DHA-BTS – The Dancehall Archive & Research Initiative

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In today’s #MondayMemories we look back at this

In today’s #MondayMemories we look back at this iconic clash from Sting 1993 between two of dancehall’s most famous deejays, Beenie Man @kingbeenieman and Bounti Killa @grunggaadzilla . (See longer video in our IGTV). Clash Culture in Jamaican dancehall is the physical manifestation of social and political rivalry at different levels in the society. Clash is reflected in the wider atmosphere of intense rivalry in the Jamaican society at various levels. Dancehall’s culture of clash includes the live, onstage competition between rival deejays or artistes, contending for bragging rights in front of a live audience who also act as judge and jury for the outcome of clashes. Artiste vs artiste clashes which made Sting famous are accompanied by various forms of lyrical and symbolic violence as seen here in this live clash. The audience’s energetic responses, their gun salutes, flaming torches and screams of assent provide an intense and highly charged backdrop for these on-stage and very theatrical competitions. Beenie Man and Bounti Killa’s rivalry spanned the 1990s into the 2000s, spurring on an intense wave of creativity and a barrage of hits after hits. This form of lyrical competition usually results in intense creativity and provides fans and audiences with consummate displays of showmanship and lyrical dexterity. #dancehall #culture #jamaica #clash #deejay #artiste #creative #competition #lyrical #rivalry #theatre #reggaeton #ragga #hiphop #afrobeat

It’s time for #MondayMemories! In this Repost fr

It’s time for #MondayMemories! In this Repost from @judahasante we go back the 1990s. In this clip from the annual pre-Christmas community concert Ghetto Splash, 1996 we see Beenie Man @kingbeenieman , Buju Banton @bujubanton Sizzla @therealsizzlakalonji and Capleton @capletonmusic sharing their talent on stage! Organised by Patrick Roberts and held at the Waterhouse Mini-Stadium in Kingston, Ghetto Splash celebrated its 30th staging in 2019. #dancehall #concert #GhettoSplash #stageshow #1990s #artiste #culture #kingston #jamaica #dancehallarchive

The DHA turns its Videolight Feature squarely on t

The DHA turns its Videolight Feature squarely on the late Louise Frazer-Bennett, a highly respected artiste manager, booking agent, mentor and trailblazer in dancehall for over two decades up until the time of her passing in 2003. Known for her raspy voice and no-nonsense persona, Frazer-Bennett hailed from Jones Town in Kingston and rose to prominence for her work in dancehall in the 1980s. A colourful character known for her spectacular costumes, bulky gold jewellery, and signature scars from burns in an altercation at 18, Frazer-Bennett commanded attention and earned major respect in the male-dominated arena of dancehall.
She was known as a shrewd businesswoman who went above and beyond for her artistes, and played a crucial role in the careers of Wayne 'Sleng Teng' Smith, Tenor Saw, Captain Barkey and Wickerman, Ghost and Culture, Charlie Chaplain, Junior Reid, Ninja Man and Bounty Killer.
Frazer-Bennett was a founding member and former President of the Sound System Association of Jamaica in the early 1990s that tried to bring all the Jamaican “soundmen” under one umbrella. She was a champion for poor youths who sometimes fell afoul of the system and gave of herself to provide opportunities for their empowerment. In the late 1990s she was part of a prison rehabilitation project and pioneered the introduction of music-related programme at South Camp Road (formerly Gun Court, now Peace Centre) as a part of the Reverence for Life programme.
In 2002 she launched a book of poetry titled “I Will Survive”.
A woman who drew her strength from her roots in Kingston’s inner-cities, and a true champion for dancehall culture, we must not forget to remember the contribution of a true trailblazer who deserves every recognition. The Dancehall Archive and Research Initiative hails the indomitable Louise Frazer Bennett as a dancehall icon, a strong black woman, and a legend in her time. #dancehall #reggae #manager #mentor #trailblazer #strongwoman #legend #icon #louisefrazerbennett #jamaica #kingston #jonestown #soundsystemassociation

For Monday Memories we go back TrassPassa in Venez

For Monday Memories we go back TrassPassa in Venezuela in 2015! Great memories were made when a team comprising Prof. Donna Hope @donnaphope, Orville Xpressionz @orvillexpressionz and Cindy Claes @cindy_claes were invited to Venezuela by the British Council to share about dancehall with an eager group of young people and their supportive family members. The term is a play on the word Passa Passa and also a Spanish term for beyond borders. TrassPassa was the brainchild of Kimberlyn Tarache @kimmy.tb and supported by a wave of Venezuelan dancers and others interested in Jamaican culture.
The series of events took place with the support and sponsorship of the British Council in Venezuela. A series of lectures and classes on Jamaican dancehall and dancehall dance and choreography were hosted over a one-week period (May 25-29). We share a few memories of some of the activities at the Teresa Carreno Cultural Complex in Caracas, and a dance event at Parque Cultural Tiuna el Fuerte. Our Venezuelan family remains strong and continues to dance and build the dancehall vibes. 🇯🇲🇻🇪 #dancehall #dance #Jamaica #Kingston #Venezuela #Caracas #Venezolanas #Venezolanos #family #familia #memories #festival #music

As the tributes continue to pour in Our Videolight

As the tributes continue to pour in Our Videolight Feature focusses its light on the late Toots Hibbert @tootsmaytalsofficial. Toots is a legendary artiste, one of a small handful who crafted mega-hits across several early genres of Jamaican music. These include his Six and Seven Books & Dog War in ska; Bam Bam in rocksteady; and the renowned 54-46 in reggae. Toots wrote and performed with The Maytals, the 1968 song, Do the Reggay, credited with naming the then developing genre Reggae. He was a close friend and contemporary of Bob Marley, and both were signed to Island Records at one point in time. A three-time winner of Jamaica’s Festival/Popular Song Competition, Toots gave of his talent and time in Jamaica’s recent 2020 Festival Song Competition with his song, Rise Up Jamaica. With a career that spanned several decades from the 1960s to present-day, Toots Hibbert’s pioneering work across multiple genres gained him global recognition and renown. He has left us with an enormous and expansive catalogue that will last through the ages. We have all been enriched by his mega-contribution. Rise in Power #TootsHibbert. #reggae #ska #rocksteady #legend #icon #artists

Did you know that King Yellowman @king.yellowman i

Did you know that King Yellowman @king.yellowman is the first dancehall artiste to get a record deal with a major US record label? He recorded his first few albums with the late producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes, and these were released internationally on the UK label, Greensleeves in the early 1980s. King Yellowman was very popular in the early 1980s and had several successful tours in the UK and US. His success led to a recording contract in 1984 with the American label Columbia Records for his album "King Yellowman". King Yellowman’s prolific rate of production has resulted in over 50 studio albums and multiple hits on top of hits. He continues his work in the fields of music to date. Respect to a true icon and dancehall’s Original King! #dancehall #KingYellowman #jamaica #Kingston #reggae #music #lyrics #festival #Europe #usa #columbia

In today’s #MondayMemories we highlight the work

In today’s #MondayMemories we highlight the work of our Jamaican poet, folklorist, writer, educator and Cultural Icon, The Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley whose birthday we celebrate today, September 7. This short clip, compliments of the National Library of Jamaica @natlibja, takes us behind the scenes with Miss Lou on the set of the tv show, Ring Ding. It aired on the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) from 1968 to 1980. Ring Ding was originally set as an intro for the American children's show, Sesame Street, but its popularity grew and administrators at the JBC agreed to extend its airtime to a full half hour. Ring Ding was mainly a children’s show geared towards introducing people to Jamaican culture. For 12 years Miss Lou's robust 'Ring Ding! Concert time!' introduced the half-hour programme on Saturdays, and the programme grew to expose the children that brought in their material. Miss Lou was the main creative force behind Ring Ding, acting as host and also singing and teaching her mainly young audience about folk and social songs and ring games. Today, thousands of Jamaicans have fond memories of tuning in on Saturdays to the JBC, to watch Miss Lou on Ring Ding. Happy Birthday Miss Lou! Walk good! Tanks fi every ting! #culture #Jamaica #children #icon #folklore #poet #educator #patwa
#creole #Jamaicanculture #JBC #TVJ #ringding #dancehall #Kingston #ringgames #reggaeton

Happy 101st Birthday Miss Lou. Hon. Louise Bennet

Happy 101st Birthday Miss Lou. Hon. Louise Bennett- Coverley. Your tireless devotion to uplifting and preserving the practice of presenting poetry, stories and folk songs in Jamaican Creole, our patwa set the stage for many performers today. We stand on your shoulders and continue to uplift your legacy. #creole #patwa #dancehall #storytelling #Jamaica #reggaeton #dancehallarchive #performer #deejay #artiste #Kingston

Tonight we shine the Videolight on Isaiah Laing, a

Tonight we shine the Videolight on Isaiah Laing, aka Missa Laing. Immortalized in Jamaica’s popular dancehall music in the 1980s and 1990s for his strong crime-fighting stance during his twenty-year stint in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Isaiah Laing, one of Jamaica’s premier Super Cops or ‘Badman Police’ was the key promoter and main force behind Jamaica and dancehall’s “Greatest One Night Stage Show”, Sting for over 30 years. Hailing from rural St. Catherine, Laing’s deep love for Jamaican music began very early, and he recalls stealing out of his house as a young teenager to attend dances. He held his first house party in Willowdene, Spanish Town, Jamaica at the age of eighteen, and launched Sting in 1984 after promoting several very successful dances at Spanish Town’s Prison Oval and Cinema 2 in Kingston.
Missa Laing or Laing as he was often affectionately dubbed by prominent and not-so-prominent dancehall hopefuls on and off the Sting stage was a feared crime-fighter, a consummate promoter, a man for all seasons and a key force in the promotion of Jamaican popular music culture. Soft-spoken, baby-faced and always immaculately turned out in his well-cut suits, expensive shoes and backed by the ever-present entourage, Isaiah Laing presided over his Supreme Promotions empire from his offices at Burlington Avenue in Kingston. In 2014, Isaiah Laing launched his co-authored autobiography Point Blank Range: A Badman Police –The Isaiah Laing Story. The Dancehall Archive and Research Initiative salutes Isaiah Laing for his contribution as a pioneer in building and creating a stage show legacy and showcasing talent and skill from the ranks of dancehall music and culture. #dancehall #music #culture #Jamaica #reggae #reggaeton #sting #festival #police #badman #dancehallarchive

We had to share this.Reposted from @sparkiebabyoff

We had to share this.Reposted from @sparkiebabyofficial: Like it bun dah writer deh fi haffe write say a we the fans dem choose. Hush. Tek dat and cool it! Hope yuh learn yuh lesson!
#Verzuz #Beenieman
#bountyvsbeenie #bountykiller #dancehall #Jamaica #Kingston #lyrics #music #festival #UWI 🇯🇲 #regrann

Did you Know that Gilly Priest is the Gateman refe

Did you Know that Gilly Priest is the Gateman referred to in Josey Wales’ dancehall classic “Leggo Mi Hand Gateman”? Gilly Priest was known to many as the Original Gateman. He became renowned for holding the gate at many of Kingston’s most hardcore dancehall venues, including Skateland in Half Way Tree. He was killed by gunmen in Kingston in January 2006. #gateman #dancehall #joseywales #gillypriest #jamaica #skateland #halfwaytree #kingston #reggae #reggaeton #uwi #linstead #music

It’s time for our regular #MondayMemories. Tod

It’s time for our regular #MondayMemories. Today we feature this fun-filled moment from our Dancehall Archive Launch in 2018 when our UWI, Mona students engaged in a dance-off. The audience had a whale ofa time! Dancehall Culture is many things – and one thing is certain, it is very entertaining. What dance styles do you see? Tag yourselves! #dancehallarchive #dancehall #reggae #reggaeton #UWI #music #dance #students #fun #Jamaica #Kingston #culture #clash #Caribbean🇯🇲

Tonight we shine our Videolight Feature on the Dan

Tonight we shine our Videolight Feature on the Dancehall Hostel @dancehallhostel. Set up in December, 2012 the Dancehall Hostel, located at 321 Molynes Road, Kingston, Jamaica, is owned and operated by Syl Gordon @cellblockmusic whose pedigree in the Dancehall industry spans more than three decades, including working as an audio engineer from 1988.
The Dancehall Hostel was born when Syl's friend, Orville Xpressionz Hall , convinced him to transform the upper floor of his Cell Block Recording Studio into a hostel to host 12 Russian Dancehall dance students. Today, the Dancehall Hostel hosts guests from all over the world with a strong European contingent annually, offering lodgings and related amenities, plus a Dancehall Excursion Package which provides Dancehall Classes, Entertainment, Lectures, Transportation and Tours – all oriented around Dancehall Culture.
In 2014 the Dancehall Hostel partnered with Dance Xpressionz to initiate their annual Dancehall Dream Camp where dancehall dance students from around the world come to Jamaica to experience local culture, food, and nightlife, while learning Dancehall moves taught by local Dancehall dance teachers. In December, 2017 the Hostel Hangout was added to its offerings so locals and foreigners can come together twice monthly to enjoy an evening of dancing in a traditional dancehall street party. In 2020 the Dancehall Hostel expanded its lodging options with a cozy cottage in Falmouth, Trelawny. The Dancehall Archive salutes the Dancehall Hostel and its team led by Syl Gordon, for their continued innovation and professional movements with the culture. Remember to check out their offerings virtually and in person! #dancehall #lodging #culture #Jamaica #reggae #Kingston #Falmouth #MontegoBay #excursion #dance #teacher #reggaeton #party #dancehalltourism #tourist #host #Europe #engineer #dancehallarchive #Linstead #UWI

Did You Know that Sister Nancy (Muma Nancy) @siste

Did You Know that Sister Nancy (Muma Nancy) @sisternancy is the first female dancehall Deejay? She was influenced by her brother, Brigadier Jerry, and pursued her love for music from her early teens. Her first chance to deejay live was at age 15 in St. Thomas when DJ Chalice gave her the microphone. Sister Nancy performed along with her brother, Brigadier Jerry on Jah Love Muzik and then with Stereophonic sound systems, establishing her role as a powerful female Deejay. She is the first female Deejay to perform at Reggae Sunsplash and also to tour internationally. Her 1982 hit single Bam Bam, an update of Toots and the Maytals’ 1966 song, continues to be sampled in many genres. #dancehall #reggae #rastafari #music #deejay #woman #Jamaica #culture #festival #SisterNancy #Kingston #Linstead #dancehallarchive

It’s time for #MondayMemories! Today we look ba

It’s time for #MondayMemories! Today we look back at this performance from veteran dancehall artiste Tiger at Reggae Sunsplash 1987! Always an energetic performer, Tiger’s hit song, Don is Don, drives the crowd wild! Great memories of awesome dancehall performances! #dancehall #reggae #Jamaica #Kingston #lyrics #music #festival #UWI #reggaesunsplash #reggaeton #culture

In our Videolight Feature today we focus on Latony

In our Videolight Feature today we focus on Latonya Style, Entrepreneur, Dancer, Choreographer, Dance Teacher, Author, and Founder and CEO of Dance Jamaica (DanceJA) Academy. Latonya has been dancing since childhood and recalls showing her dance moves to Bogle whenever he visited her home. She developed her interest in dancehall and appreciation for music from her family, including her father who managed a nightclub and artistes. She became a member of the Ashe Performing Group during high school and toured with the group for 10 years, honing her teaching and dance skills. Since 1999, Latonya has been choreographing and touring with top dancehall artistes and has performed at every major stage show across Jamaica and some overseas. In 2006 she launched the first website highlighting Dancers Worldwide with videos of Dancehall Steps from A-Z. In 2011-2013 Latonya orchestrated the first Award Recognition ‘DanceJa Awards’ dedicated to local and international Dancehall Dancers. After reaping immense success with her tour to Russia and Europe in 2012, she opened the doors of DanceJA Skool (now Academy) in Kingston in late 2012.
Latonya has been to more than 39 countries as a cultural ambassador, showcasing Jamaican dancehall culture, creativity, language and fashion and has earned significant renown for her knowledge, and signature styles. Her series of original dance moves called "Stylish Moves" all compiled from high school to now, include moves like Pretty Wine, Bruk Out Wine, Clap Yourself, Above Average, Dash Out, Elastic, among others. A true entrepreneur, she has packaged Stylish Moves into certification programme and authored four Stylish Moves books.
Latonya’s passion is now her profession. She offers Local Tours, Cultural Activities, Lectures, Workshops, Nature Adventures, Nightlife Excursions, and Outreach Programs for the youths at DanceJA Academy with her diverse and ever-expanding team. The Dancehall Archive & Research Initiative salutes a true trailblazer, a woman of purpose, a talented dancer, dance teacher, choreographer and entrepreneur! #dancehall #reggae #Jamaica #Kingston #music #reggaeton #talent #dancer #culture #UWI 🇯🇲

Did you know that Grammy Award-Winning artiste Sea

Did you know that Grammy Award-Winning artiste Sean Paul @duttypaul played for Jamaica’s national water polo team? He comes from a family of champion swimmers with his grandfather being on the first Jamaican men's national water polo team. Sean Paul’s father also played water polo for the team in the 1960s, and competed in long-distance swimming; and his mother was a butterfly swimmer. Sean Paul played for Jamaica's national water polo team from the age of 13 to 21, when he gave up the sport in order to launch his musical career. As he puts it, if he wasn’t doing music, he would be at the pool; and he believes that playing water polo provided him with focus and discipline. Diverse and talented! #dancehall #reggae #waterpolo #sport #Jamaica #dancehallarchive

In todays Monday Memories we feature this 1980s Fl

In todays Monday Memories we feature this 1980s Flashback Reposted from @judahasante FOUNDATION RULES!!! Tenor Saw, Burro Banton, Nicodemus, Super Cat, Early B, Professor Nuts, Ninja Man. #dancehall #reggae #jamaica #tenorsaw #nicodemus #supercat #earlyb #professornuts #ninjaman (EXPLICIT) #reggaeton #kingston

Earl “Biggy” Turner is our Videolight Feature!

Earl “Biggy” Turner is our Videolight Feature! @biggy.designs. Biggy is renowned as dancehall’s premiere Fashion Designer and played a key role in the creation of futuristic, daring, raunchy and over-the-top signature costumes during dancehall’s golden era. He was Fashion designer and consultant to many of dancehall’s top stars and regular fans during the late 1980s through the 1990s. His fabulous creations have graced the forms of artistes like Pinchers, Shabba Ranks, Daddy Lizard, Red Dragon, Beenie Man, Ce'Cile, Lady Saw, Spice, Freddie McGregor, Maxi Priest, Black Uhuru, Junior Demus, Half Pint, Junior Reid, Lady Junie, Wayne Marshall, Buju Banton, Tony Rebel, Toots Hibbert, and the late Garnett Silk, among many others. Biggy’s fantastic costumes starred on the stages of Sting many times during its heyday, and he even shared office space at Sting’s Burlington Avenue HQ. His impressive list of clientele include corporate entities like Digicel, Magnum and Guinness. His designs have consistently featured in multiple dancehall videos, including Shabba Ranks' Ting a Ling and Housecall videos, and he is Fashion consultant to many video shoots, like Major Lazer’s Watch out fi Dis/Bumaye. Biggy’s designs remain eye-catching and his denim pieces are works of art. His favourite design is the costume worn by Shabba Ranks at his first Grammy appearance, which made it into the pages of Time Magazine. The Dancehall Archive salutes Earl “Biggy” Turner is an iconic Image Creator, Fashion Designer, and Fashion Consultant within and beyond the dancehall. Continue creating works of art @biggy.designs! #dancehall #reggae #reggaeton #Kingston #artist #Jamaica #fashion #creator #designer #pioneer #icon #music #UWI #Linstead🇯🇲

Did You Know that Shabba Ranks is the first danceh

Did You Know that Shabba Ranks is the first dancehall artiste to win a Grammy? He won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1992 for his first album on the Epic label, As Raw as Ever. Shabba returned to win a second Grammy Award in 1993 for the album X-tra Naked. This earned Shabba Ranks the title, "The Grammy Kid". To date, Shabba remains the only dancehall artiste to have won two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album. #trailblazer #dancehall #Jamaica #Grammy #reggae #music #culture #reggaeton

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