Oh ho Poor and Boasy again! By now if you haven’t been familiar with that statement then truly you have been living under a rock for the past few months. This, the second installment of the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall, is proving that is does have some degree of staying power in the Saturday line up. It is also proving to be a vehicle for developing new talents that under normal circumstances may otherwise be left aside. The Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall is basically the American Idol for Dancehall. This means contestants go through the wringer, in a short time testing their range as an artist and ultimately battling each other for an opportunity to shine or remain in the realm of Iron Balloon for a year. It’s a hardcore dancehall boot camp, which engages the viewers to vote for their favorite prince and or princess to move on to the next stage of the competition all the time toughening the skin and grooming the potential heir to the throne.
Dancehall is about characters and in the Kings and Queens competition there is no shortage of them. One needn’t go farther than the reoccurring characters of judges and host. Producer extraordinaire, Cordel 'Scatta' Burrell has achieved some fame with his chat topping rhythm Coolie Dance. While not as scathing and witty as a Simon he does have his ‘WTF’ moments, and at times it’s very hard to agree or see what he sees. For example “Kelly Killa sound like Merciless on the toilet.” I don’t even want to know how or why he was privy to such information or when he implied a few weeks ago that Poor and Boasy got thus far on pity votes.
The renowned dancehall artiste General Degree sometimes appears to be the bleeding heart among the three judges. Maybe it has to do with his first hand experience as an artiste and going through much of the anguish and embarrassment which he is presented with nightly and the fact that in all this he refuses to be the one to crush someone’s dream. Personally I like when he has one too many Magnums and rambles a little or when he just probably wasn’t listening and when it’s his turn to comment he goes “Yeah! Wha Miss Kitty say.”
Which brings us to the fluffy Diva herself. Broadcaster Miss Kitty is the embodiment of the fact that a female who has street ‘cred’ can conduct herself as a lady. That is a refreshing and positive example for all the little divas to be that watch the show. She offers intelligent and constructive criticism for those who will listen. All in all she keeps the Motley Crew inline while also being the muse to many of the songs presented by the contestants. It is clear the judges have fun at their job while at the same time has the deeper understanding that the task they choose to undertake is a very important one. The other female in this get up is Empress and every night she proves to be more than just eye candy with a really nice booty. But Jesus H. Christ if she sings ‘Welcome Back’ one more time bang! Zoom! Straight to the moon!
The first airing of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall took place on Saturday January 5th 2008. Princes and Princesses vie for a million dollars and a video and production of a single, the necessary tools for the debut of a superstar. Now in its second season we are presented with finalist Poor and Boasy, a window-washing pauper turned Dancehall Prince. His style and flow is unlike any you have ever heard, in this case it’s a good thing, and he has the swagger to back it up. Also in the Magnum court is the fair lady Destiny from the sunshine city. It is very hard to believe that she is not already an established artiste as she clearly has stage presence and has proven to be very versatile thus far. She moves with a seamless ease of motion from singing melodic hooks to battling her fellow princess Tikki, spitting counteractions and venomous battle lyrics without missing a beat. Tikki and R.C. are the other finalist in the grand finale which airs this Saturday May 2, 2009 at the Weekenz Bistro and Bar. If you have the opportunity to, please go out and support your favorite, try to get there for 8pm-ish, the show airs on TVJ at 9p.m. sharp.
After Magnum check out Life Fest at Backyard, literally up the road from Weekendz. Live Fest features an excellent bill including Sizzla, Queen Ifrica, Jah Cure, Chino, Wayne Wonder and High Octane, Damien 'Junior Gong' Marley, Stephen Marley. While the line up for Life Fest is crazy it’s a session with a good cause, it is an education improvement drive of which the DJ is no stranger to. The show is promoted by the Carlisle Foundation, named for Benz's 17-year-old son, Carlton Grant Jr., who was controversially killed by police in downtown Kingston last August.
Dancehall is about characters and in the Kings and Queens competition there is no shortage of them. One needn’t go farther than the reoccurring characters of judges and host. Producer extraordinaire, Cordel 'Scatta' Burrell has achieved some fame with his chat topping rhythm Coolie Dance. While not as scathing and witty as a Simon he does have his ‘WTF’ moments, and at times it’s very hard to agree or see what he sees. For example “Kelly Killa sound like Merciless on the toilet.” I don’t even want to know how or why he was privy to such information or when he implied a few weeks ago that Poor and Boasy got thus far on pity votes.
The renowned dancehall artiste General Degree sometimes appears to be the bleeding heart among the three judges. Maybe it has to do with his first hand experience as an artiste and going through much of the anguish and embarrassment which he is presented with nightly and the fact that in all this he refuses to be the one to crush someone’s dream. Personally I like when he has one too many Magnums and rambles a little or when he just probably wasn’t listening and when it’s his turn to comment he goes “Yeah! Wha Miss Kitty say.”
Which brings us to the fluffy Diva herself. Broadcaster Miss Kitty is the embodiment of the fact that a female who has street ‘cred’ can conduct herself as a lady. That is a refreshing and positive example for all the little divas to be that watch the show. She offers intelligent and constructive criticism for those who will listen. All in all she keeps the Motley Crew inline while also being the muse to many of the songs presented by the contestants. It is clear the judges have fun at their job while at the same time has the deeper understanding that the task they choose to undertake is a very important one. The other female in this get up is Empress and every night she proves to be more than just eye candy with a really nice booty. But Jesus H. Christ if she sings ‘Welcome Back’ one more time bang! Zoom! Straight to the moon!
The first airing of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall took place on Saturday January 5th 2008. Princes and Princesses vie for a million dollars and a video and production of a single, the necessary tools for the debut of a superstar. Now in its second season we are presented with finalist Poor and Boasy, a window-washing pauper turned Dancehall Prince. His style and flow is unlike any you have ever heard, in this case it’s a good thing, and he has the swagger to back it up. Also in the Magnum court is the fair lady Destiny from the sunshine city. It is very hard to believe that she is not already an established artiste as she clearly has stage presence and has proven to be very versatile thus far. She moves with a seamless ease of motion from singing melodic hooks to battling her fellow princess Tikki, spitting counteractions and venomous battle lyrics without missing a beat. Tikki and R.C. are the other finalist in the grand finale which airs this Saturday May 2, 2009 at the Weekenz Bistro and Bar. If you have the opportunity to, please go out and support your favorite, try to get there for 8pm-ish, the show airs on TVJ at 9p.m. sharp.
After Magnum check out Life Fest at Backyard, literally up the road from Weekendz. Live Fest features an excellent bill including Sizzla, Queen Ifrica, Jah Cure, Chino, Wayne Wonder and High Octane, Damien 'Junior Gong' Marley, Stephen Marley. While the line up for Life Fest is crazy it’s a session with a good cause, it is an education improvement drive of which the DJ is no stranger to. The show is promoted by the Carlisle Foundation, named for Benz's 17-year-old son, Carlton Grant Jr., who was controversially killed by police in downtown Kingston last August.
hi Eve, i went to Weekenz last Sat and saw all these guys in action. of course Poor n Boasy going to win. i thoroughly enjoyed it. well organized and thought out.
ReplyDeleteDWL you were there Annie how come I didn’t see you? Cho. Were you there long enough to see Poor and Boasy get showed in a sudden wash of hateful Magnum rain after being paraded on the shoulders of his comrades? It happened just after the clash with him and RC. Will you be there again Annie I’m gonna look out for you^_^
ReplyDeleteOh yeah gotta give the organizers props too Annie the show was professionally executed. And I found a new respect for Empress on and off stage.
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