“I’m still here. I’m always here. And forever will be here.”
Welcome the king of dancehall: Beenie Man.
The West Indies has birthed some of the world’s most phenomenal artists. From global superstar Rihanna, straight out of Barbados, to Trinidad’s Nicki Minaj, the beautiful islands surrounding us continue to impact our musical lives.
But one artist in particular has been doing it since day one.
Beenie Man, born Anthony Moses Davis, is arguably one of the sole living legends out of Jamaica. Both RiRi and Nicki have been influenced by the dancehall king, either covering his hits while on tour, or collabing with him on their albums.
Beenie’s impact on the music industry spawns over 20+ years, while his songs “Who Am I,” “Romie,” and “Girls Dem Sugar” featuring R&B singer Mya continue to attract people of all ages around the world.
A ladies man and certified gallis, Beenie has released hits with Janet Jackson (“Feel It Boy”), as well as Shawnna and Jamaica’s own Ms. Ting, all adding to his certification as a global icon.
GlobalGrind caught up with the Grammy Award-winning artist to chat about his latest EP, The Greatest Gallis, his outstanding ability to remain relevant in the game for generations, and his take on the incarceration of fellow Jamaican artist, Vybz Kartel.
Check out our exclusive interview with Beenie Man below.
GlobalGrind: So you just released your latest EP, The Greatest Gallis, tell me about the writing process for it and what these particular songs are about.
Beenie Man: These songs on this EP, it’s all about the girls, that’s why it’s called The Greatest Gallis. It’s a different style of music to bring to the public. It’s all about being Beenie Man all over again.
Besides girls, who and what else influences your music nowadays?
The world is huge and there’s a lot of change going on in the music business. I just have to adjust and adapt to what’s going on in the business. I haven’t had an album since 2007. So I’ve been making singles to keep myself relevant within dancehall. Now I decide to put out this EP so people can realize I’m still here. I’m always here. And forever will be here.
The title track of the EP features Sean Paul. How was it recording with him?
That song had to be made in two parts. Sean Paul wasn’t in Jamaica because he was on tour. I wrote the punchline and everything and sent him his part for him to do. He wrote his verse and all of these great things. Me and Sean Paul were friends before Sean Paul became Sean Paul, when everybody used to call him Sean. Him and Mr. Vegas. They are my youth.
So between you and Sean Paul, who is The Greatest Gallis?
Sean Paul is much younger than me and he’s still married and I’m divorced. [Laughs]. That’s why I am the Greatest Gallis.
Was there anyone else you wanted to work with on the EP that you didn’t get a chance to?
We’re still working with people. This EP is just six songs to give people a feel for it and let people know the real album is coming. If the people feel this EP, then we can put out the album officially.
I love the song, “My Life Is So Happy.” What in your life makes you so happy?
I’ve been a star for 22 years and still making hits over all those years. You must be happy that people love you so much that they don’t want to see you drop out the business. This is why I did the song, because if you listen to the verse, it said, ‘Man travel through hills and valley. Enough gunshot man skip and dally. Push through many hard times like chally.’ It’s just telling people where I’m coming from to where I’m at right now. I am so happy.
Do you have a favorite song on the EP?
I don’t have a favorite song. I feel the day you have a favorite song, that means you need to give it up. [Laughs]. All of the songs on the EP are my favorite songs.
What do you have to say about the huge news in Jamaica of Vybz Kartel getting sentenced to life in prison?
It’s a sad thing and a sad moment for all entertainers. We have to just move along with our lives as one more of our brothers have gone down through the prison system. We just have to give them any amount of support we can give them. We have to pray for them so that they can come back and be with us. They are our coworkers. Our brothers. So it’s a very sad moment. Music is here and music goes on. We just have to go and live. And we know that we’re keeping it [music] alive.
You love to dance. What is your favorite dance right now?
We don’t do people’s dance now. We build dance and do our own thing. I don’t have names for my favorite dances. I just do my thing. Remember I am not a dancer, I just love to dance. [Laughs]. Dancers have names for dances and I just love to dance.
Besides yourself, who is your favorite dancehall artist?
Besides myself? I would say Buju Banton.
Your music has touched generations of people throughout your entire career. What do you think it is about your music that allows it to be successful for so long and remain relevant for people of all ages?
It’s not about the music, you know? It’s where the music was, to where the music is. A lot of artists from my days do not know how to adapt to today’s music. You adapt and adjust to the music, and make it your style and turn it into your style that you have right now. People are used to your style and get used to the style now…so if you mix the two together, it’s like Kool Aid and sugar. Just throw a little ice in it and you’re good. [Laughs].
You’re on a world tour right now. What has been your favorite moment on tour so far?
All of the shows are sold out shows and all of the people go crazy. So there’s no favorite night and no less favorite night. All the cities I’ve gone to, I’ve been there before.
So I’ve been there, done that, and now I’m wearing the t-shirt.
Listen to “I Know” off The Greatest Gallis below.
Follow Beenie Man on Twitter (@KingBeenieMan).
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
