11. 'Bedroom Bully'- Shabba Ranks
12. 'Ghetto Red Hot'- Supercat
13. 'A-E-A-OH'- Shaggy & Sylva
14. 'Who Said Dat'- Daddy Freddy
15. 'Romantic Call'- Patra
16. 'Workerman'- Patra
17. 'A Who Seh Me Done'- Cutty Ranks
18. 'Bam Bam'- Pliers
19. 'Sweets for My Sweets'- Supercat
20. 'Haul And Pull'- Daddy Freddy
21. 'Cease and Seckle'- Born Jamericans
22. 'Bedroom Bounty Hunter'- Shaggy
23. 'Sweet Honey'- Born Jamericans
24. 'Beep Beep'- Tiger
25. 'Dolly My Baby'- Supercat
26. 'Tiger Bone'- Sean Paul & Mr. Vegas
27. 'Haffi Get De Gal Ya (Hot Gal Today)'- Sean Paul & Mr. Vegas
28. 'Infiltrate'- Sean Paul
29. 'Hot This Year'- Dirtsman
30. 'Rappin'Music'- Daddy Freddy Feat. Supercat

Can I get a witness up in here? Whom do you think deserves to be nominated as the King of Dancehall Reggae- The Don Gorgon, as they aptly call it?

Nuff Beats
Nuff Riddim
Maximum Respects


SOOPAFLY APPEARS COURTESY OF HIZDAMNSELF 2002.

[y5next]

Ummm, after all that I still don't understand the question!
Break me down for it Mr HIZDAMNSELF please?

:-)

[Soopafly]

>Ummm, after all that I still don't understand the question! Break me down for it Mr HIZDAMNSELF please? >


Y5next, my friend, the thing is, if you truly admire Dancehall Music, you'd have some artist who does it for you. No doubt Bob Marley carries the day when we talk about Reggae Music. Who does it for dancehall? Should I break it down further?


HIZDAMNSELF.

[y5next]

Honestly speaking...I've never heard of this particular genre you speak of. Some of the names you mentioned are vaguely familiar, but I thought there must be something I'm missing. I was actually going to mention Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, but you would have thought me facetious, I'm sure. I will have to look into this genre, out of curiousity, to have an idea of what to say.

:-)

[Soopafly]

y5next,
Indeed, you are missing a lot since you seem not to have come accross this genre. To quench your thirst for knowledge, I'll go ahead and give you a brief history of Dancehall a.k.a Ragga music.

Dancehall developed in the '80s as "raggamuffin," a hybrid style featuring a DJ or "sing-jay" half-singing, half-rapping with often bawdy ("slack") themes. The musical structure is rooted in reggae though the rhythms, played by drum machines, are considerably faster.

Ragga is a term used when dancehall reggae is incorporated into other genres, most notably hip-hop and R&B. Ragga and dancehall are essentially interchangeable terms for the same music, but reggae audiences and critics tend not to use ragga, while pop audiences do.

In my opinion, Supercat 'The Don Dada' would be my pick for the ultimate Ragga Dj. It is also arguable that the duo of Chakademus & Pliers is the best ever Dj & singer outfit to ever grace the genre. I hope I've been of help to you, my good man.

By the way, what type of music do these folks belong to- Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers? I've never come accross them & I don't think they are part of dancehall.


SOOPAFLY APPEARS COURTESY OF THE CITY OF KISUMU. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2002.

[y5next]

I'm more into old school reggae. My eardrums can't take take the pounding anymore. :-)
Bob Marley and the Wailers, Peter Tosh, Steel Pulse, Black Uhuru e.t.c

>By the way, what type of music do these folks belong to- Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers? I've never come accross them & I don't think they are part of dancehall.

They are probably the best dancehall, ballroom pair of all time. If you watch oldtime classic movies with dance scenes, you'll probably see them.

[Soopafly]

y5next, the genre you're referring to must be Ballroom Dancing and not Dancehall/Ragga/Raggamuffin.

[Nerima]

Soopafly,i'm really feeling your old school ragga choices especially Let him go by Beenie Man.....damn that song is good.

Mr Cheeks' lights,camera,action kinda has a ragga beat...i think!

[a gal]

Aii, Nerima, ati Lights, Camera , Action..that one sounds Hip Hop to me..That "Hey Baby" Song is nice though..especially the Bounty Killer part

[Nerima]

I guess i could be biased,when i see Mr.Cheeks i see ragga....pole.