KING OF THE DANCEHALL IN CLEVELAND

Beenie Man featuring John Hype

Special Guest: Sparticus, Survivalist & Curly Lox

Date: November 19, 2004

Promoter: New Horizon Production

Sound: Sample Jock & New Horizon

Venue: Cotton Club, Cleveland, OH

Adm: $25, $30 after 12:30am

Due to the fact that his show was cancelled for the Detroit area, RGE found it necessary to make the trip to Cleveland to catch the dancehall superstar, Beenie Man. Like any other Beenie Man show, his fans packed the venue and were ready and waiting for what was sure to be an outstanding performance.

Before the start of the show, the people were entertained by the tunes of Sample Jock and New Horizon. A few girls, who were ready to bruk out, modeled on the dance floor, while others waited along the side enjoying the vibes. Going into another city, one always checks out the local style of dress. Some of these girls, fully clad in true dancehall attire, looked like they were ready for a dancehall queen competition. You may go to a dance in Detroit and maybe find one girl outrageously dressed, but in Cleveland, there were quite a few who were ready to start a fashion rivalry. One girl was dressed in a black leather strappy outfit with red, yellow, and green accents. Two girls that arrived together wore gigantic afro wigs. Destiny (Cleveland’s Dancehall Queen) sported a custom made fit in the spirit of the Reggae Boyz Soccer team who just two days before tied the US in Cleveland.

Survivalist was the first to come out to get the show underway with some fiery lyrics. He was soon followed by Sparticus and Curly Lox who warmed up the crowd even more.

After much anticipation, the man of the evening took to the stage. Decked out in his white and sky blue Dior suit and his charming smile, Beenie Man came out with much vigor and excitement. Beenie moved from one side of the stage to the other dancing around as some of his female fans watched adoringly, reaching their hands out hoping to get a touch. He sang many of his popular tunes like No Toy Friend, Romie, and the more recent hit, Dude. He had the ladies in the audience join him to do Lady Saw’s part in Healing. Everyone joined in to the chanting of, “no gal caan sit dun pun me head, if a gal try dat she dead…”

Then it was dance time. As the Mad Instruments riddim played, Beenie asked from the crowd to call out for famed dancer John Hype. As the screaming of his name got louder and louder John Hype jumped on the stage and gave a dynamic demonstration of the latest dances. Beenie joined him as they “put their A.K. over the wall.” Mr. Hype also showed the spectators the newest dancehall craze the Chaka Chaka as Beenie man sang Chaka Chaka. After John left the stage, Beenie called for John Squad member, George Straight. George ran to the stage and gave the crowd a little shankle dip as they oohed and ahhed.

Once the dancing portion ended, Beenie Man proudly brought out his son, Little QT. He did a few of his own dance moves before he grabbed the mic and started rapping. Although only 6 years old and only in the first grade, everyone could tell the Little QT will be walking in his father’s footsteps to stardom.

Beenie Man ended the show with the his latest smash hit, King of the Dancehall, which he really doesn’t need to prove to anybody who has heard his songs and seen him when he’s ready to perform. As he left the stage at around 4:00 a.m., Sample Jock played again as a fully satisfied audience trickled out the building.