A few months back I went to a big party for the first time in a while. It was very vibesy. Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves and especially dancing up a storm to the seemingly endless string of new moves Jamaica keeps throwing up — Leggo Di Bird, Stir Fry, Dirt Bounce, etc. Then Jada Kingdom’s GPP came on, and every lady in the place sang along word for word.

I came away feeling that, contrary to some fears, Jamaican culture seems to have come out of the COVID-19 pandemic in rude health. Now, at my age I am hardly fully au fait about our entertainment scene. So I consulted a bright The University of the West Indies (The UWI) student for an engagee perspective. Here are the cutting edge views of Devanee Hird on the current state of dancehall.

“Although illegal during the pandemic [lockdowns], the partying never really stopped. Social media kept us abreast of all the parties being shut off by police, and every new song and dance to go with it. COVID restrictions lifted and music festivals reopened, reigniting the partying flame.”

The dancing is definitely back in dancehall, but with a difference. Social media platform Tik Tok has taken things to another level. It has created a space for everyone to see the dances for popular songs — usually of the “choppa” variety — in detail, learn the moves, and even build and popularise their own routines.

Well-known Jamaican content creators typically set the standards for which dance combinations are more widely spread, and the most popular ones are done in the parties, because a majority of partygoers participate in online trends. It creates an environment in which everyone is excited to learn the next new, hot trending moves. The app has not only created a platform for dances, but has further boosted the careers of those already established, and spotlighted many up-and-coming dancehall artistes. See table.

The dances’ connection to delinquency

The dances are done to popular songs that often reflect themes of violence and crime, especially scamming. It is indisputably problematic, as it promotes a culture of getting rich quick without working, and spending it all on clothes and cars, because they can make it back.

Our leaders have raised concerns about recent songs glamourising being “dunce” and aspiring to a life of crime. However, a large portion of the well-educated and affluent have latched on to the songs and culture without actively participating in it. The music is just that good.

Music festivals

The turnout for Burna Boy was surprising, as everyone expected a full stadium, but that wasn’t the case. The VIP and Ultra VIP seats were packed, the Grandstand was full, but the Bleachers were almost empty. Our guess is that those who really wanted to see Burna Boy could afford to do so in style, and those who weren’t that interested, simply didn’t show up.

The crowd consensus was that it was a fantastic concert, regardless of technical difficulties. It started with a powerhouse performance by Lila Ike, followed by a lively set from Popcaan, who brought out living legend Beres Hammond, and performed the hit single Next To Me with girlfriend Toni-Ann Singh. Their performance was sickeningly cute. Burna Boy then delivered an amazing show that had the whole stadium moving. He can really command a crowd.

Sting got mixed reviews. The media made it seem a complete disaster, as there were fights backstage that ended the show prematurely and prevented the major artistes from performing. From the accounts of those who went, though, while disappointed at not being able to see all the stars on stage, they still enjoyed what they saw. Artiste Valiant even performed in the parking lot for fans.

All the other music festivals and parties with guest artistes held over the holidays, such as Sandz, Intimate, and Climax, seemed filled to the brim. Jamaicans are outside and enjoying themselves.

Afrobeats vs dancehall

The rise in Afrobeats’ popularity is certainly noticeable, but the notion that it has somehow ‘defeated’ dancehall is incorrect. While it has now become a sort of household staple because of its ‘safe’ content, it’s more of a complement to dancehall that’s mixed in at parties. In some popular Afrobeat songs you can even hear dancehall’s influence.

Jamaicans are always the first to demonise our culture while everyone else celebrates it. While not necessarily a positive attribute, Jamaican dancehall is no more criminally or sexually oriented than hip hop, which still dominates worldwide as a genre.

Artistes

The touted “King of the Dancehall” Vybz Kartel was overthrown in 2022 by Chronic Law as YouTube‘s most streamed dancehall artiste. However, that does not make him the new king. Dancehall is more about airplay at parties and on the media. Dancehall artistes who have dominated the game while Kartel has been incarcerated are Skillibeng, Squash, Masicka, and more recently Valiant and Skeng. You can’t go to a good party and not hear at least two songs from each of these artistes.

Up-and-coming youngsters such as Marksman, Bayka, Kraff Gad, and Jahshii have been putting hits out and booked at several events, and can really draw a crowd. The females in dancehall also have been releasing music with new sounds, like Stalk Ashley, who has switched from her usual lover-girl songs and adopted the ‘gunman’ style of artistry. This change in sound has not been welcomed by all fans, some of whom miss the sweet melodies that introduced her to them.

Currently the most promising new artiste is Valiant. He is one of the few men in dancehall who can actually sing, and not just deejay, and if you’ve seen him perform live you can see he has stage presence. There are many things that make up an artiste, such as their demeanour, the way they carry themselves, the way the public perceives them, and approachability for corporate and promotional opportunities, etc. Out of the current names in dancehall, where the trend is to be ridiculously ignorant, Valiant, thankfully, doesn’t practice what he preaches.

My 5 fave dancehall songs of the year:

Ambala by Squash

North Carolina by Valiant

Gyal Code by Topmann

Like Gold by Masicka

Yo-yo by Kraff Gad

The dancehall culture definitely is not dying. It’s simply shedding its familiar sounds and shifting into a new era with bright, new stars. Contrary to the laments of the doomsayers, Jamaica’s musical culture is as vibrant as ever. We just need more professionalism from our artistes. Let’s hope they learn from Burna Boy.

On a personal note: My wife and I were at Frenchmen’s Climax, where amazingly Bounty Killer and Shaggy — who were there as patrons — gave a brief performance on stage. It was excellent in all respects, with a packed crowd of all demographics enjoying themselves to the max.

My wife left her phone in a public area. I thought it was lost for good. But I rang it, and immediately the deejay said, “Whoever is ringing the phone, you can pick it up at the DJ booth.”

Maximum respect and thanks to whoever found the phone and turned it in. Also to the deejay, who my wife offered a token of thanks, and he just smiled and said, “No problem.”