Post by kaya on Jan 22, 2005 4:47:39 GMT -5
Interview-From Jamaica Observer
www.jamaicaobserver.com
One-0n-One with Beenie Man - Pursue whatever you desire
Entertainment
By Rasheen Roper Observer TeenAge writer
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
TeenAge: Can you tell us a little about how you catapulted onto the music scene.
Beenie Man: I came into the scene crying. I was born to do music. I was five years of age when I first touched the stage, eight when I released my first single and 10 when I released my first album.
Beenie Man making a point during his interview with Rasheen Roper.
TeenAge: I like to think of you in the context of a statement that you once made in an interview; that is that you make every negative experience a positive one. "Gold out of straw," from the Hummer accident, to the ongoing feud with the 'Warlord' Bounty Killer. To what can you accredit this mindset?
Beenie Man: I am the King of the Dancehall that is it. I also believe in the stars. Do you believe in the stars?
TeenAge: Not really (laughing).
Beenie Man: Well there is a star out there for you, and one for me. I am an August born and we are border bearers. Great men were born in August like Marcus Garvey, Emmanuel and many other great figures.
So from that, I know that I was born to deal with various situations, yuh haffi know how fi deal wid people. Some Jamaicans are like crabs on a barrel, but yuh haffi grease yuh foot sometimes, so when dem a hol' on to yuh foot dem just slide off.
TeenAge: You are also an artiste that is also concerned with the issues that plague your country, such as AIDS; illiteracy and, of course, Jamaica's increasingly violent crime rate, which has personally affected you. You proceeded to write the song No Mama No Cry, one of your earlier tunes. What is your response now to the crime situation we are faced with in Jamaica?
Beenie Man: Jamaica wicked man. We worse dan Iraq (laughs). At least dem have a purpose to war. We inna Jamaica have no reason fi war. I also believe that the big people need to stop gi di youths dem guns, 'cause some a dem guns come from China and America, not Jamaica.
TeenAge: Tell us about your conversion to Rastafarianism and how it affected your music.
Beenie Man: I have not converted. I was baptised an Ethiopian Orthodox and at the age of 10 I became a Judah Coptic.
TeenAge: How do you manage your fame, a Grammy nominated album, Many Moods, a Grammy for Art and Life as 'Best Reggae Album of 2000,' being DJ of the Year for eight consecutive years, 62 number one singles and 27 years in the spotlight?
Beenie Man: (Breathes and smile). That's all you can do. Me no run nobody. (Breathes and smile again).
TeenAge: You have the most cross-over and as an artiste you have been very instrumental in bridging the gap between dancehall, pop and hip hop. What was it like having work alongside international artistes: Wyclef, Lil' Kim, Kelis, Mya and Janet Jackson?
Beenie Man: The ladies were great especially Mya and Janet, they loved me. I was shocked to see the influence and impact I had on them. All the overseas artistes that I've worked with could recite offa di top a dem head dem favourite Beenie Man tune.
TeenAge: Music advocating the killing of lesbians and gays is causing distress and outrage. Please give us your take on the issue.
Beenie Man: I haven't lost my market, because the ironic thing is that these same gays and lesbians want to buy the CD to listen to the lyrics so that they can interpret it to suit themselves.
TeenAge: Your advice for teens.
Beenie Man: Mi nah tell nobody fi stay in school 'cause who no know dat a idiot. My message is for after school. Whatever you want don't tell yourself you can't. Have confidence, and believe in yourself and pursue whatever it is that you may desire, 'cause yuh have it.
www.jamaicaobserver.com
One-0n-One with Beenie Man - Pursue whatever you desire
Entertainment
By Rasheen Roper Observer TeenAge writer
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
TeenAge: Can you tell us a little about how you catapulted onto the music scene.
Beenie Man: I came into the scene crying. I was born to do music. I was five years of age when I first touched the stage, eight when I released my first single and 10 when I released my first album.
Beenie Man making a point during his interview with Rasheen Roper.
TeenAge: I like to think of you in the context of a statement that you once made in an interview; that is that you make every negative experience a positive one. "Gold out of straw," from the Hummer accident, to the ongoing feud with the 'Warlord' Bounty Killer. To what can you accredit this mindset?
Beenie Man: I am the King of the Dancehall that is it. I also believe in the stars. Do you believe in the stars?
TeenAge: Not really (laughing).
Beenie Man: Well there is a star out there for you, and one for me. I am an August born and we are border bearers. Great men were born in August like Marcus Garvey, Emmanuel and many other great figures.
So from that, I know that I was born to deal with various situations, yuh haffi know how fi deal wid people. Some Jamaicans are like crabs on a barrel, but yuh haffi grease yuh foot sometimes, so when dem a hol' on to yuh foot dem just slide off.
TeenAge: You are also an artiste that is also concerned with the issues that plague your country, such as AIDS; illiteracy and, of course, Jamaica's increasingly violent crime rate, which has personally affected you. You proceeded to write the song No Mama No Cry, one of your earlier tunes. What is your response now to the crime situation we are faced with in Jamaica?
Beenie Man: Jamaica wicked man. We worse dan Iraq (laughs). At least dem have a purpose to war. We inna Jamaica have no reason fi war. I also believe that the big people need to stop gi di youths dem guns, 'cause some a dem guns come from China and America, not Jamaica.
TeenAge: Tell us about your conversion to Rastafarianism and how it affected your music.
Beenie Man: I have not converted. I was baptised an Ethiopian Orthodox and at the age of 10 I became a Judah Coptic.
TeenAge: How do you manage your fame, a Grammy nominated album, Many Moods, a Grammy for Art and Life as 'Best Reggae Album of 2000,' being DJ of the Year for eight consecutive years, 62 number one singles and 27 years in the spotlight?
Beenie Man: (Breathes and smile). That's all you can do. Me no run nobody. (Breathes and smile again).
TeenAge: You have the most cross-over and as an artiste you have been very instrumental in bridging the gap between dancehall, pop and hip hop. What was it like having work alongside international artistes: Wyclef, Lil' Kim, Kelis, Mya and Janet Jackson?
Beenie Man: The ladies were great especially Mya and Janet, they loved me. I was shocked to see the influence and impact I had on them. All the overseas artistes that I've worked with could recite offa di top a dem head dem favourite Beenie Man tune.
TeenAge: Music advocating the killing of lesbians and gays is causing distress and outrage. Please give us your take on the issue.
Beenie Man: I haven't lost my market, because the ironic thing is that these same gays and lesbians want to buy the CD to listen to the lyrics so that they can interpret it to suit themselves.
TeenAge: Your advice for teens.
Beenie Man: Mi nah tell nobody fi stay in school 'cause who no know dat a idiot. My message is for after school. Whatever you want don't tell yourself you can't. Have confidence, and believe in yourself and pursue whatever it is that you may desire, 'cause yuh have it.