Beenie ManBeenie Man whose birth name is Moses Davis was born the 22:nd of August 1973, in Waterhouse, a volatile political enclave on the fringe of the Jamaican capital city, Kingston. His mother and father were Lilieth Sewell and Lloyd Davis (now deceased). Contradicting his name, which means "shortie," Beenie Man is long, lean and lanky.
There are not many persons who can trace the start of their career to the early childhood save in the context of forced labour. Beenie Man is a member of that group of individuals who can truthfully attest to making his career choice during his infancy. At the ripe age of five, Beenie Man had signalled to all who cared to note that he wanted to be nothing but an entertainer.
Improvising at a local talent contest at age six, Beenie Man was spotted by the controller of the Shocking Vibes label, Patrick Roberts. "He was talent itself," Roberts recalls. Beenie Man remembers that night. "I won the concert out of about fifty artists. I never lost a DJ contest. I have to go to school and my mother don't have no money. I would win $25 JA and two boxes of beer for a contest; the beer was my shoes and school uniform money, the $25 JA was my lunch money. I had to win."
1981 was the year that Beenie Man would make his debut as a recording artiste. It was also the year in which he started a lasting friendship with Kirk Davis, more popularly known as Little Kirk. The newfound friends dominated their respective categories in a neighbourhood talent contest. Popular Jamaican radio personality, Barry G, was so impressed with Beenie Man's performance, that he introduced the young entertainer to outstanding Jamaican producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes who had already made his mark with another top flight deejay, Yellow Man. Junjo gave Beenie the opportunity to make his first recording, "Too Fancy".In 1984 Beenie Man recorded his first album, "The Invincible Beenie Man: Ten Year Old Wonder". If the wonder status was to prove premature, the invincibility claim was certainly prophetic. The project however did not reap the expected benefits for the "Boy Wonder" nor the producer Bunny "Stricker" Lee. Beenie Man would soon meet Patrick Roberts and his fortune would change forever. Yet the road to stardom would still not be a smooth one. Roberts experienced serious resistance from the rebellious Beenie who was not always willing to fit into the young producer's plans for his development. Beenie soon recorded two popular songs for Roberts, "We Run Tings" and "Kipway", on the Shocking Vibes label.
Things were on their way when misfortune beckoned. His career plunged to its lowest point during the 1991 visit of the African leader, Nelson Mandela. The young deejay in a fit of exuberance decided that he would chastise the white oppressors in South Africa by referring to them as "Green Arm" at a rally to honour the black nationalist. Beenie was not given a chance to continue. He was shamefully removed from the stage. His national humiliation did nothing to flag his spirit. He viewed his experience as a temporary set back and eventually returned to the studio. The attachment of invincible to his name would soon be justified.
By the end of 1992, the return of Beenie Man had been set in motion, prompted by a brief sojourn into the hills of St. James, where he had a chance to meditate and create. The fruits of the reprise were immediately in evidence, "Wicked Man" heralded his return from the hills, "No Matter The Money" and "People Dead" were quickly to follow.
Musicologists might well cite 1994 as the year of the recording artiste, Beenie Man, came of age. "Matey", "Modelling" and "Slam" were some of the outstanding products of this remarkable year, stamped by some spellbinding performances from this most gifted entertainer. Sting, Reggae Sumfest and the White River Reggae Bash would all feel his awesome presence.
Beenie, now unstoppable, won his first of four "Deejay of the Year" awards in 1994. Then came "Blessed" and his ambivalent relationship with Island Jamaica. The album did not realise its potential despite the presence of the smash single "Slam". Beenie and his camp felt that the promotional activity behind "Blessed" lacked vitality, but this prolific artiste had no time to brood, he was ready to show the world that he was indeed the "Maestro". Beenie however had to wait for almost a year before the opus "Maestro" was eventually released by VP Records in New York and Greensleeves in London.
The New York Launch of "Maestro" was a major social event in Manhattan, brought prematurely to an end by elements from the New York City Fire Department who though that the Metronome had well exceed its legal number of patrons. This was a prelude of what was to come.
March 1, 1997, will be remembered as a special day in the history of the Beacon Theatre, when Beenie Man took centre stage at this Broadway landmark and dazzled the capacity crowd with his inimitable showmanship. Those who managed to secure an entry into the August Manhattan venue could not help but feel pity for the many hapless souls who braved the wintry weather to witness the ultimate in Jamaican showmanship, only to be denied an opportunity to do so at the last minute.Beenie Man has won four consecutive "Deejay of the Year" awards, an achievement unprecedented in its magnitude. He is well poised to defy those who harbour any doubts about his longevity.
Those who need to support claims of his durability will find solace in the fact that 1997 was a remarkable year in he life of Beenie Man. Seven number one singles and a thirty four week occupation of the number one chart position are just a few of the many accomplishments which made 1997 such a distinctive period in a truly astounding career. "Who Am I?", "Foundation", "Oysters & Conch", "Romie", "Missing You", "Dancehall Queen", and Girls Dem Sugar" are now a part of the fabric of major 1997 hits.
Yet to provide a mere catalogue of his recorded hits would only serve to diminish the triumphs of this memorable year. His performances on stage were scintillating. Costa Ricans camped out overnight in order to ensure an opportunity to see him, a privilege sadly denied to many hardy souls who had waited long to see the "Maestro". Those who made it in shouted their continuous approval as he shone in the Costa Rican night.
Forty Thousand (40,000) Trinidadians screamed unable to be satisfied as the "Maestro" strutted his stuff in the company of Wyclef Jean, Faith Evans and Shaggy. "Wyclef, Beenie Mash Up Port of Spain" gushed the headlines, once again he had cast his spell and held the audience in his thrall. The scene would be repeated in Guyana and Barbados and well, to put it simply right across the world.
The impressive string of performances was capped by his finale at Reggae Superjam, a three day music festival at which he was adjudged the "Best Performer" copping the Sigma Unit Trust award. However, a record of the success of '97 would not be complete without noting that through the medium of television, he reached audiences for which he could only have hankered for prior to 1997. VH1, MTV, BET, FOX, BBC and French Television were all graced with the presence of this inspired Jamaican entertainer.As in previous years Beenie Man rode through a number of controversies and managed to emerge stronger after each succeeding dilemma, such is the mettle of the man. Despite the foregoing he found time to produce another album, "Many Moods of Moses" which could well have been dubbed the, "Versatility of Beenie Man", a clear demonstration that we are dealing with a multifaceted artiste and not a one dimensional phenomenon.
The "Many Moods of Moses" contains "Ain't Gonna Figure It Yet", recorded in Nashville, Tennessee; the risqué - "So Hot" featuring Lady Saw; the thoughtful "Steve Biko", and the afro centric "Sincerely". There is so much more including "Who Am I", "Foundation" and "Oysters & Conch".
Most mortals would have been quite satisfied with such an impressive body of work. Based on the feverish pace of his activities in the studio we can be assured that fortunately Beenie Man is not numbered among those who are content to dwell on history.
